After contracting to have a child, the icy female CEO became addicted.

Upon hearing this, Wen Ling frowned slightly, seemingly concerned about the latter part of her mother's suggestion.

She glanced at Jiang Ran and casually asked, "Do you think I need to change my clothes?"

Faced with Zhou Manru's expectant gaze and Wen Ling's suit, which she had indeed "seen before" many times, Jiang Ran chose to tell the truth this time.

"I think it would be better to change into something else. Wearing a suit to dinner does seem a bit inconvenient."

Hearing this, Zhou Manru's eyes lit up with admiration. She quickly said, "Yes, yes, look, Ranran said the same thing. Mom has prepared some clothes for you in your bedroom. Go change, and then we'll go straight to the dining room to eat!"

As if she hadn't heard her mother's words, Wen Ling lowered her head, her gaze falling on her neatly tailored suit. After a long silence, she said "Oh," and slowly got up and left.

Only after the room door was closed did Jiang Ran speak up, "Auntie, did you specifically send Wen Ling away because you wanted to talk to me about something?"

"You're not stupid, kid!"

Zhou Manru smiled, picked up her cup, and took a sip of tea.

Jiang Ran scratched his head awkwardly, grinned sheepishly, and didn't say anything.

Staring at Jiang Ran, Zhou Manru still smiled and said, "I know about your family situation, including the relative I met at the beauty salon back then, or rather, your aunt?"

Jiang Ran replied, "Yes, she's my aunt."

"Yes, I know about your family situation, and I'm sure you know something about the Wen family as well. My eldest daughter is almost thirty but has never been in a relationship. My only worry is her marriage, but it seems I had good taste!"

As Zhou Manru spoke, she also praised herself.

Jiang Ran couldn't agree with these words, especially since he didn't know how to agree. If he said yes, it would be self-praise and a bit arrogant; if he said no, it would be an insult to Zhou Manru.

After thinking it over and over, Jiang Ran still wore that silly grin.

Setting down her teacup, Zhou Manru's expression turned serious. She stared at Jiang Ran as if trying to see right through him: "Ranran, now that you and my daughter have registered your marriage, we're family. So I want to ask you, what are your true feelings for my daughter? Or are you just after her money?"

The moment she finished speaking, the smile on Jiang Ran's face froze!

The atmosphere in the room plummeted to freezing point at that moment!

Seeing the similar probing expressions on Manru and Wenling's faces last week, Jiang Ran's heart skipped a beat, and for a moment he couldn't think of a suitable answer!

Seeing Jiang Ran remain silent, Zhou Manru's expression was rather calm. She continued, "I don't mean anything by saying this. I just want to tell you that if it's for money, that's for the best. I hope my daughter can find happiness in her relationships, not sadness. Especially if you dare to deceive my daughter's feelings, the Wen family's methods are beyond your ability to withstand."

Having said that, Jiang Ran now fully understood Zhou Manru's purpose in sending Wen Ling away.

It was purely to warn him!

He and Wen Ling are currently in a contractual marriage, and apart from the two of them, their parents are unaware of this.

Therefore, Jiang Ran could understand why Zhou Manru, as Wen Ling's mother, would say such things.

Jiang Ran put away his smile and focused on his normal relationship with Wen Ling, saying earnestly to Zhou Manru, "Auntie, this isn't about money. Of course, I hope Wen Ling can find happiness in her relationship, but relationships are mutual. Even when it involves ordinary interpersonal relationships, negative emotions like anger and resentment are inevitable in normal interactions. I can only assure you that I will never deceive her."

Hearing this, Zhou Manru's gaze softened considerably, and she even looked at Jiang Ran with some surprise: "So, according to you, you're not with Wen Ling for money?"

"..."

After a moment of silence, Jiang Ran chose to tell the truth: "Of course there are... However, I think money is a standard for measuring the material aspects of feelings, but it is not the only one. You can have love with money, and you can have love without money. Love is an emotion that everyone has, and money is the icing on the cake."

In Jiang Ran's view, love and money cannot coexist.

Wealthy people are not necessarily loving, and poor people are not necessarily without love. As for the foundation of their future life, that is a matter of material things that will only be addressed after it is confirmed that both parties love each other.

His answer was ambiguous, but whether it was based on the premise that he didn't love Wen Ling and only wanted money, or on the premise that he loved Wen Ling and wanted money, either explanation would be plausible.

Zhou Manru nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.

"Looks like I really made the right choice in selecting you."

She exclaimed in admiration and was about to get up when she saw the door being pushed open.

Wearing a black evening gown, Wen Ling walked quickly toward Jiang Ran with a cold and aloof expression.

Zhou Manru, who rarely saw her daughter in a dress, was amazed. Before she could react, she heard her daughter ask Jiang Ran a question.

"She didn't give you any trouble, did she?"

This sudden remark startled Jiang Ran!

Compared to the shock on Zhou Manru's face, Jiang Ran remained relatively calm. Although he rarely saw Wen Ling dressed like that, he had at least seen it before.

Jiang Ran quickly shook her head.

Beside them, Zhou Manru's voice suddenly rang out: "Hey, Nannan, what do you think of your mother? Do you think I'm that kind of person who likes to make things difficult for others?"

Unexpectedly, Wen Ling remained calm and replied in a light tone, "Yes."

"..."

The atmosphere instantly became quiet.

Zhou Manru stood up awkwardly and said to the two of them, "This is so boring! Let's go eat!"

She took the lead and walked outside.

Jiang Ran stood up, only to find Wen Ling still staring at him with a scrutinizing gaze. Caught off guard, he asked again, "Really not?"

"No, really."

Jiang Ran shook her head repeatedly, thinking that Wen Ling was worried that she had let something slip, and quickly said, "Auntie only asked me a few questions, don't worry, I answered them all perfectly."

Hearing this, Wen Ling didn't say anything more.

She gave Jiang Ran a deep look, noticing his nervous demeanor, and spoke again, "My mother has never been very serious, but don't worry, you only need to see her today. If she has any questions at the dinner table later, I'll answer them for you!"

After saying that, she turned and left, taking the lead.

Jiang Ran subconsciously followed, and when he glanced down at her swaying skirt, a ripple of emotion instantly stirred in his heart...

No, was Wen Ling defending him when she said that?

While pondering, Jiang Ran didn't realize that Wen Ling, who was walking ahead, had stopped. He didn't notice and stepped on the hem of Wen Ling's skirt.

The next second, Jiang Ran slipped and crashed into Wen Ling's fair shoulder!

Just as he regained his balance, he saw Wen Ling, wearing high heels, sway past him.

Almost instinctively, Jiang Ran raised his hand and wrapped it around Wen Ling's waist—