"For him, you're willing to do anything, aren't you?" Zhan Mohan asked, his voice devoid of warmth, his eyes piercing.
Wei Yumeng thought of how much Xin Ran had helped her before, and how Xin Ran had risked so much to help her escape. She couldn't be so heartless as to let Xin Ran's life be forever tarnished.
Since she couldn't escape the Zhan family, she might as well use herself to negotiate with Zhan Mohan and get Xin Ran out.
Her eyes were firm: "Yes, I am willing. Anything you ask, I can do."
The more desperately Wei Yumeng threw herself into it, like a moth to a flame, the more enraged Zhan Mohan became.
Even though she was guilty and had come to the Zhan family to atone, and it was her grandfather's command, now that she had entered the Zhan family, as his wife, she was willing to sacrifice everything for someone unrelated.
He found her increasingly displeasing.
Zhan Mohan had intended to agree, but seeing Wei Yumeng's reaction, he suddenly changed his mind.
"We'll see how you behave."
Wei Yumeng's face turned red with anger at his ambiguous words.
"Zhan Mohan, how can you be like this..."
Didn't he just agree? Why was he going back on his word now?
Zhan Mohan raised an eyebrow amusedly and asked her slowly,
"When did I ever agree?"
"You..."
"Go back first."
"No, I need to be with my mother. She can't be alone."
Wei Yumeng clung tightly to Gu Shuyi. Her health was poor, and the doctor had warned of possible complications at any time. If no one watched her, what if something happened?
Zhan Mohan turned back, his expression suddenly darkening.
"Wei Yumeng, don't test my patience. You can't afford the consequences."
He meant it metaphorically, looking at Xin Ran inside.
Wei Yumeng bit her lip tightly, wanting to resist, but she didn't dare. The incident had taught her enough.
If she angered Zhan Mohan again, the next target might be Gu Shuyi.
She turned her head. "Mom, find a hotel nearby to stay in for now. Do you still have money?"
"Yes, but Yumeng, you..."
Gu Shuyi's eyes were filled with worry. She knew Zhan Mohan's character. His father was the same; Zhan You Gu had a strong desire for possession and particularly hated betrayal.
"Mom, I'm fine. He's not going to eat me. I'll go back with him. I'll visit you when I have time. In a few days, I'll contact you about a new hospital. Your illness can't be delayed any longer."
She had originally planned to find a good hospital for Gu Shuyi in the local area after settling down, and asked Xin Ran to help find a good hospital for her treatment.
Then she could work hard, and no irrelevant people would bother them again. But now... that dream was likely to be shattered.
Gu Shuyi was still worried about Wei Yumeng and turned to Zhan Mohan.
"Mr. Zhan, I don't know why you have such a prejudice against Yumeng, but I understand this child. She wouldn't do anything to hurt others. If there's any misunderstanding between you, I hope you can resolve it quickly. As for your marriage, it's best to divorce as soon as possible. This situation is not good for either of you."
Continuing to entangle themselves would lead to no good outcome.
Zhan Mohan, however, seemed to have no intention of letting Wei Yumeng go. Although his attitude towards Wei Yumeng was not good,
She understood the need to respect elders, especially as she was standing in front of one.
"Auntie... no, I should probably call you Mom. As for Wei Yumeng, since she married me, there's no special reason, she's still my wife, Zhan Mohan's wife. The Zhan family, except for my father's generation, has no habit of divorcing and remarrying."
From this, it was clear he had refused.
Gu Shuyi couldn't openly conflict with Zhan Mohan, which wouldn't be good for Wei Yumeng, but she would think of other ways.
Zhan Mohan turned and instructed Fang Xun, "Take her to one of my apartments in the suburbs."
"Yes."
Fang Xun agreed and walked to Gu Shuyi's side. "Auntie, please."
Wei Yumeng looked at Zhan Mohan in panic. "What do you want? I've already agreed to go back with you. Do you still want to imprison my mother?"
