PROOFREAD BY AFREANA

Chapter 38.2

After saying some polite words, Li Xiu’er left with the duck. Zhao Jiahua spoke to Liu Ze in a delicate voice. “Okay, it’s me who is stingy, not as generous as Boss Liu.” Liu Ze smiled and stroked her head. He told her to go back first because he had something to do in the restaurant for a while.

Zhao Jiahua turned around and walked towards the residence. After walking far enough, she released her clenched fists hidden in her sleeve. She was so nervous that her hands were sweating.

Meanwhile, the An House was busy preparing for the meeting between An Ruoxi and An Ruochen. Previously, when An Zhifu smashed An Ruochen’s room, he ruined many things, including her clothes. But, An Ruoxi was supposed to visit her sister under the pretext of bringing clothes to her. How could she not have any clothes in her hands? While the maids gathered hastily to make the clothes, Mrs. Tan and An Ronggui pulled An Ruoxi to give her some instructions.

Later in the evening, inside a mansion in Zhonglan City, Mr. Xie sipped his tea while speaking blandly to the man sitting across from him, “We can’t touch An Ruochen. She is important to my plan. I have never been so close to the military secrets.”

The man across the table said, “If you think you can control her, you are mistaken ……”

Mr. Xie waved his hand: “There’s nothing more to say. I have already spoken. An Ruochen is very important. No one can hurt her. The closer she is to Big Long, the more beneficial it is for us. I know what you have in mind, and I advise you not to act rashly. You can’t afford to spoil the big event!”

The man on the other side was silent.

Mr. Xie said again: “I only say this because it is you. If it were someone else, I would not have the patience. You know, I have to eliminate all those who may become obstacles. You don’t want to make it difficult for me.” His tone of voice was as usual, but the words were harsh. 

Hearing this, the man across from him was displeased and answered: “Don’t forget, I’m also important. Without me, you have nothing to plan. Be polite to me, otherwise if it spoils the big event, you can’t afford it!” After he said that, he got up and left.

Mr. Xie stared at his back and slammed the teacup in his hand onto the table.

On the next day, An Ruochen and An Ruoxi met.

The two sisters sat in silence for a long time. An Ruoxi was very nervous. At first, she smiled and said, “Eldest sister, it’s been a long time.” But An Ruochen did not say a word, only waved her hand and told her to sit. Though An Ruoxi prepared for this cold treatment, she still felt uncomfortable.

After sitting down and waiting for An Ruochen to speak, she froze and could not say a word. The longer An Ruoxi sat in silence, the more embarrassed she was. She became annoyed. Since she agreed to meet her, why deliberately put such a face in front of her? Oh, yes. It was because she wanted to put up a show!

An Ruoxi was tempted to lose her temper and go away but didn’t dare when she thought of the consequences. After thinking about how she would need to explain herself after returning home, she decided to speak first.

“How is it going for you here, sister?”

“Better than in the An House.” This time An Ruochen answered. Her voice was kind, but unfortunately, the words were like nails.

An Ruoxi pretended not to understand and added, “I brought some clothes, food, and daily needs for you, sister.”

“You’re too kind.” She was so distant that she looked like a stranger.

An Ruoxi smiled, but An Ruochen did not smile back. She just looked at her, which made An Ruoxi feel guilty and annoyed. After waiting for a while, An Ruochen still did not take the initiative to speak. An Ruoxi gritted her teeth and decided not to beat around the bush.

“This time, I wanted to bring news to you, sister. A few days ago, because Nanny Song eavesdropped on Father and Mother’s conversation, Father had punished her. Nanny Song was too old to endure it and died of her injuries. Then Father dismissed all the servants in your courtyard.”

An Ruoxi spoke while stealing a glance at An Ruochen. Seeing her expression stiffen but that she did not lose her temper, An Ruoxi continued: “All the people in your courtyard are gone. Father covered up the death of Nanny Song and said to the public that she had gone back to the countryside to retire. I couldn’t stand it in my heart and risked finding someone to go to the mass grave to find Nanny Song’s body and bury her. But my parents were watching closely, so I had not asked whether they were successful. After I learn where they buried her, I’ll let you know.”

