Wei Yumeng and Xin Ran were both stunned. Then she pushed Xin Ran away. Xin Ran, upon seeing Zhan Mohan, was not embarrassed at all. Instead, he told him frankly.
"Mr. Zhan, from now on, whether it's Yumeng or your mother, you don't need to worry about them anymore. I will cover all the medical expenses here, including the cost of the caregiver. You also don't need to deliberately make things difficult for Yumeng by not giving her leave."
Hearing this, Fang Xun's heart felt unsettled for Zhan Mohan.
"Mr. Xin, do you have a problem with your words? Madam is one of the Zhan family. No matter what happens, it should be the Zhan family's responsibility. Besides, how do you know that Mr. Zhan is making things difficult for Madam?"
Xin Ran shrugged disdainfully. "Does that even need to be said?"
"You..."
"Fang Xun," Zhan Mohan stopped Fang Xun from speaking further.
Fang Xun retreated to Zhan Mohan's side, still feeling very unhappy. Hadn't their Mr. Zhan done enough for Madam? He had almost given his heart away.
Zhan Mohan walked forward, his handsome features covered with gloom, exuding a sinister aura.
"Mr. Xin, are you sure that from now on, you will handle everything concerning Wei Yumeng, including her medical expenses and the cost of her mother's caregiver?"
Xin Ran nodded seriously. "Yes, all expenses will be borne by me."
"Then, in what capacity? As her friend, or as her lover?"
Xin Ran's brows furrowed, seemingly very displeased with Zhan Mohan's tone.
"There's nothing between Yu Meng and me. Please respect her, Mr. Zhan, and yourself."
Zhan Mohan let out a mocking laugh, but it was chilling, making one's heart tremble.
"I would like to respect her and myself, but is she worthy?"
No wonder she had been so fearless in the office today, as if she had no worries even if she lost her job. Now it seemed that it had a lot to do with Xin Ran.
Otherwise, with her personality, how could she dare to challenge him like that? It wouldn't be possible without someone supporting her from behind.
Hearing Zhan Mohan's words, Wei Yumeng's heart ached again. He always looked at her with disdain, as if her marriage to him was a result of ancestral good deeds.
She had had enough of such unfair treatment. She and Xin Ran were just ordinary friends, and the hug just now was merely encouragement between friends.
She retorted, not to be outdone, "Don't worry, Mr. Zhan. I am indeed not worthy. Only Feng Shiqian is worthy of you."
She hadn't even settled scores with him over Feng Shiqian yet, and he had the audacity to come to the hospital to catch her in the act. What a disappointment, she was innocent and not afraid of any suspicion.
Zhan Mohan frowned imperceptibly, thin anger already welling up in his eyes.
"Wei Yumeng, I'll ask you one more time, are you saying you don't want me to be involved in your affairs anymore?"
Wei Yumeng wanted to say, 'Dare I let you be involved?' Wen Yulan had already said that Zhan Mohan would propose divorce to her soon. He already had a substantial development with Feng Shiqian. If Feng Shiqian were lucky enough to get pregnant with Zhan Mohan's child, wouldn't she have to pack her bags and leave?
Was she still able to expect him to care now? He saw her situation clearly, yet still refused to grant her leave. What else could she expect?
Wei Yumeng clenched her fists tightly, her voice trembling slightly, but Zhan Mohan didn't notice.
"I've thought it through. I don't need Mr. Zhan to manage me anymore. I'm afraid I can't handle it."
Zhan Mohan's face was cold, his features carved, making him appear extremely stern.
"Alright, Wei Yumeng, you said it yourself. Don't come begging me later!"
Zhan Mohan strode away, turning to leave. Fang Xun quickly followed.
"Mr. Zhan, are we just going to leave like this with Madam and Xin Ran..."
"I have plenty of ways to make him unable to stay here. He wants to be a knight in shining armor, doesn't he? I'll see what he has to protect her with when he has nothing."
Anyone's knight in shining armor he could be, but not his wife's.
Fang Xun was surprised. "Mr. Zhan, you intend to make a move on Xin Ran?"
"I gave him a warning, but he didn't listen. Don't blame me then." The man exuded an aura of hostility, his handsome face shrouded in coldness, making Fang Xun uneasy.
If Mr. Zhan made a move, what chance would Xin Ran have? Wouldn't he just be waiting for death?
Fang Xun was also disappointed with Madam this time. Mr. Zhan had clearly done nothing wrong to her, so why must she drag Miss Feng into it?
