399 The Secret About the Past 17 (1/2)

Jin Qingyue's brows furrowed into a frown, her ears hurting from her daughter's constant yelling and tantrums.

Noticing how helpless and frustrated she was, Ling Ciye said, ”Look how similar your daughter is to you.”

”I've spoiled her rotten, just like how my parents used to spoil me. I was really too insensible in the past. Every time I recall how willful I used to be, I seriously wish I could dig a hole and jump into it. I really can't believe I did something so foolish. I was such a dimwit.”

Ling Ciye leaned against the seat and said, ”I also think you were really foolish in the past. Tianze was such a great catch, yet you never saw the good in him or reciprocated his feelings for you. He's been especially nice to you since we were young, but you didn't know how to cherish him.”

”It's too late to regret now. Sometimes I really wish I could turn back the clock and start all over again, or perhaps go back to a certain time.”

”Do you think you won't behave impulsively again if that happens?”

”That's hard to say,” said Jin Qingyue, smiling wryly.

”You've changed quite a bit, eh? I haven't seen you in years, but I feel like you're a different person now,” Ling Ciye remarked.

”I'm no longer my 21-year-old self. I'm already 28 years old. If I'm still the same as I was back then, wouldn't I have lived for nothing the past few years? There are no news of my brother now at all. I feel as if the sky is falling down on me,” Jin Qingyue lamented, feeling terribly upset.

”I believe he won't die so easily, regardless of a natural disaster or an intentional mishap. He's not going to die. He's definitely going to come back safe,” said Ling Ciye, staring out of the window.

Jin Qingyue wondered if he said that to comfort her or himself.

—

An Xiaoning made her way to the Jin Corporation office and was surrounded by a swarm of media reporters and tabloids as soon as she stopped her car.

Fan Shixin alighted from the car before opening the door for her. The moment she stepped foot out of the car, she was greeted with the sight of reporters, who were shoving their microphones in her face.

They bombarded her with all sorts of questions.

”Ms. An, are there any news of Mr. Jin?”

”Ms. An, rumor has it that you and Mr. Jin have gotten married again. Is that true?”

”Ms. An, will you be taking over Mr. Jin's duties in the company and handle the office matters?”

”Ms. An…”

An Xiaoning put her hand up and gestured for them to stop, after which the initial commotion faded into silence.

Staring at the reporters around her, she began to speak in a hoarse voice, ”I shall now address your questions briefly. Jin Qingyan and I have already registered our marriage, though we've yet to hold a wedding. Jin Qingyan still hasn't been found, but I'm positive that he's still alive. We just haven't found him yet. It's only a matter of time before we do though. I refuse to believe that he's dead, unless I see his corpse with my own eyes. As for the company matters, I'll be holding a discussion with the board of directors before coming to a decision for our next step. Please don't ask me about other matters. I'm not in the mood to answer your questions right now. Thank you.”

As she proceeded to walk forward, the reporters began to part like the Red Sea to make way for her while Fan Shixin and a few bodyguards followed closely behind to escort her to the Jin Corporation Office Tower.

All the directors were present in the meeting room and were discussing amongst themselves while waiting for An Xiaoning to arrive.

An Xiaoning stopped in her tracks when she reached the entrance and stared at the door of the meeting room. She was determined to keep Jin Qingyan's position in the company.

”Our Young Madam is here,” said Fan Shixin as he pushed the door open slowly.

As soon as An Xiaoning entered, the board of directors rose from their seats one after another. An Xiaoning stood in front of the empty seat reserved for her and said, ”No one took charge of the company the past few days and the stocks have plunged dramatically. I know all of you are thinking of ways to keep it within control. It's been hard on everyone.”

She bent forward and bowed down to the directors.

”May I ask, have you remarried CEO Jin?”

”Yes, I have. Thus, I'll be taking over Qingyan's duties in the company for the time being, until he returns. Leave the issues the company is currently facing to me. I'll handle them accordingly,” said An Xiaoning.

The directors did not seem too convinced; a look of apprehension formed on their faces.

”I know everyone is doubtful of my capabilities and finds it hard to believe in me. Let's start off with keeping the stocks in control then. I'll prove myself worthy of this position,” An Xiaoning said confidently without shifting her gaze.

”…”