The question caught Wei Yumeng off guard, and she didn't know how to answer Xin Ran's words.
Xin Ran could tell she was embarrassed to refuse him, but also to speak her mind.
He laughed heartily, "Don't take it seriously, I was just joking. I'll go pay first, you stay here and look after your aunt."
At this moment, Wei Yumeng really had no choice but to ask Xin Ran for help. The hospital was urging them to pay, and if they didn't, Gu Shuyi would surely be transferred.
She could only nod, "I will definitely repay you this money."
Xin Ran followed the nurse to the payment counter. He took out his card, and after entering the PIN, the cashier handed the card back to him.
"I'm sorry, your card has been frozen."
"Frozen?"
"Yes, why don't you try another one?"
Xin Ran had to switch to another card, but the cashier shook her head at him again.
"This one won't work either."
After trying several cards, none of them worked, so Xin Ran had to let someone else take over for now.
He walked to the side with a displeased expression and called his mother.
"Hello, Mom, why has my card been frozen?"
"You still have the nerve to ask. I ask you, have you offended Mr. Zhan again?"
Xin Ran frowned, "What do you mean?"
"You should know what I mean. All our family's businesses have been intercepted by Zhan Group. Zhan Mohan has also announced that in the future, any business our family undertakes, Zhan Group will also be able to cooperate. Do you understand what that means? He is clearly trying to go against us!"
His mother was furious at home. If this continued, their family would be forced into bankruptcy by Zhan Mohan.
Xin Ran hadn't expected Zhan Mohan to suppress him in such a despicable way. No wonder he had been so calm at the hospital. If it were him usually, he would have been unilaterally outmatched by Zhan Mohan again.
But he would rather Zhan Mohan beat him up, at least it wouldn't have implicated his family.
"Then Mom, why have all my cards been frozen?"
"Zhan Mohan has made such an announcement, do you think the banks are fools? Of course, they'll seize the opportunity to get close to Zhan Group."
His mother was so angry she could barely speak. She thought that after the last lesson, her son would stay away from Wei Yumeng, but she didn't expect him to still be in contact with that woman.
Xin Ran couldn't worry about that much now. The priority was to solve Wei Yumeng's urgent problem.
"Mom, I beg you, can you give me twenty thousand yuan to help me out for now?"
"What do you need it for?"
"Yumeng's mother is sick and in the hospital. The hospital is already urging us to pay."
Hearing this, his mother became even angrier.
"Xin Ran, are you out of your mind? For a woman, do you have to make our family go bankrupt? Why is Zhan Mohan targeting us like this? Why doesn't he give Wei Yumeng's mother medical expenses? Is he short of that kind of money?"
It was because Xin Ran had touched his bottom line as a man. Who would be willing to have his wife frequently interact with other men?
No matter who it was, they would feel uncomfortable. Ordinary people would resort to violence to solve it, but Zhan Mohan was different. He was a man at the top of the pyramid.
If anyone angered him, at best they would have to pay him some money, and at worst, they would be ruined. That's how it was, he had the power.
Xin Ran suddenly felt a little helpless, "But I've already promised Yumeng, you can't let me go back on my word, can you?"
"You can't even protect your family's business now, and I still care about your Wei Yumeng. You hurry back here and never contact that woman again!"
His mother had issued an ultimatum.
"Mom, Mom..."
Xin Ran called out to his mother here, but all he got in response was a cold voice.
He returned to the ward dejectedly. Wei Yumeng, seeing Xin Ran's dispirited look, stepped forward to ask.
"What's wrong? Did the doctor say anything else?"
"I'm sorry, Yumeng, my card has been frozen. My mom said Zhan Mohan is snatching our family's business, and the bank, to appease Zhan Group, has frozen my card."
Xin Ran felt too embarrassed to tell Wei Yumeng about this, but there was no other way. If the nurse came to ask later, it would be exposed anyway.
Wei Yumeng remained silent. She wasn't surprised by Zhan Mohan's actions at all, because that was exactly the kind of person he was.
"So that's what he meant by what he said when he left that day."
Xin Ran looked up and asked, "What did he say?"
"It's nothing. Xin Ran, don't worry about this. Hurry home and check on things. I've hired a caregiver for my mom, so I don't need to watch over her twenty-four hours a day."
Wei Yumeng knew that Xin Ran was in a precarious situation himself, and she couldn't make things difficult for him or add to his mental burden.
Xin Ran was a little worried, "But the money..."
"I'll borrow it from friends. Don't worry." Wei Yumeng urged Xin Ran to go back quickly. If something truly serious happened, she would be truly responsible.
Although Xin Ran was worried about leaving Wei Yumeng alone, he had to go back first to understand the situation before he could think of ways to raise money for Wei Yumeng.
"Alright, I'll go back first. If anything happens, call me."
After they parted ways, Wei Yumeng took a deep breath. Now she had no other options but to find Zhan Mohan. Wasn't that his goal?
To make her lower her head and beg him. Now, she had fulfilled his wish.
Wei Yumeng took out her phone and called Zhan Mohan, but he didn't answer.
She knew that Zhan Mohan was doing this on purpose. He wouldn't let her see him easily, otherwise, how could he justify his outburst at the hospital that day?
Since Zhan Mohan refused to answer, she would call Fang Xun. Fang Xun did answer, and his attitude was as respectful as ever.
"Madam, is there anything I can help you with?"
"I want to speak to Zhan Mohan."
"Mr. Zhan is not in the company; he's out discussing business."
Whether Fang Xun's words were true or not, it didn't matter. She was determined to see Zhan Mohan.
"Then when will he be back?"
"He should be back in the evening. You can try calling again later."
"Okay, I understand."
Wei Yumeng held her phone and looked at the time. It was a little past four in the afternoon. She would call Zhan Mohan again at seven-thirty.
Based on her understanding, Zhan Mohan would be having lunch at this time.
She stayed at the hospital with Gu Shuyi until seven o'clock, and only left after the caregiver arrived.
After leaving the hospital, she called Zhan Mohan again. At first, he didn't answer, but Wei Yumeng kept calling.
Finally, after the fifth call, he answered.
His voice was cold, as emotionless and indifferent as he himself was.
"What is it?"
His tone made Wei Yumeng feel as if they were strangers who had never met.
She felt very uncomfortable, even unable to accept it. She suppressed her negative emotions and said,
"I want to talk to you."