Beg Me to Remarry
Chapter 222: An Intimate Photo Reappears

Chapter 222: Chapter 222: An Intimate Photo Reappears

Xia Ning hadn’t expected it to be so early. The movie channel was broadcasting the news, and as she listened, she felt drowsy. She turned her head to look outside the window.

The sky was very blue, just like the sea; the clouds were very white, just like cotton candy. Today was a beautiful day, neither cold nor hot, perfect for an outing.

Her eyes narrowed slightly. Nan Qing had said she was a photographer whose work had gained some fame online, and she had even gone under the sea as a photographer for a film.

Xia Ning thought that if she hadn’t lost her memory, she would probably go out to capture the scenery on such a weather, experience the landscapes of this world, and understand different lives.

Suddenly, the voice from the TV changed—a monotonous middle-aged male voice turning into a lively female one: "Everyone, it’s time for the entertainment news now, let’s turn our attention to..."

As she listened, she suddenly heard the name "He Xing," and she couldn’t help but turn her puzzled gaze towards the TV. She saw, out of the corner of her eye, that Nan Qing had also turned towards the TV; it seemed it wasn’t just her mishearing.

The TV screen displayed He Xing’s photo, but it wasn’t just He Xing alone in the photo; there was also Xia Ning.

Several pictures appeared on the screen, either showing Xia Ning nestled in He Xing’s arms, He Xing wrapping his arms around Xia Ning’s waist, or Xia Ning resting her chin on He Xing’s shoulder.

The host’s saccharine voice kept ringing in Xia Ning’s ears: "Mr. He Xing, heir to the He Group, has always been the focus of everyone’s attention when it comes to romantic affairs. There were rumors he was once involved in the relationship between Xia Ning and Su Cheng of Huangpu. Now there are rumors that he and Xia Group’s daughter have been childhood sweethearts. Regarding their relationship, netizens have commented aptly—it’s complicated and more thrilling than a TV drama."

Smack!

Nan Qing hurriedly turned off the TV, turned to Xia Ning with a forced laugh, and said, "Those journalists know nothing but to spout nonsense. Don’t listen to them. Those pictures could be photoshopped, and the way He Xing treats you is obvious to me."

Xia Ning felt a sourness in her eyes. She wanted to say indifferently that it didn’t matter, but what she ended up saying was, "But He Xing and Xia Ning were indeed wearing those clothes yesterday."

"Really?" Nan Qing sounded perplexed. She turned the TV on again, searched for the program they had been watching, and paused on the joint photo of He Xing and Xia Ning.

She scrutinized the image, then nodded silently: "Last night, I did see He Xing wearing this outfit, but I’m not sure about Xia Ning. Did you see Xia Ning yesterday?"

Xia Ning nodded, "She came over while you were taking a shower..." Xia Ning paused, then touched the necklace on her chest and said in a low voice, "Nan Qing, look at the necklace around Xia Ning’s neck, doesn’t it look very similar to the one I’m wearing?"

Nan Qing peered at the TV, then leaned in close to examine Xia Ning’s necklace, and gasped in surprise, "They really are the same! Where did you buy them? How can your tastes be so similar... Well, given that both of you like He Xing, it seems your aesthetics are indeed quite aligned."

If it were any other time, Xia Ning might have played along with Nan Qing’s attempt at humor. But now, she was in no mood for it. Her mind was filled with whys.

Why did He Xing say the necklace was unique, yet Xia Ning also had one? And what was the relationship between He Xing and Xia Ning? He Xing said he would always be with her, but Xia Ning said they loved each other?

Nan Qing said a lot to comfort Xia Ning, but she didn’t take any of it in. She was preoccupied with trying to understand why, and what was really going on between the three of them.

While they were engaging in a disjointed conversation, He Xing called. Xia Ning picked up the phone calmly.

He Xing’s voice was clearly anxious, "Xiaohan, have you seen the news on the internet?" Then, without waiting for Xia Ning to reply, he continued, "If you haven’t seen it, don’t look at it, and if you have, don’t believe it. It’s not what you think."

Xia Ning lifted her head to look at the ceiling, remembering Dr. Daisi saying she shouldn’t cry or she’d turn into a monster forever. But why did her eyes feel so uncomfortable?

She clenched her fists tightly, her fingernails digging into her skin: "I want to ask you, are the photos on the internet fake?"

There was a moment of silence on the phone. Each second of waiting was like being scorched by flames for Xia Ning.

After what felt like an eternity, He Xing’s voice came through, chilly and helpless, "The photos are real, but Xia Ning was about to fall, and I just helped her. Then someone took the photos."

If there had been any flicker of hope left in Xia Ning’s heart, it was now extinguished. She felt overwhelmed by a profound sadness.

She composed herself, then said evenly, "Okay, I understand. The doctor is here, goodbye."

"Why do you have to lie?" Nan Qing sighed deeply, her eyes brimming with pity.

Xia Ning leaned back, covered by the sunlight, but at this moment, the sun could no longer warm her. She felt icy cold, as though she was soaked in freezing water.

Nan Qing pulled up a chair close to Xia Ning. She earnestly advised her, "Xia Ning, I don’t know what happened between you two in the past. It’s true that Xia Ning chased He Xing for many years, but I feel He Xing genuinely likes you. You must not give up on your relationship with He Xing over a few photos."

A faint bird chirping could be heard from outside the window, not particularly melodious but oddly brimming with the vibrancy of life.

Xia Ning’s long eyelashes fluttered as she looked up at the ceiling, her voice low and soft, "But I don’t remember my feelings for He Xing."

How sorrowful that statement was, making one want to argue but at a loss for words.

Indeed, how can you demand that someone cherish a relationship they don’t remember?

The sourness in Xia Ning’s eyes had vanished, and upon reflection, she felt not as heartbroken as she had initially. Perhaps, she just felt a measure of disillusionment.

Everyone said how wonderful He Xing was to her, how perfect she and He Xing were together, but in reality, she remembered nothing. Perhaps her sadness was merely due to disappointment, realizing He Xing didn’t like her as much as everyone said.

...

He Xing had left his grandfather in Zhou’s care and drove straight to the company.

Some work could be done in the ward, but other tasks required his presence at the company, such as today’s photo incident. He needed to discuss a strategy with the Public Relations Department. Otherwise, the movie "Pansi Gui," which had started scheduling screenings, might be adversely affected and potentially lead to a huge loss.