?Chapter 289: Chapter 289: An Unexpected Disaster   Chapter 289: Chapter 289: An Unexpected Disaster                                   Jiang Shaoqing smiled yfully, it seemed Uncle Li was unaware.


    “Uncle Li, you probably didn’t know, but Bai Xiao is An Zhiyuan’s fiancée! Of course, the young couple should sit together!”


    Exposing An Zhiyuan’s secret, there had always been peace and calm in the courtyard, and not a whisper had been heard about An Zhiyuan having a doctor as his fiancée. Jiang Shaoqing was not An Zhiyuan; when he investigated Bai Xiao, of course, he knew about the powerful figure behind her.


    But the An Family’s attitude didn’t seem to be one of those in the know.


    The An Family was moreplicated than most, especially since An Zhiyuan’s stepmother, Wei Shufen, was no pushover. His grandfather had always said that appearances can be deceiving and the sea is immeasurable in depth. Wei Shufen was a cunning woman, just see how many years she had gone without children yet had managed to garner such a grip on An Cheng, solidifying her position as the master woman of the house.


    Just that made clear how capable Wei Shufen was. Moreover, when the An Family lost a child years ago! How big a fuss it caused. Everyone in the yard worked tirelessly to find the youngster, with many people making an effort.


    So, when in the end An Cheng’s official statement imed that the child was lost by ident, what the adults whispered behind closed doors was out of An Cheng’s control. At least his own grandparents said it was a sinmitted by Wei Shufen.


    If An Zhiyuan didn’t get his family’s backing, this marriage would probably not be so easily concluded.


    He was also trying to help Bai Xiao. Having Uncle Li support her would make An Cheng more epting than anyone else’s word could.


    Li Dongliang’s eyes widened in shock as he assessed An Zhiyuan and Bai Xiao, his face full of disbelief. He was just about to ask when Bai Xiao looked up and said, “Really? Doctor Bai, are you and Ayuan…?”


    An Zhiyuan turned to look at Bai Xiao with a calm and lingering gaze, deep as the ocean.


    Bai Xiao nodded, “Leader, An Zhiyuan and I are engaged. He saved me from the reservoir back then. To prevent vige gossip, he stood up and said he would marry me. It’s actually me who got the better end of the deal. An Zhiyuan got tied down by me like this,” she said, her eyes warm as they met An Zhiyuan’s.


    Both couldn’t help but reminisce about their experience by the reservoir, a gentle warmth flowing between them.


    Li Dongliang pped An Zhiyuan on the shoulder, “You sly dog, you moved fast. I was nning to introduce Doctor Bai to my underachieving son, and where would you find a daughter-inw like her? Who knew you’d act first.” Hemented, his expression towards An Zhiyuan suddenly shifted, as he leaned in with mischief.


    “You’re getting married without a foundation of feelings. How about this, Doctor Bai is now in the city, and no one knows about your past. If you’re reluctant, I, as your uncle, can decide for you and call off this wedding. I believe Bai Xiao is not the kind of woman who craves wealth and will set you free.”


    He still harbored his own little schemes.


    Bai Xiao nced sideways at An Zhiyuan, who responded with a serene smile.


    “Doctor Bai, right? An Zhiyuan is your lifesaver; you can’t repay kindness with ingratitude. The An Family’s threshold is too high! It doesn’t suit you. Just say the word, and I’ll decide for both of you, and we’ll cancel this absurd marriage.” It’s not toote, as long as they’re not yet married.


    Bai Xiao, with a sunny smile, grasped An Zhiyuan’s hand, “Leader, there’s no need to worry, I’ve already told An Zhiyuan that since we are engaged, he belongs to me in life and in death. Isn’t that right, Big Brother An?”


    An Zhiyuan tightened his grip around Bai Xiao’s fingers, sping her slender wrist securely in his dry, warm palm.


    “Uncle Li, I am very satisfied with this marriage. I’ve already filed a marriage report. If nothing unexpected happens, once Bai Xiao turns twenty next year, we will get married.” This was a definitive deration of sovereignty.


    Li Dongliang’s mouth drooped. How was it that good daughters-inw always ended up in someone else’s family?


    Han Weiguo’sugh was as bright as spring sunshine, “Lao Li, you better stop thinking about Dr. Bai. Those two look like a perfect match, like a handsome man with a beautifuldy. Stop harboring any crooked ideas!” It was refreshing to see Li Dongliang at a loss for once.


    “Fine, fine, so you had a goodugh at my expense. Go ahead,ugh! I’m not afraid of it. Dr. Bai is such an exceptional talent, it’s only natural that I would take notice. Isn’t there a saying, ‘A fine woman is pursued by many suitors’? This just proves that my judgment is sharp. You know, ‘It takes a wise man to recognize a hero’—get it?” This was Li Dongliang’s retort after being the butt of Han Weiguo’s joke.


    In the midst of their conversation, Bai Yue and Wang Yan had brought over the pot, turned on the gas, and everyone was immediately drawn to the hot pot.


    After all, they had never really tried eating like this before.


    Li Dongliang immediately shifted his attention, and Han Weiguo couldn’t help but swallow his saliva, thinking that it indeed looked delicious.


    Especially since he loved spicy food, this was like a pot tailor-made for him.


    Bai Xiao noticed that a few people at the other table had already paid and left. Indeed, it was getting quitete.


    She heard the screeching of car tires against the pavement outside, a sound so shrill it made her ufortable. Right, had those peoplee by car?


    Looking through the ss window, Bai Xiao suddenly widened her eyes. A van sped toward them like a drunken drunkard, swerving right up against the window in front of them.


    All she could manage to shout was, “Run, it’s dangerous!”


    Then, An Zhiyuan pulled her by the waist from behind and rushed her towards the side wall. Amidst a thunderous crash and the sound of shattering ss, one entire side of the hall was smashed open, leaving a huge hole. Cold wind mixed with snowkes swirled into the room, and then the van started to reverse. An Zhiyuan and Jiang Shaoqing exchanged a nce and both got up to chase after it.


    This person was trying to get away.


    An Zhiyuan lunged forward! He only managed to grab the handle of the van, and due to momentum, the car swung its tail and headed straight out onto the road.


    His body was flung out with it, but fortunately, he was holding on tight to the handle, his entire body now dangling from the door.


    Jiang Shaoqing had already dived into his own car and was chasing after it, trying to get in front to block the van.


    But due to the heavy snowfall before the New Year, the road was dark and slippery. His car too was swaying like a drunkard, and the two vehicles weaved like snakes on the road. It was lucky that it waste and there were hardly any pedestrians or vehicles on the road.


    Otherwise, given the state of these two cars, there would likely have been many innocent casualties.


    An Zhiyuan finally smashed the window ss with his fist, reached in to unlock the handle that was locked from the inside, and flung open the door. The inertia pulled him backward and he had to run to keep up with the speed of the van, looking for bnce and leverage for his feet. Atst, he tumbled into the vehicle.


    “Stop the car!” he bellowed, and from behind, he fiercely grabbed the driver’s neck. The brake was mmed on violently.


    Jiang Shaoqing’s car crashed hard into the van, and An Zhiyuan was flung against the driver’s seat, falling to the floor. The driver was thrown out of the front windshield by the impact.


    Everything was in disarray.


    Gasp