Stepping back into the ward with large strides, Zhan Mohan saw reporters surrounding the ward entrance the moment he went upstairs. Microphones were practically shoved into people's faces, and his expression instantly turned icy.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please make way."
Fang Xun's voice temporarily quelled the clamor. Seeing Zhan Mohan's stern face, the crowd of reporters backed away a few steps, allowing him to reach the ward entrance.
"Since you're all unwilling to leave, if you have any questions, you can ask President Zhan. President Zhan will answer them as appropriate."
After speaking, Fang Xun retreated behind Zhan Mohan. With permission granted, the reporters were naturally unwilling to let go of this opportunity and vied to speak.
"President Zhan, Mrs. Zhan just came but didn't go in. Is it because of your relationship with Miss Jiang?"
"What do you think my relationship with Jiang Siyu is?"
Zhan Mohan shot back, his face dark, leaving the reporters unsure how to respond. However, to dig for insider information, they pressed on.
"There are rumors outside that your relationship with Miss Jiang is more than just a cooperative one. Do you have anything to say about that?"
Zhan Mohan scoffed, "Most external rumors are untrustworthy. I am a married man, and my relationship with Miss Jiang is, at most, a cooperative one."
His tone was not particularly emotional, but anyone who dared to nod in agreement would likely lose their job before tonight.
Having gotten the answers to their most pressing questions, the reporters could only ask a few trivial ones before leaving somewhat dejectedly. There was no doubt that tomorrow's headlines were already secured.
Closing the ward door, Jiang Siyu sat on the bed, staring silently at the man who had just entered.
He had denied it so readily, without hesitation. Was he so eager to distance himself from her? Jiang Siyu knew very well that the reason Zhan Mohan was so keen to distance himself was none other than Wei Yumeng. The moment Wei Yumeng arrived, he had immediately shifted his attention outward, and before the reporters could even ask a few questions, he was already rushing out to diffuse the situation. She hadn't even seen him arrive so swiftly when she was injured and hospitalized. Clearly, he still couldn't let go of that woman.
"A Han."
Her voice was strained. Zhan Mohan didn't look up, quietly waiting for her to continue.
"I heard everything you just said to the reporters."
The man at the door remained indifferent, sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed. "And?"
"Are you in such a hurry to deny our relationship?"
"What relationship do we have?"
Zhan Mohan raised his eyelids to look at her, as if he could see through her carefully hidden thoughts. Indeed, on the surface, they had always been in a cooperative relationship. How should she answer this question? If she said they had a cooperative relationship, then Zhan Mohan had not denied it. If she said their relationship was ambiguous, then knowing full well she was facing a married man, she didn't know to keep her distance and what were her intentions? Zhan Mohan's question, seemingly a casual game of catch, actually put her in a difficult position.
"You... we indeed only have a cooperative relationship. However, I'm sure you've heard the rumors outside. If you deny it so directly, it will make me lose a lot of face."
"If it's a false rumor, it should be clarified promptly to prevent unnecessary trouble and complications. Siyu, you should be well aware of these matters."
Jiang Siyu immediately felt as though his words had a double meaning, implying that she had used this rumor to do something detrimental to his marriage. In fact, this was precisely Zhan Mohan's intention. As Wei Yumeng had said, he was tired of these games. The reason he had indulged Jiang Siyu and not exposed her was not what she imagined—a wavering between two women. What Zhan Mohan wanted to see was only Wei Yumeng's attitude. It was a pity, however, that this game was becoming increasingly uninteresting and there was no longer any need to continue playing.
"A Han, are you doing this for Miss Wei?" Jiang Siyu pretended not to understand his implied meaning. "Aren't you clear yet? She's carrying someone else's child. This is already the greatest betrayal of your marriage. What are you still fixated on?"
Jiang Siyu had already placed herself on a moral high ground, despising Wei Yumeng for her infidelity to her husband and even attempting to "wake up" the man who was still infatuated. Zhan Mohan, however, did not know where her sense of superiority came from.
"What happens between her and me is none of your business to comment on."
