Parents might not love their own children, let alone an uncle who is only distantly related. What is spoken of as broad love now will lead to a resounding slap in the face later.
The old lady was silenced by his words, her firm stance beginning to waver.
"Grandma, I've checked the ingredients, and they are all safe. Perhaps Qianqian is just not used to them yet, causing the vomiting. We should continue as Ruihe suggested and see if it improves with time," Jiang Ziyu said, attempting to mediate.
Di Ruihe was surprised that Jiang Ziyu would join in the persuasion. Without time to consider whether her intentions were genuine or feigned, he immediately chimed in.
With one speaking after another, the old lady became completely lost in their words. With a heavy head, she asked Di Mingjue, "What do you think?"
"Since Ruihe is so certain there will be no problems, let's try it," Di Mingjue said.
And so, Qianqian continued to take the medication prescribed by Xu Zehong, while Di Ruihe, through his persuasion, inexplicably became the guarantor of this matter.
By the time he realized he had been trapped in this situation, he began to worry.
...
In an alley not far from the Di residence, Shen Lin waited for Xu Zehong's arrival.
Glancing around as he walked, Xu Zehong ensured no one was following him before quickly entering the car waiting by the roadside.
"Recount the entire sequence of events," Shen Lin said, aiming his camera at Xu Zehong.
The reason Di Mingjue did not go to the company today was a phone call he received from Xu Zehong the previous night. Having learned that Di Ruihe had arranged for him to visit the Di residence today, Di Mingjue worried that Jiang Ziyu might not be able to handle it alone, and therefore stayed behind to support her.
Repeating the same procedure as last time, Xu Zehong narrated everything Di Ruihe had instructed him to do into the camera.
After finishing the recording, Xu Zehong thought he could leave, but Shen Lin ordered the driver to proceed.
As the scenery outside became increasingly unfamiliar, his sense of ease gradually vanished.
"This isn't the way to my residence?" Xu Zehong exclaimed, looking out the window. Receiving no response, he then realized they were taking him somewhere else.
The vehicles by the roadside became fewer, and the driver increased their speed.
After a thirty-minute journey, they arrived at the seaside cabin they had visited previously.
The cramped room now had an additional bed, along with daily necessities.
"What do you mean?" Xu Zehong pressed, "Haven't I been doing as you instructed? Why have you brought me here again?"
Shen Lin stepped forward, took Xu Zehong's phone from his pocket, removed the SIM card, inserted a new one, and then summoned the same black-clad men who had kidnapped him last time.
Under immense pressure, Xu Zehong closed his mouth, daring not to express any further dissatisfaction.
"President Di wants you to live here for a while. Once the matter is resolved, he will bring you back to the city center. During this time, someone will be responsible for your meals and will fulfill your living needs," Shen Lin relayed Di Mingjue's instructions.
Before leaving, he issued a special warning. If he were found to have attempted to escape, his fate would be the same as the dead fish hanging by the door.
After Shen Lin left, Xu Zehong, facing the burly black-clad men, lay on the bed with a resigned heart.
This life was like being in prison, yet it was more comfortable than prison. He could lie down all day and didn't have to work hard to earn points.
Meanwhile, back at the Di residence, Jiang Ziyu continued to give Qianqian her medicine on time every day, always doing so in front of Di Ruihe.
As one course of treatment concluded, Di Ruihe looked at Qianqian's progressively improving condition with disbelief.
He had deliberately injected some slow-acting poison into the medication. It wouldn't manifest immediately, but prolonged use would consume every organ of the body.
One day, under Di Ruihe's orders, Xiao Shan accompanied Qianqian as they played in the courtyard. Wu Xuerou prepared some desserts and, under the guise of accompanying the children, invited Jiang Ziyu for afternoon tea in the backyard.