Wei Yumeng was unaware that Zhan Mohan had discovered their secret. Before Zhan Mohan returned, she was in the backyard, texting Xin Ran on her phone.
Xin Ran was busy and didn't have much time to reply, so he called her instead.
"Yumeng, how have you been lately? Wei Jin told me you've been having a difficult time. Has Zhan Mohan been bullying you again?"
Wei Yumeng frowned. "When did you see Wei Jin?"
"Today, at the coffee shop. She told me about your situation. Don't worry, I've made arrangements. The day after tomorrow, I'll arrange for you and your mother to leave first. I'll join you later."
Hearing Wei Jin's words, Xin Ran had initially planned to postpone finalizing things for a couple more days. However, he couldn't bear to see Wei Yumeng continue to suffer at the Zhan residence. He pushed back all his company matters, deciding to handle Wei Yumeng's situation first.
Wei Yumeng truly hadn't expected Xin Ran to act so quickly.
"Thank you, Xin Ran. I'll transfer the money to you then. If it's not enough, when I earn more in the future, I..."
"Yumeng, do you still need to be so formal with me?"
Xin Ran's voice sounded displeased. He wanted Wei Yumeng to rely on him and entrust everything to him. At least, this would make him feel that their distance was still close.
At that moment, Wei Yumeng turned and saw Zhan Yichen returning. She quickly lowered her head and said to Xin Ran.
"I have to hang up, I can't talk to you anymore."
As soon as she hung up, Zhan Yichen saw the panic on her face, which she hadn't had time to conceal.
He walked towards her, looking her up and down, his eyes seeming to bore holes into her.
"Who were you just on the phone with?"
Wei Yumeng instinctively hid the hand holding her phone behind her back.
"The telecom company. They said I owed them money."
Zhan Yichen looked at her skeptically. "The telecom company calls for that long? You're clearly guilty. My brother said you have another man and are pregnant with another man's child. A woman like you, who knows how many other lovers you have. You were definitely calling them just now. Let me see!"
Saying this, Zhan Yichen lunged to snatch Wei Yumeng's phone. Wei Yumeng hadn't had time to delete her call history, so she couldn't let him have it easily.
They began to argue. The more Wei Yumeng dodged, the more Zhan Yichen felt something was amiss.
Zhan Mohan and Fang Xun, who had just entered, saw this scene. Wei Yumeng had her back to Zhan Yichen, and Zhan Yichen was leaning in behind her, trying to get her phone. Their proximity had inadvertently become very close.
Fang Xun could barely watch.
What was going on?
Zhan Mohan suddenly roared, "Both of you, stop!"
His voice was deep and cold, startling both of them. Zhan Yichen, in particular, immediately backed away.
He awkwardly scratched his head. "Brother, this woman is hiding something from you. I saw her calling her lover just now."
"I didn't," Wei Yumeng shouted, lifting her chin, afraid Zhan Mohan would believe Zhan Yichen.
Zhan Yichen, however, was convinced that Wei Yumeng was hiding something.
"Then dare you let my brother see your phone?"
"I..." Wei Yumeng's heart pounded. If Zhan Mohan really saw the phone, it would confirm she was indeed talking to Xin Ran.
Last time, Zhan Mohan had forbidden her from contacting Xin Ran again. If he found out, and got angry, she couldn't imagine what terrible things he might do.
But if she didn't let him see, Zhan Mohan would have already guessed seven or eight parts of it.
Zhan Mohan's gaze was sharp as he fixed on Wei Yumeng, then reached out his hand towards her.
"Give me the phone."
His voice was irresistible.
Wei Yumeng knew she couldn't escape. She dared not imagine the consequences of defying Zhan Mohan.
She could only slowly walk forward, each step feeling like treading on thin ice, her heart racing.
Handing over the phone, Wei Yumeng closed her eyes tightly, fully prepared for disaster.
Zhan Yichen, meanwhile, whistled beside them, a smug look on his face, expecting Wei Yumeng to be scolded by Zhan Mohan.
Zhan Mohan merely glanced at it briefly and then handed the phone back.
"It's nothing, just an advertisement call."
Wei Yumeng froze on the spot, looking at Zhan Mohan in surprise. She had clearly been talking to Xin Ran, so why was Zhan Mohan lying and saying it was an advertisement call?
How could he possibly help her cover up? Didn't he hate betrayal the most?
Zhan Yichen was also shocked. "How is that possible! This woman was acting so hesitant here. If it were truly an advertisement call, why not answer it in her room? Why come all the way to the courtyard? Wasn't it because she knew no one would be here?"
He snatched the phone and flipped through it, almost cursing.
"It really is an advertisement call!"
Zhan Mohan withdrew his gaze. "Alright, Mother has been mentioning you for days. Where have you been gallivanting around recently?"
Having failed to find fault with Wei Yumeng, Zhan Yichen couldn't hold onto her phone anymore. He tossed it to her, and Wei Yumeng, caught off guard, scrambled to catch it.
Fortunately, the phone didn't fall to the ground, otherwise, she would have to spend money to buy a new one. Why did this Zhan Yichen have such great animosity towards her?
In front of Zhan Mohan, Zhan Yichen was as docile as a lamb. His earlier fierceness vanished instantly.
"Brother, I've been busy expanding my business lately."
"You've been busy expanding your business, or have you been out indulging in debauchery?"
"No, I wouldn't be interested in those dirty women outside." He then cast a meaningful glance at Wei Yumeng.
Wei Yumeng understood the meaning behind his gaze. Wasn't he indirectly insulting her?
She wanted to retort, but thinking of Zhan Mohan's presence, she decided against it.
Zhan Mohan rubbed his temples wearily. "Go back to your room and see Mother. She's been missing you for days."
"Then, Brother, I'll come find you later." Zhan Yichen said goodbye to Zhan Mohan and walked towards the hall.
After Zhan Yichen had gone far, Zhan Mohan's expression turned cold as he said to Wei Yumeng.
"Go back to the room. I have something to ask you."
After Wei Yumeng followed him back to the room, Zhan Mohan instructed.
"Close the door."
She shut the door and he asked directly.
"You were talking to Xin Ran on the phone just now, weren't you? Why did you lie to Zhan Yichen on my behalf?"
He looked down and chuckled, his deep-set eyes filled with disdain.
Staring into his eyes, Wei Yumeng felt a sense of shame, as if all her little thoughts were exposed on her face and he could see through her at a glance.
"You think I was protecting you? I just didn't want our family shame to be exposed, I didn't want Yichen to think I married a promiscuous, unfaithful woman!"
His words were like a sharp knife piercing her heart.
She tried hard to explain. "I admit, the first time wasn't with you, and I'm very sorry about the child. But I can swear on my conscience that ever since I married you, I have never betrayed you."
Zhan Mohan wheeled his chair closer to her, his gaze seeming to penetrate her very soul.
"Think again, have you truly not done anything to betray me, as you say?"