Last night, Tarik had thought it over carefully before deciding to give Xia Qingtian a chance, out of consideration for Xia Qingyu.
However, upon meeting her today, Xia Qingtian had practically dragged him through hell.
Not only had she made him act as a free chauffeur to take Lei Xirui home, but she also turned him into a punching bag for Third Master Lei’s cold stares and taunts.
While Third Master Lei had always been somewhat aloof and difficult to get along with, he had never displayed such an attitude before.
Coupled with Xia Qingtian’s tone and demeanor this morning, Tarik couldn’t believe there wasn’t some personal vendetta involved!
After finally dealing with Third Master Lei, Tarik got into the car for the return trip.
“Xia Qingtian…” Tarik gritted his teeth, deciding that as soon as he saw her, he would loudly reprimand and question her. Any feeble excuses she might offer would be futile.
Upon entering the living room, Tarik found it eerily quiet and empty, as if even the servants had vanished.
“This is bad!” Tarik muttered to himself, immediately thinking that Xia Qingtian making him drive Lei Xirui back might have been a deliberate ploy to lure the watchers away, allowing them to escape.
No, there were people he had stationed to monitor the surroundings; Xia Qingtian and the others couldn’t have just slipped away like that.
But the thought of Xia Qingtian’s cunning made Tarik consider the possibility.
Tarik turned to rush out and make arrangements, but a clear female voice sounded from behind him: “Oh? You’re back?”
Hearing the voice, Tarik froze, turned, and saw Xia Qingtian holding a silver teapot, her eyes looking at him.
“Where did you go! Why is it so quiet here! You…” Tarik’s mood this morning had been a rollercoaster, and after several days of hard work, coupled with a sleepless night yesterday, he found himself unable to control his emotions.
“Don’t be like a child,” Xia Qingtian said, glancing at him dismissively. “Come here, weren’t you going to talk to me? The tea is ready.”
“!” Tarik’s anger flared upon hearing Xia Qingtian’s words.
After playing him for the entire morning, Xia Qingtian still had the nerve to call him a child?!
“Come on, why are you just standing there?” Xia Qingtian sat down on the sofa. “I made this milk tea myself; everyone said it was delicious yesterday. The biscuits were baked by Aunt Liu. Take some back for Qingyu later; she likes these.”
Hearing Xia Qingtian mention Xia Qingyu, Tarik finally managed to suppress his boiling rage.
He was here on business.
“Where is everyone else?” Tarik asked irritably. This eerie silence all day was quite unsettling.
“My father and Shi Xingwu went out shopping. Since we finally got out, they’re definitely going to explore,” Xia Qingtian replied casually. “As for the servants… they’ve been working hard to take care of us for so many days, so I gave them a day off today. It also gives me a chance to rest in peace.”
Sitting directly opposite Xia Qingtian, Tarik finally spoke, “I know your secret.”
Tarik had essentially confirmed in his mind that Xia Qingtian was Mobius.
Especially after hearing something else from his adoptive father before leaving this morning.
This matter had practically sealed it.
“Is that so?” Xia Qingtian’s lips curved into a subtle smile. “And what do you plan to do?”
It seemed their plan to escape tonight had been discovered by Xiang Xueyuan.
“I’m here to persuade you,” Tarik said without beating around the bush. “Do it for Xia Qingyu’s sake.”
The future of the organization was inextricably linked with Xia Qingyu, so even if Xia Qingtian had personal grievances with the organization, she should stop.
“If it weren’t for Qingyu, I wouldn’t have bothered,” Xia Qingtian would not leave Xia Qingyu here alone.
Qingyu was her sister, and she had to take Qingyu with her.
“Are you really doing this for Xia Qingyu?” Tarik’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Xia Qingtian. “Or is it for yourself?”
Xia Qingtian did not respond, merely pushing one of the two cups of milk tea she had poured toward Tarik.
“For Xia Qingyu, *heh*.” Tarik sneered at Xia Qingtian. “Or perhaps, Xia Qingyu is merely a pawn in your revenge plan?”
Xia Qingtian raised her eyes to look at Tarik, wondering what he meant by that.
“Xia Qingyu trusts you so much, yet you’ve been using her all along. Seeing your enemy’s daughter idolize and trust you like this, willing to turn against her own father for you, you must be very pleased,” Tarik said, his gaze like a sharp blade, dissecting Xia Qingtian inch by inch.
He truly wanted to know what kind of ruthless malice resided within the heart beneath that beautiful exterior to commit such acts.
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about,” Xia Qingtian said, looking at Tarik. When had Xiang Xueyuan become her enemy, and Xia Qingyu his daughter?
What was all this?
However, if it was about the past life, then it was indeed possible.
Because the leader of the organization behind Song Junhan, who had driven her family to ruin, was Xiang Xueyuan.
But in this life…
The news of Song Junhan’s naked run on the mountaintop worshipping the moon had not yet faded, and Xia Corporation’s business was flourishing.
The organization’s schemes had been thwarted by her several times.
It was more likely that Xiang Xueyuan considered her an enemy.
“As expected of someone in the entertainment industry,” Tarik chuckled. “You sent everyone away, aren’t you afraid they’ll find out about your revenge plan? Afraid they’ll realize they’re just pieces on your chessboard.”
“Then… what is my plan?” Xia Qingtian was tired. Let it be. She might as well let Tarik tell her what her revenge plan was.
“You should ask yourself,” Tarik said, his gaze darkening. “Mobius, how far are you willing to go before you stop?”
“…” Xia Qingtian blinked, her jaw dropping. She had no idea where to even begin with the complaints.
Seeing Xia Qingtian’s solemn silence, Tarik assumed she had dropped her pretense.
It was then that Tarik continued, “Your mother’s death was just an accident. No one knew how much radiation the crystal possessed back then. They had protection, but… it was far from enough.”
“!” Xia Qingtian suddenly looked up at Tarik. “What did you say?”
“I know how you feel, and I know that apologizing now is of no use, but this was a tragedy caused by an experimental accident,” Tarik said, looking at Xia Qingtian. “You can hate my father; he was the one who invited your mother to join this crystal research project. You can also use the name Mobius to strike back at the organization, but… you cannot hate Qingyu. She is innocent; she knows nothing.”