Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The reason for Xu Anting's disappearance
They had not seen each other for more than a year. Qiao Qiao felt that Xu Anting did not seem to have changed much.
He was still so calm and indifferent, dressed in a meticulous academic manner. It was very different from the sinister, cunning, poaching, and unscrupulous image she had learned from He Shaochen.
"Qiao Qiao, long time no see." Xu Anting greeted Qiao Qiao naturally.
Qiao Qiao snapped out of her thoughts and hurriedly greeted back. "Long time no see, Professor Xu."
Hearing this, Xu Anting seemed to be a little surprised. His lips curled into a wry smile. "I haven't heard this name in a long time. Hearing it from you makes me feel a little nostalgic."
"…"
Qiao Qiao knew that she had made a slip of the tongue. Xu Anting was no longer a guest professor at Lan Di University. He was now the heir of the Xu family and was in charge of the huge business empire. She pursed her lips and said, "Whether you are a professor now or not, you were once my mentor. As long as you don't mind, I will continue to call you that."
Xu Anting smiled and his gaze fell on Adam behind Qiao Qiao. "I have seen this person on TV before. He is standing beside you. Your executive officer, Mr. Adam, right?"
Adam stepped forward and spoke in fluent Mandarin A, "I am no longer Lilith's executive officer. I am just a bodyguard. Nice to meet you, Mr. Xu."
"Lilith …"
Xu Anting murmured and pursed his lips. "Don't stand outside. Let's talk inside."
Qiao Qiao nodded. Actually, she had many things to ask Xu Anting. It was indeed inconvenient to keep standing outside.
"Mr. Adam, please take a seat," Xu Anting said politely when he saw that Adam was still standing.
Adam shook his head. "There are some things that I shouldn't get involved in. I'll stand guard for you guys. If there's anything, you guys can talk."
The purpose of his visit was to prevent Qiao Qiao's private meeting with Xu Anting from becoming the subject of ridicule. Therefore, he had to pay attention to everything around him. He absolutely could not allow anyone to take any photos and use them to slander Qiao Qiao.
Qiao Qiao understood Adam's painstaking efforts and looked at him gratefully.
Xu Anting didn't insist. He handed the catalog to Qiao Qiao and asked with a smile, "Joe Qiao, what would you like to drink? It's my treat today."
Qiao Qiao ordered a cup of hot milk, and Xu Anting ordered a cup of black coffee.
Seeing the cup of black coffee, Qiao Qiao couldn't help but be stunned. As Xu Anting's student, she had worked on some projects with him and had some understanding of his habits. As far as she knew, Xu Anting never drank black coffee because it was too bitter and astringent.
He came from a well-off family, and his family was harmonious. He was also talented and had won countless awards since he was young. It could be said that Xu Anting was the model of a winner in life.
Therefore, he couldn't taste the bitterness of black coffee. Now, he casually ordered a cup of black coffee as if he was used to it.
What had happened to him in the past year or so?
Qiao Qiao was getting more and more curious. However, when she saw Xu Anting, she didn't know why she couldn't ask. She didn't know how to ask.
However, Xu Anting spoke first.
"I'm sorry."
"Huh?" Qiao Qiao was stunned.
Xu Anting held the cup with both hands and smiled bitterly. "A lot of things have happened to you in the past year. You haven't had a good time. I know all about it …"
Qiaoqiao stirred the hot milk with a spoon, smiled and said, "This year has indeed been full of ups and downs, but it's all in the past. No matter how bitter or difficult it is, it's all in the past."
Moreover, this year wasn't all bad. She met her guardian knight, got a pair of children, had a brother, and had a big family. These were all things that she should be grateful for.
Xu Anting didn't take these words to heart. He looked up at her and asked, "Didn't you blame me?"
"Huh?" Qiao Qiao was stunned again. She said dryly, "Why would I blame Professor Xu?"
"In the past year, I haven't heard from you at all. When you were in such a difficult time, I didn't even call or text you. Aren't you angry?" When Xu Anting said this, his emotions finally fluctuated a little.
Qiao Qiao was a little confused by Xu Anting's question. "But Professor Xu doesn't have the obligation to help me …"
She and Xu Anting were teacher and student, and they were also friends. However, Qiao Qiao didn't think that Xu Anting had any reason to help her. If he helped her, it was out of kindness. If he didn't help, it was his duty. There was nothing to blame him for.
"Oh, that's what you would say. You've always solved your own problems. Unless it's a last resort, you won't easily rely on others." Xu Anting rubbed the space between his eyebrows. He seemed a little tired. He supported his head with one hand and looked out of the window. He said slowly, "After knowing your true identity, my family objected to me having any more contact with you because you are a member of the Charlie Royal Family. Last year, the Charlie Royal Family was in turmoil. The battle for the throne was mighty. If you were careless, you would be implicated."
"At that time, your identity was sensitive. Although you had the first right to inherit the throne, you had no power. You would either become a puppet of other forces or be eradicated by Ravel's party. Once you failed, the people involved with you would definitely be regarded as a thorn in Ravel's side. We are different from his Clan. We don't have a strong foundation to support us. Once we are targeted by the Royal Family, we will be destroyed in an instant."
"When I learned that your mother was buried in the sea of fire and He Shaochen faked his death, I should have been by your side to comfort you. But I'm sorry. Between you and my family, I chose my family. I can't let them take risks with me because of my own selfish desires."
After listening to Xu Anting's words, Qiao Qiao's heart was very calm.
"Professor Xu didn't do anything wrong. Although I have reconciled with Ravel now, we were indeed like fire and water at the beginning. If you were involved with me, you would definitely be eradicated by the Isabelle Family behind him. So, your decision was very wise."
Xu Anting held the cup tightly with both hands. "So, have you forgiven me?"
Qiao Qiao found his words funny.
She took a sip of milk and smiled. "I have never blamed Professor Xu for this. How can I forgive you? I understand your difficulties. "
Qiao Qiao's words finally relieved Xu Anting of the burden in his heart. He exhaled and said half-jokingly, "Before I came to see you again, I was so nervous. Fortunately, you have forgiven me. Otherwise, I would probably blame myself for the rest of my life."
Qiao Qiao blinked. "Then I'm lucky to have come. Otherwise, my sins would have been punished."
The two looked at each other and smiled.
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