After being attacked by the rich young ladies with hatchets, I chose to enter "sage mode".

"President, you're making me feel like I'm poor. We're supposed to be on a date, so instead of me paying, how about we split it 50/50? I feel bad if you pay for everything."

Upon hearing Bai Yu's words, a hint of surprise flashed in Murong Liyue's usually calm and beautiful eyes, and she opened her mouth slightly.

"You want to take care of me?"

"Damn it, I meant a 50/50 split, not supporting you. These are completely different concepts!"

"Don't swear. If you can't afford to support me now, I'll support you. When you can afford to support me, you can support me too."

"I don't want to support you."

"Then I'll take care of you for the rest of my life, that's fine too."

Come on, Bai Yu thought it best not to linger on a topic where he had no chance of winning against Murong Liyue; there was simply no chance of victory.

"Never mind, President, you should..."

Just as Bai Yuhua was about to finish speaking, a slightly authoritative female voice suddenly rang out beside him.

"Liyue? What are you doing here?"

Upon hearing this sound, Bai Yu turned her head and looked toward the source of the sound, where she saw a beautiful woman with a frosty face.

Bai Yu had a vague impression of this person, because she had seen him once at Murong Liyue's birthday banquet.

I hadn't really looked her over yet, but today I saw that this beautiful woman was wearing a black work suit, but even the suit couldn't hide her stunning figure. However, her serious expression made her look so intimidating.

"I'm just here shopping, what's wrong with that?"

Facing her mother, Murong Meng, Murong Liyue remained the same aloof and mature woman, showing no signs of intimidation despite her mother's sudden appearance.

But with just this one sentence, Bai Yu felt that the atmosphere between the mother and daughter was very strange, as if they were enemies meeting and extremely hostile.

Bai Yu would never interrupt without a reason; his principle was not to meddle in other people's affairs.

But Murong Meng's gaze quickly shifted from Murong Liyue to Bai Yu.

Her eyes, like Murong Liyue's, showed no extra emotions; they truly were mother and daughter.

"You must be Bai Yu, right?"

Murong Meng spoke these words very casually, but given her aloof aura, they actually made people feel very pressured.

"Ah."

Although Murong Liyue's mother exerted a strong sense of pressure on Bai Yu, it did not make Bai Yu back down. She did not show any sign of being subservient; instead, she nodded calmly.

Murong Meng didn't think Bai Yu was particularly outstanding or anything like that, given his composure in front of her. She'd seen plenty of young people like him, and he wasn't anything special.

"What does your family do?"

"Wow!" Bai Yu was taken aback by Murong Meng's question. Who asks questions like that? Isn't it a bit too direct and blunt?

However, since this is Murong Liyue's mother, it's reasonable for Bai Yu not to answer, right?

"Oh, my dad works for a state-owned enterprise, and my mom is a housewife. I don't really know what my dad does, I just know he works for a state-owned enterprise."

Murong Liyue frowned immediately upon hearing Bai Yu's answer. It wasn't that she looked down on Bai Yu's family background, but rather that she was very dissatisfied with her mother's attitude towards Bai Yu. (Chapter 376 I'll Wait for You)

"Bai Yu, let's go."

Reaching out to grab Bai Yu's hand, Murong Liyue had no intention of giving her mother a chance to continue asking questions or speaking.

But it's clear that it's too late for her to leave now.

"Bai Yu, your aunt doesn't like beating around the bush, so please don't mind me being blunt: there's absolutely no possibility between you and Murong Liyue, understand?"

Upon hearing Murong Meng's words, Bai Yu did not leave with Murong Liyue. His gaze remained unmoved, for he already knew this from his previous life and did not need Murong Meng to tell him.

However, knowing this is one thing, but to say that Bai Yu doesn't care at all is another. After all, there's a reason for not exposing what's going on. If you just say it out loud, wouldn't the other person lose face?

Before Bai Yu could answer, Murong Liyue spoke first.

"My affairs are none of your business. You're meddling in everything. Don't you think you're being too nosy?"

Murong Liyue's words were so harsh that even any mother would be furious if her child spoke to her like that, let alone Murong Meng, such a strong and assertive woman.

"Is it my place to meddle?"

These were just four simple words, but Murong Meng's tone was cold, and her expression clearly showed anger. Even the two women behind her, who looked like secretaries, couldn't help but take a step back.

Just as Murong Liyue was about to retort, Bai Yu felt that if it were a family matter between them, she would definitely not interfere, but since it concerned her, she had to explain herself properly.

“Auntie, I understand what you’re saying, so Murong Liyue and I don’t have the kind of relationship you’re thinking of.”

Bai Yu spoke so frankly and without the slightest hesitation that Murong Meng was slightly taken aback.

Murong Meng was stunned for a moment, but Murong Liyue's delicate body trembled slightly. If Bai Yu had only said these words to her alone, she would have thought it was just Bai Yu being dishonest. But saying them in front of her mother was not dishonesty, but rather hurting her feelings.

Looking at Bai Yu, Murong Liyue's gaze was somewhat dazed. She felt that she loved Bai Yu so much, but Bai Yu seemed to be able to abandon her so easily. Why was that?

If she had any real feelings, then at this moment her heart was truly aching as if being torn apart by a knife.

She could, even be willing to, break with her mother for Bai Yu, even if it meant being kicked out of the house, because she felt that she still had Bai Yu, and none of that mattered.

But now...why? Bai Yu is abandoning me, so what should I do? Should I go back to being the tool I used to be?

Bai Yu was unaware of Murong Liyue's mental state, but his words did indeed suggest a desire for Murong Liyue to let go.

Besides, what he said wasn't a lie. He and Murong Liyue weren't even in the same social class, were they?

