Su Nian frowned, asking with some concern, "But what if our design concept is stolen?"
Chen Lishu shrugged nonchalantly, "If they really dare to steal our design concept, then I can only say that the chief designer's brain is indeed not very useful.
Our design has been out for several months, and everyone knows about it. If she has a similar design, wouldn't that be equivalent to handing over evidence to us?"
Su Nian found Chen Lishu's explanation very reasonable, so she smiled and praised, "You always have a way! Then I won't worry about her coming here today. Or, does Madam have any better solutions?"
"None. Everyone get back to your own work. There's no need to dwell on this matter." After saying this, Chen Lishu also turned and left.
----
Meanwhile, outside the company.
Alice turned to look back at the company behind her, murmuring, "I quite admire this Chen Lishu. If we weren't on opposing sides, I'd really want to be friends with her. I don't think she's as bad as Zhang Wan'er makes her out to be!"
The assistant beside her frowned deeply upon hearing Alice's words. "Miss, what are you saying? You haven't been bewitched by her after meeting her, have you? She wants to monopolize Mr. Gu, and Miss Zhang was violated by those thugs trying to save her, yet Chen Lishu hasn't shown any clear reaction. She's utterly cold and ungrateful!"
"But Mr. Gu is Chen Lishu's husband. Let me ask you, if you encountered someone you liked, would you give him up?"
The assistant thought carefully about Alice's words, then propped her chin on her hand and nodded. "If you put it that way, I certainly wouldn't give up my man. It seems we've had too much of a filter for Miss Zhang, to the point where such preposterous things seem natural to us!"
"So, I want you to investigate Zhang Wan'er. Haven't you noticed that the negative impression of Chen Lishu these days seems to have come entirely from her? I don't think she's as innocent as she appears. If she were truly innocent, she wouldn't resort to such a terrible idea as plagiarism!"
After Alice calmed down that day, she realized something was amiss with the situation. However, everything the other party said was for her own good. If she blamed Zhang Wan'er, it would seem ungrateful. At the very least, Zhang Wan'er had done her a favor, and she really needed that design draft!
However, gratitude aside, if Zhang Wan'er was not as kind as she seemed, wouldn't she become a pawn for the other party? Alice hated betrayal and manipulation the most. If the assistant's investigation results were not what she wanted, then she would have to seriously consider whether to treat the other party differently!
The assistant carefully considered Alice's words, then nodded after a while. "Alright, why don't we just design our own work? Plagiarism is simply unacceptable. If discovered, all your honors of these years would be nullified!"
"I don't want to do such a despicable thing either, it's just... I really need the title of Chief Designer. I've wronged Chen Lishu. If I win this competition, I will find ways to help her regain her honor and absolutely won't implicate her.
I feel that Chen Lishu's design work resonates deeply with me. I need to 'borrow' her work. If possible, I'd really like to discuss design matters with her, but unfortunately, we are rivals." After saying that, Alice sighed regretfully. Then, they got into the car and disappeared from the company entrance.
----
Siheyuan.
Li Xiulan was enjoying her alone time when the door was suddenly knocked. She frowned and quickly feigned a deathly ill appearance as she went to the door and opened it.
Seeing the visitor, a flicker of disgust crossed Li Xiulan's eyes, but she quickly hid it, putting on an enthusiastic facade. She took Zhang Wan'er's hand and said, "You're here? Come in quickly and sit down."
Zhang Wan'er looked at Li Xiulan's half-dead appearance and couldn't help but feel puzzled. Hadn't she asked Qin Yue to reduce the dosage of the medicine? If it was too obvious, Gu Xingdong and the He family would discover it at any time. Why wasn't this lowly woman listening to her?
Putting her thoughts aside, Zhang Wan'er, with a worried expression, helped Li Xiulan back to the bed, muttering continuously, "How can your body be so ill, and Chen Lishu isn't by your side? If something happens to you while you're home alone, what then?
I've also brought you some tonics. If you feel unwell, eat more. Anyway, as long as it doesn't harm your body, you can eat it. Or, if you need anything else, just tell me directly, and I'll do my best to satisfy you!"
"Good child, I feel like my own relatives don't treat me this well. You and Auntie are not related by blood, yet you are so good to Auntie. I don't know how I can ever repay your kindness!" Li Xiulan said, her voice choked with quiet sobs.
Zhang Wan'er's lips couldn't help but curl upwards as she looked at Li Xiulan's trusting demeanor. However, she finally comforted her, "Auntie, how can we say we're not related by blood? To be honest, there's a little one in my belly who is related to you by blood!"
"Wh... What?!" When Li Xiulan heard this news, she forgot to pretend to be sick and jumped up from the bed. Pointing at her belly with a pale face, she was rendered speechless.
Zhang Wan'er didn't find her reaction unusual. Instead, she patted her belly with a loving hand and nodded at Li Xiulan, "That's right, I'm pregnant, and it's Xingdong's. We had relations."
The word "lowly woman" that Li Xiulan had been about to utter was interrupted by a voice from the doorway, "Pregnant? This is wonderful news! Wan'er, you don't need to fuss here. Go and rest properly. I want to have a talk with my sister."
"Okay." Zhang Wan'er nodded obediently, then turned and left the room.
Li Xiuli watched her retreating back, then cautiously walked to the door, closed it, and couldn't hide the joy on her face. "Little sister, congratulations! You're going to be a grandmother again! This is wonderful news!"