School Beauty's Invincible Martial Expert

"What's there to explain?" Xiao Han said, his face riddled with embarrassment.

"Don't you dare say you're dating. Just say she's a regular friend, that's all," Mother Xiao whispered, advising him.

With a heart full of trepidation, Xiao Han walked in. The lighting inside the room was dim. Sitting on the old, worn-out sofa was Chen Zihan's mother, her expression displeased. It had been over half an hour since she arrived and Xiao Han still hadn't returned, and just as she was about to leave, she saw him enter.

During the half-hour since she'd been inside, she'd taken in the Xiao family's situation—their poverty was so pronounced that they didn't even own a single valuable household appliance. This only reinforced her resolve to break up Xiao Han and Chen Zihan's relationship.

"Auntie, hello," Xiao Han greeted as he entered.

"You're back?" Aunt Chen glanced at him and then asked, "Didn't school let out quite early today? Where have you been?"

"I have a part-time job outside," Xiao Han said with a candid smile. "I've just come back from work."

"Forsaking your studies for a part-time job?" Aunt Chen scoffed.

"There's a lot of pressure at home, I need to help my mom out!" Xiao Han said with a smile.

"Right, right, this child has always been so sensible," Mother Xiao said, trying to laugh it off.

"I wasn't talking to you, keep your mouth shut!" Aunt Chen retorted from her high horse. Her gaze turned to Xiao Han and said, "Xiao Han, I came here today specifically to see you. Let's not beat around the bush, you're well aware of your own family's situation. I hope you can stay away from Chen Zihan!"

As Aunt Chen spoke those words, she was already suppressing the rage in her heart.

"Why?" Xiao Han asked.

"What can you offer her?" Aunt Chen laughed. "Our family's situation might not be great, but we do have a house of several hundred square meters. What about your family?"

"I will have that in the future!" Xiao Han replied, looking at her.

"Who can be sure about the future?" retorted Aunt Chen with a glance at Xiao Han. "I also say that I'll surely be able to buy a house in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. But the truth is I don't have that capability, right?"

"So, what would it take for you to agree to let me be with Chen Zihan?" Xiao Han asked calmly. He knew that no matter how impulsive he was or how much he swore or begged on his knees, he would never get the answer he wanted from this woman. So he might as well have a proper talk with her.

"Xiao Han, I don't know how to say this to you!" Aunt Chen smiled and then said, "With your situation as it is, no matter what you do, you are simply not a match for our Zi Han. How about this, I'll give you twenty thousand yuan to leave Chen Zihan and never bother her again. How about it?"

She thought twenty thousand yuan was an astronomical sum for Xiao Han, not realizing that for the Xiao Han of now, twenty thousand yuan was hardly anything at all. Nevertheless, Xiao Han did not mind. He smiled candidly and then countered, "Auntie, is the relationship between me and Chen Zihan really only worth twenty thousand yuan in your eyes?

If I give you twenty thousand yuan, would you let me continue to be with Chen Zihan?"

"In your dreams!" Aunt Chen was furious and embarrassed.

"Yes, I'm dreaming," Xiao Han said, not angrily but with a smile. "However, what you've said, I'll realize it one day!"

"Ridiculous!" Aunt Chen couldn't help but laugh, saying, "I'm wasting my time talking about dreams with a pauper like you. I won't bother with you anymore, but let me warn you, stay away from my daughter. You're not good enough for her. Your family isn't good enough for her either, understand?"

With that, Aunt Chen turned and left.

She left Xiao Han standing there and Mother Xiao looking lost and at a loss for words.

Mother Xiao, feeling highly embarrassed, saw the irritated Aunt Chen out. Xiao Han stood alone in the shabby house amidst disorder, ruins, and an assortment of muddled items. Indeed, the house was dilapidated, even stacked with some old antiques, and nothing of value among the cluttered possessions. Everything in the house appeared exceedingly old and worn out.

Yet, this was his home, the place where he had grown up. Xiao Han loved this home, as well as his mother.

But the truth was, the house was indeed old and worn out.

Xiao Han wished he could buy the most luxurious apartment in the most central area in a fit of rage, thinking it might save a lot of trouble. But that would also bring a whole host of unnecessary problems. The only issue it might solve would be Aunt Chen's worldly perspective, but it could entail many more complications. Xiao Han didn't want to be troubled for something like this.

If Chen Zihan's mother was just a materialistic woman, Xiao Han was certainly not willing to change himself just for the sake of a materialistic daughter.

His inner fury and impulsiveness soon subsided.

