Faced with Wei Yumeng's praise, Catherine couldn't feel happy at all. She feigned a cheerful response, her eyes secretly harboring malice.
"By the way, Auntie and Uncle aren't with you today?" Wei Yumeng asked politely, her tranquil eyes briefly glancing towards the entrance. She smiled and added, "It's a bit unusual!"
On previous occasions, the family would either arrive with the parents first and the daughter later, or the daughter would arrive, followed shortly by her parents.
But today, only Catherine was here, and after talking with her for quite a while, there was still no sign of the Feng couple.
Could it be… something had happened?
Catherine was surprised by Wei Yumeng's mention of the Feng couple. She looked up suddenly, her gaze meeting Wei Yumeng's clear and innocent eyes, which seemed to genuinely inquire about her parents' whereabouts.
They had only met a few times, yet Wei Yumeng was concerned about them! Catherine gritted her back teeth, her hands on her knees clenching tighter. Her delicate manicures dug into her soft palms, drawing blood.
"Madam Zhan is truly kind, to be concerned about my parents after only a few meetings."
Catherine almost spat out the complete sentence through gritted teeth.
"I was just momentarily curious; your aunt and uncle are very friendly people," Wei Yumeng replied calmly, her gaze deepening slightly, her expression unchanged.
This remark, however, touched a sensitive chord within Catherine. Her brow furrowed even tighter, and she found herself staring at Wei Yumeng for a long time.
Indeed, upon closer inspection, Wei Yumeng bore a resemblance to her parents. What was even more unexpected was that Wei Yumeng would bring up the couple herself!
Was this the unbreakable bond of blood, the ties of kinship?
A wave of jealousy washed over Catherine. She recalled overhearing the Feng couple's conversation at the hotel. She, Catherine, had been with them for decades, yet in the face of blood ties, she was insignificant!
"My parents have stayed in Pengcheng for too long. Their business in Country Y has also been delayed significantly, so they are leaving." Catherine maintained a false smile, her warmth noticeably subdued.
Facing the Feng couple's true daughter, Catherine found it impossible to continue discussing her parents with Wei Yumeng cheerfully.
"I see. When are they departing? We haven't had the chance to play the host, and we were planning to entertain them properly."
Wei Yumeng's probing gaze lingered on Catherine's face. She had initially thought the Feng couple intended to stay in Pengcheng for a long time, so why were they leaving now?
Using this as an excuse, Wei Yumeng wanted to uncover information about the Feng couple's departure.
Catherine's expression turned completely cold for a fleeting moment before she picked up her water glass and took a sip, using the action to conceal her chilling expression.
Had Wei Yumeng sensed something? Before she arrived, perhaps Wei Anguo had said something important that caught Wei Yumeng's attention?
No! No matter what, she could not allow Wei Yumeng and the Feng couple any further opportunities to meet!
"In the next couple of days? They wanted to book their own flights, so I'm not entirely sure."
Catherine propped her chin on her hand, appearing to be in thought. She glanced at Wei Yumeng and continued,
"Perhaps they are already packing. After all, the company in Country Y called with an urgent matter yesterday."
"It seems your company cannot be without leadership. Auntie and Uncle must be very busy. My husband is the same."
Wei Yumeng smiled understandingly, casually mentioning Zhan Mohan to create a sense of shared experience and to try and put Catherine at ease.
She could feel that for a moment, Catherine's entire body tensed, as if she were afraid of revealing something.
Wei Yumeng spun her water glass, her radiant eyes meticulously observing Catherine, not missing her every move. Catherine before her was a person with a strong psychological fortitude.
"That's right, he's busy making money every day, doesn't he get tired? I just manage a small company, so much easier!"
Catherine agreed with Wei Yumeng's words, letting out a hearty laugh and gesturing with her hands.
"It's just a pity. Auntie and Uncle gave the children generous red envelopes, and I haven't had a chance to thank them yet."
Wei Yumeng nodded in agreement at first, then effortlessly steered the conversation back to Catherine's topic.
Catherine was silent for a moment, her eyebrows furrowing. She responded quickly.
"That money was from my parents as a token of their goodwill and also their gratitude for Zhan's business assistance. Madam Zhan need not feel regret."
Catherine replied politely to Wei Yumeng, rubbing her throbbing temples, a wave of annoyance surging through her.
She wasn't sure if the Feng couple had left yet. If they found out Wei Yumeng wanted to entertain them properly, they would undoubtedly stay in Pengcheng without a second thought.
At that point, the truth would be revealed like a thin veil of paper, easily pierced! And she would have no place left.
"That's good then." Wei Yumeng didn't press the topic further, offering only a shallow response. She took in Catherine's expression and then lowered her gaze to the water in her cup.
The mysteries seemed to be piling up. Wei Yumeng tightened her grip on the cup.
At this moment, a group of nurses filed in, beginning their daily routine check.
"Blood pressure readings are normal, heart rate normal…"
As the examinations proceeded, a nurse beside them recorded the results, quickly ticking off checks on her notepad.
Catherine looked curiously at the notepad in the nurse's hand, then turned to Wei Yumeng, falling into thought.
Wei Yumeng looked much better, she should be discharged soon, right? Once she left the ward, her parents would have no excuse to visit Wei Yumeng.
And she wouldn't have to live in constant fear, lest she one day fall from the position of the Fengs' only daughter into an abyss from which she couldn't escape.
"Madam Zhan, your complexion improves day by day. You should be recovering soon. When do you think you'll be discharged?" Catherine casually brought it up, unable to conceal her excitement.
Wei Yumeng turned her gaze towards Catherine, following the source of the voice. Before she could reply, a nurse spoke up.
"Mr. Zhan personally feeds Madam supplements every day, so she's recovering very quickly. She can be discharged tomorrow!"
The nurses chatted amongst themselves, as if deeply envious of Wei Yumeng having such a good husband.
Wei Yumeng's brow furrowed slightly. She glanced at Catherine and continued along with the nurses' words.
"Yes, I've pretty much recovered."
"That's wonderful! When Madam Zhan is well again, we can go shopping together. I hope you won't forget about me then, Madam Zhan."
Catherine was genuinely happy, secretly rejoicing while outwardly smiling at Wei Yumeng.
Very good, everything was going according to her wishes!