He Lao Furen's words were like an imperial decree, instantly calming the two playful individuals. They then obediently followed behind her into the basement.
He Zinian sat down on a chair and slowly began, "I received a call from Xiao Nian early this morning saying she saw something unusual on the surveillance footage! I didn't even sleep, I just got out of bed to see what kind of trouble this Zhang Wan'er was up to again!
Who would have thought that this person would get up early and make such a meal? Because the crafting table in the kitchen blocked my view, I couldn't see what Zhang Wan'er was doing inside. So, I seized the opportunity when no one was paying attention and went down to the basement to check the surveillance footage from earlier. I discovered she had put something in the food."
Chen Lishu's face showed a look of sudden realization, and then she said with some indignation, "No wonder she ran to my room and repeatedly insisted that I apologize to you all, wanting me to admit that I made this meal. I don't even know what she put in the food!"
He Zinian, resting his chin on his hand, said, "I'll have Uncle He test it to find out what kind of medicine was added."
Chen Lishu shook her head at his suggestion and then pointed towards the screen, her tone filled with helplessness, "Don't you see? Zhang Wan'er is now waiting outside the study door for us to open it.
If you leave the food here now, and Zhang Wan'er sees empty plates, she'll definitely suspect whether we actually ate the food! If she fails this time, she'll find another opportunity to frame us again!
You cannot take this breakfast away, and you must find a way to make her believe that we genuinely ate the food on this plate! Dispel her doubts, and then we can do what we need to do."
He Zinian nodded, "What you said makes a lot of sense. However, since she wants us to eat this meal so badly, let's just eat it in front of her!"
After He Zinian finished speaking with a lighthearted tone, he punched the wall behind him forcefully. Immediately, a rumbling sound echoed from the basement. Chen Lishu and Grandpa He vigilantly looked at their surroundings. The previously plain basement now had a hidden door.
"What... what is going on? I don't recall there being such a passage when this basement was built!" Chen Lishu looked completely bewildered. She didn't remember her and Gu Xingdong ever opening such a passage!
He Zinian casually leaned against the wall, a triumphant smile on his face. He tucked a strand of hair behind his ear, proudly stating, "If we're keeping the perpetrator who tried to frame us right under our noses, we naturally need to be fully prepared!
Haven't you watched TV dramas? People with such wicked hearts might try to set the house on fire while we're sleeping. If we have no way out, we can escape through this basement.
This underground passage was built by my men overnight, and I didn't expect it to be used so soon. Don't eat this breakfast yet. I'll take it to Uncle He's laboratory for testing, and then have someone make an identical breakfast. You can eat it in front of Zhang Wan'er."
Upon hearing He Zinian's words, Grandpa He raised his eyebrows, his eyes full of pride. He then gently tapped He Zinian's head with his cane, saying, "Like father, like son; a mouse's child knows how to dig holes. You're so smart, you truly inherit my intelligence!
I must say, during these days you've been staying home with nothing to do, this is the only sensible thing you've done. I am very pleased. Alright, stop rambling here, hurry up and take this food and go. Those waiting outside won't have much patience. Come back soon!"
Happy to be hit, unhappy to be hit, He Zinian rubbed his head somewhat aggrievedly, then picked up the food and walked out through the underground passage.
----
Outside the study at this moment.
Didn't Chen Lishu just argue with the He family? By all accounts, this conversation shouldn't have taken this long! Could it be that they weren't arguing, and it was all just a show for her these past few days?
Zhang Wan'er paced anxiously outside the study. She wanted to push open the door to see what progress was being made inside, but she remembered that her status in the courtyard wasn't very high, and the He family hadn't fully accepted her yet. If she were to behave in such an unreasonable and conspicuous manner, it could easily provoke their resentment. Zhang Wan'er's burgeoning thoughts were instantly doused with a bucket of cold water.
After about ten minutes, the study door opened, and Grandpa He's expression was very stern.
Just now, He Zinian had taken the food to Gu Wu's laboratory for analysis. It was discovered that Madam He's food had been dosed with a nerve toxin, the same one she had consumed before, but with an increased dosage. It seemed the intention was to kill Madam He!
Upon learning this result, Grandpa He became very agitated. He wanted to go out and expose Zhang Wan'er's hypocritical facade, but He Zinian stopped him. He Zinian said, "Dad, if you expose the truth now, have you considered that Zhang Wan'er might go all out and turn her attention to troubling Lishu? The competition is almost here, and you wouldn't want to make things difficult for Lishu because of these matters, would you?
What we can do now is to endure it, and only reveal the truth after the competition ends. This time, we'll ensure Zhang Wan'er has no chance to recover! I've already dealt with the food. I've brought back dishes made by a hotel chef, so you can eat them with confidence."
Although Grandpa He was still furious, for the sake of the competition's success, he could only suppress his anger. He walked out quickly, leaning on his cane, without even sparing Zhang Wan'er a glance.
Madam He watched Grandpa He's retreating figure, a look of helplessness appearing on her face. She firmly grasped Chen Lishu's wrist and said, "Don't mind him. He's all bark and no bite, perhaps he has already forgiven you in his heart?
Mom knows you're not a bad child. It was just a moment of jealousy and unfair thoughts that led you to do something foolish. But I've already forgiven you. Thank you for getting up early to make me breakfast. I haven't tasted your cooking in a long time. I must try it properly today!"
Li Xiulan also chimed in, "That's right, let's eat breakfast quickly. It's bad for your stomach if it gets cold!"