Chapter 233

Hao's mother smiled a little before saying: "I can see you're a smart person, so I won't beat around the bush."

"I came to see you today just to talk, hoping you can leave Song Jingyu."

"My status and Manru's father's status, you surely know; the help we can give Song Jingyu is something you could never provide."

"You're still young and don't know the importance of influence; when you reach my age you'll understand how much help it is to have someone to rely on, and how many detours it can save you."

"Of course, if you agree to step back, I'll give you some financial compensation; but if you insist on refusing… you don't have a job yet, and believe me, offending me is absolutely not something you'd want."

"I hope you won't let emotions cloud your judgment and can make the wisest choice."

Su Ruo hadn't really decided whether to be with Song Jingyu, but Hao's mother's words at this moment undoubtedly touched her reverse scale.

The thing Su Ruo fears least in her life is others' threats: 'As far as I know, Song Jingyu doesn't like your daughter.'

Hao's mother's face changed, then she let out a cold snort: 'I thought you were smart, but it seems you're nothing special after all.'

What love! What affection! In the face of influence, they're worth nothing.

I came to see you out of goodwill, wanting to preserve some dignity for everyone; I don't want the day Song Jingyu abandons you to come and you have nothing left—that would truly be pitiful.

Facing the other's mockery, Su Ruo retorted without hesitation: 'Even if that day really comes, I don't need your pity.'

Madam Hao, I think you've been a leader's wife for so long that you don't put anyone in your eyes.

Next time you want to use money to drive someone away, you'd better first find out who they are.

The chips you're offering now, I really don't care for, and what I want, you can't afford.

'Arrogant,' Hao's mother immediately said angrily; having held this position for so many years, whether because of herself or her husband's connections, no one really dared to speak to her like that.

Even Song Jingyu, when he sees her, must be respectful; now this little girl dares to speak wildly to her, not putting her in her eyes at all, which makes Hao's mother somewhat resentfully angry.

'Whether I'm really arrogant or not, Madam Hao, you'll know if you investigate.'

After saying that, Su Ruo stretched out her hand, making a gesture to see the guest out; for this woman before her who thinks she's above everyone, she couldn't be bothered to say another word.

Hao's mother's chest heaved violently; she wanted to say a few more things, but her innate pride prevented her from venting her emotions like a shrew.

'Fine, you're excellent! Since you're so strong-willed, I hope you won't regret it in the future.'

After throwing out those words, Hao's mother stormed off angrily.

Su Ruo continued with her own affairs, not taking Hao's mother's words to heart at all; even if Hao's mother's influence were longer, it couldn't reach her.

Hao's mother stormed all the way back to her tent, but thinking of her daughter inside, she had to restrain her emotions.

Hao's mother managed to squeeze out a smile, walked into the tent, and as soon as Hao Manru saw her return, she anxiously asked: 'Mom, did Su Ruo agree to step back?'

A flicker of hesitation crossed Hao's mother's face; Hao Manru immediately sensed her mother's state was off and said: 'She doesn't agree, right? Is she unwilling to leave Brother Jingyu?'

Hao Manru's face instantly flashed with disappointment; she had originally thought that as long as Su Ruo agreed to leave and give way to Song Jingyu, her father and mother could find a few people to mediate, and Brother Jingyu would surely accept her.

But Su Ruo refuses to leave Brother Jingyu, and she owes him such a great kindness that Brother Jingyu would never abandon her; what should she do? Hao Manru fell into deep despair.

Seeing her daughter like this, Hao's mother felt heartbroken: 'Manru, trust Mom; I definitely have a way. Even if this path with Su Ruo doesn't work out, I have other methods to make Song Jingyu marry you.'

But Hao Manru at this moment couldn't hear her mother's words at all; she angrily said: 'You're lying to me—I just knew Brother Jingyu would never marry me. Even when I was pure, he didn't want me.'

'Now I'm tainted, Brother Jingyu will surely not want me even more; rather than live like a neither-human-nor-ghost, I might as well die.'

After saying that, Hao Manru slammed her head against the wall desperately; Hao's mother clung to her desperately, and having spent this time trying to calm her daughter who would break down at the slightest provocation, she was utterly exhausted in body and mind.

At the same time, Hao's mother's resentment toward Su Ruo grew stronger; she couldn't understand why, after she herself had gone to see Su Ruo in person, Su Ruo still refused to leave Song Jingyu.

There are so many men in the world; why must Su Ruo insist on competing with her daughter for Song Jingyu? In Hao's mother's heart, Su Ruo's refusal to yield Song Jingyu to her daughter is malicious.

After who knows how long, Hao Manru finally wore herself out from the turmoil and fell asleep; Hao's mother looked wearily at her daughter's pale little face, and her inner resentment toward Su Ruo deepened further.

She made up her mind: she would definitely investigate Su Ruo's abilities clearly, and at the same time make Su Ruo deeply aware of the gap between them.

Hao's mother said viciously: 'Originally I didn't want to move against you, but since you're courting death, I can't be blamed.'

The next day, Hao's mother sent people to the Medical Academy to investigate Su Ruo's identity.

Upon learning that Su Ruo was actually the personal disciple of Yan Jiu and had inherited the entirety of Jishan Hall, Hao's mother was deeply shocked; no wonder Su Ruo refused so readily!

Upon learning that Su Ruo also owned two factories and was the founder of Xia Hua Clothing Factory, Hao's mother's heart was instantly overturned by huge waves.

She finally understood why Su Ruo had spoken those words; she had only thought Su Ruo was a little doctor, but it turns out she had greatly underestimated her.

But letting Hao's mother just give up like that is impossible; Song Jingyu is now her daughter's lifeline.

No matter what, she will make Song Jingyu marry her daughter; originally she had wanted to achieve this through proper means, but now it seems unattainable, so she can't be blamed.

Hao's mother's gaze gradually turned ruthless; as long as she could make her daughter happy, she would do anything.

The second evening, Hao's mother again invited Song Jingyu to dinner, saying it was to make amends for the previous incident.

Song Jingyu refused on the grounds of being busy with work, but Hao's mother gave him no chance to make excuses.

She lowered her posture to the extreme; the implication in her words was that if Song Jingyu refused to come, it meant he refused to forgive her.

Song Jingyu really had no choice; he could only agree.