366 Son, Ism Your Father 20 (1/2)
All eyes were on An Xiaoning, who was remaining still and staring at the magician on stage.
”Her legs are aching. Please select someone else,” Jin Qingyan politely declined.
”She won't even concede to such a tiny request. How spoiled,” a female guest muttered distastefully under her breath.
”Exactly, this is not even her home,” said another.
”…”
Jin Qingyan shot them a glare, which put an abrupt end to their gossip.
To the surprise of everyone, the magician did not pick someone else from the crowd and instead insisted, ”This beautiful lady here, would you please cooperate for a bit?”
An Xiaoning grew more and more reluctant with the magician's constant urging. After all, there's no harm in being careful and vigilant.
”I'm sorry, but I really don't feel too well.”
Noticing how adamant An Xiaoning was, the magician had no choice but to say, ”Since this lady here refuses to do me the honor…”
He then proceeded to select the wife of a wealthy businessman.
On the way home after the gathering ended, An Xiaoning told Jin Qingyan about the incident in the elevator. ”Why did you wait 'til now to tell me?” Jin Qingyan asked worriedly.
”If I told you there and then, you'd definitely take me away immediately.”
Jin Qingyan wrapped his hands tightly around hers and said, ”I knew something would happen tonight.”
”On top of that, I also think there was something fishy with the magic show. I was the first person he selected for the trick, and he even insisted twice despite my constant refusal. Of all people, he had to choose me. I don't believe the nonsensical reason that it's because I stand out most amongst the crowd appearance-wise.”
”It's good to be on your guard at all times when you're on someone else's territory. Regarding the elevator incident and Chi Rui'er's nonchalant attitude, don't you find that the clues point to a certain person?”
”You mean Xu Youran?”
”That's an easy guess. Usually, wealthy families like the Xus would definitely enforce regular maintenance for the elevators. Why would a fault occur? In order to control the elevator operations, the person must be someone of authority within the Xu family. She's the only person who fits that description and is closely related to Chi Rui'er.”
Jin Qingyan added, ”But why is Xu Youran targeting you? Chi Rui'er may be at odds with you, but it doesn't make sense for Xu Youran to do that just so she could help her close friend out.”
”Unless, it's Xu Youran's intentions to attack me,” An Xiaoning deduced.
”I'll get Shixin to do a detailed investigation on this Xu Youran when we're home.”
”Alright.”
—
Jin Qingyue returned home with Jin Bao'er after having dinner outside. Just as she arrived at the entrance in her car, her path was obstructed by a figure.
She took a look and realized that it was Shi Shaochuan.
Pangs of panic engulfed Jin Qingyue, who then immediately called her bodyguards to come out and take him away.
Standing in front of her car, Shi Shaochuan stared at them and said, ”Long time no see, Yueyue. Aren't you going to introduce me to our daughter?”
”She doesn't need to know who you are. Scram.”
Shi Shaochuan looked at Jin Bao'er and said, ”I'm your biological father, get out of the car, quick.”
Upon hearing his words, Jin Bao'er turned to face her mother and asked, ”Is what he said true, Mommy? Is he really my father?”
”No,” Jin Qingyue denied right away.
”Jin Qingyue, don't you feel ashamed lying to your child at all? If I'm not her father, who is?”
The gate opened slowly and out came a few bodyguards. Upon sight of Shi Shaochuan, they immediately pinned him down onto the ground and dragged him away while Jin Qingyue frantically drove past the gate. Her heart began to palpitate vigorously.
She was afraid that Shi Shaochuan would snatch her child away.
Extremely afraid.
She was the one who gave birth to the child and raised her single-handedly. Shi Shaochuan had never once done his part as a father. She was not worried about the issue of the custody, but rather, she feared that he would resort to underhanded means and dirty tricks to take the child away.
”Mommy, so is he my father or not?”
”No! Haven't I already said so? Why do you keep asking?”
Jin Bao'er dared not utter another word for she had never seen her mother so exasperated before.
The pair of mother and daughter alighted from the car, after which Jin Qingyue instructed the servant to bring Jin Bao'er upstairs for a shower and tuck her in bed. She then sat alone on the couch, unable to recover from the shock.
The mere sight of him had caused her to be beyond flustered.