Chapter 173: That is Not the Only Thing I Value in Her

Xu An'an pursed her lips and pushed Jiang Li out of the kitchen once again. "I know, I know. Go sit down and drink your soup. Dinner will be ready in ten minutes."

"Besides, it really isn't convenient for me to go over there every day. Wouldn't I have to spend money on the commute?"

"It's much better to just use a delivery errand boy. That way, I can even take a nap during my lunch break!"

"It's settled then!"

Seeing that Jiang Li still wanted to explain, Xu An'an raised the spatula in her hand. "Go sit down right now, or I'm really going to get mad! The consequences of making me angry are severe, and you can't handle them!"

Helpless, Jiang Li had no choice but to go back and sit down.

In truth, the reason he temporarily didn't want Xu An'an to come over was because Master Yuanji was still missing, and he needed to keep his relationship with Xu An'an out in the open first.

Otherwise, if Xu An'an were to bring him soup over there, she would definitely become the target of gossip and fabrication by meddlesome people.

He didn't care about himself, but he had to consider Xu An'an's feelings and safety.

During dinner, Jiang Li tried to explain again, but Xu An'an cut him off with a single phrase: "No talking while eating."

Jiang Li's brow twitched violently. Usually, when they ate together, who was the one who talked the most?

Oh well, it wasn't the right time to explain anyway.

***

The magazine office officially resumed operations. Xu An'an woke up early in the morning to prepare a stomach-soothing breakfast for Jiang Li, then sneaked quietly out of the house.

She had intentionally gotten up early because she didn't want to talk to Jiang Li just yet.

This scumbag of a man always handed her a piece of candy one moment and a slap the next.

Back and forth, jumping wildly between extremes.

It made it impossible for a person to figure out what on earth he wanted to do.

"Oh, well, well! If it isn't miss familiar face!"

A voice popped up out of nowhere. Xu An'an abruptly raised her eyes, the fierce look in them startling the other person so much that he patted his chest in fright.

"I'm a good guy!"

Xu An'an was surprised. She remembered this man in front of her; his name seemed to be Benjamin, and the store he had just opened not long ago had been flattened to the ground by Jiang Li.

However, after learning the reason behind it, she didn't feel a shred of sympathy for Benjamin.

It was glaringly obvious that Benjamin regarded her as a love rival.

"Would a good person go out of their way to tell others that they're a good person?"

"Let me tell you, that handsome guy you've been asking about is my boyfriend, so you'd better keep your hands and thoughts off him."

Benjamin's expression instantly turned rather unsightly. Fearing whatever terrifying thoughts had just crossed his mind, he waved his hands hastily. "You've misunderstood. I'm not that kind of person."

Xu An'an let out two dry, mocking laughs. Did he really take her for a three-riendo toddler?

"Excuse me, please make way."

"I heard from people around here that you're a reporter. So, you must know about that big celebrity living here, right? The one named Ning Xiyue. Why does she live in a place like this? Being a huge star and all, she must make a ton of money. Living right in the city center would be totally effortless for her." Benjamin doggedly followed close on Xu An'an's heels.

Upon learning that Benjamin was inquiring about Ning Xiyue, Xu An'an frowned. "Are you her fan?"

Ever since she found out that Jiang Li had bought the standalone villa and kept a massive crowd of cats there, Xu An'an basically lived downstairs. She only went upstairs if there was something specific she needed to fetch.

And since Ning Xiyue lived upstairs, Xu An'an knew even less about her.

Crucially, she had zero desire to know anything at all about Ning Xiyue.

"Actually, I'm an entertainment reporter. I heard from insiders that Ning Xiyue is pregnant, so I've been thinking about snapping a few photos of her, but I just can't manage to corner her." Benjamin smiled ingratiatingly and handed over a business card. "We're practically colleagues after all, do me a favor."

While Xu An'an certainly didn't get along with Ning Xiyue, she disliked Benjamin even more.

"This is her personal private matter. If I went around spreading that kind of information, it would be illegal."

