"Just passing by, thought I'd come up and take a look," Zhan Mohan lifted the items in his hand. "I haven't eaten yet, so I bought some along the way."
Seeing the food in his hands, Wei Yumeng's stomach growled embarrassingly, and she looked at Zhan Mohan sheepishly.
Zhan Mohan raised an eyebrow. "What, you're not letting me in?"
"Come in then."
Wei Yumeng had no choice but to let Zhan Mohan in. She was genuinely hungry, and she didn't know when she'd be able to cook something herself. It was better to eat something ready-made.
As Zhan Mohan passed Wei Yumeng, he pursed his lips into a smile, looking like a schemer who had succeeded.
Wei Yumeng closed the door and said to Zhan Mohan, "Sit down first, I'll go to the kitchen to get a bowl."
"Mmm," Zhan Mohan sat on the sofa, looking around.
Wei Yumeng brought the bowls out from the kitchen, transferred the food Zhan Mohan had bought into them, and then handed him chopsticks.
"Did Deng Xianyi transfer the final payment to you?"
"Yes, I received it this afternoon. All other projects are running normally, no issues."
Zhan Mohan picked up a piece of braised pork for Wei Yumeng, and also a bit of steamed perch. It wasn't spicy.
Wei Yumeng had been a little nervous about the fish initially, fearing it might make her feel nauseous. But it didn't. She cautiously took a bite. It was surprisingly delicious, with no fishy smell at all.
She suddenly felt a fondness for the taste of this fish.
"Where did you buy this fish? I think it's really good." She thought about packing some for Mu Linjing to try later. Mu Linjing was always a bit of a foodie, and she was sure she'd love this taste.
Hearing this, Zhan Mohan's mood became exceptionally pleasant. It was the first time he'd heard her say she liked something. Usually, she seemed indifferent to everything except money. She never showed much excitement for anything he gave her. Today, however, he saw a rare expression of joy on her face.
"If you like it, I can have Fang Xun hire their chef to cook it for you specifically next time."
He said it as if it were the easiest thing in the world, but Wei Yumeng was nearly frightened to death by his words.
She quickly shook her head. "No, no, no. I was just saying. You don't have to do that."
"But you said you liked it?" If she liked it, why couldn't he just hire a chef for her?
Wei Yumeng felt a bit flustered, especially with Zhan Mohan suddenly being so good to her. She assumed it was because she had helped him resolve his company's issues.
She shook her head in refusal. "Even if I like it, I can't eat it every day. Too much of anything gets tiresome."
"Then if you want it, I'll have Fang Xun buy it for you again and deliver it."
"No, really, no need."
Wei Yumeng was caught off guard by Zhan Mohan's generosity. Fearing he would insist further, she changed the subject.
"As long as your company is running smoothly, that's good. Deng Xianyi shouldn't bother you anymore."
Zhan Mohan let out a soft scoff. "He might not bother me, but that doesn't mean I won't bother him."
Wei Yumeng was a bit confused. "What do you mean by that?"
"Do you think I'd let Deng Xianyi torment you for a week, making you act like a servant, for nothing?" Enduring humiliation was not his style, especially when Deng Xianyi had bullied someone who belonged to him. There was no reason to let him off the hook.
However, Wei Yumeng wished for Zhan Mohan to let the matter rest and avoid further trouble. She disagreed with his idea and approach. "Since everything is resolved, can't we just let it go? Deng Xianyi was just holding onto the grudge of Fang Xun hitting him. He's had his fill of anger, and you won't have any further dealings with him. There's no reason for any more conflict."
Zhan Mohan's previously calm eyes suddenly surged with bloodlust, his sharp features etched with displeasure.
"No one has ever dared to act so brazenly against me, Zhan Mohan. Deng Xianyi has crossed my bottom line. I must make him pay the price!"
Wei Yumeng genuinely didn't understand. "He didn't hit you, he didn't curse at you, how did he cross your bottom line?"
Zhan Mohan's gaze was deep as he intently watched Wei Yumeng, his tone serious.
"Wei Yumeng, don't you know? My bottom line is you."
Wei Yumeng had never heard Zhan Mohan speak so explicitly. His meaning was exceptionally clear. She was stunned, unable to recover for a long time.
Seeing her bewildered look, which seemed a little silly, Zhan Mohan couldn't help but want to laugh.
"What, do I need to say it again? Wei Yumeng, my bottom line is you. He bullied you, so I must make him pay the price!" Previously, he couldn't act freely because of company issues. But now, with his funds recovered, making Deng Xianyi regret his actions for a while was a piece of cake.
Wei Yumeng's heart pounded uncontrollably at being protected so directly by him, her cheeks flushing slightly. Zhan Mohan leaned in, his long fingers gently stroking her cheek, a wicked smile playing on his lips.
"Blushing?"
Wei Yumeng bashfully slapped his hand away. "I'm talking serious business with you. If it wasn't for me, I'd advise you against it. But if it *is* for me, then it's even more unnecessary. I never intended for you to confront Deng Xianyi again. I went to him voluntarily, not because you forced me."
Zhan Mohan lost interest in continuing the discussion. A flicker of anger crossed his face, and he stood up.
"This has nothing to do with you. I'm leaving. Get some rest, and be at work on time tomorrow."
Wei Yumeng quickly stood up as well. "Zhan Mohan, I..."
Zhan Mohan had already reached the door and turned back to point at her, saying, "If you say one more word, I'm not leaving tonight."
Wei Yumeng hastily closed her mouth. Zhan Mohan roughly ruffled her hair. "I'm leaving. Eat slowly."
He had to return to the company to continue working. The reason he came was because he guessed she'd want to sleep soundly and would be starving by the time she woke up. So, he'd timed it perfectly to bring her food. He'd been quite pleased to see she liked it, but then she said things he didn't want to hear, even though it was all for her.
Wei Yumeng watched Zhan Mohan leave, helpless, and only hoped no further trouble would arise.
Mu Linjing then emerged from a room and quietly stood behind Wei Yumeng, muttering.
"It seems President Zhan really cares about you, bringing you food himself. Who else gets that kind of treatment?"
Wei Yumeng jumped at the sudden voice and turned to see Mu Linjing standing behind her, looking amused. She lightly patted Mu Linjing's shoulder. "Don't scare me."
"Okay, okay, I won't scare you. You're pregnant, you're the boss." Mu Linjing quickly apologized and linked her arm through Wei Yumeng's, leading her to the sofa. She looked at the spread of dishes. "Look, President Zhan bought you so much food."
"So what? If he knew I was pregnant, these actions might be considered a grave insult to him."
"But it wasn't intentional. I think the main issue is with Xin Ran. Why don't you talk to him and see if there's been some misunderstanding? I don't believe you'd actually do anything with him. For President Zhan, you even endured Deng Xianyi. If it were me, I probably would have bashed his head with a pot by now. But you endured it, didn't you?"