Nie Qingkong admitted that Xia Qingyu's talent and keenness in finance were exceptional.
Indeed, they surpassed even the top traders he had meticulously trained.
But when it came to personality…
"Are you sick! Get yourself treated if you are!"
"I've told you not to meddle in my affairs. Can't you understand plain language?"
…
Recalling Xia Qingyu's words in his mind, Nie Qingkong frowned deeply.
"Terrible!"
He had never encountered someone so ungrateful and reckless.
Anyone else would have died countless times over by now.
"Tsk."
Nie Qingkong impatiently shut down the computer and walked directly to the floor-to-ceiling window.
With his arms crossed, his gaze was profound.
Outside, the moonlight was bright and clear, with interwoven tree shadows. When the wind blew, it made faint rustling sounds, as if plotting something significant.
Meanwhile, in a VIP suite at a hotel in Z City, Yu Zixuan, after a bath, was drying her hair while repeatedly reviewing surveillance footage of vehicles passing by the intersection that day.
Her eyes began to feel strained from the intense viewing.
She had finished reviewing all the compiled data and had deduced several possible locations. However, not only was Tang Jiamingzhu's whereabouts unknown, but A Long had also vanished as if evaporated.
"Could it be…" Yu Zixuan's gaze shifted slightly, and she couldn't help but suspect Xia Qingtian's involvement.
After all, as a native of Z City, it would be easier for Xia Qingtian to hide two living people.
Thinking this, Yu Zixuan decided to contact Xia Qingtian.
However, it was late at that time, and Yu Zixuan only managed to call Xia Qingtian the next morning, saying, "Are you up?"
"Yes, I'm up and about to have breakfast," Xia Qingtian said, holding her phone, unsure why Yu Zixuan would suddenly call her.
The incident at the Yue family had left Xia Qingtian with lingering resentment.
Although she had comforted herself multiple times, the thorn remained lodged there.
"I'm here in Z City for work, and your uncle has been urging me to contact you," Yu Zixuan said with a smile, mentioning Yue Chengfeng. "I'll have time next week, how about we meet next weekend?"
"Next weekend won't work," Xia Qingtian said, feeling fortunate that Xia Qingyu's exam was within these few days. "My sister is going to the national joint examination in Kyoto next weekend, and I'll be accompanying her. Since my uncle misses me so much, I'll visit him then."
"You're going to Kyoto?" Yu Zixuan was somewhat taken aback by Xia Qingtian's words and immediately guessed that Xia Qingtian might be using this opportunity to send Tang Jiamingzhu back to the Tang family in Kyoto as well.
"Yes," Xia Qingtian replied. "What a shame, we'll have to meet another time then?"
She didn't really want to see Yu Zixuan. On one hand, she knew that Yu Zixuan had never spoken such heartless words to her in this life, and the events of the past life were unlikely to affect the present.
On the other hand, she still couldn't trust Yu Zixuan, but she knew that Yue Chengfeng and Yu Zixuan loved each other.
Since that was the case, it was better to maintain a distance and stay out of each other's way.
"Is that so…" Yu Zixuan said with a dry laugh, "Then we'll meet another time."
After a few more pleasantries, they hung up.
Holding her phone, Xia Qingtian let out a long sigh, shook her head inwardly, and then went about her own business.
Yu Zixuan, however, looked thoughtful. After a moment of consideration, she immediately arranged for personnel to investigate the national joint examination to be held in Kyoto.
After clarifying the details, Yu Zixuan began to set up defenses along this route.
If Xia Qingtian was indeed secretly sending Tang Jiamingzhu back to Kyoto, she was determined to intercept her in time.
She absolutely could not allow Tang Jiamingzhu to appear alive at the Tang family!
On the other side, Gou Wen intercepted this information the moment Yu Zixuan started making arrangements.
"Lan Ling is setting up defenses in Kyoto? Not in Z City?" Gou Wen's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, as if guessing the reason for Lan Ling's actions.
"Yes," the subordinate replied. "And it seems there's ample time. Could Lan Ling already know Tang Jiamingzhu's whereabouts and movements?"
"It looks like Tang Jiamingzhu is returning to Kyoto," Gou Wen said, tapping the armrest of the leather sofa she was sitting on rhythmically, producing a faint "dada" sound. A seductive and elegant smile curved her lips. "The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind."
Leaning on the edge of the sofa armrest, Gou Wen stood up and issued an order: "Have people set up defenses in Kyoto. This time, not only will we retrieve Tang Jiamingzhu, but we will also make that Lan Ling… disappear completely!"
Being able to rectify her previous mistake and eliminate a stumbling block at the same time, Gou Wen was in a good mood.
"Yes!"
While Lan Ling and Gou Wen were busy making arrangements, Xia Qingyu was wholeheartedly preparing for the national joint examination under Xia Qingtian's care.
Although Xia Qingtian was usually not very reliable, she was attentive to Xia Qingyu.
Seasonal fruits and vegetables were prepared, fresh shrimp and tender beef were served daily, and even Miao Tong's injuries were visibly healing.
"Miao Tong's complexion is looking more rosy lately, and his cheeks have filled out," Aunt Liu said with a smile, placing a piece of spare rib on Miao Tong's plate. "Eat more."
"Yes, it's good for young people to eat more; it's healthy," Xia Honglang also nodded in agreement. "Have another bowl of fish soup later; it's quite flavorful."
"Thanks a lot," Miao Tong said with a chuckle. He had been going out to find Tang Jiamingzhu every day recently. Although there was still no news, his daily exercise was sufficient.
With the increased physical activity, he felt hungry during meal times, and when he was hungry, he ate more, which led to happiness.
He even thought he had gained a little weight when he looked in the mirror the past couple of days.
But he really couldn't be blamed; the Xia family's meals had been exceptionally good lately!
"Mom, Dad, Qingyu and I will be leaving for Kyoto tomorrow afternoon. We'll be back earliest on Sunday evening. Contact us anytime if there's anything," Xia Qingtian said, holding her soup bowl.
"Alright, then you girls be careful," Xia Honglang was at ease with the Xia sisters.
"We're waiting for your good news," Aunt Liu said with a smile, feeling that life was becoming more and more smooth.
If only it could continue like this forever.
"Where are you going?" Miao Tong asked in surprise, holding his bowl.
"Qingyu is going to participate in the national joint examination, and I'll be accompanying her. The examination venue is in Kyoto," Xia Qingtian replied, looking at Miao Tong. "A friend of mine happens to have a cruise ship going to Kyoto, so we'll arrive after some eating, drinking, and playing."
"Cruise ship?" Upon hearing this mode of transportation, Miao Tong immediately pressed, "Private?"
"Yes," Xia Qingtian nodded. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Miao Tong's gaze shifted.
He hadn't found any clues these past few days. Could it be that Tang Jiamingzhu had already been hidden by Xia Qingtian?
With a private cruise ship, one wouldn't need to declare their identity before clearing customs and could travel directly by water, avoiding land-based tracking.
This was the best method to send someone to Kyoto without a trace.
Thinking this, Miao Tong smiled and said, "Do you mind if I tag along? I also want to take the cruise ship back to Kyoto; it's a good opportunity to visit my parents."
"Sure," Xia Qingtian knew Miao Tong's intentions well, and she was only too glad for Miao Tong to stay away from Da Ya and Er Ya. "Qingyu's classmates will also be there, so it'll be livelier with more people."
"Classmates?" Xia Qingyu looked at Xia Qingtian in surprise. "Li Xiaozhong?"
"Yes," Xia Qingtian replied with a nod. "And Nie Qingkong. Anyway, only the three of you from your school were selected, so let's go together."