By the time Alice received news of Eric's kidnapping, it was already afternoon. She quickly dropped her work and rushed home. The house was empty, devoid of Eric's mischievous sounds. Only Sister Liu was kneeling on the floor, covering her face and weeping.
Alice took a deep breath and approached Sister Liu, grabbing her clothes and demanding, "Sister Liu, what exactly is going on? Wasn't Eric staying put at home? In this unfamiliar place, he doesn't have any friends and wouldn't go out alone. How could he possibly disappear from home?"
Sister Liu slowly lifted her head, her tears and snot mixed together, making her look exceptionally pitiful. Shaking her head, she said, "I don't know. I don't know where Young Master Eric went. When I finished my chores and went to look for him, I didn't get any response!
I searched the house inside and out, up and down, even checking places where Young Master Eric usually stayed, but he was nowhere to be found.
I know that Young Master Eric is unfamiliar with this place and doesn't have any friends, so he wouldn't run off on his own. But this afternoon, I didn't see anyone suspicious. Only Miss Zhang came to discuss something with you, and no outsiders approached the young master!"
Miss Zhang? Hearing this address, Alice was taken aback and immediately seized on the key detail, questioning, "Who is this Miss Zhang you're referring to?"
Sister Liu replied blankly, "Zhang Wan'er!"
A string in Alice's mind seemed to snap. At that moment, she had only one thought: Zhang Wan'er's motive for kidnapping Eric was revenge against her!
Being alone and unsupported here, it was impossible for her to deal with the Zhang family or find Zhang Wan'er's whereabouts with her own strength. At this moment, the only person Alice could think of was Chen Lishu. She hurriedly picked up the phone and dialed Chen Lishu's number.
The call was quickly connected. Alice said in a hoarse voice, "Lishu, my brother has been kidnapped by Zhang Wan'er. Can you help me?"
Upon hearing this news, Chen Lishu instantly sat up from her bed, frowning, "Your brother was kidnapped by Zhang Wan'er? What does she want?"
Alice's voice choked with sobs, "Perhaps it's because I refused her cooperation to deal with you last time, and Zhang Wan'er holds a grudge, so she wants to use this method to get revenge on me!
You have extensive connections in Kyoto. Could you inform the people you know to help me find Zhang Wan'er's whereabouts? I'm really begging you. I have no one I can trust here anymore!"
Hearing this, Chen Lishu quickly comforted her, "Alright, I understand. I will help you with this. Don't worry for now. They just took Eric, which means they have no intention of harming him. They are just using Eric to draw you and me out!"
"Okay, then I'll trouble you. I'll try to contact Eric. If you have any news, please inform me promptly, Miss Chen!" Alice hung up the phone in a hurry, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes. She wasn't someone to be trifled with either. Since Zhang Wan'er had provoked her, she would have to face the consequences!
Meanwhile, at the courtyard.
Chen Lishu hurriedly grabbed her jacket from the chair, preparing to go out and inquire about Eric's whereabouts. Gu Xingdong, who was on the bed, quickly sprang up and blocked her at the door.
Gu Xingdong said with a helpless expression, "Since you know Zhang Wan'er is doing this to lure you out, why are you still taking this risk? Aren't you afraid of being tricked and getting hurt?"
Chen Lishu met Gu Xingdong's displeased gaze and curved her lips upwards, a docile smile appearing on her face. She hooked her arm around Gu Xingdong's and earnestly persuaded him by his ear:
"Since Zhang Wan'er is targeting me, then Eric is innocent. I naturally won't harm a child because of my own issues.
I have met Eric too, and he is an understanding and bright child. We are both parents, so we know that children are innocent! I don't want tragedy to happen.
I don't know what dangers I will face next, but since we already know that the road ahead is dangerous, we cannot let the danger develop further!
So, don't worry. Since I'm going to take action, I will naturally be prepared. I will take Su Nian with me. If you don't believe me, you can send more people to protect me."
With her saying all this, Gu Xingdong knew Chen Lishu's personality. Since he couldn't stop her from acting, he could only prepare according to her wishes. Thus, Xiao Hei was also assigned to protect Chen Lishu.
"Go. If anything happens, remember to contact me immediately. I will also send people to look for Zhang Wan'er's whereabouts!" After saying this, Gu Xingdong gently kissed Chen Lishu's forehead.
Their eyes instantly became intimate, almost as if they were about to melt into each other. Chen Lishu teased, "Anyone who didn't know would think we were facing a life-and-death separation! Why does the atmosphere feel a bit strange today?"
"How is it strange? You're just overthinking. Since you're going, go early, so you don't have to come back late at night, causing the children and elders to worry!" After speaking, Gu Xingdong pushed Chen Lishu out of the courtyard.
----
Leaving the courtyard, Chen Lishu, accompanied by Xiao Hei and Su Nian, arrived at the Zhang family's residence.
The commotion here quickly attracted the attention of the Zhang family. Zhang Hehua appeared in the crowd, but disappeared within seconds. No one knew what she was doing, and no one paid attention to her small movements.
Zhang Tieshan emerged with the support of the younger generation, saying with a worried expression, "Miss Chen, you want Zhang Wan'er's whereabouts. It's not that we are unwilling to provide them, but we also don't know. Since she left the Zhang family, she hasn't contacted any of us!"
"On the account of my husband and Miss Zhang being comrades-in-arms for many years, we overlook her past mistakes. However, Zhang Wan'er has repeatedly crossed our bottom lines, even resorting to harming a child under ten years old today!
If this matter involves the safety of others, I will not let her go easily! If you know Zhang Wan'er's whereabouts, I advise you to answer truthfully. Neither the Chen family nor the He family wishes to be enemies with the Zhang family!"
Chen Lishu's attitude on this matter was firm. Zhang Tieshan, having lived for so many years, felt an overwhelming pressure. He let out a wry smile, truly finding himself in a difficult and speechless situation!