"I advise you not to go prying into other people's privacy either, lest you end up landing yourself in prison."

Just as a bus arrived at the stop, Xu An'an briskly hopped on.

Benjamin stood right where he was, watching the bus pull away into the distance.

The corners of his mouth curved upward. "Who would've thought? This little woman is actually quite interesting. No wonder that terrifying man took a fancy to her."

"What you said is correct, but I'm interested in more than just that about her."

A chilling, bone-cold voice rang out without a sound, as if the Grim Reaper had descended.

Terrified out of his wits, Benjamin slowly turned his head around, only to find himself face-to-face with a strikingly handsome visage. Under normal circumstances, he would definitely have clung to him eagerly.

But this person was a living Yama King of the underworld!

Drenched in cold sweat, Benjamin stammered, "S-Second Master, good morning."

Jiang Li had actually woken up quite a while ago. Knowing that Xu An'an was still holding a grudge and angry with him, he had pretended to be asleep. Once she left, he stood on the second-floor balcony and watched her set off for work.

As a result, he had witnessed Benjamin stopping Xu An'an to pester her with conversation.

He had even rushed out wearing his pajamas.

"Was the lesson from last time not enough?"

"Uh, well, I..."

Benjamin managed a smile that was far uglier than crying.

Jiang Li said coldly, "There won't be a next time."

If it weren't for the sake of a mutual friend, Benjamin wouldn't even have been able to show his face in Shanghai anymore, yet he still dared to run all the way here to the Second Ring Road.

Under Jiang Li's death stare, Benjamin scurried away with his limbs moving in uncoordinated panic.

***

On her way back to the magazine office, Xu An'an stopped by to buy ingredients for stewing soup. Since she arrived early, she was the very first person to get there.

She first took out the soup pot, washed it thoroughly, and started preparing the soup.

Previously, other people had also toyed with the idea of cooking meals right at the office to avoid eating takeout or spending money at outside restaurants.

Unfortunately, none of them could keep it up for more than a few days before giving up.

Once Xu An'an had everything prepped and plugged in, she went back to her workstation.

A short while later, the rest of the magazine staff returned one by one.

Someone went to the pantry and discovered the soup pot bubbling away, prompting them to ask curiously, "Who's making soup?"

"Me," Xu An'an called out in response. "I'll be making it every day from now on."

Hearing this, everyone assumed Xu An'an wouldn't be able to keep it up for long, so they dropped the subject and returned to their respective desks.

At that moment, Xue Shengnan returned and asked Xu An'an to step into her office.

"I've been in meetings with the upper management for the past few days, and we've all decided to implement some new changes. We'll be holding a major company-wide meeting shortly for everyone to attend."

"However, before that happens, I wanted to tell you personally: you will be taking over the position of Department Manager."

After all the twists and turns, the manager position still fell squarely onto Xu An'an's shoulders.

Xu An'an didn't look particularly overjoyed. It wasn't that she didn't want to be the manager, but rather that she had other plans in mind—she might be leaving the magazine office soon.

Though it was just an initial idea she had only recently formed, Xu An'an decided to share it with Xue Shengnan anyway.

Learning that Xu An'an wanted to strike out on her own and start her own business, Xue Shengnan was very supportive. "To be honest, having worked here for so many years, it's not like I've never thought about leaving. I just don't know what else I'd even be able to do if I left this industry."

Perhaps having been deeply hurt in the past, she now lacked the energy to uproot everything.

Xu An'an understood completely. "If you agree, why don't we give the manager position to Xiaomei? She actually has the capability for it, she's just a bit too honest and unassuming."

Xue Shengnan shared the exact same thought.

"Alright, I'll observe her for a few days. There's no rush anyway."

"Oh, right, there's a very important interview, and it's meant for you and you alone." Xue Shengnan smiled with a mysterious air and handed over a document folder.

Xu An'an took it, flipped the file open, and—

She was completely dumbfounded.

Why was it him!