Her Imperfection for Wifehood - Chapter 44.1

Chapter 44.1

After sending off Tang Yunqing and her daughter, An Jing instructed Wanyun and the others to pack up and leave the manor as well.

Returning to the An house, she did not rest. Instead, she disguised herself, tucked a gun into her pocket, and called for Lu Cheng to go with her to the hospital where Kahn was recovering.

The intention was to figure out the police and bodyguard shift changes and find a weakness to exploit. She wasn’t doing this with the grim determination to die; she wanted to execute it flawlessly, ensure a direct hit, and also live to see Tang Yunqing and Xiaoyu, and… Yinyin.

However, she arrived too late. The hospital was completely surrounded by police from the station.

Lu Cheng walked into a small shop that was still open: “Brother, what happened at the hospital?”

“An hour ago, there was an intense gunfight inside. They say someone came to assassinate that foreigner, Kahn. It’s a shame, though. The bad guy was transferred long ago, but good people died or were injured. Where is the justice, alas.”

“Did you hear where those good people were from?”

“Among the dead, some had gang tattoos on their arms, supposedly from the Lu Gang. I didn’t see it myself, so I don’t know if it’s true.”

An Jing, leaning against the door outside, heard the owner’s words, her face instantly changed, and her heart clenched.

She ran all the way to a public phone booth and called home.

“Uncle Li, is An Xi home?”

“Not yet.”

“Call and find him! Tell him to wait for me at home!”

“Miss, after you left, Boss Qi sent a letter, asking you to open it personally.”

“Boss Qi?” He was closely related to An Xi, so the letter must be about An Xi. “Uncle Li, open it right now and read the content to me.”

“Okay.”

The note inside contained the address of a teahouse in the old town. The four-character inscription at the bottom was “Fushou Ankang” (Fortune, Longevity, and Peace). Those were the words she and An Xi had written on a sky lantern on the Mid-Autumn Festival this year.

An Jing and Lu Cheng immediately drove to the teahouse.

They parked the car some distance away. They found the teahouse owner and gave Boss Qi’s name.

The owner politely led the two upstairs, through a long corridor, then downstairs and around a corner, instructing an employee to take them out through another door.

The three walked into another general store not far away. The employee exchanged a few words with the owner, checked that no one was around, and then led An Jing and Lu Cheng to the store’s backyard.

The employee removed the wooden panel covering a hidden door and said: “Boss Jing, the person you are looking for is inside.”

Lu Cheng walked in front with his gun drawn. Qi Ruyue, who was pouring water for An Xi, saw Lu Cheng first, then An Jing behind him, and tears immediately welled up in her eyes: “Sister, you’re here.”

After ensuring there was no danger, Lu Cheng put away his gun and said: “Miss, I’ll keep watch outside.”

An Xi was lying in bed, having just woken up from a deep sleep. His mind was still hazy. He also mumbled a “Sister.”

“Are you seriously injured?” An Jing sat on the chair beside the bed, concerned.

“Shot in the abdomen. Fortunately, the rescue was timely, and he’s out of danger. We have a doctor looking after him,” Qi Ruyue answered for him.

“How did it happen?”

“We were ambushed during a secret meeting this morning. It was an internal conflict. The pro-foreign faction, led by Liang Xu, used the enemy’s policy adjustment toward China and the increased aggression in our Northeast region as a pretext to launch a massive campaign to suppress and kill patriotic organizations. An Xi became a thorn in the side of the pro-foreign faction due to his significant contributions to military intelligence gathering after returning to China.”

An Xi moved his exposed hand. An Jing actively took it. She had vaguely guessed An Xi’s hidden identity before today. Sure enough, it was an identity dancing on the edge of a knife.

Should she scold him for not valuing his life?

No.

“It’s too early to say who will win. As long as life remains, anything is possible. An Xi, your path is fraught with danger, but you have your ambition and great aspirations. What you do is for the country and the people, and it is a supreme honor. I understand. Honestly, I don’t support you taking this path. But since things have come to this, An Xi, I respect your belief. Your life is in your hands. Whether you dedicate it to the country, the An family, your loved one, or yourself, it is your right. But you must promise me, strive to live.”

“Sister, thank you. I will strive to live. You too. I still rely on you to take care of me.” An Xi and An Jing had a deep sibling bond. They both wished for the other to have no regrets.

“Mhm, I’ll take care of you.”

“Sister, listen. According to reliable intelligence, three thousand invading marine corps will arrive at the Shanghai port soon. You must leave…”

“Enough. You’re telling me all this in one breath. Are you planning to stay in Shanghai and die with your comrades?” An Jing interrupted him. She released his hand and stood up. “I’m your sister. There’s no such principle as a sister abandoning her younger brother to save herself.”

“Sister, you are a businesswoman. Don’t force yourself to bear the burden of national duty. It’s enough for me to carry it for the An family…” An Xi spoke with difficulty. “Liang Xu made a big fuss but failed to net the prey he wanted. He definitely won’t give up easily. Sister, it is well known that you are the closest person to me. You will surely become his next target. The An house is not safe to stay in for long, and Shanghai is not safe to remain in for long. Hurry back and tell everyone to disperse. The sooner, the better.”

Disperse?

An Jing was slightly dazed. How could they just disperse?

