“That’s fine.” Zhumei replied.
“Really?” Lihua asked again.
“Yeah, I don’t have to do anything. I just play around every day.” Zhumei answered truthfully.
“He hasn’t made you do anything excessive?” Lihua asked.
“No.” Zhumei shook her head.
Lihua observed Zhumei’s eyes, which showed no evasion. She then examined Zhumei’s body, and there was nothing unusual visible outside the swimsuit.
She felt relieved.
Although she didn’t know exactly what that pervert liked, at least Zhumei wasn’t getting hurt.
No, how could I think like that!
Ashamed of her appeasement thoughts, Lihua grabbed Zhumei’s shoulders and said to the girl, “Meimei, let’s escape. While he’s still at the villa, let’s leave quickly.”
“No.” Zhumei immediately refused Lihua.
“Why?” Lihua was shocked. She had imagined Zhumei might refuse, but she expected a reluctant refusal after being emotionally conflicted, not such a decisive one.
Such a straightforward refusal felt as if she was pulling Zhumei into wrongdoing.
Facing Lihua’s confusion, Zhumei touched her head and answered, “The hand is kind.”
“???”
Lihua couldn’t understand how the hand could be kind, but she could see that Zhumei genuinely didn’t want to leave.
Therefore, she gave up her previous idea and felt relieved.
Lihua couldn’t imagine what situation she would face if they really ran away.
Then, she frowned again, pondering why Zhumei was reluctant to leave.
“Do you have any good friends here?” Lihua asked Zhumei.
Zhumei shook her head: “No.”
“Then what makes you happy?” Lihua asked, puzzled.
Zhumei didn’t mention the reason that Xiayu somewhat resembled Xiongxiong. Previously, she had been scolded for being with Xiongxiong, so she guessed she would still be scolded for being with someone similar to Xiongxiong.
After thinking for a moment, she replied, “Because of love.”
Lihua instinctively took a step back. She widened her eyes, her mind going blank.
After a while, she sighed. Perhaps this was the best outcome.
After spending an afternoon with Zhumei, Lihua returned to the embassy.
In the following two days, Lihua visited every day. She had personally witnessed Xiayu patting Zhumei’s head and confirmed that Zhumei was genuinely happy. She accepted Zhumei’s explanation.
On the third day, it was the day Xiayu’s group would leave Haiming City and return to the First District.
Because of the need to settle Zhumei and the other three, Xiayu chose not to land in Afang City but instead landed in Yaoguang City.
Yu Ningmeng came personally to pick them up, partly regarding the matter of the prince and princess of District 232, and partly regarding the previously discussed issue of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
At four in the afternoon, the plane landed at the airport, and Xiayu’s group disembarked.
Yu Ningmeng observed the group. At the front, holding hands, were Xiayu and An Siyao. Behind them were Kong Hanyue and the others. Further back were four unfamiliar faces.
The first two among the four unfamiliar people were likely the prince and princess.
Zhu Mengbing, the prince, wasn’t particularly noteworthy, so Yu Ningmeng quickly ignored him and focused her gaze on Zhumei.
Even Yu Ningmeng, who was no longer young, couldn’t help but exclaim that this girl was genuinely enchanting.
It was a pity she hadn’t fully matured yet.
If she were a man, seeing such a woman, she would also go to great lengths to have her.
After her admiration, Yu Ningmeng approached Xiayu.
She separated the hands of Xiayu and An Siyao and held An Siyao’s hand herself.
“Why is your skin so tanned?” she said, showing concern for An Siyao.
Xiayu thought: after seven consecutive days by the beach, it would be strange if she weren’t darker. Moreover, An Siyao’s previous complexion had been unnaturally pale; now that it was a bit darker, it looked healthier.
After scolding Xiayu a bit, Yu Ningmeng ended the small talk. She approached Zhumei and handed over the identity documents and other materials: “You can go to various cities, but you must report before going.”
The butler received the documents, indicating understanding, and invited Yu Ningmeng to have dinner together.
He sensed Yu Ningmeng’s extraordinary status and wanted to establish a connection.
Yu Ningmeng refused without hesitation.
Under normal circumstances, Yu Ningmeng would accept the invitation. After all, a fallen royal family is still royal, and might be useful someday.
Putting aside other considerations, the recent idol project would be very suitable for the two. Something like a prince and princess becoming idols to save the kingdom—excellent material.
However, Zhumei had come with Xiayu and was An Siyao’s rival. As An Siyao’s maternal aunt, Yu Ningmeng needed to firmly express her stance.
Discarding the necessary pleasantries, Yu Ningmeng coldly returned to An Siyao’s side.
“What are your plans next?” Xiayu asked Zhumei and the other four.
Upon hearing Xiayu’s question, Yu Ningmeng felt satisfied inwardly. What Xiayu meant with this question was allowing the four to decide their future lives themselves, implying a severance of ties with Zhumei.
Whether he meant it or not, at least outwardly it sounded very considerate.
When asked about their future plans, Zhu Mengbing and the butler turned their gazes toward Lihua. Such decisions were always made by Lihua; Zhu Mengbing was just a reckless youth, the butler only good at managing household affairs, Zhumei had no strong opinions, and only Lihua was reliable.
As Lihua opened her mouth, just about to speak, Zhumei spoke first.
Zhumei grabbed Xiayu’s hand: “I’ll go with you.”
Yu Ningmeng was stunned, not expecting this princess to be so shameless.
The three of Lihua were also very shocked, unable to believe Zhumei had willingly thrown herself into the lion’s den.
Kong Hanyue, You Xue, and Liu Manman found it nothing unusual; in their opinion, after spending time with Xiayu, it would be strange not to want to follow him.
Hu Lianglu had no interest in Xiayu and looked at him with the eyes of someone seeing a scoundrel.
An Siyao’s expression remained unchanged, but her slightly halted breathing indicated she wasn’t calm.
Xiayu was also somewhat surprised. He thought Zhumei was still thinking about physical compensation, so he explained, “I already said, I brought you here because a friend asked me to take care of you. You can live freely.”
“I can do many things.” Zhumei tried hard to promote herself, looking at Xiayu’s palm with eyes full of reluctance.
“Then go do them yourself.” Xiayu pulled his hand away and said.
Seeing Zhumei about to speak again, Yu Ningmeng hastily interrupted, “Ahem, how much money do you still have? I can sell you a villa.”
She wanted to end this topic quickly and prevent Zhumei from continuing to cling to Xiayu.
Zhumei took out her bank card and handed it to Yu Ningmeng.
“OK, I’ll take you all to see some villas.” Yu Ningmeng led Zhumei and the other four, bidding farewell to Xiayu.
Xiayu and others needed to go to An Siyao’s villa, which wasn’t on the same route.
“Oh, right.” Yu Ningmeng suddenly remembered something. She said to Xiayu, “An Tianfeng asked you not to leave in a hurry. He’ll come see you tomorrow.”
Xiayu’s mind immediately raised alarms. Obviously, An Tianfeng was coming because of his relationship with An Siyao!
His father-in-law was coming tomorrow. What should he do?
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