Chapter 457 - 471: Sending Off Xiao Shan

From her wheelchair, An Ning looked at Zhou Xiaoshan with a mature gaze and said, "Xiao Shan, you’ve matured."

Zhou Xiaoshan felt no joy from the compliment. His face grew even more miserable. ’He just knew there was no such thing as two pieces of good news in a row.’

"KNOCK... KNOCK."

"The second piece of news is here. Get the door."

Zhou Xiaoshan’s feet moved faster than his brain as he went to open the door and greeted the person who arrived.

"Uncle Yu Zheng?"

"I might be dressed a bit more dashingly today, but you should still recognize me."

Yu Zheng walked in, half-joking. He greeted An Ning and asked, "Are we leaving now?"

An Ning nodded and called for Xiao Lang.

"Xiao Lang, we’re going out."

Yu Zheng came forward to push An Ning’s wheelchair while Zhou Xiaoshan helped by opening the main door. After An Ning was settled in the car, Zhou Xiaoshan locked the door and got in as well.

As the car drove on, Zhou Xiaoshan’s heart was filled with anxiety. ’He had a feeling something big was about to happen.’

"Master, did you tell my father? I’m just thinking, if you’re planning to sell me, you should at least get a good price for me."

From the back seat, An Ning said with a smile in her eyes, "Don’t worry, your father is completely on board. We’re going to split the money when we get back."

From the passenger seat, Zhou Xiaoshan looked back with a miserable expression, then turned around again in resignation.

’It seemed he wasn’t going to find out ahead of time.’

In the early morning, the roads were full of pedestrians but not many cars.

Thanks to the smooth traffic, the car quickly reached its destination.

Peering through the car window, Zhou Xiaoshan asked with a trembling voice, "Are you really selling me?"

Outside the car was none other than the train station. It was a bit more crowded than usual today; a unique sea of army green caused many people to stop and stare.

"Xiao Shan, haven’t you always wanted to be a soldier? Today, your wish is being granted."

"What? Why?"

Zhou Xiaoshan was utterly confused. Before, when he’d wanted to join the army, no one would allow it.

Now, just over three months into university, he was being sent off to be a soldier?

"Xiao Shan, through the assignments I’ve given you, I’ve discovered you have a unique talent for weapon design. To become a great designer, you need to join this sea of green."

"Listen carefully to what I’m about to say."

An Ning’s expression was more serious than ever before. Zhou Xiaoshan reigned in his emotions and listened intently.

"First, I pulled some strings to get you in, so it’s highly likely you’ll face some resentment. I expect you not to shy away from it, but to handle it yourself."

"Second, not only will you participate in the training, but you must also complete the study assignments I arrange for you."

"Third, Beijing University will hold your spot for you. I will be waiting for your successful return."

"Got it?"

Zhou Xiaoshan sat ramrod straight, subconsciously raising a hand in a salute.

"Sir!"

"You silly boy, you haven’t even enlisted yet."

An Ning’s affectionate teasing made Zhou Xiaoshan scratch his head sheepishly. As he looked at the sea of green outside, he felt very little of his initial resistance.

’It seemed that this sea of green was truly etched into his very bones.’

"Master, thank you."

’Thank you for genuinely making plans for me, for truly thinking about my future.’

"Don’t you dare embarrass me. I had to pull quite a few strings."

"Please rest assured, Master. I will definitely not bring you any shame."

Zhou Xiaoshan promised excitedly. An Ning looked at him solemnly and said, "I believe in you. Go on."

At the moment of parting, Zhou Xiaoshan’s nose tingled. He sniffled hard, let out a heavy grunt, and got out of the car before his tears could fall.

Yu Zheng got out of the car with him, opened the trunk, and took out Zhou Xiaoshan’s luggage.

Zhou Xiaoshan shouldered his bag, a file folder prepared by An Ning in his hand. He turned and gave An Ning a ninety-degree bow.

’If the setting hadn’t been so public, he would have kneeled.’

Inside the car, An Ning gave a small wave, watching Zhou Xiaoshan walk away.

Soon, Zhou Xiaoshan blended into the crowd of new recruits. He was the only one not wearing green, making him stand out conspicuously among them.

A whistle blew, followed by a loud call to assemble. All the green figures, luggage on their backs, gathered together, ready to depart.

An Ning remained in the car, watching until the last green figure had entered the station, waiting until she heard the train’s mournful whistle.

"Remind me to mail things to Xiao Shan every month. Books, notes, and some snacks. He should eat well while he’s away."

Yu Zheng, now in the driver’s seat, agreed to everything, promising he would remember.

"Let’s go."

An Ning pulled her gaze away. A feeling of melancholy washed over her, like a parent sending their child off to school for the first time.

’She chuckled at her own thought. After all, she was only two years older than Xiao Shan.’

Leaning back in her seat, An Ning stroked Xiao Lang with one hand, thinking about the disciple she had just sent off.

"Yu Zheng, let’s go to the faculty housing at Beijing University."

"Yes."

An Ning went to the faculty housing to check on Anna and Baby.

Baby’s maternal grandmother had moved in specifically to help Anna take care of Baby while she was at work.

Under the influence of An Ning’s Feng Shui and Magic Artifacts, combined with his family’s meticulous care, Baby had already returned to normal.

An Ning told Anna that she would be returning to Shili Gou for New Year’s Day and that she would take Baby with her then to formally accept him as a disciple.

Anna naturally agreed. The recent incident had truly terrified her.

An Ning left Baby’s home, wheeling herself to the university alone. As for Xiao Lang, he was left behind to play with Baby.

During this period of recuperation, Baby and Xiao Lang had gotten along extremely well.

She hadn’t gone far in her wheelchair when a pair of hands came to rest on its handles.

An Ning looked back, displeased, and hit the brakes.

"I can do it myself. Let go."

The one pushing her wheelchair was the very charmer An Ning detested—the same man she had secretly discovered abusing a dog.

Although the man had been wearing a mask last time, and An Ning hadn’t removed it, she had seen his face with her spiritual power.

’A face like that, once seen, was impossible to forget.’

"An Ning, is there some misunderstanding between us?"

A puzzled expression appeared on Tao Quan’s exquisite face.

Such a handsome man’s frown was enough to make one’s heart ache.

Too bad for him, the person he was facing was An Ning—someone who could see the bones beneath the skin.

"I’m just naturally not a fan of people with your looks. Besides," she added, "a quick calculation tells me that you... clash with my fortune."

An Ning’s bluntness made Tao Quan smile faintly. He apologized like a perfect gentleman, "Oh—then that is truly my fault."

Unwilling to play along with Tao Quan’s charade, An Ning’s gaze fell to his hands. "Let go."

"My apologies. I forgot for a moment."

Tao Quan released his hands, giving An Ning a slight, apologetic nod.

An Ning turned back around, released the brake, and wheeled herself away.

’Still,’ she thought, ’this will be my last day in this wheelchair.’

Tao Quan did not leave. His soulful, charming eyes gazed at An Ning’s departing figure, as if he were heartbroken by her rejection.

But was he really?

Tao Quan’s interest in An Ning was only growing.

’She hadn’t even lifted his mask, so why did she detest him so much?’

’Interesting. Truly interesting.’