Wei Yumeng didn't even bother to ask for leave. Since Zhan Mohan wouldn't agree anyway, she simply went back to the old Zhan family residence to get her change of clothes and prepared to leave.
Just as she reached the door, she unfortunately ran into Wen Yulan again.
"Wei Yumeng, wait a moment."
She was in a hurry and felt bad about making Xin Ran wait with Gu Shuyi.
"Mom, is something wrong?"
Wei Yumeng tried to keep her tone pleasant. If Wen Yulan wasn't kept waiting, she wouldn't drag out the time.
Wen Yulan slowly sat down on a chair. "I heard your mother had a stroke?"
"Yes."
"And is now paralyzed and in the hospital?"
Wei Yumeng didn't want to waste time here with her and said directly.
"If you have something to say, please just say it directly. There's no need to beat around the bush."
She found it strange. Wen Yulan usually didn't talk to her so indirectly. Why was she suddenly so circuitous today?
It was precisely this that made her uneasy, wondering what Wen Yulan was up to.
Wen Yulan was waiting for her to say this, so that she wouldn't be accused of bullying a young girl.
"Since you've put it that way, I won't beat around the bush. Your mother needs quite a lot of expenses now. For us, the Zhan family to let you in is already the greatest act of kindness. Don't treat our Zhan family like a cash cow, living in the best hospital and making our Mohan continuously give money to your mother. Do you understand what I mean?"
Wei Yumeng sneered inwardly, *heh... listening to her, she's displeased that I've used the Zhan family's money. She thinks I married Zhan Mohan for money too.*
"Don't worry, I won't use Zhan Mohan's money."
"Then if you don't use Mohan's money, where will you find so much for medical expenses? I'll remind you, our Zhan family values reputation above all else. Don't do anything outside that would disgrace the Zhan family."
This was somewhat of a personal attack. Wei Yumeng could tolerate other things, but she couldn't tolerate being slandered like this.
Her conflict with Wen Yulan wasn't a new thing, and she wasn't afraid of offending her.
"Mom, if you truly have evidence, you can present it to me. But if you don't have any evidence, please mind your words and be more tactful."
Wen Yulan's gaze turned cold as she looked at Wei Yumeng, her eyes sharp.
She snorted, "What? Is this how you speak to an elder? Don't forget, if it weren't for our Mohan, your mother would have died on the operating table long ago. You should be respectful to me, not act so high and mighty, as if you're something special!"
"Then, regarding Zhan Mohan and Feng Shiyuan's matter, should I also make a big scene outside? Perhaps your Zhan family would have to give me a bit more in property."
Wen Yulan was almost beside herself with anger at Wei Yumeng's nonchalant tone. She clutched the chair, her face ashen.
"You... you dare to speak to me like that! Just you wait, Wei Yumeng, your arrogance won't last long. Once Shiyuan is pregnant with Mohan's child, Mohan will divorce you, and you won't get a single cent from our Zhan family."
Wei Yumeng shrugged, her tone so calm it was frightening.
"Then you can have Zhan Mohan write a divorce agreement for me, and I will definitely sign it."
After speaking, Wei Yumeng didn't bother to address Wen Yulan further. She turned, grabbed her things, and quickly walked out.
Wen Yulan picked up her teacup and threw it towards the door, her voice incredibly sharp.
"Then I will definitely wait for that day!"
Wei Yumeng got into a taxi, gave the hospital address, and gazed at the bustling traffic outside. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. She didn't know why, but she felt so heartbroken.
It was as if a ball of cotton had been stuffed in her chest, making her feel incredibly uncomfortable.
It seemed the Zhan family had long wanted Feng Shiyuan and Zhan Mohan to be together, and she had been nothing more than a pawn from beginning to end, someone no one cared about.
It made sense. If Feng Shiyuan wasn't destined to be Zhan Mohan's future wife, why would the Zhan family adopt her and treat her like their own daughter for so many years?
Thinking of Gu Shuyi, paralyzed in the hospital, thinking of Zhan Mohan's betrayal, and Wen Yulan's harassment, she felt the taut string in her heart suddenly snap.
Her emotions surged like a flood, uncontrollable. Tears poured out like a broken string of pearls.
The driver in front saw Wei Yumeng sobbing and looking very sad. Seeing her alone with her bags, he took out a tissue from the front and offered it to her.
"Life is full of bumps and bruises. As long as you get through them, it'll be fine."
Wei Yumeng sniffled, "Thank you, driver."
"Don't cry, wipe your tears. No matter how life treats us badly, we must be strong. You can be sad for a day, or happy for a day. Think positively. Life is only a few decades long, what's there to be so upset about?"
"Yes, you're right. Even if I cry my eyes out here, no one will feel sorry for me."
No one cared about her thoughts or feelings.
"So, if you don't stay strong yourself, others won't be able to for you."
Wei Yumeng raised her hand and wiped her tears. "Mm."
The car stopped at the hospital entrance. Wei Yumeng was about to pay the driver, but he refused.
"Forget it. Seeing you cry so sadly just now, you must have a loved one who is sick. Consider it a good deed. I hope your loved one recovers soon."
Wei Yumeng was extremely touched. "Thank you, driver. Your kindness will be rewarded."
After getting out of the car, Wei Yumeng thanked the driver again and watched him drive away before entering the hospital.
She was afraid Xin Ran would see that she had been crying, so she tidied herself up before entering the ward.
Xin Ran was helping Gu Shuyi drink water. Wei Yumeng walked over.
"Xin Ran, thank you for your hard work. If there's nothing else, you can go back now."
"It's alright. I'm off today, and I'd be bored alone here anyway. I can keep you company and we can chat."
"Mm." Wei Yumeng's mood was rather heavy now, thinking about how she could possibly gather the money.
Hundreds of thousands was not a small sum, but she was too embarrassed to ask Xin Ran for another loan. Zhan Mohan was her husband, and she hadn't even borrowed from him. Asking Xin Ran wouldn't be logical.
Xin Ran saw her gloomy expression. "Did you fail to get leave, or are you facing some difficulty?"
"It's fine if I can't get leave. It doesn't matter. I can just find another job later."
It was just a shame that the benefits at the Zhan Group were quite good. If she went to another company, it would likely be more tiring and the salary wouldn't be as high.
Xin Ran was a bit surprised by this. "You mean Zhan Mohan didn't approve your leave? Doesn't he know your mother's current condition requires care?"
"It's fine. Whether he approves it or not is irrelevant. I don't plan on working there anymore anyway."
Wei Yumeng didn't want to trouble Xin Ran with these matters any further.
Xin Ran looked at Wei Yumeng's helpless expression with a pang of sympathy. He reached out and hugged her. Wei Yumeng froze. Just as she was about to push Xin Ran away, she heard him say.
"Don't be afraid. I just want to give you some encouragement and comfort. No matter what happens, don't be afraid. I'll have your back. You need to know, you are not alone."
The emotions Wei Yumeng had suppressed surged back again because of Xin Ran's words.
Her nose pricked with tears. These words were probably the most heartwarming thing she had heard in a long time. *I am not alone.*
"Thank you, Xin Ran."
The two were still immersed in their mutual encouragement when, unbeknownst to them, the scene was captured by a pair of sharp, falcon-like eyes, accompanied by a furious voice like a storm.
"It seems I've come at an inconvenient time. I'm disturbing you two."