"Young Master Lei's guard is quite high." When discussing work, Tarik also became serious. "However, he is very tempted by the cooperation terms we offered."
"Xi Fu said you spent the entire day playing with Young Master Lei's sister." The man's eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses were smiling, and his tone held a rare hint of teasing. "She was jealous and complained to me at length."
Hearing his adoptive father's words, Tarik felt a headache coming on. "I only see Xi Fu as a playmate I grew up with."
"You and Xi Fu grew up together, knowing and trusting each other the most," the man chuckled. "If she helps you, I'll feel much more at ease."
"I'm already in talks with Young Master Lei. Just give me some time..." Tarik understood the unspoken meaning behind his adoptive father's words and immediately tried to explain, but he was interrupted before he could finish.
"The problem is, we're most in need of time right now." The man gave Tarik a deep look and said, "It's just a task to complete with Xi Fu. I'm not trying to set you up, so don't be nervous."
Hearing his adoptive father say that, Tarik lowered his head slightly, not responding.
"You've been acting strange since you returned from country Z. What's wrong? Did you really meet a girl you like there, as Xi Fu claimed?" the man asked casually.
If it were before, Tarik would have easily and calmly denied it, perhaps even mocking Xi Fu for being too nosy and overthinking.
But after meeting Xia Qingyu today, Tarik did not directly answer his adoptive father's question. Instead, he said with certainty, "I will definitely complete all the tasks you've assigned and share your burdens."
Upon hearing Tarik's words, the man understood, but he still smiled and said, "Good. Having you by my side makes me much more relaxed."
After a pause, the man coughed lightly and waved his hand. "You can go back to work."
"Yes, Father." Tarik then turned to leave.
The man watched Tarik's retreating back. After the door closed, he chuckled and sighed, "Youth is truly wonderful..."
In a daze, he also remembered someone, but he quickly brushed this image from his mind with a wave of his sleeve.
In the spacious office, the man with half white hair sighed softly and returned to his ambitions.
Leaving the laboratory, Tarik pressed his throbbing temples, took a deep breath, and instructed the driver to take him home.
Before getting out of the car, Tarik ordered someone to investigate Xia Qingyu's current whereabouts and the entire competition process.
He wasn't concerned, he was just... asking out of curiosity.
While Tarik was having Xia Qingyu investigated, Xia Qing tian was also mentioning the long-lost "Nie Qingkong" to Gu Yaoyang.
"Tarik?" Gu Yaoyang's gaze shifted, and Nie Qingkong's gentle and refined face appeared in his mind. He looked like a simple, honest good student. Was he truly the young master he had been investigating?
"I'm not particularly interested in him," Xia Qing tian said, twirling the Mobius strip ring on her finger. "But it's different when he approaches Qingyu."
Since she and Gu Yaoyang had officially announced their relationship, these rings served as their everyday couple's accessories.
"Alright, I'll have Bai Yuqi investigate," Gu Yaoyang nodded.
"Thank you for your trouble." Xia Qing tian smiled and patted Gu Yaoyang's shoulder. "I'm going to see Qingyu."
"Okay." Gu Yaoyang knew Xia Qing tian felt exceptionally for her sister, so he nodded without trying to keep her, and returned to his work.
Although he privately wished to chat with Xia Qing tian longer, it wasn't the time for personal matters.
Xia Qing tian also knew Gu Yaoyang was busy at the moment. After leaving Gu Yaoyang's suite, she headed straight for Xia Qingyu's room.
Xia Qingyu slept in the same suite as Aunt Liu.
There were two beds, one inside and one outside. Aunt Liu was currently bathing. As soon as Xia Qing tian entered, she saw Xia Qingyu sitting by the window, lost in thought. "Qingyu darling~"
Hearing her sister's voice, Xia Qingyu snapped out of her reverie and managed a smile. "Why are you here? Didn't you say you were tired from shopping and wanted to rest?"
"I was worried about you, so I came to check on you." Xia Qing tian stepped forward and took Xia Qingyu's slightly cool hand. "Are you thinking about Nie Qingkong?"
"Mhm." Xia Qingyu didn't lie to Xia Qing tian. She nodded and said, "I'm just wondering what he wants to do, what he wants, why he suddenly appeared and then suddenly disappeared. Even his name is fake, so... what else is real?"
"You've stumped me there," Xia Qing tian said with a smile. "People have secrets. Sometimes, to keep a secret, they weave a lie, and then use countless lies to cover that one lie. Gradually, they don't even know what's real and what's fake anymore."
"I have no secrets from you," Xia Qingyu said, looking at Xia Qing tian with clear eyes.
"I'm talking about Nie Qingkong," Xia Qing tian said, playfully flicking Xia Qingyu's nose with her finger. She then held Xia Qingyu's hand firmly in her palm, as if trying to warm those perpetually cool little hands with her own body heat. "He tells lie after lie to protect his secrets. You just need to know that whatever he wants to do, why he suddenly appeared, or why he disappeared... it has nothing to do with you.
Just like I told you before, punishing yourself for someone else's mistakes is the most foolish thing.
My Qingyu is the smartest, she wouldn't do such a silly thing, right?"
Xia Qing tian looked into Xia Qingyu's eyes. She knew that Xia Qingyu, who usually appeared傲娇 (àojiāo - proud and pampered) and nonchalant, had a very delicate and sensitive heart.
Xia Qing tian couldn't be sure or figure out if Nie Qingkong's target was Xia Qingyu.
But she had to try her best to minimize the negative impact Nie Qingkong had brought to Xia Qingyu.
Her sister, she would protect.
"Mhm." Xia Qingyu knew Xia Qing tian was worried she would overthink things again, so she came to comfort her.
She leaned into Xia Qing tian's embrace and said softly, "Sis, I remember everything you say, and I'll remember it my whole life."
Xia Qing tian gently brushed Xia Qingyu's long hair that fell over her shoulders, revealing a gentle smile.
Behind them, at the doorway, Aunt Liu, wearing a bathrobe, watched the sisters. Her eyes were slightly moist. Then, she took out her phone and took a picture, sending it to Xia Honglang.
Xia Honglang saw the photo sent by Aunt Liu after he woke up in the morning. There was a five-hour time difference between country Z and Finland.
He typed a line of text to reply, then thought about it and deleted it. Instead, he sent an emoji.
Seeing this photo, he felt more motivated to make money and attend meetings.
For a man, working hard to earn money and support the family is all for his wife and children, old and young.