At first, Ning Anmiao felt that she was a negligible presence in Lu Yan's world, even a replaceable object at any time.
But now, she clearly realized that to him, she was a necessity, his everything.
"If you weren't here, I really don't know what I'd do," Lu Yan said in a deep voice, rubbing his cheek against her neck. "Maybe I'd be impulsive and sell the company."
"Why go to so much trouble? Just change the company's name," Ning Anmiao joked.
"I don't want to change the name."
"..."
...
After strolling around, Ning Anmiao and Lu Yan walked hand in hand, their clasped hands looking especially warm under the lights.
It was getting late. Hand in hand, they walked back along the way they came to where the car was parked.
When they got in the car, the staff had already sent their previous clothes to the car.
Only then did Ning Anmiao realize it. She slapped her forehead hard. "I had so much fun that I forgot to change back into my own clothes."
"Do you want to go and change now? After all, these are the venue's prop clothes."
Lu Yan replied casually, "They're just two clothes. We'll just have someone buy new ones to replace them later."
Ning Anmiao let out an "oh" and looked down at her water - pink dress. She was quite happy.
The last time she wore Hanfu was in a university club.
This time, she wore couple's outfits with Lu Yan.
She couldn't help but feel a deep sense of joy welling up inside her.
Just then, the driver turned around and kindly reminded them, "Mr. Lu, Miss Ning's phone has been ringing."
Hearing this, Ning Anmiao reached for her phone in the bag, wondering who could be looking for her.
"Could it be Yanyan? I didn't tell her I was going out today."
Lu Yan nodded and said, "If it's Miss Yin, tell her you won't be going back tonight."
The commanding and domineering tone made Ning Anmiao's earlobes turn red.
Of course, she knew what he meant.
When she took out her phone, she found that it wasn't Yin Yiyan who had called, but her father, Ning Zhijing.
There were a total of ten missed calls, all from Ning Zhijing.
Ning Anmiao's eyes fell on the screen. She was silent for a moment and said, "It's my dad."
Lu Yan turned his head and saw her excited face gradually turn calm. He also said in a deep voice, "Call him back and see if there's an emergency."
Ning Anmiao had been hesitating, but after hearing what Lu Yan said, she gained the courage. She nodded and dialed the number.
Within ten seconds, the phone rang.
"Where have you been fooling around? Why didn't you answer the phone!"
Sure enough, Ning Zhijing's scolding voice came from the other end of the phone. "Immediately, right now, get your ass back to the Ning family!"
Ning Anmiao froze. "Dad, what happened?"
"Humph, you're really rebelling. You really want to disgrace the Ning family!"
He raised his voice, showing his authority. "Look at what you've done. Now, the four members of the Jiang family are all at our house. Come back and explain it to them!"
The Jiang family?
Ning Anmiao was puzzled. Just as she was about to ask more questions, the phone was abruptly hung up, leaving her no chance to inquire.
Ning Anmiao looked at the time. It was already nine o'clock at night.
Shouldn't the Jiang family be celebrating a birthday? Why were they at her house?
Because Ning Zhijing's roar was so loud that it came through the phone receiver, Lu Yan sitting beside her heard it clearly.
Feeling Ning Anmiao's gaze, Lu Yan nodded and said in a deep voice, "Go to the Ning family."
The driver also heard the conversation in the back row. After answering, he turned the steering wheel and drove in the direction of the Ning family.
Along the way, Ning Anmiao wasn't as excited as she was in the development zone. Her hands were nervously clasped on her lap. Her face was tense and solemn.
Seeing this, Lu Yan raised his big hand and covered her small hands. His voice came over, "Don't be afraid. I'm here."
Ning Anmiao lowered her eyes and looked at the hand on her hand. She pursed her lips. "I always feel that this time it's not a small matter."
Ning Zhijing rarely got so angry. Moreover, she didn't think she had done anything wrong, but the information conveyed in the phone call made it seem as if she had committed a heinous crime.
Lu Yan raised his eyebrows. At this moment, his phone vibrated.
He took out his phone from his pocket with his other hand, glanced at the content, and slightly narrowed his eyes.
"Jiang Xixi had an accident at the auction."
---
The car stopped in front of the Ning family's house. Ning Anmiao, who already knew the cause of the incident, took a deep breath and was ready to face the storm.
"Do you need me to go with you?" Lu Yan asked, but he knew what the answer would be.
Ning Zhijing was already angry. If he showed up, it might not solve the problem but make it worse.
Ning Anmiao forced a pale smile and said, "No, I know you want to help me."
"But in this situation, it's not appropriate."
Lu Yan nodded. There was a bit more worry in his eyes. "If anything happens, call me immediately."
"I'll wait for you at the door."
Ning Anmiao nodded and patted her face. "Yes, I can handle it."
A person with a clean conscience has nothing to fear. She had nothing to be afraid of.
She opened the car door, looked back at Lu Yan with a faint smile, and then walked into the Ning family's compound without looking back.
It was not until her elegant figure disappeared behind the door that Lu Yan's originally gentle eyes gradually turned cold and indifferent.
He took out his phone, skillfully found a number, and dialed it.
"Mr. Lu, I didn't expect you to call so late." The person on the other end of the phone seemed to have known that Lu Yan would call. His voice was full of smiles.
Lu Yan frowned, and his face became even more gloomy. "After knowing each other for so long, you know I don't like beating around the bush."
"Of course I know, A Yan," the person on the other end of the phone laughed heartily, as if everything was under his control. "To kill a snake, you have to hit its seven - inch point. I have to know if this is your weak point."
"After all, over the years, your relationship with Miaomiao..."
"I don't need your comments," Lu Yan said with a cold look in his eyes. He impatiently took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, took out one with his fingers, leaned his shoulder against the phone, and lit the cigarette.
After a moment of silence, Lin Chuluo slowly said, "Help me find the person. You know who I'm looking for, A Yan."
---
At the Ning family's house.
The moment Ning Anmiao walked in, the chaotic voices in the living room suddenly fell silent. Everyone looked towards the door.
Seeing who it was, Ning Zhijing's face turned ashen. He roared, "Ning Anmiao! Come here!"
Jiang Xixi was sitting on the sofa, sobbing. Her eyes were swollen like walnuts, as if she had suffered a great deal of grievance.
Opposite the sofa, there was a tattered white evening dress. The feathers on it were stained with dirt, and its original elegant appearance was no longer recognizable.
Ning Zhijing stood there, pointing at the dress with his walking stick. "This ragged thing is the birthday dress you designed for Xixi?"