“You are the most willing young person to face reality that I have ever met. You are better than many people in this respect. Since you already know, then you should have less contact with Murong Liyue in the future, so as not to cause her to be misunderstood as having some unclear relationship.”

Murong Liyue's mother's words were truly hurtful, but for someone of her status, there was no need to beat around the bush when dealing with an ordinary person like Bai Yu; beating around the bush would only be a waste of time.

However, Bai Yu was already annoyed by Murong Liyue's mother's bluntness and pragmatism. Now that she's back, even if he knows that Murong Meng is Murong Liyue's mother, he can't help but want to retort. He's not a young man without a temper.

"Auntie, Murong Liyue and I have nothing to do with each other anymore. As friends, do I really need you to stop me? That's not a good idea, is it?"

Bai Yu's words were polite enough, but the underlying meaning made Murong Meng frown.

“She’s my daughter, so why can’t I ask about these things? She can make friends, but she has to make the right friends. Not just anyone can be her friend.”

Goodness, this is directly starting to indirectly mock. If Bai Yu hadn't faced death, perhaps he would have backed down because of Murong Meng's aggressive aura. But he's already died once, so why would he be afraid of this little bit of aura?

"I'm sorry, Auntie, but I really like Murong Liyue as a friend, and you're really interfering too much. It's really not good, really."

Words spoken in a light and casual manner are most likely to stir up displeasure in people's hearts. However, Murong Meng is not an ordinary person. She has seen and experienced many people and things. How could she not hear that Bai Yu's words were a veiled insult to her?

However, she didn't want to argue with a young man like Bai Yu about this, because when it comes to meddling, he's the one who really meddles the most.

"You don't need to meddle in family matters. No matter what you do, there's no future for you and Murong Liyue. Just focus on your studies and you'll be lucky to get a decent job."

"I'm sorry, Auntie, what if Murong Liyue and I end up together? Can I start my own business instead of looking for a job?"

Bai Yu was acting impulsively and got into a fight with Murong Liyue's mother.

These words nearly killed Murong Meng, but Murong Liyue's originally cold heart seemed to be warmed by a rekindled flame.

"You're quite the joker, young man. Is starting a business a game?"

As she said this, Murong Meng took out her phone to answer a call. It was probably work-related, and she walked away after answering the call.

Her departure relieved Bai Yu, who was feeling slightly nervous. Although she wasn't afraid of Murong Meng, Murong Meng's aura and composed expression were really intimidating.

"Bai Yu, do you really want a future with me?"

Just then, Murong Liyue, who was standing beside her, suddenly asked such a question.

Bai Yu originally wanted to answer truthfully, that is, what she had just said was just a momentary outburst.

But when he turned his head and saw a rare hint of expectation in Murong Liyue's usually emotionless gaze, he couldn't bring himself to speak.

"President, why do I get the feeling that you seem to be really looking forward to it?"

"Because I love you, I think."

The answer, given without the slightest consideration or hesitation, made it even harder for Bai Yu to tell the truth.

"But... I haven't fallen in love with you yet... what should I do?"

Perhaps it was the expectant look in Murong Liyue's eyes, or perhaps it was a lingering sense of guilt, but Bai Yu hesitated, and her words became hesitant as well. People are indeed complicated.

"I'm waiting for you."

Murong Liyue's answer was only three words, as brief as her previous answers, but these three words touched Bai Yu's heart. Chapter 377 Murong Liyue Wants to Act Cute (Monthly Bonus 24)

"President, you actually have better options. To be honest, I don't really like your mother's blunt and inconsiderate way of speaking, but we..."

Before Bai Yu could finish speaking, a slightly cold little hand covered his lips, and Murong Liyue's calm voice followed.

"I know, but I don't care. The world is blocking us, but there is another world we can yearn for."

Bai Yu was inexplicably moved by those words, but why did she always feel that there was something wrong with them?

"President, your mother wouldn't always be so controlling of you, would she?"

"It's been like this since I was a child."

Her answer was straightforward, and Murong Liyue showed no emotional fluctuation whatsoever, as if it were an insignificant matter.

However, simply looking at her wouldn't reveal what Murong Liyue was feeling deep down.

Perhaps only she knows best how tiring and unfree her life is in this family.

Grabbing Bai Yu's hand, Murong Liyue turned and walked into the mall. As for her mother, Murong Liyue had no intention of caring.

Bai Yu didn't say anything, because he could clearly feel Murong Liyue's hand trembling slightly as she held his. Whether it was fear or panic, no one knew.

Murong Liyue had just left with Bai Yu when Murong Meng returned, but she could only see the two of them leaving.

Without saying anything, Murong Meng was still very busy and didn't have much energy to inquire about Murong Liyue and Bai Yu's affairs. In any case, from now on, she would not consider Bai Yu as Murong Liyue's boyfriend, let alone take a deeper relationship. Of course, it would be easy for her to stop it if she wanted to.

Leading Bai Yu into the mall, Murong Liyue pulled him directly to the emergency exit at the corner of the mall's escalator.

As for why Murong Liyue brought her here, Bai Yu didn't know, but she didn't ask. She just waited for Murong Liyue's answer.

Reaching the stairs, Murong Liyue smoothed her skirt and, ignoring the dirtiness of the stairs, sat down directly. Her cool, mature voice then echoed through the quiet stairwell.

"Bai Yu, would you like to hear a story?"

As Bai Yu listened to the story, she realized that Murong Liyue wasn't going to tell a fairy tale, but rather her own story.

He didn't refuse. In his previous life, he had never seriously looked into any of his ex-girlfriends' affairs, so he figured he might as well listen and learn more about them.