"Hmm, you're back," Wei Yumeng replied truthfully. Zhan Mohan asking this implied he knew where she had been, and hiding it would only make things worse.
"Did you put medicine on your body?"
"I didn't sustain any significant injuries, so I didn't apply any medicine." Yesterday, her mind was so consumed with him and Feng Shiyin that she hadn't even considered tending to her own wounds.
But these words she couldn't say to Zhan Mohan.
Upon hearing this, the man's brows furrowed. Did this woman really not care about her own well-being? He was trying his best to protect her, yet she paid no heed to her own body.
"Come here," his tone was sharp, with an air of undeniable authority.
Wei Yumeng didn't want to trouble him. "It's really nothing, Mr. Zhan. The coffee has been delivered. I'll head out now."
She was eager to escape. The moment she turned, her wrist was caught by the man. With a dizzying spin, she found herself trapped in his embrace.
The scent that filled her nostrils was uniquely his, disrupting her peace of mind.
She struggled to get up. "Mr. Zhan, please don't do this. We're at the company."
"If you dare to move again, I'll make sure you don't leave this office today."
Zhan Mohan's voice was forceful, and he was a man of his word. If Wei Yumeng continued to struggle, he would make her regret it.
Wei Yumeng recalled the last time in this office when he had almost taken her. She dared not move again.
Zhan Mohan first brushed aside her hair to examine it. In the center, a patch of hair was missing. Though not extensive, it was enough to imagine the pain of having her hair completely torn out.
His warm fingertips gently circled the spot. "Does it still hurt?"
Wei Yumeng froze for a moment, likely unaccustomed to his sudden gentleness.
"No... it doesn't hurt."
"Your hair will grow back after some time. Is there anywhere else you're injured?"
Zhan Mohan's words were soothing. Though his brows were still furrowed and his expression grim, his tone lacked its usual harshness, making her feel a warmth within.
Wei Yumeng felt uneasy under his gaze, as if she were a monkey being observed at the zoo. She pushed his hand away.
"It's just a minor injury, it's nothing. Director Feng's injuries are much more severe than mine."
Compared to his sudden concern, Wei Yumeng wished he would maintain his usual cold demeanor. That way, she could constantly remind herself that Zhan Mohan did not belong to her.
His concern for her was merely because he couldn't simply dismiss it, as she was his lawfully wedded wife. With the media constantly lurking outside, any incident at this time could affect the Zhan family's reputation.
But this kind of concern was something she didn't need. It would only lead her into a quagmire of emotions.
She preferred to live clearly and unequivocally, without harboring any expectations of him.
Zhan Mohan didn't press further, merely looking at her with an unreadable expression.
"You just need to take care of yourself. Feng Shiyin has people who will handle her."
Wei Yumeng offered a bitter smile. Was it right for him to handle her?
She didn't need this ambiguous concern. It wasn't that she was jealous of Feng Shiyin, but rather she felt that their relationship was something she could never surpass.
Feng Shiyin and Zhan Mohan had no barriers between them, but there was an insurmountable chasm between her and him.
"Yes, I understand. Therefore, I hope Mr. Zhan will avoid unnecessary misunderstandings. I will manage myself."
She resolutely pushed away his embrace and ran out of the office.
Zhan Mohan watched Wei Yumeng's retreating figure, a flicker of something unusual appearing in his deep, dark eyes.
What was wrong with her these past two days? He found something about her peculiar.
Wei Yumeng ran out of the office and leaned against the wall in a deserted corridor, her heart aching. She was too anxious and insecure around Zhan Mohan, sometimes indulging in the good he showed her, unable to resist sinking into it.
But reason told her that only Feng Shiyin was his true match, and she was not worthy of Zhan Mohan.
He didn't like her either. In his heart, he still believed she was the one who harmed him and Zhan Lin.
Returning to her desk, she found herself unable to concentrate on her work. Her mood was heavy, and the more she thought about it, the more distressed she became. It took several calls from Mu Linjing for her to hear.
"There's a handsome guy outside looking for you."
