"Didn't that man at the company entrance come close to you today in the same way?"
Zhan Mohan whispered next to her ear, his warm breath lightly brushing her earlobe, sending shivers down her spine. His voice, though low and pleasant, always seemed to carry a hint of coldness.
Wei Yumeng finally recalled Chu Zian handing her an umbrella at the company entrance. Had Zhan Mohan seen it? Since he had seen it, why did he prefer to stand there, helpless and anxious, rather than give her a ride? It would have been on his way.
She tilted her head up, her eyes bright. "We're colleagues, it's normal to help each other. Besides, you were unwilling to give me a ride, but does that mean you won't allow anyone else to help me?"
Zhan Mohan couldn't fail to detect the sarcasm in her tone. He said coldly, with a dismissive air, "I'm just reminding you that you are a daughter-in-law of the Zhan family, and nominally my wife, Zhan Mohan. You should do less of things that could easily lead to gossip. I'm too lazy to clean up your mess."
Zhan Mohan let go of her and, as if in a huff, pulled open the door and left. Seeing him leave so abruptly, Wei Yumeng still felt a fire burning inside her. This man was truly overbearing. Who was it that had been rumored about with others at the company? Wasn't it him and Feng Shiyin? How could he so self-righteously question her?
Oh well. He had always been this forceful, never listening to explanations or believing her. What was the point of arguing further?
Wei Yumeng finished her remaining work in her room and prepared to go downstairs for a glass of water. As she passed Feng Shiyin's room, she happened to overhear two voices, one of which sounded like Zhan Mohan's. For some reason, curiosity got the better of her, and she stopped. Peeking through the crack in the door, she saw Zhan Mohan and Feng Shiyin inside.
The man was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding a bowl, presumably with medicine he had brewed for Feng Shiyin. "Zhang Ma has brewed your medicine for you. It will be beneficial for your wound to recover," he said.
Feng Shiyin acted childishly. "I don't want to drink it, it's too bitter."
"Be obedient. Good medicine tastes bitter. How else will your wound heal?" Zhan Mohan said patiently.
"Then Moh Han Ge Ge, feed me," Feng Shiyin said, tilting her head up with a playful look.
"You're not a child anymore. Hurry up, I have things to do later." Although Zhan Mohan didn't feed her, he didn't lose his temper. His patience with Feng Shiyin was quite remarkable.
Feng Shiyin felt displeased but still obediently took the medicine from him. "Moh Han Ge Ge, I'm a little cold. Can you help me cover myself with the blanket?"
Zhan Mohan noticed she was wearing only a thin sweater and no jacket. He draped his own jacket over her shoulders. "Drink it quickly. Rest well at home for the next two days. They will handle things at the company."
Watching this scene, Wei Yumeng's heart ached. She even felt a pang of jealousy. She knew she shouldn't feel this way. She was married for convenience, how could she compare herself to Feng Shiyin? Feng Shiyin had a childhood bond with Zhan Mohan, while she had nothing – no support from her family, no background to match him. She had even dared to wish he would be devoted to her. Thinking about it made her laugh at herself.
She quietly closed the door, took a deep breath. She should learn to control her own heart and not indulge in foolish fantasies. What shouldn't be thought of, and what couldn't be obtained, would ultimately lead to nothing.
Feng Shiyin had already seen Wei Yumeng. She was putting on a show for her, but this was just the beginning. She intended to systematically drive a wedge between Wei Yumeng and Moh Han Ge Ge until they were completely estranged.
After Zhan Mohan left, she sent a WeChat message to Wen Yulan.
"Can we start the plan?"
"Wait for my notification tomorrow."
Feng Shiyin smiled triumphantly. It seemed her goal was drawing closer.
The next day, when Wei Yumeng went downstairs, Zhan Mohan and Feng Shiyin were already sitting at the dining table. Upon seeing Wei Yumeng, Feng Shiyin, contrary to her usual behavior, waved at her. "Yu Meng Jie, come and eat with us."
Wei Yumeng couldn't believe it. Was the sun rising in the west? Feng Shiyin was actually inviting her to eat breakfast together. Having been tricked many times, she was on guard, especially after the incident the other day, which had made her particularly cautious. She immediately declined. "No, thank you. I have to go to the company."
