"Xia Qingtian, you dare threaten me?" Young Master Lei's face darkened completely.
"???" Xia Qingtian really wanted to pry open Young Master Lei's head and examine its construction.
How did this guy interpret her words as a threat!
She clearly meant to...
Ah, forget it!
Having such a brother was simply bad luck for Lei Xirui!
Just as Xia Qingtian was about to retort, she was interrupted by a cold male voice.
"What if I do threaten you?"
Gu Yaoyang, with a stern expression, buttoned his cufflink as he descended the stairs. His gaze fell coldly upon Young Master Lei and the people he brought.
"Yaoyang, you're awake?" Xia Qingtian looked at Gu Yaoyang.
Gu Yaoyang had been exhausted these past few days, sleeping until now. She hadn't even dared to wake him for meals, only ensuring the kitchen was always ready.
"Mm," Gu Yaoyang responded, walking to Xia Qingtian's side. He looked at Young Master Lei with cold eyes and asked, "Bringing so many people? Looking for trouble?"
"I'm not the one looking for trouble." Young Master Lei shifted his gaze from Gu Yaoyang back to Xia Qingtian.
"What's going on?" Gu Yaoyang asked quietly, turning to the person beside him.
"He's trying to force a marriage. Xirui ran here to hide with me for a bit," Xia Qingtian said softly. "The little girl was scared and cried for a while."
"Should we let him take her?" Gu Yaoyang understood the situation instantly. He had been investigating many matters recently, and Young Master Lei's scheme was clear to him.
"Not for now. He's in a bad mood, and Xirui is also..." Xia Qingtian shook her head and whispered, "Let's stall for time. We can send her back later. Otherwise, I'm afraid Xirui..."
Xia Qingtian found the whole situation incredibly messy. With so many fine men in Country Z, couldn't one catch Young Master Lei's eye?
Why must he send his own sister to such a distant place and make her the daughter-in-law of a dangerous person like Xiang Xueyuan?
It was already difficult enough for her to bring Xia Qingyu away. Now, someone was pushing their own sister into a fiery pit.
This Young Master Lei seemed quite shrewd, but his actions were so absurd and thoughtless.
"Mm," Gu Yaoyang understood Xia Qingtian's meaning. Lei Xirui was delicate and sensitive, and not very talkative. Compared to becoming increasingly silent and eventually succumbing to depression in the Lei family, her主动 (zhǔdòng - initiative) to seek help this time was already remarkable.
He didn't want Lei Xirui to meet an unfortunate end.
"What? Have you finished your discussion?" Young Master Lei said coldly, "Hand over my sister!"
"You're not taking anyone away today," Gu Yaoyang stated plainly.
"What? You want to oppose me too?" Young Master Lei looked at Gu Yaoyang, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"I don't care if you're dealing with tigers for personal gain, but don't drag Xirui down with you to death." Ignoring Young Master Lei's warning gaze, Gu Yaoyang said coldly, "Xirui grew up before my eyes. I won't let you ruin her like this."
"Ruin?" Young Master Lei found the word laughable.
Would he ruin his own sister?
He was planning a lifetime of stability for Lei Xirui, trying to shield her from all strife and misfortune.
If Xia Qingtian hadn't intentionally misled her, Lei Xirui could have lived the happiest, most carefree life in the ivory tower he had built for her.
If anyone was a ruin, who could be more of a ruin than Xia Qingtian, this vixen?
"If you insist on your way, you will only push Xirui into a place of eternal damnation," Gu Yaoyang said seriously, his gaze unwavering.
Meeting Gu Yaoyang's eyes, Young Master Lei's expression finally showed a flicker of hesitation.
He had known Gu Yaoyang for more than a year or two.
As prominent families in the capital, their families had known each other since childhood.
He knew Gu Yaoyang was exceptional, especially after that fire.
"Mr. Omniscient" was never just a flattering title.
Gu Yaoyang had indeed lived up to it. Over the years, his ability to build Gu Entertainment from nothing to dominating the domestic entertainment industry was proof of his capabilities.
Not to mention, the Bai, Lei, and Gu families had avoided numerous dangers thanks to Gu Yaoyang's guidance.
Even the incident at the auction, where Xia Qingtian caused trouble, had indirectly helped the Lei family avoid disaster. Afterward, Gu Yaoyang had warned him about a spy in the Lei family.
As it turned out, Gu Yaoyang was right again that time.
His trusted assistant, whom he had raised himself, was a spy planted by others, orchestrating a plan right under his nose for years.
When Gu Yaoyang so adamantly stated that he would push Lei Xirui into a fiery pit, Young Master Lei, despite not feeling he was wrong, hesitated.
He didn't possess Gu Yaoyang's supernatural abilities, but he was still trying his best to plan for Lei Xirui.
Had he... truly made a mistake?
The thought flashed through his mind, and Young Master Lei's anger subsided significantly.
Young Master Lei's gaze shifted from Gu Yaoyang's face to Xia Qingtian's, and he felt increasingly irritated.
Why did anything involving Xia Qingtian become so troublesome?
"Go back and calm down," Gu Yaoyang said. He knew Young Master Lei had no intention of harming Lei Xirui. In fact, among the people in the Lei family, Young Master Lei was the only one who genuinely cared about Lei Xirui and planned for her well-being.
It was just that Young Master Lei's thoughts were sometimes too stubborn and arrogant.
The Lei family had numerous issues, with both external threats and internal conflicts.
Young Master Lei was still young, after all, and it was normal for him to be overwhelmed.
"Within 24 hours, I will send Xirui back." Although Gu Yaoyang was willing to shelter Lei Xirui, he knew the upcoming activities were fraught with danger. "Xirui grew up before my eyes, and I won't harm her."
It was difficult for him to protect Lei Xirui comprehensively. Before proceeding with their plans, he would send Lei Xirui back.
With Young Master Lei, Lei Xirui was at least safe.
Following them, however, was uncertain.
Xia Qingtian agreed with this approach. It was better to let Lei Xirui calm down and then send her back.
"Alright, I'll give you face," Young Master Lei finally nodded. "Within 24 hours, if I don't see Xirui..."
Before finishing his sentence, Young Master Lei shot Xia Qingtian a fierce glare.
Then, he snorted coldly, turned, and led his men away.
Seeing Young Master Lei leave like that, Xia Qingtian let out a long sigh. "I really don't know how Xirui got such an unreliable brother."
"Then you haven't met the other two Young Masters of the Lei family," Bai Yuqi said, joining them and sighing. "Once you meet them, you'll know. Young Master Lei the Third is actually quite reliable."
Xia Qingtian felt a headache coming on. Poor Lei Xirui.
Before Xia Qingtian could utter another word of sympathy, she felt a weight on her shoulder. Turning her head, she caught the faint scent of shampoo.
"I'm so hungry," Gu Yaoyang murmured softly.
He had woken up hungry and, after a shower, intended to go downstairs to find something to eat when he encountered Young Master Lei's grand display.
Gu Yaoyang's stomach, as if on cue, let out a long, rumbling growl.