The bedroom was strewn with flower petals, and Ji Qi scooped Wei Yumeng into his arms, carrying her inside.
Wei Yumeng had long since ceased struggling, for any resistance was futile. She was utterly trapped.
Perhaps after tonight, Wei Yumeng would cease to exist as a person; only a body named Wei Yumeng would remain.
Even now, the faces and voices of Zhan Mohan and their children occupied her mind and heart.
She felt as though she were experiencing a life review before death, or perhaps this was her way of bidding farewell to her past.
Ji Qi, his face radiating happiness, placed Wei Yumeng on the bed, sending a flurry of petals dancing in the air before they settled.
He watched as the petals landed on Wei Yumeng's skin, so breathtakingly beautiful.
More beautiful than any work of art he had ever created.
He dotingly caressed Wei Yumeng's cheek, his adoration evident in his gaze.
"Yumeng, you are truly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen... I even feel you will be the most exquisite piece of art in my life."
Hearing this, Wei Yumeng felt no joy. She was a living, breathing person, not an artwork.
She couldn't even comprehend Ji Qi's behavior.
Why was he so fixated on her?
Wei Yumeng closed her eyes, unable to bear witness to what was about to happen. Only by doing so could she quell her fear.
Ji Qi was pleased by Wei Yumeng's lack of resistance or outcry; he adored her when she was obedient.
"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you."
As he spoke, he reached for Wei Yumeng's collar.
A chill ran down her spine as her jacket was removed.
Tears welled in the corners of her eyes.
Wei Yumeng repeatedly told herself to endure. As long as the children were safe, she would no longer have to suffer such humiliation.
She would depart this world completely, taking her sullied self with her.
"Why are you crying?" Ji Qi noticed the tears and gently wiped them away. "Did I hurt you?"
Wei Yumeng merely shook her head with closed eyes, wishing only for everything to be over quickly.
Ji Qi leaned down and kissed Wei Yumeng's forehead. "I will be very gentle, very gentle."
Ji Qi was filled with tenderness, but the moment he touched her forehead, Wei Yumeng's heart turned to ash.
Goodbye... Mohan...
Just then, a loud crash echoed from outside the door, clearly someone forcing it open violently.
Wei Yumeng started, her heart sinking. What was happening?
Ji Qi also rose, annoyed. Someone had intruded into his space and, worse, interrupted him. He would not let them off lightly.
But as he opened the bedroom door, the person outside acted first.
Immediately, Zhan Mohan's face appeared before Ji Qi.
When Wei Yumeng saw Zhan Mohan, tears streamed down her face.
Was she dreaming? How had Zhan Mohan found her? She had told him nothing.
But thanks to Zhan Mohan's arrival, she had been saved from the brink.
Before Ji Qi could react, Zhan Mohan kicked him to the ground.
As Ji Qi scrambled to his feet, intending to retaliate, he was apprehended by the bodyguards who had entered with Zhan Mohan.
Zhan Mohan had no time to deal with Ji Qi; he strode to the bedside to check on Wei Yumeng.
"Yumeng, are you alright? Did he hurt you?"
Zhan Mohan's voice trembled. He could only imagine the turmoil he felt upon learning of the situation and finding Wei Yumeng's note.
He had feared being even a second too late.
But thankfully, Wei Yumeng was still here. She was...
"Mohan..." Wei Yumeng's tears flowed uncontrollably down her cheeks. She reached out and touched Zhan Mohan's face, finally confirming it was not a dream. "It's really you. You've come to save me."
Seeing Wei Yumeng, Zhan Mohan's eyes welled up. "It's me, Yumeng. I'm here. Don't be afraid."
Zhan Mohan pulled Wei Yumeng into his arms, stroking her back. "Why are you so foolish? Why didn't you tell me about this? Why did you have to face it alone?"
"Because... because this is all my fault. I didn't want to trouble you."
Ji Qi, witnessing their embrace, seethed with anger.
"Zhan Mohan, let her go! She is my woman, mine!"
Zhan Mohan merely shot him a cold glance before kissing Wei Yumeng in front of Ji Qi.
Wei Yumeng had no reason to refuse and soon surrendered to Zhan Mohan's tenderness.
"No! Let her go! She is mine, mine!" Ji Qi struggled and shouted like a madman, but to no avail.
Wei Yumeng didn't know how long they kissed, wishing for that warmth to last forever.
"Mohan, I never want to leave you."
Zhan Mohan gently stroked her hair. "Mm, me neither. We'll be together until death do us part."
"Don't say that, as if you're about to..." Wei Yumeng glared at Zhan Mohan.
Zhan Mohan simply looked at her with gentle eyes.
When Wei Yumeng looked at Ji Qi again, he was in a terrible state, his eyes vacant as if his soul had departed his body.
Wei Yumeng even wondered if she would have ended up like him if Ji Qi had succeeded.
"Mr. Ji."
Wei Yumeng spoke, but Ji Qi showed no reaction, muttering to himself.
"Why do you all betray me? Why betray me? Why betray me..."
Wei Yumeng felt a pang of pity for Ji Qi. If something hadn't happened to scar him in the past, he wouldn't be like this now.
"Mr. Ji, no one has betrayed you. You could have pursued someone with normal intentions, but you missed that opportunity."
Wei Yumeng wasn't sure if Ji Qi was listening, but she continued.
Misery breeds malice. She only hoped that Ji Qi would realize through this incident that his actions only made things worse.
"Oh, right." Wei Yumeng suddenly remembered something important and looked at Zhan Mohan. "Mohan, he took the children. How are they?"
"Don't worry. I came to find you, and Fang Xun went to find the children. I just received word that the children are all safe."
Wei Yumeng finally breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed this ordeal had ended without any real harm.