Feng Shiyin suddenly stood up and apologized to her sincerely with a deep bow. "Yu Meng Jie, I'm truly sorry about what happened last time. I promise I will never do anything like that again."
This sudden apology made Wei Yumeng feel as if she were still dreaming. It wasn't until Zhan Mohan spoke that she came back to reality. "Just consider that she took a blow for us yesterday. Don't be so calculative."
What else could Wei Yumeng say? Zhan Mohan was speaking up for her. If she maintained her stiff attitude, it would make her seem overly petty. Although Feng Shiyin's actions yesterday weren't for her sake, if Zhan Mohan were injured because of her, Old Master Zhan would surely kill her.
She didn't show much emotion on her face, calmly replying, "I hope Miss Feng will think twice before acting next time."
"There won't be a next time," Feng Shiyin said with certainty.
Wei Yumeng glanced at the two of them. They looked harmonious. If she sat down, she would feel like an outsider. "I don't have much of an appetite. You two enjoy your meal." With that, she left, holding her umbrella. Zhan Mohan watched as she clutched the umbrella to her chest as if it were a precious treasure, his eyes darkening with a chilling intensity.
Wei Yumeng arrived at the company entrance, inquired about Chu Zian's whereabouts, and found him. He was in the copy room printing documents. Wei Yumeng walked in. "Hello."
Chu Zian turned around, saw Wei Yumeng standing before him, and a smile spread across his face. "What brings you here?"
"I'm here to return your umbrella. Thank you for yesterday." She handed him the umbrella. Chu Zian hesitated to take it. Wei Yumeng, thinking he was being picky, quickly explained. "Don't worry, I washed this umbrella."
Seeing her like a startled little rabbit, Chu Zian chuckled. "That's not what I meant. I just feel that it's just an umbrella, and you made a special trip to return it. It makes me feel a bit embarrassed."
"It was your kindness to lend me the umbrella. Without it, I might not have been able to get home yesterday." Compared to Zhan Mohan, who wouldn't give her a ride even when he saw her and then blamed her for accepting someone else's umbrella, Chu Zian was already very kind.
He took the umbrella and said jokingly, "Since you're so grateful, why don't you treat me to lunch today?"
"Huh?" Wei Yumeng was a little stunned. She hadn't expected someone to offer to let someone else treat them to a meal.
Chu Zian found this girl quite amusing. Even her look of confusion was so lovely. He lowered his head and chuckled. "It's okay if I treat you."
"No, no, no, I'll treat you." After all, he had helped her. It was only right to treat him to a meal. The monthly salary of someone in the technical department was higher than hers, so she wouldn't have to stoop to accepting a free meal.
"Alright, then it's settled. I'll wait for you at the company entrance at noon."
"Okay, I'll be going now."
Watching Wei Yumeng's receding figure, Chu Zian's smile deepened. He was becoming increasingly interested in this girl. She was worthy of being Zhan Mohan's woman; mere ordinary women wouldn't catch his eye.
He took out his phone and dialed an unknown number. The voice on the other end was very respectful. "Young Master, is there something you need?"
"Order me a restaurant with a window seat for lunch."
"Yes, Young Master. How is the situation at the Zhan Group recently? The Old Master has been asking."
"No significant developments yet, but I've stumbled upon something interesting lately."
"Young Master, be careful not to reveal your identity. The Old Master is determined to proceed with this project," the butler reminded him.
"I know, you're so nagging," Chu Zian said impatiently, hanging up the phone.
Wei Yumeng had a relatively leisurely morning because Ning Tao held no real power, so even if there was work, it wouldn't be directly passed through her. She was thinking about where to treat Chu Zian to lunch. A place near the company would be fine, as they were both ordinary employees and wouldn't be too picky.
As it was getting close to ten o'clock, she had just delivered a document to Zhan Mohan's office and placed it on his desk. As she turned to leave, he suddenly spoke. "Go and make me a cup of coffee."
"Okay." Wei Yumeng took a cup and went to the pantry to make coffee for him.
Returning to the office, Zhan Mohan took a sip of the coffee and asked, as if casually, "Returned the umbrella?"