7 Looking for An Xiaoning (2/2)

Glancing ahead, she noticed a lady dressed in a violet gown with a goblet of wine in her hands, chatting merrily with other guests. Though her looks were not extraordinary, she had perfectly poised mannerisms and exuded a certain air of elegance, which were bound to leave a lasting impression.

Shifting her attention to the couple, she stood up and began to walk gracefully towards them, a gentle smile on her lips.

”Jingyan, I need a word with you privately,” said the lady while shooting An Xiaoning a glance.

Sensing something peculiar about the relationship between the lady and Jin Qingyan, An Xiaoning excused herself. ”Excuse me while I visit the restroom.”

”Why did you do that? I know you don't love her. You're only trying to spite me and get your revenge because I got together with Bei Cheng,” questioned Chi Rui'er as she stared at the man before her.

”You said you wanted a word with me. Is this all you have to say?” asked Jin Qingyan, his eyes fixed on her.

”Jingyan, you can't fool me,” Chi Rui'er said firmly, without doubt. ”It's not too late to turn back now. I don't wish to see you acting like this, torturing yourself because of me,” she continued.

”We've already registered our marriage. Don't you watch the news?” retorted Jin Qingyan.

”You…” replied Chi Rui'er, at a loss for words.

———

As she sat on the toilet bowl, it suddenly struck An Xiaoning that she was the lawful wife of Jin Qingyan. Why did she have to allow them to have a conversation privately?

Could there be a secret between them which was not to be divulged? she thought in her head.

She had no idea how long they were going to take.

After she was done with her business, An Xiaoning sat atop the toilet seat cover for 15 minutes straight.

Wondering where she had gone, Jin Qingyan began to look for her himself.

Since he could not enter the Ladies' Room, he waited patiently for someone to exit or enter it, hoping that they could help him call for An Xiaoning. However, there was not a single soul in sight as time passed. He had no choice but to enter the restroom.

”An Xiaoning?” he called.

”Yes?” she responded, at the same time standing up and exiting the cubicle. At that very instant, she heard a female voice from outside, approaching the restroom. A quick-witted An Xiaoning frantically grasped at Jin Qingyan and shoved him into a cubicle.

Two women entered just as she closed the cubicle's door shut.

Standing on tiptoe, she whispered in his ear, ”Why did you come inside the Ladies?”

She was thinking that he could have simply given her a phone call if he was looking for her. Little did she know that he had forgotten to bring his mobile phone out with him that evening.

”To look for you, of course. Why else would I be in here?” Jin Qingyan asked teasingly. As he did so, he stroked her long locks.

”This is the Ladies' Room, how daring of you,” she replied with a change of expression, trying to suppress her voice.

”What's wrong with that?” he asked, his lips brushing lightly across her face. The warmth of his breath sent her into a state of nervousness. Her legs turned to jelly.

An Xiaoning gazed at him, speechless. Her heart was ricocheting against her chest. She could still hear the women chatting incessantly, along with the sound of water trickling from the tap in the background.

She stood rooted to the ground, afraid to even speak, for she was fearful that the women would find out about Jin Qingyan hiding in the Ladies'.

...

Initially, he had purely wanted to just look for her, nothing more.

Who knew…

Jin Qingyan likened An Xiaoning to an aged wine — incredibly addictive after savoring it just once, leaving one begging for more because it tastes better and better with each sip, while the aftertaste lingers in one's mouth.

She had silky smooth hair, and a pair of eyes that sparkled like diamonds, coupled with a pair of luscious lips. What a fine woman, indeed.

For a period of time, no one entered the restroom, perhaps because the ball had commenced.

The pair of newlyweds exited the toilet, feeling like a huge load was lifted off their chests — there was no longer anyone within their vicinity. And thank heavens: Jin Qingyan would have surely made the headlines if he had gotten caught in the act of trespassing into the Ladies' Room.