"We're a bit like we're dating, but can't be open about it," Chu Zi'an chuckled on the phone.
Wei Yumeng knitted her brows. "Don't talk nonsense. We're just ordinary colleagues. The company intranet is buzzing about this, and I don't want to stir up any more trouble."
"I understand," Chu Zi'an's voice sounded somewhat dejected.
At noon, Wei Yumeng seized the opportunity while her colleagues were at lunch and headed to the company's back entrance. She spotted Chu Zi'an from afar. He was dressed smartly as always, with a sunshine-like smile on his face, but Wei Yumeng couldn't feel any happiness.
This meant that the rumors about her and Chu Zi'an on the company intranet would only escalate, drawing Zhan Mohan's attention more easily. How would a husband feel seeing his wife embroiled in such gossip with another colleague? He would surely trouble her daily, and with her small frame, how could she possibly handle it?
Chu Zi'an stepped forward and handed her the documents. "Thank you. This information is very useful. I'll treat you to a meal sometime as a token of my gratitude."
"No need. I might be quite busy lately." Wei Yumeng politely refused. She couldn't take her anger out on Chu Zi'an; he hadn't done anything wrong.
Chu Zi'an lowered his gaze slightly, observing the gloom between her brows. "Are you... are you unhappy because of the intranet incident?"
"I just feel that suddenly all the colleagues are speculating about our relationship, which has caused some impact on my work and life."
"Don't mind them. Let them talk. We have nothing to hide," Chu Zi'an reassured Wei Yumeng, but he had no intention of trying to remove the photos from the intranet. To him, it was highly beneficial. He didn't know who had helped him behind the scenes. He had been worrying about how to get Zhan Mohan's attention, and now, he could see himself on the official website every day.
Wei Yumeng narrowed her eyes slightly. "I can't help but mind them. They buzz around me like flies every day, constantly asking me. So, could you please go with me to see President Zhan and explain things clearly, and ask him to remove the photos from the intranet?" The content on the intranet could only be altered by high-level management; others wouldn't dare to touch it. Thus, only Zhan Mohan was capable.
Chu Zi'an, however, was unwilling. "I'm sorry, I can't help you with that."
"Why?" Perhaps Chu Zi'an's refusal was too direct, making it difficult for her to accept.
"Because I don't just want to be friends with you." A complex light seemed to flicker in his eyes, mixed with a certain emotion. He placed his hands on Wei Yumeng's shoulders. "I also want to..."
Just as he was about to confess his feelings to Wei Yumeng, his peripheral vision caught a mark on her neck. He frowned, his expression changing immediately. It was a hickey. Such a mark wouldn't appear unless there had been an intimate relationship. Had she and Zhan Mohan... already been intimate?
While Chu Zi'an was still lost in thought about Wei Yumeng and Zhan Mohan, a powerful gust of wind from a punch whizzed past his ear. He quickly dodged to the side, avoiding it. Wei Yumeng was also startled by the sudden arrival. When she looked up, she realized it was Zhan Mohan. The man was radiating anger, his handsome face grim, a flash of fierceness in his eyes.
Only then did Chu Zi'an see Zhan Mohan. Yet, he showed no fear. Instead, he seemed to be in a good mood. He asked knowingly, "I heard President Zhan is usually calm and reserved. I didn't expect you to be so impatient. I haven't even done anything, yet you're already trying to fight me?"
Hearing Chu Zi'an's words, a fire ignited in Zhan Mohan's eyes. "You know her true identity, yet you deliberately approached her. You're seeking death!" As soon as he spoke, the man lunged at Chu Zi'an with swift, decisive movements. Before Chu Zi'an could react, a sharp fist landed heavily on his face. Chu Zi'an stumbled, his head quickly turned to the side, blood slowly seeping from the corner of his mouth. Zhan Mohan's punch was not light; he almost couldn't bear it.
Wei Yumeng's face turned pale at the scene, fearing that something serious would happen. She rushed forward to pull Zhan Mohan away, but was so intimidated by his menacing aura that she retracted her hand. She could only open her mouth and plead, "President Zhan, stop fighting."
Chu Zi'an let out a cold laugh. "Yumeng, don't try to persuade President Zhan. He's just angry and ashamed. He can't stand to see me talking to you for a few words. I never thought the dignified President Zhan would be so overbearing."
A chilling anger emanated from Zhan Mohan. He curled his lips into a sarcastic smile. "You? You're not worthy!" He clenched his fists again and smashed them fiercely towards Chu Zi'an's face. This time, Chu Zi'an fell directly to the ground. He lowered his head, wiping the blood from his face, yet he could still laugh. "I may not be worthy, but she doesn't belong to you either! If she really liked you, why would she never smile in front of you? Why does she always look so unhappy? Clearly, President Zhan is not the person she desires."
Wei Yumeng trembled, realizing Chu Zi'an was provoking Zhan Mohan's limits. Did he want Zhan Mohan to beat him to death right here? Why did he say those things? She yelled at Chu Zi'an, "What are you still standing there for? Hurry and leave!"
Chu Zi'an got up from the ground and said to Zhan Mohan with a provocative tone, "President Zhan, our game is far from over. Think carefully about who I am." With that, he turned and walked towards the company's back door. Zhan Mohan intended to chase after him but was suddenly hugged from behind by Wei Yumeng around the waist. The man paused. "Zhan Mohan, don't go."
The man turned around, gripping her shoulders with his hands, his fingers digging in with force. Pain contorted Wei Yumeng's face, and she felt as if her shoulder blades were about to break. Yet, she dared not cry out, fearing that any further resistance would only intensify Zhan Mohan's anger towards her. His voice was tinged with coldness, and Wei Yumeng shivered, unable to meet his gaze. "Wei Yumeng, it seems I was wrong to let you go yesterday. Weren't you satisfied? And now you're rushing to meet him today? You were even defending him just now. Are you afraid I'll cripple your little lover, and then you won't be able to serve you properly?"
Wei Yumeng looked at Zhan Mohan in disbelief, her heart clenching tightly. "I have nothing with him. He was just getting me some documents. Zhan Mohan, which eye of yours saw me doing anything with him?"
"Do I need to see it with my own eyes? Wei Yumeng, you truly don't learn until you're faced with the consequences. Do I have to catch you in the act before you admit it?" Zhan Mohan's handsome face instantly tightened, his eyes piercing Wei Yumeng like sharp knives. She struggled to break free. "I'll say it again, I didn't. If you don't believe me, then so be it." Wei Yumeng stood still, the biting wind whipping against her face, like knives cutting her. The cold was pervasive, and she couldn't stop shivering. Even colder than the wind were Zhan Mohan's words. Zhan Mohan's gaze was grim, his tone so harsh it could kill. "Wei Yumeng, you broke your promise. Don't blame me for being impolite!" It seemed Chu Zi'an could no longer be tolerated. He was an eyesore, and he dared to covet his woman.
Before Wei Yumeng could comprehend the meaning of Zhan Mohan's words, Fang Xun rushed forward, his expression extremely anxious. "President Zhan, this is bad! Madam's mother suddenly fell ill for some reason. She's in critical condition at the hospital. The hospital said she's on the verge of death and has asked the family to come quickly, as they might be able to see her one last time!"
Zhan Mohan frowned. Wei Yumeng felt as if she had been struck by lightning. She was so shocked that she almost couldn't stand, her steps faltering. Zhan Mohan reached out to steady her, but she dodged his hand. Her voice choked with sobs, unable to believe what she was hearing. "What did you say? My mother... she's in critical condition?"