Chapter 49 A Walking 500,000

“Mom, don’t worry. I didn’t reveal any specific details—everything I said was approved for disclosure. And this matter may require your cooperation…” Ru Anzhi said stiffly. “She knows me, so I might also be one of her targets. There’s a good chance I’ll have frequent contact with her later. If I don’t explain things clearly to you, it could get troublesome if you misunderstand…”

【Then when I was trying to set you two up before, doesn’t that mean…】

Ruan Yaoyao sucked in a cold breath, feeling lucky that Ru Anzhi hadn’t listened to her. Otherwise, things really might have become impossible to explain now.

“That would have been troublesome. Good thing you explained it clearly—otherwise I really would have tried to matchmake you two. One beautiful, one handsome, you look perfect together.”

“Mom, please don’t say things like that.”

“Alright, alright, I won’t. We’re not associating with a ‘walking 500,000.’ This kind of principled issue can’t tolerate even the slightest trouble,” Ruan Yaoyao said. “So… what are you going to do now? Pretend to pursue her, or start as friends? Are you bringing her home? How do you want us to cooperate?”

【With ‘Dad’ stepping in, what do I have to be afraid of!】

【Some cold-blooded killer? Even if a hundred or a thousand of you come, I won’t even frown.】

Ruan Yaoyao’s confident tone and cooperative attitude made the rest of the Xu family want to cover their faces.

Mom, did you forget? Back then, you almost abandoned your own son for this person. Isn’t this change a bit too fast?

If Ruan Yaoyao knew, she’d definitely say: Of course! That’s Dad we’re talking about!

Ru Anzhi said, “Let’s skip bringing her home. I’ll meet her outside—maybe coffee or a meal together.”

“I’ll come too!” Ruan Yaoyao volunteered eagerly. She needed to provide real-time “guidance,” after all—how could she warn him if she didn’t see Song Na in person?

Ru Anzhi: “…Alright.”

The others from the Xu family: “We—”

Before they could finish, Ru Anzhi cut them off: “Not you.”

Ruan Yaoyao looked smug.

【See that? That’s my son. What does it have to do with you?】

In front of them, Yu Xiangqiao didn’t say anything, but once she and her husband returned to their room, she couldn’t hold back.

“We’re really not going?”

“Why wouldn’t we? They can go out for coffee and meals—why can’t we? If we just happen to run into them, what can anyone say?”

“Isn’t that a bit dangerous?” Yu Xiangqiao was tempted, but still worried. After all, that woman was highly dangerous.

Xu Lianghan said, “Isn’t ‘Dad’ involved? Do you think, after Old Third reported this, they’d let him face her alone?”

“That’s true. But what exactly did they find out? Why does Old Third suddenly believe it now? Wasn’t he still half-doubting before?”

Xu Lianghan replied, “Not necessarily belief—it could be a test. We have nothing to hide, and Old Third has no other leads. If several inexplicable incidents occur outside, and then they encounter Mom’s situation, of course they’d test it.”

Process of elimination—one by one. That was also possible.

“…Mom won’t be treated like a lab guinea pig, will she?” Though she’d had conflicts with her mother-in-law, after hearing her inner thoughts, Yu Xiangqiao knew she wasn’t a bad person. She really didn’t want anything to happen to her.

“…What do you take ‘Dad’ for? Besides, that’s Old Third’s biological mother—would he harm her?”

“That’s true.”

…

Before long, Ru Anzhi successfully arranged a meeting with Song Na.

Without hesitation, Ruan Yaoyao rushed back to her room, rummaging through her wardrobe. She even called a makeup artist to the house, determined to dress up beautifully to meet her future “opponent.”

Yu Xiangqiao thought: Song Na nearly destroyed their whole family, while her mother-in-law wanted to save them—yes, that really was an opponent.

Not only did she not stop her, she even helped pick outfits, making Ruan Yaoyao look even more stunning.

