The host of this banquet was considered a successful and influential figure in the business world. While he was older than Zhan Mohan, in terms of professional capability, he still had much to learn from him.
"Mr. Meng."
Meng Zhiqiang glanced at Wei Yumeng, whose face was flushed red, and then politely addressed Zhan Mohan.
"I've heard for a long time that President Zhan has married a beautiful wife. Now it seems the rumors are true; she is as lovely as they say, and very sensible."
"Thank you for your praise, Mr. Meng."
Despite feeling extremely embarrassed, Wei Yumeng still managed to offer a greeting.
"Hello, Mr. Meng."
"It seems Mrs. Zhan and President Zhan are indeed deeply in love."
Zhan Mohan could tell that Meng Zhiqiang had something to discuss with him, so he turned to Wei Yumeng and said.
"Yumeng, why don't you wander outside by yourself for a bit? I'll call you later."
"Okay."
Wei Yumeng turned and walked towards the exit, not daring to steal another glance at Xin Ran. However, Zhan Mohan's words felt a little unusual. Usually, his conversations with her were as cold as ice shards. Today, perhaps because of the occasion, he spoke to her a little softer than usual.
Once she was outside the hotel, she felt her breathing become much easier. Staying inside any longer would have suffocated her.
A waiter approached with a tray. "Miss, would you like some champagne?"
Wei Yumeng nodded. Just as she was about to reach out, she remembered she was pregnant and couldn't drink alcohol, so she changed her mind.
"I'll have orange juice instead."
She took a glass of orange juice and was about to bring it to her lips when she inexplicably recalled Zhan Mohan kissing her earlier, with Xin Ran present. The humiliation of that moment made her wish she could disappear into the ground. Zhan Mohan, that petty man who harbored grudges, truly got his revenge. His objective was achieved: he made Xin Ran witness her most embarrassing moment, and she wondered what he would think of her now. Xin Ran was her only friend in Pengcheng, and she didn't want him to misunderstand her. What should she do next? Damn Zhan Mohan, he always kissed her when she was caught off guard. Thinking of this, she angrily wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Yumeng."
Wei Yumeng was startled. It was Xin Ran's voice. She turned around and shyly called out to him.
"Senior, just now..."
"I just praised you today, and now you're calling me senior again?"
Xin Ran seemed unfazed by what had happened and treated her as usual. Wei Yumeng awkwardly scratched her head, lowering her gaze.
"I'm sorry, I haven't told you before, and I didn't know you'd be here today, let alone that Zhan Mohan..."
"It's okay. I know you didn't genuinely want to marry him. You wouldn't have sacrificed so much if it wasn't to save your mother."
Xin Ran walked up to her. Instead of questioning her, he gently and thoughtfully comforted her. Wei Yumeng felt a lump in her throat thinking about it. There were some things she couldn't easily tell Xin Ran. She had also seen Zhan Mohan's attitude earlier; he was not someone to be trifled with. She shook her head.
"Xin Ran, please don't get involved in my affairs. And don't provoke Zhan Mohan."
This was her advice to Xin Ran. Xin Ran, however, was not about to give up. Initially, he thought Wei Yumeng might have some feelings for Zhan Mohan. But today, seeing the injustice on Wei Yumeng's face, he vowed to save her from this predicament. He grasped her shoulders and said with determination, "I won't abandon you, Yumeng. If you're truly wronged, tell me, and I'll find a way."
For a moment, Wei Yumeng genuinely wanted to confide in Xin Ran about her worries and grievances. But then her eyes caught sight of Zhan Mohan standing not far away, a flicker of anger rising in his eyes. Her heart lurched, and she abruptly pushed Xin Ran away.
"I don't need your salvation. Please leave."
"Yumeng, what's wrong? Just now..."
"Xin Ran, I'm already married to Zhan Mohan. I'm his wife now. It's best if we keep our distance from now on."
In front of Zhan Mohan, Wei Yumeng dared not say anything more to Xin Ran. She could only force him to leave quickly, for his own sake and her mother's. Xin Ran frowned, looking bewildered, truly not understanding why Wei Yumeng had suddenly changed. He stepped forward, trying to reach for Wei Yumeng.
