Since Gu Xingdong wasn't coming, she decided to take the initiative! However, showing up unannounced would seem too purposeful. She needed a plausible reason to subtly approach Gu Xingdong and find out his thoughts on the events of the past two days!
But what kind of excuse could she use to visit the courtyard? Just as Zhang Wan'er was racking her brain, a hurried call reached her ears.
Alice ran over, calling out to Zhang Wan'er, "Wan'er, can you do me a favor?"
Zhang Wan'er frowned and approached Alice, supporting her. She then put on a wronged expression and asked, "What's wrong? What happened? You seem so flustered. I also need you to do me a favor. Can you use your status to ask Gu Xingdong out and have him continue on duty with you?"
Alice panted heavily, fanning herself with her hand, and said with annoyance, "If I could contact Gu Xingdong, I wouldn't be asking you for help!
I don't know what's going on with Gu Xingdong's phone; it's been switched off all day. Do you have any other way to reach him? If you can't contact him, do you have Chen Lishu's phone number?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Wan'er immediately became vigilant. She frowned and asked, "What do you need Chen Lishu's contact information for? When did you two meet? I had no idea about this!"
Alice looked at the fleeting look of ferocity on Zhang Wan'er's face, her heart filled with a complex emotion. For some reason, she always felt Zhang Wan'er harbored malice towards Chen Lishu, but she hadn't sensed anything of the sort from Chen Lishu herself.
It was natural for Zhang Wan'er to resent Chen Lishu. After all, not only had Chen Lishu lost her purity, but the man she liked also didn't like her. However, what Alice found strange was that Zhang Wan'er, while pretending to be indifferent, kind, and generous in front of her, would inadvertently reveal her hatred. It all felt rather disingenuous.
Sensing Alice's scrutinizing gaze, Zhang Wan'er quickly composed herself. She tightly grasped Alice's wrist, tears welling up in her eyes, and choked out,
"I'm sorry, I was a bit too hasty just now. I'm a bit of a loner and quite lonely. The man I liked has already been snatched away, and I don't want my good sister to be snatched away too!
You know, I'm truly grateful to you. You stayed by my side during my difficult times and said so many comforting words. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have recovered so quickly!
Purity is so important to a woman. If you hadn't comforted me and helped me regain the will to live, to be honest, I thought about jumping off the hospital building after the incident!"
Seeing Zhang Wan'er's pitiful state, Alice felt a pang of sympathy. She pulled her into a hug, patting her back and comforting her, "Don't worry, no one can snatch me away. I'm asking for Chen Lishu's phone number because I want her to participate in the fashion competition three months from now!"
After comforting Zhang Wan'er, Alice mumbled softly, "This competition was originally for us."
"I don't mean anything else. Although some of Chen Lishu's actions are indeed infuriating, I still hope she'll be alright. Only then will Xingdong not have to exhaust himself trying to resolve her troubles every day!"
"I don't know what Master means by this. This competition is held annually, and it's about selecting the most skilled designer to be the chief designer.
Every chief designer has been from country M, and never has anyone from Huaxia participated in this competition or held this position! The chief designer represents the royal prestige, so such a position would naturally not be given to an outsider!
You must know that becoming the chief designer brings immense fame. A company like Chen Lishu's could very well become a globally sought-after brand, making this position something others would fight tooth and nail for!"
After briefly explaining the competition, Alice turned to look at Zhang Wan'er and noticed her expression had become vacant. She then nudged Zhang Wan'er with her hand and asked softly, "You still haven't told me if you have Chen Lishu's contact information! If not, I'll have to find other ways to contact Chen Lishu."
If Chen Lishu were at the company, she could send her subordinates to visit, but for some reason, every time she sent someone, they returned empty-handed. They said Chen Lishu hadn't been to the company to handle business recently but was staying at the courtyard.
She had once considered arranging for her subordinates to visit the courtyard, but upon their return, they reported that the security system at the courtyard was too advanced for them to get close. To see Chen Lishu, an appointment letter was required.
An appointment letter? She didn't even have a phone number, so how could she inform Chen Lishu that she was sending someone to invite her for tea?
After much thought, Zhang Wan'er had known them for a long time and likely had their contact information. Perhaps she could help? So, she specifically sought out Zhang Wan'er to inquire about the situation.
Seeing Alice's expectant expression, Zhang Wan'er's movements became unnatural for a moment. She quickly adjusted her mindset and asked with a complicated expression, "If I recall correctly, aren't you the chief designer from country M? Are you really willing to give up your position?"
"Are you perhaps not bothered by this because of my face? If that's the case, I absolutely won't give you Chen Lishu's contact information. We are friends, and I don't want to drag you down because of this connection."
Zhang Wan'er said this with a resolute expression, which made Alice anxious. "Don't say that! This is the only command my Master has given me. If I don't obey, it means I don't respect him! Besides, I've been the chief designer for over ten years, and no one has ever been able to defeat me. This is a good opportunity to see what Chen Lishu's arrogant capital is!"