Chapter 508 - 522: Replenishment

An Ning was given the highest level of treatment.

She brought the burlap sack with her and was given the best private room to herself. She ate and drank well, resting soundly for a night.

The next morning, as she was about to head out for breakfast, she was surprised to see Director Zhao at her door.

"You’re awake."

Director Zhao’s heart sank as he looked at An Ning’s white hair and emaciated figure.

"An Ning... you..."

"It’s fine. The time, place, and people were all right. We succeeded, didn’t we?"

"I just lost a bit of weight. I’ll gain it back if I eat more."

An Ning’s casual tone left Director Zhao at a loss for words.

The higher-ups had been somewhat skeptical about this "Mysticism" An Ning spoke of, but he now felt that would no longer be the case.

She had been a perfectly healthy person, yet she’d been reduced to this state.

"Alright. You must eat well. Tell me whatever you want to eat, and I’ll get it for you."

An Ning didn’t refuse. It was what she deserved.

"Please, come in. The item is inside."

An Ning invited Director Zhao in. They were only inside for a few minutes before he came back out.

As for that burlap sack of electric stone, it could now be used for many things.

Director Zhao left quickly. He had arrived by private plane.

As for An Ning, she would rest for a couple more days before leaving.

Although Director Zhao had left, he made sure the necessary people stayed behind.

A nutritionist, a chef, a doctor, a dedicated security detail, and others—including Yu Zheng—all remained.

When Yu Zheng saw An Ning in this state, he felt a knot in his stomach. ’What on earth did she go through to end up like this?’

An Ning, who was in the middle of her meal, looked at Yu Zheng sitting across from her, his expression a mixture of distress and heartache.

"Just eat. You don’t have to look like that. I know my own body; I’ll be fine after some rest."

An Ning paused, and Yu Zheng immediately picked up on it. "What do you need? I’ll go get it."

"I need to farm."

"Huh?"

Yu Zheng honestly couldn’t follow her train of thought. ’What does farming have to do with recovery?’

An Ning put down her bowl and explained, "I cultivate Mysticism, which requires me to absorb the qi of heaven and earth. I’ve discovered my method is quite unique—I absorb it fastest when I’m farming. Only by cultivating quickly can I recover to my original state."

Realization dawned on Yu Zheng.

’No wonder An Ning wanted to lease land in Beijing.’

"Right now, besides the south, the only place with farmable land is Shili Gou."

An Ning understood this as well, but she was afraid to go back.

"Are you afraid of worrying your family?"

An Ning nodded.

Yu Zheng said with understanding, "Your family will definitely be worried, but I still think it’s best for you to go back."

"But let’s not talk about that. Eat first."

An Ning hadn’t made a decision yet. She would rest for two more days and then see.

For the next few days, An Ning continued to recuperate there. She did nothing but eat and drink every day, but her physical recovery progressed slowly.

Three days later, An Ning decided to head home.

A private car took An Ning all the way to the train station. A private compartment was prepared for her, and she had a smooth journey back to Shili Gou.

The team assigned to take care of her this time also returned with her. They were to stay until An Ning showed real signs of improvement.

After getting off the train, Yu Zheng somehow found a car, and An Ning rode in it back to Shili Gou.

The car was fast, reaching Shili Gou in less than ten minutes. Upon entering the village, it skillfully navigated the familiar roads and stopped at the An’s house.

Hei Dan’er, who was playing with a stick by the gate, sprang to his feet, ran inside his own gate, and yelled at the top of his lungs, "Grandma—Car—"

Hearing Hei Dan’er’s voice, Lin Cuihua quickly pushed the door open. She looked at the car at her gate, puzzled. ’Who’s here?’

"Yu Zheng?"

Lin Cuihua recognized Yu Zheng. She saw him get out of the car, give her a polite nod, and then move to open the back door.

A sudden panic seized Lin Cuihua’s heart. Yu Zheng worked for An Ning. Her daughter?

Inside the car, An Ning, wearing a hat and scarf that covered her completely, got out.

"Mom—did you miss me? I’m back again!"

Lin Cuihua didn’t reply. She stared at An Ning for two seconds, then pointed to the courtyard and said, "Get inside first."

An Ning didn’t dare say more. ’The more you say, the more you get wrong.’ She obediently went inside.

Yu Zheng, who was behind her, organized the people who had come with them to enter the house as well.

Once inside, An Ning sat on the edge of the kang with a silly grin, not daring to take off her hat and scarf.

"Mom—don’t be scared. I’ll recover after I rest for a while."

Lin Cuihua just stood opposite An Ning, not speaking, only nodding.

An Ning first took off her hat, revealing her shiny, bald head.

"Heh heh, it’s nice and cool."

Lin Cuihua shot An Ning a look and said sarcastically, "Right. It’s so hot in the middle of winter."

An Ning gave a foolish chuckle, took off her scarf, and also removed her outer cotton-padded jacket.

The moment Lin Cuihua saw her, tears instantly welled up. She fought back the stinging in her nose and said, "It’s fine. At least you didn’t break any arms or legs."

"See? I knew my mom wasn’t just any ordinary person."

Lin Cuihua snorted and turned to go to the kitchen.

"I’m going to make food."

An Ning didn’t follow her out. ’Lin Cuihua needs her space.’

She sat on the kang, staring wide-eyed at a curious Hei Dan’er, who stared right back.

"Who... are you?"

Hei Dan’er didn’t recognize her anymore.

"You stinky Hei Dan’er, it’s me, your auntie."

Hei Dan’er stared at An Ning, looking her up and down, then shook his head firmly.

"Liar!"

An Ning didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She didn’t explain, just played along with Hei Dan’er. "That’s right, I’m a big liar who’s here to snatch up little kids!"

Standing there, Hei Dan’er wasn’t scared at all. He put up his little fists and tried to intimidate An Ning with grunts and shouts.

"My grandma... will beat you up!"

The interaction with Hei Dan’er made An Ning burst out laughing. Being home was truly the most relaxing thing.

While the big one and the little one were chatting nonsensically, Lin Cuihua had already learned part of the truth from Yu Zheng and knew that An Ning really could get better.

Her heart, at last, could rest a little easier.

Next came the problem of figuring out what she should eat to recuperate.

To address this issue, Lin Cuihua dragged the newly arrived nutritionist and chef next door to consult with Master Tang.

After hearing about the situation, Master Tang and Grandpa Jiang came over specifically to see An Ning. Master Tang even took An Ning’s pulse and then took full responsibility for all the cooking.

As for the chef and the nutritionist, the moment they learned Master Tang’s identity, they all turned into avid fans, not showing the slightest objection.

That evening, the rest of the An family returned home one by one. An Guoqing raised a club, wanting to get revenge for An Ning, while a heartbroken An Guoming begged her to quit her job.

Although he didn’t know what An Ning was doing, he knew she was working for others, and it broke his heart.

"Little sis, our family isn’t short on money. Why don’t you—"

"Second Brother, I can’t."

An Ning didn’t give any high-minded reasons, simply saying she couldn’t. An Guoming stopped trying to persuade her, but that night, he made several phone calls. He left early the next morning and didn’t return until five days later, bringing back ginseng, deer antler, and other powerful restorative supplements.

In a word: recuperate!