While Xia Qingyu hesitated over whether to continue drinking the latte in her cup, Tarik came down from upstairs.
"Good morning," Tarik greeted Xia Qingyu, a hint of a smile in his eyes. "You're up quite early today."
"Mhm," Xia Qingyu replied casually. "You're not late either."
As she finished speaking, Xia Qingyu glanced in the direction behind Tarik. She didn't want to see Xiang Xueyuan right now.
"Father didn't come back last night; he must have slept in the laboratory," Tarik said with a faint smile after sitting down, knowing what Xia Qingyu was looking for. "He's engrossed in his research; it's quite common."
"I don't want to know anything about him," Xia Qingyu said, lowering her head and appearing indifferent as she continued with her breakfast.
Seeing this, Tarik didn't press the matter. He enjoyed their current time together. It would be nice to have breakfast with her like this.
It was rare for Xi Fu to be up so early. As soon as she came downstairs, she saw Xia Qingyu and Tarik dining quietly in the restaurant. The two of them looked incredibly eye-catching, like a young couple. Her intention was to monitor Xia Qingyu and catch her out, not to be disgusted by Xia Qingyu herself.
"You're both up so early~" Xi Fu stretched lazily, then walked over with a smile. "Did Father not come back last night?"
"No," Tarik replied. "I asked the butler to make a call; he should be back this afternoon."
"Ah, he's always so busy. It's been like this often before," Xi Fu said to Xia Qingyu as she waited for the servants to serve her meal. She spoke with a mix of explanation and boasting. "So, from childhood to adulthood, I've spent almost all my time with Tarik. Don't let his appearance fool you; he's terrified of thunder and only feels safe when I hold him."
Therefore, Tarik's embrace of Xia Qingyu yesterday was merely because she wasn't by his side, and Xia Qingyu was his only choice at the time. It didn't mean anything. She hoped Xia Qingyu wouldn't misunderstand. Otherwise, she would be very troubled.
"Hey!" Tarik's cheeks flushed as Xi Fu suddenly revealed his secret. At the same time, he couldn't help but glance at Xia Qingyu guiltily. He really wished Xia Qingyu would forget everything about yesterday. Completely.
"Honestly, you're even shy now." Xi Fu glanced at Tarik, then turned to Xia Qingyu with a smile and added, "But it's good now. With Sister Qingyu here, it's livelier, and it's great to have you two. Sister is really happy~"
"How can you hate me to the point of wanting to kill me, yet still act so intimately?" Xia Qingyu put down her cutlery, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and then looked at Xi Fu. "Are you being overly diplomatic, or are you used to being dependent on others?"
Xi Fu's smile froze when she heard Xia Qingyu's words. Was Xia Qingyu mocking her background?
"I'm not in the mood to play the 'best sisters' game. I've only ever had one sister. Don't try to get close to me; there's no need." Xia Qingyu stood up, cast a blank glance at Xi Fu, and then went straight upstairs. She hadn't slept well all night, her mind consumed with how to pass a message to Xia Qingtian, telling her not to take risks or get involved in her affairs. She was completely annoyed and vexed, not in the mood to consider what Xi Fu was thinking.
Xi Fu, having been rebuffed by Xia Qingyu and feeling awkward, did not get angry. She turned to Tarik and smiled, "This Sister Qingyu has quite a temper."
"You should provoke her less," Tarik's good mood from the morning had completely vanished. He put down his cutlery, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and stood up to leave. From their adoptive father's attitude last night, he could tell that Xia Qingyu was his adoptive father's chosen successor, and even he had to step aside. If their adoptive father hadn't still intended for him to cultivate a relationship with Xia Qingyu, his title as young master might have already been transferred to her. For Xi Fu to provoke Xia Qingyu at this time was truly unwise. After all, they had grown up together, so Tarik could only patiently remind Xi Fu one last time.
"I've warned you not to provoke her. It's better for everyone." With that, Tarik turned and left. Xi Fu was left alone at the dining table, her back looking desolate and lonely. Unwillingly, she clenched her fists, lowered her head, her eyes filled with hatred.
After going upstairs, Xia Qingyu returned directly to her room. As soon as she opened the door, she smelled a calming, faint floral fragrance. It was the flower branches she had trimmed herself yesterday. Later, to show Xi Fu's sincerity, she had arranged them and placed them in suitable vases in her room. The flowers she chose were those Aunt Liu often used. They were fragrant, carrying a familiar scent, and also helped to relieve her tense mood. Leaning against the door, Xia Qingyu suddenly remembered something, her eyes lighting up. She immediately called the butler. "Are there any more fresh flowers from yesterday?"
"There are. Is there anything else Miss needs?" the butler asked.
"Bring them all over. I'll pick them myself." Xia Qingyu paused and added, "Miss Lei will be here soon. I want to personally tie a bouquet for her to take back."
"Certainly." The butler responded and had the flowers that had been put away yesterday sent to Xia Qingyu's room. Xia Qingyu sat in a chair, examining the flowers before her. This was all she could do now.
When Tarik arrived, he saw Xia Qingyu trimming flowers in her room. "You really do like flowers," Tarik said, picking up a trimmed flower branch and smelling it. "This is a daisy, isn't it?"
"Mhm," Xia Qingyu replied casually. "Since I have nothing else to do, I can also make a gift for Lei Xirui. It wouldn't be good for her to leave empty-handed."
"You can ask the butler to prepare a gift," Tarik said, returning the branch to its original spot. "Why go through so much trouble?"
"Preparing it myself shows more thoughtfulness," Xia Qingyu said, her movements clean and swift. It seemed she had gained some experience from trimming flowers yesterday.
"Are you preparing a gift, or are you trying to use this opportunity to have Lei Xirui take something out?" Tarik asked casually. Xia Qingyu's hands paused slightly. Without lifting her head, she simply uttered two words in a muffled voice: "Boring."
Tarik pulled over a chair and sat down near Xia Qingyu. "You don't mind if I watch here, do you?"
"If you're going to monitor me, why say it so nicely?" Xia Qingyu continued with her task.
"Then... you don't mind if I monitor you here?" Tarik changed his words with a smile.
"If I minded, would you leave?" Xia Qingyu finally looked up at Tarik.
"No, but if you don't mind, I'll feel more at ease," Tarik spread his hands.
"Going by that logic, you should be as restless as an ant on a hot pan right now," Xia Qingyu gave Tarik a sidelong glance before continuing to trim the flowers.
"Oh dear... then I really do mind a lot..." Tarik gave a wry smile but showed no intention of leaving. Xia Qingyu stopped paying attention to him. Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling window behind them, filling the entire room with a faint floral fragrance. A leisurely morning.