Zhang Hehua originally planned to have a heart-to-heart talk with her daughter and understand what she was thinking. However, Zhang Wan'er was impatient and directly kicked her out.
Watching the door being shut mercilessly, Zhang Hehua's right eyelid twitched. She wasn't sure if her actions today were right or wrong, and an ominous feeling crept into her heart.
Inside the room, Zhang Wan'er immediately dialed a familiar number after getting her phone. A few seconds later, the person on the other end answered.
"Brother Zhaoming!"
Li Zhaoming on the other end was momentarily stunned upon hearing the familiar voice. He asked uncertainly, "Wan'er, is that you?"
"It's me, Brother Zhaoming! I finally got in touch with you. Can you save me? I'm locked up at home, and they want to force me into marriage! If I refuse, they'll break my legs." As she spoke, Zhang Wan'er suddenly burst into tears.
Hearing this, a flicker of worry crossed Li Zhaoming's eyes. He jumped up from the bed, ready to ask for her location and rush to her rescue. Then, he suddenly recalled recent events.
No, the Zhang and Yang families had always doted on Wan'er. Breaking her legs was impossible. It was probably a lie to threaten her and keep her in line for the past few days!
Marrying someone else was better than marrying Gu Xingdong; at least, she wouldn't be sacrificing her life. It would be even better if that someone could be him, but the possibility was slim. Zhang Wan'er didn't like him, and she might sternly refuse!
With this thought, a hint of disappointment flashed in Li Zhaoming's eyes. He still managed to console her, "It's too chaotic outside right now. It's not suitable for you to come out. I believe Auntie and Grandpa can protect your safety at home! Don't take their angry words to heart. If you're unhappy, you can call me to confide in."
"Li Zhaoming!" Zhang Wan'er seemed surprised by his lack of initiative, her face flushing red with anger. She gritted her teeth and said, "I don't care. You have to find a way to get me out of the house! Otherwise, do you believe I'll die in front of you? Let you see the consequences of a double death!"
Hearing this, Li Zhaoming couldn't sit still anymore. "Wan'er, we can talk this through calmly. Please don't do anything foolish!"
"Brother Zhaoming, can you take me to your place for a while? I know Gu Xingdong doesn't like my unborn child, and keeping it is a mistake. I've already decided to abort it and study abroad later! I just hope that during this difficult time, I can go out and relax. I won't bother Gu Xingdong anymore. I know how much the family sacrificed to bail me out, and I don't want to disappoint them again and again. Brother Zhaoming, I heard there's an event happening on Gourmet Street recently. Why don't you take me out to see it? When I think about my bleak future, I get scared. Can you comfort me?"
As Zhang Wan'er spoke, her voice was filled with a hint of a sob, making her sound pitiable. Li Zhaoming's heart had already melted. After a moment of hesitation, he finally nodded and agreed to her request.
Later that evening, Zhang Wan'er decided to go on a hunger strike. This indeed caught Zhang Hehua's attention. She rushed to the room and, upon opening the door, saw Zhang Wan'er hanging by the window, half her body already outside.
Seeing this, Zhang Hehua's heart skipped a beat. She covered her mouth with her hand in fear, suppressing her fright to avoid provoking Zhang Wan'er's resistance. She slowly said, "Wan'er, what's wrong? Tell Mom what's happening. Please don't do anything foolish. Mom only has you, my daughter. If you're gone, Mom won't want to live either!"
Hearing her mother's words, Zhang Wan'er slowly turned her head. Tears streamed down her face. "Mom, I feel so tired of this life. I have no freedom, like a sparrow kept by the family, locked in a golden cage!"
"What nonsense are you talking about? It's just that the situation has been a bit special lately, so you've been asked to stay home. We're not trying to control your freedom forever! My dear daughter, let's talk downstairs, okay? Don't worry your mother. Mom is getting old, and her heart isn't very good." Zhang Hehua said, inching closer to Zhang Wan'er.
Zhang Wan'er had long seen Zhang Hehua's movements, but she continued to pretend to be in despair, saying, "Mom, the days without freedom are suffocating me. I want to see the outside world and breathe fresh air. Daughter apologizes to you. I haven't done anything to make you happy since I grew up! If there's a next life, I'll repay you well!"
After saying this, Zhang Wan'er stepped one foot out, her body swaying precariously. Zhang Hehua's heart leaped, and she sternly stopped her, "Wait! Don't do anything foolish, please! Whatever you want, Mom can promise you! Don't you want freedom? No problem, Mom can discuss it with Grandpa and get him to agree to let you go out for a day! Are you satisfied now? Can you come down? Don't scare Mom, she's easily startled!"
Discussing it with Grandpa? That was absolutely out of the question. Grandpa was a shrewd person; he would definitely see through her little schemes. With this thought, Zhang Wan'er shook her head, closed her eyes, and slowly said, "Mom, I want to go out now, please! I'm not going alone; Li Zhaoming is going with me. If you don't believe me, you can call him to verify. With him by my side, you can rest assured that no accidents will happen!"
Li Zhaoming? A look of confusion appeared on Zhang Hehua's face. Seeing that Zhang Hehua seemed to have forgotten, Zhang Wan'er quickly reminded her, "It's Brother Zhaoming!"
Li Zhaoming, that child seems quite honest. She had some interactions with him before, and he left an impression as a good kid. If something were to develop between Wan'er and him, that would be for the best!