A cold glint flashed in Ning Yuan's eyes: "This is the only answer."
She tossed the small shards of porcelain back into the cups and plates on the table, making a crisp clinking sound.
“Ning Bingyu once told me that in 1976, the Ning family and the Cha family jointly acquired the Wharf Holdings, a British-owned company under the Jardine Matheson Group.”
“That company owns a lot of land, but Cha Shen Lou wanted to take over the most valuable Ocean Terminal and Causeway Bay plots, but he failed and almost fell out with the Ning family.”
"Just sweep it up with a broom in a bit, don't hurt your hands." Rong Zhaonan frowned slightly, raised his hand to pull Ning Yuan up, and stopped her from picking up the broken pieces.
This time, Ning Yuan did not push his hand away. She let Rong Zhaonan's warm body temperature envelop her and felt the warmth from his palm.
“However, you just said that during the New Year of 1977…” Rong Zhaonan gently took Ning Yuan’s hand and made her sit on his lap facing him.
Ning Yuan did not refuse. Her mind was now filled with deducing the hidden truths and unseen trajectories of her life.
Rong Zhaonan wrapped his strong arms around her waist, pulling her even closer to him.
"Tang Zhenzhen received a letter from Shanghai. At that time, she was working in the countryside in Ningnan..." His deep and magnetic voice rang in Ning Yuan's ears.
"This coincides with the time when Cha Shenlou and the Ning family almost broke off relations in 1976."
“That’s right. If we follow the timeline, the Cha family somehow got involved with the Tang family between the end of 1976 and 1977.” Ning Yuan continued her analysis, following his train of thought.
A hint of coldness flashed in her large, round eyes: "Then, by using Tang Zhenzhen, the Tang family's daughter who was a sent-down youth in Ningnan, they found out my identity..."
Ning Yuan paused, a mocking smile curving her lips: "It was around that time that Cha Meiling instructed Tang Zhenzhen to try and swindle the jade pendant from me. The timing is perfect."
It turns out that everything has its origins and consequences.
The business battle between the Ning and Cha families somehow crossed national borders and time, spreading to her without her knowledge.
In my past life, I had nothing.
But in this lifetime, Cha Shenlou already owns a piece of the land in Tsim Sha Tsui that he so desperately wanted.
She suddenly found it all ridiculous; the world and life were truly an absurd circle...
What is this? Is it compensation from fate?
“That’s right.” Rong Zhaonan nodded slightly, confirming Ning Yuan’s guess.
A cold glint flashed in his deep eyes: "Cha Meiling grew up in the Ning family. The Cha family must know everything about the Ning family's search for their daughter."
Ning Yuan sighed softly, her delicate brows furrowing: "So, that's why she found me first and then tried every means to get the jade chili pepper from me. Logically, everything makes sense."
Rong Zhaonan raised an eyebrow slightly and said calmly, "Cha Meiling is the eldest grandson's wife of the Ning family, the future matriarch of the Ning family, and she has a jade chili pepper given to her by Old Master Ning as a betrothal token."
"If we get another jade chili pepper from you, that makes two. The last one is with the old master..."
Ning Yuan lowered her eyes, looking at her hand placed in his palm, her tone tinged with sarcasm—
“Cha Meiling has been able to come and go freely in and out of the Ning family since she was a child. If she manages to steal the jade chili pepper from the old master in the end, I won’t be surprised at all. It’s hard to guard against a thief in the family.”
Rong Zhaonan gently grasped her hand in return.
He said nothing, but simply held her tighter, his fingers gently running through her long, curly, black hair, like soothing a cat or rabbit.
Ning Yuan's indescribable daze and agitation gradually subsided, and she rested her face on his shoulder, leaning her whole body against him.
The room was quiet for a while. Sunlight fell on the floor, and the dust motes in the beams of light danced gently, making Ning Yuan feel somewhat dazed.
She suddenly looked up, her clear eyes staring straight into Rong Zhaonan's deep eyes: "Can I... see Cha Meiling?"