With Xiao Han's current capability, he could afford any house or villa in LJ City. But he didn't want to. Because he was dreaming of a better future—Hanmen Technology needed the funds for its growth.

Hanmen Catering was already on the table, and Yang Lu had recruited a catering manager who was looking for suitable locations across LJ City. This manager was a friend of Yang Lu's and had many years of experience in the catering business, having a profound understanding of the industry. It was with Yang Lu's help that they were able to secure him.

"Xiao Han, what... what exactly is happening here?" Mother Xiao asked anxiously.
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"Mom, don't worry, it's nothing!" Xiao Han smiled and said softly to comfort his mother, "It's just that her mother doesn't agree with us being together, that's all."

"Ah, yes!" Mother Xiao sighed and then said, "It's all because we're poor and don't have money. They're just looking down on our family!"

"It's not what you think!" Xiao Han quickly shook his head, then chuckled, "They just don't agree with us being together, maybe they don't want their daughter to be in a relationship too early. That's why they're using every means to obstruct us!"

"Xiao Han, if her parents don't agree, then let it be!" Mother Xiao sighed and said, "Besides, it's indeed too early for you to be in a relationship. Wait until you're in university to slowly start dating. There are plenty of girls out there, you won't have trouble finding someone to marry you!"

"Mom, I understand!" Xiao Han nodded.

Xiao Han really didn't want to worry his mother, so the only thing he could do was to calm her in this manner and to make sure she wasn't concerned.

"You should focus on your studies now!" Mother Xiao reminded him, "Instead of putting the energy you should be devoting to your studies into dating. Understand?"

"I do!" Xiao Han nodded.

Seeing that Xiao Han had agreed, Mother Xiao felt much more at ease. She turned to walk toward the room, and before she left, she still cautioned, "Xiao Han, don't think too much about these things. Understand? You should study hard now, strive to get into a good university, and make something of yourself. You need to stand up for me, you know?"

All of Mother Xiao's hopes and expectations were pinned on Xiao Han. He was all her hopes and her every reliance.

"I know!" Xiao Han nodded.

Actually, Xiao Han could stand up for her at any time, but he didn't want to create a false sense of success with money. He needed real success. The success of a coal boss wasn't real success; it was just opportunism, an element of luck. Xiao Han wanted an elegant success, a success that was genuinely recognized by others. So, he could not be impulsive. Otherwise, everything he had would turn to dust.

Of course, the most important thing was that Xiao Han feared trouble; he did not like being thrust into the limelight. He longed for a peaceful life, where he could create what he desired within a quiet existence.

Xiao Han stepped outside and looked up at the sparse stars and the bright moon in the sky. Not far away, that huge and ancient pagoda tree stood almost like an immovable sculpture, or perhaps more like a beacon, guiding the way forward for Xiao Han.

To be honest, Xiao Han could understand Chen Zihan's mother's actions today. After all, any mother would worry about her child; no one wants their child to live a life of poverty and hardship or suffer along with someone else. Therefore, Xiao Han didn't hate Chen Zihan's mother; on the contrary, he was grateful to her for the wakeup call.

Life isn't just about love—love alone cannot sustain two people.

Material foundation determines the superstructure. Without enough financial security to guarantee a worry-free life in terms of clothing and food, so-called love will eventually just be about daily household necessities.

Aunt Chen, with her experience and broader view than anyone else, preferred to be the villain herself, if it meant securing her daughter's happiness, and vehemently opposed Xiao Han and Chen Zihan's relationship.

Different positions lead to different decisions. Naturally, Xiao Han hoped to be with Chen Zihan because he felt he could be responsible for her, while Aunt Chen wanted to separate them because she didn't believe Xiao Han had the ability to provide for her daughter. Aunt Chen judged a person simply, starting with their family background, from the house in their family...

......

The next day at school.

As soon as Xiao Han arrived at the classroom, Chen Zihan stood at the door, head down, occasionally wiping her eyes with a tissue. Nearby, Yang Xiaoyan was continuously comforting her.

"I think Xiao Han isn't too bad, though." Yang Xiaoyan said, "Our 'fatty' at home works at the Apple Store and makes five or six thousand a month. Look how carefree he lives every day! And, his family seems to be planning to buy a house."

"Mm..." Chen Zihan nodded, clearly uninterested in Yang Xiaoyan's words.

"I think," Yang Xiaoyan blinked and continued, "whether Xiao Han goes to university or not doesn't really matter. Actually, working at that Apple store is not bad. Making five or six thousand a month, he might even break ten thousand in the future. Buying a house in LJ City would be quite easy, right?"