If it weren't for Wei Yumeng's own firm resolve, she would have been swayed by the gossip from those with ulterior motives.
Instead of getting into unnecessary arguments with Wen Yulan, she chose to ignore her and went upstairs with her water cup.
Wen Yulan continued, "I heard Zhan Mohan has been frequently visiting hotels lately. Aren't you worried?"
Hearing this, her heart did skip a beat. However, she trusted Zhan Mohan and certainly wouldn't take the words of those who seemed eager to stir up trouble to heart.
Zhan Mohan hadn't sent her a single message or made a call since he left in the morning. At first, she didn't think much of it, but after hearing Wen Yulan's words, she realized that the absence of a call or message did make her feel somewhat uncomfortable.
So, she took the initiative to compose and send a text message, but it was like a stone sinking into the vast ocean, with no reply.
This birthday had been quite disheartening, and she sulked in the nursery, accompanying the two children.
Children grew so fast, looking different almost every day. She wondered how long it had been since Zhan Mohan had held the two children.
Jin Zhi had gotten heavier, and Shi Qing's little face was becoming round and full, though it was deviating more and more from the name.
She didn't know if Zhan Mohan was aware of these things. If he wasn't, then he was being quite negligent as a father.
She had spent almost the entire day at home until she received a call from Zhan Mohan in the evening. "Yumeng, I'm coming home to pick you up now. We'll have dinner together."
Before she could even reply, the call was hung up.
This finally infuriated her. Not replying to messages all day and being absent was one thing, but to finally get a call back and have it hung up before she could speak was another.
Therefore, when Zhan Mohan came to pick her up, she got into the car without saying a word, and remained silent all the way.
She couldn't believe Zhan Mohan wouldn't notice how obviously upset she was, but the result was that even if he did notice, he showed no intention of appeasing her.
A wave of grievance washed over her. By the time the car stopped and she saw Zhan Mohan had brought her to the International Hotel Building, she remembered Wen Yulan's words and couldn't help but ask, "Why are we here?"
Zhan Mohan simply smiled, which only made her angrier.
At this moment, Mu Linjing ran out from inside, grabbed her hand, and pulled her in. "Yumeng, come with me, there's good news."
Even as she was being pulled along by Mu Linjing, she wasn't curious at all about what this so-called good news could be.
Mu Linjing led her to a doorway and pushed open the door. Inside, several people were seated. Judging by the setup, it looked like a makeshift dressing room.
"Linjing, what is this?"
Mu Linjing simply pushed her inside, and sat her down in the dressing room, still not revealing their plan. Although Wei Yumeng guessed that they might have prepared a birthday gift for her, and that this was a deliberate build-up, she never imagined that Zhan Mohan was going to propose to her this time.
After doing her makeup, Mu Linjing came in with an evening gown. Having already known that they had other arrangements, Wei Yumeng asked nothing and put on the dress.
As expected, it fit perfectly, and judging by its style, it was clearly chosen by Zhan Mohan.
With Mu Linjing's help, she walked out of the dressing room. The lobby had already been transformed, and she and Mu Linjing stood at one end of a red carpet.
Half-jokingly, half-seriously, Mu Linjing led her to the center of the venue. At this moment, the lights in the lobby suddenly dimmed. When they brightened again, Zhan Mohan appeared in the spotlight.
He was holding a bouquet of roses, not too large or too small, and was walking towards them.
With each step across this considerable distance, it felt as though he were walking on Wei Yumeng's heart.
When Zhan Mohan stopped before her, she realized that even though she was just standing there, her palms were covered in sweat.
The light from above enveloped the two of them, as if at this moment, only they existed in the world, with their eyes and hearts focused only on each other.
"Yumeng, I've been very busy lately. You thought I was working late for the company and you wisely didn't disturb me. I was very touched and dared not disappoint you. Do you like the surprise I prepared for you?"
Zhan Mohan's voice was so gentle it seemed to drip with tenderness, and she immediately melted into it. Looking into Zhan Mohan's eyes, she nodded heavily, "I like it, I like it very much."
No woman would dislike surprises, after all, surprises required effort. If a man was willing to prepare a surprise for a woman, it at least showed that, in this man's heart, this woman was still worth his devoted love.
"We've been through so much together, from not trusting each other to having absolute faith. Only we know the hardships we've endured. You've worked so hard to bear two lovely children for me, often pulling through solely on your own will. As the father of these children, I am ashamed that I couldn't alleviate the difficulties you faced after becoming pregnant."
"These two children are gifts from heaven, brought to me by you. I will cherish the three of you even more. From this day forward, the three of you are the life of me, Zhan Mohan."
These words were played through the speakers, having been prerecorded by Zhan Mohan beforehand. Although he didn't have to say them live, upon hearing them, Wei Yumeng could clearly sense his nervousness.
The Zhan who could remain unfazed even when facing projects worth hundreds of millions was nervous today just from speaking a few sentences. If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, no one would have believed it.
She gently reached out and clasped Zhan Mohan's cold hand, trying to comfort him. "Mohan, thank you. Thank you for everything you've prepared for me. I like it all."
Zhan Mohan smiled and did not announce the end. After listening to the recording, he picked up the microphone and met Wei Yumeng's gaze. "Yumeng, I love you."
After saying this, he extended the bouquet in his arms forward, and Wei Yumeng quickly took it.
She had also longed to hear this sentence for a long time. However, Zhan Mohan's affections had always been subtle and implicit. To declare them so openly, especially in front of so many people, was something she had never imagined.
She knew that Zhan Mohan had arranged this event to confess his feelings to her, but she didn't want to make it difficult for him. Just as she was about to say something, Zhan Mohan gestured for her to remain silent.
With no flowers in his hands, Zhan Mohan freed his hands and, as if by magic, produced a red brocade box.
Seeing this small box, Wei Yumeng was stunned. Was Zhan Mohan going to...
She had only known that this surprise was for her birthday celebration, but she never could have imagined such a bombshell would follow.
Then, Zhan Mohan knelt down on one knee and slowly knelt before her.