"Everyone's here. Let's head back," Gu Yaoyang said with a light smile. "I've already arranged for a car to wait for us outside the pier. Let's go together."
"Okay," everyone agreed and walked out.
Xia Qingtian's gaze drifted back to the tablet, her expression shifting slightly.
"What's wrong? Are you very concerned?" Gu Yaoyang stood beside Xia Qingtian, noticing her expression. He lowered his voice and said, "Ever since we started, you've seemed to have something on your mind."
Xia Qingtian's eyes were fixed on the second, most conspicuous metal button on Song Junhan's suit jacket.
She didn't care about Song Junhan at all; in her eyes, he was already a piece of dirt that could be discarded at any time.
What she truly cared about was this button.
"It's nothing," Xia Qingtian pressed the lock screen button and then looked up, flashing Gu Yaoyang a smile. "I suppose we'll have another tough battle to fight soon."
Seeing Xia Qingtian's smile, Gu Yaoyang returned it. He took her hand and lightly kissed it. "With you by my side, I don't fear any amount of tough battles."
They looked at each other and smiled, their handsome faces sharing a similar calm: Z City, I'm back.
As they reached the pier's parking lot, they saw a black car parked in front of them.
Upon a single glance at the license plate, Bai Yuqi's expression changed drastically, and he immediately turned to flee. However, Gu Yaoyang grabbed his shoulder. "Where are you going?"
"Grandpa sent people to arrest me!" Bai Yuqi exclaimed with a thick nasal tone. "I'm betting on our childhood friendship; you have to help me this time! You hold them off, and I'll retreat first!"
Bai Yuqi clasped his hands together in a show of chivalry and was about to bolt when he realized Gu Yaoyang had no intention of letting go.
"Guess how they knew you were here?" Xia Qingtian, seeing Bai Yuqi's傻傻 (silly) demeanor, couldn't help but chime in.
Bai Yuqi looked confused, then as if suddenly remembering something, he looked at Gu Yaoyang in shock. "You scoundrel! You set me up! I! I contributed manpower and resources! I even lent you my beloved ship! You! You set me up! You..."
Before Bai Yuqi could finish his indignant outburst, people descended from the car and bundled him inside.
The person leading them bowed respectfully to Gu Yaoyang. "Mr. Gu, I apologize for our young master causing you trouble again."
"It's nothing. How is your teacher doing?" Gu Yaoyang asked.
"The family head is in good health, thank you for your concern," the leader replied with a slight smile. "The family head also asked me to pass on a message: 'Assess the situation, do not attempt to fight against overwhelming odds. Let the past be the past and look forward. Come back to the Bai family when you have leisure for a game of chess and some tea.'"
"Yes, thank you for your teacher's concern," Gu Yaoyang smiled lightly before continuing, "Bai Yuqi hasn't fully recovered from his recent serious illness. Take good care of him."
"Thank you for your trouble," the man bowed again before getting into the car with his men. The black sedan drove away.
"Bai Yuqi is definitely going to hate you for this," Xia Qingtian said to Gu Yaoyang with a smile as she watched the departing car.
"It's better than letting him act recklessly and develop bad habits," Gu Yaoyang said, his gaze slightly serious. "Besides, I don't want to drag him into this matter."
Seeing Bai Yuqi's excited state, if he hadn't had the Bai family come to pick him up promptly, Bai Yuqi might have started investigating things he shouldn't have.
If he had truly angered those people, it was questionable whether the Bai family could protect him.
In that case, it was better to notify the Bai family to pick him up as soon as they disembarked.
With his teacher's wisdom, he would know what to do.
Xia Qingtian understood Gu Yaoyang's intentions and offered him a faint smile.
"Um..." Lei Xirui blinked her eyes and quietly asked, "What... should I do..."
Earlier, she had been told that Bai Yuqi would be responsible for her accommodation in Z City after their arrival. Now that Bai Yuqi had been taken away like this, what should she do?
"This..." Xia Qingtian and Gu Yaoyang exchanged glances and then looked at Lei Xirui.
Bringing Lei Xirui back to the Xia family would certainly be fine. The Xia family had spare rooms and wouldn't mind an extra mouth to feed. She could also keep Xia Qingyu company.
However, the Xia family wasn't entirely safe at the moment.
Bai Yuqi's house could be used, but there was still an assistant there, a peculiar young man of the opposite sex, and it would be inconvenient to live together.
Gu Yaoyang's place wasn't particularly safe either. If Wen Yao returned in a couple of days, it would add another layer of security, but for now...
It wasn't ideal.
Li Xiaozhong's place was a possibility, as Da Ya and Er Ya were still in the capital, so there should be rooms available.
Li Xiaoxiao was also easygoing, and as long as Xia Qingtian asked, it should be fine.
Before Xia Qingtian could speak, someone interrupted her.
"Come with me," Shi Xingwu said cheerfully, patting his chest. "The martial arts dojo has plenty of empty rooms, and it's livelier with more people. Li Xiaozhong and my goddess come to the dojo to train every day. If you stay here, it'll be convenient for you to meet everyone."
Hearing Shi Xingwu's words, Xia Qingyu and Gu Yaoyang also thought it was a viable option.
After all, the safety level at the dojo was higher.
"Should we inform your father?" Xia Qingtian asked Shi Xingwu. "Qingyu was quite a handful for him before."
"It's fine," Shi Xingwu waved his hand magnanimously. "These are minor matters; I can make the decision."
"Xirui, are you willing to go?" Xia Qingtian felt Lei Xirui's attitude was important.
"I'm fine with anything," Lei Xirui said, looking up shyly at Shi Xingwu. Meeting his cheerful smile, her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly lowered her head, her cheeks flushing.
Shi Xingwu chuckled and gave Lei Xirui a pat on the back, nearly making her stumble.
Miao Tong, standing nearby, quickly steadied Lei Xirui and glared at Shi Xingwu. "Shi Xingwu, do you think everyone has your physique? Can you be gentler with girls!"
"Sorry, sorry!" Shi Xingwu scratched the back of his head and apologized quickly, adding with a dry laugh, "Siri, your constitution is too weak. Come stay with me for a while, and I guarantee I'll make you strong." He then added, "Like me!"
"Absolutely not!" Xia Qingtian immediately said. "If you really turn Xirui into a muscular Barbie like you, I'll be furious!"
Xia Qingtian would go mad if Lei Xirui's adorable face were paired with a jojo-style muscular body.
Give me back my sweet Xirui!
"Hehe," Shi Xingwu chuckled, scratching the back of his head. It would indeed be quite difficult to train to look like him.
Seeing Shi Xingwu's somewhat憨傻 (honest and naive) smile, everyone else also began to laugh.
With Lei Xirui's accommodation settled, everyone got into their respective cars and headed home.
Chu Qi has something to say: This is Chapter 666, it's really fast. I feel like I should say something, so I wish all the friends who read this chapter smooth sailing in everything they do~ The main storyline has reached this part. Who do you all like? Who do you want to add more scenes and chicken legs to?