Yang Hao took a deep breath, hugged Gu Ranran with a smile, and said softly, "Ranran, our new life is about to begin. I've already found the DJ equipment channels, and all that's left is to open the bar."
Gu Ranran pursed her lips, "I think we can still get married before opening the bar."
A flicker of impatience crossed Yang Hao's eyes, but he forced himself to suppress his temper.
He persuaded her gently, "I want to marry you because I love you, not because you are the eldest daughter of the Gu family. So I hope our marriage can receive our parents' blessings."
"Ranran, if your mother and brother disagree with our marriage, I think we can wait a while longer until we get their consent. This way, it's also my responsibility to you. I don't want you to accept a marriage without family blessings."
Gu Ranran felt a pang of emotion. She hadn't expected Yang Hao to care so much about these things; even she had put them aside.
However— Gu Ranran lowered her head and gritted her teeth, "Yang Hao, I'm sorry, I didn't realize Qin He was that kind of person. I already asked her about those jewelry pieces. The Qin Group is clearly not facing financial difficulties, but she's refusing to return my jewelry now, let alone lend me money."
Yang Hao's heart jolted.
If Gu Ranran couldn't get the jewelry back, what was the point of him being with her now?
"How can your sister-in-law be like this?"
Yang Hao frowned deeply, "She didn't seem like it when we met that day. Alas, you're too naive. You can't judge a book by its cover. What kind of relationship do sisters-in-law have? Yet you poured your heart out to her, giving her everything."
The more her beloved persuaded her, the more wronged Gu Ranran felt. She hugged Yang Hao and burst into tears.
Yang Hao held Gu Ranran, telling her stories he had heard of elder sisters-in-law driving their younger sisters-in-law out of the house.
"Ranran, I think we should open our bar first. Otherwise, if we really wait until your sister-in-law marries your brother, I'm afraid our bar might not be able to open."
A hint of sadness flickered in Yang Hao's eyes as he spoke, "It's all my fault for being useless. If I were capable, I could open a bar myself. I'm also afraid people will say I'm starting a business relying on my girlfriend."
"As a man, I have my pride. It's just that when I think about how you used to live such a good life, and how your living standard will drop after marrying me, I feel distressed. I don't care what others say anymore."
Gu Ranran was deeply touched by Yang Hao's words.
Yang Hao had truly changed and endured so much for her. Only she knew the grievances he bore.
Gu Ranran hugged Yang Hao's waist tightly, gritted her teeth, and made a firm decision, "Brother Hao, don't worry. I've seen clearly now what kind of people my so-called friends and Qin He are. There's no need for me to maintain my pride anymore."
Gu Ranran said in a low voice, "I'll go home tomorrow and ask my mother for money. My mother loves me the most. She won't refuse if I ask her for money to open the bar."
Yang Hao felt a surge of smugness.
"Do you want me to go back with you?" Yang Hao asked casually.
He knew that the Gu family disliked him, and Gu Ranran, being so foolishly in love with him, would certainly not let him go back with her.
As expected, after Yang Hao finished speaking, Gu Ranran immediately shook her head, "Forget it. I'm just going back to ask for money. If you go, I'm afraid you'll be unhappy."
After some affectionate moments with Gu Ranran, Yang Hao returned to his bedroom to sleep.
Gu Ranran sat on the sofa, picked up her phone, opened WeChat, and found her mother's WeChat account. After hesitating for a long time, she finally edited a message.
[Mom, I'll be home tomorrow morning.]
After sending it, Gu Ranran felt as if her proud, straight spine had suddenly been broken by something.
Though her life with Yang Hao had been happy lately, it had allowed her to see many things clearly.
Because she had never lacked money or affection since childhood, she had never considered these things precious. She was generous with her friends and her money.
For some of her girlfriends who came from less fortunate backgrounds, she had even bought them houses.
At that time, others called her foolish, and some accused her of deliberately showing off her wealth.
But she just wanted her friends to live better lives.
Now that she had fallen to this state, those close friends who had once gotten along so well with her suddenly didn't anymore.
Gu Ranran clutched her phone tightly.
She had thought she was very happy, that her friends shared the same interests, values, and even favorite celebrities as her.
Such a connection was rare, but now she was gradually realizing that it wasn't that she had met like-minded people, but rather that others had been catering to her for money. When she no longer had money, they naturally stopped catering to her. It was simply a transaction.
As for Ming Xue.
Although she considered Ming Xue her best friend, Ming Xue was Qin He's cousin, so naturally, she sided with her own cousin.
Gu Ranran pondered her life for a long time.
Thinking that she had to go home to ask for money tomorrow, she finally got up and forced herself back to her bedroom to sleep.
The next morning.
When Qin He woke up, she saw a message on her phone.
She opened it and saw it was from Mrs. Gu.
[He'er, do you know what Ranran's situation has been like lately? She messaged me last night saying she was coming home this morning.]
[He'er, Ranran sent me the message very late last night. Is she living a difficult life?]
Qin He pursed her lips.
Gu Ranran had asked her for jewelry just yesterday, so she guessed what Gu Ranran was planning to do.
Qin He checked the time: a little past seven.
At this hour, Gu Ranran should not have arrived home yet.
Qin He picked up her phone and called Mrs. Gu.
"Auntie, I know you're worried about Ranran, and I saw your message. Ranran is definitely not doing well right now. But if you pander to her and give her money now, she'll only suffer more in the future."
"Yang Ming, this leech, will only become more greedy the more you indulge him. He asked for two hundred million this time; next time he'll dare to ask for a billion."
Mrs. Gu's voice was filled with a deep sigh, "I understand, but I haven't figured out how to refuse Ranran. After all, she's my own daughter. In all these years, I've never refused any of her requests."
Qin He sighed softly, "Auntie, if you don't mind, you can do it in my name."
"How can that be? Wouldn't that make Ranran resent you?" Mrs. Gu said hastily, "Absolutely not."
Qin He gave a wry smile, "Auntie, you know that before, worried that Ranran would be deceived by Yang Hao, I took all of Ranran's jewelry and ornaments.
These jewelry pieces are now all sealed in my family's jewelry vault.
Ranran called me a few days ago asking for them, and I didn't give them to her. Since she already considers me a wicked person, let's not have her think you're bad to her too. I'll just play the villain to the end."
Mrs. Gu still disagreed, "This will affect your relationship."
"It's alright."
"Forget it, I'll come up with an excuse to refuse her myself."