545 The Secret About the Past 163

"If it's a daughter, then we'll have another child. But if it's a son, we'll just stop at one."

"What if both are daughters, then?"

"Then two are enough." He answered simply as he did not want to pressure her.

"Alright, we'll fix it like that then." Xu Youran remarked as she closed her eyes, "If we don't talk about our family backgrounds, this is your second marriage while it's my first, so I'm considered as marrying beneath me."

"Wow, you really dare to say such things. But what's the reality?" Gu Dongcheng mercilessly exposed her. "Your place in the Xu family has fallen. The Jin family doesn't even have a place for you. In reality, you have no family background at all now. And you say you're marrying beneath you? Think it over for yourself."

Xu Youran looked up. "I admit this. We're considered even. But now, I'll be your greatest assistant. Do you believe that? Without me, if you want to get back the company from your brother in the future, it'll require a miracle."

"You're that confident?" Gu Dongcheng asked.

"Of course, as long as your brother, sister-in-law, and stepmother die, the Gu Corporation will belong to you solely. Isn't this obvious enough?"

Xu Youran lowered her head and dug into her nails, saying leisurely, "You're my husband, I'll definitely help you. After settling Gu Beicheng and the rest, we'll handle the Jin family. Think about it, when you have control over the Gu Corporation, then we'll get rid of my father, brother, sister-in-law, and nephew. Then, I'll be the only one left among the bloodline of the Jin family. That way, you'll have control over the Gu Corporation while I'll be controlling the Jin Corporation. Once we join forces as a couple, no one in this world will be our match."

Just thinking about it made one pumped up with excitement.

Gu Dongcheng responded, "However, the Jin family and the Gu family are different. Let's put aside Jin Qingyan. How can getting rid of An Xiaoning be that easy?"

"No matter how hard a stone is, if you throw it into the sea, it'll still sink. We'll have to plan it properly and not rush into it. Let's take it slowly and crush them when they're unprepared."

Gu Dongcheng turned to her and laughed. "And they say I'm ruthless, you're much more ruthless than I am."

"Me? I've always been kind, who says I'm ruthless? I don't admit to it."

"…"

—

The DNA results came out and An Xiaoning found out about it a day later.

It was Jin Qingyan who personally called to inform her.

An Xiaoning kept her volume minimal. "How is it?"

"The test was done multiple times — the result remained the same. The two of you are related by blood."

A smile appeared on An Xiaoning's face. "He's my father?"

"That isn't the case." Jin Qingyan's words completely burst her bubble. "You are related to him by blood, but he isn't your father."

An Xiaoning's mind went blank. "So, we're just relatives?"

"Yes, it's like that."

"Then…" She seemed to have not recovered herself. "That means, my father is…"

She did not complete her sentence, but Jin Qingyan was already clear on who she was referring to.

"If the two of them are indeed just brothers, then it would be true. However, I think we still have to confirm it. You should try to get a strand of the President's hair, then we'll run a test again. It would be pretty clear then."

"I understand." Her voice was full of disappointment. At this moment, she suddenly could guess something.

Her heart was wrenching for that man who loved her mother for so many years, to the extent that he was willing to go against his family.

"Qingyan!"

"Umm?"

"I suddenly don't want to tell him this cruel truth." An Xiaoning was close to tears. "I've never wanted to lie, but he probably is sure that I'm his daughter. But I think something must have happened back then. My mother must have been forced. A woman who loves someone so deeply would not do that out of her own accord."

"Since it's like that, then we shouldn't tell him the results of the DNA test. If he asks, just say you lost the strand of hair."

"Umm, I know." An Xiaoning then hung up the call.

Just to confirm, she had to get a strand of the President's hair, even though the truth was quite clear to her already.

After hanging up the call, An Xiaoning's mind was rather fuzzy.

She was not even sure if her mother was dead or alive.

But looking at the situation, the one beside the President was her mother's half-sister, so it was evident that her mother was likely not around anymore.

If that man who loved her mother for most of his life knew she wasn't his child, it would definitely be hard for him to take it in.

Would he regret his decision to persevere?

An Xiaoning walked over to the bed and lay down. As she stared blankly at the ceiling, the muscles in her temple were suddenly twitching.

"Mu Ning!" Zhi Yin knocked on her door. "Her Highness is going out."

"Alright, I'm coming." She sprung up from the bed and hurriedly went out.

When she went down, An Xiaoning asked, "Your Highness, where are you going?"

"I'm going out of the Autumn Palace, of course." Tuoba Danxue's voice was full of enthusiasm. "My father has allowed me along with my brothers and Second Uncle to go to the beach to have fun for two days. It's a secret trip, how rare."

"Then, Your Highness, do Sister Zhi Yin and I need to bring an extra set of clothes?"

"Of course. Both of you bring a set of clothes and follow me to the beach to stay for one day and one night. Because of me, you two will get to enjoy."

Zhi Yin remarked eagerly, "Thank you so much, Your Highness. I'll go and pack my clothes immediately."

An Xiaoning didn't have much to pack, actually. She went back to the room and took all the things she would need. As for clothing, she only brought a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, which would be more convenient for physical activity.

While she only carried a small bag, Zhi Yin lugged a few big bags as she came down.

"We're only going to play for a day, we're not moving house. Why did you bring so many things?" Tuoba Danxue complained. "Two sets of clothes will do."

"Your Highness, may I bring three sets?"

"Alright, hurry. If you dilly-dally some more, we won't wait for you."

"I'll put some things back immediately. Wait for me, Your Highness." Zhi Yin anxiously lugged her bags back to her room.

"Your Highness, your second uncle will be going as well?"

"Of course. We're only going to play because of Second Uncle." She looked rather excited indeed.

An Xiaoning nodded. When Zhiyin came out, they finally left together.

A long vehicle was already waiting for them at the door.

The three got into the car one after another. A few people were already seated inside.

It was Tuoba Gucheng and his brother, along with Tuoba Shuo and a few bodyguards.

As An Xiaoning coincidentally sat beside Tuoba Shuo, she felt rather restrained. Opposite her was Tuoba Hancheng and Tuoba Gucheng.

"Wouldn't it be boring if only us few went? Second Brother, why don't you call the Lin family's missy?"

Tuoba Gucheng chimed in, "And call Mr. Jin as well, it would be merrier."

Tuoba Danxue nodded. "Right, call him as well."

"They were long informed already, they're probably on their way there already." Tuoba Gucheng continued, "Don't think it was me who considered so much, it was Mother who instructed this."

"Zzz…" A sudden vibration came from An Xiaoning's pocket.

She had especially switched her phone to vibration mode. After fishing her phone out, she glanced at the screen and saw the caller ID. It was a call from Gu Beicheng.

Figuring that it must be something important, she swiped the answer button and put her phone to her ear. "Hello."