Chapter 977: Perplexed and Smitten (37)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Jin Rongyan said apprehensively, “Xiaoxi snacks in cla.s.s all the time. This morning, Teacher even asked her why she enjoyed eating so much and told her to cite five idioms that include the word ‘eat.’ Guess what she said.”

“I know!” Ji Gui exclaimed, after which Long Xiaoxi glared at him, causing him to fall silent.

“There aren’t any outsiders here. I’m very curious too. What did Xiaoxi say? Rongyan, tell us,” said Jin Yiheng, taking a seat beside Long Xiaoxi.

Jin Rongyan ignored Long Xiaoxi’s stern glare and said, “Teacher said that it doesn’t matter how many words the idiom consisted of. Long Xiaoxi then answered Teacher, ‘Teacher, that’s way too easy. There are so many idioms, I can’t finish citing them.’ Teacher then let her continue. After that…”

Jin Rongyan smiled widely and said, “Xiaoxi immediately read out a food menu. She said, ‘Eating dumplings, eating rice, eating prawns, eating fish, eating buns, eating ice cream, eating popsicles…’ She even said that there was a variety of idioms she had listed.”

The children burst into laughter in utter amus.e.m.e.nt. Feeling extremely embarra.s.sed, Long Xiaoxi snapped, “Stop laughing, stop it. What’s so funny!?!”

Not only did her words fall on deaf ears, they even began guffawing even louder.

—

Wen Lele called An Xiaoning again after leaving He Yi’s place.

Unable to contain her excitement, she said, “I’m on my way home now.”

“What did he say to you?”

“Nothing much,” said Wen Lele, whose tone of excitement gave away her true feelings.

“Come to Wei Ni Estate now.”

“What’s the matter?”

“You’ll know when you’re here.” An Xiaoning ended the call, knowing that Wen Lele will definitely come.

Just like she had expected, Wen Lele showed up twenty minutes later.

Upon the sight of the two, Wen Lele sat in front of them and said, “I’ll bring the clothes you lent me previously next time I come by.”

“You may keep it. You seem to be in high spirits. Don’t tell me, He Yi proposed to you?” An Xiaoning asked.

Wen Lele blurted, “How can that be… of course not. I’m just in a good mood because I used to think that he was a penniless nomad who does nothing except roam the world. But it turns out he’s a wealthy man who struck it rich on his own. Well, as an old cla.s.smate of his, I’m happy for him for what he has achieved.”

“Your savings have amounted to 200 thousand dollars after working as an archeologist for so many years. He works in the same field as you and yet his estimated net worth is more than 10 million dollars. How do you think he managed to earn that much money? That’s why I said that your IQ is too low just now,” said An Xiaoning, who found her to be extremely foolish.

Wen Lele retorted, “He said that he didn’t join any archeological team and works independently. Hence, he earns money much faster than archeologists like me who have joined the national team.”

An Xiaoning looked at her and said, “That’s called tomb raiding. He told you to follow him to V Nation, didn’t he?”

“How did you know?” Wen Lele asked in puzzlement. She immediately kept quiet upon realizing that she had let the cat out of the bag.

An Xiaoning could tell that her guess was correct.

“Wen Lele, which one matters more to you, money or your life?”

“My life, of course. What can money do for me if I’m dead?”

“If you go to V Nation, there’s a very high chance that you’ll die. Do you still want to go?”

“Ms. An, there’s a chance but it’s not guaranteed. Besides, who knows what might happen in the future? A perfectly fine human can just die all of a sudden because of a car accident. Nothing is certain in this world.”

Seeing that an austere expression had formed on An Xiaoning’s face, Jin Qingyan guffawed sarcastically and quipped, “Don’t waste your breath trying to persuade such an ignorant thing like her.”

Feeling offended, Wen Lele retorted in distaste, “Jin Qingyan, why are you so crude with your words? Who are you calling a thing?”

“Fine, fine, fine. You’re not a thing. Will that do?”

“You…”

Staring at Wen Lele solemnly, An Xiaoning questioned, “Wen Lele, do you know what kind of a country V Nation is?”

“I’ve heard a bit about it.”

“Just what benefits did He Yi offer you? A million dollars?” An Xiaoning asked with raised brows.

“Not that much.”

“Five hundred thousand?”

Wen Lele murmured a.s.sent and asked in puzzlement, “Ms. An, why are you so against the idea of me going? Are you planning to go there on your own?”

Flabbergasted, An Xiaoning asked rhetorically, “Are you really 32 years old?”

“Do I look like I’m only in my twenties? Others say I look like I’m about 25 or 26,” Wen Lele said, smiling.

Placing a hand on her forehead, An Xiaoning said, “You seem like a toddler to me with those tiny brains of yours. Let me be honest with you, there’s a tribe of blood-feeding humans in V Nation and they’re insusceptible to guns. They survive on human blood and they control several towns in the nation. You’ll definitely die when you go there, especially since you have zero combat defense skills at all. Besides, He Yi also mentioned that there are supernatural beings in that ancient graveyard. Are you psychic or capable of performing rituals? You were tempted by him because of the benefits he has offered you. He Yi has looked me up several times before, but I’ve never agreed to his request. Even I don’t dare to go to that place. If you’re so brave, go ahead. I didn’t tell you these because I’, planning to go there myself. I just don’t want a foolish and clueless woman like you to dig your own grave. That’s all I’m going to say. Actually, we’re not that close anyway. If you refuse to heed my advice and insist on going, there’s nothing I can do. I can’t possibly lock you up.”

After pondering over her words, Wen Lele said, “In that case, why is He Yi so insistent on going? Isn’t he afraid of death?’

“He’s seen all sorts of absurd things before. Why would he have asked you along if he didn’t need the extra courage? Because he’s too timid?”

Although Wen Lele was still rather apprehensive about her words, she constantly pondered over them.

After much consideration, she decided not to go.

“I shall give He Yi a call to tell him that I won’t be going.”

An Xiaoning nodded and said, “Don’t tell him that you saw me. Just tell him that you suddenly received an a.s.signment from your captain.”

Wen Lele called He Yi and gave him a brief excuse. The sensitive He Yi asked, “Did someone tell you something?”

“No, who would tell me anything? I just feel that there’s no free lunch in this world so I’m afraid I can’t go with you. So sorry about that.”

After hanging up the call, she placed her phone inside her bag and said, “He asked if someone had said something to me. I’m guessing that he must have guessed that it was you. In that case, will he be angry at you?”

“I was correct about you being brainless. So what if he’s angry with me? Just let him die if he wants to. Why must he implicate you when you don’t know anything at all?” After a moment of hesitation, An Xiaoning continued, “I’ll get someone to send you home later.”

Wen Lele remarked, “It’s illegal to raid tombs. Isn’t he afraid of being arrested?”