Perhaps it was too astonishing. Wei Yumeng stared at Xin Ran, unable to snap back to reality. She even wondered if Zhan Mohan had arranged everything beforehand, deliberately asking her to accompany him to the banquet.
And then letting Xin Ran witness this scene?
Zhan Mohan, everything he did was indeed premeditated. How could she, a mere woman, contend with such a cunning fox?
"What, seeing your little lover has rendered you speechless with joy?"
Wei Yumeng's pupils flickered. "You did this on purpose, didn't you."
Xin Ran had wanted to stand up for her for a long time, but she didn't want him to get into trouble over these matters, especially since Zhan Mohan was no ordinary person.
She feared that Xin Ran would be implicated by Zhan Mohan because of this.
"I've told you long ago that I forbid you from seeing this man again. If you weren't my wife, Zhan Mohan's wife, I wouldn't care how many other men there were."
Wei Yumeng's good impression of Zhan Mohan moments ago vanished completely, as he had used her again.
She looked at him warily. "What do you want to do today?"
A meaningful light flickered in Zhan Mohan's eyes, making Wei Yumeng feel even more uneasy.
"You'll know when the time comes."
Soon, people around them noticed Zhan Mohan's presence and rushed forward.
"It's President Zhan."
"President Zhan is here."
"Let's go, quickly."
Wei Yumeng and the others were quickly surrounded. Some bosses even brought their daughters over.
"Xuanxuan, this is President Zhan. He's a celebrity in our Pengcheng."
The girl looked to be just over twenty, her youthfulness still evident, her eyes reflecting an innocent charm.
"Hello, President Zhan."
Zhan Mohan merely nodded faintly, his gaze not lingering on her.
The same boss hurried forward again. "President Zhan, my daughter greatly admires you. Since you don't have anyone to take care of you, why not take my daughter and let her attend to your daily needs."
Wei Yumeng was astonished by this. Some people would push their daughters into a fire pit. Zhan Mohan was paralyzed from the waist down, and it was uncertain when he would recover, yet they would send their daughters, in the bloom of their youth, to him.
From the sound of it, they weren't even asking for a formal title.
She was curious to hear Zhan Mohan's response.
He swept a cold glance at the boss and then suddenly, he grasped Wei Yumeng's wrist.
"I forgot to introduce you. This is my wife, Wei Yumeng."
"President Zhan is married?"
"Why haven't we heard of this before?"
"Yes, Elder Yuan, this is quite embarrassing. The legitimate wife is here, and you're still trying to offer your daughter to President Zhan."
Others nearby joined in with laughter.
Wei Yumeng saw the girl, Xuanxuan, on the verge of tears, her face contorted with embarrassment. The scrutinizing gazes felt like needles piercing her heart.
Moreover, seeing her apparent reluctance, perhaps she was forced by her father.
She stepped forward, intending to alleviate Xuanxuan's awkwardness.
"As long as Mohan likes it, I don't mind."
The people around cast approving glances, seeing her as understanding.
"Look, Madam Zhan is very devoted to President Zhan. Anyone who can marry such a woman is truly blessed."
"Indeed. Unlike our wives, who interrogate us for a long time if we happen to interact with a woman at a business dinner."
"If everyone were as sensible as Madam Zhan, I could also be as successful in my career as President Zhan."
The discussion about Xuanxuan quickly subsided, and everyone began to talk about how considerate Madam Zhan was towards her husband.
Wei Yumeng listened, maintaining a polite smile, thinking to herself that of course, she didn't like Zhan Mohan. How many women he had around him was none of her business.
She subconsciously glanced at Zhan Mohan's expression, expecting him to be pleased by her understanding. But why did he look unhappy, his expression turning even more somber?
Had she said something wrong? In these wealthy families, didn't they want their women to turn a blind eye?
Xin Ran stood not far away. Hearing the chatter, his usually gentle face suddenly took on a sharp, aggressive demeanor.
Zhan Mohan sensed a distinctly hostile gaze fixed upon him. He raised his eyes slightly and saw Xin Ran amidst the crowd.
A mocking smile touched his lips. "So it's him..."
The two men exchanged a look, and the atmosphere around them shifted. Zhan Mohan's gaze became sharp, like a blade aimed directly at Xin Ran.
