Just as everyone was preparing to leave this place of trouble, Alice suddenly called out to stop them: "Wait a minute."
The crowd, somewhat puzzled, halted their steps and looked in the direction of the voice. They saw Alice, in her high heels, approaching a woman.
"If I remember correctly, weren't those rumors just spread by you? Who told you to be so vulgar, and which company's daughter are you?
Alright, no matter which esteemed family you come from, I am announcing here and now that Felia Ann will not cooperate with your company. No, to be precise, trade in country M will be closed off to your company!"
Upon hearing this, the woman's face turned deathly pale. She opened her mouth, wanting to explain that it wasn't her fault but that someone had approached her and asked her to say such things at the banquet. However, before she could utter a word, her best friend by her side grabbed her arm and whispered something into her ear.
In the end, the woman said nothing. Instead, with teary eyes and her head bowed, she brushed past Alice and left the banquet hall.
The banquet continued, but the guests had lost their appetite for it. They simply sat in their seats, blankly waiting for the host to announce its end.
After Xiao Hei had controlled the noisy crowd, he came to Chen Lishu's side and asked, "Sister-in-law, why do you look so preoccupied? Could it be that you're worried because Big Brother took Zhang Wan'er away?"
Chen Lishu's lips curved slightly, but she remained silent. However, the expression on her face betrayed her. Xiao Hei, nonchalantly, sat down on a chair and crossed his legs. He tried to comfort her, "Anyone could have that possibility, but Brother Gu would never choose to betray you! He's just taking Zhang Wan'er to the hospital and will be back soon.
However, things at the military might be a bit chaotic during this time, and Brother Gu may not have time to come back to accompany you these past few days. Why don't you take this opportunity to meet him and say whatever you need to say directly?"
Chen Lishu pursed her lips. She hadn't seen Gu Xingdong in quite some time. To be honest, she missed him quite a bit. They were husband and wife, after all, and there was nothing to be awkward about. So, she immediately took out her phone and called Gu Xingdong. After ringing for a while, the call was hung up on the other end.
----
Meanwhile, in the backyard.
Alice, having taken a long detour and relying on information from her informants, finally found Zhang Wan'er and Gu Xingdong. She blocked their path and asked, "How is Wan'er's condition now?"
Gu Xingdong met Alice's eyes with cold indifference and reprimanded her sternly, "Move aside. Don't delay me taking her to the hospital!"
Facing Gu Xingdong's reprimand, Alice pouted a little, her voice filled with a touch of grievance, "What's wrong with you? Why are you treating me so poorly? I just wanted to inquire about Wan'er's health."
Just then, Zhang Wan'er slowly opened her eyes. Her face was pale as she said, "Miss Alice, please don't blame Gu Xingdong. It might be because he's too anxious about my injury, so he spoke a little harshly to you. Therefore, I apologize to you on his behalf."
Seeing Zhang Wan'er awake, Alice's displeasure vanished. She went to Zhang Wan'er, took her arm, and pulled her out of Gu Xingdong's embrace. "I have some things I want to ask her. You wait over there."
Gu Xingdong examined Zhang Wan'er from head to toe. He noticed that apart from her paleness, there was nothing else wrong with her. His urgency had subsided, and as long as she was alright, it wouldn't implicate Lishu. As for what the other party wanted to do, it was her freedom, and Gu Xingdong naturally wouldn't interfere.
Alice, supporting Zhang Wan'er, led her to a more secluded corner and asked, "Is your body really okay now? If it's okay, then you don't need to go to the hospital?"
Zhang Wan'er looked at Alice's secretive demeanor with a hint of confusion on her face. "I probably don't need to go to the hospital anymore."
Alice curved her lips, a meaningful smile appearing on her face. She then patted Zhang Wan'er's shoulder and said, "Since you're not going to the hospital, then enjoy a little surprise I have for you."
Zhang Wan'er didn't understand what Alice was doing until the latter whispered her intentions into her ear. Zhang Wan'er's eyes lit up, but she quickly concealed her excitement. She feigned a difficult expression and asked,
"Isn't this a bit inappropriate? I don't want to deceive Gu Xingdong, and besides, they aren't divorced yet. I don't want to ruin their relationship. If this matter were to be exposed, who knows what people would say about me?"
"I say, you are just too kind, which is why you get bullied like this. Gu Xingdong broke the agreement first. Anyway, the venue has already been prepared for you. If you don't go, wouldn't it be a waste of my painstaking efforts?
If you consider me a friend, then do as I say. Don't make this friend worry about you every day. If you don't go, of course, I can't force you to do as I say."
As Alice finished speaking, she stared intently at Zhang Wan'er, as if conveying a threat that if she didn't agree, they would part ways.
Zhang Wan'er put on a show of reluctance, her lips parting as if to speak but holding back. Just as Alice's patience was about to run out, she finally nodded with difficulty, "Alright then, I'll give it a try for now. If Gu Xingdong truly has feelings for me and is willing to take responsibility, I will definitely thank you profusely."
"That's settled. What are you still standing around for? Let's proceed with my plan!" Alice looked at Zhang Wan'er eagerly. Zhang Wan'er obediently leaned on her shoulder. After completing these pretense measures, the two of them painstakingly walked out of the corner.
"Gu Xingdong!"
Gu Xingdong, who was in the middle of a phone call, heard Alice's voice. He said to the person on the other end with a hoarse voice, "Xiao Hei has my location tracking. I'm not sure where I'll be going now. I'll send you a message when I arrive. If all else fails, you can ask Xiao Hei. I have other matters to attend to right now, so I'll hang up."
With that, he ended the call. Alice, supporting Zhang Wan'er, approached him. "What's wrong?"
Alice, hearing Gu Xingdong's cold tone, asked with a hint of displeasure, "Who were you just talking to on the phone? Why was your tone so gentle with her, but so..."