Jiang Siyu had assumed Wei Yumeng’s personality would be quite soft, as she seemed so inoffensive. To her surprise, Wei Yumeng’s words were astonishing.
Jiang Siyu hadn't expected Wei Yumeng to retort so sharply, leaving her momentarily at a loss for words.
Feng Shiming, however, reacted quickly, likely having long awaited an opportunity to belittle Wei Yumeng.
“Wei Yumeng, Sister Siyu might very well become Brother Mohan’s girlfriend in the future. After all, they were each other's first love, and a reunion is only a matter of time.”
Wei Yumeng’s gaze was cold, her eyes devoid of emotion as she glanced at the haughty Feng Shiming.
“Then, wait until she becomes your Brother Mohan’s girlfriend before you speak to me in such a capacity.”
She wasn't foolish; she could discern the hostility in Jiang Siyu’s tone. Rivals in love often bore deep animosity, a fact she understood.
Mu Linjing had been beside them, worried that Wei Yumeng might be at a disadvantage. She hadn't anticipated Wei Yumeng could fight back so brilliantly under such circumstances.
She chimed in with equal fervor, “Exactly. President Zhan was worried about Yumeng getting hurt, so he voluntarily took that stab for her, proving Yumeng’s importance in President Zhan’s heart. As for certain ex-girlfriends, they chose to leave when President Zhan was at his most difficult moment. Why didn’t they consider President Zhan then? Now they’re back trying to play the good person.”
Although Mu Linjing didn't know much about the history between Zhan Mohan and Jiang Siyu, she had heard that Jiang Siyu had left when she saw Zhan Zong had a car accident and was paralyzed from the waist down. She assumed the Zhan family’s succession would change hands. Coupled with a great development opportunity abroad, she seized that moment to leave.
She had vanished without a word, not even giving Zhan Mohan any psychological preparation. It wasn't until she had settled down abroad that she emailed Zhan Mohan, not daring to even call.
Such a person had no right to talk about feelings; she was utterly irresponsible.
Jiang Siyu heard every word Mu Linjing spoke. The normally gentle and serene expression on her face clearly fractured, her eyes sharpening.
“Who are you to talk about Ah Han and me?”
Seeing Jiang Siyu about to scold Mu Linjing, Wei Yumeng quickly stepped in front of her.
“Linjing is right. Compared to me, you have even less qualification to say such things.”
“And you? You, who is unclear with other men and betrayed Ah Han, what are you…”
“Enough, all of you, shut up!”
Elder Zhan could no longer stand listening and roared in anger.
At this moment, the operating room light extinguished, and the door opened. Several people stepped forward simultaneously, Wei Yumeng speaking first.
“Doctor, how is the patient? Is there any danger to his life?”
The doctor, sweating profusely, removed his mask. “Fortunately, the knife didn't hit a vital spot, though it was close, just a few centimeters away. It was still precarious, and the wound is quite deep. He needs to be hospitalized for observation for a while. Please arrange for a family member to stay and look after him.”
“I’ll stay.”
“I’ll stay.”
Jiang Siyu and Wei Yumeng spoke in unison.
Immediately, realizing they shared the same intention, they both shot each other a cold glance.
Jiang Siyu, unwilling to engage with Wei Yumeng, turned to Wen Yulan.
“Auntie, I’ll take care of Ah Han.”
Wen Yulan naturally hoped Jiang Siyu would be the one to care for him. She was quite satisfied with Jiang Siyu, not necessarily to set her up with Zhan Mohan, but because she hoped Jiang Siyu would end up with her own son.
She wanted a daughter-in-law who was presentable, like Jiang Siyu, and also had some depth. Not someone like Wei Jin, who only knew how to play petty tricks and deceive the foolish. Such tactics might work on some, but against someone with a bit of experience, her amateurish skills would be seen through long ago.
However, it might be too sudden to tell Jiang Siyu to be with Yi Chen right now, so she would have to take it slow.
First, she had to build a good relationship with Jiang Siyu, which would make things easier later on.
She was about to agree when Zhan Yichen, standing beside her, disagreed.
“Mom, it might not be appropriate for Jiang Siyu to stay. After all, her relationship with Brother is not yet confirmed. Perhaps we should see what Brother’s opinion is.”
Wen Yulan hadn’t expected Zhan Yichen to side with Wei Yumeng at this moment. She glared at her son.
“Yichen, have you also been poisoned by Wei Yumeng? Why are you even speaking up for her? Don’t you forget, if it weren’t for her, your brother wouldn’t be lying in there suffering like this?”
