Xif remained suspicious of Lei Xirui, probing her several times but finding nothing concrete. This only solidified her conviction that Lei Xirui was an utterly scheming individual.
She eagerly anticipated seeing Lei Xirui and Xia Qingyu clash.
What was that saying?
"Sitting on the mountain to watch the tigers fight," wasn't it?
How wonderful! Let her witness these two tigers from the East tear each other apart, revealing their ugliness!
Unaware that Xif had already labeled her as a "scheming bitch from the distant East," Lei Xirui simply hoped Xia Qingyu would come down soon.
She was truly not adept at the Nordic languages.
In Lei Xirui's opinion, although Xif had been considerate enough to speak English, her English was only passable.
The current conversation was manageable, but if it continued, Lei Xirui feared she might commit a social faux pas.
Fortunately, Xia Qingyu didn't keep Lei Xirui waiting long. Before long, she gracefully descended the stairs, her arm linked with Tarik's.
"Qingyu!" Seeing Xia Qingyu coming down, Lei Xirui finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Hearing Lei Xirui call out to Xia Qingyu, Xif also turned her gaze with a smile. The moment her eyes landed on Xia Qingyu, Xif's smile froze completely.
Why was Xia Qingyu descending with Tarik's arm linked through hers?
When had they become so intimate?
Didn't Tarik always dislike physical contact?
Why was this happening!
"Xirui, you're here," Xia Qingyu said with a faint smile, presenting her gift first. As she held Lei Xirui's hand, she applied a touch of force. "I hope you [plural] will like my gift."
Picking up on Xia Qingyu's subtle implication, Lei Xirui immediately understood that the bouquet was meant for Xia Qingtian.
"This bouquet is so beautiful, we will all like it," Lei Xirui said with a smile as she accepted the flowers. "Qingyu, I've been looking forward to it since yesterday."
She felt quite thrilled and excited at this moment!
"Is that so? Hehe, the sun is nice today, shall we go to the garden?" Xia Qingyu chuckled and led Lei Xirui towards the garden.
Seeing Xia Qingyu meet Lei Xirui and promptly "abandon" him, Tarik raised an eyebrow.
Such an ungrateful little thing.
There was nothing he could do but go after them himself.
Just as Tarik stepped in the direction Xia Qingyu had left, he was stopped.
"Tarik!" Xif called out to Tarik, her expression displeased. "What is the meaning of this!"
"What?" Tarik turned to Xif, not immediately understanding her question.
"Don't you hate it most when people touch you without your permission?" Xif pressed. "When you were coming down from upstairs... was it her request?"
"No," Tarik denied. "It was my request."
"What?" Xif's eyes widened. "Tarik, you must have your reasons, right?"
Tarik felt a flicker of annoyance at being so accurately read. "Yes, I want Qingyu to be more affectionate with me, so that Miss Lei can actively refuse the absurd arrangement with Third Master Lei."
"So that's how it is," Xif said, visibly relieved. Then, she reverted to her innocent and charming demeanor. "Since that's the case, wouldn't it be better if I cooperated with you? After all, we've been together for so many years, our tacit understanding is something others can't compare to!"
"No need, I have my own considerations and arrangements," Tarik said, then walked out directly.
"Tarik, Tarik!" Seeing Tarik leave without looking back, Xif gritted her teeth unwillingly. After much thought, she followed him out.
In the small garden outside, the servants had already prepared tea and refreshments. Xia Qingyu and Lei Xirui sat facing each other at a small round table.
"The scenery here is really nice," Lei Xirui remarked casually. "When I came today, I passed by the seaside, and it looked like a landscape painting."
"It's nice to look at occasionally," Xia Qingyu said with a faint smile. "I still prefer home, it's more familiar, and I feel a sense of belonging."
"Indeed," Lei Xirui nodded. "I'll be returning to the country in the next two days, as the competition is over. It seems Third Brother's business matters will also conclude these days, so we'll be going back together. What about you? When are you guys returning?"
"Me?" Xia Qingyu lowered her gaze. "I don't know."
It seemed she was destined to be trapped in this place, unable to return.
"What's wrong?" Noticing the hint of sadness in Xia Qingyu's eyes, Lei Xirui asked, blinking. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No, I'm fine," Xia Qingyu finally looked up and gave a dry laugh. Her gaze swept over the bouquet, and she continued in a lowered voice, "Xirui, you must give this flower to... to her personally..."
Footsteps approached, and Xia Qingyu immediately fell silent. Lei Xirui understood what Xia Qingyu meant and nodded.
She would do it.
She would hand this bouquet, intact, directly to Xia Qingtian.
Although she didn't know what had happened between these sisters, Xia Qingyu was the only good friend she had truly made in all these years.
She would do her best.
"Thank you," Xia Qingyu murmured softly, then picked up her teacup, pretending to be drinking.
Lei Xirui followed suit, smiling and taking a sip of her tea.
Tarik arrived and sat directly beside Xia Qingyu. "Miss Lei, I hope you don't mind me joining your little party."
"Not at all," Lei Xirui replied with a smile. "I haven't properly thanked you for your care during this time. I've wanted to express my gratitude formally before returning home."
"It's nothing," Tarik said with a smile, reaching for a cookie that Xia Qingyu was about to bring to her lips, taking a bite. "You're Qingyu's friend, so you're my friend."
Xia Qingyu looked at the cookie snatched from her lips, a large question mark appearing on her forehead.
Were the pastries in these two little baskets not appealing? Did he have to snatch the one from her mouth to find it tasty?
Had this Tarik caught some incurable disease from spending too much time with Xiang Xueyuan?
Tarik, on the other hand, looked at Xia Qingyu with a gentle and doting smile.
Since she had promised him, she should play her part well. Getting back her pearls wouldn't be so easy.
Lei Xirui immediately caught the ambiguous interaction between Tarik and Xia Qingyu, her eyes lighting up with the excitement of watching a real-life couple.
Just then, Xif also sat beside Lei Xirui, facing Tarik. "You're all grown up, yet you can't even eat cookies cleanly."
As she spoke, she extended a fingertip to wipe away a crumb from the corner of Tarik's mouth, then skillfully and naturally placed it on her own rosy lips, sucked it, and flashed a bright, charming smile.
Xia Qingyu's mouth twitched.
Tarik paused slightly.
Lei Xirui... oh dear, this car was turning too fast, and a huge piece of gossip had been thrown right into her mouth.
It was too much, and she felt a little choked.