My mother-in-law told me to stay away from her daughter

Chen Fan lowered his head and looked at the red cord bracelet on his wrist.

Then he looked back up at Su Ruochu.

He didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

He was both deeply moved and amused.

What amused him, of course, was what Su Ruochu had just said.

Chen Fan hadn't expected Su Ruochu to be so sentimental that watching a movie would make her project her own feelings onto it.

She had even worked up the courage to tell him what was in her heart with such heartfelt sincerity.

What moved him, of course, was the bracelet on his wrist.

In his previous life, Chen Fan had soared to success, amassing wealth that rivaled a nation's.

Beautiful women of every kind had surrounded him, and wealth had passed before his eyes like drifting clouds.

But none of it interested him. He had lived like a walking corpse.

Even at the very end of his life.

Chen Fan had donated all his wealth, and when he departed this world, he had held only one thing against his chest.

This red cord bracelet.

Simply because Su Ruochu had given it to him.

It was the token of their love.

Chen Fan had treasured it beyond measure.

After being reborn, Chen Fan had met Su Ruochu again.

Gradually, he had forgotten about the red cord bracelet.

Yet, to his surprise, everything had happened exactly as it had in his previous life.

Su Ruochu had given him another identical red cord bracelet as a token of their love.

The only difference was that it had happened at least two years earlier.

Gently stroking the red cord on his wrist, Chen Fan suddenly reached out and pulled Su Ruochu into his arms.

"Don't worry. I'll never break up with you, not for the rest of my life."

Su Ruochu's pretty face flushed as she chided him.

"Stop it. I'm still holding the snacks. You'll get our clothes dirty..."

But Chen Fan refused to let go, gently nuzzling his face into her hair.

"Let me hold you a little longer."

"Ruochu."

Nestled in Chen Fan's arms, Su Ruochu murmured softly.

"Mm?"

"I missed you so much."

"I know."

"I..."

Chen Fan was about to say something when an icy voice suddenly cut him off.

"Ruochu!"

The sudden voice made Su Ruochu shudder in fright, and she hastily pushed Chen Fan away.

She stared in astonishment at the car parked by the road and the woman standing beside it.

"Mom..."

Su Ruochu immediately looked flustered and frightened, casting a nervous glance at Chen Fan.

Chen Fan, meanwhile, looked in surprise at Lin Wanxiu, who had appeared without him noticing.

He had known of Lin Wanxiu in his previous life, but the two had never formally met.

Lin Wanxiu wore a gray business outfit, her long hair pinned up, giving her a crisp, professional air.

Her makeup was exquisite, and she didn't look at all like a woman in her forties.

Right now, Lin Wanxiu was glaring furiously at Chen Fan and Su Ruochu, looking ready to devour them.

"Mom..."

Su Ruochu hurried over, hoping to placate her mother by acting sweet.

"Mom, what are you doing here?"

Lin Wanxiu glanced at her daughter and snorted.

"Didn't you tell me you were going to a classmate's house?"

"Hmph. If I hadn't happened to pass by, you probably would've kept me in the dark."

"Well, look at you. You've learned to lie to your mother..."

Su Ruochu's face turned bright red, and she looked nervous.

"Mom, let me explain..."

"Be quiet!"

"Get in the car right now and wait."

"Mom, you..."

Lin Wanxiu suddenly glared at her.

"I told you to wait in the car. Didn't you hear me?"

"Or are you refusing to listen to me now?"

Su Ruochu stubbornly stood her ground, her eyes reddening.

Chen Fan walked over just then.

"Ma'am, please don't be angry..."

Lin Wanxiu suddenly fixed her gaze on Chen Fan.

"Who gave you permission to speak? Go stand aside."

Chen Fan glanced at Su Ruochu, shrugged with a wry smile, and stepped aside.

Su Ruochu grew angry.

"Mom, what are you doing? Why are you snapping at him without even knowing what happened?"

"Without knowing what happened?" Lin Wanxiu snorted.

"I have eyes. Do you think I didn't see what just happened?"

Seeing her daughter fall awkwardly silent, Lin Wanxiu pointed at the car beside them.

"Get in the car right now. Don't make me lose my temper."

Chen Fan quietly gave Su Ruochu a look, signaling for her to comply.

Only then did Su Ruochu stamp her foot angrily, turn around, and get into the car.

That only made Lin Wanxiu angrier.

Her daughter wouldn't listen to her, yet she obeyed every word this brat said.

How could any mother be happy about that?

"Come with me."

Lin Wanxiu angrily walked a few steps to the side.

Chen Fan followed and took the initiative to ask.

"Ma'am, is there something you'd like to say to me?"

"You're in my daughter's class?"

"Yes."

Chen Fan nodded. "Not only are we in the same class, we sit together."

"Which of you pursued the other?"

"I pursued her."

Lin Wanxiu stared down at Chen Fan as though she were interrogating a criminal.

"How long have you two been messing around?"

Chen Fan frowned, displeased.

"Ma'am, you can say whatever you like about me, but isn't it a little inappropriate to speak about your own daughter that way?"

"I don't need you lecturing me," Lin Wanxiu said with a snort.

"Answer my question."

Chen Fan sighed.

"Not long. Ruochu only agreed in the last three days before the Gaokao."

Lin Wanxiu stared hard at Chen Fan, as if trying to see whether he was lying.

"Have you... crossed any lines with my daughter?"

Chen Fan glanced at her, hesitated, then shook his head.

"No."

Lin Wanxiu visibly relaxed.

"Leave her!"

"Stay away from my daughter from now on."

Chen Fan raised his head and looked at her.

"Why?"

"Why?" Lin Wanxiu sneered.

"Do you think you're worthy of being with my daughter?"

"She's young and naive, and easily deceived, but I won't let anyone fool her."

"This ends here. Don't even think about being with her in the future."

"I will never allow my daughter to be with you."

Chen Fan smiled too.

"Sorry. I can't do that."

Lin Wanxiu stared at Chen Fan for several seconds, then suddenly spoke.

"I've looked into your background."

"Your grades have always been average for your class. Although you outperformed yourself on the Gaokao and got a good score this time."

"But as far as I'm concerned, that doesn't amount to much."

"I also know that both your parents are from the countryside. You live in a small, single-story house you built yourselves, and your financial circumstances aren't particularly good."

"With what you have to offer, do you really think you're a suitable match for my daughter?"

Chen Fan countered, "Does love have to be tied to material wealth?"

Lin Wanxiu suddenly laughed.

"The fact that you said that proves just how young you are."

"I won't waste my breath on you."

"Here's the bottom line: leave my daughter, and I can compensate you financially."

"I can cover all four years of your university tuition."

At that, Chen Fan smiled too.

"You're my elder, and I respect you, so let me repeat where I stand."

"I won't leave Su Ruochu."

"In this lifetime, she's the only woman I'll marry."

"Ma'am, you probably don't know me very well. That's all right. We'll have plenty of time to get to know each other."

"In a few years, when we graduate from university and get married, you'll be my mother-in-law. When that time comes, I'll prove to you myself that I'm worthy of your daughter."

With that, Chen Fan gave her a slight bow.

Then he turned and left.

Watching Chen Fan walk away, Lin Wanxiu narrowed her eyes, her expression dark.

Finally, she snorted and turned to leave.

"So young, yet so full of big talk."