Gu Xingdong knew that Zhang Wan'er's current predicament was inextricably linked to them. Therefore, when faced with Yang Zhiguo's threat, he offered no resistance. After a moment of hesitation, he looked up and said, "Don't worry, I will take responsibility for this matter."
His words instantly quieted the arrogant atmosphere. Yang Zhiguo looked at Gu Xingdong with a complex expression and asked, "Do you know what you are saying?"
Gu Xingdong nodded and said very seriously, "I know what I am saying. After all, we also made mistakes in this matter, so I am willing to bear the consequences!"
"Alright, remember what you said. I am old, and this is your young people's business. I won't interfere blindly. Remember to contact me immediately after Wan'er wakes up. I will come to see her again tomorrow morning. Remember to take good care of her during this period. If she really minds this matter, no matter what you do, you will have to endure it!" Yang Zhiguo glared fiercely at the two people in front of him and then left the hospital with a stooped back. This matter had dealt him a great blow.
Watching Yang Zhiguo's retreating figure, Gu Xingdong licked his lips. Just as he was about to turn and leave, Li Zheming spoke, "Is what you just said about taking responsibility true or false? Have you really thought this through? Isn't this too hasty? Shouldn't you go back and discuss it with your family? After all, divorce..."
Gu Xingdong interrupted with a confused look, "Divorce? When did I say I was getting a divorce?"
Li Zheming's eyes widened as he saw Gu Xingdong feigning ignorance. He then emotionally questioned, "If you don't divorce, how will you marry Wan'er and take responsibility for her? You probably never intended to take responsibility for Wan'er from the beginning, did you? You just said that to placate Uncle Yang!"
"There are many ways to take responsibility, and marrying Zhang Wan'er is not within my considerations. I will only have Chen Lishu as my wife in this life! I will not do anything to betray her. If I'm not mistaken, you must like her quite a lot, right? You were captivated the moment you first saw her. Are you truly willing to give her up to me?" Gu Xingdong stared directly into Li Zheming's eyes, as if all his lies could not be hidden from him.
Li Zheming shook his head first, then gave a self-deprecating smile, "What is there to be willing or unwilling about? She never liked me from beginning to end. Now is not the time to discuss this. Didn't you promise Uncle Yang that you would take responsibility for Zhang Wan'er? So what exactly do you mean by 'taking responsibility'?"
When this matter was brought up, a string in Li Zheming's mind became taut. He hoped that Zhang Wan'er could get the outcome she desired, but he also didn't want Zhang Wan'er to truly belong to someone else. Complex emotions surfaced in his heart, and he looked even more dejected than before.
Gu Xingdong very seriously shared his thoughts, "I want to bring you two together. I know you are a good person, and entrusting her to you will put both Director Yang and me at ease. Because in terms of family background and status, you are hundreds of times better than me! You don't need to refuse me immediately. Why not be more confident in yourself? Or do you think Zhang Wan'er can live a good life with me? If she divorces today and marries tomorrow, do you think this will not affect her? She is a good girl, and I don't want to ruin her."
"But she has only ever liked you. I..." Li Zheming paused at this point, then a bitter smile appeared on his face.
Gu Xingdong raised an eyebrow, "You're giving up before even trying? The responsibility plan I'm proposing is a solution that benefits everyone. Think about it carefully. If you think it's feasible, contact me again after some time. I need to go see Lishu now. You can look after Zhang Wan'er for now. If anything happens, just call me."
With that, Gu Xingdong disappeared down the corridor at a rapid pace. By the time Li Zheming reacted and prepared to stop him, he was already gone.
----
Meanwhile, in another hospital room.
Gu Xingdong pushed open the door with a panicked expression. He saw Mother He and Li Xiulan busy taking care of Lishu. With them around, he didn't have to worry about Lishu having any problems, which eased his worried heart.
"You're here?" Old Master He heard the commotion outside the door and was about to light a cigarette. Then, remembering they were in a hospital, he put down his hand.
Gu Xingdong nodded, walked to Chen Lishu's bedside, and asked anxiously, "What's Lishu's situation? Is it serious? What did the doctor say?"
Old Master He stood up, leaning on his cane, and walked to the window. His gaze was deep and sharp as he said, "It's not very serious, just some superficial injuries. Tell me quickly, what exactly happened? How did this happen after only half a month in Modu? Who laid hands on Lishu? Have the culprits been caught?"
Gu Xingdong lowered his head with some guilt. "The culprits haven't been found yet. I've sent Xiao Hei to handle the follow-up."
"What exactly happened? Tell me quickly, so I can send people to find the real culprit!"
Gu Xingdong recounted everything that had happened over the past few days to Old Master He. After listening, Old Master He snorted, "That person named Yang actually blamed Lishu today for implicating Zhang Wan'er. I must say, our Lishu did nothing wrong. She saved several lives! The one at fault is Qin Tai. What era is it now, and he still dares to form cliques and act recklessly! But what about Zhang Wan'er's situation? Was she also injured? Otherwise, that old man wouldn't be so angry."
Gu Xingdong nodded and continued along with Old Master He's words, "That's right, she was indeed injured, and her injuries were more severe than Lishu's."
Old Master He asked with some curiosity, "What do you mean by that?"
Others also pricked up their ears to listen to Gu Xingdong's words, even Chen Lishu, who had just woken up from unconsciousness, chose to remain silent, wanting to know Zhang Wan'er's situation.
"When Zhang Wan'er was sent to the hospital just now, the doctor said there were signs of assault. Originally, Li Zhengming had a chance to save her, but Zhang Wan'er gave this opportunity to Lishu, which is why she ended up in this situation!"
As Gu Xingdong spoke of this matter, his heart was filled with mixed emotions. He could owe favors to anyone, but Zhang Wan'er's favor was somewhat difficult to repay. He knew Zhang Wan'er's hidden thoughts, but besides Chen Lishu, there would be no one else in his heart, nor could he give Zhang Wan'er the answer she desired.