"The Miao and Tang families have been feigning animosity for so many years. What secret are they trying to conceal?" Miao Tong echoed Bai Yuqi's words, then couldn't help but laugh. "I never expected Young Master Bai to have such an imagination. It's a shame you're not writing screenplays and heading to Hollywood."
Hearing the sarcasm in Miao Tong's voice, Bai Yuqi merely narrowed his eyes slightly.
What he said was deliberately a ploy to test Miao Tong.
The Miao and Tang families seemed to be shrouded in countless mysteries. Even after investigating for a long time, Bai Yuqi had never uncovered any obvious information.
That was why he wanted to seize this opportunity to see if he could extract any clues from Miao Tong.
However, Miao Tong's reaction was so genuine that it made Bai Yuqi waver.
Had he guessed wrong?
"Do those scumbags from the Tang family deserve for my Miao family to waste our acting skills and put on a show of animosity with them?" Miao Tong scoffed. "Young Master Bai, if you're tired, you should rest early and stop talking nonsense."
"Is that so," Bai Yuqi said, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Since it's getting late, Young Master Miao should head back and rest as well."
Miao Tong cast a reluctant glance in the direction behind Bai Yuqi, then yawned, bid goodnight, and turned to leave.
Nie Qingkong shrunk back, just managing to avoid Miao Tong.
Watching Miao Tong leave right before him, Nie Qingkong's brow furrowed deeply.
Although the delicate balance of power among domestic families was not his responsibility, he had heard some whispers about the entanglements between the Miao and Tang clans.
It seemed there was more to it than met the eye.
In his previous investigation into Xia Qingyu, he hadn't found any connection between the Xia family and the Miao family.
Could there be a loophole in the organization's intelligence network?
This was unacceptable.
While Nie Qingkong pondered, Bai Yuqi was also lost in his own thoughts. After a while, he finally spoke, "Swain, did you hear what he said? Was it the truth?"
"True, or perhaps not true." Gu Yaoyang emerged from the shadows, his expression profound.
"People say you know everything, so are you really turning yourself into a fortune teller?" Bai Yuqi rolled his eyes speechlessly. "Can you speak plainly?"
"For Miao Tong, it's true, but in terms of the actual facts, it might not be true." Gu Yaoyang had also investigated matters concerning the Miao and Tang families previously, but it was a labyrinth of intertwined clues, filled with mystery.
Coupled with the constraints of various forces, he had never been able to uncover the truth.
However, this time, it should be different.
The image of Xia Qingtian flashed in his mind, and Gu Yaoyang's lips curved upwards. "Soon, everything will become clear."
"The more you refuse to speak plainly, the more you act mysterious!" Bai Yuqi said irritably. "Forget it, I'm too lazy to deal with you. I'm sleepy."
"Then let's go back and rest," Gu Yaoyang replied. "We'll reach Kyoto tomorrow morning. You'll handle things properly then."
"I know! I'm going to investigate this Tarik, right? Don't worry, it's on me~" Bai Yuqi clenched his fist and lightly tapped his chest twice, then pointed at Gu Yaoyang, raising his eyebrows proudly.
His professional capabilities were beyond question.
Gu Yaoyang merely glanced at Bai Yuqi without replying and went with him into the elevator to the top-floor rooms.
Meanwhile, Nie Qingkong, who had been hiding in place, narrowed his eyes dangerously. Tarik?
Are they trying to investigate him?
Why are these people approaching the Xia family, and what is their connection to Xia Qingyu?
It seemed he needed to investigate these people thoroughly as well.
Xia Qingyu, who are the people surrounding you... do you truly know?
His gaze lowered slightly, Nie Qingkong cautiously returned to his room. As soon as he entered, he saw Miao Tong lying on the bed, pretending to be asleep.
His eyes darting around, Nie Qingkong then deliberately murmured softly, "What's this? Isn't he sleeping in his room? Am I seeing things..."
After that, Nie Qingkong also lay down on the bed.
Only after Nie Qingkong settled down did Miao Tong open his eyes and look in his direction.
He had gone out to find the current head of the Tang family. What was Xia Qingyu's classmate doing out in the middle of the night?
Could it be that he discovered Miao Tong was missing and went out to look for him?
Were they that close?
After all, that kid had punched him that time!
Although surprised, Miao Tong didn't ask anything at that moment. It wasn't until the next morning, when the cabin's wake-up service arrived on the cruise ship, that Miao Tong stretched and sat up, bidding Nie Qingkong good morning and casually asking, "I thought you weren't in bed last night. Did you go out?"
"I might have been groggy and thought you went out. I was worried you'd be mistaken for a thief and beaten up again, so I went out to look for you." Nie Qingkong put on an innocent demeanor, smiling shyly. "Speaking of which... I still owe you an apology. Last time, I mistook you for a creep bothering Xia Qingyu... that's why I hit you... I'm sorry!"
"Heh, it's nothing. I've almost forgotten." Miao Tong knew it was a misunderstanding he himself had created with his joking, which led to the unpleasant outcome.
He hadn't truly blamed Nie Qingkong in the first place. Considering that he had practiced Gu arts since childhood, his body had been tempered in ways different from ordinary people. In fact, that punch didn't hurt much, not comparable to the beatings he received from the troublemakers later.
Now, seeing Nie Qingkong's sincere apology, Miao Tong felt a bit embarrassed for having suspected such a good young man.
They chatted and laughed for a while before heading to the restaurant to wash up. They continued to joke along the way, appearing to be on good terms.
As soon as Xia Qingyu saw Miao Tong enter the restaurant, she immediately went to greet him, casting a wary glance at the accompanying Nie Qingkong. Then she asked Miao Tong, "Little Uncle, how are you? Did he trouble you?"
Hearing Xia Qingyu's question, Nie Qingkong raised his hand and touched his nose, then gave a dry chuckle and walked directly towards the dining table.
"Qingyu, what are you doing?" Miao Tong saw Nie Qingkong leave awkwardly and immediately said to Xia Qingyu, "What happened last time was a misunderstanding. I don't blame him anymore, so don't be harsh on him. This child is quite good, a shy and gentle big boy. He didn't mean to. Don't be like that."
"???" Xia Qingyu looked at Miao Tong, who was speaking up for Nie Qingkong, and could only inwardly question: Are you alright?
At the same time, Li Xiaozhong saw Nie Qingkong approaching and immediately said to Shi Xingwu beside him in a low voice, "Be smarter. Don't let him use you again."
"Oh, he didn't use me. You've misunderstood!" Shi Xingwu said helplessly. "Nie Qingkong is a really good person, really. My opinion of him has changed recently. Don't overthink it. He's very loyal and quick-witted. What's not to like?"
Li Xiaozhong felt a cramp in his stomach, and his lips twitched. He really wanted to ask Shi Xingwu: Are you alright?