752 A Million Times for You 114

"I've already soaked in the hot spring when you left for work in the afternoon."

Why didn't you wait for me? Jin Qingyan thought in his head.

"Ah, it's snowing." An Xiaoning looked up at the sky and twirled around merrily.

"The weather was fair for a few days and yet it's snowing again."

"I doubt it'd be heavy. I've already read the weather forecast." Noticing that he did not mention a word about the interview, An Xiaoning asked, "I've watched the interview. Why didn't you switch your mobile phone to silent mode during the live-stream?"

Jin Qingyan chucked his hands inside the pockets of his coat and said, "I didn't find it to be a disturbance."

"Huh?"

"I meant, the slip-up that had happened during the live-stream today didn't bring about any disturbances to me."

An Xiaoning began to feel a little jittery when he stared at her intently. It was that exact look in his eyes that had bewitched her ever since the first time they met, although he did not say anything verbally.

"I thought you would find it awkward and even get upset after the filming of the live-stream ended."

He held her hand and asked, "Why aren't you wearing any gloves?"

"We're just out for a walk, there's no need to bring so many thermal necessities."

Thus, Jin Qingyan took the chance to hold her hand in his.

The warmth of his touch reminded An Xiaoning of the happy past they used to have.

They were pacing slowly along their path, just like an old married couple. At this point, An Xiaoning could not decide what their relationship was.

However, she decided to be willful and follow her heart.

"From now on, stop seeing that Major," said Jin Qingyan.

"We're only ordinary friends."

"Do you really think he only sees you as an ordinary friend? As a man, I know clearly what he's thinking," Jin Qingyan remarked in displeasure.

"What do you know? Indeed, when Godma introduced him to me during a matchmaking session, I didn't eliminate the possibility of getting into a relationship with him in the future. It's not like I had given up on love either. He really has a great personality."

"You've only known him for days and yet you already find him to be a great person?"

"Does time really matter? Sometimes, you can tell a person's character after having just a simple meal with them. Besides, on the day of the matchmaking session, I revealed to him that I would be unable to conceive from now on. Yet he actually said that he didn't mind it."

Jin Qingyan immediately retorted, "He was just trying to dupe you into falling for him first."

"Don't think so badly of everyone, alright? Perhaps he really doesn't mind at all."

Jin Qingyan let go of her hand and scoffed, "If he's that great, why didn't you just accept him right away? Wouldn't that have made things easy?"

Noticing the tone of disgruntlement in his voice, An Xiaoning teased, "Piggy, you should be called the 'S Nation's King of Jealousy.'"

Jin Qingyan felt slightly better to hear the unique pet name she had for him. "I just don't like hearing you praise other men. It upsets me."

"What if I'm praising our son?"

"He's a male too."

An Xiaoning was momentarily speechless. She sighed and remarked, "Not only do you get jealous over the slightest things, but you're also exceptionally petty. You're hopeless."

"That's why you'd better know your place and limits. Don't think you're free to date anyone just because we're no longer married. You've long become my property. No one can think of having you. You're mine and mine alone."

"You're the only person who treasures me this much. I don't mean that much to others at all."

"You know that, yet you're still so discontented." He squatted down in front of her and said, "Hop on."

"I'm not a cripple, I have legs and can walk on my own."

"Hop on."

Seeing how sincere and insistent he was on piggybacking her, An Xiaoning decided to concede.

She bent forward and got on his back.

Fan Shixin stealthily stuck his head out from behind a large tree and began snapping several photos of the scene before him.

He was exceptionally pleased and delighted to see his masterpieces.

Snowflakes were floating in the air beneath the street lamp while Jin Qingyan carried An Xiaoning on his back. What a beautiful sight.

Fan Shixin was hoping that he could snap some shots of them kissing, yet his cover was soon blown when he caught up with them.

An Xiaoning slid down from Jin Qingyan's back and stood with her back straight.

"The weather tonight seems splendid. Young Sir, what a coincidence," said Fan Shixin, smiling awkwardly and pointing at the sky.

"Leave the camera behind and scram immediately."

How dare he sneakily snap photos of me! He'd better watch how I'll punish him! Jin Qingyan thought to himself.

The tall and masculine Fan Shixin handed the camera to Jin Qingyan reluctantly in a wishy-washy manner, like an indecisive woman. He then hurriedly sprinted away and vanished out of sight in no time.

Jin Qingyan looked down at the display on the camera and remarked, "Not bad, let's keep the photos."

An Xiaoning craned her neck to take a look and chimed in, "It does look pretty good."

Jin Qingyan caught sight of a tiny drop of snow on the top of her head, which he then removed gently.

"Let's go back in."

"Alright."

"Young Sir, the president is here with his subordinates!" Fan Shixin yelled into the walkie-talkie.

An Xiaoning and Jin Qingyan turned to look at each other in shock and bewilderment as soon as they heard it.

Without hesitation, they immediately turned around and began walking inside.

Just as she'd taken a few steps forward, Jin Qingyan grabbed her hand and asked, "Would you like to hide first?"

"He must've come here out of the blue because he knows I'm staying at your place. Since we're planning to reveal the fact that I'm alive in the meantime, there's no harm in letting him know now. Furthermore, that'll prevent him from abusing his authority to bring you trouble. I don't want to see that happening."

"Not bad, you're sparing a thought for me."

Blushing shyly, An Xiaoning said, "I just don't want to implicate anyone else because of me."

The two of them returned to the living room, only to see that Tuoba Gucheng was sitting on the couch with a cup of piping hot tea on the table in front of him.

His bodyguards were all standing and waiting outside.

He was alone in the living room.

Upon the sight of them entering together, Tuoba Gucheng kept his eyes fixed on An Xiaoning.

"I didn't know that you were here, Mr. President. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting," said Jin Qingyan, ignoring the expression on An Xiaoning's face.

Tuoba Gucheng walked toward them and extended his left hand out for a handshake. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Jin. Sorry to be imposing on you at such a late hour."

Jin Qingyan shook his hand and said politely, "Not at all."

Tuoba Gucheng placed his right hand on top of Jin Qingyan's and said, "You ought to be given credit for saving the hostage, Mr. Jin. I hereby thank you on behalf of the nation."

Jin Qingyan placed his right hand on Tuoba Gucheng's arm calmly and said, "You've flattered me, Mr. President. Please take a seat."

An Xiaoning watched them let go of each other as she felt a cold shiver down her spine.

Each of them was seated on a separate side of the couch.

An Xiaoning held her hands together and remained silent.

"Xiaoning is in a safe circumstance for now, but I reckon the terrorists definitely wouldn't let us off so easily. I'm planning to announce the news of Xiaoning's return sometime later when the matter has died down a little," Jin Qingyan explained.

Tuoba Gucheng turned to look at An Xiaoning, who was seated to his left. "Do you share similar sentiments?"

"Yes, I'd like to live peacefully for a while."