"Mo Han, I want to come in and talk to you for a while," Feng Shi Ming said, her face flushed with shyness. Dressed in a pink pajama set, she appeared even more charming and delicate.
Feng Shi Ming had blossomed over the past few years, becoming more radiant and ethereal with each passing day. Her bright, expressive eyes seemed to hold a silent conversation.
Despite being pursued by many, her heart was solely set on Zhan Mo Han.
Zhan Mo Han politely declined, "I still need to go to the study later. If there's anything, please say it now."
Without waiting for his reply, Feng Shi Ming pushed the door open and walked in. She approached him, noticing that the bottle of red wine on his desk was almost empty.
Her eyes lit up, sensing her opportunity had arrived.
"Mo Han, are you thinking about Wei Yu Meng? I heard she's been flirting with Chu Zi An from the company again. Their affair has even made it onto the company's intranet."
Zhan Mo Han, already feeling glum, had finally started to feel a little better after drinking. Hearing Feng Shi Ming bring up Wei Yu Meng again made him recall her words from the hospital that day.
Her distant demeanor suggested she couldn't wait to push him away.
Feng Shi Ming noticed Zhan Mo Han's gaze darken and his face turn ashen. Knowing her words had had an effect, she gently placed a delicate hand on his shoulder.
"Mo Han, think about it. Why is it that no matter how well you treat Wei Yu Meng, she remains indifferent? It's clear she has someone else in her heart. Our family caused her to lose her child, and now her mother has had a stroke. She wanted to be with Xin Ran, but you intervened."
"These grievances, one after another, how can she possibly let them go? Naturally, she harbors animosity towards you. Even if her heart were made of ice, it would have melted by now with your efforts."
Zhan Mo Han's hands, hanging by his sides, clenched into fists. Veins bulged on his forehead, but he managed to suppress the rage simmering within him.
"Are you looking for me just to say these things?"
"I just feel it's not worth it for you, Mo Han. With your capabilities and family background, you could find any woman you wanted. Why must it be her!"
Thinking this, Feng Shi Ming felt an even greater pang of frustration.
"She's from a humble background and isn't well-liked. Now, they're colluding with the Wei family to harm Yi Chen. Their ambitions are too great."
Zhan Mo Han turned and took a step back, creating distance between himself and Feng Shi Ming. His tone was somber.
"Shi Ming, I'll pretend you never said these things. Don't gossip about others. Go back to your room. Regardless, you're grown now. You don't have a boyfriend, and if rumors spread, it could affect your reputation."
Seeing Zhan Mo Han about to dismiss her, Feng Shi Ming grew more anxious. She rushed forward and hugged his waist, burying her head against him as if only then could she feel they were still like they were in childhood.
Whenever she felt wronged, Mo Han would always hold and comfort her like this.
Zhan Mo Han frowned in resignation. He patted her head and spoke gently.
"I won't neglect you because of her. You are not just Feng Shi Ming; you are also a part of the Zhan family. I treat you like a sister. If you have any grievances or feel unhappy, you can tell me. However, you are grown now and will eventually have a boyfriend. You can't be as close to me as you were before."
He placed his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her away.
"You are a young woman now. You must learn to maintain boundaries with men and avoid excessive actions, especially like this."
Feng Shi Ming tilted her head up, her eyes brimming with tears, her face etched with an expression of imminent sorrow. Anyone who saw her would surely feel pity.
But Zhan Mo Han knew exactly what was in his heart. Towards Feng Shi Ming, he felt only familial affection.
Feng Shi Ming did not push further. As long as her objective was achieved, it was enough. Zhan Mo Han's rejection was so clear that it was unlikely his feelings would change.
If she became too aggressive, he might only grow to resent her.
Sister Li was right. If she could just make them divorce, she would have a chance. Then, when Zhan Mo Han was emotionally vulnerable, she could offer him more care and love, and he would have no reason to refuse her.
"Then, Mo Han, I'll go back to my room now. You should get some sleep too."
"Mm, rest early."
After Feng Shi Ming left, Sister Li nodded at her, signaling that it was done.
They returned to the room. Feng Shi Ming held up the photograph and praised it.
"Sister Li, you took this photo so beautifully. The angle is perfect. If I didn't know Mo Han had rejected me, it would truly look convincing."
"Once this photo is sent to Wei Yu Meng's phone, it will create a rift between them. Then, with Wei Yu Meng, we'll just add fuel to the fire. Given the Young Master's temperament, he absolutely cannot tolerate her deceiving and betraying him time and time again."
Their plan was set, waiting for the opportune moment to unfold.
Even the strongest of relationships couldn't withstand manipulation, especially when cracks had already appeared, and neither party knew the other's true feelings.
It was better to nip this budding affection in the bud.
"Then, Miss Feng, you can handle this photo yourself. However, remember this: if anything goes wrong, this is entirely your doing, and it has nothing to do with Madam. After all, Madam is the only one who can protect you. As long as Madam is safe, Miss Feng, you will have a chance to turn the tables."
Feng Shi Ming nodded. "I understand. Please reassure Madam that I will never forget her help."
"It's good that Miss Feng understands."
Feng Shi Ming immediately sent the photo to Wei Yu Meng via an anonymous message, a sinister smile playing on her lips.
Wei Yu Meng, let's see if you can handle this. She refused to believe that after her mother's paralysis and her husband's betrayal, Wei Yu Meng could still remain composed and continue this marriage.
At that moment, Wei Yu Meng was feeding Gu Shu Yi porridge. Her mother was now unable to care for herself and required constant attention.
Watching Gu Shu Yi try to speak but being unable to form words, Wei Yu Meng felt an unbearable weight in her heart.
However, to ensure Gu Shu Yi cooperated with her treatment, she forced a smile.
"Mom, this porridge is from a shop near the hospital. It might not be very tasty. I'll buy some from a different place next time. Mom, for now, just focus on recuperating. The doctor said this is temporary, and everything will get better."
As for when "better" would arrive, she had no idea.
Her phone suddenly rang. She fumbled for it, her fingers tapping to open a text message from an unknown number, accompanied by a photograph.
Her pupils contracted sharply, and her hand trembled. The bowl fell to the ground, spilling porridge everywhere.
Wei Yu Meng's hand was scalded red. She quickly stood up.
A nurse, hearing the commotion, entered from outside.
"What's wrong?"