"What do you mean?" Song Lijun paused, sensing an unusual emotion flicker across Catherine's face for a fleeting moment.
Feng Zhenhua's tie-straightening slowed, and he too looked at Catherine with confusion. A prolonged silence filled the room.
Catherine then took Song Lijun's hand, her inner darkness quelled. With a sigh of regret, she said, "Mom, Dad, you might not know, but Madam Zhan was discharged from the hospital a few days ago!"
Hearing this news, the Feng couple froze. They had spent the morning preparing their attire, yet had overlooked the most crucial piece of information.
"Oh, she's fully recovered? Discharged so soon..." Song Lijun's brow furrowed, worry evident as she glanced towards Feng Zhenhua.
"Yes, when I visited her a while back, the nurse attending her mentioned Madam Zhan was recovering quickly. She should be at the Zhan residence now, or perhaps already back at work."
Catherine's gaze remained fixed on Song Lijun's expression, her heart growing colder. She offered a slight smile, as if fearing the Fengs wouldn't believe her, and added a few more words.
Upon hearing this, Song Lijun and Feng Zhenhua couldn't help but show a sense of regret. They had so wished to see their biological daughter one last time before returning to Country Y! Who knew when they would have another chance to visit after this trip?
"Xiao Lin, why didn't you mention it? What a pity!" Song Lijun slumped onto the sofa like a deflated balloon, her initial enthusiasm gone. Now that they were no longer directly related to the Zhan family, they could no longer use visiting Wei Yumeng as an excuse. It was unlikely they could even set foot in the Zhan residence now.
"It's alright, that child is kind and generous. Perhaps she'll see us if we pay a visit," Feng Zhenhua said, patting his wife's hand and attempting to comfort her obvious disappointment.
Catherine let out a silent, cold laugh. Thousands of guests vied for an audience with the Zhan family daily, their access meticulously filtered by the butler. Wei Yumeng was not involved in such matters. If they, having concealed their identities, wished to enter the Zhan residence, it would be a long, uncertain wait.
"I didn't realize you were so concerned about Madam Zhan. I only heard it in passing that day and didn't think to mention it. It's my fault," Catherine said slowly, carefully measuring her words. She watched their faces intently, not missing the flicker of surprise on the Fengs' expressions. Her words were like a planted bomb, reminding them of their overly conspicuous behavior.
"No, no, how could it be! You didn't know we wanted to see Madam Zhan, so it's not your fault, Xiao Lin," Song Lijun stammered. Seeing Wei Yumeng living happily, she and Feng Zhenhua had resolved not to reveal the truth. They couldn't arouse Catherine's suspicion at this crucial juncture. She was also a good child; after raising her for decades, they couldn't bear to let her know such a staggering secret and be hurt.
"Yes, and the Zhan family has helped your company a great deal. We merely wanted to pay our respects out of politeness, so as not to appear ill-mannered," Feng Zhenhua added, his voice a little strained as he coughed and changed the subject, having received a pleading look from his wife.
Catherine feigned innocence, quietly listening to the Fengs' hastily concocted excuses. She clenched her fists tightly, her fingernails digging into her palms without her noticing. Her parents rarely lied; this was perhaps the most frequent instance of it. They thought she was as naive as a lamb, but in reality, she understood everything. However, she couldn't reveal it. If this fragile understanding were shattered, the consequences would be uncontrollable. She would lose them, and she would lose the Feng Corporation. Yet, it was precisely this torment of knowing but being unable to speak that was slowly consuming Catherine.
"I understand, Mom and Dad. But Minister Lin called again; the company's business in Country Y has encountered a thorny problem," Catherine said softly, forcing a characteristic smile. Unbeknownst to herself, Catherine had also begun to wear a mask in front of her parents.
"That's fine. We have a three o'clock flight this afternoon, the earliest available. We still have time," Feng Zhenhua quickly resolved Catherine's concern, his determination to see Wei Yumeng unwavering.
"Alright, in that case, why don't we call Madam Zhan? It's lunchtime right now," Song Lijun said, smiling as she linked arms with Feng Zhenhua, relieved that he had so easily dispelled Catherine's worries.
"However, we never exchanged business cards last time," Feng Zhenhua said hesitantly to Song Lijun. Then, noticing Catherine, his eyes lit up. "Xiao Lin, do you have Mr. Zhan's business card?"
Catherine looked at their expectant faces and felt as if she had been cast into the depths of hell. She had said as much as she could, and yet they still wanted to see Wei Yumeng? Could it be that they intended to reveal the truth to Wei Yumeng before they left? Catherine's mind raced with chaotic thoughts. She had never dared to imagine the outcome of the truth being revealed: she would be replaced by Wei Yumeng, lose her parents' love, and lose the Feng Corporation!
"I don't have it either. I only met Mr. Zhan once at the hospital, and he was focused on Madam Zhan, so there was no opportunity," Catherine shook her head, lying to the couple. She had already exchanged business cards with Zhan Mohan the last time she went to see him. This absolutely could not be known by her parents!
"Never mind, perhaps this is fate." Song Lijun, always prone to melancholy, sighed slightly after receiving Catherine's answer and shook her head at Feng Zhenhua. Besides, it was almost time for them to head to the airport.
"Alright, it's fine. It's alright," Feng Zhenhua conceded to his beloved wife, comforting her disappointment.
"Before we leave, how about the three of us go out for a meal?" Catherine seized the opportunity, smiling brightly at the Fengs. She took her car keys from her bag. "I drove today." She had decided to settle in Pengcheng and would not return to Country Y for the time being unless she successfully inherited the Feng Corporation. A family reunion meal like this would be rare.
"I'm sorry, Xiao Lin, I don't have much appetite. I'd like to rest," Song Lijun declined Catherine's offer, rubbing her temples and glancing at the clock on the wall. "Your father and I need to leave for the airport soon."
Catherine hadn't expected this. She gritted her teeth. Song Lijun lay listlessly on the sofa, clearly unwilling to move. Did not seeing Wei Yumeng make them this miserable? If they could have a meal with that woman, they would likely be beaming with energy!