Wei Yumeng walked forward step by step with the two children, each step heavier than the last.
For her, this path seemed to lead to the end of her fate.
However, everything around her was in stark contrast to Wei Yumeng's mood.
It was a place of beautiful scenery. As night fell, fireflies danced around, and flowers that only bloomed at night opened one after another as they walked.
“Brother, look quickly, it’s so beautiful!” Zhan Shiqing was completely captivated by the surrounding scenery.
Zhan Jinzhi looked around, his eyes filled with amazement.
Such a scene was enough to make the two children forget their purpose and just look around.
“Mom, look quickly!” Zhan Shiqing said, shaking Wei Yumeng’s hand. But Wei Yumeng couldn't feel moved by the scene at all. Her heart was only filled with the most pressing worries.
They didn't know how long they had walked here before the road ahead suddenly opened up, revealing an artificial lake.
Countless river lanterns floated on the lake, illuminating its surface.
And on the heart-shaped island surrounded by these river lanterns, Zhan Mohan stood, enveloped by fireflies, looking almost unreal.
“Daddy! We’re here.” Zhan Shiqing waved at Zhan Mohan.
Zhan Mohan then looked at them, his lips curling into a smile.
Wei Yumeng stared blankly at Zhan Mohan. At this moment, he looked like a god, standing on the island in the middle of the lake, beyond her reach.
Were they truly unreachable?
But at that moment, Fang Xun found a small boat from somewhere and rowed it to them.
“Madam, Miss, young master, please board.”
The two children happily pulled Wei Yumeng onto the boat.
The small boat weaved through the river lanterns, and Wei Yumeng felt as if she had suddenly fallen into a beautiful and ethereal dream.
She reached into the water and took out a river lantern, which surprisingly had an event from her past with Zhan Mohan written on it.
She was a little surprised. She picked up another one, which contained a wish for the love between her and Zhan Mohan.
Looking at these river lanterns, Wei Yumeng suddenly didn't know how to react.
She had prepared herself to accept the worst possible outcome, so why was she shown these things at this moment?
What exactly did Zhan Mohan want to do?
As she pondered, the boat stopped, and Zhan Mohan stood on the shore, extending his hand to Wei Yumeng.
“Yumeng, come.”
Wei Yumeng looked at Zhan Mohan’s hand, then at Zhan Mohan.
After hesitating, she placed her hand in Zhan Mohan’s. With a gentle pull, he drew Wei Yumeng ashore.
The two children helped each other ashore.
“What is going on?” Wei Yumeng was still confused. “I thought, I thought we were really…”
Zhan Mohan looked at the children helplessly. “Did they say something to you? I know you’ve been looking for me these past few days, but I was deliberately hiding from you to give you a surprise.”
He looked a little apologetic as he spoke.
Zhan Shiqing seemed to understand. “Daddy is right. After all, if Mom knew, how could it be a surprise?”
Zhan Mohan took Wei Yumeng’s hand and walked to the shore. “I arranged for all these river lanterns, and I wrote all the words on them myself. They record all our past. I can never forget them, no matter when.”
He turned to Wei Yumeng. “I hope you can also remember that no matter what we encounter, no matter what conflicts we have, we have come this far. What is there that we cannot overcome?
Just like these river lanterns, even if they bump into each other on the water, it doesn’t negate the blessings for us on them, nor does it negate our past.”
Wei Yumeng looked at the many river lanterns, her eyes reflecting their light, making them sparkle.
“Mom, Dad only has you in his heart,” Zhan Shiqing said solemnly.
Zhan Jinzhi also nodded. “We know Mom is still angry about what happened before, but please don’t forget, Dad has always been doing it for your own good.”
A strange emotion surged in Wei Yumeng’s heart, making her want to cry.
Yet, she couldn’t. A warmth gradually spread through her.
But as soon as she thought of the fear and anxiety she had experienced these past few days, it made her feel uncomfortable again.
These two emotions clashed and conflicted within her, neither gaining the upper hand.
Just as everyone else thought Wei Yumeng would forgive Zhan Mohan, Wei Yumeng suddenly let go of his hand.
Then, she fled the scene on her own.
“Yumeng!” Zhan Mohan was shocked and quickly chased after her.
The two children were also taken aback and rushed after them.
What was this supposed to mean? She had been extremely worried, and now they told her it was a surprise?
In just a few days, she had experienced such extreme emotional ups and downs.
She really couldn’t take it anymore.
Because today’s events had touched her so deeply, it made her previous worries seem even more ridiculous.
Perhaps she should indeed let go of everything and reconcile with Zhan Mohan, but she still couldn’t.
Why did Zhan Mohan keep giving her scares? Why couldn’t they just talk things through properly?
And then she thought about how the two children, who clearly knew what Zhan Mohan was doing, had still deceived her.
Was this her position in the family?
The more Wei Yumeng thought about it, the more distressed she became. The slight touch of emotion she had felt was gradually overwhelmed by sadness and anger.
She knew that these thoughts might not be entirely fair to Zhan Mohan, but she couldn’t control herself.
“Yumeng!”
Zhan Mohan called out Wei Yumeng’s name as he searched, but he still lost track of her.
The two children caught up with Zhan Mohan, their faces also filled with anxiety.
Zhan Shiqing looked at Zhan Jinzhi dejectedly. “Brother, I told you we scared Mom before, and now we’ve put her through all this. It’s understandable that she can’t accept it.”
Zhan Jinzhi just scratched his head. If it were usual, Wei Yumeng would have been quite touched by this.
At this moment, Zhan Mohan received a text message on his phone from Wei Yumeng.
“You guys go back first. Don’t look for me. I want to be alone.”
Zhan Mohan frowned. He naturally didn’t want Wei Yumeng to be alone outside, but he also knew that Wei Yumeng might just want some time to herself right now.
“Dad?”
The two children looked at Zhan Mohan, their faces full of confusion.
Zhan Mohan simply looked at them. “You go back first. I’ll bring your mother back.”
Zhan Shiqing and Zhan Jinzhi hesitated for a moment, but then obediently left.
Wei Yumeng hid herself. For now, she didn’t want to see Zhan Mohan. She didn’t know how to face him and just wanted to be alone.
But at this moment, a familiar voice sounded in her ear. “I found you.”