Chapter 1281: I Want to Make You Stay (159)
Staring at their receding figures, Yan Ge followed them out of the car park. The pair then let go of each other’s hand.
The three of them entered the same elevator, after which an inexplicable tension filled the air.
Upon returning to the hotel room, the two of them proceeded to take a shower.
Fang Erlan murmured, “Senior Yan Ge is also an arrogant and prideful person. Actually, he’s always been taking care of me, and I often feel like I’ve let him down. I was the one who had hurt him. He’s a kind soul.”
“That’s why I didn’t hit him just now. However, I’ll never allow him to take liberties with you again,” Xiao Chenyang said while getting undressed.
Fang Erlan filled the bathtub with water and adjusted the temperature before jumping inside. “Anyway, we won’t get to work together anymore after this current television series. I must sell the apartment in Qingyuan Estate too. I was initially planning to buy another apartment in A City but I’ve now changed my mind.”
Xiao Chenyang asked in astonishment, “What are your plans now?”
She answered, “I want to live a happy life with you.”
——
Donggong Lianzhi sent An Xiaoning a proper invitation card at the start of October.
He sealed the invitation card with his personal stamp and signed off with his own name.
This time, An Xiaoning decided to take a look.
Jin Qingyan agreed to let her go, on the condition that he accompanied her.
Needless to say, An Xiaoning agreed to let him come along since he could serve as her security blanket, giving her the reassurance she needed.
As soon as they arrived in R Nation, Jin Qingyan received a call from someone who informed him that Mr. Jin had gotten into a conflict with someone because of gambling and had been sent to the hospital for emergency rescue after sustaining serious injuries.
Jin Qingyan initially wanted to let Fan Shixin monitor Mr. Jin’s condition. However, An Xiaoning found that it would be inappropriate if Jin Qingyan did not visit his father whose life was in danger. Hence, she urged him to go back while she headed to the destination together with Fan Shixin and Xiao Bai.
Although An Xiaoning had already arrived in R Nation, she did not contact Donggong Lianzhi immediately. Instead, she checked into a hotel and stayed in all day. She only opened the door for the attendants who served her her meals.
Meanwhile, Donggong Lianzhi knew all about her whereabouts. Seeing that she had yet to contact him, he decided to head to the hotel to meet her.
When An Xiaoning saw Donggong Lianzhi, a few scenes flashed through her mind rapidly.
She stared at the man in front of her who had long, narrow eyes, a straight and pronounced nose bridge, as well as a pair of thin and red lips. His wavy hair was slicked back neatly, and he was dressed in a formal attire while standing in front of her with his back straight.
Although she had never seen him before, she could not help but find him extremely familiar-looking.
“Hello, Ms. An, I’m Donggong Lianzhi.”
“I know. Please come in.”
Just as his bodyguards were about to enter together with him, he gestured for them to stop and said, “You guys wait at the door.”
“Yes.”
Pointing at the chair, An Xiaoning said, “Take a seat. My people aren’t here yet. I was thinking of visiting you once they’re all present, but you’ve decided to come and look me up first.”
“Didn’t you ask to see my sincerity, Ms. An? How could I not come here to welcome you personally after hearing that you’ve made your way to R Nation? I’m not in a hurry. We can wait until your people are here before heading back to my place.”
Knowing that Fan Shixin and the rest would take at least a few hours to arrive, An Xiaoning asked straightforwardly, “I’ve already found out that the owner of the tomb is not a member of the Pei family. Mr. Donggong, could you tell me his real surname?”
“Wu.”
An Xiaoning squinted and asked, “What… Wu?”
“Yes, Wu.”
“Now that I think about it, I really don’t know anyone who has the last name ‘Wu.’ I have no idea why my mural is in that tomb.”
“Did you really forget… that you know someone who has ‘Wu’ as their last name?”
“Yes, I don’t remember.”
“I’m really curious too, actually. That tomb seems to be from ages ago. Unless you’ve been around for a really long time, why would there be a mural of you there? I think it’s impossible that it’s a mural of your doppelganger. So, I really hope to hear your explanation, Ms. An. Please clarify my doubts,” he said, staring at her.
“Mr. Donggong, you must be kidding me. I’m just an ordinary human, and I’m 31 years old this year. How could I have been around for ages? I’m guessing that it must be a mural of a woman from the olden days who resembles me a lot. Let’s put that aside for now. How old are you, Mr. Donggong?”
“Twenty-four years old.”
“That’s very young. You’re still single, aren’t you?”
“I have a fiancée.”
“Your fiancée must be having a hard time. Given how young and handsome you are, it must be tough to win your heart and loyalty,” An Xiaoning remarked with a smirk.
Donggong Lianzhi smiled and said, “It’s just a political marriage. No one would put in their true feelings.”
“Does your family know about you inviting me over?”
“No. I don’t plan to let them know just yet because this matters a lot to me. I found that tomb recently.”
“May I ask you a question? Please answer me truthfully.”
“What is it?”
“Do your family’s roots originate from R Nation, or did your ancestor migrate here from another nation centuries ago?”
“My ancestors moved here from S Nation more than seven centuries ago. I guess you can tell from my looks that I’m not from R Nation.”
An Xiaoning’s heart dropped all of a sudden. The owner of the tomb has the last name “Wu” and has a mural of me. The Donggong family had migrated from S Nation?
“May I ask where that tomb is? How did you discover it?”
“Would you believe me if I told you that it was at my family’s ancestral burial ground?”
“Your family’s ancestral burial ground?” she asked with a frown.
“A while ago, our family held a sacrificial ceremony offered to our ancestors. Although my family is very extended, all members of the Donggong family will have to be buried in the ancestral burial ground. Hence, the ancestral burial ground is situated on a large piece of land. After the offerings ceremony, my mother and I were about to go home. However, our family rules forbade us from doing so and, hence, we had to trek up the mountain. Not long after, I discovered a small house that piqued my curiosity. I went over the wall beside the house. I then walked toward the door and discovered that it was locked. Hence, I tried to enter and managed to do so. I didn’t discover anything unusual at first and it seemed just like a simple house. There was nothing inside at all. Just as I was about to leave, I caught sight of a photo frame on the wall behind the door. It was a simple frame so I touched it with my hand, after which I instantly felt as if I had fallen into a ditch. I got a huge fright and climbed out before closing the door. I fixed the damaged lock back on too. I was really curious after I left, so I decided to sneak in there again a few days later.”