Chapter 540 - 555: Jiang Xia Arrives

Hong Kong. The Jiang family estate.

An Ning entered with a group of men in black, frightening the household servants into scrambling out of her way.

"Don’t be afraid, everyone. I’m one of the good guys."

After introducing herself as such, An Ning went upstairs and unerringly found Uncle Jiang’s room.

KNOCK KNOCK— Two knocks on the door, but no one answered from within.

The former Secretary Hao squeezed through from behind her and bowed. "Mr. Jiang is unwell. There’s no one inside."

An Ning ignored Secretary Hao and called out to the door, "Uncle Jiang, it’s An Ning. I’m coming in."

With that, she pushed the door open, walked to the bedside, and smiled faintly as she smoothed out a wrinkle in the bedsheets. "This is a rookie mistake. I expected better from you."

"You rascal, you’re just amusing yourself at my expense."

Uncle Jiang, who was supposed to be in a coma, flipped over and sat up. He didn’t look the least bit unconscious.

The three tycoons behind them shot a look at Secretary Hao. ’This is what you call unconscious?’

Secretary Hao felt that even if he had a hundred mouths, he couldn’t explain his way out of this.

"No need to look at Secretary Hao. I’ve been here before. I was just helping Uncle Jiang put on a show for you."

An Ning’s simple explanation made everyone even more wary.

’She can come and go as she pleases!’

’If she wanted to take their lives, it would be effortless.’

An Ning saw through the three leaders’ thoughts and said with great solemnity, "I am an associate disciple of the orthodox Mystic Sect. I would never violate the sect’s rules unless absolutely necessary."

"Hehehe, you are right."

"We were judging a noble person by our own petty standards."

"You are truly righteous."

The three men offered their insincere praise. An Ning just gave a faint smile, helped Uncle Jiang out of bed, and sat down with the three leaders for a talk.

After their chat, all of Uncle Jiang’s assets were returned intact. Not only that, but after being "in a coma" for just half a month, his net worth had actually increased.

The four men signed various documents that An Ning didn’t understand. Afterward, Uncle Jiang personally shook hands with the three of them and saw them out as if nothing had ever happened.

When Uncle Jiang returned, he found An Ning drinking tea and placed several documents in front of her.

"These are yours. It’s what you deserve. No refusing."

An Ning set down her teacup and took the documents. "I would never dream of refusing."

"HAHAHAHA! Good, good! That’s the spirit!"

An Ning decided to stay at Uncle Jiang’s for the time being. She was waiting for Jiang Xia, and she would leave after he arrived.

An Ning wasn’t planning on leaving, but Zhao Pandi was.

Her mission was successfully completed. As for An Ning’s safety, someone else would be taking over.

Besides, Zhao Pandi believed no one would be foolish enough to try and harm An Ning at a time like this.

After enjoying a home-cooked meal together, An Ning personally walked Zhao Pandi to the door.

At the doorway, An Ning extended her hand. "I still don’t know your real name."

"A name is just a code. For me, the times I have a real name are few and far between. Just remember me as Zhao Pandi."

"Safe travels."

An Ning shook Zhao Pandi’s hand, then initiated a hug for the first time, patting her on the back.

After they let go, Zhao Pandi promptly stepped back, turned with a flourish, and waved without looking back.

Her life was just one mission after another; getting emotional was a grave mistake.

After seeing Zhao Pandi off, An Ning felt a little empty inside.

Bored and alone, she started tilling patch after patch of land in Uncle Jiang’s garden, planting all sorts of vegetable seeds, and resuming her life of cultivation.

Uncle Jiang could only have breakfast with An Ning; during the day, he was busy with company affairs.

「Three days of this busy schedule passed.」 An Ning finally walked out of the villa’s main gate, ready to go for a stroll.

An Ning drove her car out of the main gate and down the mountain road.

A figure suddenly appeared from a side path on the mountain. She slammed on the brakes, her eyes meeting the person’s in front of her car.

"Jiang Xia!"

His face covered in grime, Jiang Xia broke into a silly grin, revealing a set of bright white teeth.

An Ning got out of the car and circled Jiang Xia a few times. "And what look is this? Very chic," she remarked.

Jiang Xia held out a grimy hand to scare her, but An Ning backed away, giving him a warning look.

"Don’t get my new clothes dirty. They’re all... anyway, they’re the latest designs."

"You were racking your brain for the brand name and couldn’t remember it, could you?"

Jiang Xia’s guess was spot on. He very naturally got into the car.

An Ning, who was outside, got in as well. After looking him up and down, she asked, "How about a bath?"

"Suits me just fine."

An Ning took Jiang Xia to a bathhouse. While he went in to wash up, she went out and bought him a complete set of clothes, from the inside out, and had an attendant deliver them.

Just after the attendant left, a man wearing a thick gold chain walked over and asked familiarly, "Haven’t seen you around before. But that prospect you’ve got there is pretty good."

"I saw him. Great body, has abs, broad shoulders, narrow waist. And most importantly, he’s got the kind of face rich old ladies love."

The man rattled on and on about Jiang Xia’s good qualities. An Ning listened intently and finally agreed, "You have a point."

"Right, sis? Let’s be friends. If you find any good opportunities, cut me in."

The man was quite the talker. An Ning didn’t comment on his profession. ’Everyone has to make a living, and as long as no one’s being forced, it’s fine.’

"Actually—"

"An Ning, what are you talking about?"

Jiang Xia had come out.

Fresh from his bath, his hair was still slightly damp, giving him a somewhat gentle look.

The white golf shirt made him look tall and noble. Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, long legs—the words echoed in An Ning’s mind.

’How had she never noticed how handsome Jiang Xia was before?’

"What’s wrong? Is there a spot I missed?"

Jiang Xia did a little spin in front of her. An Ning shook her head.

"No, you look great. It’s the first time I’ve realized you look like this."

Jiang Xia’s eyes lit up instantly. An Ning had called him handsome.

"Of course he’s handsome! So, which nightclub are you two headed to? With a face like that, becoming the top escort will be a piece of cake."

Nightclub? Top escort?

Jiang Xia’s gaze shifted. An Ning laughed awkwardly. "It’s all a misunderstanding."

She grabbed Jiang Xia and hurried out of the bathhouse. The car sped away, leaving the man who was so eager to make friends behind, filled with lifelong regret.

’I didn’t even get her contact information!’

In the speeding car, An Ning learned about what Jiang Xia had been through the past few days.

With his travel documents confiscated, he had found a way to stow away on a boat. However, the boat capsized midway, and he had to swim the rest of the way, relying on his exceptional stamina.

But he had been thrown off course and ended up on the other side of Hong Kong.

Because he had no news of Uncle Jiang, Jiang Xia didn’t dare act rashly. After disguising himself, he made his way to the mountains near Uncle Jiang’s estate.

Just like An Ning, Jiang Xia had decided to approach through the mountains, fearing that Uncle Jiang’s estate might be under surveillance.

He just hadn’t expected to run into An Ning before even reaching the house.

After finishing his story, Jiang Xia looked at An Ning and asked, "So, you’ve become some kind of big shot now?"