The food Zhang Wan'er had painstakingly prepared all morning was consumed entirely by Old Madam He and Li Xiulan. As she looked at the empty plates, a glint of satisfaction from a successfully executed plan flashed in her eyes.
Her lips curved upward slightly, a demure smile gracing her face. "We should all be harmonious as a family. We have so many children, and for them to grow up happily, we need to create a better environment!"
"You are indeed a sensible child. My impression of you has changed somewhat during these days together! Alright, it's settled then. From now on, you two will make peace. It's so lively with our whole family living together!
By the way, Wan'er, there's someone here you don't know yet. Meng Lei, the son of a good friend of mine. Shall I introduce you later?" Old Madam He finished speaking and stared intently at Zhang Wan'er, trying to glean some information from her expression.
Zhang Wan'er, her plan having succeeded, felt a sense of elation. Facing Old Madam He's kind offer, she shook her head and refused, "Mr. Meng and I are old friends. Auntie, you don't need to trouble yourself with this!
Besides, I'm quite outgoing and can get along with anyone. You don't need to worry about me being wronged in this family. I'll take good care of myself. Thank you. You've taken care of me like a birth mother; it's truly heartwarming!"
"I'm about the same age as your mother. If I had a daughter back then, she would be about your age. Good child, treat this place as your own home. Do as you please, don't hold back!"
Old Madam He finished speaking meaningfully, then greeted everyone. "Perhaps it's my age. I'm not as good as I used to be. After just eating and chatting with you all, I'm feeling quite drowsy. I need to go back to my room for a nap. We can discuss anything else this afternoon."
Zhang Wan'er thought the effect of the medicine she had administered was kicking in. So, she immediately agreed to Old Madam He's suggestion, "Then please go back to your room and rest. If you feel unwell in any way, you can tell me. I've specially invited a top physician to teach me some basic nursing techniques!
If you feel unwell, I can give you a simple examination. I've also brought some more medicinal herbs for you to brew into a tonic. With me here, I won't let anything happen to you! Since you said we are a family, Auntie, please don't be polite. Just give me any instructions if you need anything."
Old Madam He nodded perfunctorily, accepting the offer. Then she turned and returned to her room. As for Chen Lishu and Li Xiulan, their objective had been achieved, and they naturally had no desire to waste any more time in the living room. Both found an excuse and left.
----
Meanwhile, in Old Madam He's room.
"Old man, there's something I don't know if I should say or not," Old Madam He said, a worried expression appearing on her face.
Upon seeing this, Old Master He immediately put down his newspaper and stood up, looking at Old Madam He with concern. "What is it? Are you feeling unwell? Speak your mind. I can have He Ziyu and He Gu examine you to see what's wrong!"
"I'm fine. I've been taking tonic medicine these days, and I feel my condition is much better than before. Old He, if I say that the child we brought back might have ill intentions, what are your thoughts on this matter?" Old Madam He hesitantly voiced her thoughts and then looked up at Old Master He.
When Old Master He heard this, he first fell silent, then took out a cigarette and took a deep puff. After a while, he slowly replied, "Where there's smoke, there's fire. You are both people I trust implicitly. If you say young Meng Lei has a problem, I believe one-third of it. However, for the remaining two-thirds, you must provide some reliable evidence!
Have you considered that this might be Zhang Wan'er's scheme to drive a wedge between us? I'm very reluctant to believe what you just said. Meng Lei is the son of my best friend, essentially my son. Who would suspect their own kin of having malicious intent?!"
"You want evidence? Then allow me to explain carefully." Old Madam He let out a helpless sigh and began to analyze, "This young Meng Lei has never been to China. I'm very curious how he and Qin Yue fell in love at first sight.
If it was previously said that young Meng Lei was rather naive and Qin Yue used some tactics to seduce him, what about now? From spending time with Meng Lei these past few days, we can tell he is a mature man with his own ideas.
I tested Zhang Wan'er today, wanting to see the relationship between her and Meng Lei. She told me they knew each other! How many times has Zhang Wan'er been here, yet she describes their relationship as so familiar?"
"I said this could be Zhang Wan'er's plot to sow discord! Why would Meng Lei have wicked intentions to harm you? You know our families have always had a good relationship. When the Meng family faced such a major incident, it was our He family who handled the aftermath. This child is grateful to us, how could he do anything to betray us?"
Old Madam He knew that no matter what she said, Old Master He would not suspect Meng Lei. She opened her mouth but ultimately couldn't voice what she wanted to say. Before lying back down on the bed, she murmured, "I just feel that we are a family, and we should speak our minds, which is why I told you all this today!
I know you trust Meng Lei, and I might as well make it clear to you: we all suspect Meng Lei of having ill intentions and are investigating his background. Even if you know, it's best not to reveal anything. If the truth turns out to be nothing, we will remain a harmonious family, and unspoken words won't create rifts. But if there is something, you'll be alerting the enemy!"
Listening to Old Madam He's overbearing and irrefutable words, Old Master He was instantly enraged. He stroked his beard and glared, then walked to her, huffing, "Why are you such an unreasonable woman? I said the child is fine, and he is fine. What are you investigating?"
"Try to reveal it and see!" Old Madam He coldly threatened Old Master He, then directly covered her head with the quilt, refusing to communicate with him.