Chen Li Shu propped her chin with one hand, thought carefully for a while, and then slowly said, "Godmother, I can say for sure that there is definitely something wrong with Zhang Wan Er. However, everything will only become clear after we find Qin Tai. I have a lot of things to deal with during this time and no time to investigate Qin Tai's whereabouts, so I'll have to trouble you and Godfather to help more."
Mother He nodded and readily agreed. She said, "We are family, there's no need to be polite about these things. Even if you didn't say anything, your Godfather and I would do our best to find the truth!"
After speaking, they looked at each other. Just then, Mother He covered her mouth and suddenly started coughing.
Chen Li Shu quickly sat up from the bed, poured Mother He a cup of tea, and as she helped her catch her breath, she said, "Godmother, haven't you been sleeping well these past few days? I don't know why, but you look like you've lost a lot of weight. Is there anything uncomfortable about your body? Have you been to the hospital to see what's going on?"
Mother He was coughing so much that she didn't have a chance to answer Chen Li Shu's question. After a while, she said with a pale face, "I don't know what's been going on recently. I eat and drink as usual, but my body just doesn't feel right. Your Godfather took me to the hospital, and the doctor said there wasn't anything majorly wrong. It seems like ever since you left, my body hasn't been as agile. You are my lucky star. With you by my side, Godmother feels much better. My appetite has improved, and my body feels better too. Once I'm feeling well, will you come back to the siheyuan with me?"
Hearing Mother He's teasing words, Chen Li Shu's furrowed brow slowly relaxed. However, she caught a key point in her words: that her body hadn't been as agile since Chen Li Shu left. She immediately shifted her suspicion to Qin Yue.
However, Chen Li Shu then remembered that Mother He had gone to the hospital for a check-up and the doctor had said there was nothing wrong with her. This made her feel a bit strange, so she asked, "Godmother, have you been paying close attention to Qin Yue's movements lately?"
Mother He shook her head and said, "She's been behaving herself lately, so I haven't been paying too much attention. However, I've arranged for people to watch her in the monitoring room, and they'll notify me immediately if they discover anything unusual. Those people are my confidantes, and they would never hide the truth from me! You don't suspect that something is wrong with my body because of her, do you? Actually, I suspected that at first too, but didn't I go to the hospital for a check-up? The doctor said my body has no problems, so it shouldn't be her. Besides, all her actions are within our sight."
After hearing Mother He's words, Chen Li Shu felt that they made sense. She propped her chin with one hand and thought for a long time, then looked up and said slowly, "You've been coughing like this for quite some time, haven't you? It's impossible that you haven't sought treatment and continue to cough like this. You look so uncomfortable. Why don't we try a different hospital later? Maybe we can find something else. I'll have a lot of free time when I go back, so I'll accompany you to the hospital. What do you think? I happen to know some doctors, so it will be more reassuring to get a check-up. Don't underestimate Qin Yue; this woman's mind is much deeper than you think."
Mother He gently patted Chen Li Shu's arm and said, "Alright, alright, I know you care. Then Godmother will accompany you for a visit later."
"Okay, then this matter is happily decided!" Chen Li Shu smiled and agreed. After that, they chatted about recent events, and a few hours later, Gu Xing Dong returned.
Chen Li Shu sat up and stared intently in Gu Xing Dong's direction. She opened her mouth, but the words on the tip of her tongue couldn't come out. She was the one who caused trouble, yet she was being so aggressive, making her seem unreasonable!
Mother He noticed the hesitation on Chen Li Shu's face and asked what Chen Li Shu was reluctant to ask. "You were gone for so long. Did they say anything over there? Did they demand any compensation? If it's about money, I just happened to bring my bank card. We can withdraw it directly. We have as much as they want, as long as this matter can be resolved. If it's not about money, I'm quite curious about what kind of demands they would make. Did you agree to anything?"
Gu Xing Dong knew they were very concerned about this matter, so he didn't hide anything. He said directly, "They didn't mention money. Yang Zhi Guo's intention is for me to be responsible for Zhang Wan Er. Zhang Wan Er might have been hurt by this incident, as she refuses to see me or have any contact with me."
After hearing Gu Xing Dong's words, Mother He took a deep breath, concealing the complex emotions in her eyes, and asked, "They want you to be responsible, so what is your view on this matter?"
Chen Li Shu sat aside, listening, and felt a bit nervous. She tightly clutched the blanket, looking at Gu Xing Dong with a worried expression, wondering if he had agreed. Would he feel guilty towards Zhang Wan Er because of this incident? After all, they had known each other for so long and had even called each other brothers.
As if sensing that Chen Li Shu's emotions were not quite right, Gu Xing Dong turned his head to meet her eyes and said earnestly and persistently, "I only have one wife, Chen Li Shu. I have a happy and fulfilling family. Why should I be responsible for another woman? And 'responsibility' doesn't mean this kind of responsibility! Don't worry, I've already found a way to compensate her. There will be no possibility between us! I swear to Chen Li Shu here that if I do anything to betray you, I am willing to accept the punishment of heavenly lightning strikes!"
Hearing Gu Xing Dong utter such a harsh oath, Chen Li Shu instinctively got out of bed and covered his mouth with her hand, glaring at him. "What are you saying? I don't disbelieve you. No matter what choice you make, I will silently support you!"
Gu Xing Dong cupped Chen Li Shu's face, staring seriously into her eyes, and said, "I don't want you to overthink things. If possible, it's best to dispel your doubts once and for all."
Chen Li Shu playfully pushed Gu Xing Dong's hands away. "I understand. The doctor said I can be discharged within three days at the latest. When I get out, I'll need to handle company matters. What about you? Will you return to the army or..."
Gu Xing Dong reported truthfully, "Yang Zhi Guo has arranged for me to continue protecting Alice. I should be returning to the Dynasty Hotel."