Chu Fanghua’s Demands

"The victims’ identities in this case are somewhat special, so it’s inconvenient to disclose too much information.

As for their relationship with Miss Chu Xin, one of the deceased, Zheng Shaotian, was a student at Third High School and had even pursued Miss Chu Xin."

Lin Qinghe glanced at the unruffled Gu Sheng beside her, then spoke aloud: "Recently, after Miss Chu Xin confirmed her relationship with someone else, the deceased Zheng Shaotian declared that he would make the two of them pay. Last night, Zheng Shaotian died…"

After hearing Lin Qinghe’s words, Chu Fanghua’s expression changed slightly. She turned to Chu Xin and said sternly, "Xiner, you’re dating someone."

"This… yes…"

Whenever Chu Xin saw Chu Fanghua, she was like a mouse seeing a cat. She lowered her brows and behaved meekly, barely daring to breathe, completely cowed by her mother as though she had encountered her natural enemy.

"Who is he? Didn’t I tell you long ago that at your age, your studies come first? Your studies come first! Learning is the most important thing. Put all these other matters aside."

Chu Fanghua was a typical conservative parent. She had always opposed romantic relationships during one’s student years and left no room for discussion.

"Hello, Auntie. I’m Gu Sheng, Xin’er’s… boyfriend!"

Gu Sheng could neither hide nor dodge any longer, so he stepped forward with a stiff expression and extended his hand in greeting to Chu Fanghua.

"How old are you this year?"

Chu Fanghua looked Gu Sheng up and down. Severe displeasure flashed in her eyes, mainly because the age gap between him and Chu Xin was rather large.

"Twenty-three!"

Gu Sheng answered honestly. He had started school at seven, spent six years in primary school, six years in secondary school, and four years in university. He was now exactly twenty-three, while Chu Xin was seventeen—a six-year age gap. Generally speaking, a three-year difference was still acceptable, but six years was a little…

"Twenty-three? Have you graduated yet? What do you do? How much do you earn a month? Who else is in your family…"

Chu Fanghua asked a series of very practical questions, and she was quite blunt about it. She did not care whether it would cause a misunderstanding between Gu Sheng and Chu Xin—or rather, she was doing it deliberately.

She did not want her daughter to be with the man before her. She felt that her daughter was still young, and that this man did not seem like someone she could entrust her to.

"Auntie, I’ll be frank with you. I’m an orphan, so as for the things you mentioned, I basically don’t meet even the most ordinary requirements."

Gu Sheng’s words made Chu Fanghua’s expression turn even uglier. A trace of disdain entered her gaze. "You have nothing, yet you want to pursue our Xin’er? Have you thought about how you’ll give her a future?"

"Mom~"

Chu Xin could not hold back any longer. She raised her head and, for the first time, talked back to her mother. "Gu Sheng is my boyfriend. This is my own choice. Can’t you show me a little respect?"

"Respect? Can’t you show your mother some respect? I provide you with food, clothes, and schooling. What is it all for? Isn’t it so that you can get into a good university and have a good future? And what about you now?"

Chu Fanghua was angered by Chu Xin’s defiance, and her gaze toward Gu Sheng grew even more hostile. Little Xin had once been such a good child! Now she had actually started talking back to her. What would happen if she let them continue dating?

"Is there any use in going to university anymore?"

Chu Xin snorted unhappily. Having learned that the world was about to change, she truly felt that university was useless. Before she could even take the entrance exams, the entire world might already have changed beyond recognition.

"What did you say? Chu Xin, are you trying to anger me to death?"

Chu Fanghua’s voice suddenly turned sharp. "University is useless? Who told you that? Don’t listen to those rumors online, that nonsense about university being useless. Young people should pursue their dreams.

"If you can’t even fill your stomach, what will you use to pursue your dreams?"

Chu Xin’s mother, Chu Fanghua, was a firm pragmatist. She had suffered countless hardships from childhood to reach where she was today, and the greatest disadvantage she had suffered was her education.

Even though she had now earned a master’s degree through self-study, she was still secretly looked down upon because of her initial academic qualifications. People said she had risen by relying on her body.

She had worked hard to get where she was today and understood better than anyone how ruthless the workplace could be toward women. That was precisely why she did not want her daughter to be held back by her academic qualifications.

When she sent her daughter to the semi-elite Third High School, she had specifically warned her not to be dazzled by the rich playboys there and not to start dating while at school.

But now, look at what had happened. Her daughter had indeed not started dating at school; instead, she had found someone outside school—a university graduate, apparently. And he was an orphan with nothing, which meant starting from zero.

Having walked this road herself, she understood even more clearly how difficult it was to get ahead. That was why she was so determined to make her daughter break up with him.

She knew very well that after the impulse faded and they truly had to face a harsh life, few people could persist. By the time her daughter regretted it, some things would already be impossible to undo.

"Mom~"

Chu Xin wanted to say more, but Gu Sheng stopped her.

"Auntie, please calm down."

Gu Sheng pulled Chu Xin behind him, then smiled apologetically at Chu Fanghua. "Xiaoxin and I have only known each other for a little over a month. We’ve already made our own plans for the future.

"I won’t affect her studies while she’s in school. If I get the chance, I’ll do my best to help her. I only hope that when she goes to university three years from now, you won’t stop us."

"You…"

Only then did Chu Fanghua take a serious look at Gu Sheng. Seeing his warm smile softened her heart, and she became unsure what to do.

This was because Gu Sheng had used a little secret technique, influencing those around him with his powerful Spiritual Energy and making them feel more favorably toward him. After pondering for a moment, she asked again, "What you said is true? You won’t interfere with Chu Xin’s studies?"

Gu Sheng smiled. "Of course it’s true. Chu Xin is my girlfriend, so naturally I hope she’ll have a good future. Who knows? Maybe I’ll have to rely on her to support me someday!"

"Hmph~"

Chu Fanghua snorted. After glancing at Chu Xin and Gu Sheng’s tightly clasped right hands, she said, "We’ll see whether you two can last three years. But during this time, you’re not allowed to do anything to my daughter…"

Chu Fanghua listed a whole host of conditions for Gu Sheng, guarding against him like a thief. Then she turned to Chu Xin and said, "The same goes for you. You never used to stay out all night, and you’re even less allowed to do so now. On weekends, you must be home before eight…"

She was not at ease about Chu Xin either. She was afraid this naive girl would foolishly end up giving herself away.

"All right, it’s getting late. Come home with me now!"

As Chu Fanghua spoke, she reached out to grab Chu Xin’s hand. It was only around three or four in the afternoon, so she was probably planning to lecture her some more after they got home.

"I won’t! Didn’t you say it was fine as long as I got home by eight?"

Chu Xin twisted away from her mother’s outstretched hand, her little face full of reluctance.