An Ruochen asked coldly: “Does this matter to you?”

An Ruoxi’s heart flinched: “What?”

“Does the death of my old nanny have anything to do with you?”

An Ruoxi almost jumped up from her seat: “What does it have to do with me? How can I beat her to death and then come to tell you about her death?”

“If it has nothing to do with you, why are you feeling guilty? Why do you feel sorry for her?”

An Ruoxi glared and raised her voice high: “The human heart is made of flesh. Why can’t I be upset about it? You and I are sisters. Although we do not have a deep bond, we still grew up together. I scolded and punished my maids, but have you seen me laying hands on them? I have never killed anyone. Besides, she is your old nanny, not my servant. Why would I beat her? What do I gain by having her killed?”

“The advantage for you is that you could ask for my favor when you come to see me. I don’t need to say that Father is ruthless and poisonous, while you are the only good one in the family. Father killed her and discarded the body, but you dare to find someone to bury her secretly. For my sake, for your sister’s sake, whose bond with you is not deep?”

An Ruoxi choked and argued forcefully, “At least we are sisters.”

“You told me the old nanny died, but I was not surprised. Didn’t it surprise you?”

An Ruoxi froze.

“You all know that Lu Daniang and I have dealings, and you know that Lu Daniang has been in touch with the old nanny. After the old nanny eavesdropped on your conversation, someone else in the middle needed to pass on the message. You deliberately sought out Lu Daniang and asked her to help collect the corpse because you knew she would report the news to me. Before you came here, I already knew that you had done a great job and helped the old nanny, helped me. I should be grateful to you, speak kindly, and respond to your request, right?”

An Ruoxi pursed her lips, unable to say anything.

“You dare to pretend that you don’t know anything at all. Should I say I already know everything and am grateful in my heart?” An Ruochen stared at An Ruoxi and said word by word: “Since you are using Lu Daniang, it is also possible that you deliberately killed my old nanny and used this matter to manipulate me. An Ruoxi, listen to me. This matter will not stop here. I will find out everything. I will not let go of anyone who killed the old nanny. Father, your mother, and you ……”

“I didn’t!” 

Not waiting for An Ruochen to finish her harsh words, An Ruoxi jumped up and shouted: “I didn’t touch a finger of her. Master Qian wants to deal with you. He talked to Father and Ronggui. He wanted the family to contact you. To find out about your news and have the opportunity to lure you out to capture you and take you away. Father does not want to come and suffer your anger, so my mother let me come instead. Do I want to see your face? The fact that Nanny Song overheard our conversation is why my Mother and Father beat her. I didn’t touch her! I tried my best to please you, and why? Who else can I beg now? Father and my Mother are going to discuss marriage with Master Qian again. You and the Fourth Sister are gone! I will be the next candidate. What else can I do? My mother lied to me. Father does not cherish me. No one would help me! What can I do?!”

An Ruoxi growled as she became agitated. “What’s so great about you? I don’t want to see you either. But I had no way out. I brought water and medicine. I tried to help Nanny Song, but she died of her wounds. She died of her wounds! I fed her water, but she was cursing me, cursing and cursing, and then she was gone. I was afraid, but what could I do? Lan’er followed me secretly, and when she saw Nanny Song die, she said I killed her. I didn’t! If you hear a word in the future that I did it, it’s not true. It must be the rumor that Lan’er and her mother created! I just fed her some water. I wanted to help her! If I helped her, I would have something to say to you and would be able to ask you for favors. Yes, that’s what I had in mind, but she died. What other method do I have at hand? I deliberately looked for Lu Daniang, I knew she would tell you about this, but I did not do bad things. If I hadn’t been desperate, I wouldn’t have come here to be scolded by you! Do you think I want to see you? Bitch!” An Ruoxi said with tears streaming down her face and slapped the table while shouting.

An Ruochen stared at her, and An Ruoxi stared back.