857 A Million Times for You 219 (2/2)
”Let's go.”
The three of them strutted to the gym.
It was filled with gym equipment. They craned their necks in to take a look and realized that Jin Qingyan was currently training under the guidance of his personal trainer.
Upon the sight of then, he continued with his training. At this point, he was already drenched in sweat.
Mei Yangyang poked Long Tianze in his chest and chastised, ”See that? Mr. Jin is doing his best to get fit and stay in shape. How about you? When's the last time you stepped inside a gym? You are to come here and start training from tomorrow onward. I don't need you to have an eight-pack. Six will do.”
Long Tianze's eyes widened in shock and he quickly said, ”I'll just do some jogging.”
”No.”
”Honey…”
”No bargaining. End of discussion.”
Jin Qingyan burst into laughter and said, ”Tianze, you may join me.”
”Let's be each other's partner, then,” said Long Tianze, stretching his back helplessly.
Once Jin Qingyan was done with his workout, An Xiaoning handed him a towel. He did not take it from her hands and instead said, ”Wipe it for me.”
She tiptoed and began wiping the sweat off him gently.
Jin Qingyan then exited the gym together with them, filled with satisfaction.
The three of them played a few rounds of ”Fighting the Landlord” while Jin Qingyan was taking a shower upstairs.
An Xiaoning felt much more relaxed and less anxious.
During dinner, Jin Qingyan asked about the board meeting that took place at the Gu Corporation in the afternoon, after which An Xiaoning explained truthfully. ”Fortunately, Mingxi came to. Otherwise, it would've been tricky,” she said.
”It won't be good if Gu Beicheng doesn't come to in the next few days. As his competitor, I do hope for him to recover soon,” said Jin Qingyan.
”Otherwise, you won't have the chance to take action, right?” Long Tianze asked.
”Wrong. The Gu Corporation is not Xiaoning's independent company, and she can't just do whatever she wants with it. I don't want Xiaoning to tire herself out. It's not that easy to manage a corporation,” Jin Qingyan retorted.
An Xiaoning was pleased to hear his answer. ”I hope Qingyan won't be merciful toward me just because I'm now the acting CEO of the Gu Corporation.”
”Gu Beicheng was shot so many times and he even took a bullet to his head. His condition doesn't seem too optimistic. Have you hired specialists from abroad to treat his condition?” Mei Yangyang asked.
”Yes, I really hope he can pull through this ordeal.” Upon recalling the criticism she received online, An Xiaoning said, ”Someone's being a wet blanket and spreading false rumors about me online. There are several people who believe them, though. I can vaguely guess who the mastermind is.”
”Sis, who do you think it is? Are you suspecting Pei Yi from the DK Organization?”
”It doesn't seem like him. He may be vicious and scheming, but he doesn't seem petty enough to resort to such childish tricks. Although I didn't spend much time with him, I still feel that he's not one to make blunders. There is someone whom I suspect, though.”
”Who is it?”
”Lin Mingyuan.”
Jin Qingyan raised his brows and asked, ”Her? Do you think she's the one?”
”My instincts tell me she was the one behind it, but I can't jump to conclusions without any concrete evidence. I don't wish to pursue this matter, but that person means nothing to me, regardless of who it may be,” An Xiaoning said nonchalantly.
”Nice. Come, let's toast,” said Long Tianze, raising his glass. The four of them clinked glasses, producing a loud, crisp sound.
An Xiaoning had a few more drinks than usual. Jin Qingyan quickly stopped her in order to prevent her from getting too drunk.
After the meal, Mei Yangyang and Long Tianze left. Jin Qingyan and An Xiaoning sat on the couch, cross-legged, and stared at each other.
Flushed as red as a tomato, she squinted and said with a sigh, ”Qingyan…”
”Yes?”
”Will you still love me even if I'm no longer the person I used to be?”
He held her hand and said, ”I'll always love you regardless of who you become.”
”My mentor once told me when I was young that upholding justice and being chivalrous is simply allowing yourself to be the bigger person and forgiving others magnanimously for the harm that they had inflicted on you. But I just can't do it. I must retaliate when others harm me. An eye for an eye. I'll kill those who attempt to kill me and I can't forgive those who harm my loved ones. That's my principle and my limit. I'm no saint, I can't be selflessly benevolent and magnanimous. I can't take things lying down and not retaliate when people try to hurt me.”