Chapter 472 - 486: Who is Lin Wanwan?

The Beijing University performance hall. An awards ceremony was underway.

Between An Ning and the foreign guest presenter was a small trophy.

The guest used two hands, An Ning used one, yet the trophy didn’t move an inch, as if it were stuck in place.

The foreign guest glared at An Ning, his lips slightly parted as he said, "I’ll remember you."

"As you should. I’m so tall, I’m easy to spot in a crowd."

Anyone who understood Japanese could tell that An Ning’s words were a roundabout insult.

The translator at the side felt every nerve in his face wanting to twitch with laughter, but he suppressed it with immense willpower. ’Can’t laugh. I’m a professional. Absolutely cannot laugh.’

’Dammit, what do I do? I don’t think I can hold it in!’

"So this is the Huaxian way of treating guests?"

"Visitors are guests, so of course we entertain them. It’s just a matter of returning a courtesy. Don’t think too much about it; you might stunt your growth."

"PFFT—AHAHAHAHAHA! Got... got a... stitch..."

The translator finally couldn’t hold back any longer, clutching his stomach as he doubled over, convulsing with laughter.

The trophy was finally handed over. The foreign guest left the stage, but the translator remained, still suffering from his "stitch."

An Ning glanced down at him and said dryly, "You’re holding the wrong spot. It’s the ribs."

In the next second, the translator, still squatting and laughing, silently moved his hand to a different spot and continued to laugh... oh, no, to suffer from his "stitch."

An Ning and Jiang Xia went offstage as the hosts began their closing remarks and thank-yous.

With a final "See you again next year," the gala officially ended.

Carrying her award, An Ning headed backstage, greeting people along the way.

"An Ning, you’re despicable!"

The abrupt accusation made everyone stop what they were doing and look for the speaker.

An Ning did the same. She looked at the fuming girl to her left and asked with a knowing look, "Care to elaborate?"

"You cheated! You used Feng Shui to cheat! You’re not that good at all; you don’t deserve this award."

The fuming girl was the same one who had performed the folk dance. She was also Tao Quan’s secret lover.

The only reason An Ning paid her any mind was because of Tao Quan.

After the girl finished, An Ning gave a cold sneer, her voice tinged with frost. "Go put your brain in before you try talking again."

Having delivered the perfect comeback, An Ning turned to get her instrument.

The girl who had just been shut down grew even angrier as she watched An Ning hold the trophy that should have been hers.

Tao Quan had promised that if she won first place, he would make their relationship public. But now... An Ning had ruined everything.

"Go to hell!"

The girl charged at An Ning from behind, trying to shove her into a pile of glass, which would have caused at least a lot of cuts.

"Fuck off!"

Jiang Xia was a step faster. With a single back kick, he sent the girl sprawling to the ground long before her arms could even get close to An Ning.

The girl sat on the floor, crying out in pain. She pointed at Jiang Xia and shrieked, "What kind of man are you? How could you hit a woman?"

"You’re not even human, so what does being a man or a woman have to do with it?"

His dismissive gaze and nonchalant tone made the girl on the floor’s blood boil. She pointed at Jiang Xia and An Ning, about to let loose a stream of curses.

"Do not speak ill."

At An Ning’s words, it was as if a hand had seized the girl’s throat. She couldn’t get a single word out, only mouthing silent screams on the ground.

An Ning turned, walked over in a few steps, and crouched down.

"There are some things you shouldn’t say carelessly... Tao Quan."

An Ning murmured the last two words into the girl’s ear, so only she could hear.

Having said her piece, An Ning released the binding on the girl’s voice and asked, "Do you have any more questions?"

For this girl, Tao Quan’s name was like a magic spell.

She shook her head vigorously.

"Good."

An Ning stood up, found Jin Youyou who had been diligently guarding their two instruments, and left.

The backstage crew glanced at the girl on the floor and, out of basic decency, helped her up.

But that was the extent of it.

The friends who were usually by her side didn’t speak up for her this time either.

Sometimes, the interests of the group completely outweigh the interests of an individual.

Today was one of those times.

The events of the gala spread at the speed of light.

An Ning’s performance was hailed as the undisputed winner, making many who hadn’t attended in person deeply regretful.

’Didn’t you guys say her performance was no good, that she only got in through connections?’

’The tide of opinion turned so fast!’

A single gala took things from doubt to shock, from a modest win to a massive fortune.

The one who’d struck it rich was, of course, Luo Li. She cashed in her winnings immediately, just in case the bookie decided to skip town.

All night, the Beijing University campus was abuzz with talk of An Ning’s performance and the little incident that occurred backstage.

Early the next morning, before the sky had fully brightened, An Ning was still asleep.

A "KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK... KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK..." sounded at the door. Xiao Lang, who was guarding the entrance, flipped to his feet in an instant, the fur on his neck standing on end as he bared his fangs.

"Who is it...?"

An Ning yawned as she sat up, struggling to open her eyes.

With Xiao Lang helping her sleep, she had slept far too soundly.

"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK... Open up!"

The bellowing shout snapped An Ning fully awake. She had a feeling that if she didn’t open the door soon, the person outside would break it down.

At that moment, the person knocking didn’t get An Ning’s door to open, but the neighbor’s instead.

"WOOF WOOF!"

Da Huang cautiously moved forward as Jiang Xia looked at the several people in police uniforms and asked, "Who are you looking for?"

"None of your business. Don’t be nosy."

One of the officers waved Jiang Xia away, then turned to the person next to him. "You think she skipped town out of guilt? Should I just kick the door in?"

"I’d advise against that," Jiang Xia said.

No one responded to his words.

However, an older officer smacked the younger one on the back.

"We haven’t checked anything, we haven’t asked anything. Don’t run your mouth."

The young officer lowered his head and didn’t dare say another word.

Jiang Xia, standing to the side, frowned. ’Skipped town out of guilt?’

’What crime? What in the world happened?’

"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—"

The urgent knocking sounded again, and this time, a voice finally came from inside.

"Stop knocking! It sounds like you’re announcing a death."

The lazy-sounding voice grew closer. The door opened to reveal An Ning, who looked surprised to see the four police officers outside.

"Can I help you, officers?"

"You’re An Ning, is that right? We’re investigating a case and need you to assist us."

The older officer spoke. When the younger officer saw An Ning, his guard dropped considerably. ’Someone who looks like that can’t be a murderer, right?’

"What case?"

An Ning stood in the doorway, her demeanor perfectly composed, as if she were the one conducting the interrogation.

"Last night, a student named Lin Wanwan died."

’Someone died?’

"Who’s Lin Wanwan?"

An Ning genuinely didn’t know any Lin Wanwan. But then she suddenly recalled the events of the previous day and asked, "Lin Wanwan... was she the girl who performed the folk dance yesterday?"

’She was the only person I had a conflict with, and now the police are at my door.’

"Yes, that was Lin Wanwan. According to multiple witness statements, you had a conflict with her last night. We need you to answer some questions."