Chapter 543 - 558: Meeting

That morning, An Ning, Jiang Xia, and Uncle Jiang had breakfast together.

After breakfast, Jiang Xia wheeled Uncle Jiang out the door, dragooned by the older man into going to work at the company.

An Ning was left alone in the villa. She checked the time, then headed punctually to the teahouse Lin Xiaoxiao had mentioned. There, she saw Lin Xiaoxiao, who was still stunningly beautiful even without makeup.

"An Ning, over here!"

Amidst the crowd, Lin Xiaoxiao stood out. She wore a form-fitting short-sleeved top and a pair of skinny jeans, with a hint of her navel peeking out in between. She looked both stylish and sexy.

Even though it was just a teahouse, quite a few people’s gazes lingered on Lin Xiaoxiao.

An Ning walked over to Lin Xiaoxiao and took a seat.

"I ordered you a double-skin milk pudding. Do you like it? If not, I can eat it."

After An Ning sat down, Lin Xiaoxiao quickly took on the role of a waitress.

She asked what An Ning wanted to eat and drink, poured her water, and wiped the table, bustling about nonstop.

An Ning said nothing, just watching Lin Xiaoxiao keep herself busy, leaving no opening for conversation.

When she finally ran out of things to do, Lin Xiaoxiao had no choice but to sit down. She gave An Ning a cautious smile.

"Boss An, if I ask you to take care of me now, is it still too late?"

An Ning looked at Lin Xiaoxiao, who was putting on a pitiful act, raised the teacup before her, and took a sip.

"Why are you here?"

"I’ve always been here."

Lin Xiaoxiao briefly explained her story. She had started out in the south, but her exceptional looks always attracted covetous attention, so she had simply found herself a patron.

Later, this patron found a connection and sent her to Hong Kong. There, she became a formidable figure in a certain circle.

An Ning studied Lin Xiaoxiao’s face, knowing she was still a virgin.

"How did you avoid it?"

Lin Xiaoxiao froze for a second, then understood instantly and said with a smile, "By being... ruthless."

Lin Xiaoxiao described to An Ning the first time someone tried to force himself on her. That man lost his "manhood."

Moreover, Lin Xiaoxiao never gave in. For a woman, she was surprisingly strong, with a ruthless heart and even more ruthless hands. On top of that, she later made it a point to learn some self-defense techniques, and gradually, no one tried to force her anymore.

"Of course, that’s just one side of it. On the other hand, I make a lot of money now. To get these high-end opportunities, I studied my ass off for a long time—way more seriously than I ever did in school."

According to Lin Xiaoxiao’s description, she had taught herself about red wine, fashion, etiquette, and many other things. A woman with stunning looks, perfect manners, who knew her place and understood when to advance or retreat, was very popular with men.

"So they hire me to attend certain events, I play along, and that’s pretty much it."

Lin Xiaoxiao summed it up in a few sentences, but An Ning knew she had truly paid a high price.

She put down her cup and asked directly, "Do you want to change careers?"

"Do you like acting? I think you’d be a huge star."

Lin Xiaoxiao thought for a moment, then asked just as bluntly, "Did you really become a boss?"

"More or less."

"So you can get me out of this without any repercussions? I’ve wanted to leave for a long time, but it’s not that easy to get away."

"Don’t worry. Not only can you get away clean, but there won’t be any trouble later on."

SLAM!

Lin Xiaoxiao slammed her hand on the table and stood up with a grand, heroic gesture.

"Alright! Don’t you worry, from now on, your big sis will split everything I earn with you fifty-fifty!"

An Ning looked at the completely unpretentious Lin Xiaoxiao and gestured for her to sit down.

"No need to split it with me. Just keep it for yourself. I’m not short on cash."

"Ooh, listen to you."

Lin Xiaoxiao winked at An Ning. "So, does this mean I’ve successfully latched onto a powerful backer?"

"Yes."

An Ning’s confirmation made the two friends look at each other and smile. In unison, they said, "Time to eat."

After finishing their dim sum lunch, An Ning wasted no time and took Lin Xiaoxiao to the company of the three tycoons.

This visit caused quite a stir.

The three tycoons personally came out, accompanying An Ning and Lin Xiaoxiao to the place where Lin Xiaoxiao worked.

When Lin Xiaoxiao’s patron saw the three tycoons—one of whom was his own top boss—his legs went weak.

As expected, Lin Xiaoxiao was smoothly released from her obligations and became a free agent.

Even as they walked out, Lin Xiaoxiao was still in a bit of disbelief that it had been so easy.

She excitedly grabbed An Ning’s arm, as excited as a child for the first time.

"This is the first time I’ve realized how awesome it is to cling to a powerful backer!"

An Ning didn’t pull away. Many people behind them saw this, elevating Lin Xiaoxiao’s status even higher.

An Ning, who never procrastinated, investigated Hong Kong’s entertainment industry that very day.

After some investigation, Lin Xiaoxiao successfully joined an agency, found a suitable manager, and officially became a professional entertainer.

After finishing the paperwork, Lin Xiaoxiao went with An Ning to Uncle Jiang’s house. An Ning introduced them and asked Uncle Jiang to look after her a little.

Of course, Uncle Jiang had no problem with that. This was one of An Ning’s own, after all!

For the sake of that brat at home, Uncle Jiang would have been very attentive anyway, not to mention that he wasn’t really being asked to do much.

With Uncle Jiang’s matter settled and Lin Xiaoxiao set up, there was no need for An Ning to stay any longer.

A pile of matters was waiting for her back in the country. She left before Jiang Xia, who had to stay a while longer.

Jiang Xia personally saw An Ning off. The first thing An Ning did upon returning to Beijing was to release Tao Quan.

At this moment, Tao Quan’s spiritual form was already very weak.

"You only have a few days left."

"I know."

Tao Quan was very calm, showing no fear or reluctance about his impending, complete disappearance.

Thinking of Tao Quan’s cooperation back in Hong Kong, An Ning asked, "Is there anything you need my help with?"

Tao Quan was overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.

"Really? I can?"

"As long as it’s not excessive. It depends on my mood."

"That’s already more than I could ask for."

After thinking for a moment, Tao Quan said, "Could you show me around Beijing? I want to leave with a different kind of memory."

An Ning thought, ’You won’t have any memories left once your soul scatters,’ but she didn’t refuse him.

"Alright. But I’m bringing one more person."

"That’s fine."

An Ning wasted no time. She went to pick up Precious—the apprentice she had taken in on behalf of her master.

When Precious saw Tao Quan for the first time, he pointed at him and asked, "Sister Anning, who is he?"

Tao Quan’s jaw dropped. Pointing at Precious, he stammered, "He can see me."

An Ning nodded and made a formal introduction. "The head disciple of the orthodox Mystic Sect, Zhou Chengzhe."

’So that’s how it is.’

For the next five days, An Ning was in charge of buying tickets and driving. She left everything else for Precious and Tao Quan to coordinate themselves.

Tao Quan acted as a tour guide, taking Precious all around Beijing.

Precious, with his pure heart, and Tao Quan, who had seen through the mortal world and was simply waiting for death, got along surprisingly well.

Five days later, Precious accompanied An Ning as they personally saw off Tao Quan, who had finally found peace.

The moment Tao Quan’s soul dissipated, he asked one last question: "An Ning, will you remember me?"

A single "yes," and his soul vanished.