Chapter 97: What Did You Call Me?

After purchasing the gifts, Xu Anan brought Jiang Li along to the retired university professor’s home. Just as they were about to ring the doorbell, a girl walked up behind them.

It was the campus belle, the one who had recently asked Jiang Li for his contact information and been refused—then ridiculed by the crowd.

What a coincidence.

Xu Anan felt awkward, but Jiang Li was completely indifferent. He said coldly, “What are you staring at? If you have a key, hurry up and open the door.”

The girl clenched her teeth in secret and took out her key to unlock the door.

Hearing the sound of the door, the elderly professor, who was basking in the sun on the balcony, turned around. She recognized Xu Anan and greeted her with a warm smile.

“Anan, you’re here! Come, have a seat!”

“Miaomiao, go pour some tea.”

She also noticed Jiang Li, and took a moment to size him up, nodding in appreciation. “Anan, is this your boyfriend? He’s so handsome.”

Xu Anan was about to deny it, but recalling Miaomiao’s earlier rejection, she decided to admit it.

“Yes, he happened to have time today, so he accompanied me.”

Jiang Li grasped Xu Anan’s hand, tracing a teasing line on her palm, as if to say, “Let me be your boyfriend, I’ll collect a little interest first.”

The touch was electric. Xu Anan hastily withdrew her hand.

Honestly, where’s that promised restraint?

“Just wait a little while. My son just stepped out for something; he’ll be back in about ten minutes,” the professor said.

At that moment, Miaomiao came over with a teapot, pouring tea for everyone.

Her eyes seemed glued to Jiang Li, unable to control herself even knowing he wasn’t single. She had never seen such a strikingly handsome man—more dazzling than any celebrity.

“Miaomiao, go to your room and read,” the professor said sternly.

“I don’t want to read.” Miaomiao didn’t want to leave; she felt that if she walked away now, she might never get another chance to see Jiang Li.

Xu Anan suddenly regretted bringing Jiang Li.

“Well… Li, don’t you have something to do? Go ahead, I’ll call you when I’m done here, okay?”

“What did you just call me?” Jiang Li’s eyes brightened slightly, as if pleasantly surprised.

Xu Anan tugged at Jiang Li, feeling uneasy. “Alright, you go first. I’ll call you when I’m finished, be good.”

Jiang Li snorted softly, pinched Xu Anan’s cheek, greeted the professor, then left.

But Miaomiao was displeased.

She glared at Xu Anan, convinced that Xu Anan was afraid she’d win Jiang Li’s favor if allowed to spend more time with him.

Otherwise, what would she be afraid of?

“Grandma, I’m going out for a bit.”

Obviously, Miaomiao meant to go after Jiang Li.

The professor sighed helplessly. “I apologize. My granddaughter has been spoiled since childhood, but she’s not malicious.”

Just then, her son returned.

Upon learning Xu Anan’s purpose, Wu Jun was delighted and invited her to the study for a detailed discussion. “It’s an honor for our company to cooperate with Jiang Corp.”

Indeed, Xu Anan had leveraged Jiang Corp’s name to secure this meeting with Wu Jun. Otherwise, why would anyone trust a magazine reporter?

They talked at length.

Suddenly, cries echoed from outside.

Wu Jun, who had been deeply engaged, immediately got up. “Miaomiao, what’s wrong? Why are you crying? Who bullied you?”

Xu Anan broke out in a cold sweat. She already guessed the reason.

She followed him out to see.

Miaomiao was sobbing uncontrollably. She’d never suffered such humiliation, and wondered how she could ever return to school.

“Dad, he was just too mean!”

“I only wanted to be friends, but he called me an ugly duckling trying to court a swan, and told me to look in a mirror.”

Xu Anan felt like a parent waiting for the teacher’s scolding after her child misbehaved.

But that was indeed something Jiang Li would say.

Still, why go back for a second rejection?

Wu Jun spent a long time comforting Miaomiao. “Don’t cry, don’t cry. Tell Daddy who was so rude—I’ll make him pay.”

“It was her boyfriend!”

Miaomiao vented her anger on Xu Anan. “Dad, isn’t she here to talk cooperation? Then don’t cooperate with her!”

After Miaomiao’s tantrum, Wu Jun had no choice but to ask Xu Anan to leave, insisting that she bring Jiang Li over to apologize to Miaomiao.

He was a doting father and kept a stern face.

“Miss Xu, if your boyfriend won’t apologize, there’s no point in discussing cooperation.”

Xu Anan never imagined the deal would fall apart over something like this.

She had to look for Jiang Li.

But not to make him apologize—she didn’t believe Jiang Li had done anything seriously wrong, even if his attitude was harsh.

“Just in time, I was about to find you.”

Jiang Li’s expression was not good.

Xu Anan noticed he’d changed clothes and was a little surprised. “Did you go shopping while waiting for me?”

“Come with me.”

Jiang Li took Xu Anan’s hand and returned to Wu Jun’s home.

Seeing Xu Anan bring Jiang Li back, Wu Jun’s expression improved. “Come in. Just apologize to Miaomiao and let’s move on.”

“After all, cooperation with Jiang Corp is a great opportunity for us.”

Miaomiao was surprised—she hadn’t expected Jiang Li to come and apologize. Instantly, she felt smug and looked down on Xu Anan, thinking that any woman who would compromise her boyfriend for a deal was unworthy of such a handsome man.

“Cooperation? Ha, Jiang Corp would never work with trash like you.” Jiang Li’s eyes held a chilly light, like frost, making everyone shiver.

Wu Jun was stunned. What was going on? The positions seemed to have reversed.

Wu Miaomiao shot to her feet. “What do you mean? You think you can insult others just because you’re handsome?”

Xu Anan didn’t react, but asked what had happened earlier.

“You say my boyfriend called you ugly, but are you sure you did nothing to provoke him?”

Faced with Xu Anan’s questioning, Wu Miaomiao immediately shrank back, hiding behind Wu Jun. “I—I didn’t do anything. I just accidentally spilled my drink on his clothes.”

In truth, she’d acted out of anger after being rejected.

Jiang Li sneered, “Some accident. If I ‘accidentally’ bankrupt your family, I suppose you wouldn’t mind either?”

Such arrogance left Wu Jun stunned; he stared intently at Jiang Li.

The more he looked, the more familiar Jiang Li seemed.

Wu Miaomiao scoffed, “You think you can bankrupt us? What a joke. If you really have the guts, don’t come to my dad for business!”

“Now, you have to kneel, or I won’t let my dad cooperate with you. Otherwise—”

Smack!

In the blink of an eye, Wu Jun slapped Wu Miaomiao hard. She staggered back, clutching her face in disbelief. “Dad, you hit me!?”