“Is this too much? Am I taking her too seriously?” Ruan Yaoyao hesitated after getting dressed.

Yu Xiangqiao said, “Of course not. Think about it—you’re going to meet your future daughter-in-law, or the son you owe so much to. Shouldn’t you take it seriously? The more formal you dress, the more it shows you value this.”

Ruan Yaoyao nodded in agreement. “You’re right!”

【It’s not like I’m worried she’s too pretty and might outshine me.】

【I’m a grown woman—why would I compete with a little girl?】

【Back in my day, I was unmatched in beauty—she probably wasn’t even born yet!】

Standing before the mirror, Ruan Yaoyao admired herself from every angle, extremely satisfied with her maintenance. No matter how she looked, she was still a youthful, beautiful, and exquisitely charming rich woman.

That scumbag’s only redeeming quality—besides dying early—was his generosity, his ability to make money, and the massive inheritance he left her.

At least all those years of “endurance” hadn’t been in vain.

“Let’s go. I’m going to meet her.”

Putting on her sunglasses, Ruan Yaoyao gestured for Ru Anzhi to lead the way.

Ru Anzhi’s mouth twitched.

His adoptive mother had always lived simply, with little regard for material things. Ruan Yaoyao’s extravagant style was honestly a bit overwhelming for him.

Something about it felt oddly familiar. Turning his head, he saw Xu Chengyan beside him—dressed in dark blue, seemingly low-key but actually flashy, paired with a bright tie—and suddenly found the answer.

Honestly, in some ways, Xu Chengyan—who grew up with his mother—felt more like her biological son than he did.

Although his mother didn’t have Xu Chengyan’s cleanliness obsession, when she got particular about things, she could still drive people mad.

Ru Anzhi didn’t realize that he had grown much closer to his mother and the Xu family—he had even started complaining about them. He hadn’t been like this before.

Back then, he was cold, distant, and spoke little—treating them as if completing a task.

Well… aside from the earnest Ruan Yaoyao and Ru family parents, both Ru Anzhi and the Xu family might really have treated the “reunion” as a task that had to be completed.

After all, it involved their own interests—they were wary, guarded, and suspicious of each other.

Ru Anzhi: “…”

Are you treating me like a thief?!

The Xu family may be wealthy, but I’m not coveting it.

Xu Lianghan: “…”

I’m an illegitimate son—without proper status. Should I just give everything up?

Giving it up is fine, but who knows if the other person is capable? Mom spends freely—what if they can’t even support her?

Yu Xiangqiao: My husband really has it tough. After working so hard, he might end up with nothing!

Xu Chengyan: If even Big Brother doesn’t qualify, then I—an outsider who took someone else’s place—have no chance. Just pitiful that good intentions might be mistaken.

Hmm!

Maybe I’ll have to support Mom in the future!

If that happens, even better—no one will compete with me for her.

Ru Anzhi: “…”

That’s my mom!

The moment they entered, what caught their eyes was a seductive red dress, long wavy hair like seaweed, paired with signature sunglasses and red lips.

Even without seeing the label above her head, Ruan Yaoyao instantly knew who she was.

【It’s her, it’s her, it’s our little killer Song Na~】

【Not bad—my singing is pretty good!】

Praising herself shamelessly, Ruan Yaoyao walked ahead of Ru Anzhi and went straight up to Song Na.

“Miss, if I’m not mistaken, you must be the Song Na my son mentioned?”

She lifted her chin, putting on an aloof, superior air.

Song Na raised an eyebrow, lightly pulling down her sunglasses to reveal a pair of beautiful phoenix eyes. “And you are…?”

Ruan Yaoyao instantly panicked. If not for saving face, she might have run behind Ru Anzhi.

【That half-smile… such killing intent!】

【Ahhh… so scary!】

【I want to run!】

【No, no, no—baby isn’t scared. Baby has Dad!】

【Stay strong, baby!】