Wei Yumeng hadn't quite registered what was said. "Looking for me?"
"Tall, slender, fair-skinned, and very well-dressed. I think he's from the technical department." Mu Linjing usually only paid attention when a handsome man was involved.
Upon hearing the words "technical department," Wei Yumeng's mind suddenly snapped into focus.
"How could I have forgotten about this."
She was supposed to treat Chu Zi'an to lunch today. Zhan Mohan had so thoroughly disturbed her thoughts that she had completely forgotten her appointment.
"What is it?" Mu Linjing asked curiously.
"I can't tell you. I have to go now." Wei Yumeng grabbed her bag and rushed out.
Mu Linjing watched through the window as Wei Yumeng approached the handsome man she had seen earlier. They exchanged a few words, and then left together.
After leaving the company, Wei Yumeng said to him, "How about we just grab something nearby? I have a lot of work in the afternoon."
If she hadn't promised Chu Zi'an, she might not have even wanted to eat, as she had lost her appetite.
Chu Zi'an clasped her shoulders from behind and gently pushed her forward.
"You don't need to think about a place. I've already made a reservation. Just follow me."
Wei Yumeng turned back eagerly. "Oh, that's too kind. I was supposed to be treating you."
"I don't have a habit of letting women pay," Chu Zi'an said, leading Wei Yumeng into his car and driving them to the restaurant.
Once seated, Wei Yumeng realized that Chu Zi'an had already booked a table and a menu. She didn't need to order anything, and more importantly, the establishment was not inexpensive.
Chu Zi'an's enthusiasm only made her feel more embarrassed.
"Perhaps we could switch to another restaurant? It was just supposed to be a casual meal, there's no need for such an expensive place."
"It's alright. Since it's already booked, I have a discount coupon here. After the discount, the price will be similar to eating elsewhere. Don't worry."
Chu Zi'an waved a coupon in front of Wei Yumeng.
He had even asked the general manager of the restaurant to issue this coupon, otherwise Wei Yumeng would have certainly refused.
Wei Yumeng felt increasingly mortified but was too embarrassed to suggest leaving again.
"Then... then I'll treat you next time. It's settled then."
She didn't like owing favors, especially to strangers.
Chu Zi'an didn't refuse. If it meant another opportunity to interact with Wei Yumeng, he was naturally willing.
From a young age, he had watched Zhan Mohan climb step by step to where he was today. Why was it that despite his own hard work, he couldn't reach that same height? Thus, he resolved to infiltrate the Zhan Corporation and study Zhan Mohan's business acumen.
His ultimate goal was to surpass Zhan Mohan. Now, approaching his woman first was a viable option.
If he could discover Zhan Mohan's weakness, his Chu family would be able to secure a foothold here and even surpass the Zhan Corporation.
After the food was served, Chu Zi'an enthusiastically served Wei Yumeng dishes and even asked if she had a boyfriend. Wei Yumeng's hand, holding her chopsticks, paused.
A flicker of stiffness crossed her face, followed by an awkward twitch of her lips.
"I'm married."
Chu Zi'an seemed unfazed. "You're married so young, but everyone at the company seems to think you're still single."
"That's my personal business, and I don't usually share it with others." Wei Yumeng's pace of eating noticeably slowed.
Chu Zi'an's peripheral vision caught sight of Feng Shiyin entering with Zhan Mohan. A sly smile flickered in his eyes.
As Wei Yumeng looked up, intending to tell him she had finished eating, Chu Zi'an extended a napkin towards her.
"Wait a moment, you have something on your face."
Chu Zi'an's action was too sudden. Wei Yumeng didn't even have time to react. She felt the napkin brush past the corner of her lips, and then Chu Zi'an smiled at her gently.
"It's gone now."
Wei Yumeng's cheeks flushed, and she said with embarrassment,
"Thank you. I can manage such things myself."
Wei Yumeng picked up her bag and stood up, only to meet Zhan Mohan's cold, piercing gaze.
Her expression faltered, and a sense of foreboding washed over her.