Xia Qingtian, having returned to her room, found herself unable to calm her racing thoughts.
If Jean Lingol hadn't descended from the sky, if Madame Camille and her people hadn't arrived in time...
Xia Qingtian dared not imagine what would have transpired.
Though her safety was temporarily secured, it was only for now.
The light had not been bright enough, and though she had stood face-to-face with the maid, recalling the woman's appearance now, she could only remember her speaking with a Basque dialect, her European features, and that she was likely quite beautiful.
However, Xia Qingtian suffered from a slight facial blindness when it came to foreigners.
More importantly, the maid had mentioned having helpers on the phone.
This meant that the danger lurking within the estate was not limited to just one individual.
The thought immediately brought to mind the unspeakable mystery that had unfolded at this very banquet in her previous life. Madame Camille had suddenly announced her retirement from public life, and everyone who had attended the banquet had remained tight-lipped about it. What had truly happened at that banquet?
Xia Qingtian’s brow furrowed slightly, and at the same moment, a "beep" sounded in her mind.
[Beep—
The Chosen One System has been activated.
Option A: Attend the banquet, seek self-preservation, and stay out of trouble. Reward: Endorsement opportunities with premium domestic fashion brands.
Option B: Successfully prevent the impending disaster at Camille Manor. Reward: 10 points, redeemable at the Chosen One Mall or for the lucky draw.]
Wen Ning had already mentioned that she would help select quality endorsements for her back home. Was this system even necessary? Once she returned safely, Wen Ning would naturally present her with the chosen endorsements. In this regard, Wen Ning was far more reliable than the system.
What a pathetic system, trying to freeload off her again!
Although 10 points didn't sound like much, it was enough for two lucky draws or to redeem some magical pills.
Moreover, Xia Qingtian knew she had likely already been targeted by that maid. Even if she wanted to avoid this mess, she couldn't.
With that in mind, Xia Qingtian thought of Jean Lingol again. She figured the loud noise she and Li Mengxiao had heard while dining earlier must have been made by Jean Lingol when he was confined to his room. Based on the conversation she’d overheard between Jean Lingol and Madame Camille, it was safe to assume he was related to her and not an accomplice of the maid. This opulent manor was rife with hidden dangers, and the only person Xia Qingtian could tentatively trust was Jean Lingol.
"Qingtian, Qingtian?" Li Mengxiao, seeing Xia Qingtian lost in thought since returning, waved her hand in front of her worriedly. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Xia Qingtian said, snapping back to reality and flashing Li Mengxiao a bright smile. "Mengxiao, it's getting late. Let's get some sleep." Tonight, she needed to rest up. Tomorrow was the real main event. Everything would be decided tomorrow.
"Okay, which side do you want to sleep on?" Li Mengxiao patted the fluffy pillow. "I'm a pretty sound sleeper and I don't snore, so I shouldn't disturb you."
"I'm not a very sound sleeper," Xia Qingtian replied with an embarrassed smile. "If I disturb you, please apologize in advance."
"How could you? You worry too much. Let's sleep," Li Mengxiao waved dismissively. How much trouble could a beautiful little fairy like Xia Qingtian cause, no matter how restless she was?
As it turned out, Li Mengxiao had underestimated the situation. Xia Qingtian didn't snore or kick off her blankets, but when she slept soundly, she was like a clingy octopus, holding Li Mengxiao tightly. She was impossible to shake off. Li Mengxiao didn't dare to wake Xia Qingtian, fearing it would disrupt her rest and affect her complexion and makeup for the next day. She could only endure. It wasn't until the sky began to lighten that Li Mengxiao finally drifted into a heavy sleep.
Xia Qingtian woke up very early, perhaps due to the matters on her mind, or perhaps benefiting from her usual morning exercise routine. However, she had no intention of exercising this morning. After all, she had encountered that strange maid during her run last night, and who knew what other odd people she might run into today. She had a lot to do.
Tiptoeing out of bed and tucking Li Mengxiao in, Xia Qingtian freshened up and changed into casual, light clothing before leaving the bedroom. She remembered that in the dining room yesterday, the sound seemed to have come from... her left. And the approximate location of the open window she had seen last night... it must be this room, no doubt.
Taking a deep breath, Xia Qingtian stood at the door and softly called out, "Jean Lingol? Jean Lingol!"
"It's me, I'm here!" Jean Lingol's voice immediately responded from behind the door, laced with the grogginess of sleep and a hint of confused French. "What is it?"
"It's me, Destiny," Xia Qingtian whispered.
"Destiny? Ah! Destiny!" Jean Lingol seemed to truly wake up then. "It's you! You're outside the door? Oh! Are you here to save me?"
"I wish I could, but I'm just a guest, and I don't have the key to this room." Xia Qingtian had more important matters to discuss with Jean Lingol.
"Oh, right..." Jean Lingol's voice was filled with disappointment. "I guess I'm truly trapped now."
"Why do you need to escape? I mean, Madame Camille is your aunt, right?" Xia Qingtian said. "She doesn't seem like someone who would hurt you."
"She wouldn't. Her vicious older sister, my mother, would tie me up and beat me," Jean Lingol said, leaning against the door and sighing heavily. "I can't be taken back to the Lingol family, otherwise..."
"The Lingol family? You mean the French financial magnates, the Lingol family?" Xia Qingtian was somewhat shocked.
"Yes, yes, yes! So impressive, right? Who wouldn't think I've mastered the art of precise birth, a lucky star born in Rome?" Jean Lingol's tone was exaggeratedly casual, almost flippant. "Come on, this isn't something I chose."
Xia Qingtian didn't respond. Every family had its own burdens. Wasn't Mo Jianing always jealous of her status as a Xia family heiress? But what was the reality? She lost her mother at a young age, her college application choices were tampered with, and she could only run away from home to pursue her dreams. This was even after her rebirth. If it were before her rebirth, her life would have been even more dreadful.
However, from this exchange, Xia Qingtian finally confirmed that Jean Lingol was a partner she could trust. A partner to prevent all disasters.
"Jean Lingol, listen," Xia Qingtian glanced around before speaking softly. "I'm very grateful you saved my life."
"What?" Jean Lingol seemed a little bewildered.