Xia Qingyu felt a sense of danger all around her as soon as she returned to the banquet hall. Every waiter's face seemed terrifying, and the melodious music sounded as if it were distorted through water, its tune changed and exceedingly strange.
A chill spread from the soles of her feet to the top of her head. She bumped into someone nearby, and her scalp tingled, her face filled with panic.
"Goddess, you're here!" Shi Xingwu spotted Xia Qingyu and immediately came over, saying, "Goddess sister was just looking for you. Could you call her back?"
"What's wrong?" Li Xiaozhong noticed Xia Qingyu's pale face and unsteady posture and quickly stepped forward to support her. "What happened?"
Hearing Li Xiaozhong's question, Xia Qingyu wanted to answer but didn't know where to begin.
Was she supposed to say that she had witnessed firsthand how her biological father treated human lives as playthings?
"I'm fine, maybe... I drank a bit too much fruit wine just now." Xia Qingyu shook her head and offered a forced smile.
There was no way she could tell outsiders about those things.
"That stuff is quite good," Shi Xingwu chuckled. "I had a bit too."
"How are you feeling now? Do you want me to help you to a quieter spot to rest?" Li Xiaozhong asked. "I'll stay with you here, and Shi Xingwu can go find your sister and the others."
"Thank you for your trouble." Xia Qingyu nodded. If she were left alone now, she would be scared.
Upon hearing this, Shi Xingwu immediately agreed and wove through the crowd to find Xia Qingtian.
Li Xiaozhong accompanied Xia Qingyu to the side, handing her a glass of ice water. "Would you like some of this?"
"Thank you," Xia Qingyu said gratefully, taking the glass and taking a sip. The cold water soothed her throat, making her shiver. She felt much more awake and steadier.
"Did you... just..." Li Xiaozhong vaguely guessed something, but considering their relationship was only as partners, he found it inconvenient to ask further. He gave an awkward laugh and said, "It's alright, you rest for a while."
"Mm," Xia Qingyu acknowledged Li Xiaozhong's kindness and smiled at him.
Right now, she genuinely just wanted a moment of quiet.
"Why are you sitting here? Are you not satisfied with something at this banquet?" Tarik spotted Xia Qingyu and Li Xiaozhong alone and quickly walked over.
Accompanying Tarik was Lei Xirui, dressed in a pale yellow evening gown. She had been forced upon Tarik by Third Master Lei again, and Lei Xirui felt a bit embarrassed and dared not refuse, hoping only to not cause Tarik any trouble.
"Qingyu, what's wrong?" Seeing Xia Qingyu, Lei Xirui felt more relaxed. She stepped forward, took Xia Qingyu's hand, and asked, "Why does your complexion look so pale?"
"It's nothing, I just drank a bit too much fruit wine, it was sweet and tasty, but I didn't expect the after-effects to be so strong." Xia Qingyu smiled shyly, squeezing Lei Xirui's hand back. "Thank you for your concern."
"We're friends, so of course I'm concerned," Lei Xirui smiled shyly. "Some fruit wines don't seem like much when you're drinking them, but the after-effects are really strong. I've also drunk too much because I was greedy."
The two girls exchanged a smile, their eyes gentle.
"I'll have someone prepare something to help you sober up," Tarik said, looking at Xia Qingyu.
"No need, I'm fine." Xia Qingyu looked at Tarik, unsure whether to fear him like Xiang Xueyuan or pity him.
Today was Tarik's birthday banquet, yet Xiang Xueyuan had used this opportunity to commit such atrocities.
Xia Qingyu recalled Xiang Xueyuan's gentle smile, and a sense of dread washed over her.
How could there be such a terrifying devil in the world?
And that devil was her father.
"Tarik, if you have things to attend to, please go ahead. I'll stay with Qingyu," Lei Xirui said. She didn't want to be with Tarik; she preferred being with Xia Qingyu. "I'll explain to my third brother."
She really had no interest in Tarik and didn't want to cause him trouble. She didn't know what was going on with Third Master Lei.
While in Finland, he had always claimed it was for her own good, yet he forced her to do things she disliked. Lei Xirui was unhappy.
"Alright," Tarik replied, then looked at Xia Qingyu again and said, "If you feel unwell or need anything else, just call me."
After saying this, Tarik turned to leave. Before leaving, he gave Li Xiaozhong a deep look.
Li Xiaozhong met his gaze. Both their expressions were indifferent, their mutual dislike evident in their eyes.
Not long after Tarik left, Shi Xingwu also returned, bringing the others from the Xia family with him.
"Qingyu, are you alright?" Xia Qingtian immediately stepped forward and took Xia Qingyu's hand. Feeling Xia Qingyu's cold fingertips, she looked to confirm that Xia Qingyu didn't seem injured.
"Sister, I'm fine." Xia Qingyu's other hand was held by Aunt Liu. She sensed Aunt Liu's hand trembling slightly and turned to comfort her, "Mom, don't worry."
Hearing Xia Qingyu say this, Xia Qingtian and Aunt Liu were slightly relieved.
Seeing Xia Qingyu surrounded by her family, Lei Xirui tactfully moved a few steps to the side, making space. She accidentally bumped into someone nearby and immediately apologized, "Excuse me..."
"Ah?" The person Lei Xirui bumped into looked at her with surprise. "Siri sister? What's wrong?"
"Uh, I just bumped into you? Sorry..." Lei Xirui looked at Shi Xingwu, her voice much softer.
"Ah? This? It's fine." Shi Xingwu clenched his fist and pounded his chest twice, making a dull thudding sound. "For a martial artist, this is nothing. Don't worry about it, brother."
Seeing Shi Xingwu's action, Lei Xirui pursed her lips and smiled softly.
Every time she saw Shi Xingwu, he was so full of energy. It was wonderful.
It was as if this person was happy his whole life, and just being near him made her feel happy too.
Anyone who could be his friend must be very fortunate.
Then, Lei Xirui couldn't help but sigh secretly. In the end, he was different from people like her.
"Why the sigh?" Shi Xingwu heartily patted Lei Xirui on the back. "Sighing makes you lose good luck! Cheer up, brother~"
Shi Xingwu's pat nearly knocked Lei Xirui over. Her back felt numb with pain, and her face was full of disbelief.