Song Ning left the shop with a puzzled look on her face, but the smile on her lips froze as soon as she stepped outside.

The man smiled warmly, looking harmless: "Er Ya, it's been a long time."

Song Ning thought she would never see Tang Xinghuai again in her life.

Tang Xinghuai was even more spirited than when he was in Jiangning County.

Song Ning then remembered how this person had tricked her.

If Tang Xinghuai is a good person, fine; but if he is a bad person, then he is definitely a person who hides a knife behind a smile.

Even if he sells you out, you'll still be smiling and helping him count the money.

Upon seeing Tang Xinghuai again, Song Ning was unsure how to react.

Annoyed? Questioning? Or silent?

"What a coincidence," Song Ning said casually.

There were no extra emotions, just like when you meet someone you've only met once and then exchange a casual greeting.

Tang Xinghuai maintained a faint smile throughout, showing no displeasure at Song Ning's cold attitude: "Unfortunately, I came here specifically to see you."

"May I come in and talk?"

Song Ning stepped aside, and Tang Xinghuai walked in with a smile, abruptly ending the cheerful chatter inside.

"You all continue, I'm going to entertain a friend."

Of all those present, only Shi Tou had ever met Tang Xinghuai before, and his expression immediately changed.

Song Ning shook his head at him, then turned and went upstairs.

Xiao Cui brought in some tea and snacks, and then tactfully withdrew.

When only the two of them were left in the room, Tang Xinghuai spoke first: "I'm sorry about what happened last time."

Song Ning poured him some tea, her tone revealing neither joy nor anger: "There's no need for an apology. Since you've already done it, it means you don't regret it."

Song Ning is right about that; he truly doesn't regret it.

For the sake of his great cause, everything he did was carefully considered.

Over the years, he has never wavered, but there is one thing he doesn't want Song Ning to hate him for.

She is a kind, intelligent, resilient and independent girl.

She was very young when they first met, but he knew then that Song Ning was different from others.

If Song Ning knew what he was thinking, she would definitely spit in his face.

She's just not very smart, which is why Tang Xinghuai was able to fool her so easily.

Fortunately, Xie Linzhou did not pursue her responsibility; otherwise, being an accomplice to a traitor would have been a death sentence.

He did the opposite; he ran away and left her to clean up his mess.

She would never dare to befriend him again.

Tang Xinghuai smiled and said, "You really understand me. I truly don't regret it."

Song Ning wasn't angry at first, but as soon as he said that, she glared at him.

"How dare you say that?"

"While I don't regret it, I do want to apologize to you. What happened back then wasn't my intention, it's just..."

What was it? It was just pushing her out to take the bullet in a critical situation.

"Dr. Tang, how many of the things you said are true?"

Tang Xinghuai pursed his lips and remained silent. Song Ning was stunned. Was it really that hard to say?

Does this mean that even his name is fake?

Is there not a single truth in their relationship?

"So...you planned everything?"

"No... meeting you back then was indeed a coincidence."

......

So, ever since they first met, this person has been scheming against her?

That's really impressive. You can't even have this kind of luck in the lottery, right?

"So, when we rescued you in Taojia Village, it was all part of your plan?"

Tang Xinghuai pondered for a moment, then raised his head: "Yes."

Now that things have come to this, there's nothing left to hide.

When he was being investigated by the imperial court, he had no choice but to hide in Taojia Village.

Do you remember the girl I was with?

Jiang Shuyue?

Although they didn't spend much time together, Song Ning was deeply impressed by her.

"What does this have to do with her?"

Do you know why I ruined my face in the first place?

Song Ning had never thought of this before and always assumed it was done by the people from Taojia Village.

"I didn't have to ruin my appearance, but... she's an old acquaintance of mine."

Tang Xinghuai was smiling as he said this, but there was no trace of a smile in his eyes.

Do they know each other?

Song Ning didn't ask why they didn't acknowledge each other since they knew each other; she just felt a chill run down her spine.

No wonder, as a doctor, the people of Taojia Village had no reason to disfigure his face.

That's really ruthless; they can even do that to themselves.

"So, you really have connections with those rebels?"

"yes."

The answer came without the slightest hesitation.

Song Ning didn't know how she was feeling.

If it weren't for those rebels, they wouldn't have had to leave Shanhe Town, nor would they have had to endure so much hardship, trekking through mountains and rivers, and traveling thousands of miles to escape famine to Tianxiang County.

If it weren't for them, there wouldn't be so many pitiful people on the road.

Song Ning clenched her fists tightly and suddenly stood up: "I understand."

Now that I've made myself clear, you should leave.

Tang Xinghuai didn't say much. He slowly stood up, stared at her for a long time, and then said, "We will meet again."

After saying that, he went out the door.

There was no one downstairs anymore. Only after everyone had left did Shi Tou come out from behind.

Why is Tang Xinghuai here?

"have no idea."

Ever since she learned that Tang Xinghuai had schemed against her, she knew that she shouldn't question anything Tang Xinghuai had done.

Tang Xinghuai is a very deep person; she can't understand him.

"He's a wanted criminal by the imperial court, how could he be appearing here openly?"

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