Xin Ran glanced at the time and urged, "We should leave quickly. If we're late, it'll be trouble if Zhan Mohan finds out."
Gu Shuyi pulled Wei Yumeng's hand, "Let's go, Yumeng."
Wei Yumeng looked back towards the airport exit. Thinking of leaving the city she had lived in for so many years, she still felt a pang of sadness.
She said to Zhan Mohan in her heart,
I'm leaving now, Zhan Mohan. I hope you find someone you love in the future.
Gu Shuyi and Wei Yumeng were about to pass through security when they were stopped by staff.
"We received a report, and your identities need to be verified."
Wei Yumeng's face changed. She couldn't imagine where things had gone wrong. Someone reported them; who else would know about their forged identities?
The ID cards were impeccable. Xin Ran was so cautious, there shouldn't be any loopholes. But if they really investigated, paper couldn't cover fire.
Gu Shuyi also panicked, looking back at Wei Yumeng and Xin Ran.
"What… what's going on?"
Xin Ran's expression was grim. It was obvious they had been betrayed.
Soon, they were all apprehended. As they were being led out of the airport, Wei Yumeng saw Zhan Mohan not far away. He sat in a wheelchair, his deep, cold eyes fixed on her.
She suddenly understood. The person who reported them was Zhan Mohan.
So, the conversation that day wasn't him bluffing; he had known all along she was planning to escape.
The staff member greeted Zhan Mohan, "Mr. Zhan, thank you for your report. We have verified that the identities of these two ladies are forged, and the person who arranged all this is this gentleman. We are arresting him according to the law."
Zhan Mohan nodded coldly, his face devoid of emotion.
Wei Yumeng looked at his calm face and felt a surge of anger. She felt like a fool who had been played.
"Zhan Mohan, you orchestrated all of this! You reported us!"
Zhan Mohan paid no mind to Wei Yumeng's angry outburst, lightly sweeping his fingertips across his brow.
"So what if I did? Wei Yumeng, I warned you long ago not to dream of escaping from my side. Unless I declare this game over, I can bring you back, no matter where you go."
This was just the beginning. He wanted to make her remember this lesson forever.
As Wei Yumeng was about to be taken away by the staff, she suddenly said to Zhan Mohan.
"Let my mother go. She has nothing to do with this."
She didn't want Gu Shuyi to suffer inside. Her health was poor, and any further complications could be fatal.
Zhan Mohan remained silent.
This matter, to put it simply, depended on Zhan Mohan's word.
Wei Yumeng softened her tone and pleaded, "It doesn't matter what you do to me, but please, let my mother go."
Zhan Mohan tilted his head slightly and glanced at Wei Yumeng. His gaze was icy and bone-chilling, making her shiver.
"Don't worry, you and your mother won't be staying here, but he..." Zhan Mohan suddenly pointed at Xin Ran, "Every wrong has its cause, every debt its debtor. Whoever forged your identities must bear the responsibility!"
Wei Yumeng then remembered Xin Ran.
"This has nothing to do with my senior. Zhan Mohan, all these plans were mine alone. If you want to arrest someone, arrest me. Let them all go!"
His lips tightened, and a storm brewed in his eyes. To protect a man, she was willing to sacrifice herself. Who would believe there was nothing between them!
Zhan Mohan's eyes were as cold as a deep pool, exceptionally intimidating.
"What I want to do is none of your business!"
Wei Yumeng was left speechless. The airport wasn't cold, yet she felt a sharp wind on her face, like a knife cutting her, cold and pervasive.
As the staff were about to lead them away, Xin Ran passed by Zhan Mohan. He didn't say much, only asked,
"How did you know?"
Zhan Mohan smirked contemptuously, "A petty trick. You thought you could fool me?"
After the group was taken away from the airport, Fang Xun stepped forward, "Mr. Zhan, what's the next step?"
"No need for a next step. Wei Yumeng and her mother will be out tonight. As for Xin Ran, he won't be getting out."
Forging an ID card was a serious crime. He knew that. And Xin Ran was willing to take such a huge risk for Wei Yumeng. How could such a threat be left by his side?
Fang Xun sighed inwardly. He supposed Mr. Zhan was justified. After all, the madam was really…
At eight in the evening, after being interrogated, Wei Yumeng and Gu Shuyi were released with a warning since they had not participated in the forgery.
As she left, Wei Yumeng grabbed the staff member's hand.
"What about Xin Ran? Can he come out with us?"
"His crime is different from yours. We don't know if he can get out."
Wei Yumeng hadn't expected to cause Xin Ran such trouble because of her. She tightly clutched the staff member's sleeve.
"Please, I beg you. This was all my doing. Don't punish him."
"That's not for us to decide. It depends on the final decision. You should go back now; someone is here to pick you up."
The staff member pointed outside.
Wei Yumeng followed his gaze and saw Zhan Mohan and Fang Xun in the distance, seeming to hide in the darkness, yet not quite. They were indistinct and unreal, except for those deep, memorable eyes.
She felt an icy chill surrounding her, seemingly emanating from him.
Thinking of Xin Ran still locked up, all thanks to him, she clenched her fists and walked quickly towards Zhan Mohan.
"Zhan Mohan, why are you doing this? You know I begged Xin Ran to help me leave. Don't take your anger out on others. If you have a problem, come at me!"
"Madam, you..."
"It's alright, let her speak."
Fang Xun had intended to stop Wei Yumeng. She was the first to dare speak to Mr. Zhan like this.
Wei Yumeng's heart was filled with rage, and she couldn't hold back, nor did she want to.
She didn't care what happened to her, but she didn't want to implicate others.
"Let Xin Ran go, and I'll go in. You can do whatever you want with me!"
Zhan Mohan sneered, "Wei Yumeng, do you think things are that simple? If you go in, what about your mother?"
Wei Yumeng looked at Gu Shuyi. Her mother was becoming increasingly gaunt. The last surgery had only saved her life, but there were many follow-up issues. No one knew how long her body could endure.
"I..."
"I warned you, but you didn't listen. You cannot afford the consequences of betraying me."
With that, Zhan Mohan turned to leave. Wei Yumeng suddenly called out to him.
"What do I have to do for you to let Xin Ran go?"