“Some people’s weight loss methods are indeed quite extreme now. A purely vegetarian diet is not good for health, and based on current medical data, going carb-free is also very unwise,” Aunt Liu said, propping her chin with one hand. “Young girls are so pretty, not fat at all, yet they keep talking about losing weight. Aesthetics are getting stranger and stranger.”
“There’s nothing that a one-click beauty filter can’t fix,” Xia Qingtian said with a smile. “If it can’t be fixed, it means the beauty filter isn’t strong enough.”
“If you ask me, health is the most beautiful thing. Well-proportioned muscles are the best,” Shi Xingwu said, flexing his own muscles. “My goddess was too thin before. After she came to the dojo to train with me for so long, her figure has gotten so much better!”
Upon hearing Shi Xingwu mention Xia Qingyu, everyone fell silent.
Aunt Liu and Xia Honglang’s gazes lowered, their eyes filled with disappointment.
Gu Yaoyang and Xia Qingtian exchanged glances and didn’t chime in.
Li Xiaozhong propped his forehead with one hand and could only mutter, “This muscle-headed idiot.”
Bai Yuqi, ever the one to stir up trouble, silently gave Shi Xingwu a thumbs-up.
Lei Xirui looked at everyone nervously, wanting to smooth things over but not knowing what to say, her face flushing with anxiety.
Only then did Shi Xingwu realize he had said the wrong thing. After a moment of silence, he said, “How about… I perform a handstand while eating meat for you?”
“Pfft.” Lei Xirui couldn’t help but chuckle softly at his words.
“I don’t want to see anything like that!” Xia Qingtian said. “Wasting food will bring bad karma.”
“How is it wasting food? If I swallow it, it’s not wasted,” Shi Xingwu said, getting up.
“You’ll get a stomachache later,” Aunt Liu’s expression softened considerably. She immediately stopped him. “Sit down obediently and eat your meal.”
“Alright then.” Shi Xingwu sat back down and looked at Lei Xirui with a grin, asking, “Why aren’t you eating meat yet?”
“I’m eating, I’m eating.” Lei Xirui then used her fork to stab a piece of greasy steak and put it into her mouth.
She realized she had never eaten such a high-calorie food for breakfast before.
However… it did taste quite good.
Seeing Lei Xirui eat the meat, Shi Xingwu chuckled and continued eating his own meal.
After everyone had finished their meal, Lei Xirui thought it was about time to bid farewell, but she wasn’t sure how to begin.
Even though everyone had been very kind and welcoming to her.
Lei Xirui knew she had caused them trouble, and she was also worried about what they were planning to do that night, but she couldn’t very well say it directly.
Should she thank them first, then say goodbye?
No, no, she should apologize first.
Hmm… but if she did that…
While Lei Xirui was hesitating, Tarik arrived.
“Nie Qingkong?” Shi Xingwu looked quite surprised to see Tarik. “Why are you here? Just you? Where’s my goddess?”
“Yes, just me.” Tarik was here this time to gauge Xia Qingtian.
If Xia Qingtian was indeed the person the organization had been looking for, then he hoped to persuade her not to oppose the organization anymore, and preferably to submit to it.
Consider it for Xia Qingyu’s sake.
After all, Xia Qingyu was his adoptive father’s biological daughter. Even for Xia Qingyu’s sake, Xia Qingtian shouldn’t continue targeting the organization.
If Xia Qingtian was sensible, then everything could be discussed, and he would offer the best treatment.
But if Xia Qingtian insisted on her own way…
Tarik’s gaze deepened. He didn’t want Xia Qingyu to hate him for a lifetime.
Looking up again, Tarik saw Xia Qingtian. He clenched his fist at his side, his eyes resolute.
Tarik took a deep breath, his expression serious. “Do you have time to chat?”
“Nie Qingkong?” Xia Qingtian was also rather surprised to see Nie Qingkong. She blinked first, then immediately said, “You’ve come at the perfect time.”
“Hmm?” Tarik was also taken aback by her words.
What was this? Had Xia Qingtian been waiting for him all along?
What did she want to do?
Was she going to inquire about Xia Qingyu? Or was she going to pledge allegiance for Xia Qingyu’s sake?
Or was she going to officially declare war?
If it was the latter…
He hoped Xia Qingtian wouldn’t be foolish enough to choose this path of no return.
“Can you send Xirui back for me?” Xia Qingtian pointed at Lei Xirui, who was still sitting on the sofa, hesitating on how to speak. “Send her back to Third Young Master Lei. You know the way, right?”
“Hmm?” Tarik only now realized that Lei Xirui was also present.
“Tarik.” Lei Xirui met Tarik’s gaze, immediately stood up, and greeted him, “Hello.”
“No matter who sends Xirui back, we’ll probably be targeted by Third Young Master Lei. I can’t be bothered to look at his disgusting face,” Xia Qingtian said, crossing her arms and looking at Tarik. “Besides, some things that need to be clarified should be said by yourself, shouldn’t they? Don’t cause trouble for Xirui, understand?”
Tarik couldn’t understand what Xia Qingtian meant for a moment, nor could he understand why she called him so casually.
What was even more infuriating was that he actually drove her back obediently.
“Sorry for causing you trouble.” Lei Xirui sat in the backseat and said to Tarik apologetically.
“It’s nothing.” Tarik came back to his senses, feeling somewhat annoyed. He rubbed his temples, attributing his actions to lack of sleep lately, and then asked Lei Xirui, “Is it convenient to talk about why you were there?”
He hoped it wasn’t that their cooperation had run into some problems.
Upon hearing Tarik’s words, Lei Xirui’s cheeks flushed. She was too embarrassed to say that she had fled to Xia Qingtian’s place to hide from Third Young Master Lei because she didn’t want to marry Tarik…
In the end, Lei Xirui could only stammer that she had a small disagreement with Third Young Master Lei.
Seeing Lei Xirui’s demeanor, Tarik knew he wouldn’t get any useful information.
However, as long as it wasn’t Third Young Master Lei deciding on his own initiative not to cooperate with them but to cooperate with Xia Qingtian, it was fine… not fine at all!
Tarik didn’t realize what was going on until he had delivered Lei Xirui to her destination and met Third Young Master Lei.
Looking at Third Young Master Lei’s extremely sullen face, Tarik felt his scalp tingle. He didn’t want to face this man either!
“Xirui, you go upstairs first.” Third Young Master Lei sent Lei Xirui, who was full of words, upstairs. Then he began to vent his anger at Tarik, including his anger towards Xia Qingtian. Finally, he added, “I hope you won’t be swayed by her beauty and delay our cooperation.”
“Naturally not,” Tarik’s expression remained as gentle and smiling as usual, though it was slightly stiff.
Only one sentence echoed in his mind.
Xia Qingtian!
You tricked me!