780 A Million Times for You 142 (1/2)
”Yes, in order to defend her mother, she gave me all sorts of reasons and explanations to say that her mother wasn't practicing witchcraft. She even told me where the book had been found, as told by her mother. I asked her several times and made her surrender the book. However, she refused and said that she had hidden it somewhere. I know clearly what her mother is like,” Mr. Shi said with a frown.
Shi Xiaoyu opened the door and barged right in. ”After much consideration, I still think that we can't just get them to give us the book. It won't make a difference if they had already made several copies of it. It's best if we kill both her and her daughter.”
”Your mother is right, we can't allow any of them to survive. If we don't eradicate the root of the problem, there's bound to be more trouble ahead.”
Fuming with anger, Tuoba Gucheng said, ”I can't act rashly just because I've heard your side of the story. I've yet to verify the truth about this book you've mentioned. You guys are so eager to kill her because you're afraid that I'd find out the actual truth, aren't you?”
”See, you still refuse to believe us. Who are you going to believe if not your closest family members? I was too furious to think clearly yesterday and forgot about this. We can't afford to delay any further. Bring her and her daughter here immediately,” Shi Xiaoyu urged impatiently.
”That's enough. You two may go back first. I'll handle this as I deem fit.”
Just as Shi Xiaoyu was about to speak, her father stopped her with a glance he shot at her. ”Leave the decision to Gucheng. He understands the pros and cons of this matter. Let's go back first,” said the elderly Mr. Shi.
After they left, Tuoba Gucheng immediately began brainstorming and instructed his subordinates to find out Shi Qingzhou's whereabouts, only to discover that she and An Xiaoning were together at the moment.
An Xiaoning happened to be packing her things in the bedroom when she received a call from Tuoba Gucheng.
”What are you doing?”
”Watching a movie. How do you have the time to call me when you're already so busy?” An Xiaoning asked, cocking her head sideways and clasping her phone in between her neck and shoulders.
”How about you come and live in the Autumn Palace for a while together with your mother?”
An Xiaoning paused in her actions and stood up straight. She grabbed her phone with her other hand and asked, ”What for?”
”Move back with Uncle.”
”My question is, what for? Tell me clearly. Are you going back on your word and thinking of killing me and my mother now?”
”No, that's not what I meant. I just want you guys to stay here for a while.”
”Don't think of lying to me. My mother and I are not moving back there. The Autumn Palace is a place of painful memories for my mother. I won't let her step foot in there again,” said An Xiaoning.
After a moment of silence, Tuoba Gucheng said in a colder tone, ”Do you want me to send my people over to pick you up or would you like to come over yourself?”
He was practically threatening her.
An Xiaoning did not make a sound and continued to let the call drag on.
”Did you know? I absolutely hate being threatened. People who threaten me usually make me feel repulsed,” An Xiaoning said in a crisp, clear voice.
Tuoba Gucheng mellowed his tone and tried to convince her, ”I won't do anything to you and your mother, just move here for the time being.”
”If there's nothing else, let's hang up.”
An Xiaoning ended the call and threw her mobile phone onto the bed before rushing downstairs.
”Mother!”
”What's wrong?” Shi Qingzhou asked, feeling a sudden panic upon hearing how frantic her daughter sounded.
”Tuoba Gucheng gave me a call just now and he wants us to move to the Autumn Palace for a period of time. He sounded extremely insistent. It seems he's going to send his men to bring us there if we refuse to give in. I'm afraid he's really after the book.”