Chapter 61 - Since She Seeks Death, Let Her Have It

Xu Anan was not the least bit flustered. She had grown accustomed to threats like these; Shen Ying's methods were far more sophisticated than Shang Yan's. Of course, she could not allow those photos to be leaked. She gestured for Shang Yan to sit somewhere and talk.

Shang Yan refused, "I want to meet Second Master. Arrange it as soon as possible." With that, she tossed the photos to Xu Anan. "Don't overthink it—I have the negatives. I could print tens of thousands of these if I wanted."

"Giving you the photos is just to remind you not to forget what I've told you to do." Xu Anan stuffed the photos into her bag, watching Shang Yan drive away.

Not far off, another figure observed everything. He turned and reported the events to Jiang Li.

Jiang Li's narrow eyes narrowed further, his slender brows and eyes shrouded with a faint aura of danger. The air around him seemed to drop a few degrees.

He hadn't been mistaken—someone had indeed been hiding outside, taking secret photos. He hadn't stopped them, of course. After all, what reason would he have to trouble the other party?

"Go on. Since she’s courting death, let her have her way."

"Yes, sir."

"Remember, develop the photos first, then bring me the negatives as well."

"Understood!"

...

Xu Anan returned to the magazine office. After finishing up her interview manuscript, she went to find Xue Shengnan, but was stopped by Fang Nini.

Fang Nini clung to Xu Anan, pleading, "Anan, you have to help me this time. Otherwise, I really don’t know what to do."

"Let go," Xu Anan said. She wasn't particularly close to Fang Nini, but Fang Nini always acted as though they were, forcing familiarity.

Fang Nini let go, aggrieved, "Anan, could you help with the food safety report? It's about those snack shops near the elementary school. I heard several kids got sick and had to be hospitalized. Lots of parents are causing a fuss now."

Xu Anan frowned, "And? Isn't this your job? What does it have to do with me?"

"But I have a date with my boyfriend that day! I've already stood him up several times. If I miss it again, he'll break up with me!"

"Besides, you're the only one in the whole office without a boyfriend."

No one knew Xu Anan was engaged—she'd never made it public. She worked overtime at the magazine every day, so everyone assumed she was single. Otherwise, why would she date her work instead of her boyfriend?

Xu Anan could only sigh. "Pay me, then."

"What? Aren’t we colleagues? Do we really need to talk about money? Next time you need help, I'll help you instead."

Fang Nini always said that, but she almost never returned favors, so no one ever wanted to help her.

Xu Anan wasn't foolish enough to fall for it.

Fang Nini gritted her teeth. "Fine, how much?"

"Three thousand."

"Deal. I’ll transfer it now."

"Make sure to note the reason."

"…Got it!"

No one ever complains about having too much money, and Xu Anan happened to be short of cash.

When Xu Anan walked away, Fang Nini's expression turned cold and sinister. She vowed that Xu Anan would pay her back double someday—not just anyone could spend her money.

Xu Anan spent the afternoon chatting in Xue Shengnan’s office.

"Director Xue, let me treat you to dinner," Xu Anan offered.

"No need, my fiancé is already waiting downstairs." Xue Shengnan took an invitation from her drawer. "Next month is my engagement party—you must come!"

"I won't miss it," Xu Anan said, accepting the invitation. Now she just had to figure out what engagement gift to get.

She and Xue Shengnan walked out of the magazine office together and saw a man in a suit standing there, holding a bouquet of roses.

He stepped forward, offering the roses to Xue Shengnan. Yet his gaze lingered on Xu Anan, a hint of amazement flashing in his eyes as he discreetly sized up her figure. Who would have thought such a beauty was hidden in this small magazine office?

Her attire was ordinary, but she was an unparalleled beauty.

"Shengnan, who is this?" he asked.

"A friend," Xue Shengnan replied simply. In the office, they were boss and subordinate, but outside, they were friends.

The man seemed delighted, handing over his business card. "Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Tang Jin. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask—after all, you’re Shengnan’s friend."

Xue Shengnan sweetly took Tang Jin’s arm, believing his goodwill extended to her friend.

"No need to be formal," she said.

"Thank you," Xu Anan replied, taking the card and glancing at it. So he was in finance.

Tang Jin, confident in his own charm, swept his bangs aside and invited, "Miss Xu, if you’re free, join us for dinner. It’s a very authentic French restaurant."

"No thanks," Xu Anan replied. "I’d rather not play third wheel. Please enjoy your meal."

"I—"

Before Tang Jin could finish, Xu Anan turned and walked away briskly. She couldn’t handle such enthusiasm, and it felt strange, but with Xue Shengnan present, she didn’t want to offend.

Safely aboard the bus, Xu Anan finally relaxed. She disliked the way Tang Jin looked at her—it was the same predatory gaze she’d seen from men all around her, as if they wanted to devour her whole.

As she neared the hospital, Xu Anan spotted a century-old soup shop and bought some chicken claw soup.

"Here, have some soup. Like treats like," she said.

"You made it?" Jiang Li raised an eyebrow.

"No, I bought it," Xu Anan admitted easily. "It’s from the century-old soup shop near the hospital. Tastes pretty good—you should try it."

She poured two bowls.

Taking a sip, her eyes widened. "Wow, tastes exactly like the soup Ning Xiyue makes. Maybe she buys hers too?"

Jiang Li was not surprised, his chin lifting slightly.

"Feed me," he said.

Thinking of Shang Yan’s secret photos, Xu Anan made sure to lock the hospital room door before feeding Jiang Li soup with a spoon.

Seeing her so alert and cautious, Jiang Li’s gaze darkened.

After dinner, Xu Anan began to worry about Fat Cat.

"Is it because it’s the first time at the hospital, so it doesn’t remember the way back?"

"I thought you said it was smart?"

"People aren’t always smart, are they? What if it acts silly and gets lured away by a tomcat? It definitely wouldn’t resist temptation."

She sat by the window, chin in hand, looking particularly petite. Moonlight filtered through the leaves, spilling softly over her hair, painting a scene of tranquil beauty.

If only she weren’t frowning, the image would have been perfect.

Jiang Li couldn’t help but laugh.

He had to admit, he was once again bested by Xu Anan.

He reached for his phone, texting Assistant Wang to arrange a missing cat notice and offer a generous reward.

Xu Anan eyed Jiang Li, narrowing her eyes. "Wait, didn’t Assistant Wang say your hand isn’t fully healed? How come you can type so fast with one hand?"