1285 I Want to Make You Stay 163 (1/2)

”Let me first ask you this. Do you have any actual girlfriends? If you do, things will inevitably get very complicated.”

”I used to have one, but my family opposed to our relationship and made me break up with her. I had remained single ever since.”

”That's great. You said that you don't get along too well with your family and you don't have a respected status at home either. Since you're now aware that someone in your family is out to sacrifice and kill you, do you plan to retaliate? I know it's a tough decision to make, but I'd really like to know what you're thinking.”

”Instead of living my whole life stepping on eggshells and trying to hide from danger, I'd rather live a life that's fulfilling and according to my wishes. Although I don't quite have a place in my family, I still have a backbone. I'm all set.”

”Okay, we'll first start by defying your family's orders for you to marry a woman whom you have no feelings for. That's the only way you can introduce my presence to them,” An Xiaoning said before grabbing the mask from Xiao Bai and putting it on.

As soon as she did, Donggong Lianzhi stared at her in astonishment and said, ”I really… can't tell at all.”

”Of course you can't. I bought it at an exorbitant price. It has served me well throughout all these years. The fact that your family has never heard my voice before makes things easier. Give me a wig tomorrow. No one can tell my true identity once I disguise myself.”

Donggong Lianzhi smiled and remarked, ”Ms. An, you've really given me an eyeopener. I see you in a completely different light now. I used to find you to be aloof and standoffish before I met you in person, and I thought that it'd be impossible to meet you given my insignificant status. That's why I did those things back then and ended up offending you unintentionally. However, it now seems that you're very grounded and personable. You don't put on airs either.”

”Ditto. I used to have a bad impression of you before I found out that you didn't hatch a plan to harm me. However, there's something important that I must remind you about. From now on, you mustn't trust anyone in the Donggong family, including your mother. Believe it or not, I'm the only person whom you can trust. We can only uncover the truth by cooperating with each other. Understand?”

Donggong Lianzhi nodded and said, ”Yes, got it.”

An Xiaoning removed her mask and said to Fan Shixin and Xiao Bai, ”Shixin, bring Xiao Bai back to S Nation tomorrow. I can manage on my own here. Besides, it'd be easy for your identity to be exposed. I'll pretend to board the flight with you guys tomorrow and sneak back here afterward.”

Fan Shixin objected, ”Young Madam… I don't agree to it. I can't leave you here alone. We don't feel safe doing that.”

”I'll inform Qingyan about this matter. The situation is much trickier than we had imagined. For safety reasons, we mustn't let them find out that you're my bodyguard. Otherwise, wouldn't the cat be let out of the bag? Besides, I'm confident that I can handle everything here by myself. I'll deal with whatever comes my way.”

Seeing how resilient she was, Fan Shixin decided not to insist any further.

An Xiaoning had a hard time falling asleep that night.

There was a twelve-hour time difference between R Nation and S Nation. Thus, it was the morning in S Nation at this time.

She gave Jin Qingyan a call just as he was about to call her.

He said, ”I've already heard it from Shixin.”

”I told him and Xiao Bai to go back to your side.”

”That works too, but you must take good care of yourself.”

An Xiaoning lay on her side and kissed her mobile phone before answering, ”Of course. I'm starting to think that the Donggong family might be keeping some secrets that we're interested in knowing.”

”Smartypants, are you confident about finding out the truth?”

”I wasn't a police investigator for nothing. Although this is different from solving cases, don't forget that I also went undercover as a bodyguard in the Autumn Palace. By the way, how's your father doing?”

”He's been rescued but he hasn't regained his consciousness yet.”