Xia Qingtian returned to the Yue family and went to her room to change and rest.
Xia Shang went back to his bedroom to fix some bugs during his break.
Er Ya happily ran wildly around the courtyard.
Mr. Gu was being entertained by Yue Chengdong in the living room.
"Mr. Gu, does the tea suit your taste?" Yue Chengdong looked at Mr. Gu.
"Fresh and elegant, with an endless aftertaste. It is indeed good tea," Mr. Gu said, putting down his teacup and smiling faintly.
"I'm glad you like it." Yue Chengdong also put down his teacup, then raised his eyes to look at Mr. Gu before speaking, "I can see that you and Qingtian are very close. As Qingtian's relative, I'd like to ask you a few questions. I hope it's not too presumptuous."
"It's fine," Mr. Gu understood Yue Chengdong's thoughts and felt he should give the Yue family some explanation.
"Alright, then..." Yue Chengdong was about to ask when he saw Er Ya bouncing into the hall.
Er Ya was a good friend brought back by Xia Qingtian, and she had even saved the Yue family patriarch. The entire Yue family was very friendly towards Er Ya, and everyone liked Er Ya's straightforward and cute personality.
Seeing Er Ya, Yue Chengdong's expression softened considerably. "Er Ya, would you like some tea?"
"No, we're going to the Hook Kiss Pleasure House later for drinks and entertainment~" Er Ya was excited.
Going for drinks and entertainment! It was a scene she had only seen on TV!
She wondered if she would encounter any classic stories of righteous people drawing their swords to help strangers.
"Wh-what!" Yue Chengdong was stunned. "You, you guys?"
Hook Kiss Pleasure House, even if he hadn't been there, he had heard of it.
It was the largest establishment of its kind in the capital, an absolute money pit.
"Yes!" Er Ya smiled and patted Mr. Gu's shoulder. "Don't worry, he's taking us!"
Mr. Gu had been speechless at Er Ya's boast of going for drinks and entertainment. Now, with Er Ya shifting the blame, Mr. Gu, for the first time, showed a flustered expression and looked at Yue Chengdong.
Yue Chengdong was also clearly appraising Mr. Gu at this moment. When he caught the panic in Mr. Gu's eyes, Yue Chengdong's face instantly showed a new expression: I understand.
You understand nothing!
Mr. Gu wanted to retort but couldn't speak rashly, fearing he would only make things worse.
Having successfully passed the buck to Mr. Gu, Er Ya, unaware that she had caused trouble, hummed a little tune and skipped away.
Only Yue Chengdong and Mr. Gu remained in the hall, the atmosphere between them somewhat tense.
"Don't you have something to ask me, Mr. Yue?" Mr. Gu broke the silence first, speaking proactively.
As long as Yue Chengdong asked, he could find a way to defend himself.
"No need, there's nothing I want to ask anymore." Yue Chengdong gave Mr. Gu a look that said, "I understand everything."
You understand nothing!
Mr. Gu's mouth twitched, and he felt extremely wronged.
That day, at dinner at the Yue Corporation, Mr. Gu could barely eat a few bites. Whenever he made eye contact with Yue Chengdong, he felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles.
It was so frustrating!
After dinner, Er Ya couldn't wait. She trotted around Xia Qingtian, constantly chattering.
It wasn't until Xia Qingtian became annoyed that she sighed, called Xia Shang, arranged to meet Mr. Gu, and they all set off together.
Before leaving, Xia Qingtian had informed Yue Chengdong, saying they were just going out for a stroll.
Yue Chengdong also looked as if he had something to say but hesitated. In the end, he only said, "Be careful."
Then, he quietly stood on the second-floor balcony and watched the car drive away, finally sighing to himself, "I'm getting old, alas..."
In the car, Xia Qingtian was still a little affected by Yue Chengdong's tone and attitude. Then, seeing Mr. Gu looking somber and Er Ya extremely excited, Xia Qingtian was full of question marks.
The only normal one was Xia Shang, who always wore a very abnormal expression.
Xia Qingtian sighed silently, wondering what was wrong with all of them.
As the car left the Yue residence, two groups of people who had been watching in the shadows immediately reported their movements.
Meanwhile, Uncle Yu the Second and Uncle Miao the Second simultaneously received news that Xia Qingtian and her group had left the Yue residence. In two different locations, they issued the same order: "Follow them! Find an opportunity to eliminate her (him)!"
After issuing their orders, Uncle Yu the Second and Uncle Miao the Second set off separately, their eyes fierce.
The car passed through the bustling city. Er Ya leaned out the car window, looking at the vibrant nightlife. Her round eyes were wide open.
It was her first time seeing such a lively night streetscape. The flashing neon lights and tall buildings all seemed completely different from what she had seen during the day.
Similarly, the pedestrians, walking and stopping, seemed to be in a hurry during the day, with serious expressions.
At this time, it seemed as if everyone had taken off their masks, laughing heartily and genuinely in groups of three or two. Only a few people looked tired, as if they had let down their guard and were ready to go home.
"Qingtian, it's different here from during the day," Er Ya said, turning to look at Xia Qingtian.
"Yes, nighttime is your own," Xia Qingtian replied while looking at her phone. "With your own time, you always have more freedom."
"That's so nice..." Er Ya looked out the car window at the world again and murmured, "I think... I'm starting to understand what it's like to live in a big city."
"If you like it, don't go back to the village. You can live with me at my place along with Xia Shang," Xia Qingtian said casually.
With the Xia family's financial strength, supporting one more person like Er Ya was not a problem.
"Okay!" Er Ya readily agreed, but then the sparkle in her eyes quickly dimmed. "But Master won't allow it."
"Then get your master to agree," Xia Qingtian shifted her gaze from her phone to Er Ya. "Have a good talk with your master. He can't possibly keep you by his side forever."
"But... but..." Er Ya pouted, unsure how to articulate her thoughts.
What if her master intended to keep her by his side forever?
"Forget it, that's all for the future. Let's get through today first." Because the matter was too complicated, Er Ya decided to put it aside for now. The drinks and entertainment were more important.
The car stopped at the parking lot of the Hook Kiss Pleasure House. After Er Ya and the others got out of the car, they saw the grand, independent building.
As they walked towards the entrance, the people following them began to report back to their superiors.
"Hook Kiss Pleasure House?" Hearing the name, Uncle Miao the Second curled his lips disdainfully. As expected, they were just a bunch of useless second-generation heirs only thinking about indulging in debauchery. "Got it. Keep an eye on them."
It seemed he would have to step in himself and deal with that good-for-nothing personally.
"Hook Kiss Pleasure House!" Uncle Yu the Second frowned. Wasn't this Hook's territory?
He let out a cold laugh and dialed another number.
After all, they had been cooperating for so long. He believed Hook would not refuse such a small favor.