The matter of Wen Yulan being sent away had been put on the agenda. Although Zhan Yichen did not mention it overtly, he had been silently counting down the days. On the eve of her departure, he visited the hospital again.
Gazing at Wen Yulan lying peacefully in bed, he completely overturned his previous thoughts at this moment. If she could sleep like this forever, it might actually be for the best. At least she wouldn't be confined abroad.
Despite his reluctance, he knew he couldn't show any sign of softness at this juncture. He could arrange for the servants who would be taking care of her to report on her condition daily, and he could even sneak in to visit her often. However, he absolutely could not give Wen Yulan another chance to make a comeback.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he pondered for a long time before finally speaking, "Mom, once you get there, just focus on recuperating. The servants will take good care of you."
Wen Yulan did not move or open her eyes. "Do you think anyone who is confined can focus on recuperating? Are you trying to drive your own mother to death to satisfy that woman?"
Seeing that she still harbored such great animosity towards Mu Linjing, Zhan Yichen was extremely disappointed. Indeed, he shouldn't have harbored any illusions. If Wen Yulan had truly possessed such self-awareness, they wouldn't have ended up in this situation.
"Mom, I am determined to marry Linjing. Even knowing you dislike her, I will marry her. When we have children, if you are willing to see your grandchildren, I will bring them to visit you. If not, then so be it."
Wen Yulan finally opened her eyes, provoked by his words. She sat up in bed and suddenly slapped Zhan Yichen across the face.
"I raised you all these years only for you to defy me for a woman, to confine me? If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have given birth to you!"
Words like these, sharp as a double-edged sword, had been exchanged between mother and son before, only to wound both of them.
Zhan Yichen knew that his mother was truly disappointed in him, otherwise, she wouldn't have hit him.
However, he was clear that he had done nothing wrong, nor would this slap waver him.
He then stood up directly. "You've hit me and you've scolded me. You've vented your anger. Get some rest. Tomorrow, I will personally escort you onto the ship. It will be our farewell."
He no longer paid attention to Wen Yulan's shouts and screams and left the ward. Through the glass in the door, he watched his almost hysterical mother inside and gave a self-deprecating smile, feeling like a failure as a son.
He had always believed he could reconcile his mother and Mu Linjing. Yet, in the end, it had led to this mutually destructive outcome.
Now, he could no longer fulfill his filial duties towards Wen Yulan. All he could do was try his best to make amends to Mu Linjing.
That night, he lay awake, staring at the ceiling, replaying every memory with his mother and blaming himself for his filial impiety.
As dawn broke, he got up, bought Wen Yulan's favorite breakfast, and took it to the hospital, marking their farewell.
This time, the two of them were quiet. There were no arguments or complaints, just like countless ordinary breakfasts in the past. If neither of them had spoken, no one would have guessed that this was Wen Yulan's last breakfast in the country.
After breakfast, Zhan Mohan arrived with his entourage at the appropriate time. Seeing Zhan Yichen already seated there, he paused and lowered his voice, "It's time to go."
He nodded, stood up silently, and walked ahead without a word. The entire process was as quiet as if Wen Yulan were merely going on a trip abroad.
Only the two brothers were there to see Wen Yulan off. Zhan Mohan was merely executing orders on behalf of Elder Zhan, and his heart was not greatly stirred. As for Wei Yumeng and Mu Linjing, who had suffered greatly at Wen Yulan's hands, they had also found peace.
For someone about to be confined, what lingering hatred could there be?
Wen Yulan stood on the deck of the ship and looked back at Zhan Yichen, "You are truly my good son."
He offered no retort. All of this was unnecessary now. He simply watched his mother's figure gradually recede into the distance under the rising sun.
Perhaps this would be the last time mother and son would face each other. He watched for a long time until the ship became a mere speck in the horizon and then disappeared completely. His gaze did not waver.
The troublesome presence that had shadowed him was finally gone, yet he felt no joy.
Zhan Mohan stood with him for a long while. Only when he was ready to leave did Zhan Mohan escort him home.
The sea journey from their country to Country B took only four hours. People were arranged to receive her on the other side. He calculated the time, waiting for their call, only feeling at ease when he received confirmation that they had picked her up and that she was settled.
Unexpectedly, he waited the entire morning without receiving any news from the other side.
Anxious, he called to inquire, only to be told that they had never received her.
He contacted the servants on the private cruise ship but received no response. It was as if the ship had vanished after its departure, which immediately sent a chill down his spine.
He rushed to the company and informed Zhan Mohan about the situation. Their first reaction was that something had happened, and they immediately contacted the search and rescue team to scour the sea.
However, before they could even leave the company, Wei Yumeng's call came through.
"I just saw the news that two private ships collided at sea this morning. Did something happen? Did they receive the person in Country B?"
Hearing this news, Zhan Yichen felt his vision darken. If his previous feelings were just speculation, then it was now almost certain that the two ships that collided were their own.
Zhan Mohan supported him with one hand and replied to Wei Yumeng, "Something must have happened. I'm going to the sea immediately to search. You stay home and wait for news."
With rescue time being of the essence, Wei Yumeng did not delay them and quickly hung up.
After much thought, she felt that Mu Linjing should also know about this matter, so she called her.
However, the phone rang for a long time, and despite calling multiple times, it remained unanswered. She decided to try again later.
Zhan Mohan and another person led the search and rescue team to comb the accident area for a long time. They only found wreckage of the ship. Not a single person on board was found. They were neither found alive nor dead.
"Finding nothing yet might be good news."
Zhan Mohan could only offer such solace to Zhan Yichen. However, in that part of the sea, if one had indeed fallen overboard, the chances of survival were slim to none, unless other ships happened to pass by.
It was at this very moment that Fang Xun ran over, "Mr. Zhan, the Madam said Miss Mu is missing."