The wind outside seemed to find its way in, a biting chill that made one wonder if it was the body or the heart that felt colder.
Her pupils quivered, her eyes filled with disbelief.
"So, this is your reason for pretending to be a mysterious man and toying with me, Zhan Mohan. Is this how you have fun?"
"Of course it's fun. Compared to what you did that caused my brother to lie in bed to this day, what is this small punishment for you?"
The deep inkiness in his eyes faded, leaving only a chilling coldness and indifference.
Wei Yumeng felt at that moment that the formidable Zhan Mohan, exuding an icy aura, had returned, like a Asura emerging from hell.
She stumbled back two steps, then suddenly turned and ran out.
Zhan Mohan didn't call out to her, letting her go. He himself needed to calm down.
He had thought everything was under his control, but who knew such an accident would occur.
He had envisioned many times the day Wei Yumeng would learn the truth, but he never expected it to be under such circumstances.
Wei Yumeng ran out of the Zhan family mansion and stood on the dark, deserted street, not knowing where to go. She had no friends here, and her only friend was now in the police station, with no idea when she would be released.
At this point, her only option was to go to the hospital to see Gu Shuyi.
After all, Zhan Mohan was too preoccupied to care where she went.
She pulled out the only hundred yuan from her pocket and, with great difficulty, managed to hail a taxi.
"Driver, city hospital."
On the way, she leaned against the car window, watching the scenery blur past, her brows tightly furrowed, replaying the events of just now as if in a dream.
The driver kept glancing at Wei Yumeng in the rearview mirror.
"Miss, did you encounter someone bad? Do you want me to call the police for you?"
Wei Yumeng gave a wry smile. "No, I'm fine."
"Ah, young people these days, they overthink and get too tangled up, only to trap themselves. Life is short, you know. Live however makes you happy."
As the driver spoke, he sighed, unsure if he was trying to comfort himself or her.
Wei Yumeng remained silent. His words were true, but not everyone could easily let go or see things clearly. Some things couldn't be resolved with mere comfort.
Upon arriving at the hospital, she asked a nurse to find Gu Shuyi's room. Two guards stood outside, and a surge of anger rose in Wei Yumeng's heart.
"Move aside!"
"I'm sorry, madam, but without Mr. Zhan's orders, we cannot let you in."
"I don't care whose orders you follow. The person inside is my mother, and I'm going in to see her now."
Her demeanor was so resolute, and her eyes held such a cold glint, that the two guards seemed a little hesitant.
One of them dared not offend Wei Yumeng.
"Perhaps we should call Mr. Zhan first."
"Alright."
One of them dialed Zhan Mohan's number.
"Mr. Zhan, well... madam wants to see her mother. Should we let her in or not? ... Yes, I understand, Mr. Zhan."
After hanging up, the two guards exchanged glances and then stepped aside.
Wei Yumeng was surprised that Zhan Mohan had actually agreed to let her see Gu Shuyi. She immediately rushed in.
Seeing Gu Shuyi lying in the hospital bed, Wei Yumeng's eyes welled up with tears.
"Mom..."
Gu Shuyi was also emotional upon seeing Wei Yumeng.
"Yumeng."
"Mom, how are you? Are you alright?"
"Mom is fine, but why are you here at this hour, and dressed like this..."
Gu Shuyi noticed Wei Yumeng's haggard appearance and knew she must have gone through something.
Wei Yumeng didn't want Gu Shuyi to worry too much, so she forced a smile.
"It's nothing. I was just so relieved to know you were alright that I rushed out. I didn't even have time to change."
Gu Shuyi reached out and smoothed Wei Yumeng's messy hair.
"You, my child, I know your nature. Marrying Zhan Mohan was a mistake from the start. I went to find your father, but who knew he would completely disregard his father-daughter relationship..."
When Wei Anguo was mentioned, Gu Shuyi's voice was filled with disappointment, her eyes reddening.
Wei Yumeng knew that Wei Anguo had disappointed Gu Shuyi immensely, otherwise, why would she tear up and look so disheartened every time this man was mentioned?
She stepped forward and hugged Gu Shuyi. "Mom, don't think about it too much. Since I'm already married to Zhan Mohan, there's no changing it. In his Zhan family, apart from his father, there are no precedents for divorce. It wouldn't be good for me to break that."
More importantly, Zhan Mohan wouldn't agree. He was like a lion now, and she was like prey he had chosen. He would only let her go when he grew tired of her.
Now, Zhan Mohan insisted it was her who had hit them.
She feared she didn't know when she would be able to return to her own life.
Gu Shuyi seemed to have an idea and suddenly grabbed Wei Yumeng's wrist.
"How about I beg Old Master Zhan? I'll tell him to let you two divorce."
"No need, Mom. I'm fine. Zhan Mohan hasn't done anything to me."
"But you and Zhan Mohan..."
Gu Shuyi trailed off.
Wei Yumeng noticed Gu Shuyi's hesitation and sensed she had something to say.
"Mom, what do you want to say? What's going on between me and Zhan Mohan?"
"It's nothing, I just feel your family backgrounds are too different, and you're not suited to be together. It would be better to separate."
Gu Shuyi didn't know how to tell Wei Yumeng. If she knew that Zhan Mohan... Well, they'd take it one step at a time.
She wasn't unaware of Zhan Mohan's personality. She had seen him years ago and knew he was not ordinary, especially the imperial aura that emanated from him.
But she never expected that years later, it would be her daughter marrying him.
It was truly fate.
"Alright, Yumeng, if you're not going back tonight, you can squeeze in with Mom."
"No, Mom, I'll just rest here for a bit. In less than two hours, it'll be dawn, and I'll have to go back then."
She came here only seeking a temporary escape, but she knew she had to return to that place. Otherwise, Zhan Mohan would send people to drag her back.
"Alright, then take this to put on."
Gu Shuyi handed her clothes to Wei Yumeng, who draped them over her shoulders and lay down on the bed.
"Okay, Mom, get some rest now."
She turned off the light. With the two guards outside, Wei Yumeng had no need to worry.
In the early morning, she was woken by Gu Shuyi, her eyes still heavy with sleep.
"Mom, what is it?"
"It's getting late. You should go back, or Zhan Mohan will start worrying."
Wei Yumeng paused for a moment, then got up. As she was about to take off the clothes, Gu Shuyi said,
"Just wear them. If you go out looking like this, people will think something happened."
She then remembered she had run out yesterday wearing her pajamas.
"Then I'll be going, Mom. I'll visit you again another day. Take good care of yourself."
After Wei Yumeng left, Gu Shuyi let out a long sigh. How could she not know her daughter's predicament in the Zhan family? With Wei Anguo's neglect and Zhan Mohan's cold nature and eccentric temper, how could Yumeng possibly gain any advantage under him?
She told her to go back early just to avoid more gossip.
Ever since she woke up and saw the two bodyguards outside, Gu Shuyi understood. If Zhan Mohan wasn't wary of Yumeng, why would he specifically send two people to guard her?
Sending her here for treatment was merely a way to control Yumeng.
She only hoped neither of them would develop feelings for each other, or it would be difficult to break ties later.
Wei Yumeng took a taxi back to the Zhan residence. The moment she stepped through the door, a heavy stone seemed to press down on her heart, making it difficult to breathe.
This place, if it wasn't absolutely necessary, she truly wished to never set foot in again.
What needed to be faced must be faced. She still wanted to investigate Wei Jin's matter thoroughly. Others might not believe her innocence, but she knew in her heart that she had never done anything to harm anyone.
There must be some hidden scheme she was unaware of.