"Uncle, you're back?" Zhang Wan'er's face showed a hint of guilt. She shuffled over to Yang Zhiguo, tugged at his sleeve, and grinned, "I thought you'd be back a little later. I didn't expect you so soon!"
Yang Zhiguo rushed over to Zhang Wan'er, his face flushed with anger. He pointed a finger at her forehead and said, "How can you be so spineless? There are so many men in this world, must it be Gu Xingdong? You think I'm harming you by keeping you here, but I'm protecting you!
Don't you know the military has already noticed your behavior? Even if I'm a high-ranking official now, if you make a mistake, you'll still face your punishment. I won't be able to save face and beg for you then!
I've already dealt with those previous subordinates. A more professional team will be watching you next. Just stay put in this hotel. Your mother has found several men from good backgrounds. When we have time in a few days, we'll go and visit them. We'll accompany you to see them then."
Hearing that Yang Zhiguo was serious, Zhang Wan'er's smile faltered. She pursed her lips, her eyes reddening as she met Yang Zhiguo's gaze. "Why are you making decisions for me? You keep saying it's for my own good, but you're just afraid I'll affect your career!
If nothing goes wrong, I'm already pregnant with Gu Xingdong's child. If you force me to marry someone else now, it'll be exposed in a few months. Won't that shame our Zhang and Yang families? I will absolutely not marry anyone else. You can go marry the people you decide on yourselves!"
Yang Zhiguo was surprised by Zhang Wan'er's rebellion. He usually indulged her in small matters, but when it came to important issues like family honor, he naturally wouldn't let her throw a tantrum. So, he said with a grim face, "It would be best if you agreed to this. If not, I don't mind using some special means to make you comply!
Even if you are pregnant with Gu Xingdong's child, you can take medication to abort it within a month. Right now, Gu Xingdong doesn't have any romantic feelings for you. If you carry his child without a title, and this news gets out, not only will our family be shamed, but what man would dare to marry you then?"
"Uncle! How could you say such a thing? Didn't you used to spoil me the most? Do you know how harmful an abortion is to a girl's body? I might not be able to conceive with anyone else a second time!
Uncle, are you trying to force me to die? Will you only be satisfied after I'm dead?" Zhang Wan'er said, walking towards the window. The light in her eyes dimmed, and she put on a despairing act.
Li Zhemíng, following the sounds, arrived at the hotel room. The moment he opened the door, he saw Zhang Wan'er seemingly trying to end her life. His right eyelid twitched violently. He hurried to her and said, "Wan'er, what's wrong? Let's talk things through properly!"
Seeing Li Zhemíng appear, Yang Zhiguo stood with his hands behind his back, let out a cold snort, and adopted an elder's air. He sternly rebuked, "I heard from my subordinates that you incited Wan'er to escape successfully?
Zhemíng, you're like a child I watched grow up. I trusted you so much, and yet now you're abetting evil. Do you know Gu Xingdong's situation? Do you know what Zhang Wan'er has been doing, and you're still indulging her!"
Hearing Yang Zhiguo's questioning, Li Zhemíng lowered his head in shame. He glanced at Zhang Wan'er, who was sitting by the window, took a deep breath, and met Yang Zhiguo's increasingly oppressive gaze. "Uncle, there are some things I need to confess to you. Could you come with me for a moment?"
"What do you want to say?" Yang Zhiguo was still angry and clearly didn't want to go anywhere with Li Zhemíng.
Li Zhemíng looked around the room and said mysteriously, "It's not convenient to talk about this here. Why don't you come out with me?"
"Fine, I want to see what excuse you can come up with today to make me forgive you. If you don't have a reasonable explanation, I intend to transfer you out of the capital, and you'll never have a chance to see Wan'er again!" Yang Zhiguo said indignantly, and left the room without looking back.
Li Zhemíng tried to say something to salvage the awkward atmosphere, but Yang Zhiguo didn't give him the chance. He turned and hurriedly said to Zhang Wan'er, "It's dangerous by the window, Wan'er, hurry down. I'll try to persuade Uncle later and ask him not to trouble you about this anymore!
You only have a chance to fight for yourself if you're alive. If you die, Gu Xingdong hasn't fallen for you yet, and he won't be too upset when he hears about your death. In about a month, he'll return to his normal life. After you're gone, only Auntie and Uncle will grieve for you!"
Zhang Wan'er had no intention of dying yet; she hadn't gotten what she wanted! So, facing Li Zhemíng's persuasion, she immediately climbed down from the windowsill. "Brother Zhemíng, Uncle simply doesn't understand the reason behind my actions. Only you understand me. Can you please help me persuade Uncle? I'm begging you!"
Li Zhemíng couldn't understand the reason for Zhang Wan'er's actions either. He curved his lips bitterly, and the words on the tip of his tongue ultimately went unspoken. He nodded with a forced smile and turned away from the hotel room with a complex mood.
Arriving in the corridor, Li Zhemíng obediently offered Yang Zhiguo a cigarette.
Seeing this, a hint of admiration flashed in Yang Zhiguo's eyes. He then said, "You're quite a sensible child. Your family background, appearance, and your attitude towards Wan'er, I'm quite satisfied with all of them. Most importantly, I watched you grow up, so I understand your character thoroughly.
If you could be Wan'er's husband, why would I object so strongly and try to keep her in the hotel, making her resent me? My child, I've watched you grow up, and these past few days I've clearly felt that you have different feelings for Wan'er. Tell me, do you have any romantic intentions towards Wan'er? If not, perhaps Uncle can help arrange it!"
Upon hearing Yang Zhiguo's words, Li Zhemíng nodded without hesitation, directly admitting his feelings. Yang Zhiguo nodded with satisfaction at his straightforward demeanor. "You're a responsible man. How about this, let's meet your parents in the next couple of days to discuss marriage..."