"Hoo..." After Xia Qingyu closed the door, Lei Xirui finally let out a long sigh, clutching her chest. "I was so nervous, I couldn't even breathe."
After speaking, Lei Xirui's gaze shifted to Xia Qingyu, watching as she meticulously took apart the messy bouquet and rewrapped it.
"Here." Xia Qingyu handed the re-arranged flowers to Lei Xirui. "Good thing it was only a little messed up; the petals and stems are fine."
"Mm." Lei Xirui then extended her hands to take the bouquet and held it protectively. She said earnestly, "This time, I will protect it well!"
Xia Qingyu curled the corner of her lips and led Lei Xirui to sit by the window.
"Qingyu, you..." Lei Xirui leaned closer to Xia Qingyu, wanting to say something, only to see Xia Qingyu slowly shake her head.
Lei Xirui then fell silent and changed the topic, chatting only about fresh flowers, the weather, and the local culture.
The small gathering lasted for about an hour, and then Lei Xirui got up to take her leave.
"Go back first, and remember to send me a message to let me know you're safe when you get back," Xia Qingyu winked.
"Okay." Lei Xirui understood Xia Qingyu's meaning. She gave her a light hug, then holding the bouquet, she was escorted back by Tarik.
Upon reaching her destination, Lei Xirui first sent Xia Qingyu a message confirming her safety, then thanked Tarik and walked in with a skip in her step, holding the bouquet.
Third Master Lei was sitting on the living room sofa, watching Lei Xirui with a smile.
Lei Xirui originally wanted to go directly to find Xia Qing Tian, but since Tarik was still there, and Xia Qingyu had reminded her to "go back first," she returned to her residence to make a show of it, planning to leave again immediately.
After all, the bouquet had been messed up by Xi Fu before, and she wanted to deliver it to Xia Qing Tian quickly, to avoid any further mishaps.
"Rest well once you get home, and go out later."
Looking at the text message Xia Qingyu had just replied with, Lei Xirui, who was already preparing to leave, circled back and sat down on the sofa, contemplating how long "later" was.
Meanwhile, Xi Fu was in her room, wearing headphones and replaying messages from the bug planted in Xia Qingyu's room.
The bug had been installed yesterday when Xia Qingyu and her group went to the laboratory.
She didn't trust Xia Qingyu.
After listening twice with nothing suspicious, Xi Fu frowned and slammed the headphones onto the table, clicking her tongue.
It was impossible; there had to be something going on between Xia Qingyu and Lei Xirui.
Just then, Xi Fu's phone rang. After answering, a deep male voice came from the other end, speaking in Finnish, "The target has been delivered home by the young master. The young master has returned directly without stopping."
"Mm, keep monitoring for a while longer," Xi Fu said. "See if she goes out again. If she doesn't go out within 45 minutes, you can leave. Don't arouse suspicion from the young master or the Lei family."
"Yes."
After hanging up, Xi Fu gnawed on her fingernails with a dark expression.
There must be something...
Her sixth sense had never been wrong.
Xia Qingyu, Lei Xirui...
These two scheming bimbos from the East must have some unspeakable secret dealings!
She would definitely uncover their true colors.
Recalling the look in Tarik's eyes, Xi Fu's expression grew even more gloomy.
Damn Xia Qingyu...
On the other side, while Lei Xirui was still pondering how long "later" was, Third Master Lei spoke, "Did you have fun playing outside today?"
"Yes, it was quite fun," Lei Xirui replied.
"The flowers are beautiful. Did he give them to you?" Third Master Lei's lips curved upwards slightly as he saw how Xia Qingyu treasured the bouquet.
"Hm? They are indeed beautiful," Lei Xirui said, looking at the flowers in her arms. "Third Brother, don't you think that excellent people are skilled in everything they do?"
Lei Xirui's eyes were full of admiration. "Her academic performance is so good, she's so knowledgeable and gentle, her personality is great, her foreign languages are amazing, and she's so skilled at making flower bouquets. It feels like her hands can turn anything withered into something magical... she's truly incredible..."
"Heh, I didn't realize your evaluation of him was so high." Third Master Lei beckoned Lei Xirui over. "Xirui, come here. Third Brother wants to tell you something."
"Hm?" Lei Xirui blinked and sat down beside Third Master Lei. "What is it, Third Brother?"
"I'll be returning to the country tomorrow night," Third Master Lei said, looking at Lei Xirui with a hint of reluctance in his eyes. "This time it's quite urgent..."
"Tomorrow night? Then I need to ask Sister Qiu to pack my things now." Lei Xirui had quite a lot of belongings, so she needed to have the person responsible for her daily life prepare them in advance.
"No need," Third Master Lei said. "You don't have to come back with me."
"What?" Lei Xirui was stunned. "I'm not going back with you? Then where will I go?"
"I see you like Tarik quite a bit. We've planned for you to spend the summer here. Sister Qiu will stay to take care of your daily needs. You can stay here, or you can stay at Tarik's place. He..." Third Master Lei's words were interrupted by Lei Xirui.
"What? I like Tarik?!" Lei Xirui looked at Third Master Lei in disbelief. "Third Brother, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Lei Xirui couldn't help but recall her awkward situation at the table.
The love triangle between Xia Qingyu, Xi Fu, and Tarik was already strange enough. Why did they have to drag her into it?
"You don't have to be shy, I already know," Third Master Lei's lips curved into a faint smile.
"No! You don't know!" Lei Xirui quickly waved her hands. "Third Brother, Tarik and Xia Qingyu are in love with each other. I saw it with my own eyes. They're really good together. Don't try to force a match! I really don't like Tarik!"
Lei Xirui's face turned red. She had absolutely no such thoughts.
"Xia Qingyu?" Third Master Lei's brow furrowed at the mention of the name. "What does this have to do with Xia Qingyu? Xia Qingyu?"
Looking at Lei Xirui's anxious and wronged expression, Third Master Lei immediately understood.
Damn Xia Qing Tian!
No wonder this Xia Qing Tian hadn't made any moves until now. He had initially thought Xia Qing Tian had backed down on her own.
Who would have thought that this Xia Qing Tian was so cunning, secretly making small moves and hatching such a plan!
On the surface, she made Xia Qingyu and Lei Xirui good friends, and in private, she monitored Xirui's every move.
Now, seeing Xirui's close relationship with Tarik, she had resorted to this honey trap to snatch her beloved!
Good! Very good!
He had truly underestimated that venomous beauty!
"Xia Qing Tian..." Third Master Lei's eyes instantly turned grim.
Anyone who dared to harm his sister would have their life taken!