Chapter 811: A Million Times for You (173)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The gossipmongers were behaving in a drastically different way from their haughty and arrogant selves when they were making frivolous and malicious remarks about An Xiaoning.
An Xiaoning sneered, “A compensation? Do you seriously think I’m in need of money? You don’t have to compensate me with money. Just slap yourselves on the mouth a hundred times each.”
As soon as she finished speaking, they immediately began slapping their own mouths, except a few who were remaining still. She gave them the side eye and said, “Are you asking to be dealt with?”
Hence, loud sounds of mouths being slapped could be heard coming from the room.
Their faces became swollen after they slapped themselves a hundred times.
An Xiaoning said sarcastically, “You must be cursing me in your hearts, aren’t you?”
They shook their heads profusely and said, “No, we wouldn’t dare.”
“Just keep your comments to yourself. You didn’t have to say it out loud. Look how swollen your faces are. This man over here, look how fat and hideous you are. Who gave you the cheek to be so thick-skinned and criticize others? You don’t look at yourself in the mirror much, do you? I believe you’ll stop letting your tongues wag mindlessly after tonight’s events. Am I right?” said An Xiaoning.
They nodded in silence, seemingly having lost their ability to speak.
“Don’t blame me for being hostile if I find out that tonight’s events were leaked to the media. It’s a piece of cake for me to find out who you are,” she warned.
She then turned around and left smiling.
They immediately heaved a huge sigh of relief, paralyzed in fear.
The owner and the manager of the restaurant walked An Xiaoning and Jin Qingyan out politely while bowing down incessantly. After watching their car leave, the owner turned around and berated the manager, “You ignorant idiot. Don’t you have any idea who she is? Surf the internet whenever you’re free. What a dimwit.”
“How would I know that they’d dine here at our restaurant?”
“I reckon they won’t come back again.”
“…”
The windows were rolled down in the car. An Xiaoning leaned against the window and looked out at the pa.s.sing cars. The sky had already turned dark, and the street lamps were lit up as usual.
Jin Qingyan looked at her and asked, “Have you not vented all your anger?”
“Nah, I got my revenge. One is bound to be criticized by others. There are all kinds of fish in the sea. Besides, I live for the sake of my own happiness, not to please those idiots. However, there’s a saying about gossip being a fearful thing. During ancient times, one would get punished and executed for spreading rumors and spouting nonsense. Although I know it’s just human nature, I can’t help but feel upset, nonetheless. I don’t know these people at all, yet they’re so vicious as to make such nasty remarks about me. Well, I was just giving them a taste of their own medicine. t.i.t for tat. It’s different for that waitress, though. She was slapped and berated, yet there was nothing she could do. She doesn’t have the power or ability to retaliate,” said An Xiaoning.
“I really feel like cutting their tongues off. We’ll see if they can still gossip when that happens.”
“Well, they’re just paper tigers who act all big and mighty. In reality, they’re just a bunch of cowards who dare not speak up for themselves when things get serious. You’re showing yourself respect by respecting others. It only reflects badly on yourself when you’re criticizing and degrading others while feeling self-righteous. An uncultured and ill-mannered person won’t go far in life. Am I right?” An Xiaoning asked, straightening her back.
“You’re always right.”
An Xiaoning gave him an unexpected kiss, after which he slammed on the brakes and the car came to a halt with a screech. Before she could even react, An Xiaoning felt a hand pressing against the back of her head.
After a deep, pa.s.sionate kiss, An Xiaoning gargled some water and said in disdain, “We just ate a while ago, are you trying to kill me with your stinky breath?”
“I wouldn’t dare.”
“Why didn’t you rinse your mouth first, then? You had onions just now.”
“You did, too.”
“Ah, right, I forgot.”
“…”
“What are you waiting for? Send me home.”
“Aren’t you afraid of Tuoba Gucheng finding out?”
“I had the guts to tell him that I love you. What’s there to be afraid of? Drive,” she said fearlessly.
Jin Qingyan continued driving again. Along the journey, An Xiaoning said, “Give me detailed information about the treasure map as soon as possible.”
“Do you plan to go on the quest for it alone?”
“No, I’m bringing four bodyguards with me.”
“I don’t think you should bring so many people along. You’ll definitely attract unwanted attention by bringing four men with you, especially since you’re a woman,” Jin Qingyan cautioned.
“You’re right. How about two?”
“Who are they going to pose as?”
“My husband and my brother.”
Jin Qingyan was momentarily speechless. “Apart from your husband, are there any other roles he can pose as?” Jin Qingyan asked.
Having sensed his jealousy, An Xiaoning asked while smiling, “Are you getting jealous just because I’m getting my bodyguard to pose as my husband?”
“Do I seem like such a petty person?”
“Are you not?”
After a moment of silence, he answered, “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of bringing the bodyguards you bought?”
“Of course.”
Jin Qingyan objected, “They won’t make the cut. I’ll send two other ones to you.”
“What kind of bodyguards are you looking at?”
“I’ll let you have s.h.i.+xin and Xiao Bai.”
An Xiaoning was surprised to hear that he was willing to give Fan s.h.i.+xin to her. She knew just how important Fan s.h.i.+xin was to Jin Qingyan.
Fan s.h.i.+xin was his able a.s.sistant and his right-hand man.
Yet, he was willing to share him with her.
That would make things much more inconvenient for him.
“Chief Fan has been following you around for so many years. Who’s going to help you if you let him follow me?”
“I’ve got plenty of manpower in my hands. I really want to go with you, but I can’t leave the company to fend for itself. I’ll feel much more at ease with s.h.i.+xin following you around. Besides, I won’t feel jealous at all if he’s the one posing as your husband. I wouldn’t have to worry either.”
“Oh, at the end of the day, that’s your main reason for letting me have Chief Fan,” said An Xiaoning, seemingly implying something.
“You probably haven’t seen how skilled s.h.i.+xin is in martial arts. Don’t underestimate him just because he seems to be nothing more than a butler. I’m transferring s.h.i.+xin to you mainly because he’s the one I can trust the most. I understand him very well. He has a very strong ability to react to unexpected situations quickly. Additionally, he’s just as proficient as I am in combat defense. Your people are nowhere comparable to him. Besides, he’s smart, quick-witted, and well versed in foreign languages. As for Xiao Bai, just take him as your a.s.sistant. This arrangement should make things much easier when you’re searching for the treasure map.”
They turned and entered Sanqiao Estate.
After alighting from the car, An Xiaoning held his hand and looked him in the eye while saying, “We’ll go according to your plans. Get Chief Fan to prepare the information. I’ll then get ready to set off.”
“Alright.”
——
During the night, An Xiaoning tried to impart her skills to s.h.i.+ Qingzhou. However, the latter could not seem to acquire them regardless of how much she adhered to An Xiaoning’s instructions.
s.h.i.+ Qingzhou finally gave up after trying several times. “Seems like I’m not suited to learn this. Let’s just not force it,” she said.
An Xiaoning tried to teach her a few more times but to no avail.
“Mother, both Grandma and I could do it, so why can’t you? You’re naturally gifted and extraordinary too. It doesn’t make sense at all.”