Rong Zhaonan was slightly taken aback, not expecting Ning Yuan to make such a request.
He frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then slowly asked, "What do you want to see her for?"
Ning Yuan paused for a moment. In her past life, she never knew until her death that Cha Meiling was the big shot behind the scenes.
A single sentence or a sum of money from the other party determined the course of her life.
She, a mere "paper towel" or "ant," was not qualified to know "Mrs. Cha Meiling," let alone sit in front of her and have an equal conversation.
"I want to ask her a few questions in person." Ning Yuan lowered her eyes, concealing the complex emotions within them.
This "hand towel" is someone who has risked her life to stand before "Mrs. Cha Meiling" in this life, wanting to give an explanation to her past self.
Rong Zhaonan was silent for a moment, then said, "However, you cannot speak alone. She is a suspect now, and I will set up listening devices."
Ning Yuan thought for a moment and nodded: "No problem!"
Rong Zhaonan gently patted her waist and said calmly, "I'll take you to see her. If you can get her to reveal more information about Cha Shenlou, that would be best."
He knew Ning Yuan must have other thoughts in her mind, but she wouldn't say them, and he didn't want to force her.
"Okay!" Ning Yuan's big eyes instantly seemed to ignite with a small flame.
She looked into his phoenix eyes beneath his mask, their pupils gleaming a beautiful, cool amber color in the sunlight. Suddenly, she closed her eyes and reached out to hug him.
Rong Zhaonan was taken aback, but he still swiftly hugged the girl in his arms, something she rarely did.
Ning Yuan buried her face in his shoulder.
The man holding her had such broad and strong shoulders...
She remembered the explosive power hidden beneath his thick camouflage, whether he was holding a gun or embracing her.
She remembered that he liked to suck on a few peppermint leaves to refresh himself, and she was captivated by the faint scent of grass and his own body odor.
His scent was different from other men's; it was cool and clean.
Now, the metallic scent of gunpowder and firearms has been added, creating an aggressive yet alluringly sexy atmosphere.
She also remembered...
When he's angry, he becomes cold and fierce, with the stubbornness of youth, like a beautiful, cold bayonet, both scathing and hurtful.
When he gets emotional, his shoulder muscles tense up like hard stones, so sexy that it makes her heart race, and his beautiful, cool phoenix eyes narrow and become watery.
When he's happy, he'll lift her up and say, "Wife, you're so good," and then carry her around in circles.
When he's being naughty, he's like a big kid, yet so naughty that it leaves you helpless.
Her Rong Zhaonan was completely different from the imposing and stern leader she saw on TV, who wore a prosthetic eye...
The Mr. Rong on TV seemed to have been etched with the vicissitudes of life by the cold years and responsibilities, like a cold star in the sky, completely unrelated to her.
The Rong Zhaonan in her arms was vivid, real, and warm.
His breath was right next to her ear, his heartbeat was so close to hers, he was her husband, not Cha Meiling's partner.
Ning Yuan couldn't help but reach out and wrap her arms around his shoulders, her palms touching the strong muscles beneath his jungle camouflage, a sense of security she had never felt before enveloped her.
“You are different from him…” Ning Yuan’s voice was soft and firm.
This is Rong Zhaonan, Captain Rong, who belongs to her, not the Mr. Rong who belongs to Mrs. Cha Meiling on TV, but Rong Zhaonan who belongs completely to her.
Rong Zhaonan felt the warmth of the girl in his arms and listened to her gentle yet firm voice; his deep eyes flickered slightly.
"Who am I different from?" He lowered his head, trying to catch Ning Yuan's gaze.
Ning Yuan didn't answer his question, but just hugged him tighter: "Rong Zhaonan, you are mine."
She buried her face in his neck, as if asserting her sovereignty, making a solemn and firm declaration.
Rong Zhaonan's body stiffened slightly, then a faint smile appeared on his lips.
He didn't press further, but gently wrapped his arms around Ning Yuan's waist, pulling her closer into his embrace: "Yes, I am yours, and will always be yours, my wife."
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