The Xia family had long grown accustomed to Miao Tong's eccentricities, eating and drinking as usual.
The lively atmosphere at the dining table brought a sweet smile to Aunt Liu's face.
She wasn't used to the quiet of the past few days.
A home, after all, should be like this.
Lively and full of happiness.
Just then, a car stopped at the Xia family's entrance, and a middle-aged man quickly walked in.
"Dad? Why are you back!" Xia Qingtian looked surprised to see the newcomer.
"Have you eaten?" Xia Qingyu was equally surprised.
"I haven't had a chance to eat yet." Xia Honglang chuckled and said, "Knowing you'd be back for lunch, I rushed back after my morning meeting. I was hoping to wait for you at home before you arrived, but I was a little late."
"You're not too late," Aunt Liu smiled and said, "You must be tired, wash your hands first."
"Okay." Xia Honglang replied, took the wet towel handed by a servant to wipe his hands, then sat in the main seat. He smiled and surveyed the room, then curiously looked at Nie Qingkong, "And who is this..."
"My name is Nie Qingkong, I'm Xia Qingyu's classmate. Thank you for your hospitality," Nie Qingkong put down his chopsticks, his tone polite and respectful.
"It's just simple food, no need for hospitality. As long as you don't dislike it." Xia Honglang had a good first impression of Nie Qingkong. The young man was fair-skinned and very polite, indeed, very good.
"Have a bowl of soup first," Xia Qingyu got up to ladle a bowl of soup for Xia Honglang.
"Mm, how was your exam?" Xia Honglang took the soup bowl and said, "Your sister didn't hold you back, did she?"
"Dad!" Xia Qingtian protested, "I went to accompany you for the exam, how could I drag Qingyu down!"
"You? Hard to say..." Xia Honglang shook his head, smiling mysteriously.
Xia Honglang's attitude amused everyone at the table.
"My sister is very good and has given me a lot of help," Xia Qingyu replied with a smile.
"That's good." Xia Honglang took a deep breath, seemingly relieved by the current dynamic between Xia Qingyu and Xia Qingtian.
Just a year ago, the two sisters were mortal enemies, and now that they could interact like this, it was truly great.
"However, it wasn't all smooth sailing," Miao Tong suddenly chimed in, "We encountered a motorcycle gang trying to rob people at midnight. Qingyu was almost kidnapped, and Qingtian also got injured. And then there was that girl who committed suicide..."
Mentioning Liao Tingting's suicide in front of everyone caused Xia Qingtian and Xia Qingyu to suddenly fall silent.
They still remembered the girl with the round glasses and her rebellious blue-green long hair.
That was her final act of rebellion.
"I heard from Cheng Zhong about Qingtian's injury," Xia Honglang's brows furrowed. "This matter was too sudden and strange. I suspect it might have been the work of Xia family's business competitors."
Hearing Xia Honglang's words, Nie Qingkong lowered his head and took a sip of soup, his lowered gaze concealing his awkwardness.
"Which competitor is it?" Aunt Liu immediately became nervous. "Why would they want to harm Qingyu and Qingtian?"
"For now, it's just my suspicion. The police are also investigating, so you don't need to worry," Xia Honglang chuckled and said, "I've already hired someone to protect Qingtian. Qingyu has a driver for pick-ups and drop-offs, so the problem isn't too big."
"Ah? Hiring someone to protect me?" Xia Qingtian blinked, "Is that necessary?"
"Why wouldn't it be? Don't worry, I've hired someone you know," Xia Honglang said.
"Who?" Xia Qingtian asked curiously.
"They'll be here tonight, you'll know then," Xia Honglang said with a smile, keeping it a secret.
"Um, I also have something to say," Xia Qingyu pondered for a moment, then voiced her decision: "There's a classmate in my class named Shi Xingwu. His family runs a martial arts school, not far from school. I want to go to his martial arts school every day after school to learn some self-defense techniques."
"Won't that be too tiring?" Aunt Liu asked with concern.
"Actually, it's quite alright. When you get tired from studying, you need an outlet to release stress," Xia Honglang said, "Girls who are too delicate will be bullied. Just studying hard isn't enough; you ultimately need to be able to protect yourself in society. Go ahead, Dad supports you."
"I support you too," Xia Qingtian gave a thumbs up, "I'm not asking you to become a martial arts master, just to be able to protect yourself."
"Mm, thank you, Dad and sister," Xia Qingyu smiled sweetly.
"Then I support you too. In a few days, I'll make you some personal items to help you defend yourself," Miao Tong winked.
Using the things he had on hand, he could make quite a few small gadgets with a harm level below 3. While they might be insignificant against a true master, they would be enough for a young girl to defend herself.
"Thank you, Little Uncle," Xia Qingyu said. Although she didn't expect Miao Tong to produce anything substantial, she appreciated the thought.
"Don't hurt yourself. If it hurts or you're tired, just stop," Aunt Liu said softly.
"Mm," Xia Qingyu nodded, showing Aunt Liu a reassuring smile.
Nie Qingkong looked at Xia Qingyu, then at the other members of the Xia family, his gaze growing increasingly somber.
Until he left the Xia family, he did not speak of his own accord, nor did he exchange any glances with Xia Qingyu.
As Nie Qingkong got into the car, the driver, seeing that his young master was not himself, asked, "Young Master, has something happened?"
"The stray dog I wanted to raise has found a home," Nie Qingkong said, looking out the car window, his voice muffled.
"Ah?" The driver was taken aback. "Isn't that a good thing?"
"A good thing?" Nie Qingkong retracted his gaze and looked back at the driver.
"Yes," the driver said matter-of-factly. "For stray animals, having a home is very important. How many stray dogs long for a home their entire lives."
"Is that so?" Nie Qingkong lowered his gaze, a dull ache in his heart.
If Xia Qingyu wanted money or power, he could satisfy her.
He could place the last of everything in the world at her feet.
But alas.
She didn't want it.
She wanted things that only the Xia family could give her.
Xia Qingyu's words echoed in Nie Qingkong's mind again.
"It's when you have no home that you become a stray. Once you have a home, naturally, you won't leave. Love it, care for it, nurture it, let it know that your side is its home, and it will naturally stay by your side. Conversely, the more you try to force it or restrict it, the more it will escape."
"Young Master, where are we going next? Shall we go back to rest?" the driver asked.
After a long while, hearing no reply from Nie Qingkong, the driver felt a bit strange. He asked again, "Young Master?"
"To the airport. Buy the soonest ticket to Finland," Nie Qingkong finally spoke. "I need to go back."
"Ah?"