Chapter 87:
Meng Yan could naturally see through it; Zhao Mother and her son were playing good cop and bad cop. At this family banquet, she was the only outsider, so of course no one would side with her.
“Zhao Yunrui, you’ve repeatedly contacted your ex-girlfriend, and I’ve tolerated it time and again for the sake of our feelings, but not only did you push your luck, you even slandered me just to find a reason for breaking off the engagement. Since you want to be with her so badly, I’ll make it happen for you. If the engagement is to be broken off, I’ll be the one to propose it first.”
With just a few words, she shifted the point of conflict.
Zhao Yunrui was most annoyed by her bringing up old scores, “We’re talking about the pregnancy now, don’t blur the main point.”
“The main point isn’t that you want to break off the engagement? You know your own intentions best.” After Meng Yan finished speaking, she picked up her bag and stood up.
Zhao Yunrui grabbed her wrist, “We haven’t finished talking, you can’t leave.”
“I’ve already agreed to break off the engagement, what more do you want?” Meng Yan looked at the man at the head seat, “Uncle, for the sake of our two families’ relationship of over a dozen years, I don’t want to make things too ugly.”
Zhao Mother furrowed her brows; this Meng Yan was indeed no pushover, with deep schemes.
Zhao Father looked displeased, “Zhao Yunrui, have you made enough trouble?”
Zhao Yunrui took out his mobile phone, “Dad, I’m not making trouble. Hospital staff anonymously sent me a text saying she forged the pregnancy certificate.”
Meng Yan’s mind went blank for a moment, “How is that possible…”
Zhao Yunrui shoved the text message in front of her, “Look clearly.”
Meng Yan’s whole body stiffened, losing her reaction.
Zhao Father spoke sternly, “Meng Yan, is this true or not?”
“Oh, this matter isn’t that complicated.” Zhao Yunrui’s Aunt interjected, “Just go to the hospital again tomorrow. If it’s a misunderstanding, everyone will be happy, and then have Yunrui apologize to Meng Yan.”
Zhao Yunrui’s cousin chimed in, “Yeah, doing one more check-up isn’t hard.”
Meng Yan said nothing, her fingers clenched white.
Zhao Yunrui sneered, “You don’t dare.”
Zhao Mother spoke at the right moment, “If it’s really fake, our Zhao Family indeed can’t tolerate a lying and deceitful daughter-in-law.”
Meng Yan could no longer quibble, “The engagement can be broken off, but it must be a peaceful break-off.”
She looked at Zhao Yunrui, tearing off the facade with a threat, “Otherwise, your scandals with your ex-girlfriend, and your nights out at the bar looking for drinking companions, will be known to everyone.”
After dropping that line, she turned and left.
Zhao Yunrui’s Aunt complained, “She lied and still acts righteous. Good thing she wasn’t married into the family; all that cultured and refined demeanor was just an act.”
Zhao Mother was furious with nowhere to vent, her birthday mood completely gone, “Find a time to announce the breaking off of the engagement.”
–
Shu Man had already been transferred to a private hospital with more advanced medical facilities and resources than the previous one.
After Dr. George’s diagnosis, he told Meng Shuyou, “Conservative treatment offers hope for recovery, but it’s a long process. Our team in America is researching a medicine specifically for patients with brain nerve damage.”
Meng Shuyou finally saw hope and was extremely grateful, “Okay, thank you for your trouble.”
Dr. George would only stay here for two days before rushing back to America; he had a tight schedule with many patients waiting for consultations and surgeries, while also managing research work.
The medical team would stay here long-term to handle Shu Man’s treatment.
Aunt Xue heard about the hospital change and was surprised and puzzled, “Yaoyao, why the sudden hospital switch? I heard this hospital’s fees are especially high, and you still have to study abroad with such high living expenses, while the Meng Family doesn’t care about you…”
How was she supposed to get by from now on?
Meng Shuyou didn’t want to explain too much to her, “Aunt Xue, don’t worry, I have it under control. My savings are enough for my tuition for the next year.”
As for living expenses, she could earn more with a part-time job later.
The card Mister Pei gave her, she wouldn’t touch unless absolutely necessary—not to seem overly proud, but because she knew her place. This wasn’t a healthy relationship between a man and a woman; Mister Pei had already helped her enough, and she didn’t want to depend on him financially anymore, turning herself into a kept woman.
Meng Zhenhua had once said to her: Every penny you spend on food, clothing, housing, and travel is mine. I support you so you’ll obey me obediently, not to defy me.
She couldn’t refute back then; with the economic lifeline in others’ hands, she was open to criticism.
Therefore, she didn’t want to depend on anyone economically, much less become a parasitic vine.
The mobile phone ringtone interrupted her thoughts.
Meng Shuyou glanced at the caller ID, “Aunt Xue, I’ll step out to take a call.”
Aunt Xue nodded, “Okay.”
Meng Shuyou left the hospital room and took the call at the end of the corridor, holding the phone to her ear, “Mister Pei.”
The sound of a lighter wheel flicking came from the receiver.
“Have you settled in?” he asked.
“Mm.”
Meng Shuyou’s words of thanks reached her lips but she swallowed them.
Last time he had said he didn’t accept verbal thanks.
It was 12:30 at night in New York right now.
Pei Yuzhou stood on the balcony, a lit cigar between his fingertips.
Meng Shuyou casually asked, “Are you smoking?”
“Want to control me?”
“No.” She had no qualification to control him. After a pause, she still said, “But smoking too much is bad for your health.”
Pei Yuzhou didn’t smoke often; at this moment, perhaps he was suppressing some desire, accustomed to having soft warmth in his arms, accustomed to holding her for lovemaking before sleep.
Before, he never thought of himself as someone with strong desires; even with women throwing themselves at him, he felt nothing, until Meng Shuyou came along, and he discovered that that activity could be addictive.
It was undeniable; she was like a poppy, with a fatally alluring attraction.
“When are you returning to America?”
Meng Shuyou answered, “Next week, haven’t bought the flight ticket yet so not sure which day. I should be going back to school with Winnie then.”
–
These past two days, news of Meng Yan and Zhao Yunrui canceling their wedding had been buzzing in the social circle.
The two claimed outwardly it was due to incompatible personalities and a peaceful breakup, but many didn’t buy that story, with all sorts of gossip rumors privately.
“How can they cancel right before the wedding? Did they only discover personality incompatibility a month before marriage?”
“Who believes that nonsense? With Meng Yan’s personality, how could she willingly give up a big tree like the Zhao Family.”
“A few months ago she was showing off their great relationship all over Moments; now it’s a slap in the face.”
“I’m practically a prophet; I foresaw their marriage wouldn’t happen, and I was right.”
“I bet it’s because the Meng Company had issues, and the Zhao Family saw no benefit in the marriage alliance, so they split.”
“In this circle, interests outweigh everything; no value means you’re kicked out.”
“They made such a public fuss about the wedding, who would’ve thought it wouldn’t happen—now they’re the laughingstock.”
“Hope a certain young miss learns to keep a low profile from now on, instead of always looking down her nose.”
The Meng Family was currently shrouded in low pressure; the sound of a tea cup shattering came from the living room as Meng Zhenhua flew into a rage over this, with servants steering clear, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.
“A perfectly good marriage alliance ruined at this time—where am I supposed to put my face?”
Meng Yan defended herself in a low voice, “Dad, it was the Zhao Family who disregarded our relationship and insisted on breaking off the engagement.”
