Chapter 1428 - 1445: The Long-Hidden Secret 1

Chapter 1428: Chapter 1445: The Long-Hidden Secret 1

Nangong Jinlie’s face was somewhat pale.

At this time, the butler stepped forward, serving tea for Nangong Jinlie.

"Master, have a cup of tea first."

Nangong Jinlie took the teacup, suddenly waved his hand, and with a "bang," he threw the teacup onto the floor.

Xia Xiaonuan was startled, her heart tense to the extreme, but she maintained her composure and confronted Nangong Jinlie.

The butler quickly advised with a good attitude, "Young madam, you should speak softly to the master. The master used to cherish you most. You shouldn’t be so defiant."

Yet Xia Xiaonuan remained silent, her unyielding gaze meeting Nangong Jinlie’s sharp eyes, neither willing to compromise.

In the end, it was Nangong Jinlie who suddenly shook his head and burst into laughter.

His laughter was somewhat deranged.

Xia Xiaonuan looked at Nangong Jinlie as if he were an eccentric old man.

As Nangong Jinlie met Xia Xiaonuan’s gaze, a hint of embarrassment flashed across his face.

He stifled his laughter and then seemed to murmur to himself, "Indeed, all of this is destiny, destiny..."

Xia Xiaonuan furrowed her delicate brows, watching Nangong Jinlie with unease and suspicion.

Nangong Jinlie composed himself and said, "Xiaonuan, there is something I have never told you. It’s about your true identity..."

Upon hearing this, Xia Xiaonuan was slightly stunned at first, and the next second, remembering something, her complexion changed.

"Grandpa, what do you mean? My identity?"

She recalled that she had heard before that she was not Xia Zhennan’s daughter. Back then, with so much happening, she didn’t think deeply about it.

Moreover, she was no longer the former Xia Xiaonuan, so she had long forgotten about this matter.

But now, hearing Nangong Jinlie say this actually made her vigilant.

Nangong Jinlie said, "I originally thought this secret would remain hidden until the day I died. However, I did not expect such events to unfold, nor did I expect that one day I would have to face it all and tell you personally."

Xia Xiaonuan looked at Nangong Jinlie dazedly, waiting for him to continue.

"You want to know the reason, don’t you? Why I must make you leave Ling’er? Now, I will tell you the reason. The answer may bring you pain, but if you truly love Ling’er, you should understand what you must do!"

Xia Xiaonuan trembled all over.

She placed her hand on her knee, her entire face tinged with unease. Although she didn’t want to hear it, she couldn’t help but be curious. What was Xia Xiaonuan’s true identity? Why, upon knowing her identity, would she have to leave Nangong Yaoling?

However, there was one thing Nangong Jinlie must have forgotten. No matter what Xia Xiaonuan’s true identity was, it had nothing to do with her and wouldn’t affect her relationship with Nangong Yaoling.

Because she was never Xia Xiaonuan, she was Xia Qiqi.

Moreover, she understood in her heart that Nangong Yaoling had feelings for her as well.

Whether she was Xiaonuan or Qiqi, it was all the same.

Therefore, thinking of this, she mustered the courage, sat up straight, and waited for Nangong Jinlie to speak.

Nangong Jinlie pondered, seemingly brewing something. He reached out his hand, and the butler immediately stepped forward, handing him a gold pipe and lighting it respectfully.

Afterward, the butler slightly opened the window beside him.

"That was many years ago," Nangong Jinlie said, smoking the pipe, his weathered face still showing a bit of steeliness through the smoke.