Zhan Mohan scoffed, "Yi Chen is a typical spoiled rich kid. He's not cut out for business. Even if I trained him, he wouldn't amount to much. Though, I admit I had my own selfish reasons. After all, Wen Yulan cares most about Yi Chen, and Yi Chen respects me greatly as his elder brother. Tell me, for Wen Yulan, isn't that a thorn in her side?"
Though not fatal, the mere thought would bring her to tears.
Hearing this, Wei Yumeng suddenly felt there was a reason behind Zhan Mohan's indifferent and cold personality. One's upbringing plays a crucial role in shaping their character.
Just like her, having grown up without a father's love, relying on Gu Shuyi, she possessed an inherent sense of inferiority. However, she wouldn't easily show it, as that would only invite more bullying.
It seemed the only similarity between her and Zhan Mohan was that both had experienced childhood trauma, leading to some personality flaws.
Perhaps due to their similar experiences, she felt their distance had narrowed significantly.
"That's good, at least no one dares to bully you now."
Anger clouded Zhan Mohan's eyes as he turned to look at Wei Yumeng. "The moment my mother left, I swore to myself that from then on, no one would dare to lay a hand on my people."
Wei Yumeng's pupils trembled. For a fleeting moment, she envied the person Zhan Mohan referred to as "his people," the one he cared about.
She wondered if this person had appeared yet.
Fearing she might hear something she didn't want to, she averted her gaze to the clock on the wall, changing the subject.
"It's getting late, get some rest."
Zhan Mohan, having had a tiring day, was indeed weary.
"You rest first, I need to go out."
As he turned towards the door, Wei Yumeng called out to him.
"Zhan Mohan, thank you for what happened today."
If she had truly fallen into the hands of those men, she wouldn't have survived.
Zhan Mohan replied with a faint tone, "You are, after all, nominally my wife, Zhan Mohan's wife."
Wei Yumeng's gentle expression stiffened, a pang of bitterness in her heart. Finally, she let out a wry smile.
"Mhm."
She had been wishful thinking. His saving her was purely for the sake of the Zhan family's reputation, not for her.
The door closed again.
Half an hour ago, Feng Shiming had called those men, but no one replied. After investigating, she discovered those fools had been caught by Zhan Mohan, beaten, and were now in the hospital. Even after recovering, they would face legal consequences.
Pacing her room with her phone, she was filled with anxiety, a single question replaying in her mind: Would Mo Han Gege already know?
But even if he did, he wouldn't do anything to her, right? They had grown up together; he wouldn't confront her over a woman he had only recently married.
However, what if he was truly infatuated with that vixen?
Her heart fluttered like a leaf in the wind, unable to find a place to settle.
The door was pushed open at that moment, startling Feng Shiming into turning around abruptly. Seeing Zhan Mohan, her face stiffened, and she forced a smile.
"Mo Han Gege, why are you here so late?"
Zhan Mohan didn't reply. He simply walked in. Feng Shiming looked at his deep, probing eyes with trepidation.
"Wei Yumeng's matter, will you confess, or shall I help you?"
Hearing this, Feng Shiming's legs went weak. Her eyes darted about in panic, but she still stubbornly retorted,
"What about her? How would I know?"
"I'm giving you a chance to admit it now. If you refuse, I will have to resort to forceful measures."
His dark eyes were deep and complex, his usually cold face devoid of emotion. Upon hearing his words, the last trace of color drained from Feng Shiming's face.
Her voice, soft and tinged with grievance, pleaded, "Mo Han Gege..."
"I've told you, regardless of how much fault Wei Yumeng has, if she is to be punished, it will be by my hand. No one else has the right."
He particularly detested those who resorted to despicable tactics behind people's backs.
Feng Shiming rarely saw Zhan Mohan speak to her with such severity for someone else.
Most of the time, she felt Mo Han Gege still cared for her. Since Wei Yumeng's arrival, their distance had grown.
She explained her grievance, "I really lost my head for a moment. Besides, I just wanted to teach her a lesson, I didn't intend to do anything to her."
"Your lesson was to have those men insult her innocence? You're not insulting her; you're insulting me!"
Veins bulged on his forehead as he roared, looking like a figure from the underworld, exuding an icy aura.
Her legs felt weak, and with Zhan Mohan's roar, she stumbled back two steps, her eyes red, looking truly pitiful. But Zhan Mohan wouldn't let her off just because she was upset.
"I didn't think that far. I just didn't want to see her hogging you. You should know that in this family, you are the one I care about most."
"But you crossed my bottom line."
He, Zhan Mohan, would not let this matter slide just because she was feeling wronged.
Seeing how fiercely he was protecting Wei Yumeng, Feng Shiming's heart felt even more resentful. Every time she saw them together, the scene felt like a knife piercing her heart, causing immense pain.
She knew Zhan Mohan's temper well. If she resisted, she was doomed to face the consequences. For now, she could only beg him to forgive her, appealing to their childhood bond.
"I know I was wrong, Mo Han Gege. For the sake of us growing up together, please forgive me this once, alright?"
Zhan Mohan also considered their shared childhood. Moreover, this was Feng Shiming's first offense, and her attitude was somewhat apologetic. His tone softened slightly.
"You can escape death, but not punishment. Tomorrow, you will personally apologize to her. If she forgives you, I won't pursue it."
Feng Shiming's heart leaped, but she still nodded in agreement.
"Alright, I'll go apologize to her."
Zhan Mohan waved her away, his tone stern, "This is the first and last time."
"Okay, Mo Han Gege, have a good night." Feng Shiming saw Zhan Mohan to the door, her smile beaming.
As his tall figure gradually disappeared, Feng Shiming's smile froze, and a sinister glint appeared in her eyes.
Wei Yumeng, you were lucky this time. Next time, you won't be so fortunate. Mo Han Gege actually reprimanded me for you. If this continues, you'll ruin my relationship with Mo Han Gege.
Zhan Mohan returned to the room. Wei Yumeng was already asleep. The soft light from the bedside lamp illuminated her pale face. Her delicate brows were furrowed, and even in her sleep, she clutched the quilt tightly, indicating her lack of security.
His mind flashed back to the scene today where she held onto him tightly, like a startled kitten, so reliant on him. A tickling sensation, like a gentle scratch from tiny paws, spread through his heart.
Today's events had indeed frightened her. Shiming's actions were also partly his fault. All things considered, it was because of him that Wei Yumeng suffered this ordeal.
He slowly reached out, his fingertip brushing away her furrowed brows. Just as he was about to withdraw his hand, she suddenly grasped it, murmuring.
"Don't go..."