Gu Xingdong knelt down beside Li Xiulan, his voice laced with helplessness. "Mom, shouldn't I be the one who's wronged? Why are you crying out of the blue? Isn't that a bit unreasonable?"
Li Xiulan shoved him away with annoyance and said, "It's good that you understand, you brat. My years of education weren't in vain. You can wrong anyone else, but you must never wrong Lishu.
Do you know how poor our family was, to the point where outsiders looked down on us? If Lishu hadn't married in and managed this household properly, how could you have stayed in the army with peace of mind for so many years?
For all these years, who was Lishu working hard for? Wasn't it all for a better living environment for this family and the children? We must have a conscience. Don't you want this good family to fall apart?"
Gu Xingdong nodded his head seriously, then took Chen Lishu's hand and said with conviction, "Mom, you don't need to say it. I know what I'm doing."
Seeing that the misunderstanding was cleared up, everyone present breathed a sigh of relief. He Zinian, resting his chin on his hand, interrupted the emotional scene. "Everyone at the banquet that day knew you took Zhang Wan'er to rest. Now that she's pregnant, if this accusation is forcefully pinned on you, it will be difficult to explain.
We can clarify misunderstandings among ourselves, but it's not guaranteed that we can do the same for outsiders! If these rumors spread unchecked, it won't be a good thing for Chen Lishu! Being pointed at and gossiped about isn't easy.
Since we already know what Zhang Wan'er intends to do, we must find ways to prevent it. Let's have a good talk tonight about how to resolve the issue of Zhang Wan'er's child!"
As the saying goes, if you've done nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear. Gu Xingdong didn't feel much sense of crisis about this matter. Facing the expectant gazes of everyone, he said unhurriedly:
"Li Zhiming has also been busy with his mission these days and hasn't had time to properly develop his relationship with Zhang Wan'er.
I think that brat is quite cowardly. We can't let the relationship between them remain so strained. We must stimulate Li Zhiming to take the initiative!
I want Li Zhiming to take responsibility for Zhang Wan'er. If Zhang Wan'er dares to shift the blame onto me, and Li Zhiming can step forward in time to prove that this child isn't mine, it will be more convincing than us making empty claims!"
"That's a possibility, but I've also taken the time to investigate Zhang Wan'er's background. I am aware of Li Zhiming's existence. When Chen Lishu was kidnapped, if I recall correctly, Li Zhiming arrived before you. So, what happened then, doesn't he know? This means Li Zhiming is likely an accomplice to Zhang Wan'er. How can you be sure he will acknowledge the child as his?"
Gu Xingdong shook his head, a bitter smile appearing on his face. "Li Zhiming and I served in the army for over ten years and are the best of friends. I know his personality inside out. He likes Zhang Wan'er, and I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said he might even give his life for her!
You say Zhang Wan'er is pregnant with my child, but I don't expect anything from this child. In fact, I might even have Zhang Wan'er killed to protect my own interests. What will Li Zhiming do when he hears this news? He won't kill me, of course. His only option would be to acknowledge the child as his own!"
After hearing Gu Xingdong's words, He Zinian asked with some doubt, "Are you sure this plan of yours will work?"
Gu Xingdong nodded, his voice firm. "Yes."
He Zinian licked his lips and said, "Alright, then proceed with your plan. I'll have more people investigate the surveillance footage from that time. After all, if this matter blows up, it won't be good. We should have a double guarantee!"
Gu Xingdong curved his lips, then clenched his fist and extended it to He Zinian for a fist bump. He said sincerely, "Good, thanks, brother!"
----
After resolving the matter, everyone returned to their rooms.
Chen Lishu affectionately reached out and stroked Gu Xingdong's head, then softly asked, "Does your head still hurt? Mom really hit you hard just now. Just listening from the side gave me goosebumps!"
To prevent Chen Lishu from worrying, Gu Xingdong shook his head and put on a casual demeanor, saying, "It doesn't hurt."
Chen Lishu sighed helplessly, then sat beside Gu Xingdong. After a moment of thought, she slowly said, "Zhang Wan'er is too ruthless and cunning. I don't want someone like her to live any longer!
I know my words are too cruel, but for our family to move forward, I don't mind doing something against humanity. I'm telling you in advance today so you can be mentally prepared."
Gu Xingdong gently touched Chen Lishu's forehead, his voice soft. "Thank you for telling me in advance. However, I don't intend for you to undertake such a risky task. I am your husband. Zhang Wan'er has repeatedly provoked our relationship. I will handle this matter. My hands are already stained, but yours must remain clean!"
Hearing Gu Xingdong's refusal, Chen Lishu slowly raised her head and asked meaningfully, "If you handle this matter, will you let Zhang Wan'er off?"
"No," Gu Xingdong's answer was decisive. Zhang Wan'er should have died long ago. If she had only resorted to minor tricks, he might have spared her life out of consideration for Yang Zhiguo and assisted Li Zhiming in pursuing her sooner.
However, Zhang Wan'er's actions in recent days were no longer minor tricks. She had poisoned the He family with a neurotoxin. For the sake of her goals, she disregarded human lives. All these deeds she committed…
Even if dealt with by the authorities, it would be a capital offense!
He did have some dealings with Zhang Wan'er, but now his family was being harmed. In his view, family was everything, and those past dealings were insignificant and not enough to soften his heart!
Seeing the flash of murderous intent in Gu Xingdong's eyes, Chen Lishu's worried heart finally settled. She firmly believed in one saying: if you don't cut the grass by the roots, it will grow back with the spring breeze! She would never keep such a dangerous person around!
The two individuals with the same perspective leaned against each other, their hands tightly clasped. Gu Xingdong gently stroked her head and said, "Don't worry about this. The competition is almost here. Take care of yourself, and leave these matters to me. Trust me, okay?"