The Yue family head found an excuse and left, leaving Xia Qingtian and Gu Yaoyang in the hall to sample the new tea.
"How did you know something happened on my end? And you came so early?" Xia Qingtian asked Gu Yaoyang after the Yue family head had left.
"I ran into Young Master Lei San at the Li family's banquet last night," Gu Yaoyang replied.
"Oh…" Xia Qingtian then remembered Young Master Lei San and Lei Xirui, and thinking about the formal attire they wore, she chuckled and said, "I've caused trouble for Young Master Lei San again. Did he complain to you?"
Young Master Lei San hadn't been in a good mood last night.
"He's not important." Gu Yaoyang's gaze shifted to Xia Qingtian's legs. "Are you injured anywhere else?"
"No? I just had a slight fall." Xia Qingtian uncomfortably moved her knees, as if trying to avoid Gu Yaoyang's gaze, but knowing there was nowhere to hide. In the end, she merely alternated on her tiptoes, then gave up and continued to sit with her knees together, no longer moving restlessly.
"The Lei family owes you another favor," Gu Yaoyang said sincerely, looking at Xia Qingtian.
"Huh?" Xia Qingtian blinked. How did she feel like she was always the one troubling Young Master Lei San?
"Have the police released any news about this matter?" Seeing Xia Qingtian's expression of not knowing what he was talking about, Gu Yaoyang directly changed the subject. "Can you still depart for Z City today?"
According to the original plan, they were to take Bai Yuqi's cruise ship back to Z City port today, but it seemed they would have to postpone it by two days.
"I'm fine, we can proceed with the original plan." Xia Qingtian had only two objectives for coming to Kyoto this time.
One was to accompany Xia Qingyu for her exams, and the other was to investigate Da Ya's situation.
Although she hadn't had any contact with the Tang family, Yue Chengzhong had prepared detailed information for her.
She had also gained a lot of understanding about the Tang family.
Next, it was up to Bai Yuqi, the private investigator, to uncover what wasn't in the documents.
She also needed to find experts to consult about Da Ya's condition and how to help Da Ya recover her memory as soon as possible.
This applied to both the Tang family's matters and that golden button.
Xia Qingtian had many things she wanted to clarify.
Her injuries were minor; there was no need to waste time on her.
Besides, Mr. Gu was also quite busy.
Thinking of this, Xia Qingtian seemed to recall something and asked, "By the way… you probably didn't just hear from Young Master Lei San last night and come to the Yue family… and wait until now, did you…"
As soon as Xia Qingtian finished speaking, she regretted it a little.
The thought was too narcissistic…
Why would such a small matter be worth Mr. Gu, this busy man, waiting until this time for her?
Moreover, Mr. Gu had mentioned it was the Li family's banquet yesterday, and even she had heard of the Li family.
Just as Xia Qingtian was about to say she was joking to cover her embarrassment, she heard Gu Yaoyang frankly admit, "Yes."
"What?" Now it was Xia Qingtian's turn to be a bit stunned. "From last night… until now?"
"I haven't seen you, and I've been worried," Gu Yaoyang looked directly into Xia Qingtian's eyes and stated frankly, "It's good that you're alright."
Hearing this, Xia Qingtian suddenly felt a tightness in her chest, an indescribable heat rushing from her heart towards her forehead.
Her previously clear mind now felt muddled, as if from a lack of sleep.
"After all, we are partners." Seeing that Xia Qingtian seemed startled by his words, Gu Yaoyang added, "If something happened to you at this time, I would be very troubled."
"So, that's how it is." Xia Qingtian gave a dry laugh, and her slow brain resumed operation.
It seemed that was indeed the case.
The project had just started, and if something happened to her, the ownership of the mineral resources and the cooperation with the Xia family would be affected.
Seen this way, she was quite important.
Thinking of this, Xia Qingtian curved her lips into a smile with an ambiguous meaning.
Three parts self-deprecation, three parts amusement, and the remaining part, perhaps only Xia Qingtian herself knew.
Seeing Xia Qingtian's smile, Gu Yaoyang took a sip of tea, concealing his annoyance.
Why did he have to add that last sentence?
But if he were to say anything else now, wouldn't it seem abrupt and deliberate?
And if it backfired, wouldn't the trust that had finally been rebuilt with Xia Qingtian collapse once more?
Gu Yaoyang, who had traversed the business world, considered himself decisive and skilled at understanding people's hearts, accustomed to strategizing.
Why was he now so hesitant and completely like an inexperienced young man in front of Xia Qingtian?
This was not right.
Xia Qingtian and Gu Yaoyang sipped their tea separately, their expressions appearing peaceful and quiet, as if not disturbing each other.
However, inside, both were in turmoil, a complete mess.
...
"What? Just drinking tea? Didn't exchange anything? No laughter?"
After leaving the hall, the Yue family head thought about it repeatedly, still feeling uneasy.
He later sent someone to replenish the tea and bring snacks, specifically instructing the servant to pay attention to Xia Qingtian and Gu Yaoyang's actions.
However, he heard from the servant that the two were just sitting there quietly drinking their tea, without conversation or laughter.
And the situation the Yue family head was worried about did not occur.
"Alright, you can go," the Yue family head waved his hand, then paced in his study with his hands behind his back.
Had he misunderstood?
That couldn't be right…
Or were young people these days different from how they were back then?
They should be even bolder and more enthusiastic then!
It's not like they would be more awkward than he was back then, right?
Perhaps he had misunderstood?
Qingtian didn't mean anything like that?
The Yue family head clicked his tongue and thought about asking someone to bring more tea and snacks, and to observe Xia Qingtian's demeanor carefully.
"Master, we can't serve more tea," the butler appeared in time and stopped the Yue family head. "It's not time for breakfast yet. Drinking too much tea might give Miss Qingtian a stomachache."
Hearing the butler say this, the Yue family head didn't issue any further orders and instead said, "Have the kitchen prepare breakfast quickly. It won't be good if Qingtian gets a stomachache."
"Alright," the butler agreed and was about to leave when the Yue family head called him back.
"Also, have Chengfeng woken up. He needs to get up early to prepare for getting the marriage certificate today and delivering gifts to the Yu family. Prepare his things for him first, and ask him to pick a calligraphy and painting from my collection to send over when he leaves. Don't be disrespectful when you go to the Yu family."
"Yes." The butler agreed to everything and began to busy himself.
Xia Qingtian only found out about Yue Chengfeng getting his marriage certificate with Yu Zixuan today when she saw people coming and going in the living room, seemingly moving things.
Upon learning this, Xia Qingtian and Gu Yaoyang exchanged glances.
It seemed they really wouldn't be able to leave today.
Not only would they not be able to leave, but she would also have to prepare a congratulatory gift today.
Putting aside the sleeping Bai Yuqi for now, Gu Yaoyang took the initiative to offer to be the driver and accompany Xia Qingtian to pick out a suitable gift.
Xia Qingtian couldn't find a suitable reason to refuse, so she had to agree.
The two decided to have breakfast at the Yue family's and then go out together.
Seeing Xia Qingtian and Gu Yaoyang leaving together again, the Yue family head was confused.
Between these two young people, was there something going on or not?
Meanwhile, Xia Qingyu had truly not slept until dawn for a long time. She had been surrounded by Xia Qingtian's aura all night. Although she hadn't slept soundly in the first half of the night, she slept very soundly in the latter half.
Closing her eyes, she reached out and felt nothing by the bedside. Xia Qingyu's eyes snapped open, and she sat up abruptly.
Where was her sister?