This was perhaps the most decisive statement Zhan Mohan had made in a long time. In fact, when he had resolutely denied their ambiguous relationship earlier, Jiang Siyu had already anticipated this statement. Yet, when it actually reached her ears, it still sounded incredibly jarring. The resentment in her heart towards Wei Yumeng became even more profound and clear.
"A Han, am I not even considered a friend to you?"
Zhan Mohan let out a cold laugh. "Of course, we can be friends, but what happens between her and me is not for anyone to criticize."
"A Han!"
Jiang Siyu's voice suddenly rose several decibels. "After all this time, I don't believe you haven't sensed my feelings for you, or are you deliberately playing dumb? Am I truly inferior to Wei Yumeng?"
"Since you know you're inferior, then put away your so-called feelings. I don't need them." Zhan Mohan's voice grew increasingly cold, his features seeming to become more austere. "If you only want to cooperate with me or be friends, then maintain your boundaries. Remember, those things you've done are merely beneath my contempt."
The words had been spoken to this extent, and Zhan Mohan's implied meaning was very clear. Jiang Siyu suddenly felt like a clown. All her scheming for so long had been seen through at a glance.
"As a business partner, I would like to offer you one more piece of advice. I have already clarified the rumors just now. From now on, we should maintain a distance and proactively avoid suspicion. If there are any further transgressions, it will be detrimental to your reputation and our company's image."
With his words having left no room for ambiguity, Jiang Siyu was utterly speechless. She glanced at Zhan Mohan, who remained distant and unwilling to approach, and hesitated to speak several times. In this situation, anything she said would likely be futile. Just as she was feeling dejected, a knock came from the door.
"President Zhan, the Old Master and Miss Feng are here."
Fang Xun opened the ward door for Grandpa Zhan and Feng Shiyun, ushering them in. Upon seeing Jiang Siyu's wronged expression, Feng Shiyun rushed to the bedside in three quick steps.
"Sister Siyu, what's wrong? Did someone bully you? Or is Brother Mohan treating you badly?"
"Shy yun!" Zhan Mohan was about to correct Feng Shiyun's statement but was interrupted by Grandpa Zhan.
"A Han, you should face your marriage squarely now. Wei Yumeng has already betrayed you. You should look back at the person who has always been waiting for you."
"Grandpa, this matter is for me to decide."
Zhan Mohan's expression turned displeased. He and Jiang Siyu were merely in a cooperative relationship; his grandfather and Shiyun speaking like this could easily lead to misunderstandings. Grandpa Zhan's face darkened, and he suddenly reprimanded.
"You're so devoted to someone else, but what about Wei Yumeng? What has she done! Siyu, for your sake, already has so much work, yet she signed a cooperation agreement with the company. Isn't all this for you?"
Feng Shiyun quickly chimed in, "Yes, Brother Mohan, Sister Siyu is such a good person. She's much better than that Wei Yumeng. It would be great if Sister Siyu were my sister-in-law."
In the eyes of Grandpa Zhan and Feng Shiyun, Jiang Siyu was hundreds of times better than Wei Yumeng. Now that Zhan Mohan was divorced, marrying Jiang Siyu would be a win-win situation. It was a pity, however, that Zhan Mohan was unwilling to cooperate in such matters, and no one could do anything. Fortunately, they had managed to successfully divorce him.
Zhan Mohan remained unmoved. "Since Grandpa thinks Jiang Siyu is so good, why don't you adopt her as your granddaughter?"
"You!"
Grandpa Zhan was momentarily speechless, unable to retort. Why was this silly boy so fixated on that Wei Yumeng?
"I simply like Siyu. I've dreamt of such a considerate granddaughter-in-law. Moreover, you two are a perfect match, and you can advance your careers together. Isn't this killing two birds with one stone?"
Zhan Mohan was indifferent. Even if his grandfather refused to accept it, he would not easily let go of Wei Yumeng. Jiang Siyu tightened her grip on Feng Shiyun's hand, and Feng Shiyun quickly advised.
"Brother Mohan, what Wei Yumeng has done has brought shame upon our Zhan family. Such a woman is better off without. You should cherish the person in front of you."