Chapter – 46
Giving Up Lu Li — She Can’t Do It
When Tao Hui met her pitch-black, midnight-like eyes, she froze for a moment.
This Mu Wanwan seemed different from the one she remembered four years ago.
Realizing she had been momentarily intimidated, anger flickered in Tao Hui’s eyes.
“So what you’re saying is that you plan to go against me? That you intend to get back together with Lu Li?”
Mu Wanwan toyed with the check in her hand and let out a soft chuckle.
“I’ve never wanted to oppose anyone. Actually, if you hadn’t come to see me today, I might have hesitated for a long time about whether to reunite with Lu Li. But…”
She paused, slowly lifting her gaze. Deep in her eyes was a cool, indifferent smile.
“I’ve already made my decision.”
Tao Hui felt an ominous premonition.
“What decision?”
“What do you think?” Mu Wanwan tilted her head, resting her chin on one hand, smiling harmlessly.
“Mu Wanwan, without the blessing of family, do you really think you and Lu Li can be happy?” Hard tactics failing, Tao Hui switched to a softer approach.
As if recalling something, Mu Wanwan’s eyes flickered, her smile carrying a hint of deeper meaning.
“That’s not necessarily true.”
She wouldn’t be happy — but she was certain that at least one person would be.
She reached out, took the bag Tao Hui was holding, and placed it on the table.
“What did you buy?”
“I donated the check,” Mu Wanwan said calmly. “In Lu Li’s mother’s name, to the charitable foundation under her name.”
“What did you say?” Tao Hui’s hand froze mid-motion.
Mu Wanwan had just sat down when Qiao Le arrived.
“Since this check represents your goodwill, I’ll reluctantly accept it. And one more thing — if you don’t want me to be with Lu Li, then go persuade Lu Li himself. As for me, there’s no need for you to waste your efforts.”
“That’s enough.” Mu Wanwan glanced toward the inner room and nudged her arm.
“My mom’s still here.”
She collapsed onto the sofa laughing. Lu Li’s mother really thought Wanwan was still the naive little girl from four years ago — far too innocent.
“Well done, Wanwan. That move was brilliant.”
After returning from the U.S., worried that Jiang Yu would be bored staying at home every day, Mu Wanwan helped her rent a storefront in the city center and open a flower shop.
After a few seconds of silence, Qiao Le burst into manic laughter.
“What?” Qiao Le couldn’t quite process it yet.
After more than half an hour of busyness, the shop finally had a moment of peace.
Strange — why was Mom acting so oddly?
After speaking, she stood up, bent slightly at the waist, and left without looking back.
“She’s inside organizing the newly delivered flowers,” Mu Wanwan said.
Fortunately, she hadn’t gone straight to complain to A-Li. Otherwise, it would have ruined their mother-son relationship. If A-Li found out she had tried to use a check to drive Mu Wanwan away, with his temperament, he’d definitely fall out with her.
“So? What did you do?” Qiao Le asked.
Mu Wanwan smiled faintly and replied lightly,
“Donated it.”
Mu Wanwan raised an eyebrow.
“Bingo.”
After ending the call, Tao Hui clenched her phone tightly, her face turning green with anger.
No matter what, Tao Hui was still Lu Li’s mother. If things became too strained, even if Wanwan ended up with Lu Li, there would be endless conflicts in the future.
Mu Wanwan smiled gently. Qiao Le exclaimed,
“She made things difficult for you, didn’t she?”
Jiang Yu, who was wrapping bouquets for customers, brightened when she saw Mu Wanwan.
Lu Ziqing turned around — Tao Hui was already gone.
Wanwan had accepted the check and donated it under Lu Li’s mother’s name. If Tao Hui tried to scheme and complain to Lu Li that Wanwan had taken the money, she’d only be digging her own grave.
“So she did make things difficult for you?” Qiao Le smacked her lips, confident in her guess.
“Don’t tell me she pulled that cliché TV-drama move — waving a check and telling you to leave her son?”
“Today’s a rare day I didn’t have to work overtime. There’s a new restaurant near my company, so I packed a few signature dishes.”
Hearing this, Tao Hui’s expression darkened. She hurried over, picked up her phone, and stepped outside.
Mu Wanwan — impressive.
Lu Ziqing plopped down on the sofa and grabbed the remote.
“Oh, that donation to the charity foundation.”
Since that was the case, why should she keep deceiving herself and making herself miserable?
Giving up Lu Li — she couldn’t do it.
…
“Wanwan.”
“Wow, she actually used such an outdated trick?” Qiao Le held her forehead, utterly disdainful of Lu Li’s mother’s behavior.
Qiao Le tossed her bag onto the sofa and sat beside her.
“By the way, where’s Auntie Yu?”
“I’m coming to help you, Mom.” Mu Wanwan set down her bag and took over the work in her hands.
Qiao Le barely suppressed her laughter and straightened up.
“Wanwan, after this, Lu Li’s mother will definitely accept you even less. What are you planning to do?”
Mu Wanwan laughed softly.
“Eat more — you’re already chubby enough.”
After work hours were peak time for the flower shop.
Qiao Le hummed.
“Then we’ll wait for Auntie Yu and eat together. Oh, by the way, I called you earlier — you said you’d just met Lu Li’s mother. What happened?”
“What do you mean?” Tao Hui grew more confused the more she listened. She felt Mu Wanwan was implying something.
“Xiao Liu, of course.”
“Who told you that?”
“It’s getting late. I don’t think there’s anything left for us to talk about.”
Mu Wanwan folded the check and, right in front of Tao Hui, slipped it into her pocket.
Childhood friends weren’t just for show — with just one sentence, Qiao Le immediately understood. They exchanged a knowing smile.
“When you two get back together, don’t forget to treat me to a big meal.”
Her slender back was straight and proud.
“Your Majesty has arrived — why aren’t you welcoming me?”
She carried two large bags, a roguish smile on her face, making Mu Wanwan smile as well.
Through the glass window, Tao Hui watched Mu Wanwan get into the car and drive away. Complex emotions intertwined in her eyes. After a long while, she let out a sigh.
After a moment of contemplation, Mu Wanwan looked up again. Her clear eyes shone brightly.
“Lele, I don’t want to keep retreating anymore.”
She pushed open the door — the shop was bustling with activity.
The noisy street outside was full of endless traffic.
＊＊＊＊＊＊
“Mom, I just went to the foundation. I heard you donated a sum of money to children in poor mountain areas this afternoon?”
After changing clothes and coming downstairs, Lu Ziqing casually asked,
“Is today some special day?”
“Shh, keep your voice down. Don’t let Grandma hear.”
Mu Wanwan tugged at her and whispered,
“She didn’t really make things hard for me.”
“Mom, Dad’s back.”
Lu Ziqing’s voice came from the living room. Tao Hui suppressed her emotions and walked in.
“Dad, weren’t you supposed to come back tomorrow? Why did you return early?”
In the living room, Lu Ziqing clung to a middle-aged man’s arm, acting coquettish.
“Where’s my gift?”
