Ruan Chutang sat down on the single sofa next to Meng Yaqin.
She showed no sign of timidity, her gaze toward Meng Yaqin calm and unruffled. “I never wanted to marry into the Gu family.”
Naturally, Meng Yaqin didn’t believe her.
She scrutinized Ruan Chutang from head to toe.
This was the girl her son had been dating for three years.
She was indeed pretty and fresh-faced, with an elegant demeanor. Though she came from an ordinary family, there was none of the restrained, self-conscious pettiness about her.
Earlier at the door, Meng Yaqin had deliberately spoken those words to embarrass her, but she hadn’t shown the slightest hint of emotion. When they met, she was neither submissive nor arrogant, and her words carried full confidence.
But so what?
She was just a gold digger dreaming of marrying into a wealthy family. No matter how well she pretended, she would never be fit for high society.
Meng Yaqin’s tone carried an unmistakable sense of superiority. “There’s no need to pretend in front of me. I’m a woman too, and I know exactly what’s on your mind. I know our Zechuan is popular with girls. It’s not easy for you to come across a rich second-generation heir like him. He must have spent quite a bit on you, hasn’t he?”
Ruan Chutang replied, “I don’t care about his money.”
Hearing this, Meng Yaqin gave a scornful smile, her eyes cold. “What’s with the act? Trying to have it both ways? I’ve seen plenty of girls like you. You say you don’t care about money, but if you really didn’t, why would you latch onto Zechuan?”
Ruan Chutang couldn’t help but laugh.
“Aunt Meng, are you saying your son has nothing appealing about him except his money?”
“You!” Meng Yaqin was genuinely angered, her breathing growing slightly ragged. She glared at Ruan Chutang. “Sharp-tongued! Zechuan even praised you for being gentle and sensible. I think he’s truly misjudged you!”
Ruan Chutang unhurriedly picked up her teacup and took a sip to soothe her throat.
“Rude,” Meng Yaqin shot her a glance. “An elder is sitting here, and you don’t even think to pour a cup of tea.”
Ruan Chutang put on a fake smile. “Sorry, Aunt Meng, there aren’t any extra cups here. I’m sure you’d be disgusted by a cup I’ve used, so I thought it’s better not to bother. After all, it’s not like you’re short of a drink, right?”
Meng Yaqin was seething with anger.
Where on earth did Zechuan find such an ill-mannered girl?
She took a moment to calm herself before continuing, “I came here today to tell you that our Gu family isn’t open to just anyone. If you think you can marry Zechuan, it’s impossible!”
Ruan Chutang: “Mm-hmm.”
Meng Yaqin: “Chen Wan is the only one I consider a suitable daughter-in-law. Not only is her family longtime friends with ours, but she’s also Zechuan’s first love. I advise you to give up on this idea. Pack your things and leave as soon as possible, and make room for someone else by Zechuan’s side!”
Ruan Chutang curled her lips slightly. She recalled overhearing Gu Zechuan on the phone once, saying that Gu Corporation’s capital chain had encountered problems, many projects had stalled, and losses were severe.
At the time, she had even considered helping Gu Corporation with an injection of funds.
Although Gu Zechuan thought her family was not well-off and had never intended to marry her, they had still been in a relationship for three years. There was some affection between them, and helping him out wouldn’t be unreasonable.
That day, when she went to pick up Gu Zechuan from a business dinner, she had intended to discuss investing in Gu Corporation with him.
She had fallen out with her family, so Ruan Shaodong certainly wouldn’t invest.
But her cousin Su Yu is now the head of the Su family, and the Su Group has flourished under his leadership, already ranking among the top ten domestic enterprises last year. Her cousin has always doted on her, and as long as she asks, injecting funds into the Gu family would be no trouble at all.
Yet, on that very night, she heard Gu Zechuan say that she was merely a substitute for Chen Wan.
Recalling this, Ruan Chutang pulled her thoughts back and said to Meng Yaqin, “Don’t worry, I’ll be returning to my hometown in a couple of days and won’t come back again.”
Meng Yaqin hadn’t expected Ruan Chutang to be persuaded so easily and was momentarily taken aback.
Was Ruan Chutang really this easy to get rid of? Without asking for a single penny?
Something felt off, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
Ruan Chutang glanced down at her wristwatch. “I won’t say more for now. I have something to attend to later, so I’ll take my leave.”
Without waiting for Meng Yaqin’s reply, Ruan Chutang stood up, went back to her room to grab her bag, and hurried out the door.
Meng Yaqin was stunned. Did she just leave like that?
“How utterly ill-mannered!” Meng Yaqin muttered angrily once she regained her composure. “The elder hasn’t even said it’s time to leave, yet she walks out first. Does she even see me as an elder?”
Today, Meng Yaqin had deliberately chosen her most lavish and expensive set of jewelry, hoping to make Ruan Chutang—this poor girl who had never seen the world—realize the gap between her and Gu Zechuan.
Before coming, Meng Yaqin had even imagined putting Ruan Chutang in her place, making her wait on her hand and foot. She had even fantasized about Ruan Chutang crying and calling Gu Zechuan to complain.
But she never expected things to turn out this way.
With Ruan Chutang gone, Meng Yaqin had no desire to stay long either. She stormed out of the villa, thinking about how to express her dissatisfaction with Ruan Chutang to Gu Zechuan.
She truly had a thousand and one grievances against this ill-mannered girl!
The driver was waiting at the entrance.
Not long after Meng Yaqin got into the car, she received a call from Chen Wan.
She calmed her agitated emotions and answered the phone in a gentle tone.
“Xiao Wan, let me tell you, the girlfriend Zechuan has is utterly lacking in manners. I just witnessed it firsthand. It truly fits the saying—’harsh lands breed unruly people’!”
Chen Wan’s heart leaped with joy. Perfect! Ruan Chutang had offended Auntie Meng. Now, even if Gu Zechuan was reluctant to break up, their relationship wouldn’t last long!
Chen Wan spoke softly, “Auntie, please don’t be angry. Don’t bother with that kind of wild girl from the countryside.”
In Chen Wan’s eyes, poor people were no different from country bumpkins.
Even if Ruan Chutang wasn’t from the countryside, it made no difference to her.
Meng Yaqin said, “You’re the one who’s truly likable, Xiao Wan. That wild girl said she’d be returning to her hometown in a few days and won’t come back again. At least she knows her place!”
“Did she really say that?” Chen Wan asked. “So, is she planning to break up with Zechuan?”
Meng Yaqin replied, “Absolutely. Even if she doesn’t break up, I’ll force them to. With the attitude she showed me today, there’s no way she can continue being with Zechuan!”
“That’s wonderful,” Chen Wan said. “Auntie, are you heading back to the old mansion now? I’ll come over to keep you company.”
…
After leaving Jingheyuan Villa, Ruan Chutang went straight to the law firm to resign.
She had worked here for over three years, starting as an intern lawyer and becoming a practicing attorney. This small law firm had witnessed her growth.
Her assistant, Xiao Xiao, had just graduated from university this year. In her early twenties, she was three years younger than Chu Tang.
Hearing that she was leaving, Xiao Xiao’s eyes instantly reddened. “Sis, why are you suddenly resigning when everything was fine?”
“Something came up at home.” Ruan Chutang had originally thought resigning was no big deal, but seeing Xiao Xiao on the verge of tears made her feel a bit upset too.
Xiao Xiao and her were more than just ordinary colleagues.