"It's truly a waste of Mr. Zhan's heartfelt effort. He even thought of visiting the hospital and paying the medical expenses. In the end, it turns out we were being overly solicitous."
Zhan Mohan stopped abruptly, his icy gaze sweeping over Fang Xun. Fang Xun immediately fell silent.
After getting into the car, Zhan Mohan, with a grim expression, instructed Fang Xun, "Doesn't the Xin family have a project to cooperate with other companies recently? Tell those people that if they cooperate with the Xin family, our Zhan Group is willing to offer them such opportunities."
Fang Xun suddenly realized. "Mr. Zhan, you're trying to steal the Xin family's livelihood."
"When Xin Ran gives up Wei Yumeng, I will let the Xin family go."
He wouldn't act like a brute and get into a physical confrontation or argue with Xin Ran. That wasn't his style. He had plenty of ways to make Xin Ran retreat.
Even if Wei Yumeng couldn't spend her life with him, she was currently his wife, Zhan Mohan's wife, and it was not yet anyone else's turn to covet her.
Fang Xun nodded slightly. "I'll get it done right away."
Alas, neither Wei Yumeng nor Xin Ran knew that disaster was about to befall them.
After Zhan Mohan left, Wei Yumeng found that her mood had not improved. Instead, it felt even more stifled.
The anger on his face just now, and his words, were enough to plunge her mood into a low point.
Xin Ran saw that her slightly recovered emotions were affected again.
Especially during Zhan Mohan's arrival and departure, he noticed that it seemed to have a great impact on Wei Yumeng.
He felt uneasy but was also eager to know what she was thinking, so he asked her.
"Yumeng, do you like Zhan Mohan?"
Wei Yumeng's heart skipped a beat. Perhaps Xin Ran had hit the nail on the head. For a moment, she didn't know how to react or answer.
Seeing the expression on her face, Xin Ran's last shred of hope was extinguished.
He never forced her to do anything. Even if his efforts were not reciprocated, it was fine with him.
"Yumeng, who you like is your right. But I hope that your sincere feelings are not given to someone who is not worth it. Zhan Mohan is a cold and ruthless person. If you offend him, he will go to any lengths to make you submit. How can such a person wholeheartedly care for you?"
Wei Yumeng glanced at him. "Xin Ran, I know, but I can't control matters of the heart. Just like you, if you fall for someone in the future, would you give up on her because of her flaws or other reasons?"
"No, no matter what she's like, regardless of her strengths and weaknesses, I'll love her."
Xin Ran's answer was firm, and Wei Yumeng looked relieved.
"Since you know all these answers, why are you trying to persuade me?"
Xin Ran gave a bitter smile, as if talking to himself.
"Yes, clearly I am like this, so why am I trying to persuade you? Never mind, no matter what, as long as you need my help, I will do my best to help you."
This was all he could do for her.
Wei Yumeng was very grateful to Xin Ran, but she couldn't accept his kindness so easily.
"No need. I'll find my own way if anything happens. If I accept your help so casually again, people will really misunderstand."
"How can that be? I already made a declaration in front of Zhan Mohan that your and Auntie's future living expenses will be covered by me. If I go back on my word now, won't you make me lose face in front of him?"
Wei Yumeng couldn't help but chuckle at Xin Ran's anxious and earnest expression.
"Then, if I truly need help, I'll ask you."
"Okay, it's settled then. I'll need you to help me save my face."
Xin Ran stayed at the hospital to help Wei Yumeng for two days. On the third day, a nurse came to urge them.
"Ms. Gu Shuyi's family, please go to the counter to settle the fees."
Wei Yumeng had been trying to gather money for the past two days. She had managed to scrape together a hundred thousand yuan, but there was still two hundred thousand yuan to go. She truly couldn't afford it.
She went to the bank to apply for a loan, but the bank required collateral. She didn't even have a car or a house to mortgage. What else could she use? Could she mortgage herself to the bank?
Wei Yumeng looked troubled. "Could you be a bit more flexible and accept ten thousand first?"
"I'm sorry, you said thirty thousand last time. And your mother has been using imported medicine recently."
At this moment, Xin Ran hurried forward. "I'll do it."
"Xin Ran..."
"Consider it a loan from me. You can repay me after Auntie recovers." Xin Ran held Wei Yumeng's hand to stop her from protesting.
"But you know I can't repay it anytime soon."
Xin Ran winked at her, half-jokingly saying, "If you can't repay it, I'll accept being proposed to by yourself."