Wei Yumeng knew it was her fault, but she needed to check if Zhan Lin was alright.
"Grandpa, I'm so sorry. I was too busy today and didn't pick up Lin'er. How is he? Is he injured?"
Old Master Zhan let out a heavy sigh, not scolding her immediately.
"Lin'er is fine, but someone got injured saving him. They're inside tending to their wounds."
Upon hearing this, Wei Yumeng pulled Zhan Lin closer to inspect him thoroughly. Once she confirmed he had no injuries, she quickly apologized.
"I'm sorry, Lin'er. Your sister-in-law was busy with work today and forgot to pick you up. I didn't mean to, can you forgive me?"
Since Zhan Lin's recovery, she had been taking care of him and educating him. Though young, he was tolerant and magnanimous, and immediately declared he wasn't angry.
"But the sister who saved me is injured. We should thank her properly."
Hearing him say this, Wei Yumeng held him tightly with relief. "Lin'er is right. We should thank her, especially sister-in-law."
Wei Yumeng knew that Old Master Zhan hadn't blamed her mostly because Zhan Mohan had likely done some damage control and even taken the blame for her before she arrived. However, she couldn't let the matter slide so easily, especially regarding Zhan Lin, whom she needed to appease.
She held Zhan Lin, waiting for the young girl who saved him to finish tending to her wounds before she could thank her in person.
After a short while, the person inside finished with their injuries and emerged. As she was about to offer her thanks, she realized the person was none other than Zhang Xinyi.
Recalling past events, she suspected this might be a well-planned scheme. She remained frozen in place, not saying a word.
Seeing this, Old Master Zhan stood up himself. "Young lady, thank you for saving my grandson. We will cover your medical expenses and offer further compensation."
Witnessing his personal act of gratitude, Wei Yumeng, disregarding who the person was, quickly chimed in with her thanks.
Zhang Xinyi, however, put on a show of modesty and stopped them. "No need for thanks, Grandpa Zhan. Don't you remember me? I'm Lin Jing's cousin. My sister is your granddaughter-in-law."
Old Master Zhan indeed hadn't recognized her. Her family hadn't attended the wedding, and three years prior, at the Zhan family's funeral, he hadn't been in a state to pay attention to that particular family. He truly had no impression of Zhang Xinyi.
He then looked to Wei Yumeng.
Wei Yumeng could only nod. "Yes, Grandpa. This is Lin Jing's cousin. She couldn't come to Lin Jing's wedding because she was ill."
Mentioning this, Old Master Zhan seemed to recall that before Mu Lin Jing's wedding, they had indeed been busy with some family matters. He remembered it involved sending someone to a rehabilitation center, and now, thinking back, it must have been the person standing before him.
Recalling these details, Old Master Zhan appraised Zhang Xinyi from head to toe, his demeanor noticeably cooler.
"So, you're Lin Jing's sister. What a coincidence. I'll have Lin Jing transfer some money to you later as a token of our family's appreciation."
Hearing about the money, Zhang Xinyi's eyes lit up. However, she knew she shouldn't appear too eager and suppressed her insincere politeness. "Grandpa Zhan, this was just a small act. There's no need for money. Doing what's right is its own reward."
Old Master Zhan could clearly see that the young woman was putting on an act, but he simply waved his hand, choosing not to expose her.
"Where do you live? I'll send a car to take you back."
Upon hearing Old Master Zhan offer to send her away, Zhang Xinyi began her performance again.
"No need, Grandpa Zhan. I'm here to see my cousin, and I haven't found a place to stay yet. So you don't need to send me. Once I find a place and visit my cousin, I'll pay you a visit."
The implicit meaning behind her words was clear to everyone present. Wei Yumeng, curious about her intentions, played along.
"Grandpa, since she hasn't found a place to stay, why don't we invite her back with us?"
Old Master Zhan remembered that Wei Yumeng had previously confided in him about how difficult Mu Lin Jing's maternal aunt's family was. He wondered why she was now actively inviting her home.
He glanced at Zhan Mohan, and only after Zhan Mohan nodded did he agree.
"Since Yumeng suggests it, you can come back with us. That way, you won't have to pick a time to visit your sister."
Hearing them say this, Zhang Xinyi felt triumphant, believing her acting skills were exceptional and that she had fooled the entire Zhan family. She thought that even Wei Yumeng, whom she had only met a few times, had invited her home, surely believing her.
However, she still had to feign reluctance.
"Perhaps not. I can find a decent hotel to stay in myself. It wouldn't be right to stay at your place."
Seeing her commit to the full act, Wei Yumeng displayed an appreciative expression. Her acting had improved considerably.
"Don't be so polite with us. You and Lin Jing are sisters, and we're all family. Since you're here, you should stay with relatives. Come back with us."
Saying this, Wei Yumeng warmly stepped forward and took her arm.
Presumably, Zhang Xinyi was overcome with emotion by her own performance, and half-heartedly accepted Wei Yumeng's invitation.
As she sat in the Zhan family's luxurious car, she almost let her true nature show, her hands incessantly caressing the car's interior, as if marveling at the existence of such a magnificent vehicle.
Seeing her demeanor and the greed in her eyes, Wei Yumeng knew that deep down, she was still the same—her parasitic nature was unchangeable.
Upon returning to the Zhan residence, Mu Lin Jing had already finished work. She had been anxiously waiting at home, having heard from a servant that Zhan Lin had been taken to the hospital. Just then, she saw their car pull up.
She rushed out of the house, taking three steps at a time, and opened the car door to check if Zhan Lin was injured. To her surprise, the person inside was Zhang Xinyi, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.
"Why are you here?"
The question slipped out of her lips, but she suddenly recalled Wei Yumeng's earlier warning that Zhang Xinyi would soon appear. As expected, this woman couldn't stay hidden any longer.
Zhang Xinyi emerged from the car and warmly linked her arm with Mu Lin Jing's. "Sister, you must not have expected me to come see you. I was ill when you got married and couldn't attend. Now that I've fully recovered, of course I have to visit you."
Mu Lin Jing did not show much friendliness, fearing she might reveal something. She maintained a cool demeanor, deliberately pulling her arm away.
"Thank you for visiting. I'm doing well. You can leave now."
Seeing this, Zhang Xinyi quickly grabbed her arm again.
"Sister, I know I was wrong before. Can you give me another chance?"