Chapter 1426 - 1443: The Mystery of Xia Xiaonuan’s Origins 3

Chapter 1426: Chapter 1443: The Mystery of Xia Xiaonuan’s Origins 3

"Grandpa, this tea... I haven’t had it before."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Grandpa, you must already know, this tea, I haven’t had it before." Xiaonuan repeated.

Nangong Jinlie’s pupils slightly contracted upon hearing this.

"Do you not remember, or have you never drunk it?" he asked sharply, but there was a faint smile on his face.

Xia Xiaonuan felt a slight sinking in her heart, but she still calmly responded, "Perhaps the former Xia Xiaonuan has had it. But I haven’t."

"So you’re saying you’re not Xia Xiaonuan?"

"Yes." She nodded, "Grandpa, Zhong Li must have already told you, I didn’t intend to hide it from you."

Nangong Jinlie nodded upon hearing this.

He seemed to sigh slightly and then asked, "Then now, I want you to tell me, who are you exactly?"

Xia Xiaonuan bit her lower lip.

She sat in the chair, but she felt a chill invade.

Yet she tried to calm down and laid out her background to Nangong Jinlie thoroughly.

Nangong Jinlie’s face turned somewhat pale after hearing her account.

But soon, the paleness vanished, replaced by a sense of desolation and bitterness.

He suddenly laughed.

The laugh made Xia Xiaonuan feel somewhat creeped out.

"Xia Qiqi... Xia Xiaonuan..." he murmured to himself.

Xia Xiaonuan looked strangely at Nangong Jinlie in front of her, not knowing what to say for a moment.

But Nangong Jinlie spoke, "So you’re not my granddaughter-in-law. Why did you deceive us? Why deceive Ling’er? Why won’t you leave Ling’er?"

Xia Xiaonuan was momentarily stunned upon hearing this.

"I... I originally thought about leaving... but..."

"But, you’re reluctant to give up everything you have, your status, money, and everything the Nangong Family has given you?"

Xia Xiaonuan’s face changed drastically upon hearing this.

"No, it’s not like that, Grandpa!" Xia Xiaonuan quickly stood up and said, "Grandpa, please listen to my explanation, I never thought that way. I sincerely love Nangong Yaoling... that’s why I’m willing to stay by his side!"

Nangong Jinlie’s sharp gaze fixed on her.

He gestured for her to sit down.

Xia Xiaonuan sat down again, feeling slightly uneasy.

Nangong Jinlie placed his hand on the table, tapping lightly with his index finger.

As if contemplating something.

Xia Xiaonuan clasped her hands together, yet her face showed a sense of determination and resolution.

Nangong Jinlie stared at her for a few more seconds, then he spoke, "So if now, I want you to leave Ling’er, can you do it?"

"No!" Xia Xiaonuan said firmly.

Nangong Jinlie clearly didn’t expect her to answer so quickly and decisively. In his weathered yet sharp eyes, surprise flashed, along with a peculiar light.

But soon, this light turned increasingly cold, like a sharp blade.

"Very well, you truly are a smart girl. It seems you’ve already guessed my intention for calling you here today, right?"

Xia Xiaonuan lowered her head without speaking.

"From that press conference, when you bravely stood up to face the numerous reporters’ challenges, I knew you were no longer the Xia Xiaonuan of the past. You are braver than before, more outstanding than the former you."

Xia Xiaonuan didn’t expect Nangong Jinlie to say such words. Thinking of that time, her heart couldn’t help but stir.