“Mom, we should stick to the facts. Brother just divorced not long ago. If someone else comes to take care of him at this time, and the media finds out, who knows what they’ll write.”
Zhan Yichen was acting purely for the sake of the Zhan family’s reputation. Moreover, he had no good feelings towards Jiang Siyu. She had heartlessly abandoned his elder brother for her own future and resolutely gone abroad.
Now that his brother’s legs had recovered and he was in charge of the Zhan family, she regretted her decision and wanted to get back together. Such a woman was unreliable.
Before Wen Yulan could speak again, Zhan Yichen turned to ask the doctor.
“When will my brother wake up?”
“Within half an hour.” This was because the anesthetic might take that long to wear off.
“Alright, half an hour should be fine. We’re not leaving immediately anyway.”
Zhan Yichen made the decision directly.
Elder Zhan remained silent. Zhan Yichen’s words had indeed reminded him. He could also see that Ah Han still had lingering feelings for Wei Yumeng, and in fact, they hadn't truly divorced.
The reason for the divorce was to protect the Zhan family's reputation. Given what Wei Yumeng had revealed, divorce was indeed the only option.
Alas, he never expected his grandson, who was usually decisive in other matters, to be so entangled by emotions.
Seeing that Zhan Yichen was so firm, Wen Yulan found it difficult to retort to her son’s face. More importantly, the elder hadn't spoken, indicating he likely stood with Wei Yumeng.
Jiang Siyu's expression was grim. She knew too well that once Zhan Mohan woke up, he would inevitably choose Wei Yumeng.
When the group returned to the ward, half an hour later, Zhan Mohan woke up.
Both Wei Yumeng and Jiang Siyu followed him closely.
“Zhan…”
“Ah Han, how are you? Do you feel unwell anywhere? Should I call the doctor to take a look?”
As Wei Yumeng began to speak, Jiang Siyu preempted her. She wasn't in a hurry; ultimately, she would respect his choice.
Zhan Mohan’s face was still very pale and weak. Not wanting everyone to worry, he replied,
“I’m fine, you don’t need to worry.”
Zhan Yichen asked him, “Brother, we were just discussing who should stay and take care of you, Jiang Siyu or Wei Yumeng. Who do you think is more suitable to stay?”
Jiang Siyu tried to win him over again. “Ah Han, I don’t have much to do lately. I can stay and take care of you. Besides, I’m quite familiar with your habits, so it would be convenient to care for you.”
However, Zhan Mohan refused without even thinking.
“No need. Wei Yumeng can stay and take care of me. After all, I was injured protecting her.”
Wei Yumeng agreed readily.
“I am willing to stay.”
Her reasons for staying with Zhan Mohan were twofold: first, she was worried about him; second, she felt guilty. And perhaps, a little selfishly, she admitted she didn't want to see Jiang Siyu and Zhan Mohan under the same roof. It made her uncomfortable.
Zhan Mohan’s furrowed brow eased for a moment when he heard she was willing to stay. He said to Elder Zhan and the others,
“Grandpa, I’m fine. You have poor health; you should go back and rest quickly.”
Elder Zhan had been discharged from the hospital not long ago and indeed needed to recuperate. If not for the serious incident involving Zhan Mohan today, he wouldn't have dragged his old bones here.
“Alright then, we’ll leave first. Let Wei Yumeng take care of you here. I’ll have Yichen bring some of your change of clothes and daily necessities home later.”
“Yes, okay.” Zhan Mohan still lacked strength and felt tired even after speaking a few words.
Jiang Siyu was unwilling in her heart, but there was nothing she could do. She couldn't force herself to stay. However, it was fine; she could visit Zhan Mohan every day. She wasn't afraid that Wei Yumeng would play any tricks.
Before leaving, she couldn't help but instruct, “Ah Han, get some good rest. I’ll come see you tomorrow.”
After the group left, only Zhan Mohan and Wei Yumeng remained in the ward, and the atmosphere instantly became tense again.
Zhan Mohan watched Wei Yumeng as if she were avoiding a venomous snake and said,
“Come here.”
Wei Yumeng could only awkwardly shuffle closer to him, feeling a bit guilty.
“What do you need me to do?”
Zhan Mohan suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist. Wei Yumeng lost her balance and fell into his arms. She looked up in surprise, only to crash into the man’s deep, ocean-like eyes, and froze.
The man’s gaze firmly held her panicked eyes, and he asked,
“Wei Yumeng, did you ever love me?”