Chapter 1291: I Want to Make You Stay (169)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“That’s just one of the ways to keep her in line. If she dares to be unruly again, I definitely won’t spare her.”
“If he didn’t do it, why did he have to admit to it?” Mei Yangyang asked in puzzlement.
An Xiaoning smiled and said, “He’s probably upset because you guys had maligned him.”
Mei Yangyang leaned back against the couch and said, “Good that he didn’t cheat on you. The greatest joy in this world is to receive a false alarm. I was boiling with fury when I first heard about this matter. I berated Tianze too.”
“Why did you berate him? It wasn’t his fault.”
Mei Yangyang asked, “Sis, are you still going to go abroad?”
“Yes, I’ll be leaving today.”
“Aren’t you going to stay home for a day?”
“No, I can’t afford to make any delay.”
“Sis, you must be careful when you’re outside, then. I’m planning to visit some schools to select a few candidates for the next artiste that we’re going to sign. Sis, do you have any requirements or expectations of the candidates?”
After some thought, An Xiaoning answered, “Once you shortlist a few candidates, bring them to a room that has surveillance cameras inside so that we can monitor them. Get them to call their best friends and parents for five minutes and send me the footages. I’ll observe the details and decide if they’re fit enough to be signed to our studio. Good looks alone are not enough.”
Having understood what she meant, Mei Yangyang a.s.sented, “Alright, Sis, I know what to do.”
——
An Xiaoning returned home to see that Henry was basking in the sun with his eyes closed, a pair of headphones on his head. He was so engrossed that he did not sense her presence at all.
She took a seat beside him and slid into a comfortable position.
He turned around and opened his eyes to look at her. “Where did you go?”
“A secret rendezvous.”
“…”
“I have to leave later. You’d better be obedient and stay home. You hear me? Don’t create any trouble and stay away from cold or spicy foods. The most important thing to remember is that you’re not allowed to get near any woman except me!”
“You do have a lot of requests. Do you really think you’re my wife?” he said while closing his eyes.
She remained silent and lay sluggishly on the sunbed.
Half an hour later, she sent a text message to the bodyguards at the airport. A few minutes later, a car began driving toward her slowly.
An Xiaoning sat up straight and said, “I’m going to leave now.”
“Where are you going?”
“Overseas.”
Henry watched her leave and muttered under his breath, “You didn’t tell me what you’re going there for.”
She rushed back to R Nation again after staying in S Nation for a short while.
It was midnight in R Nation. By the time she arrived after a long flight, it was morning again.
The jet lag made her feel nauseated.
She began to slip into a daze as well.
Donggong Lianzhi had been staying in the apartment where she was staying.
After taking a few sips of water, she sent him a simple text message that read: “I’m home.”
She exited from the bathroom to see that he was already seated in the living room. He had bought her some breakfast, which he placed on the table. It consisted of a spread of different dishes, all of which were fragrant and piping hot. She sat down and asked, “You haven’t eaten either, have you?”
“Not yet.”
“Let’s eat together, then,” said An Xiaoning, who did not stand on ceremony with him. Her stomach was rumbling, and she picked up her chopsticks before wolfing the food down ravenously.
“Have you settled your personal issues?”
“Yes, I have. Did you go home yesterday?”
“No.”
“You didn’t?”
“Because…” He hesitated for a moment before continuing, “I didn’t have the courage to. I had always been dauntless and never faltered or feared anything that came my way. However, this time is an exception. I’m actually starting to have a strange feeling…”
“What feeling?”
“The place where I was raised is actually a toxic environment full of ruthless and greedy people. Although I’ve only known you for a short while, I still feel safer with you around, especially since I’m aware of the abilities that you have.”
Although he sounded rather calm, An Xiaoning could tell that he was reliant on her.
She looked at him and answered with a nod, “Well, now that your family knows that you had entered the tomb and left unscathed, they must have guessed that you’re already aware of their intentions to sacrifice you. Thus, they might very likely be devising a plot to harm you again before you can touch them. Honestly speaking, how many of those family members of yours truly spare a thought for you?”
Her words had struck a sour note within him, and he remained silent while pursing his lips.
After the two of them were done eating, An Xiaoning packed up and cleared the mess. She was dressed in a red embroidered dress and a pair of black leggings, coupled with a pair of red stilettos. The long, curly locks of the wig cascaded down her back, and no one could tell her true ident.i.ty with the addition of the mask.
Before leaving the house, An Xiaoning stared at him solemnly and said, “From now onwards, you have to remember these three things. Firstly, I’m the love of your life, your clandestine girlfriend. You must openly rebel against your family for my sake and object to your arranged political marriage. They’re out to kill you anyway. We’re walking on a tightrope, and you must learn how to act even if you suck at it. Secondly, if you want to live in peace for the rest of your life, you must adhere to all my instructions. Lastly, I believe that we’re both curious about the same things and want the same answers. I hope you’ll understand that I won’t spare you if you ever dare to harm me. You’ll find out what I’m really like in due time.”
“I understand everything that you said.”
“Good that you do. Let’s go.”
They closed the door and walked toward his car.
Once she got inside his car, she stared at the reflection in the rear view mirror to see that someone was staring at them continuously. Fortunately, she did not go by the main door or entered through the corridor. Instead, she had made her way to the highest floor and descended from there. Everything was seamless, thus allowing her to go unnoticed.
“Tell me who the members of your family are and how old they are.”
“Okay.” He began telling her about his family members, starting from his elders. He described their traits and appearances while driving steadily. By the time they reached the Donggong family mansion, he was already almost done with the introduction.
Although there were lots of members in his family, An Xiaoning could memorize all their different traits.
His mother was the only one who had an only son while his aunts and uncles had several children of their own.
Upon the sight of them, the bodyguards greeted, “h.e.l.lo, Seventeenth Young Sir.”
“h.e.l.lo,” he answered calmly before leading An Xiaoning inside.
The Donggong family had retained the ancient decor and constructions of the mansion and did not carry out any renovation on the property at all. However, it was not lacking in extravagance.