"What if?" Miao Tong slung an arm over Shi Xingwu's shoulder, jesting, "What if some rich older woman is into that? They have a house, they have rooms, and a daughter is already available. How great is that?"
"Pfft." The others couldn't help but chuckle at the sound and turned to Shi Xingwu, eager to see how he would retort.
Shi Xingwu, however, was scrutinizing his face in the mirror in the room, asking seriously, "Are there really rich older women who are into me? Then those rich older women do have good taste."
After speaking, Shi Xingwu also showed off his muscles, raised an eyebrow, and flashed a mouthful of pearly white teeth.
At this, everyone found it a little harder to laugh. Good heavens, all they could say was good heavens, truly worthy of being Shi Xingwu.
Although Li Xiaozhong didn't know why, she felt it was necessary to apologize on behalf of the idiot Shi Xingwu to those who were made uncomfortable by his words: "I'm sorry, everyone. You've had to witness this."
Honestly, she felt like divorcing this guy a hundred and eighty times every day, and it still wouldn't be enough!
Fortunately, a servant brought tea and refreshments, freeing everyone from the awkward situation.
"Please try some," Xia Qingtian said with a smile, ushering them to partake. Her gaze landed on Xia Qingyu, who was standing before an oil painting.
The oil painting was a portrait by a renowned contemporary artist.
In the painting, Yue Qiyan held the young Xia Qingtian in her arms, both mother and daughter gazing towards the painter. Yue Qiyan smiled gently and generously, while Xia Qingtian in her arms, seemingly captivated by something amusing, had eyes that sparkled.
"Qingyu, what are you looking at?" Xia Qingtian asked, walking up behind Xia Qingyu.
"You look a lot like your mother," Xia Qingyu said, glancing at the painting and then at Xia Qingtian with a smile. "She's so beautiful."
"Is this your compliment to me?" Xia Qingtian linked arms with Xia Qingyu, gently resting her head on Xia Qingyu's shoulder, her tone affectionate. "I want to take you to see my mom, let her know I've gained a bonus sister, so sweet~"
"Stop being so silly," Xia Qingyu playfully pushed Xia Qingtian's head away with her fingertips, giving her a mock glare.
Xia Qingtian's hearty laughter made Xia Qingyu unable to resist laughing along.
Holding a teacup and seated in a chair, Nie Qingkong, pretending to sip his tea, had been subtly observing Xia Qingtian.
According to his investigation, Xia Qingyu was brought in by Xia Qingtian's father as a second wife after his first wife passed away.
If Xia Qingyu's status was awkward in the Xia family, then in the Yue family, it was more than just awkward.
The Yue family was the maternal family of Xia Qingtian's deceased mother, and their doting affection for Xia Qingtian was evident from the mine gifted to her.
What was Xia Qingtian's intention in bringing Xia Qingyu to the Yue family?
Was it to have the Yue family help her get rid of Xia Qingyu?
Or was it to put Xia Qingyu in her place, ensuring she never had a chance to compete with Xia Qingtian for anything?
If Xia Qingtian had no such intention, then why bring Xia Qingyu here to embarrass her?
Nie Qingkong suddenly felt he couldn't understand.
After all, the affection between Xia Qingtian and Xia Qingyu didn't seem faked.
But why would Xia Qingtian go to such lengths?
Could it be that Xia Qingtian truly had a hidden agenda?
Nie Qingkong's gaze shifted from Xia Qingtian's face to Xia Qingyu, his eyes deepening slightly.
Xia Qingyu, do you truly know the people around you?
While Nie Qingkong was observing the Xia sisters, Li Xiaozhong was also observing Nie Qingkong.
He had long noticed that this Nie Qingkong was not quite right.
Especially this time, Nie Qingkong seemed to be constantly staring at Xia Qingtian...
Could he be in love with Xia Qingtian?
But if he liked Xia Qingtian, why would he target Xia Qingyu?
Was he trying to attract Xia Qingtian's attention this way?
After all, Xia Qingtian cherished her sister Xia Qingyu dearly.
Thinking this, Li Xiaozhong subtly shook his head.
Such behavior was truly immature.
Beside them, Shi Xingwu and Miao Tong, holding their teacups, chatted and laughed, eating snacks and speculating about the desires of wealthy women.
The room was filled with a sense of peace.
Concurrently, in the main hall downstairs, Yue Chengzhong wore a somber expression.
Not only had Xia Qingtian arrived with Xia Qingyu, but the Miao family had also come.
It was the Miao family's蛊毒 (gu poison) that had nearly torn his family apart before the Yue family's main birthday banquet.
What was the Miao family's current motive for approaching Xia Qingtian?
And then there was that person called Nie Qingkong...
He had a feeling he had seen that face somewhere before, but he couldn't recall where for the moment.
In any case, it made him feel uneasy.
"Tea and refreshments have been sent up," the servant reported after coming downstairs. "The eldest young lady said there's no need to arrange a room for Xia Qingyu; they'll be staying together. Also, please notify her in advance when the family head returns."
"Sharing a room?" Yue Chengzhong frowned, feeling that Xia Qingtian's action was elevating Xia Qingyu a bit too much.
"Yes," the servant replied.
"I understand. Do as you're told," Yue Chengzhong said, waving his hand to signal the servant to withdraw. His eyes were filled with even greater concern. "Qingtian, do you truly understand the people around you?"
Just then, Yue Chengzhong's phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, Yue Chengzhong answered the call. "Chengfeng? What is it?"
"Qingtian has arrived, hasn't she?" Yue Chengfeng's voice came from the other end of the line.
"She has arrived," Yue Chengzhong replied, asking, "Where are you now?"
"I just picked up Zixuan. She's returned temporarily for two days to rest and is currently on her way to the Yue family," Yue Chengfeng said. "Second Brother, Zixuan hasn't eaten yet, ask the kitchen to prepare something."
"Don't bother. I'm dieting anyway," Yu Zixuan said softly from beside Yue Chengfeng.
"Dieting for what? Don't be difficult," Yue Chengfeng glared at her good-naturedly before continuing, "Second Brother, we'll be there in about an hour."
"Alright, drive safely," Yue Chengzhong replied and hung up the phone.
Here, Yue Chengfeng put away his phone and said, "You've already lost so much weight, and you're still dieting?"
"I'm just worried about causing trouble for Second Brother..." Yu Zixuan pursed her cherry-red lips, her eyes filled with a charming shyness. "It's awkward to trouble everyone as soon as I return."
"What trouble is that?" Yue Chengfeng gently tapped Yu Zixuan's nose with his finger. "We'll be family sooner or later, so don't say such distant things."
Upon hearing this, a blush crept onto Yu Zixuan's cheeks, and she then leaned into Yue Chengfeng's embrace. From an angle where Yue Chengfeng couldn't see, she revealed an expression of guilt.
To uncover Xia Qingtian's intentions and the whereabouts of Tang Jiaming, she had to use the Yue family once.
She hoped Yue Chengfeng wouldn't blame her, as she was doing it to protect the Yue family.
Thinking of the organization's past ruthless methods, Yu Zixuan had no choice.