Chapter 116: What Does It Have to Do with You?

Before Xu An'an could get a clear look at the person approaching, Jiang Li pulled her back just in time to avert a collision. The person who had nearly crashed into her was also startled.

The person, however, was none other than Murong Yan.

Upon recognizing Murong Yan, Xu An'an instinctively stepped away from Jiang Li. Yet, she immediately found the gesture ridiculous; she and Jiang Li had no official relationship.

But then again, neither did Jiang Li and Murong Yan.

Yet, she had assumed their connection was already a settled matter.

"Second Master? What a coincidence," Murong Yan said, looking pleasantly surprised. She smiled. "I didn't expect the famous Second Master Jiang to be so down-to-earth, shopping at a mall in person."

Jiang Li remained expressionless. "I eat my meals in person, too."

His tone rose slightly at the end, carrying a distinct, biting chill.

Realizing her words had displeased him, Murong Yan froze slightly, confused as to which part of her remark had gone wrong. After all, the media had never once captured Second Master Jiang doing something so ordinary!

To gain his attention, she had gone out of her way to have him investigated.

But having gathered very little, she had been forced to take matters into her own hands.

Clearly, her campaign had ended in defeat before it could even begin.

She was thoroughly embarrassed.

Turning her attention to Xu An'an, she feigned surprise. "I recognize you. Aren't you Jiang Yu's fiancée? But where is Jiang Yu?"

She had been stunned by Xu An'an's beauty when they first met.

Even she could not help but feel a twinge of envy.

If she possessed such a face, along with a respectable family background, she would surely be unstoppable in the entertainment industry, without a single rival.

In this day and age where looks reigned supreme, sheer beauty remained a supreme advantage.

For a brief moment, Murong Yan felt relieved that Xu An'an was not in show business.

"Is that any of your business?" Jiang Li said, pushing the shopping cart past her.

Xu An'an thought that Jiang Li truly lived by his own rules because of his power. He probably wouldn't show respect to the heavens themselves, a trait she found rather enviable.

She gave Murong Yan a polite smile and hurried to catch up with Jiang Li.

Watching Jiang Li walk away, Murong Yan felt a wave of irritation. In the past, she had always been irresistible to men, who constantly tried to please her.

Yet, the more unattainable he was, the more alluring he became.

Seeing that Murong Yan had not followed them, Xu An'an slowed her pace. She had lost all interest in shopping, terrified of running into her again.

"Let's not buy anything else."

"Why not?" Jiang Li replied casually, acting as if nothing had happened, completely dismissing Murong Yan.

Of course, Jiang Li had the capital to be arrogant.

Xu An'an hesitated. If Murong Yan spread the word about seeing them grocery shopping together, what would happen?

The last time Jiang Yu found out Jiang Li had eaten at her place, surely he must have suspected something?

Putting the two incidents together, Jiang Yu would undoubtedly become suspicious.

It wasn't that Xu An'an cared about whether Jiang Yu broke off their engagement—she no longer loved that scumbag. However, since Jiang Yu was the one who had betrayed her first, she did not want her connection with Jiang Li to be exposed before she could make her move.

If that happened, she would be the only one to suffer a miserable end.

Everyone would brand her as shameless for seducing Jiang Li.

Xu An'an randomly grabbed two bags of potato chips. "You go ahead and shop. I'm going back to watch my shows."

When it came to risk management, she had to rely on herself.

Without waiting for Jiang Li to reply, she slipped away as fast as her legs could carry her.

Watching Xu An'an vanish from sight, Jiang Li knitted his thick brows, but ultimately chose to finish buying the hotpot ingredients alone.

After all, she was the one who wanted hotpot.

He did not forget to call Assistant Wang.

"Look into Murong Yan."

Assistant Wang froze mid-stroke, quickly setting down the cat in his lap. "Second Master, you haven't taken an interest in Miss Murong, have you? What about Miss Xu then?"

"Just do as you're told. Why all the chatter?"

"Where should I start? The public's opinion of Miss Murong is quite positive."

"Does she have no dirt on her at all?"

"Well, there's bound to be some."

"Then dig it up."

"Yes, sir."

Hanging up, Assistant Wang was somewhat at a loss regarding his boss's intentions. If he did find dirt on Murong Yan, what was the next step?

Surely he wasn't planning to leak it all?

As far as he knew, the two families were on the verge of an alliance through marriage. If Murong Yan's reputation was ruined, Second Master's reputation would inevitably be dragged down as well.

Oh well, he had better just do his job first.

Xu An'an originally intended to go back to her own apartment, but after a second thought, she headed to the villa instead. She loved the feeling of being surrounded by a sea of fluffy animals.

The first floor belonged to the cats. After playing with them for a while, Xu An'an went upstairs to watch television.

Once the craving for hotpot took root, she couldn't get it out of her mind.

After watching TV for a bit, she set aside her half-eaten bag of chips and took out her phone to search for nearby hotpot restaurants, checking if there were any group deals.

Yes, she absolutely had to have hotpot today!

As she scrolled, her eyelids grew heavy. Realizing it was still early, she decided to take a quick nap and go out for hotpot once she woke up.

The phone on the table suddenly lit up.

The caller ID read "Father."

Unfortunately, Xu An'an was already fast asleep and didn't notice it at all. The phone rang a dozen times before finally falling silent, the screen going dark once more.

Unable to reach her, Father Xu assumed she was ignoring him on purpose. His face darkened with fury, while the mother and daughter beside him gloated inwardly.

On the surface, they urged Father Xu not to be angry, but in their hearts, they wished he would disown her entirely.

Unfortunately, they still needed Xu An'an for now.

"Forget it. If she doesn't answer, she doesn't answer. As long as she shows up at the wedding. Come with me now. We shouldn't keep the in-laws waiting; it would be bad manners."

"But what if Elder Sister refuses?" Xu Wanwan said. Remembering Jiang Yu's behavior with Ning Xiyue on the show and Xu An'an's complete indifference, she feared there might be complications.

Father Xu waved his hand dismissively, adjusting his clothes in front of the full-length mirror.

He sneered, "Marrying into the Jiang family is a stroke of immense good fortune for her. If she refuses... I have plenty of ways to make her fall in line! I used to show some paternal affection, but if she keeps pushing my boundaries, I will tolerate her no longer."

The mother and daughter exchanged looks, seemingly surprised that Father Xu still had a trump card up his sleeve.

At this, they felt much more at ease.

The family of three arrived at the seven-star hotel where they were scheduled to meet the Jiang family.

Today's meeting had been arranged at the Old Madam's behest. She figured that since Jiang Yu was of age, he should marry first. Perhaps when Jiang Li saw how harmonious and happy Jiang Yu and Xu An'an were in marriage, he would be inspired to marry as well.

The Old Madam believed that to make someone want to marry, one had to show them the benefits of marriage first.

Consequently, she became even more resolved in her plan.

Once almost everyone had arrived, the Old Madam frowned. "Why hasn't Miss Xu arrived yet? Has something happened?"

The once harmonious atmosphere suddenly grew quiet.