"Mom, you can feign illness and stay. I want to see what she plans to do next. Also, I want Zhang Wan'er to stay here for a while," Chen Lishu said, then looked up at Grandpa He.
Grandpa He looked at her, quite perplexed. "Why are you looking at me? Besides, we all know what kind of person Zhang Wan'er is. Letting her stay here is like inviting a wolf into the house."
As his words fell, Old Madam He, with a grim expression, interrupted, "I agree to let Zhang Wan'er stay!"
He Zinian understood Chen Lishu's intentions. The competition was drawing near, and if they didn't seize the opportunity to verify if this person surnamed Meng was good or not, there wouldn't be another chance. Thinking of this, He Zinian also nodded, "I also think it's better for Zhang Wan'er to stay. Keeping her under our watch is safer! Once Lishu finishes her competition, we can reveal all the truth. Aunt Li, remember to cooperate with Zhang Wan'er during this time, prioritizing your own safety. If anything happens, we can gather here tonight to discuss it thoroughly."
"Okay," everyone agreed in unison.
Seeing that it was getting late, Grandpa He spoke up, "Since you want her to stay, then let her stay! I'll arrange more bodyguards to hide in the villa to protect our safety!" No one had any objections to Grandpa He's arrangements. After discussing these matters, everyone returned to their respective rooms.
Thinking of the troubles that had been lifted from her heart, Li Xiulan couldn't help but smile. She eagerly took out her phone and made a call home, saying, "I've already had them cancel tomorrow's flight. I'm not coming back! I have important things to do here."
"What?" The sleepy old man on the other end of the line was stunned. Before he could even ask what was going on, the call was hung up.
The next morning, Qin Yue's voice, as persistent as a harbinger of doom, sounded outside the door, "Auntie, I've made some breakfast for you. I know you're not feeling well, but people are iron, and food is steel. You can't joke about your own health!"
Hearing Qin Yue's voice from inside the room, Li Xiulan couldn't help but roll her eyes. However, to ensure Chen Lishu's plan could proceed smoothly, Li Xiulan quickly put on a pale and weak appearance and went to the door to open it.
"Auntie, what's wrong?" Qin Yue was stunned when she saw Li Xiulan's condition. She hadn't even delivered the medicated porridge yet, and Li Xiulan already looked half-dead.
Li Xiulan glanced at the porridge in front of her and subtly refused, "I'm feeling a bit unwell. Please take this porridge back; I don't have much appetite right now. Come help me pack my clothes and bedding later. I've already bought a flight for the afternoon, but I'm too weak to pack anything!"
Hearing Li Xiulan's words, Qin Yue felt that fate was on her side. Her eyes darted around, and then she feigned indignation, coming to Li Xiulan's side and said, "Auntie, if you're not feeling well, you should just rest. Why are you pushing yourself like this? Have you considered the children's feelings if you leave? Will Yicheng and Xiaobai be happy to know you're leaving? Even though it's just a small cold, if you don't take it seriously, it could lead to other complications. It's not that you can't leave, but why not wait until you're recovered from your cold? I'll take care of you during these days!"
"I just feel like there's no point in staying here. Chen Lishu has a rift with me now. They are a family, and I'm just an extra burden. Instead of staying here to humiliate myself, it's better to leave the capital on my own and maintain some dignity!" After saying this, Li Xiulan suddenly covered her face and wept.
Seeing that Li Xiulan was determined to leave even while sick, Qin Yue felt a headache coming on. After thinking for a moment, a figure suddenly flashed in her mind, and a plan began to form. She helped Li Xiulan into the room, then feigned a sorrowful expression and said, "Auntie, you must be strong! You are not alone here. Don't forget you have a sister! Aunt Li was so frightened by what happened these past few days that she had a shock, and her health is not as good as before. Their family doesn't have much money now. If you were here, you could still help them. But if you're gone, it would be difficult for them to find you if anything happened to them!"
Seeing that Qin Yue had put it that way, Li Xiulan couldn't refuse anymore and went along with it, saying, "You're right! I still have my sister, and my sister is in trouble now. How can I leave? Qin Yue, you are a good child. I'm feeling a bit unwell. Can you go out and let me rest? If there's anything else later, I'll contact you."
After speaking, Li Xiulan closed her eyes. Qin Yue wanted to say more about Chen Lishu's discomfort to deepen the conflict between them, but there was no opportunity now.
Leaving the room, Qin Yue eagerly called Zhang Wan'er, hoping she would seize this opportunity to change the outcome!
----
Shu Se Group.
Chen Lishu was handling company matters when Su Nian suddenly ran in, her face looking quite displeased. "Madam, that woman who came with Zhang Wan'er is at our company."
"What is she doing here?" Chen Lishu stopped her work, her eyes filled with confusion.
Su Nian shook her head and said, "I don't know. As soon as she came in, she went to our clothing exhibition area. I have a feeling this woman has ill intentions, but there are too many people outside, so I couldn't handle it too roughly. That's why I came to you first to see if you have a better solution."
Chen Lishu stood up, her expression stern. "Then let's go out and see what she really wants!"
----
At the exhibition hall, Alice looked at the designed clothes and couldn't help but let out a sound of admiration. She turned her head and said to her assistant in fluent American English, "Are all these clothes released for sale? I thought China's aesthetic standards were still stuck in the 1970s, with a focus on plain colors. I didn't expect their color palettes to be so mature. Most importantly, the styles are also something I've never seen before. Each piece is stunning!"