Chapter 1012

Ning An Ran’s heart belonged to Mr.

Xiaojiu; she was determined to protect him with her life!

“If people find out, even though there’s no blood relation, him and the niece his family is known to have, being together, that stain would certainly tarnish his reputation.”

Baili Xia remained silent, just watching her back.

The wind blew, lifting the strands of Ning An Ran’s hair that were now longer than her shoulders, fluttering lightly.

Upon closer inspection, one could suddenly realize that this girl was actually quite pretty.

Ning An Ran eventually noticed that Baili Xia was distracted, and seeing her indifferent demeanor infuriated her.

“Don’t you care at all?

Don’t you ever consider his feelings?

Xiaxia, you weren’t like this before!”

“You weren’t like this before either,” Baili Xia responded with a faint smile, her clear, sparkling eyes blinking slightly as they met Ning An Ran’s gaze.

“Before, no matter what happened, your first thought was always whether something might have wronged me.”

Wasn’t it Ning An Ran herself who had said it?

A man is just a man—was it worth sacrificing their friendship over one?

Yet, when she spoke these words and took these actions did she ever consider their friendship?

“Mr. Xiaojiu is the most perfect lover in the hearts of all the girls in Jin City; being with him is your fortune, what’s there to feel wronged about?”

Ning An Ran bit her lip, her eyes flickering with impatience.

She disliked hypocrisy; she despised those who thought one thing and said or did another.

Wronged by being with Mr.

Xiaojiu?

Who would believe such a thing if said aloud?

“Xiaxia, I know you’re very sought after right now, but if this news gets out, you’ll ruin him!”

“You underestimate Uncle,” Baili Xia replied.

A mere rumor, enough to ruin him?

If anyone were to be ruined, it would be her—the woman seen as flighty in everyone’s eyes.

“Heh… the weather is nice today, perfect for a walk,” she said, pressing down the deep sorrow in her heart, and looked at Ning An Ran again.

The corners of her lips slowly curled into a slight smile, “I’m off, I have an appointment. If there’s anything else, we’ll talk later.”

She couldn’t stay any longer; if she continued to speak with Ning An Ran, she’d be unable to hold back from swearing.

Don’t judge others’ actions by your own desires—unless she still believed there was something like friendship between them.

Baili Xia turned and walked away.

Ning An Ran suddenly stood up, watching her resolute retreating figure, and something flashed across her mind… perhaps a tinge of unease.

She chased after her, “Xiaxia, I had no ill intentions with my words today, don’t misunderstand, I have your best interests at heart.”

“Mhm.” Baili Xia nodded as she walked ahead but did not look back.

“I truly have your best interests at heart.

If you really like Mr.

Xiaojiu, you can be like me, secretly watching his happiness, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Mhm.” Baili Xia replied again, still not turning back.

Ning An Ran didn’t continue to chase her; Baili Xia was moving too fast, and to keep up, she would have to jog along the way.

Baili Xia had really changed; even with the same footsteps, her pace was now much faster.

Apparently, the Mu family had been trying every means to train her; indeed, after learning martial arts, one’s steps changed.

She didn’t want to run in the street—that would be very ungraceful.

Mr.

Xiaojiu certainly wouldn’t fancy a girl who seemed flustered; if she became ungainly, he’d be even less inclined to walk with her.