760 A Million Times for You 122 (1/2)
They instantly beamed with joy upon hearing her words, all except No. 8, who kept a straight face, as if he did not have plans on getting married at all.
”The weather looks good today. Why don't we go out to bathe in the sun and have a chat?” An Xiaoning suggested. After all, she did not know them quite well yet and, thus, wanted to get to know them better by having a chat with them.
Everyone looked at each other in puzzlement. Such a kind employer, they thought.
”Why? Are you unwilling?” she asked with a smile.
”No, no, no, of course I'm willing. Madam, go outside first, we'll bring the chairs out,” No. 11 said excitedly, waving his hands at her.
”Alright.”
Everyone sat together in a circle as the sun began to rise above them gradually. They were all sitting up straight, prim and proper, unlike An Xiaoning, who was sitting with her legs crossed and smiling at them.
”Why are you guys so serious? By the way, you don't have to call me 'Madam' from now on. Some of you are older than I am. You may just call me 'Xiaoning' or 'Sis Xiaoning' if you're younger than me. We're going to be living together from now on. We don't have to be so formal with each other.”
Everyone was rather stunned by her words. ”Can we really address you that way?” No. 13 asked.
”Of course you may. You just have to perform your tasks properly, be it housekeeping or guarding the house. I hope I won't hear any complaints, and I hope to see all of you living harmoniously. That's the only way we can deal with whatever comes our way, together. There mustn't be any internal conflicts. Hear me?” said An Xiaoning, raising her index finger.
”Yes, we won't. How old are you this year?” asked No. 1, who was the oldest amongst all of them.
”Thirty years old.”
”No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, and I will just address you by your name then.”
”Alright, that makes things more comfortable for everyone too. I'd like to have a taste of No. 13 and No. 14's cooking this afternoon. Let's have a reunion lunch,” An Xiaoning said smiling.
”Alright!!!” they chorused.
An Xiaoning was glad to see the smiles on their faces. She had never been the type to ill-treat her subordinates.
——
Ding-Dong… Ding-Dong…
Mo Li peeked through the peephole and quickly opened the door upon the sight of her. ”Xiaoning? It's really you!” she exclaimed in shock and surprise.
”Yes, it's me. I heard that you've moved here so I went to the management desk to ask about which unit you were living in. Turns out our places are so near each other.”
”Hurry and come on in.” Mo Li held onto her arm and they both entered the apartment, closing the door after them.
An Xiaoning's first impression of the apartment was that it felt rather heartwarming even though it was not exactly spacious. ”Your home feels so warm and cozy.”
Mo Li brewed her a cup of coffee and said, ”I decided to use my free time to decorate the house a little. I have nothing much to do while recuperating anyway.”
”Not bad. Thank you,” said An Xiaoning as she took the cup of coffee from Mo Li's hands.
Mo Li sat down beside her and said, ”I heard from Tianze that you were abducted by the terrorists back then. Thank Heavens you're alright. You really survived a great ordeal.”
”It was Qingyan who rescued me.”
Mo Li smiled gleefully and held her hand. ”Brother Qingyan is really impressive. Xiaoning, he truly loves you.”
An Xiaoning smiled and said, ”So-so.”
”What do you mean so-so? He treats you really well. I really envy the way Brother Qingyan loves you. How many men can really love a woman so dearly?”
”He's not the only good man around,” said An Xiaoning, although she could not stop smiling. ”How are you adapting to living here?”
”Great. Ever since I divorced Ye Xiaotian, I've been wanting to live like a normal person. This is the ideal lifestyle I've been dreaming about,” said Mo Li, sounding rather bittersweet.
”Where's your daughter buried? I promised you before that I would perform a ritual for her. I haven't forgotten it yet.”