Zhan Yichen felt guilty under Zhan Mohan's gaze. His eyes always had a way of exerting pressure, especially since the translation itself wasn't done by him.
"Speak, who did it!"
Zhan Mohan roared coldly, slamming the document onto the table, startling Zhan Yichen who shivered involuntarily.
"It... it was Wei Yumeng who helped me translate it, but brother, only she knows this country's language."
There wasn't a single translator in the entire company who knew this language. Zhan Mohan had given him the original document, so how could he manage without help.
Zhan Yichen slowly crossed his long legs. He exuded a kingly aura. His well-tailored suit was so precise there wasn't a single crease. His handsome, aloof profile was sharply defined in the interplay of light and shadow, but devoid of any superfluous expression, making him exceptionally intimidating.
"Can't you look up information yourself? If you need an assistant for something as simple as translation, is that fair to others? If you were to negotiate a project in the future, would you also need someone to negotiate for you while you just sign the contract?"
His words were sharp and to the point, causing Zhan Yichen to lower his head like a child who had done wrong.
"I'm sorry, big brother. I just thought I'd have her translate it first, then I'd handle the rest."
"As soon as you seek help from others and develop a reliance, your next step will be to find such shortcuts. If you get used to taking shortcuts, you'll drift further and further away from success."
When Wen Yulan came out, she had expected Zhan Yichen to receive praise from Zhan Mohan. Even if he wouldn't be given projects yet, it would at least be a step forward.
To her surprise, she came in full of joy only to see her son standing before Zhan Mohan, as humble as a child.
No matter how harsh Zhan Yichen was to her usually, for some reason, when faced with Zhan Mohan, he was like a mouse encountering a cat, all his usual mischievousness completely curbed.
He genuinely admired his elder brother, Zhan Mohan, and had always regarded him as his idol.
But her son wouldn't even scold himself, so why should he be lectured by Zhan Mohan?
She deliberately raised her voice and called out, "Yichen."
Zhan Yichen turned, "Mom..."
"What's wrong with you? Why aren't you explaining yourself to your brother? Even if you did wrong, and asked Wei Yumeng to help you translate, Wei Yumeng should also bear joint responsibility. If she had refused you, then this wouldn't have happened."
Wen Yulan's words clearly aimed to drag Wei Yumeng down with them.
She wanted to see if Zhan Mohan, who was so articulate when scolding her son, would be so impartial when facing his wife.
Zhan Yichen kept giving Wen Yulan significant glances.
"Mom, it has nothing to do with Wei Yumeng. I asked her to help me translate."
He still had some sense of right and wrong; he couldn't drag someone who helped him down with him.
But Wen Yulan's attitude was firm, "How can that be? If your brother insists on blaming you, then call Wei Yumeng down to be scolded together."
Zhan Mohan's deep, dark eyes slightly raised, a flicker of surprise in them.
"Mom means that this is Wei Yumeng's fault, that she shouldn't have helped Yichen?"
Wen Yulan tilted her head up, her voice full of confidence.
"That's exactly what I mean. I don't mind you scolding Yichen. You're the elder brother, and you're scolding him for his own good. But this isn't his sole responsibility. We can't just let the accomplice get away with it. That would be too unfair to Yichen."
Wen Yulan's words were essentially echoing what Zhan Mohan had just said about Zhan Yichen.
Zhan Yichen was clearly getting a bit angry, "Mom, don't wrongly accuse others. It really has nothing to do with Wei Yumeng this time. Besides, she even explained a lot of professional terms to me, and I already know a few words."
Wen Yulan glared fiercely at Zhan Yichen, "You shut up. What are you trying to show off for at a time like this?"
"I'm not showing off, I'm just stating facts."
At this moment, Wei Yumeng, hearing the commotion, came downstairs.
"Auntie is right. The document is mine to translate for Zhan Yichen. Mr. Zhan, you can scold me too, I accept it."
Zhan Mohan's gaze at Wei Yumeng flickered with a trace of surprise.
What was she doing here, causing trouble?
Wen Yulan triumphantly raised her head, "Did you hear that? She admits her mistake herself. Are you going to cover for her, A'han?"
Wei Yumeng wasn't just casually admitting fault. She had heard Wen Yulan's words from upstairs and knew that Wen Yulan intended to force Zhan Mohan's hand.
If he scolded her along with her son, Wen Yulan would feel better.
If he didn't blame her, Wen Yulan would find another excuse. She had to step forward and take the blame.
Zhan Yichen lowered his gaze, his facial contours sharp, sitting there like a deity.
"Since you say so, Mom, then we must discuss this properly."
Wen Yulan looked at Zhan Mohan in surprise. She hadn't expected him to publicly defend Wei Yumeng.
Could it be that the two of them... had feelings for each other now?
Had he forgotten how his legs became paralyzed, and how Zhan Lin had lain there unconscious for so long?
This Wei Yumeng was just a pawn brought in by the elder to ward off bad luck, intended to turn things around for the two brothers, not to truly be Zhan Mohan's wife.
"A'han, are you going to argue with me over this woman?"
Zhan Mohan lowered his gaze slightly, "I wouldn't dare. I respect my elders, I understand."
Wen Yulan was still unwilling to back down, "Then what do you mean now?"
"Since Mom believes that both of them are at fault, then I must be fair and impartial, so Mom doesn't feel unhappy."
He turned his gaze to Wei Yumeng.
"From now on, if Yichen asks for your help with anything, you can refuse. Otherwise, you are an accomplice. Of course, if you feel you have a good relationship with him, you can agree, but you must bear the consequences with him. Your punishment is to clean the entire house tonight, and I will inspect it tomorrow morning."
Wei Yumeng's almond eyes widened. Was this punishment a bit too harsh? And she had become a scapegoat for him, didn't he see that at all?
Zhan Mohan ignored Wei Yumeng's astonished expression and said to Zhan Yichen.
"Go and re-translate that document. You cannot seek outside help. You must search online yourself. I will check it tomorrow."
"Brother..." Zhan Yichen felt like dying after hearing that.
He had seen sons betray their mothers, but he had never seen a mother betray her son so thoroughly. Wen Yulan would have been better off not saying anything.
Wen Yulan stood stunned. By the time she came to her senses, Zhan Mohan had already stood up and was heading upstairs.
She rushed forward, "A'han, I... I didn't mean that, it's just..."
Zhan Mohan cast a cold glance at her, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Does Mom have an opinion about my actions?"
Wen Yulan met his gaze and felt a killing intent. The words she was about to speak all went down her throat.
By the time Zhan Mohan went upstairs, Wen Yulan was still standing rooted to the spot. It wasn't that she didn't want to move, but she couldn't. Zhan Mohan's act was too convincing.
It made her realize once again that she couldn't easily provoke him, and even more so, she couldn't challenge his bottom line.
She had overestimated him. How could an ordinary woman become his weakness?