"Do you believe me if I say it like that?"
After concocting a blatantly flawed explanation, Ning Fan looked at Xu Xiaoqing earnestly, as if he wasn't joking around.
However, Xu Xiaoqing wasn't so easily fooled, and she immediately scoffed, "Do you think I'm a three-year-old kid, 007? Well, I'm 008 then!"
"Oh, so you're a colleague! You see, all of this is just a misunderstanding. I've got a new mission now, see?"
Ning Fan still had the air of a dead pig unafraid of boiling water, infuriating Xu Xiaoqing to the point of grinding her teeth. He clearly wasn't trying to explain; he was just trying to pull the wool over her eyes!
In fact, Ning Fan genuinely didn't know how to explain, and he did indeed have matters to attend to at the moment. So, the less trouble, the better – it was best not to stir up any problems.
However, Xu Xiaoqing turned out to be much more difficult to handle than he had expected. Regardless of what Xu Xiaoqing's feelings for Ning Fan were, the moment she detected the scent of another woman on him, she felt he had betrayed her sister, Xu Ruolan – he deserved to be struck by Heavenly Thunderstrike!
"Where are you heading next? Are you going to meet some woman?"
Xu Xiaoqing pouted and glared at Ning Fan, persistently grilling him.
Seeing that she wasn't planning to let him off the hook, Ning Fan felt a headache coming on. He could only then explain, "I am going to meet someone, and it's important. Xiaoqing, I don't need to lie to you."
"Didn't you just lie to me?"
"That... was an accident!"
Ning Fan sincerely wanted to slap himself.
Xu Xiaoqing snorted coquettishly and said leisurely, "Then take me with you. I need to keep an eye on you for my sister!"
Seeing that she wanted to accompany him, Ning Fan couldn't possibly agree and immediately frowned, "It's too dangerous. You're not allowed to go!"
Meeting Teng Feiyue this time, who knew if the other party would have traps set up? If Teng Nan and Teng Bei showed up suddenly, he couldn't guarantee they wouldn't take the opportunity to attack Xu Xiaoqing.
Seeing Ning Fan suddenly becoming so stern, Xu Xiaoqing's expression changed, and she asked worriedly, "What exactly are you going to do, and when will you be back?"
Hearing Xu Xiaoqing's voice turn so downcast, Ning Fan panicked inside and immediately explained, "Xiaoqing, listen to me, I'll definitely come back safe. Don't worry. There are some things that I really don't want to involve you in!"
The world over there was too dangerous. If possible, Ning Fan hoped Xu Xiaoqing could always remain as she was now – that was his way of protecting her.
He still remembered the time when Fang Guild had taken Xu Xiaoqing and Xu Ruolan away together. Ning Fan had truly panicked. Back then Xu Ruolan was acting with him, but Xu Xiaoqing really didn't know anything, and being captured like that, she must have been tremendously frightened. For most ordinary people, such an experience could become a lifelong trauma.
Ning Fan wanted to do everything in his power to ensure that Xu Xiaoqing wouldn't get hurt and to minimize her contact with that other world.
This thought, especially after the appearance of the master of disguises known as 'Faceless', had become even more pressing.
"I understand. Please don't be mad at me, okay? I'm just worried about you..."
Seemingly still concerned about Ning Fan's earlier sternness, Xu Xiaoqing's eyes turned red. She had become very sensitive lately, and Ning Fan could feel it.
Realizing what had happened, Ning Fan immediately embraced Xu Xiaoqing, reassuring her with a gentle voice, "It's okay, silly girl. How could I ever be mad at you? It's enough that you're not mad at me. I shouldn't have yelled at you. I was just anxious..."
Feeling the tremors of Xu Xiaoqing's body in his arms, Ning Fan realized just how sensitive and fragile she had become after the recent events.
Putting off his plans to leave for the moment, Ning Fan took Xu Xiaoqing into the living room and said, "Lie down, I'll give you a massage to help you relax."
It was just a massage to help her relax, and the little girl didn't think much about it; she obediently lay down on the sofa.
Ning Fan's large hands slowly climbed up Xu Xiaoqing's spine, and his moist True Qi slowly flowed into Xu Xiaoqing's meridians under his control. Ning Fan pressed on the acupoints on the back of the little girl with his thumb while moisturizing her body with True Qi.
Before long, the little girl began to feel drowsy and slowly closed her eyes, falling into a deep sleep.
Only after she had completely relaxed and fallen fast asleep did Ning Fan stop moving his fingers. He then found a blanket and gently covered her with it.
After staying in the room for a while longer, Ning Fan left with peace of mind.
"Has anyone come looking for me today?"
Feiyue would almost ask the receptionist this question every day.
But each time, the receptionist would shake their head and say no.
After eluding Teng Nan and Teng Bei, Feiyue returned here. She didn't think about hiding or contacting Ning Fan directly. Instead, she exposed herself under Ning Fan's surveillance, waiting for him to take the initiative to come find her.
As a result, after waiting for two days, there was still no sign of Ning Fan. Today was no different, and Feiyue had begun to think about whether she should consider changing her strategy. It seemed Ning Fan was not going to come.
While sitting in the lobby, Feiyue could clearly feel the gazes around her. Although the people in the lobby changed repeatedly, Feiyue could still recognize at a glance those who were there for her. The vast majority were surveilling her.
This was also a point of confusion for Feiyue. If there were always eyes watching her, why wouldn't Ning Fan come?
Where had the problem occurred? Feiyue simply couldn't figure it out. Could it be that he, too, was waiting for her to reach out first?
As Feiyue pondered this, a familiar figure suddenly appeared before her.
The man had a warm smile on his face, which might have made Feiyue believe him to be harmless, had she not known the extent of his strength.
A flash of surprise crossed Feiyue's eyes. After all, she had finally waited for this man to arrive.
While she felt a sense of relief, she also felt annoyed. Why had Ning Fan only arrived now!
But this thought disappeared in an instant, and she immediately got into the right mindset, looking at Ning Fan with neither humility nor arrogance.
Noticing the change in Feiyue, Ning Fan looked at her in surprise and then asked with perplexity, "Have you been waiting for me all this time?"
"I thought you knew that already," Feiyue replied indifferently.
Ning Fan smiled but did not tell Feiyue that he had only learned about her being here today. If he had known earlier, he wouldn't have come only now.
At the same time, he was curious about Feiyue's purpose. Why had this woman been waiting for him? What was her goal?
Ning Fan looked forward with anticipation, for Feiyue did not seem like a woman who would act foolishly. Her actions must have an extraordinary rationale behind them.