Chapter 34 Caught by Jiang Yu?

Xu Anan’s sudden appearance was a stinging slap to Ning Xiyue’s face, especially since Xu Anan was seated in a wheelchair, rendering Ning Xiyue’s conspiracy theory entirely groundless. Xu Anan had simply been bored and decided to take a stroll. By chance, she overheard someone mention that Ning Xiyue had been hospitalized after an accident, so she came by out of curiosity—only to catch Ning Xiyue and Fang Jie’s conversation.

“You want to blame me for your mishap? Then if something happens to me, should I blame you as well?”

When Ning Xiyue saw Xu Anan in the wheelchair, a flash of wild delight crossed her eyes, but aside from the bandages on Xu Anan’s feet, she seemed unharmed.

What was going on? Were the people she had sent being too gentle with Xu Anan?

“Miss Xu, you must have misunderstood us—you didn’t hear the whole conversation,” Ning Xiyue said, her voice trembling as her eyes reddened. “We were simply saying that this is a conspiracy against me, not that you’re involved, Miss Xu. I know you’ve always had issues with me, but isn’t it unfair to wrong me like this? Can’t Ah Yu and I even have a normal social interaction?”

Before Xu Anan could respond, Jiang Yu appeared, his face dark and stormy.

“Xu Anan, haven’t you caused enough trouble? Yue’er is already hurt like this, and you still want to make things difficult for her? Why must you be so detestable?”

Xu Anan could only find it laughable.

“Selective blindness, are you? Didn’t you see I’m in a wheelchair? As my fiancé, you didn’t come check on me first, but you're so concerned about your friend—who knows what kind of ‘friend’ she really is.”

People passing by couldn’t help but stop to watch the drama unfold. Naturally, they understood what was going on, their eyes full of disdain as they looked at Jiang Yu and Ning Xiyue.

“Hey, isn’t that Ning Xiyue from TV?”

“Is she getting beaten up for being the other woman?”

Recognized, Ning Xiyue quickly turned away, urgently whispering, “Ah Yu, close the door!”

But Xu Anan was right at the doorway, neither going in nor out.

Jiang Yu, irritated, had no choice but to pull Xu Anan inside and shut the door, cutting off all those probing gazes.

He ordered Xu Anan, “If any bad rumors about Yue’er get out, you have to help clarify things!”

“Fine,” Xu Anan replied.

Ning Xiyue, surprised by her easy agreement, couldn’t help but look back. But in the next second, both she and Jiang Yu nearly choked with rage at Xu Anan’s words: “Just pay me. As long as the money’s right, not only will I help clarify things, I could even hand over my fiancé if that’s what you want.”

Jiang Yu’s face instantly collapsed. “What do you take me for?”

“If not for money, what else should I care about? Should I appreciate your fickleness, or be grateful for the other women you bring into my life? I should really thank your whole family for that,” Xu Anan retorted mercilessly.

“You—you’re simply unreasonable!” Jiang Yu said, so enraged he raised his hand. But in the end, he didn’t strike. If a single slap ruined the engagement between their two families, his grandfather would skin him alive.

Ning Xiyue was deeply disappointed. She had so hoped Jiang Yu would teach Xu Anan a lesson. “Ah Yu, let it go. I’m sure Miss Xu only acts this way because she cares about you so much and can’t accept me. From now on, let’s see each other less.”

Her eyes dropped pitifully, tears falling as if the world owed her everything, making Jiang Yu look at Xu Anan with even more dislike.

“Xu Anan, do you only feel satisfied when you make Yue’er cry? How can someone like you exist? No wonder your mother is in the hospital now—”

Smack!

Ignoring the pain in her foot, Xu Anan pushed against the armrest of her wheelchair, sprung up, and delivered a fierce slap across Jiang Yu’s face. She lost her balance and landed back on the floor, accidentally hitting her lower back. Xu Anan didn’t utter a sound. Her gaze was sharp as she glared at Jiang Yu.

“Nothing good ever comes from your mouth. You’d better shut up, or don’t blame me for being rude.”

Knowing Xu’s mother was Xu Anan’s Achilles’ heel, Jiang Yu rubbed his cheek, not daring to get angry. He had gone too far.

Ning Xiyue’s disappointment deepened. Jiang Yu was just too weak—he should have slapped back! How could he let a woman hit him?

No longer willing to watch the sordid interaction between this scummy pair, Xu Anan turned her wheelchair and left.

“Miss Xu, where have you been?” Jiang Li’s assistant appeared, helping to push her toward Jiang Li’s hospital room.

Just then, Jiang Yu emerged and saw the scene. He wanted to catch up and see how Xu Anan had so quickly gotten a man to help her, but Ning Xiyue called him back.

Hmph, shameless woman!

Jiang Li had sent for Xu Anan because it was time to eat.

“Eat.”

“You go ahead, I have no appetite,” Xu Anan replied, having already arranged to meet a hidden bigwig. “I’ll be leaving soon anyway. I don’t need this wheelchair.”

In truth, her foot injury was minor.

Jiang Li glanced at his assistant, who understood and slipped out to quietly investigate what had just happened.

“Eat when you’re told, stop talking nonsense.” Jiang Li set the chopsticks in front of Xu Anan. “Or do you not want the project?”

Xu Anan wanted to clamp Jiang Li’s mouth shut. How could someone so handsome have such a mouth?

“Never thought Second Master Jiang had such a twisted hobby—forcing people to eat.”

“Less talk.”

After trading barbs with Jiang Li, Xu Anan realized she was a bit hungry. She wheeled herself over, but accidentally bumped her waist, the pain making her furrow her brow.

Jiang Li noticed. “Just one bump and you can’t take it?”

“Yes, I’m that delicate,” Xu Anan replied, rubbing her back, certain there must be a bruise.

Jiang Li pulled her over without ceremony, lifted her shirt, and saw the stark bruise on her fair, slender waist.

“What are you doing!?” Xu Anan’s face flushed red, but Jiang Li held onto her shirt and she couldn’t wrest it away. “Leave it alone, let go.”

Jiang Li pressed the call bell for the nurse to bring a bottle of ointment.

“This is private—”

“Enough!” Xu Anan had to give in, fearing what outrageous statement Jiang Li might make next. Her pale face was burning with embarrassment and anger.

When his warm hand pressed against her waist, Xu Anan shuddered. She then heard his teasing voice, full of implication: “So sensitive. Can’t even handle a touch here? No wonder you always—”

“Second Master Jiang, you’re supposed to apply ointment with your hand, not your mouth, right?”

“Oh? You want me to use my mouth? That can be arranged.”

Xu Anan was so furious her teeth itched. She ignored him, turning her head away, only to catch sight of the small window in the door. Through the glass, she saw Jiang Yu standing outside!

“Stop—stop rubbing.” She stammered, “Your good nephew is here.” Xu Anan swallowed nervously, her mind racing as she wondered how best to explain what was happening.