Chapter 31: You're Quite Talkative

Xu An’an smiled as she spoke with Ning Xiyue. To outsiders, it would seem they got along rather well—even Jiang Yu believed as much. Eager for the pleasure of having both women at his side, Jiang Yu naturally hoped Xu An’an and Ning Xiyue would cultivate a good rapport.

“What are you two talking about?” he asked.

“We’re talking about you,” Xu An’an replied with a gentle smile.

Jiang Yu was quite pleased. His two women ought to revolve around him: “Oh? And what about me? Let’s hear it.”

A few young men from influential families wandered over. They were Jiang Yu’s loyal lackeys, and had been in the lounge with him that day.

“Sister-in-law, you look stunning tonight.”

“Both sister-in-laws—oh no, I mean, both beauties—really get along so well!”

“Jiang Yu, you truly are the object of envy!”

Their teasing gazes lingered on Xu An’an and Ning Xiyue.

Xu An’an was long indifferent to such things. The corner of her lips curled with mockery. “Indeed, having a confidante as lovely as Miss Ning, I’m truly happy for Jiang Yu.”

“If Jiang Yu hadn’t come to pick up Miss Ning, I doubt I’d have gotten a ride tonight.”

The laughter around them diminished noticeably.

Jiang Yu hurried to explain, “No, no, I came especially to pick you up. I wanted to surprise you. I had no idea Yue’er had moved into your building too, so we came together.”

“That’s right, Miss Xu, you’ve misunderstood,” Ning Xiyue quickly added.

Of course, there were those present who understood perfectly well.

Xu An’an’s smile faded as swiftly as it appeared. “If you’ll excuse me.”

She’d chosen her words deliberately—after all, watching Jiang Yu and Ning Xiyue scramble to explain themselves before everyone looked utterly farcical.

As Xu An’an walked away, a flash of malice darted through Ning Xiyue’s eyes.

“Jiang Yu, my foot hurts a little. I’d better go rest,” Ning Xiyue said.

Jiang Yu, absorbed in his rowdy games, didn’t even look up. “Go on, go on. I’ll come find you later… Hurry up, place your bets!”

“Jiang Yu, are you sure you want to play? If your uncle finds out, you’re done for.”

“What’s the harm? Just hurry up!”

Ning Xiyue shot Jiang Yu a glare. If not for the Jiang family, she’d never spare this wastrel a second glance. How utterly useless!

Seizing the moment when no one was paying attention, Ning Xiyue left the party quickly.

Xu An’an knew well that Jiang Yu wanted her to play along, just to keep up appearances for the old master, making it seem as if their relationship was strong—thereby winning the old man’s favor.

Rumor had it that after Old Master Jiang had wronged Jiang Li’s mother, he had tried to make it up to Jiang Li a hundredfold, and thus placed unusual importance on family. If her marriage to Jiang Yu fell through, the old man would surely make Jiang Yu pay dearly.

Xu An’an found a quiet spot to collect herself for a while. The party was held by the sea. Moonlight cast its cold glow over the water, making it shimmer. Xu An’an hugged her knees, gazing blankly at the waves until a shadow loomed over her, giving her such a fright she nearly tumbled from the steps.

“Do enough things against your conscience, and you’ll end up like this,” a voice said.

When she saw it was Jiang Li, Xu An’an nearly spat blood. “Second Master Jiang, could you please stop appearing out of nowhere?”

Jiang Li couldn’t be bothered to argue. His footsteps had clearly been loud enough, but Xu An’an hadn’t heard a thing.

“Get up. Come walk with me on the beach,” he said.

“Why?” she asked.

Jiang Li didn’t answer, simply descending the steps.

What choice did Xu An’an have? She could only obediently follow, but with her high heels, walking was impossible. She had to take them off, holding one in each hand.

“Second Master, why are you at a party for kids like this?” Xu An’an hurried to catch up with him. “And why are you still at the complex—don’t tell me you never left after dropping me off?”

Jiang Li turned his head slightly, his phoenix eyes deep and unreadable.

“You do talk a lot.”

“I…”

Suddenly, Xu An’an stepped on something sharp, pain shooting up her foot. She hopped on one leg, clutching Jiang Li’s arm for support. “Ow, that hurts!”

Jiang Li reacted instantly and scooped her up.

“How hopelessly clumsy.”

“And whose idea was it to bring me down to the beach?” Xu An’an’s eyes welled up with tears from the pain, her gaze glistening in the moonlight—anger and grievance mingling in a way that made her look like a dewy rose, irresistibly alluring, like a beautiful Persian cat.

Jiang Li hadn’t noticed she was wearing heels.

He carried Xu An’an back to the steps. “Wait here.”

As he spoke, he slipped off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

Xu An’an had meant to complain about the chill by the sea, but now she could only sit quietly and wait. The seashore at night was lovely, after all.

“Well, well, beauty, what are you doing out here all alone?”

No sooner had Jiang Li left than several men appeared, as if with a purpose. “Why don’t we keep you company?”

With her injured foot, Xu An’an couldn’t run even if she tried. She had to stall for time, hoping Jiang Li would return.

“Thanks for the offer, but I already have a boyfriend—and he’s terribly jealous. If he sees any men hitting on me, he’ll make sure they regret it.”

The men laughed.

Who would believe that? They’d been paid to come, and the job was even easier than expected—no way would a few words scare them off.

“Oh really? Where is your boyfriend, then? Why are you out here all alone?”

“Not trying to fool us, are you?”

“If you upset us, there’ll be consequences, you know!”

Xu An’an was genuinely nauseated. “Ha, gentlemen, can’t you see I’m wearing a man’s jacket?”

At that, they finally noticed the jacket draped over her shoulders. Reluctance flashed in their eyes—the jacket was broad, its owner likely tall and strong. If it came to a fight, they’d be at a disadvantage.

The leader snorted. “Don’t forget, you’ve already been paid—so do your job.”

“You got paid?”

Xu An’an had suspected as much, but hadn’t expected them to admit it outright.

The man didn’t care; he didn’t believe a mere woman could resist the three of them. Otherwise, the world must have turned upside down.

“That’s right. Blame yourself for crossing the wrong person!”

“Get on with it!”

Bang!

A bottle came flying through the air, smashing against the leader’s head. The other two quickly darted aside in fright.

Jiang Li leapt down from the two-meter-high step nearby and landed a vicious kick.

The leader was pinned to the ground, howling, “What are you two waiting for? Help me! Three of you can’t handle one man?”

The scrawny and the stout men exchanged looks and hurried over, trying to catch Jiang Li from behind. Xu An’an’s heart leapt into her throat. “Jiang Li, behind you!”

But Jiang Li, lost in his fury, didn’t hear her at all.