842 A Million Times for You 204 (2/2)
She applied some red lipstick and was wearing a red plunge-neck dress, accompanied with a bright-red lightweight cardigan and a pair of red stiletto pumps.
She was like a ball of fire.
Truthfully, there was rarely anyone who dared to opt for such a bold color and outfit.
Although there were also guests who were dressed in red, only one component of their outfits were red-colored, unlike An Xiaoning.
After all, it was inappropriate to dress oneself in an eye-catching outfit and steal the show at someone else's wedding.
However, An Xiaoning could not be bothered at all.
Since she had already given them a huge red packet for no reason, why wasn't she allowed to dress however she liked?
She had managed to capture the attention of all the guests present the moment she made her grand entrance.
While welcoming the guests, Shi Xiaoyu was seething with exasperation upon the sight of the eye-catching An Xiaoning. When they met face to face, Shi Xiaoyu smiled sarcastically and gibed, ”Others might just think that it's your big day today, Ms. An!”
”Madam, I would gladly accept the offer if you're willing to prepare a wedding for me and allow me to get married on the same day as Brother,” said An Xiaoning.
”Brother?” Shi Xiaoyu questioned in disbelief, as if she had just heard the most absurd thing ever.
”Aren't I right? He's my half-brother, isn't he? Otherwise, why did you even invite me to the wedding?” said An Xiaoning, raising her chin to look at Shi Xiaoyu.
Shi Xiaoyu had no words for a rebuttal and watched as An Xiaoning left, displeasure written all over her face.
During the solemnization ceremony, An Xiaoning and Jin Qingyan did not sit together because they were not arranged to.
After the banquet was over, Madam Lin called An Xiaoning over to Lin Shishi's bedroom.
”Mother, what's the matter?” An Xiaoning asked in puzzlement.
Suppressing her anger, ”Xiaoning, do you know why Qiubai and His Highness want to marry each other?”
”No.”
”The presidential election takes place once every eight years. Qiubai is taking a gamble and hoping that His Highness will be elected as the next president. There's still a long time to go before then, but it's not impossible that he becomes the next president either. That's why Qiubai agreed to marry him. On the other hand, he agreed to marry her because he wants to stop the rumors of him being a homosexual from spreading any further. They're just using each other.”
But why is she telling me these for?
What has that got to do with me?
”Mother, what are you trying to tell me?”
Madam Lin answered, ”His Highness fancies men.”
”Then?”
”Tell Jin Qingyan not to stand on the wrong side,” said Madam Lin.
An Xiaoning was speechless. ”Mother, businessmen don't take part in politics. Jin Qingyan will never take sides, and neither will he be embroiled in this power struggle.”
An Xiaoning truly realized how ignorant Madam Lin was.
How could the Chief of Staff's wife not be aware of such a simple fact?
Was she just pretending not to know?
”That's good.”
”Mother, if I were Jin Qingyan, I wouldn't take sides either. Besides, His Highness has already lost the upper hand this time. His next chance will be in another few years. If the current president does his job well as the nation's leader, he wouldn't stand a chance all the same.”
”Looks like I've been reading too much into things. Xiaoning, can I ask you a question?” Madam Lin asked.
”What?”
”Your mother was locked up in the Autumn Palace for decades by Shishi's mother-in-law. How did you manage to rescue her?” Madam Lin asked, seemingly trying to sound An Xiaoning out while keeping her eyes fixed on An Xiaoning's expressions.
”Long story. It's a matter of the past, I don't wish to bring it up again.”
Madam Lin asked indirectly, ”Did you once disguise as a female bodyguard and follow Gucheng around?”