Chapter 172: Equal Status

Xu Wanwan slept through the night until dawn. When she woke up again, the man beside her had already left.

She sat up from the bed with a confused look on her face. She rubbed her sore neck and could not help but sigh.

It turned out that sleeping together was so tiring.

She only remembered that whenever she’d turn over last night, she would be pulled back into the man’s arms. When she moved, a pair of big hands would appear on her body to firmly control her waist.

When Xu Wanwan thought of the various scenes from the night before, her face turned completely red for no reason.

She let out a light breath and hurriedly got up to wash up.

On the way to school, she turned on her phone and received a reply from Master Nanshan.

A large paragraph of text appeared on the screen of her phone. “I’ve seen the few artworks that you’ve designed. They’re very innovative and their ideas are rather profound. However, you have to consider their practicality.”

“No matter what kind of design it is, it’s ultimately for use. While emphasizing artistry, you also have to consider the purpose of the design itself.”

After reading the message, Xu Wanwan replied to her Master with a paragraph of her own understanding. After she put away her phone, she had a few more unique insights in her heart.

What her Master said was very reasonable. Although her work looked good, if it was really designed, it still lacked some practicality.

She had been thinking about the teacher’s words the whole day. She took advantage of the time after class to revise the design drafts on her phone a few times until she could no longer find any areas that could be modified. Only then was she satisfied.

Lin Jianan had a hard time staying up until the end of school. When she saw that Xu Wanwan was still looking at the design drawings, she could not help but say, “Wanwan, you’ve been looking at it for the whole day. Let’s take a break after school.”

“Has school already ended?” Xu Wanwan finally reacted and looked around the classroom.

Everyone had almost left. There were still a few people who were packing their school bags and walking out.

Lin Jianan held her arm. “Yeah, you’ve been so busy all day that you’ve lost track of time. You haven’t even contacted Big Boss Li.”

Xu Wanwan pursed her lips and took back her design. She asked in confusion, “We’ll meet tonight. Why must we contact each other?”

“Wanwan, you’ve just fallen in love. Don’t you care whether Big Boss Li has eaten or slept well?”

Xu Wanwan shook her head honestly. “He’s very busy. I don’t want to bother him.”

“Why would this bother him?”

Lin Jianan carried her bag with one hand and held her arm with the other as they walked out. “You don’t understand men at all. If a man really loves a woman, he would definitely want to be clung onto.”

Xu Wanwan frowned slightly. “Everyone has a different way of getting along. Moreover, I have to be busy with my own matters. I don’t have time to stick to him.”

Lin Jianan was speechless for a moment.

She stared at Xu Wanwan blankly for a few seconds. She clearly had a lot of rebuttal words to say, but she quickly dismissed this thought.

After all, Xu Wanwan was indeed different from most girls. She lacked love but did not seek love. She lived independently and was sober. Perhaps Big Boss Li liked this about her.

The two of them chatted and laughed as they walked out of the school gate. Just as they were about to part, a woman dressed elegantly walked toward Xu Wanwan.

“It’s Xu Wanwan, isn’t it?” The woman took off her sunglasses and looked coldly at Xu Wanwan.

Xu Wanwan and Lin Jianan’s laughter came to an abrupt end. Both of them looked at the woman.

Although she was a little old, she had taken good care of herself. Her skin was fair and no traces of age could be seen. Her facial features were exquisite and three-dimensional. She was very similar to Li Jingran.

Xu Wanwan had met Mother Li a few times before, so she naturally knew her.

However, every time they met, Mother Li’s attitude toward her was not very good. Presumably, it would not be a good thing for her to come looking for her this time.

Xu Wanwan retracted her thoughts and looked at Mother Li with pure and clear eyes. “Hello, Auntie.”

Mother Li did not even bother with the most basic formalities and said coldly, “I have something to tell you.”

She was Li Jingran’s mother. Even if Xu Wanwan did not want to go, she still nodded in respect. “Okay.”

Lin Jianan was a little worried. She moved closer to Xu Wanwan’s ear and whispered, “Wan Wan, who is this person? Is she safe?”

Xu Wanwan nodded slightly. “It’s okay. You can go back first.”

After Lin Jianan left, she followed Mother Li to a cafe near the school.

Mother Li took a sip of water and took out some documents from her bag. She went straight to the point. “I know that you and Li Jingran are in a relationship. My reason for coming here today is very simple. Please leave him.”

Xu Wanwan was mentally prepared, but she did not expect Mother Li to bring this up so directly.

She was stunned for a moment, but she still said calmly, “Auntie, relationships are a matter between two people. Since you suggested that I break up with Jingran, shouldn’t you inform him?”

Mother Li narrowed her cold eyes. “Are you threatening me?”

Did she not understand her son’s personality? He had always been determined that no matter what he did, he would not be able to change his mind.

Forget about other matters, but how could he be allowed to cause trouble when it came to marriage?

It was not that they looked down on others. She had also secretly investigated Xu Wanwan’s background. Other than her background, this girl was not bad in other aspects.

However, the marriage between wealthy families was related to the future development of the company and even the future development of their descendants. It could not be ambiguous.

Xu Wanwan looked into Mother Li’s eyes and said in a neither servile nor overbearing manner, “I didn’t mean to threaten you. It’s just that my relationship with Jingran is very good. If I were to suddenly propose a break-up, it might be a little inappropriate.”

After Mother Li heard that, she suddenly laughed softly, her eyes mixed with a hint of disdain.

“Young Lady, you are still young. In this world, there is no absolute sincerity, but there are absolute benefits.”

“I admit that Jingran might be momentarily attracted to you, but you might as well ask yourself, what right do you have to stand by his side for a long time?”

Xu Wanwan frowned slightly, her hands by her side could not help but clench a little.

Mother Li continued, “To put it another way, if the Li Corporation were to face a crisis in the future, as Jingran’s wife, would you be able to take out a substantial amount of assets to help him tide over the crisis? If something were to happen to Jingran, would you be able to support the entire Li Corporation?”

Mother Li’s words hit the nail on the head, and they made a lot of sense.

“Of course, the circumstance may not hold some water*, but based on your current situation, if you were to be together with Jingran, the Li Corporation would not receive any help from you. You, however, would be able to marry into a wealthy family and obtain an excellent husband.”

“I believe that marriage should be based on a well-matched family. This is not only material but also spiritual. You and Jingran are getting along well now, but it doesn’t mean that you can do the same in the next few decades, especially when faced with big choices. You won’t see things the same way.”

Xu Wanwan looked at her seriously. “You’re right, but what you’re talking about is benefits. Isn’t love the most important thing for two people?”

“Relationships can be cultivated with anyone.” Mother Li’s eyes were deep and penetrating. “This relationship is a great fortune for you, but it’s a burden to Jingran.”

“I don’t mean to deny you. Auntie knows that you’re also very outstanding among your peers. I’m just emphasizing that marriage should be of equal status for the family.”

“You’re so smart, you should be able to understand what I mean, right?”