Wang Rong's words were harsh and grating, leaving no room for mercy. She considered her ability to judge people first-rate, claiming she needed only one glance to ascertain someone's family background, strength, and even predict their future achievements.
According to her assessment, she arrived at a conclusion.
Lin Hao, utterly worthless!
How could someone like that be in a relationship with Lin Shiran?
After all, Lin Shiran was her trump card, a card that must bring her the benefits she deserved.
Wasting it on Lin Hao was both wasteful and pointless!
On the side, Lin Shiran' father, Lin Zhongyu, furrowed his brow but said nothing; after all, he too wished for his daughter to have a good future.
However, her words deeply wounded Lin Shiran: "Mom, how can you say such things."
"What do you mean, how can I say such things? Am I wrong? You're not at the age to date, and you're not allowed to date," said Wang Rong with malice, "let alone date someone like him."
Lin Hao remained silent, simply observing. His millennium of experience had long made him indifferent. In his eyes, women like Wang Rong weren't even worth considering as jesters.
He didn't even want to waste his breath speaking another word to her.
"Lin Hao, don't take it to heart," whispered Lin Shiran. "I'll convince my mom."
"It's fine," Lin Hao said with a smile.
"Shiran, from today on, you are not allowed to associate with him," Wang Rong said coldly, grabbing Lin Shiran as she prepared to leave.
However, just then, a voice suddenly interrupted: "Oh, Auntie Wang, I didn't expect you guys to arrive so early."
With this voice, a young man in his twenties entered, dressed in a blue suit and high-end leather shoes, a gentle smile on his face like a true gentleman.
"Oh my, Yu Sen, didn't expect you to be early too. Where's your father, didn't he come?" Upon seeing him, Wang Rong's demeanor did a complete 180-degree turn, now full of eager hospitality as if welcoming her own son.
"Auntie Wang, Uncle Lin," the young man greeted them with a smile, "My parents are in a meeting with General Zou, they'll come over later."
"Is that so," Wang Rong exclaimed. General Zou was just a title, but in reality, he was the top authority in Binhai City, with all the city's planning and future major decisions under his command.
She quickly turned back, pulling Lin Shiran closer, "Shiran, this is the heir of the Yu Group, Yu Sen. Yu Sen, this is my daughter, Lin Shiran, whom I mentioned to you before."
"Nice to meet you, Shiran. You are just as beautiful as Auntie Wang described," Yu Sen greeted with a smile before turning to Lin Hao, "And this gentleman is…?"
"He's my boyfriend." Lin Shiran was well aware of Yu Sen; he was the ideal son-in-law in her stepmother's eyes, recently back from abroad, from a wealthy family. Wang Rong had been trying to set them up.
"Hmm?" Yu Sen's demeanor suddenly turned unfriendly, "Auntie Wang, Uncle Lin, what is this all about?"
"Ah, it's nothing, just a regular friend, Shiran, you too say it's just a male friend, not a boyfriend," Wang Rong's complexion stiffened, but she quickly tried to smooth things over, nudging Lin Zhongyu with her elbow.
"Yes, indeed just friends," Lin Zhongyu added, "They're just classmates."
"Oh, I see. I was wondering, how could Shiran choose someone like that as a boyfriend," Yu Sen glanced at Lin Hao dismissively, smiling at Lin Shiran, "Shiran, you're of no ordinary status, better not to mingle with petty riff-raff. Come on, why don't you join me for a few drinks on the other side?"
Lin Hao remained silent, simply watching Yu Sen's performance.
"I won't go," said Lin Shiran, now eighteen with her own convictions, already frustrated with her stepmother's attitude, "Whoever wants to go, can go."
"This..." Yu Sen frowned and looked towards Wang Rong.
"What's the matter with you, Shiran?" Wang Rong's face fell as she approached Lin Shiran, her tone turning cold, "Do you really want to embarrass your parents for this lousy kid?"
