Mu Linjing pulled the door open and then closed it, scratching her head in annoyance. She felt like a giant spotlight at the moment.
Seeing Mu Linjing emerge, Chu Zi'an quickly walked over.
"Why did you come out? Aren't you supposed to be keeping an eye on them?"
Mu Linjing couldn't help but pout. "They have private matters to discuss inside. What am I supposed to do in there? Besides, Young Master Zhan finds me bothersome."
She had finally started getting a raise recently, and she couldn't afford to offend her boss at such a crucial time.
Chu Zi'an looked speechless. "If you're not watching them, what if those two get up to something? Wei Yumeng is still pregnant."
What if Zhan Mohan gave in to his desires...
Mu Linjing glared at Chu Zi'an in disgust and playfully tapped his head.
"My dear Young Master Chu, are you out of your mind? They're not divorced yet; they're still legal husband and wife. If they truly want to do something, can I stop them?"
Besides, she didn't think Young Master Zhan would be in the mood for that right now.
"But her stomach..."
"Alright, you should head back too. Young Master Zhan is here, so the Zhan family won't dare to cause trouble."
Mu Linjing was already ushering him out.
Chu Zi'an was a little caught off guard. "No, you should be telling him to go back, not me."
Mu Linjing put her hands on her hips and asked, "Do you pay my salary?"
Chu Zi'an honestly shook his head.
Mu Linjing spread her hands, laughing it off.
"Then that settles it."
Chu Zi'an gritted his teeth. "You materialistic girl, are we still friends?"
"We can be friends another day, but not today."
Mu Linjing forcefully pushed Chu Zi'an out.
Chu Zi'an looked at the closed door and smiled helplessly. However, with Zhan Mohan there, it wouldn't matter. The more he cared about Wei Yumeng now, the greater the blow would be when she gave birth to the child.
He thought about how long he had waited, endured so much gossip, and borne so much pressure, only to discover the child wasn't his.
This was what would truly shatter his arrogance and pride. He couldn't wait to see Zhan Mohan looking dejected.
Mu Linjing didn't want to disturb them, especially concerning relationship matters. These were things only they could resolve themselves.
Inside the room, Wei Yumeng was still frozen in place. Zhan Mohan's sudden arrival had likely caught her off guard, and at the same time, a sense of surprise had bloomed in her heart.
Only now did she realize that this man before her could give her a sense of security and calm her flustered heart.
Zhan Mohan raised an eyebrow at her, then opened his arms.
"Let's have a hug."
Wei Yumeng merely froze for a moment before throwing herself into his arms without hesitation. The man steadily supported her waist.
The moment she buried herself in his embrace, all she could smell was his scent.
After a long embrace, she tilted her head up, her arms still clasped around his waist.
"Did Fang Xun let you out? Then Old Master Zhan and the others must know. If you ran out so recklessly, will you be punished again?"
The man lowered his eyelids slightly, his voice husky and hoarse.
"If I am truly punished, will you be with me?"
"Yes," she blurted out, almost without thinking.
The man's lips curved into a pleased smile, and he gently pinched her cheek.
"It wasn't a wasted trip coming all this way."
Wei Yumeng remembered he had just come out of the attic, and it was only eight o'clock. She asked him,
"Have you eaten?"
"You want to cook for me?" the man asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
"But we're short on time now, so I won't make anything too complicated. Noodles would be fine."
Zhan Mohan paused for a moment, then nodded.
"Okay, whatever is convenient for you. I'll eat anything."
He had actually already eaten. Although the old man had confined him to the attic, he hadn't missed out on food or drink. But since she had rarely offered to cook for him, he wanted to taste her cooking.
Wei Yumeng's room had no chairs, only a bed. She didn't know if Chu Zi'an had left outside. If he and Zhan Mohan met, they would probably argue again. She felt it would be better for Zhan Mohan to stay in her room for now.
"Then you can wait for me on the bed for a while."
Upon hearing this, a meaningful smile flickered in Zhan Mohan's eyes. He walked to the bedside with an air of leisure and sat down, leaning back on his hands. His voice was low and husky, carrying an inexplicable hint of desire.
"Alright, I'll wait for you on the bed."
"Ahem..." Wei Yumeng finally understood the double meaning in Zhan Mohan's words. She explained in embarrassment, "I didn't mean that. I just meant you could rest on the bed. I don't have any chairs here."
Zhan Mohan nodded understandingly. "I know, you want me to rest on the bed while you make me noodles."
Wei Yumeng felt the more she explained, the worse it became, and the more Zhan Mohan misinterpreted.
She simply turned around, her face flushed, and fled the room.
The man watched her retreating figure, a fleeting smile dancing in his dark pupils, but soon, that spark in his eyes extinguished.
If the child Wei Yumeng was carrying turned out not to be his, how would their relationship be handled? In truth, the fact that he could joke with her like this now, setting aside their past grievances, had already crossed his own bottom line.
She was currently buying time for the child in her womb by leveraging her importance in his heart. But that didn't mean he could tolerate it indefinitely. If, after a certain period, he couldn't bear something, he would still consider severing this relationship, severing her.
Even though this woman had taken root in his heart, he would have to uproot her.
Wei Yumeng cooked a bowl of noodles for Zhan Mohan in the kitchen and was about to take it in when Mu Linjing emerged from her room and happened to see her. She gave her a teasing look.
"What, still cooking dinner for Young Master Zhan?"
"He hasn't eaten," Wei Yumeng said, feeling uncomfortable under Mu Linjing's gaze, especially her expression, which made it seem like she was having an affair with Zhan Mohan.
Mu Linjing deliberately clutched her stomach and frowned.
"I'm so hungry too. Can you make me a bowl of noodles?"
"I'll go make you one right now."
As she spoke, Wei Yumeng was about to turn, but Mu Linjing quickly stopped her.
"I was just kidding, don't take it seriously. Hurry and go in, don't let Young Master Zhan starve. I'm afraid our Yumeng would be heartbroken."
Wei Yumeng felt even more awkward by her words.
"Don't talk nonsense."
"But Yumeng, I still want to advise you. Think things through clearly and don't leave yourself with no way out. Especially the child in your belly; it's a ticking time bomb right now, capable of destroying your relationship with Young Master Zhan at any moment."
Mu Linjing genuinely considered her a friend and told her this.
Wei Yumeng's previously good mood turned completely somber due to Mu Linjing's words. She nodded.
"I know. I'll consider it carefully."
"Mm, get some rest early."
After Mu Linjing finished speaking, she returned to her room. Wei Yumeng stood at the door, took a deep breath, and walked in with the noodles.