novelA Million Times for You (115)
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Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
"In terms of safety, the Autumn Palace would be a better place. Shishi knows that you're still alive, so she specifically instructed me to bring you back to the palace and arrange for you to stay there for the time being. She said that she wants to see you, but it's inconvenient for her to come with me today since she's pregnant. So, pack your belongings and follow me, " Tuoba Gucheng said to An Xiaoning.
A gloomy expression formed on Jin Qingyan's face as soon as Tuoba Gucheng finished speaking. He's snatching her away openly, isn't he?
In fact, An Xiaoning, too, was displeased with his suggestion, and she immediately refused, "It's almost the New Year and my son is going to be on holiday in another few days. I'd like to spend some time with him. I'll definitely go to the Autumn Palace when I have the time to in the future."
Tuoba Gucheng had no reason to dismiss her explanation.
However, he was determined to spend some time alone with her.
"Do you think it'd be better for the nation to release an official statement regarding your return, or would you prefer to have the article include that it was Mr. Jin who rescued you?" Tuoba Gucheng asked.
Needless to say, An Xiaoning knew what he meant. After all, Jin Qingyan was a businessman and the owner of a multinational corporation. He and the entire corporation would definitely be affected negatively if news of him meddling with the nation's affairs were exposed. By then, he'd become the target of all terrorist organizations across the globe.
But!
An Xiaoning really did not wish to return to the Autumn Palace together with Tuoba Gucheng at this juncture.
Once she steps foot inside, she would have to seek Tuoba Gucheng's approval in order to leave again.
She'd have no rights to freedom at all.
However, neither An Xiaoning nor Jin Qingyan had the right to turn him down.
After all, Tuoba Gucheng was the nation's leader.
"Mr. President, you may release an official statement on the nation's behalf, since it would only benefit the nation and gain the approval of citizens. Well, to me, it's not that important. As a citizen of the nation, the nation's image is of the utmost importance to me, " said Jin Qingyan.
What Jin Qingyan meant was, he was perfectly fine with the government robbing him of the credit he ought to deserve for rescuing An Xiaoning, for he thought that it would be great for the nation to take the chance to sculpt a better image and increase the citizens' confidence in the nation.
To put it across bluntly, what Jin Qingyan was trying to say was: "I'm already willing to sacrifice myself for the sake of the country's pride and yet you still have the cheek to be spouting rubbish right now. If you don't want to take credit for this, you may just give it up. Anyway, I have my own ways to let An Xiaoning appear in public again."
Upon hearing Jin Qingyan's answer, An Xiaoning immediately turned to look at Tuoba Gucheng whose face had stiffened, clearly peeved and upset about Jin Qingyan's words.
Jin Qingyan was probably the only businessman in S Nation who dared to speak to the president that way.
"I'm very heartened by your graciousness, Mr. Jin. Regardless, this matter is extremely beneficial to both the nation and you, Mr. Jin. If you release a statement to say that you had rescued An Xiaoning, the citizens would definitely hold you with greater respect. However, you'd become the enemy of those malicious terrorists. That'd be extremely disadvantageous to you. So, allowing the country to claim the credit would be killing two birds with one stone, " said Tuoba Gucheng, taking a sip out of the teacup after blowing it gently to cool it down.
"You made a trip all the way here at such a late hour. If you don't mind, you may stay the night. How does that sound, Mr. President?"
"I'll have to impose on you then, Mr. Jin. Thank you for going through the trouble."
"It's only my duty."
An Xiaoning felt relieved that they had ingeniously managed to evade the topic of her moving to the Autumn Palace.
"I'd like to have a few words with Xiaoning in private. May I?"
Jin Qingyan obviously wouldn't dare to turn down the president's request.
"I'll head back to my room first, " said Jin Qingyan.
"Shall we go outside for a walk?" Tuoba Gucheng suggested as he rose from his seat.
An Xiaoning followed suit and walked out of the door together with him.
The snowfall was not as heavy as before.
An Xiaoning walked behind Tuoba Gucheng, who took the lead. After having walked a distance, he stopped in his tracks and turned around to wait for her.
None of his bodyguards followed them.
An Xiaoning walked alongside him and met his eyes, which were as dark as ink.
"Your Majesty, what do you wish to say to me?"
"Do you resent me?"
Knowing what he was referring to, An Xiaoning smiled and said, "Not at all, Your Majesty. You're the nation's leader and it's only natural that you'd put the nation's interests as your first priority. I'm only an ordinary citizen. It's an honor to sacrifice myself for the nation."
"I'm very happy to know that you're still alive, " said Tuoba Gucheng, walking forward slowly.
An Xiaoning followed closely behind and listened to him speak.
"When I first received the offer of negotiation, I naturally wanted to save you and I was stuck in a dilemma for a prolonged period of time. Indeed, I'm not as brave as Jin Qingyan, who risked his life to rescue you. I have a newfound respect for him. You and he..."
Instead of letting him complete his sentence, An Xiaoning changed the subject and asked, "Does Shishi really know about you coming here at this hour?"
"Yes, she initially wanted to tag along too but I didn't allow it." He continued, "Let me ask you, have you reconciled with Jin Qingyan?"
"That's my personal issue. I don't think it'd be appropriate to talk about it."
Tuoba Gucheng squinted and probed, "Does that mean you're planning to marry him again?"
"Do you think marriage still matters to me now? Your Majesty, what's the point of probing so much? Regardless of what happens to me and Jin Qingyan in the future, it has nothing to do with you at all. You'll always be the president, Lin Shishi's husband, and the father of the fetus she's carrying. Please don't forget that, Mr. President."
Tuoba Gucheng stared at her, although her features could not be seen clearly in the dim light."I won't allow you to continue living with him. You may stay here temporarily to lie low for the time being, but if you're thinking of rekindling your relationship with him because he had saved you, please consider the consequences carefully, An Xiaoning."
"I don't know what consequences there may be. Please enlighten me, Your Majesty, " said An Xiaoning, keeping her eyes fixed on the road ahead.
"An Xiaoning!"
She did not wish to fall out with him, for she knew that it would not be advantageous to her at all. After all, she knew clearly what kind of a person he was!
She sighed and said in a mellow voice, "Your Majesty, you're really such a tyrant. You're allowed to get married and have children, but you forbid me from living a blissful life. Your Majesty, do you really hate seeing me happy? What logic is that? There's no way I'll ever cut ties with Jin Qingyan completely for the rest of my life. He's the father of my child, and keeping a close relationship with him would be beneficial to our son's growth. As for reconciling my marriage with him, it has never crossed my mind before."
"Do you still love him, then?"
She recalled Pei Yi asking her the same question. What's the harm in saying that I don't love Jin Qingyan anymore if it could keep him safe? she thought to herself.
"I've already lost all feelings for him when we got divorced. I don't love him anymore."
Tuoba Gucheng smiled the instant that he heard her answer.
"That's good."
"Your Majesty, like what I always say, it's impossible between us. Even if I don't love Jin Qingyan anymore or refrain from getting into a relationship with another man, I'll never agree to be together with you."
"Is that so?" he asked apprehensively, clearly doubtful of her words.
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