Lin Shiran: "I…"
"What about you? If you want your father to have a good life, just go over there. Yu Sen is our business partner, and we can't afford to offend him," said Wang Rong, giving Lin Shiran a slight shove.
Lin Shiran turned her head, seeking Lin Hao's mercy with her eyes.
At this moment, Lin Hao finally took a step forward, grasping Lin Shiran's hand: "Shiran, tell me, do you want to drink with this man?"
"I…"
"Tell the truth."
Lin Shiran shook her head.
"Alright then... leave the following matters to me. No one can force you to do what you don't want to," Lin Hao said tenderly.
"Mhm." Lin Hao's words greatly settled Lin Shiran's heart. After the incident with Wu Lin ten days ago, she felt an inexplicable trust in Lin Hao, as if he could hold up the sky for her.
"Leave it to you? Who do you think you are?" Wang Rong said coldly, "Shiran, do you even acknowledge me as your mother anymore? I've raised you all these years; if not for credit, then at least for the hardship endured. Are you really going to go against your mother for his sake?"
"Wang Rong!" Lin Shiran's chest heaved, her emotions were unstable, and her complexion turned red. Tears swirled in her lively eyes, and finally, she couldn't hold them back, "You say you're my mom, but have you ever cared about me? Over the years, whenever you came to my home, you ordered me around, regardless of how I felt, you just wanted me to study and marry into a good family."
"Don't you just want to live a better life? Isn't the life my dad has given you good enough?!"
"Sob sob..."
As she spoke, Lin Shiran started to cry. Since the death of her biological mother, she had never truly felt motherly love. Whatever the matter, Wang Rong only cared about money and power, always placing her self-interest first.
"You... you..." Wang Rong was so furious she turned from green to pale, "Lin Zhongyu, look at your fine daughter and how she talks to me."
"Shiran, don't be like this," Lin Zhongyu said gravely, "It doesn't look good to cause a scene here, and it hasn't been easy for your mom these years."
"What's not good to look at? You all just want me to marry Yu Sen so that his family will give the project to you," Lin Shiran cried.
"All those excuses about not being old enough to date, they're all lies, just to satisfy your own selfish desires. I am a person, not an object, not something for you to trade!" Lin Shiran was extremely aggrieved. With Lin Hao by her side, she found the courage to voice all her dissatisfaction.
"Fine, fine..." Wang Rong was choking with anger, "After all, she's not my own daughter, truly an unfilial girl."
Lin Zhongyu was also very angry, his complexion somewhat pale.
Meanwhile, Yu Sen held a glass of red wine, leisurely tasting it, not intervening. He had always been treated with respect and got whatever he wanted delivered to him.
Women were no exception!
He believed Wang Rong would take care of the trouble for him.
As for the process, he didn't mind.
What he wanted was the result!
By now, the situation here had attracted the attention of some people, who occasionally pointed and talked about it.
"Lin Shiran, I'm telling you, if you don't obey today, don't bother coming back home ever again. No one will care about you."
"Wang Rong, I can listen to everything you say, but marriage is where I draw the line!" Lin Shiran retorted through her tears.
"Fine, fine, fine!" Wang Rong was seething, repeating the word 'fine' three times, "You little rebel, it seems I haven't disciplined you well enough. Today, I'll discipline you on behalf of your real mother!"
As she spoke, Wang Rong raised her hand to slap Lin Shiran's face.
"Slap!"
A sharp slap rang out, echoing in all directions.
However.
The one who got slapped was not Lin Shiran.
It was Wang Rong!
A bright red handprint was especially conspicuous on her face, red and glowing.
And the hand she had swung out was now grabbed by another hand, preventing it from landing. The owner of this hand was none other than Lin Hao!
"I've said before, no one can force Shi Ran to do what she doesn't want to," Lin Hao released Wang Rong's arm and gently pushed her away, adding, "No matter who it is, you... can't either."
"Consider this slap a lesson."
"Remember my words, Lin Hao's words, well. Don't dismiss them as mere talk. Otherwise, you won't be able to bear my wrath!"