"This time we've truly stumbled. From now on, we must take this as a solemn lesson! Zi Nian, please contact the Queen of Country M and discuss cooperation. The prerequisite is that she must hand over the antidote! As long as the antidote is handed over, she can name her price. However, if she insists on refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit, our He family will not hesitate to sacrifice everything to make her, the Queen, suffer irreparable consequences!"
Elder Master He spoke with a resolute gaze. He Zi Nian straightened his back and accepted the task. "Alright, leave this to me. For the time being, let's act the part. We are a family, and no matter what happens, we must not be divided. Consider this a pre-emptive warning. No matter what unfolds, everyone must remember this!"
Upon hearing this, everyone present nodded. Chen Li Shu glanced in the direction of Qin Yue's room and said, "I'll send some reliable people to stay in the basement these few days to monitor Qin Yue's every move through the video feed. If Qin Yue does anything suspicious, we must take action!"
"Yes, it's alright if the clues are broken. The most important thing now is to ensure the safety of our family members," Elder Master He's words provided them with much-needed reassurance, alleviating their fear of being constrained and unsure of what to do due to concerns about the plan failing.
Just as Elder Master He was about to call everyone back to their rooms to rest, Old Madam He suddenly stood up and said, "Zi Nian, Li Shu, could you two stay and keep me company? I have something I want to talk to you about."
After saying this, Old Madam He stared at Elder Master He and opened her lips slightly. "There's nothing more for you here. You can go back to your room and rest. If Qin Yue discovers anything amiss, you can play along with her outside!"
Elder Master He, seeing himself excluded while everyone else remained, first showed a bewildered expression. Then, he spread his hands and asked innocently, "I don't understand why I'm the only one being asked to leave. What unspeakable matters do you need to discuss? Why can't I listen? I'm not the murderer, why are you being so wary of me?"
Old Madam He glared at Elder Master He and said exasperatedly, "Why are you acting like a child? One is my son, and the other is my daughter. What's wrong with me talking to them? Can't we bond?
I just feel my body weakening day by day. I want to spend more time with them. I've been with you, old man, for decades. I'm tired of you. I don't want to be with you anymore! Your presence only hinders my interaction with these two children!"
The Elder Master instantly felt wronged. He tapped the floor with his cane and let out a cold snort before sitting down in his chair, adopting an attitude of "say it if you want, but I'm not leaving."
Gu Xing Dong, seeing this, exchanged a look with Chen Li Shu, a hint of helplessness in each other's eyes. Then, Gu Xing Dong walked up to the Elder Master, shrugged his shoulders, and said with resignation, "One is a son, the other a daughter, and I am the son-in-law, making me half an outsider. It's awkward for me to join a conversation between mother and children. Perfect! Elder Master, I'll go with you. Let's avoid humiliating ourselves here!"
With that, Gu Xing Dong hooked his arm around the Elder Master's and half-pulled, half-dragged him out of the basement.
As they watched the two leave, Old Madam He's expression gradually turned serious. She sat down, placed her hands on her thighs, and looked at Chen Li Shu. She slowly asked, "Have you clearly explained our suspicion about Meng Lei to the old man?"
"I explained it clearly, but Godfather doesn't seem to believe it much. He trusts Meng Lei greatly. I don't have any evidence, so it's not easy to say more. However, I think Godfather is right about one thing: the Meng family and the He family have always had a good relationship, and Meng Lei has received much care from you. Logically, he shouldn't betray us! Are you saying I might have misinterpreted something?"
Seeing Chen Li Shu waver on the matter, Old Madam He shook her head and said, "Meng Lei holds a special significance for the old man. In the beginning, I didn't think he had any problems, but after you mentioned it, I noticed many inconsistencies.
These days, Meng Lei has been going out early and returning late, but he doesn't have many friends in Huaxia, and he doesn't particularly like Qin Yue. He knows Qin Yue has malicious intentions but still insists on keeping her here! All these actions are too strange.
Most importantly, I don't believe he hasn't heard any rumors about what's been happening at home these days. He's a smart person. Logically, if someone's woman were colluding with a bad person, their first reaction would be shame, then guilt, and then they would try to resolve the situation. But so much time has passed, and there's been no word!
You've been with me for many years, while Meng Lei only came to my side recently. I trust what you say more. However, after this poisoning incident, I've learned one thing: it's better to believe in it than not to believe in it! Therefore, I want to test whether Meng Lei has ulterior motives."
"So, Mom, you deliberately sent Dad away, didn't you?" He Zi Nian's face showed a hint of a teasing smile. He propped his chin with one hand, thought carefully for a moment, and after a while, slowly said:
"Mom, after observing so many people over the years, I really dislike the feeling I get from Meng Lei! I always feel that this brat's personality has become increasingly gloomy over the past few years, as if he's hiding something in his heart.
If this brat truly has problems, I will have to beat his teeth out. Our He family kindly took him in, provided him with food and shelter, and saved him from being hunted by those people. I never expected him to secretly poison us behind our backs.
If Dad dares to defend that brat, I don't mind beating him too. I know what I'm saying is extremely unfilial, but I don't understand. The Meng family elders only gave my father a meal when he was at his lowest, and it was with a condescending attitude!
Why does my father need to remember things so clearly? This matter could have been resolved with just a little money! Yet, he insists on taking on this mess, truly thinking of himself as a great benefactor? He can't possibly abandon his own family for the sake of repaying a favor!"