The first day of the New Year, Wei Yumeng woke up very early. The servants had already gone home for the holiday, so she got up to prepare breakfast for the family before going to wake up Zhan Mohan.
She took out a set of matching family outfits from the wardrobe. Seeing the bright red color, she felt it was perfect for the day. She placed the clothes on Zhan Mohan's bedside table. After he finished washing up, he would see the New Year's gift she had prepared for him.
She then turned and went to the adjacent nursery to change the two children into the same bright red family outfits.
As soon as Zhan Mohan came out, his gaze was caught by the red clothes on the bedside table. He walked over and opened them to find a red down jacket. He looked on, perplexed. Was this the outfit he was supposed to wear today?
He felt resistant. For years, his clothes had been either black or white. He had never worn such a vibrant color.
However, when he saw Wei Yumeng pushing the two children over from the next room, his aversion to the color instantly vanished.
Wei Yumeng and the children were also wearing the same color. It was clearly a matching family set. The two children, wrapped in the red outerwear, looked like festive little Chihuahuas, incredibly cute.
And Wei Yumeng, with her naturally fair skin, looked even fairer in the red attire, almost glowing.
"What are you staring at? Hurry up and change. Go wake up Grandpa and Yi Chen. I've already prepared breakfast."
Under Wei Yumeng's urging, he finally took on the festive color. Fortunately, perhaps due to the psychological effect, the red didn't seem too over the top.
He asked Wei Yumeng to wake up Zhan Lin, while he went to wake up Grandpa and Zhan Yi Chen. As he reached the doorway, he bumped right into Zhan Yi Chen, who was coming to wake him up. Seeing Zhan Mo Han's outfit, Zhan Yi Chen burst into laughter without restraint.
"Haha... Big Brother, why are you dressed like this? Are you cosplaying Santa Claus? You're missing a red hat."
He had never seen Zhan Mo Han wear such a bright color before, and his face was almost contorted with laughter.
Zhan Mo Han suppressed his displeasure, shot him a glare, and turned to go downstairs.
After waking up Grandpa Zhan, the topic of conversation for the day naturally revolved around their matching family outfits. Zhan Yi Chen laughed unrestrainedly, finding his brother's attire very strange.
However, Grandpa Zhan glared at him and said, "What are you laughing at? It's quite good. It suits the day perfectly. When will you have children? Then I'll be truly satisfied."
Zhan Yi Chen retorted, "Grandpa, once Mu Lin Jing and I are married, I'll have two children in three years. You'll be smiling so much your mouth won't close."
"Alright, then I'll be looking forward to that day."
This was indeed Zhan Yi Chen's genuine thought. He had long envied his elder brother for having both a son and a daughter. Fortunately, his engagement to Mu Lin Jing was also on the agenda, and he wouldn't be far from becoming a father.
Before lunch, he drove to the western suburbs, determined to bring Wen Yulan back before the meal.
Recalling Wen Yulan's deranged state, he wondered how many people she could still recognize.
Upon arriving at the apartment, he went directly to the master bedroom on the second floor. As soon as he opened the door, he was met with chaos. Since she couldn't be left unattended, the servants here had not taken time off.
As he stepped inside, a pillow flew towards him, hitting him squarely in the face.
However, a servant quickly picked it up. "I'm sorry, Second Young Master. I didn't know you were coming. Madam she..."
He raised his hand, knowing it wasn't the servant's fault.
"Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. I'm here to pick up my mother for a meal. You should also get some rest. You've been working hard lately, and your salary should be increased."
The servants taking care of Wen Yulan were all old retainers of the family. An increase in salary was no longer a pressing matter for them, as the Zhan family already paid them significantly above market rates.
Seeing a person, once healthy, gradually descend into madness, they couldn't help but sigh.
"Then I'll find a clean set of clothes for Madam to change into."
She began searching the wardrobe. The room was in disarray due to Wen Yulan's actions, making the search not so quick.
Zhan Yi Chen silently began to tidy up the mess. As he cleaned, Wen Yulan continued to create chaos. It was a repetitive cycle, so he stopped cleaning and sat down beside her.
Now, Wen Yulan was no longer as wary of everyone as she had been during his previous visit. Instead, she didn't recognize anyone. Seeing him sit beside her, she smiled and nodded before returning to her own activities.
Zhan Yi Chen's throat felt dry and sore. "Mom, I've come to pick you up for a meal. Can you change your clothes and come with me?"
Wen Yulan heard him but merely tilted her head and looked at him, remaining silent, as if she didn't understand what he meant.
The servant found clothes and came to explain to Zhan Yi Chen, "Madam's memory is worsening. She doesn't remember many names anymore, but her temper is still unpredictable. Second Young Master, when you take her back, please be careful and don't let her harm anyone."
Hearing this, Zhan Yi Chen closed his eyes tightly. "Please help her change."
He sat in the living room and waited. After a long while, Wen Yulan descended the stairs, supported by the servant. Her eyes were timid, as if she were afraid to leave that room, and even more afraid to leave this place.
Zhan Yi Chen supported her on the other side. As they reached the door, she refused to move, mumbling Mu Lin Jing's name.
Helplessly, Zhan Yi Chen gently persuaded her, "Mom, don't you want to see Lin'er? He's completely recovered now. I'll take you to see him."
"Lin'er?"
Wen Yulan seemed to remember her younger son, murmuring his name. Perhaps it was a mother's instinct, but her gaze softened.
As Zhan Yi Chen led her outside, she no longer resisted.
They left the place. During the drive, she curled up on the seat, staring blankly at the scenery outside.
When they arrived at the gate of the Zhan family mansion, she suddenly sat up straight and exclaimed, "This is my home! Hurry up and go in!"
She was very eager. Zhan Yi Chen quickly drove in. As soon as the car was parked, she opened the door and rushed out, running into the hall and startling everyone inside.
Zhan Lin was playing with the baby with Wei Yumeng. Seeing the person who had burst through the door, he immediately ran over. "Mom."
Upon seeing him, Wen Yulan's eyes reddened. She slowly knelt down and hugged him. "Lin'er, my child..."
Zhan Lin was still young and didn't notice his mother's abnormality. He instinctively moved closer to her.
The two embraced at the doorway. This was the first time everyone had seen her since she had been confined. Just by looking at her eyes, it was evident they were very different from before.
At this moment, everyone had their own thoughts, but regarding her transformation, they all felt a sense of melancholy, yet they understood that it was her own doing.