"Young master, people from Gouwen are waiting for you at the airport," the driver said, sensing his young master's displeasure.
After some thought, he mustered the courage to speak, "Today is the day you scheduled to arrive in Z City."
"I know," Nie Qingkong finally withdrew his gaze and said, "Let's go back and change before heading to the airport."
"Yes," the driver replied, secretly relieved, and then asked, "Young master, do you need to gather the others in Z City tonight?"
"Do you think I'm not tired enough?" Nie Qingkong shot the driver a glance.
"I'm sorry, young master, I overstepped," the driver apologized immediately, a cold sweat breaking out on his back.
Nie Qingkong glanced at him before shifting his posture.
Meanwhile, Xia Qingyu and Miao Tong returned to the Xia family. Seeing Miao Tong's battered appearance, the Xia family was startled.
"What happened? Do you need to go to the hospital?" Aunt Liu asked anxiously, "Does it hurt a lot?"
"Did you run into thugs? Did you call the police?" Xia Honglang looked at Miao Tong's face and said, "We should still go to the hospital."
"No, I'm fine," Miao Tong smiled awkwardly and said, "I bumped into it accidentally."
"Then your... you're quite good at bumping into things," Xia Qing Tian tilted his head, finding it hard to believe Miao Tong hadn't been beaten up.
Xia Qingyu lowered her head, not daring to respond.
She felt somewhat responsible for Miao Tong being attacked by Nie Qingkong.
She knew Nie Qingkong disliked her, but she hadn't expected him to hate her to such an extent.
He had started attacking people around her.
It was terrifying.
That guy must have some serious issues!
"I'm really fine," Miao Tong felt a bit embarrassed and couldn't refuse the Xia family's warmth. After dinner, he used the excuse of going to the hospital to get medicine and left, intending to continue searching for the whereabouts of the Tang family's young master.
"Do you want the driver to take you?" Xia Honglang said, concerned.
"Let me accompany you. If it's serious, it's good to have someone to look after you," Aunt Liu said, about to follow.
Miao Tong quickly refused and left the Xia family alone with his tablet.
"Call us anytime if you need anything," Xia Qing Tian shouted after Miao Tong's retreating figure.
Miao Tong didn't look back, just waved his hand and walked away.
It was convenient to call a car at this time, but it would be difficult later.
Watching Miao Tong's back, Xia Qing Tian hugged his arms and shook his head.
Miao Tong was too calculative.
Although he always had a smiling, easy-going demeanor.
But in terms of true character, he couldn't compare to the seemingly more sinister Xia Shang.
"I wonder who beat him up..." Xia Qing Tian muttered and went straight back to his room.
Xia Qingyu watched Xia Qing Tian's retreating figure, opened her mouth, and then slowly closed it.
She felt a complex sense of guilt.
Meanwhile, as soon as Xia Qing Tian returned to his bedroom, he received a call from Li Xiaoxiao: "Hello? What's up?"
"Nothing much, I'm out shopping for clothes with Da Ya. Are you coming?" Li Xiaoxiao said, holding her phone, "My younger brother is treating us to supper."
"No, I just ate," Xia Qing Tian said, "You guys be careful and don't wander around."
"Don't worry, I've disguised Da Ya. Not many people can recognize her," Li Xiaoxiao glanced at Da Ya, who was wearing a fisherman's hat, Li Xiaozhong's men's clothes, a mask, and black-rimmed glasses without lenses. "I'm impressed with my own skills!"
"Just be careful," Xia Qing Tian said, resting his forehead with one hand, "Da Ya's situation is special."
"Roger that~" Li Xiaoxiao said, "Are you coming out or not?"
"No." Xia Qing Tian's gaze fell on the desk where her notebook, covered in scribbles, was still spread open. It contained a relationship map of the Miao and Tang families and their affairs.
As long as Miao Tong wasn't dealt with, he remained a ticking time bomb for Da Ya and Er Ya. Now that Da Ya had amnesia, and Er Ya was unreliable.
The situation with the Tang and Miao families was unclear. A single misstep could even involve Xia Shang, making it very dangerous.
Xia Qing Tian still wanted to do something. If she could sort things out quickly, she might gain some clarity.
Every time this happened, Xia Qing Tian couldn't help but curse the [Damn System!] in her heart. It only showed up when she could get something for free.
When she actually needed its help, it remained as quiet as a chicken, as if it never existed.
It was truly frustrating...
"Alright then," Li Xiaoxiao didn't insist, "See you at school later."
"Okay, see you at school." Xia Qing Tian hung up the phone and returned to her desk, continuing her scribbling.
Meanwhile, after hanging up, Li Xiaoxiao went shopping with Li Xiaozhong and Da Ya.
Da Ya's eyes darted around, seeming curious about this unfamiliar city.
Since she woke up, she had been at Li Xiaoxiao's house and had never left.
Today, it was because she was feeling bored and restless that she asked Li Xiaoxiao to take her out to buy clothes. Li Xiaoxiao had disguised her, which she found quite interesting, although the mask made her feel stuffy and uncomfortable.
Hooking the edge of the mask with her fingertip and pulling it open a gap, Da Ya took a deep breath and said, "Can I not wear this thing?"
"Be good, you can take it off when we eat supper," Li Xiaoxiao knew Da Ya was uncomfortable but still reached out to adjust Da Ya's mask and said, "To prevent bad people from finding you, we should be cautious. If anything happens to you, I won't be able to explain to Qing Tian."
Hearing Li Xiaoxiao say this, Da Ya had no choice but to lower her hands.
Fortunately, the shopping process was relatively relaxed, especially watching Li Xiaoxiao haggle, which was quite amusing.
So, while looking at shoes, Da Ya decided to try them on herself.
"Boss, how much are these shoes?" Li Xiaoxiao asked.
"Young lady has good taste. These are new arrivals, 300!" the boss said.
"300?" Li Xiaoxiao shook her head and hooked the edge of the shoes with her hand, about to go through the usual bargaining routine when Da Ya said, "You dare to sell these for 300? You're making a fortune by selling at a reduced price, earning 250 with tears in your eyes, right?"
Da Ya's words stunned both Li Xiaoxiao and the boss.
"50 would be more like it!" Da Ya remembered Li Xiaoxiao saying something similar when she was bargaining for a top.
"Young lady, are you looking for trouble? 50? I'll buy them from you for 50!" the boss said speechlessly, "120 is the minimum! Take it or leave it!"
"120?" Da Ya looked at Li Xiaoxiao, blinking, unsure if this price was acceptable.
Li Xiaoxiao immediately understood Da Ya's meaning and then said, "50 was too low, and there's no need for 120. Let's go to another store."