"When I first escaped from my third brother, I originally wanted to find you, Sister Qingtian, but I was afraid that if I came to you rashly, I would cause trouble. I heard you talking about leaving from Donggang, so I ran to Donggang and saw the ship docked there.
I had seen this ship on Bai Shao's computer screensaver before. It was very imposing, and I recognized it at first glance.
So I secretly boarded the ship, thinking that as long as I hid until we returned to the country, I could disembark secretly and no one would find out, and I wouldn't cause you any trouble...
I'm truly sorry for the intrusion last time my third brother visited. I don't want to cause trouble for anyone either.
I'm sorry.
I've caused you trouble again..." Lei Xirui's eyes reddened as she spoke.
It was evident that she hadn't had an easy few days, living in constant fear and with no appetite. She looked significantly thinner than before.
Her clothes were also quite dirty. The skin exposed on her arms was so delicate that the scabs and bruises from the scratches had not disappeared, instead appearing more disheveled. Her ankle was tightly bound with strips of cloth, sprayed with some unknown medicine, and was mottled with black, yellow, and purple, clearly swollen much more than the other foot.
It was unclear if the chase earlier had caused secondary injuries in her haste.
"No way... I was just joking, how could you..." Bai Yuqi was completely stunned. He was usually carefree and spoke his mind without considering the consequences.
He never imagined that Lei Xirui, a pampered young lady who had always been so well-behaved, would actually do as he said and end up in such a sorry state.
Seeing Lei Xirui's miserable appearance, guilt and panic washed over Bai Yuqi, leaving him unsure of how to face her.
The most critical thing was, if that third brother Lei found out he had advised Lei Xirui to run away from home...
Wouldn't he chop him up???
Bai Yuqi was dumbfounded. Before he could figure out what to do, he heard Gu Yaoyang clear his throat.
"Shi Xingwu, give me a hand." Gu Yaoyang said coldly as he looked at Bai Yuqi, "Throw this guy into the sea."
"Alright!" Shi Xingwu rolled up his sleeves, revealing his strong and sturdy arms.
"Hey, hey, hey! Don't! You can't do this to me!" Bai Yuqi's protests were in vain as Shi Xingwu hoisted him onto his shoulder.
Hanging upside down on Shi Xingwu's shoulder, Bai Yuqi made one last desperate attempt: "This is my ship! Murder is illegal!"
"It's fine, we're still in international waters," Gu Yaoyang said to Shi Xingwu. "We'll just consider you doing a good deed and eliminating a menace."
"I think that works!" Shi Xingwu nodded vigorously.
"This..." Seeing how things had escalated, Lei Xirui panicked.
Running away from home was her own decision. Although she had suffered a bit, she didn't blame anyone.
There was no need for them to do this because of her.
As Lei Xirui was about to intervene, Xia Qingtian stopped her, holding her hand and shaking her head slightly.
Gu Yaoyang wouldn't actually kill Bai Yuqi; he must have his own reasons.
They should just watch for now.
"No, no, no!" Bai Yuqi, seeing Shi Xingwu about to carry him out, turned pale with fear. "I! I'll take responsibility, alright?!"
"Responsibility?" Gu Yaoyang made a pause gesture and asked, "How do you intend to take responsibility?"
"I... I... I'll treat Lei Xirui well on the ship with good food and drink, won't I!" Bai Yuqi immediately said. "I'll find someone to treat her, and I'll personally serve her tea! Is that good enough!"
"Hmm..." Gu Yaoyang pondered for a moment before continuing to ask, "And after disembarking?"
"Disembarking? After disembarking, I'll send her back to the Lei family, won't I? Otherwise, that third brother Lei will kill me!" Bai Yuqi immediately replied.
Hearing Bai Yuqi tell her to return to the Lei family, Lei Xirui shivered, shrinking back.
She hadn't been prepared to go back after running away like this.
Third Brother would be very, very angry, and his anger was quite terrifying!
Catching Lei Xirui's subtle movement from the corner of his eye, Gu Yaoyang paused thoughtfully before saying, "Shi Xingwu, just sink him into the sea."
"Alright!" Shi Xingwu strode out.
"No, no, no! Don't!" Bai Yuqi reached out and desperately grabbed the doorframe. "I'll be responsible after disembarking, is that okay! I'll take good care of her after disembarking too! I'll treat her like my own grandmother, okay!"
Hearing this, Shi Xingwu stopped and turned to look at Gu Yaoyang.
"No need to sink him," Gu Yaoyang finally relented.
"Phew..." Bai Yuqi breathed a sigh of relief, feeling utterly deflated.
"Fine, then I'll just throw him into the swimming pool," Shi Xingwu hadn't really intended to throw Bai Yuqi into the sea; he just wanted to teach him a small lesson.
For saying such irresponsible things to a girl.
What if Lei Xirui hadn't found Bai Yuqi's ship and had encountered bad people on the streets of Northern Europe? What if she had been caught in the commotion at the port?
Or... worse?
Shi Xingwu didn't even want to think about those possibilities.
"Why!" Bai Yuqi protested. "I already said I'll take responsibility!"
"Go ahead," Gu Yaoyang clearly agreed with Shi Xingwu.
He had said before that if Bai Yuqi corrupted Lei Xirui, he wouldn't let him off.
Shi Xingwu glanced back at Lei Xirui. Meeting Lei Xirui's timid eyes, his heart tightened, and a surge of indignation rose within him. He turned back, carrying Bai Yuqi, and strode out, unswayed by Bai Yuqi's attempts to bribe or his pleas for mercy.
"Shi Xingwu seems foolish, but he's actually quite sharp," Xia Qingtian observed everything, a smile playing on her lips as she chuckled. "I used to worry he would be taken advantage of when he grew up, but it seems I worried unnecessarily."
"Sister Qingtian..." Lei Xirui looked at Xia Qingtian nervously, wondering if she had caused trouble again.
It was so late at night; if they really threw someone into the swimming pool, they'd definitely catch a cold after being pulled out.
"Let them be," Xia Qingtian also felt that Bai Yuqi needed some discipline. Otherwise, with his mouth, he was bound to cause trouble sooner or later.
"Xirui," Gu Yaoyang's voice called out, making Lei Xirui flinch again.
"Brother Yaoyang... I was wrong..." Lei Xirui lowered her head, not daring to meet Gu Yaoyang's gaze.
Gu Yaoyang took a deep breath and said, "You'll sleep with Xia Qingyu tonight. Li Xiaozhong, go call the ship's doctor to give her a thorough check-up."
"Okay," Li Xiaozhong nodded and walked out.
Given how lively the previous exorcism had been, it was likely no one had much sleep right now.
Xia Qingyu stepped forward and gently stroked Lei Xirui's back, offering quiet comfort.