Zhan Mohan lowered his gaze, his eyes complex, "That depends on whether you trust me."
If you don't believe me, then nothing I do will matter.
However, Wei Yumeng said with conviction, "I trust you. If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't have followed you back to the Zhan family."
But because of the previous incident with Wen Yulan, she still harbored some reservations and the psychological shadow remained. Naturally, she had to be cautious.
Upon hearing this, Zhan Mohan's mood, which had been slightly affected, immediately eased. He reached out and gently stroked her cheek. The man's large hands had long fingers, with clearly defined knuckles. The lines formed by his bones and bulging veins on the back of his hand were distinct, with pale blue blood vessels visible.
"As long as you are true to me, I will ensure your safety."
Wei Yumeng looked into his dark, deep eyes, and her heart skipped a beat.
She tentatively asked, "Are… are you confessing your feelings to me?"
Zhan Mohan let out a soft scoff, "I thought you already knew."
If he didn't like her, how could he have let her break his bottom line time and again? He knew some things shouldn't be done, yet he did them, all for her peace of mind.
Wei Yumeng's mind exploded like fireworks. An inexplicable joy washed over her, different from the gentle teasing and reconciliation he usually offered.
The unspoken barrier between them was completely broken.
Although she had vaguely sensed his different feelings for her before, she dared not dwell on it, fearing it was mere wishful thinking. Moreover, how could someone as proud as Zhan Mohan allow himself to lose his balance?
Amidst the surprise, she also felt a pang of doubt, "But is it worth it for you to do all this for me?"
She had already let him down, and even felt unworthy of him. She had even considered letting Jiang Siyu have him, but every time she saw them standing together, a dull ache would settle in her heart.
Ultimately, she still had selfish desires, wanting to claim him for herself, wanting this man to belong only to her.
"When Deng Xianyi made things so difficult for you, did you ever consider if it was worth it for me?"
Wei Yumeng nodded earnestly, "It's worth it. I do it willingly."
She willingly gave for the person she loved, without complaint or dissatisfaction.
It was this love that sustained her to the end and helped Zhan Mohan resolve his difficulties, which she considered her most fulfilling achievement.
A smile rippled in Zhan Mohan's eyes. He leaned down and gently brushed his fingertip against her round earlobe.
"Then why are you asking me?"
Wei Yumeng blushed crimson from his sudden, crisp aura, her previously calm heartbeat accelerating.
No matter the time, any proximity from Zhan Mohan could easily stir ripples in her heart.
A seductive atmosphere began to ferment in the air. Zhan Mohan looked at her quietly, his gaze deep.
After a moment, he let out a low sigh, "If I stay any longer, I'm afraid I won't be able to leave tonight."
He feared he wouldn't be able to resist taking her.
Wei Yumeng snapped back to reality, realizing it was getting late. If she returned any later, Old Master Zhan would likely be furious.
"Then you should go back. Be careful on the road."
Zhan Mohan leaned down and kissed her on the forehead.
"Rest early."
"Yes, you sleep early too."
It was rare for Wei Yumeng to share such a pleasant atmosphere with Zhan Mohan. As she thought of him leaving, she felt an inexplicable reluctance.
She feared this feeling of dependence could become addictive, pulling her in uncontrollably.
Watching Zhan Mohan depart, Wei Yumeng realized she felt a sense of loss.
The next day, after waking up, Wei Yumeng made breakfast. Mu Linjing walked in and, seeing the table laden with food, exclaimed in surprise.
"Yumeng, what's going on? Why so many delicious dishes today?"
"You've worked hard these past few days. This is a treat for you."
Wei Yumeng knew Mu Linjing had helped her with a lot during this time, and had also been a great support between her and Zhan Mohan.
After the ordeal of yesterday, she felt enlightened after a good night's sleep. No matter what storms awaited her in the future, she would face them head-on.
Mu Linjing looked at her with a sly grin, "Things aren't that simple, are they? Tell me, did Mr. Zhan manage to appease you?"
As soon as this was mentioned, Wei Yumeng's mind was filled with Zhan Mohan's words from the previous night. Such a mutual, reciprocated love was truly blissful, a joy difficult to express in words.
Her heart, which had been floating, finally settled.
Whether this joy was fleeting or a dream that would ultimately fade, she wanted to savor this moment of happiness.
A hint of shyness flashed in her eyes as she turned away to pour milk.
"No."
"You say no, but your face is all red. Did you two… do it?"
The more Wei Yumeng dodged, the more curious Mu Linjing became, and the more she pressed forward.
Hearing this, Wei Yumeng replied with utmost seriousness, "No. I'm pregnant, and besides, he probably still has some reservations about me and Xin Ran. How could he… do that?"
The thought alone made her feel mortified. In fact, every gentle gesture Zhan Mohan showed her now weighed heavily on her heart.
Mu Linjing pouted, "What a pity."
Wei Yumeng chuckled and pinched Mu Linjing's cheek, "You, you haven't even had a boyfriend yet, how can you be so interested in these things all the time?"
"Because I think you two are a perfect match! Every time I see you and Mr. Zhan together, it feels like watching a romance drama, just a bit complicated."
Mu Linjing also felt sympathetic towards Wei Yumeng. Initially, she was married off to the Zhan family by her parents, wasn't well-received by her in-laws, and was constantly harassed by a Miss Feng who had no blood relation to her. Just when things started to get better, she became pregnant. This child, which was clearly Mr. Zhan's, was harmed by her stepmother.
Thinking about Wei Yumeng's past two years, her life had been full of hardships, with nothing going smoothly. Even as an outsider, she felt heartbroken for her.
Wei Yumeng didn't want to dwell on the negative. She patted Mu Linjing's shoulder.
"Alright, let's not talk about unpleasant things. Shall we think about going out shopping? I want to browse some maternity stores."
"Are you already planning this soon?" Hearing this, Mu Linjing could imagine how much she longed for this child's arrival.
A mother's anticipation and joy are truly beyond words.
Wei Yumeng smiled faintly, "I just want to take a look."
"Okay, I'll go with you." Mu Linjing agreed readily.
As the two finished breakfast and were about to leave, Wei Yumeng received a call from the hospital. She slid the receiver to answer.
"Hello, Dr. Li, has my mother's condition improved?"
"No, Miss Wei. I think you should come to the hospital immediately. Because of what happened to you online recently, many netizens have apparently found out your personal information and have now come to the hospital. Your mother's condition had just stabilized. At this time, she cannot be shocked."
Wei Yumeng's pupils constricted sharply, her heart tightening. She quickly said,
"Okay, I'm coming right away."