Chapter 808: Untitled
There was an open-air cafe along the Thames River that Ye Ningyuan brought An Xunuo to for afternoon tea where she could also appreciate the scenery along the river. An Xunuo ordered a cup of coffee, a caramel pudding, a fruit ice cream, and a mousse cake. She had ordered regular deserts, yet she slightly tilted her head as though she was thinking of ordering more. Ye Ningyuan only ordered a cup of coffee, and he gently smiled. “These will do. You won’t be able to finish them.”
“Okay, I’ll listen to Daddy.” An Xunuo took the camera and beckoned Ye Ningyuan to sit next to her. “Daddy, shall we develop the photographs later? I want to place them in my room.”
“Sure! I’ll help you develop them once we get home. Circle the ones you want me to develop at night.” Ye Ningyuan gently smiled as he looked at her especially adoringly, seemingly wanting to bring her all the happiness there was.
An Xunuo tilted her head and thought. “I would like to develop all of them. Is that okay?”
“There are hundreds of them! You want everything?”
“Daddy is good-looking, and so is Xunuo. The scenery is also very good-looking too. I want them all.” An Xunuo had an innocent look in her eyes as she looked at all those photographs. All the photographs were so good-looking that she had a hard time choosing from amongst them. She’d rather not choose and want all of them.
“Very well then.” Ye Ningyuan smiled.
“Daddy is really good!” An Xunuo happily hugged his neck and landed a huge kiss on his cheeks. When she gently kissed him, he was slightly taken aback.
This was like how she kissed him the first time, and her gentle scent lingered around him. His fingertips slightly moved, and he looked at her deeply. She looked down at the photos with a pure smile on her face. The river gust rustled her long hair, and some of her hair rustled across her face. She was beautiful, like a piece of exotic jade.
Xunuo seemed to really assume that he was indeed her daddy. She completely trusted, showed affection toward, and drew close to him. Hailan was likewise very close to Third Young Master Ye and she would never stop hugging him.
Daughter and father…
He felt a little troubled. Was he that old?
The coffee and desserts were delivered. Xunuo, who had had two ice creams, still had a very good appetite and enjoyed everything. As she enjoyed it, she looked up and spoke to Ye Ningyuan. She suddenly pouted and said, “Daddy, I would like to go to the toilet.”
“Just go ahead.”
He waved for a waiter to come over and bring An Xunuo to the toilet.
Waves rippled on the Thames River. It looked exceptionally beautiful. Ye Ningyuan loved the scenery. He slowly had his coffee. It felt different, and his mood was lifted.
Oh, Xunuo…
“Ningyuan?” A surprised voice came from the side.
He turned his head and saw Xu Xing’s beautiful figure in view. Xu Xing was in a yellow dress and crystal heels, and she wore the necklace she gave him. Her long hair beautifully rustled as the wind blew. Xu Xing, who was always beautiful, was like some flower underneath the springtime fog.
“It’s really you! I thought I saw the wrong person.” Xu Xing happily walked closer. Ye Ningyuan stood up and looked at her. Xu Xing’s mother, Ruqisha, was also present. While she dressed normally, she could not conceal her elegance. Two bodyguards stood in the distance. The mother and daughter seemed to be out shopping and happened to stop over at this cafe for afternoon tea.
He politely nodded at Ruqisha. He did not know Xu Xing’s parents well despite being friends with her. As he really disliked everything about the Xu family and did not quite like them, he naturally kept his distance.
Xu Xing understood his thoughts and gently smiled. “My mommy and I are out shopping. She hasn’t been out shopping for a long time. What about yourself? Are you alone?”
“No.” Ye Ningyuan smiled. He did not expect to encounter Xu Xing and Ruqisha here, and they shouldn’t be able to recognize Xunuo. If they did… He frowned. “Go over to join your mommy first.”
Xu Xing’s gaze landed on the table, and she noticed desserts for two along with a camera and a small dainty bag whose design was clearly not meant for a guy. She was slightly taken aback and looked at Ye Ningyuan.
Ye Ningyuan, on the other hand, did not seem particularly concerned. When he saw An Xunuo return, he waved to her and beckoned her over. As she had the mind of a child, she behaved like a child. He noticed how shocked the waitress was.
She’s such a pretty girl… Xu Xing saw Ye Ningyuan holding her lovingly and was slightly taken aback. Who was she? “Ningyuan, who is she?” Xu Xing forced a smile on her face.
An Xunuo was not one who talked to strangers, and she only quietly stood by Ye Ningyuan. Ye Ningyuan was thinking about how she should introduce them. When Xunuo was about to speak, Ye Ningyuan went the whole nine yards and simply grabbed Xunuo’s bag and directly led Xunuo away. “Xu Xing, I’ll explain to you next time.”
He moved particularly quickly, grabbed An Xunuo, and walked past Ruqisha. An Xunuo looked at her, but she was eventually pulled away by Ye Ningyuan and brushed past her. Xu Xing helplessly looked in the direction they disappeared in before looking at her raised hand that could only grab at nothing.
Ruqisha walked over and gently held Xing Xing. Since mothers knew their daughters best, Ruqisha knew exactly what was on Xing Xing’s mind when she saw Xing Xing’s dejected look. Ruqisha smiled and said, “Xing Xing, stop looking. They have gone far.”
Xu Xing smiled bitterly and looked back. “Mommy, I… am very sad.”
“Dear daughter, you must fight for your own happiness. He may not like that girl, and she, in my opinion, doesn’t look like somebody who can match up to my daughter.”
Xu Xing looked down. “There’s nothing good about me.”
…
An Xunuo was silent along the way. When she got into the car, she looked at him and asked, “Daddy, why did you have to run away?”
“Xunuo…”
“Who is she?”
Ye Ningyuan was lost for words.
She seemed to be angry, and Ye Ningyuan bitterly smiled. How should he introduce her? He could not tell Xu Xing that he was An Xunuo since she was all that remained of Michael’s family and that would put her in danger.
Besides, Xunuo was innocent and quick to speak. If they remained any longer, she would end up introducing herself. While she was innocent, she was not stupid and he could not bring himself to lie before her.
He could not bluff Xu Xing with a lie.
In that moment, all he could do was to get out while the situation permitted.
“I do not like it when other women fight with me for my daddy.”