Ning Beichen needed a suitable and presentable identity to accompany Princess Adair, and it couldn't be that of a bodyguard.
However, Ning Beichen couldn't think of any good identities no matter how hard he tried, so he simply gave up. Anyway, he would stay by Adair's side, and her identity was irrelevant.
As Adair was a princess, she naturally didn't need to explain herself to anyone.
Ning Beichen sat on Adair's exclusive private jet, legs crossed, sipping fine red wine in a massage chair, and sighed.
Damn it!
Fine wine, beautiful woman, top-tier enjoyment.
This was the life he, Ning Yanwang, was meant to live!
Fortunately, it was almost halfway through the year, and the future was bright, so Ning Beichen wasn't too dejected.
Adair, meanwhile, secretly observed Ning Beichen, growing increasingly curious. She felt he wasn't an ordinary person.
Ordinary people, upon meeting her, a princess, would at least be somewhat apprehensive, if not respectfully deferential.
Yet Ning Beichen showed none of that. He didn't even seem to regard her as a princess.
Furthermore, the amenities on her private jet weren't something ordinary people had the chance to experience, but Ning Beichen was completely at ease with them, as if he used them regularly.
Adair had no idea that Ning Beichen was tired of flying not just private jets, but fighter jets as well.
No matter how high her status as a princess, she probably couldn't get her hands on a fighter jet to fly.
Several hours later, the plane landed at an airport in Gudong.
As Adair disembarked, a welcoming party was already waiting for her. Music played, and the formation was orderly, presenting a grand spectacle, complete with two local camel cavalrymen leading the way.
Adair was clearly accustomed to such displays. She flashed a practiced and friendly smile, waving to the crowd with her white-gloved hand.
Ning Beichen followed behind her with a blank expression. He didn't look like a bodyguard, and despite their curiosity, no one dared to rudely question him.
"Princess, please get in the car."
An elder opened the car door and respectfully bowed to Adair.
Adair nodded and got into the car.
However, when Ning Beichen also moved to get in, the elder stopped him.
"This is the princess's car. The attendant's cars are in the back."
"He is with me. If you don't let him in, then I will get out."
Adair's commanding voice came from inside the car.
"Yes, Princess. Please, Your Highness."
The elder quickly said to Ning Beichen, secretly wiping a bead of cold sweat.
Ning Beichen didn't bother with him and got into the car, sitting with Adair.
This scene, however, piqued the curiosity of everyone around them. They all wondered about Ning Beichen's identity, to be able to be with the princess, and even sit in the same car.
However, no one considered Ning Beichen to be Adair's lover. After all, Adair was here to get engaged to their prince.
No matter how outrageous Adair might be, she wouldn't bring her lover to her own engagement ceremony.
Not long after, the car arrived at the hotel where Adair was staying. This was also a grand affair; the hotel was exclusively for Adair and her entourage.
While they could share a car, they certainly couldn't share rooms.
Ning Beichen was assigned a room in the section for other attendants. However, his room was better than those of the other attendants, as the organizers could tell that Ning Beichen had an unusual relationship with the princess.
Ning Beichen walked out onto the balcony and stretched, looking at the clear blue sky.
As for Gudong,
Ning Beichen was not unfamiliar with it. In fact, he was quite familiar with it. This place was practically his base of operations in Gudong.
If Ning Beichen were to reveal his identity here, he could stomp his foot, and the whole of Gudong would tremble.
"Should I go and see some old friends?"
Ning Beichen mused inwardly as he looked outside.
"Perhaps not. If they knew I was back, they'd probably turn the whole of Gudong upside down."
Ning Beichen thought for a moment and decided against seeing them. He would be leaving soon after resolving this matter and wouldn't be staying long.
The engagement banquet was tomorrow, so there was still plenty of time. Ning Beichen decided to take a nap.
However, before he could lie down, Adair came to find him.
"Ning Beichen, can you accompany me for a walk? I'm feeling a bit bored."
Adair pleaded with Ning Beichen.
By now, she had learned how to interact with Ning Beichen. She knew she absolutely couldn't use her royal status or tone when speaking to him, or he would surely give her a cold shoulder.
"Alright."
Ning Beichen wasn't particularly sleepy, so he agreed.
He knew Adair must be feeling very anxious. Although she had confidence in Ning Beichen, no one knew what the outcome would be.
If Ning Beichen failed, she would have to marry that Gudong prince.
But if Ning Beichen succeeded, no one could predict the subsequent events.
Would the Gudong prince lose face?
Would the Gudong royal family lose face?
Would her own royal family lose face?
What would happen to her then? Could she still stand in this world?
Even Adair didn't know.
Therefore, Ning Beichen could understand her feelings.
However, Ning Beichen didn't try to comfort her.
This was her own undertaking. If she didn't want to, she could still back out now; no one would force her.
Since she hadn't backed out, it meant she was prepared to bear all the consequences.
"Ning Beichen, I don't want them to follow me. I just want some peace and quiet. Can you help?"
Adair whispered to Ning Beichen. This was her real reason for seeking him out.
After all, if a princess were to leave the hotel, her retinue, bodyguards, and the Gudong escorts and bodyguards would be indispensable.
They couldn't afford any mishaps happening to Adair here.
"Small problem."
Ning Beichen snapped his fingers.
Then, he led Adair into his room.
In less than a moment, the once beautiful Adair had vanished. In her place stood a man in his thirties with a full beard.
As long as Adair didn't speak, no one would associate her with the princess if she walked out.
"Alright, take a look for yourself."
Ning Beichen handed her a mirror.
Adair's jaw dropped in astonishment as she saw the stranger's face in the mirror.
Let alone others, even Adair herself couldn't believe it was her own reflection, let alone anyone else.