"Only with your mother here will you not constantly think of escaping, and I won't have to waste time sending people to follow you."
Zhan Mohan gestured with his chin towards Fang Xun, who led her to the car. Wei Yumeng wanted to chase after them but heard Zhan Mohan say coldly behind her,
"If you go now, she won't just be staying nicely in the apartment anymore."
His voice, tinged with a warning, stopped Wei Yumeng from taking another step. She stood frozen in place.
Zhan Mohan later called a designated driver to take them back to the Zhan family.
As soon as they returned to the Zhan residence, Wei Yumeng saw that almost everyone from the Zhan family was gathered in the living room. She inwardly mocked herself, thinking that the Zhan family probably knew about her escape attempt, and she wondered how Wen Yulan would target her from now on.
Never mind, she had to bear the consequences of her own decisions.
Wen Yulan lowered her head, staring at her newly manicured nails. The red, a vibrant color, looked perfectly natural on her hands and made her appear younger.
This was the life of a wealthy socialite, well-maintained, with few traces of age on her face.
Thinking of Gu Shuyi, who was the same age as Wen Yulan but lived a completely different life, it was true that everyone had their own fate.
Old Master Zhan had returned from outside and asked as they came in,
"Where have you been?"
Wei Yumeng remained silent, waiting for Zhan Mohan to tell the Zhan family about her day, bracing herself for hell to descend.
"Went out to handle some business. Her mother had nowhere to stay."
Wei Yumeng's eyes shot up, staring at Zhan Mohan beside her, her face filled with disbelief.
Why didn't he tell them the truth? Why didn't he say she was trying to escape the Zhan family?
Wen Yulan, however, saw through it. "I don't think so. If you were really looking for a place for her mother, why would Wei Yumeng look so surprised when you spoke?"
Old Master Zhan slammed the table, his eyes filled with intimidation.
"Tell the truth, where did you go!"
Wei Yumeng was startled by Old Master Zhan's voice. At over eighty years old, his voice was still so loud and full of energy.
Her heart trembled. If Zhan Mohan weren't here, she might have confessed.
Old Master Zhan's gaze was too frightening to meet directly.
Zhan Yichen added, "Maybe she was secretly meeting some other man behind my brother's back. I saw her acting suspiciously in the courtyard last time."
This woman should be kicked out of the Zhan family by Grandpa as soon as possible. He still thought Feng Shiming was the best match for his brother.
Old Master Zhan didn't ask Zhan Mohan but directly questioned Wei Yumeng.
"Wei Yumeng, you tell me, where did you go? Did you really go out to meet another man, as Yichen said?"
Wei Yumeng's face turned ugly, her lips as pale as paper. She didn't know how to answer Old Master Zhan, but hearing Zhan Yichen say that, if she confessed now, wouldn't she be a fool?
She slowly raised her head, trying to suppress her fear.
"I went with Mr. Zhan to find a place for my mother. The previous hospital discharged her, so I had her stay with a friend for two days, but Mr. Zhan said it would be inconvenient to trouble others."
Wen Yulan slammed the table and stood up.
"You dare to lie again!"
Today, she was determined to get rid of this Wei Yumeng. She had finally caught her slip-up; how could she let it go easily?
Wei Yumeng simply insisted, "I didn't!"
Wen Yulan turned to Old Master Zhan and said, "Dad, this Wei Yumeng is stubborn and unfaithful. She's almost brought shame to our Zhan family. I think unless we use the family law, she won't tell the truth!"
Hearing the words "family law," Wei Yumeng felt a piercing pain in her skin. Her previous injuries hadn't healed yet, and if Wen Yulan whipped her again, she feared she wouldn't be able to bear it.
No one spoke. Old Master Zhan seemed to have tacitly agreed.
Wen Yulan smiled sinisterly and turned to the nearby servant.
"Bring the family law!"
As the servant was about to fetch it, Zhan Mohan suddenly spoke.
"Mom, do you really want to cause a death? Just two days ago, you used the family law because she talked back to you. Do you still want to use it now?"