When Wei Yumeng received the call, she was still a bit dazed, as she had only met Xin Ran's parents once at school, and it was a very brief encounter.
She never expected to be talking to them after so many years, under such circumstances.
"Miss Wei, let's meet."
Wei Yumeng knew it had to be about Xin Ran. She had been wanting to meet Xin Ran's parents to discuss this issue for a long time, but she had lacked the contact information.
She readily agreed.
The meeting place was a cafe not far from her workplace. By the time Wei Yumeng entered, Xin Ran's parents had already arrived.
She politely greeted them.
"Uncle, Auntie."
"Have a seat first," Xin's father gestured to a chair.
Wei Yumeng sat down. Xin's mother immediately ordered a coffee for her without asking what she wanted. Wei Yumeng didn't mind, but she found the atmosphere a bit strange.
She awkwardly began, "Uncle, Auntie, I know you're here about Xin Ran. I am doing my best, but I really don't understand the situation inside."
Xin's mother let out a cold snort. "If you were really doing your best, would our Xin Ran still be in there? I thought you were a complicated girl when you were at school, and now it seems you're an unlucky star bringing disaster."
Xin's father frowned and tugged at his wife.
"Enough, let's not say these things. Let's first think about how to get our son out."
"How? He was reported by Zhan Mohan. Without his approval, who would dare to let him go?"
As soon as Xin's mother mentioned this, she began to sob.
"Alright, alright, let's discuss Xin Ran's situation first."
Men were always more rational than women in these matters.
Xin's mother naturally worried about her son and said no more, but Wei Yumeng could feel her strong, undisguised hostility towards her.
Well, she didn't think they were wrong. It was indeed her fault. If she had refused Xin Ran back then, he wouldn't have suffered so much inside.
She said to Xin's father and mother, "Please don't worry. No matter what it takes, I will definitely get Xin Ran out."
Xin's mother immediately fired back at Wei Yumeng like a machine gun.
"What can you do? What else can you do now except beg Zhan Mohan!"
"Then I will beg him."
Wei Yumeng didn't mind lowering her stance to beg Zhan Mohan. She was afraid that Zhan Mohan wouldn't agree. He was a man of stone, not someone who would yield to a few soft words.
Xin's mother looked at Wei Yumeng with disbelief and suspicion.
"You... you're really willing to beg Zhan Mohan for Xin Ran?"
Wei Yumeng gave a bitter smile. "Xin Ran went in because of me. It's only right that I should resolve this. I'm sorry to have troubled you both to come all this way."
With that, she sincerely stood up and bowed to express her apology.
Seeing that Wei Yumeng's attitude was somewhat acceptable, Xin's mother's expression softened slightly.
"Fine, we'll give you some time. We've tried every method we could, but they're holding firm. What else could be the reason, if not that Zhan Mohan is unwilling to let him go?"
Wei Yumeng believed this. Xin's father and mother were not incapable people. For their son, they must have exhausted all their efforts. If even they couldn't do anything, it meant someone was deliberately interfering.
She stood up, not intending to linger.
"Alright, I'll give you a reply in three days. No matter what, I'll make sure Xin Ran is safe."
Back at the Wei family home, she was distracted. She didn't even realize when Zhan Yichen had walked up to her.
"Hello... hello!"
Zhan Yichen waved his hand in front of her. Wei Yumeng snapped back to reality and was startled to see him.
"What kind of look is that? Am I a ghost or a demon?"
Wei Yumeng wanted to say, "close enough," but she feared causing unnecessary trouble, so she skipped the topic.
"Do you need something?"
"Nothing, I just... I just wanted to apologize to you for what happened last time."
As he said this, Zhan Yichen's face was still a little stiff, and his eyes darted around, nowhere to rest.
Wei Yumeng found it strange. What had prompted Zhan Yichen to apologize to her so suddenly?
Zhan Yichen saw her lost in thought for a long time without a word.
"You say something."
"Oh, I know." Wei Yumeng wasn't in the mood to bicker with him.
Her mind was entirely preoccupied with how to get Zhan Mohan to agree to let Xin Ran out.
And that mysterious man, hadn't he said he could help her last time? He hadn't appeared these past few days.
Zhan Yichen never expected her reaction.
"Hey, at least say something."
"I did say something."
"You... what kind of words were those?" Zhan Yichen found this woman truly unlikable. He had finally put his pride aside to apologize to her.
And she, with a few perfunctory words, was trying to dismiss him.
Wei Yumeng became impatient, not understanding what this young master wanted.
"What do you mean I didn't say anything? Alright, Second Young Master, if you want to cause trouble, say it. If you're apologizing, I accept it. Goodbye."
She waved her hand, walked past Zhan Yichen, and went upstairs.
Zhan Yichen stood in the living room, fuming, but he could do nothing about Wei Yumeng.
How could there be such a woman?
Was he not handsome enough, or what? That woman wouldn't even spare him a glance.
Wei Yumeng pushed open the bedroom door. Zhan Mohan didn't seem to be back yet. After thinking it over, she decided to call that mysterious man first.
She wanted to see if he had any news. If he did, she wouldn't need to find Zhan Mohan for help.
As she dialed his number, Wei Yumeng realized she knew his phone number by heart.
"Haven't seen me for a few days, and you miss me already?"
"How's the investigation on Xin Ran's matter?"
"Didn't we agree that if you're willing to offer yourself, I can get that Xin Ran out anytime? But... you don't seem ready yet. Your paralyzed husband hasn't been much help these past couple of days, has he?"
Wei Yumeng didn't know where this man was, but she didn't feel like she was being followed.
So how did he know her every move?
Regardless, she had to get Xin Ran out first.
"Okay, I promise. Tonight. You come to me, but you can't go back on your word. You must find a way to get Xin Ran out."
"You agreed so readily. Won't you reconsider? What if your paralyzed husband suddenly gets better and finds out you've been involved with more than one man? Won't he want to strangle you?"
"I can't worry about that now. Xin Ran went in because of me. I will save him, no matter the cost!"
"Enough, I don't want to hear these sentimental words."
The mysterious man suddenly became angry. Wei Yumeng was bewildered, not knowing which of her words had offended him.
She asked him cautiously.
"What's... what's wrong with you?"
"I want you to promise me that after Xin Ran is released, you won't have any contact with him anymore. I don't like sharing you with others."
Wei Yumeng found it amusing. "Aren't you sharing me with Zhan Mohan, then?"