Emerging from the sanatorium, Zhan Yichen remembered the reporters' blockade earlier. He turned back and instructed, "From now on, unless it's someone from the Zhan family visiting my mother, tell them this patient isn't here. Understand?"
The doctor nodded, "Of course, protecting patient privacy is our duty. Please rest assured."
Zhan Yichen left with relief. Not long after he departed, a man arrived with many items and approached the doctor, "Hello, I'm the assistant to the Zhan gentleman who just left. These are some nutritional supplements he prepared for his wife, a small token of filial piety. Could you please allow me to put them in her room?"
The doctor was skeptical, as Zhan Yichen had just instructed him to keep information about Wen Yulan confidential.
However, the man quickly presented his Zhan Corporation employee ID to prove his identity, "Please take me there quickly. Mr. Zhan is still waiting for me in the car outside."
Convinced, the doctor led him to Wen Yulan's ward. He was indeed just there to deliver supplements. After placing the items, he left.
With the engagement date approaching, Wei Yumeng began to plan a gift for Mu Linjing. She knew that Zhan Mohan had already decided to gift a newly acquired company to Zhan Yichen. Wei Yumeng didn't possess such grand means, nor did Mu Linjing have such grand ambitions.
When women give gifts, it's usually jewelry or similar items. She invited Mu Linjing out shopping, bringing along their two children.
Mu Linjing slung an arm around her shoulder, "Boss lady, what are you planning to get me today?"
Wei Yumeng retorted, not to be outdone, and pulled out a black card from her wallet. "See this? Zhan's subsidiary card is with me. Whatever you want today, I'm paying."
Looking at Zhan Mohan's subsidiary card in her hand, Mu Linjing swallowed. "All of Zhan's assets are in your hands. Doesn't it feel heavy?"
Wei Yumeng patted the two baby strollers beside her, "These are Zhan's entire fortune, your little nephew and niece."
The two women pushed their respective strollers, moving with great momentum through the mall. Shopping was in women's nature; with sufficient financial support, they could buy out the entire mall.
Of course, these two women weren't that frivolous; they headed straight for the jewelry section.
Wei Yumeng knew Mu Linjing likely had plenty of these already, but since she was giving a gift, it had to be something presentable and impressive. For the engagement ceremony, the protagonist naturally had to outshine everyone.
As soon as she entered the store, she spotted a necklace in the display case. Though simple, it was encrusted with tiny diamonds that sparkled dazzlingly under the lights, perfect for Mu Linjing.
"Could you please take this out for me to see?"
She pointed at the necklace she liked, asking the sales associate to retrieve it.
The sales associate was unsure, "Miss, are you referring to this one? This is the best and most expensive in our collection. We don't usually take it out for display. If you are certain you want it, I can get it for you to examine."
Wei Yumeng nodded, "Please take it out for me to see. If I'm satisfied and there are no flaws, I'll purchase it immediately."
Only then did the sales associate carefully take it out. This necklace was not only expensive but also delicate; if it were damaged, it would be impossible for an ordinary person to afford the compensation.
She examined the necklace closely. The sizes of the tiny diamonds were uniform; it was indeed excellent. She immediately took out her card, "This one. Please pack it and process the payment."
Upon hearing this, the sales associate's eyes lit up. With this sale, her commission for the month would more than double.
"Certainly, I'll pack it for you right away."
While searching for a gift box, she began to extol the virtues of the necklace to Wei Yumeng, mentioning it was one-of-a-kind globally.
Wei Yumeng was quite pleased with her choice of gift. However, the moment the sales associate finished speaking, someone snatched the necklace from her hand.
Feng Shiming, wearing large sunglasses, held the necklace, "Is this thing really as good as you say? Limited edition worldwide? Then it's perfect for me. Wrap it up for me."
Hearing this, the sales associate was taken aback, "Miss, I'm sorry, but this necklace has already been claimed by this lady. We have many other styles, all very good, you can choose from them."
It was not uncommon in such stores for two customers to fall for the same item simultaneously, but usually, different styles of equivalent value could be offered as replacements.
However, Feng Shiming hadn't come to look at anything in particular today; she only wanted to vex Wei Yumeng. Naturally, she wouldn't accept anything else.
Seeing her pull out her card, Feng Shiming said, "I only like this one. I'll pay now."
The sales associate was visibly conflicted. As a service professional, she couldn't afford to offend any customer. Even Feng Shiming, who was acting unscrupulously, needed to be appeased.
Wei Yumeng knew Feng Shiming wasn't genuinely attached to the necklace, so she took it directly from her hand and handed it back to the sales associate, "Process my payment first. If she continues to be unreasonable, I'll call the police."
Both were formidable individuals. The sales associate had no choice but to retreat behind the counter to process Wei Yumeng's payment. Looking at Feng Shiming, Wei Yumeng had no intention of backing down.
"There were rumors about Miss Feng circulating not long ago. I admire your mood to be out and about."
Feng Shiming glanced at her, then at the two children in her stroller. "You're openly bringing them out like this. Aren't you afraid of something happening, of your children getting lost?"
Wei Yumeng's expression changed. "How dare you? I wouldn't bring my children out without protection. If you dare to touch my children, Mohan won't let you off."
"Wei Yumeng, do you only know how to throw your weight around by borrowing the Zhan family's power? Do you think without the Zhan family, and without these two bastards of yours, you're worth anything?"
Feng Shiming always looked at her with disdain, but she forgot that she herself had returned through Ji Tong.
Wei Yumeng couldn't be bothered with this war of words. She coldly warned, "You'd better watch your mouth. My children are not to be insulted by you."
She knew the children were Wei Yumeng's sore spot, but she insisted on saying things that would sting.
"What, you dare to give birth to these two bastards but not let people talk about them?"
The moment she finished speaking, a resounding slap echoed, leaving a handprint on her face.
Mu Linjing, who had just returned from the restroom, stood behind Wei Yumeng, flexing her reddened hand. "I just arrived and heard this mad dog barking. How unlucky."
"Mu Linjing!"
Mu Linjing stepped out from behind Wei Yumeng, picking at her ear. "Why are you shouting so loudly? Have you eaten enough and have nowhere to put your energy?"