Seeing that Zhan Mohan had fallen silent, Wei Yumeng followed his gaze and realized he was staring at Xin Ran.
Dimly, she seemed to smell the scent of gunpowder.
Fearing that the two might clash, she lowered her head and said to Zhan Mohan,
"Shall we go inside?"
How could Zhan Mohan not see that she was clearly trying to avoid Xin Ran? The more she tried to avoid him, the more it proved there was something between them.
Did she not understand his purpose for being here? How could he leave so easily?
Just as Wei Yumeng was about to push him away, Zhan Mohan suddenly took her hand and pulled her to his side.
"Mr. Xin did help you, after all. It would be impolite not to greet him, lest it be said that Madam Zhan is ill-mannered."
The title of "Madam Zhan" sounded particularly ironic to Wei Yumeng's ears. She was merely a servant in the Zhan family, specifically assigned to care for Zhan Mohan. Besides Fang Xun, who treated her with a modicum of kindness, no one else considered her Madam Zhan.
Her purpose for marrying into the Zhan family was known to everyone in the household.
Wei Yumeng's face showed distress, but she couldn't reveal it in front of Xin Ran.
Having known her for years since university, Xin Ran understood her nature perfectly. She bottled up all her grievances. If she were truly happy in the Zhan household, how could Gu Shuyi have been sent to a mental hospital?
She wouldn't have come to him for help to rescue Gu Shuyi.
Today, he was determined to help Wei Yumeng vent her frustrations.
"President Zhan, you don't need to be so polite with Yumeng. We've known each other for many years in university; there's no need for such formality."
Zhan Mohan lazily caressed Wei Yumeng's palm, making her feel ticklish.
"So, it seems Mr. Xin and our Madam are quite close? However, she is now a married woman. It would be best if you maintained a certain distance. You see, I'm rather possessive and don't like others coveting what's mine."
His words were blatant. Both Xin Ran and Wei Yumeng understood them perfectly.
Wei Yumeng's face grew paler. She tried to pull her hand away from Zhan Mohan, but he held it tightly.
Zhan Mohan was deliberately embarrassing her and Xin Ran. They were merely friends, yet he made it sound like something more.
Xin Ran was not intimidated. For Yumeng's sake, he was willing to risk anything.
"President Zhan, you don't truly love Yumeng, so why keep her bound to you?"
"Whether I love her or not has nothing to do with you. If I didn't, would you then step in as the 'second man'?"
Zhan Mohan was enveloped in a cold, chilling aura, his mocking words flowing out without restraint.
Xin Ran's lips tightened, his hands clenched into fists, a surge of anger rising within him.
"President Zhan, if Yumeng were willing, I wouldn't refuse."
Wei Yumeng couldn't help but widen her eyes. "Xin Ran!"
Upon hearing her voice, Xin Ran offered a bitter smile. "You've finally stopped calling me 'senior.'"
In Zhan Mohan's eyes, Wei Yumeng's protest seemed like a loving exchange between the two. Was this too brazen in front of him?
If so, he couldn't be blamed for resorting to his trump card.
He pulled Wei Yumeng closer and drew her into his embrace. Wei Yumeng stared at him as if she had seen a ghost.
"Zhan Mohan, you... mmm..."
Her eyes suddenly widened. His breath was all around her. Xin Ran watched from the side, his face ashen, veins bulging on his forehead.
Zhan Mohan... he actually kissed Yumeng.
Xin Ran felt his heart shatter... the girl he cherished, the one he could barely bear to touch, was kissed by Zhan Mohan in full view of everyone.
Even without looking at Xin Ran's expression, Zhan Mohan could well imagine how grim it must be.
This further proved that Xin Ran's feelings for Wei Yumeng were definitely more than just ordinary friendship.
When Wei Yumeng realized what Zhan Mohan was doing, she struggled. However, Zhan Mohan held her flailing hands and gripped the back of her head, deepening the kiss.
He whispered, "If you dare to push me away, I can guarantee that Xin Ran and your mother will not have a good outcome."
Wei Yumeng's struggling hands suddenly stopped. She glared at him with furious eyes.
Only when someone approached to address Zhan Mohan did he release Wei Yumeng. His face was calm and placid, as if this were their daily routine.
"President Zhan, we didn't know you were coming, please forgive our oversight. And this must be Madam Zhan?"