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Chapter 615: The Secret About the Past (233)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Gu Beicheng had rarely heard her bring up such topics. He turned to the side to face her and asked, “How have your expectations changed compared to the past?”

She put down the wine glass and rested her face on her elbow, appearing to be glowing a little.

“I used to yearn for love. In this superficial society, what are the odds of finding true love? Isn’t wanting true love already a high expectation per se? Don’t ever assume that casual dating fits the bill. That’s just an insult to love,” said An Xiaoning.

An Xiaoning’s lips curled into a smile as she continued, “There are so many people in this big, big world, and yet, how many amongst the vast population can actually find true love? Thus, I no longer have expectations when it comes to love and relationships.”

“What are your expectations now?”

“For now, I just have to feel good about him, doesn’t matter if I don’t love or adore him that much. But the catch is, he has to understand me well and not try to tie me down with marriage. I just want us both to be free people and date each other in a carefree manner. Don’t you find that great?”

“I kinda regret it now,” said Gu Beicheng.

“What do you mean?”

“I kinda regret getting married so early. I should’ve waited a while more,” he said, avoiding eye contact with her.

An Xiaoning tried to play it off as a joke and smacked him playfully. “Why are you spouting such nonsense? Sister-in-law is going to be devastated if she hears this.”

“The saddest thing in life is not to have separated after having loved each other dearly before. But rather, it’s never getting a shot with the person you adore. You never actually let go of the things you thought you’ve already gotten over. Instead, they’re merely hidden and concealed in a certain corner of your heart. Not only did he let you down and betrayed your love for him, he’s also disappointed me. He made me sacrifice and give you up for nothing.”

An Xiaoning felt a strange and sudden urge to tear up upon hearing his words.

In fact, tears had begun to well up in her eyes.

She looked up to gaze at the fluffy white clouds in the clear blue sky. The sun was shining brightly with a soothing, gentle breeze in the air. Tears began to roll down her cheek slowly.

It was one o’clock in the afternoon.

She again headed to the Gu Corporation office building in Gu Beicheng’s car.

After collecting her car from the carpark, she felt a strong urge to go to Wei Ni Estate and visit Jin Yiheng, whom she had missed dearly. However, it was clearly not the time to do so yet at present.

Once she finally leaves the Autumn Palace for good, she would visit Mei Yangyang’s place openly and get the latter to bring Jin Yiheng to her house where they would meet.

She’d had enough of living with a mask on every day.

She just had to endure and bear with it for a few more days.

An Xiaoning went to take a look at the newly-built estate in the city.

After all, she couldn’t keep living in the Gu family mansion and ought to have a property of her own. Moreover, she had other plans in mind by purchasing a house.

The newly-constructed estate, Sanqiao Mansion Garden, was only a stone’s throw away from Wei Ni Estate.

The main reason she was eyeing the estate was so she could be nearer to her son.

The estate was recently put up for sale.

The mansions had an exquisite design and a spacious yard. The location was convenient as well. However, some mansions were already furnished and renovated while others were left untouched. Thus, there was a wide price range.

After taking a tour around several units, An Xiaoning set her eyes on a large mansion that came with lavish interior design and paid for it in full with cash.

It was much easier and convenient since she would not have to go through the hassle of hiring an interior designer and contractor to renovate the house.

The more she looked at her new home, the more pleased she was with it.

An Xiaoning scanned her surroundings, after which ideas began to pop up in her head. She already had a rough plan about how she was going to further expand her home.

She would now need a bunch of subordinates who were loyal and willing to work for her.

After all that she had been through, she finally realized the importance of money and manpower.

It was already evening by the time she settled all the procedures of the purchase of the mansion.

She would now have to leave the recruitment of manpower for a later date since she would have to drive back to the palace come midnight.

An Xiaoning parked her car near a Western restaurant and alighted from her car while wearing the gorgeous mask.

With her purse in hand and a pair of flats on her feet, she made her way up the stairs and entered the restaurant. She then looked for a window seat and sat down.

Melodious classical music filled her ears. A waitress dressed in a white shirt and black trousers walked toward her with the menu and said, “Miss, what would you like to have today?”

“May I have an American-style T-bone steak, a cup of latte, and a bowl of Bird’s Nest Soup? Thank you,” said An Xiaoning, handing the menu back to the waitress.

“Alright, please give me a moment.”

She stared out of the window and caught sight of a familiar-looking car.

An Xiaoning was sitting with her back as straight as a ruler and stared at the man who was alighting from the car.

He was dressed in an immaculate suit and did not allow his natural charm to be drowned by the darkness of the night.

A little imp was standing beside him, similarly dressed in a suit tailored to fit his tiny stature. The two then began walking toward the restaurant.

An Xiaoning looked away and held her breath.

What a coincidence.

It had been too long since she’d last seen her son. She hurriedly stood up and scurried toward the washroom.

She removed the mask and retrieved her makeup pouch from her handbag to put on some light makeup. She then stuffed her belongings back inside her bag and hurried out of the washroom.

An Xiaoning could sense someone staring at her.

She raised her head and made eye contact with him.

Upon sight of her face, Jin Yiheng exclaimed excitedly, “Mommy!”

An Xiaoning smiled and said, “Yiheng.”

He zoomed toward her and hugged her thigh tightly.

An Xiaoning caressed his head, overwhelmed with emotions.

Meanwhile, Jin Qingyan stood rooted to the ground like a statue.

It was such a rare chance to meet her son. Of course, she could not abide by the terms stated on the divorce agreement.

“Will you have dinner with Mommy?” she asked Jin Yiheng softly.

“Sure,” he answered obediently.

She held Jin Yiheng’s hand and walked toward the dining table. She initially thought that he would bring their son away forcefully. To her surprise, not only did he not do so, he even sat down opposite her.

He then gestured for the waiter to come forth and ordered two sets of steak.

A strange and somber ambiance filled the air.

Being way too mature for his age, Jin Yiheng was exceptionally great at observing his parents’ expressions.

Noticing that his parents were facing each other without speaking a word, Jin Yiheng said, “Mommy, I haven’t seen you in such a long time. I missed you so much. Are you really going to stop seeing me just because Daddy forbids you from doing so?”

“Mommy misses you too. Do you really think I’m afraid of your Daddy? I’m not,” An Xiaoning explained.

“Mommy, Daddy is going to find me a stepmother,” Jin Yiheng blurted, greatly startling his parents with his words.

“How did you know?” An Xiaoning asked calmly.

“I overheard his conversation with Godpa. Will you find me a stepfather too?”

An Xiaoning caressed his head and said sarcastically, “Since Daddy is finding you a stepmother, I ought to find you a stepfather as well. Son, look how fortunate you are to be blessed with two sets of parents who’ll shower you with love.”

“But I don’t want to have four parents. You and Daddy are enough for me.”

An Xiaoning held her tears back and concealed her feelings of dejection. “No matter what happens, Mommy will still love you. I won’t do anything to embarrass you, Yiheng.”

Although she was talking to her son, she seemed to be saying it on purpose and directing it at Jin Qingyan.

Jin Qingyan looked up at An Xiaoning to see that she had grown visibly thinner, evident from her sunken cheeks.

A waiter soon served the steak, latte, and soup that An Xiaoning had ordered. An Xiaoning picked up a fork with her left hand and a knife with her right and began cutting her steak into smaller pieces. She then picked up a piece and fed it to Jin Yiheng. “Eat up.”