An Xi continued to urge: “With war approaching, no matter how great a family business is, it cannot withstand the ravages of war. Furthermore, I have already transferred all the shares to our Eldest Uncle. The An Corporation has nothing to do with either you or me anymore!”

To prevent An Jing from worrying about the An Corporation and from becoming a burden to her, he had to do this.

“You guard the country, and I will guard the home. An Xi, your sister is not one to cling to life out of fear of death. If death is unavoidable, then I seek a worthy death.”

Under An Xi’s “brainwashing” during this time, she had already completed the transformation from a workaholic whose mind was only focused on the An Corporation to an independent individual with flesh and blood.

Emotionally, An Xi was her only closest relative in this world. The home was only a home because An Xi was in it.

“What’s all this talk about dying!”

An Xi was agitated. He reached out to pull An Jing. “Sister, this time, I am the one targeted by the national traitors! I cannot let you, the person closest to me, be in danger! Sister, you have to help me. All of you must live well. I beg you, Sister! Do you want to stand by and watch Uncle Li, Zhang Ma, and Wanyun all become sacrifices, dying for nothing?”

An Jing’s body swayed. Qi Ruyue supported her: “Listen to An Xi, Sister. Those people are blinded by power and kill without blinking.”

“I am injured. Word will get out soon. Even if Liang Xu stays calm and doesn’t move, giving us time to breathe, we still have the Municipal Council and Kahn watching us, and the enemy invasion. A major battle is imminent. If you don’t leave now, it will be too late.”

An Xi’s firm advice echoed repeatedly in her ears.

An Jing stood still for a long time before compromising: “I understand. You’ve been pretending to be a playboy for so long; you must be tired of it. You rest well here. I’ll take care of the An house. As soon as I settle them, I’ll come for you.”

She stared at An Xi with piercing eyes, not allowing refusal: “An Xi, I can listen to you and leave Shanghai, but you must come with me.”

After understanding the whole situation, she knew her brother couldn’t escape the pursuit of the pro-foreign faction. Staying in Shanghai would make him a target.

As his sister, she had the responsibility and duty to protect him.

An Xi had anticipated her words and readily agreed: “Cough, cough. Look, I’m so injured. What use am I to the organization? I can only follow my sister to escape.”

“It’s best if you know your limitations.” An Jing nodded. “Ruyue, watch him. Thank you, and you’ve worked hard.”

The terrible war was finally coming to Shanghai. Where should the citizens of the city go?

They were already unable to help themselves. How could they help others?

Even though everyone knew there would be a war, their homes and families were here. How could they escape? Where could they flee to? Who could guarantee a smooth journey?

She could only pray for the municipal government to take action.

As soon as An Jing left, An Xi coughed violently. He signaled Qi Ruyue to sit by the bed and held her hand.

“Ruyue, go home. Don’t follow me anymore. Boss Qi’s identity hasn’t been exposed yet. You are relatively safe staying in the concession.”

“An Xi, I won’t hinder you. After I help you recover from your injury, you can do whatever you want. As for me, although I don’t have the courage or skill to fight on the battlefield, there must be something within my capability on this patriotic path.”

“Silly girl, isn’t it better to just go home and be your Miss?”

“No.” Qi Ruyue shed tears. She leaned on An Xi, sobbing as she asked, “There will be a day of great peace and prosperity, right?”

“Mhm, there will be.” An Xi gently stroked her hair. “When that day comes, we’ll go to the citrus grove to pick oranges. I hope I’ll also have the chance to buy an entire orchard for you.”

An Jing called home again: “Uncle Li, notify the factory managers and our uncles to attend a meeting at the company. It concerns the survival of the An Corporation. Please ensure they are all present.”

Then, she rushed to the company, formally handing over the CEO position to her Eldest Uncle.

“Uncles and factory managers, the future of the An Corporation is entrusted to your management. A final sincere piece of advice: war might break out in Shanghai soon. If you are worried about being affected by the war, you can sell the factories and divide the money to escape. Of course, you can also steadfastly defend the An Corporation and move to the concession to seek another refuge. From now on, you are responsible for your own profits and losses. An Xi and I bid you all farewell. Until we meet again.”

After speaking, she left the place that held such great significance for her without looking back.

People are not made of wood; how could she not feel anything after more than a decade?

Only after getting into the car did An Jing close her eyes, letting tears roll down her cheeks.

“Miss, are we going… home now?”

“Mhm.” This weak “mhm” accompanied by a nasal tone made An Jing, who had been strong for decades, uncomfortable, and Lu Cheng was uncomfortable too.

“Lu Cheng.”

“Yes, Miss, what are your instructions?”

“An Xi and I are planning to leave Shanghai. What about you? What are your plans?”

“Wherever the Miss goes, I go. Miss, you saved me from the King of Hell. My life belongs to the Miss. No matter what danger lies ahead, I will stand in front of the Miss without hesitation.”

Listening to Lu Cheng’s declaration of loyalty, An Jing looked out the window, changing the subject: “You and An Xi don’t give people peace of mind. You’ve reached the age to settle down, but neither of you has a family. Lu Cheng, don’t you want to live for yourself, find a life partner, and create a happy life that belongs to you two?”

Lu Cheng, who usually had a straightforward way of thinking, suddenly seemed to understand her underlying meaning and immediately slammed on the brakes.

Support