362 Son, Ism Your Father 16 (2/2)
”Initially, I thought the mastermind was Xi Bolai. I even questioned him, but he said that he was not the one behind the act.”
”He's not that capable anyway. Drinks and liquor would be served tonight. Don't touch any drinks or food unless I hand them to you myself,” Jin Qingyan added.
”Okay, who's the host?”
”The Xu family.”
Slightly taken aback, An Xiaoning turned to look at Jin Qingyan and asked, ”You mean Military Commander Xu?”
”Yes.”
”Isn't he a civil personnel?”
”His second son Xu Cai is a businessman, though he's always kept a low profile.”
”Turns out Xu Cai is Military Commander Xu's son. I wouldn't have known if you didn't mention it,” An Xiaoning said in a moment of epiphany.
”It says so on Wikipedia. The Xu family must have a reason for inviting so many business elites for a gathering this evening,” Jin Qingyan said calmly.
After pondering for a moment, An Xiaoning said, ”I have a gut feeling this is a setup with a sinister plot behind it.”
Jin Qingyan retrieved a hair clip from his pocket and explained, ”This is a hairclip specially designed for you. There are three needles embedded within this contraption. All you have to do is press this spot and the needles will be darted out rapidly.”
”Why did you think of getting this done for me?” An Xiaoning asked in surprise.
Placing the hair clip onto her hair gently, Jin Qingyan answered, ”Because I want to keep you as safe as possible.”
An Xiaoning stared at him quietly.
They were slowly driven to the entrance of the Xu family mansion where numerous luxury cars were parked outside the gate, forming a snake-like queue.
Clearly, there was a long list of guests invited.
The sky had begun to turn dark. An Xiaoning and Jin Qingyan took their time and entered the Xu family mansion.
Boisterous chatter and laughter could be heard coming from the living room before they even stepped foot inside.
They smiled and greeted the business associates whom they knew personally.
All eyes were on them when they showed up at the living room.
An Xiaoning held onto Jin Qingyan's arm and walked inside slowly. She would occasionally hear the remarks made by guests engaged in endless gossip, though they would often make a conscious effort to keep their volume down.
”Her shoes are really pretty, which label are they from?”
”No idea, must've cost a bomb though.”
”An Xiaoning is so lucky. Rumor has it that Jin Qingyan pampers and dotes on her greatly.”
”Yeah, I heard about it too. If only I were that lucky.”
”Exactly.”
”…”
An Xiaoning pretended not to hear the curious gossip and continued to put on a courteous smile while walking towards Ling Ciye together with Jin Qingyan.
Upon sight of them, Ling Ciye immediately complimented, ”Beautiful.”
”That goes without saying.” Jin Qingyan scanned his surroundings before asking, ”Why isn't Ye Xiaotian here?”
”He's yet to arrive. He's on the guest list. I brought these myself, it's absolutely safe,” said Ling Ciye, handing them two glasses of champagne.
An Xiaoning took the glass of champagne and giggled in amusement. ”Qingyan said someone would be serving drinks and liquor. Turns out it's you,” she teased.
”Well, it pays to be alert on such occasions.”
Noticing that Ling Ciye was alone, Jin Qingyan asked, ”Where's your female companion?”
”I don't have one. I'm not as lucky as you are to have a gorgeous babe in your arms. Bachelors like me can only be alone.”
”You haven't reconciled with Song Yan?”
”I don't plan to. It's too draining,” Ling Ciye answered as he took a look around the place.
”Gu Beicheng is here.”
An Xiaoning turned around to see that Gu Beicheng was clad in a blue suit with a flower on his chest. He brought a female stranger with him, evidently his companion for the night.