"Yumeng, do you have some hidden reason? Did Zhan Mohan force you? Tell me."
Wei Yumeng took a few steps back, avoiding Xin Ran's hand. Xin Ran, unwilling to give up, tried to approach her again for an explanation. Suddenly, Zhan Mohan's voice echoed from behind him.
"Since my wife has clearly rejected Mr. Xin's help, why are you insisting? Haven't you heard the saying, Mr. Xin? A forcefully twisted melon is not sweet."
"That's right, a forcefully twisted melon is indeed not sweet. I'll say the same to you, President Zhan."
Xin Ran was unwilling. He had waited for Wei Yumeng for so many years, only for her to be snatched away by Zhan Mohan. The girl he cherished so dearly was merely a pawn in Zhan Mohan's eyes, and this enraged him the most.
"So what? She is my wife now, Zhan Mohan's wife. She will bear my children in the future. And I have a habit: unless I discard something, no one can take it from me!"
His last words were like a declaration to the world, his voice exuding an air of dominance. Wei Yumeng felt as though her future days were plunged into darkness. Did this mean that unless Zhan Mohan himself let her go, she could never escape, no matter how far she ran? Xin Ran was rendered speechless by his words, and crucially, he had no recourse. Wei Yumeng was indeed his legal wife. From what standpoint could he contend for Yumeng with Zhan Mohan? Both in terms of status and presence, he was already far inferior to Zhan Mohan. Zhan Mohan's gaze then fell on Wei Yumeng.
"I'm finished here. Fang Xun is waiting for us outside. Let's go back."
The light in Wei Yumeng's eyes dimmed. She said to Xin Ran, "Senior, you should go back quickly. I'm fine. Please take care of my mother for me." Her words also served as a reminder to Xin Ran. As long as Gu Shuyi was still with him, Yumeng would eventually come to visit. Then he could ask for a clear explanation.
"Alright, you take care of yourself too."
Only after Zhan Mohan and Wei Yumeng had left the hotel did Xin Ran follow them out through another door. In the car, Wei Yumeng noticed that Zhan Mohan's expression remained rigid, his aura fluctuating, his lips pursed tightly as if he could explode at any moment. Fang Xun, in the driver's seat, could sense the awkward atmosphere. He subconsciously glanced back at the displeased Zhan Mohan, then at the uneasy Wei Yumeng.
"Mrs. Zhan, President Zhan he..."
"It's nothing. Just drive."
Wei Yumeng couldn't be bothered to care about him. He had kissed her in front of so many people and humiliated her, yet she hadn't made a fuss, and now he was the one getting upset.
They drove in silence, but the atmosphere in the car grew increasingly tense, almost suffocating. Just as Wei Yumeng was about to open the window, she heard Zhan Mohan suddenly speak beside her.
"Wei Yumeng, it seems you're truly ignoring what I say."
Wei Yumeng had many things bottled up inside her for a long time. Now that Xin Ran was not present, he couldn't vent his anger on anyone else. She turned her head, meeting Zhan Mohan's gaze.
"I've been following your instructions. You didn't tell me Xin Ran would be there today, which is why I bumped into him. And at the banquet, in front of so many people, has the esteemed President Zhan of Zhan Group stooped to using a woman like me to provoke someone else?"
Wasn't he the one who most disdained being associated with her? His actions today would be reported in the newspapers by the media tomorrow, and Wen Yulan would certainly blame her, not Zhan Mohan. She would once again be the scapegoat.
Zhan Mohan's eyes, upon hearing her sharp tongue, began to smolder with anger.
"Wei Yumeng, very good. For that man, you've now learned to argue with me? Or did he promise you something? Is he going to run away with you and that bastard child in your belly, or is he planning for you to scheme against me behind my back?"
Wei Yumeng's eyes narrowed, and she instinctively defended Xin Ran.
"He's not that kind of person. Don't assume everyone is as bad as you think."
Zhan Mohan narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint flashing within them.
"Even now, you're still defending him? Then I'll go to the hospital right now and have that bastard child in your belly aborted!"