"Sister Qing Tian, I know Qing Yu was there for a reason," Lei Xirui looked at Xia Qing Tian and said, "I also know she didn't really want you to give up on her. I... I don't know what to say..."
Lei Xirui recalled Xia Qing Yu's many reminders to her that day, and understood Xia Qing Yu's current delicate situation.
"If there's anything I can do to help, Sister Qing Tian, please don't hesitate to ask. I'll do my absolute best!" Lei Xirui looked at Xia Qing Tian with a serious expression.
"Thank you," Xia Qing Tian smiled. "But the next part of this, only I can do."
"But..." Lei Xirui wanted to say that there's strength in numbers, but then she thought she didn't seem to have much strength herself, and hesitated again.
What if she just became a burden to Xia Qing Tian?
"Xirui, you are truly the kindest and most enthusiastic girl." Xia Qing Tian was quite touched. She walked to the bedside, sat down, and reached out to ruffle Lei Xirui's hair.
Even though Lei Xirui was entangled in a pile of her own troubles, with Young Master Lei San's stubbornness pushing the girl to the brink of collapse, she still hoped to contribute her humble efforts to help Xia Qing Tian and Qing Yu.
"Thank you." Xia Qing Tian's gaze was gentle. Finally, she reached out and gave Lei Xirui a big hug. "Honestly, for all the precious money Young Master Lei San earns, having such a precious little sister by his side, he still wants to marry you off so early. If you were my sister, I wouldn't bear to!"
"Sister Qing Tian... I can't breathe..." Lei Xirui's cheeks flushed red. She felt flustered in Xia Qing Tian's embrace.
"Hehe." Xia Qing Tian chuckled and ruffled Lei Xirui's hair again. After a bit of playful teasing, they lay side by side in the covers.
After a period of silence, Lei Xirui quietly asked, "Sister Qing Tian, are you asleep?"
"No," Xia Qing Tian replied. "Can't you sleep? Are you thinking about your third brother?"
"Mm," Lei Xirui mumbled. "I think Brother San might have been really angry at the time to say so many harsh things. I think... maybe I should talk to him properly."
"It's great that you can think that way," Xia Qing Tian smiled. "Then we'll send you back tomorrow, and you can have a good talk with him."
"If it all falls apart... can I still come looking for you?" Lei Xirui asked.
"For now... it's best not to," Xia Qing Tian said.
"Am I causing you trouble?" Lei Xirui's gaze dimmed slightly.
She knew it clearly.
She and Xia Qing Tian were not related by blood or any other tie. Xia Qing Tian was willing to help her today only out of friendship with Xia Qing Yu, and she couldn't keep bothering her.
"No," Xia Qing Tian worried that if Lei Xirui really ran away to her, she would be implicated and fall into danger. Moreover, Lei Xirui had helped her and Xia Qing Yu pass messages several times in the past few days, so she didn't plan to keep it from Lei Xirui. "Tomorrow, I'm going to snatch Qing Yu back, and then we'll have to leave here overnight and return to our country. Since we'll be escaping, it might be dangerous, and it's not safe for you to be by our side."
"Good heavens!" Lei Xirui gasped when she heard Xia Qing Tian's plan. "Is it that dangerous?"
"Mm, so tomorrow, you should just stay with your brother. By his side, you'll at least be safe," Xia Qing Tian said seriously. "If your third brother is truly stubborn, wait until you get back home, then find an opportunity to escape. I'll be in Z City, and you're always welcome to find us." She paused, then added with a wry smile, "If we can escape safely, that is."
"Sister Qing Tian!" Lei Xirui threw herself into Xia Qing Tian's arms, burying her face in her chest, hugging her tightly. "I don't want anything to happen to you and Qing Yu..."
"Did I scare you?" Xia Qing Tian heard Lei Xirui let out a faint sob and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it's my fault. It's not actually that dangerous, really, don't be afraid."
Xia Qing Tian also hugged Lei Xirui tightly, whispering to comfort her.
After Lei Xirui had calmed down a bit, Xia Qing Tian whispered, "This is a secret, okay? You can't tell anyone."
"Mm-hmm!" Lei Xirui nodded vigorously. "I won't tell Brother San, and I won't tell anyone else!"
She would keep it a secret. The fewer people who knew, the safer Xia Qing Tian and her sister would be.
Lei Xirui knew that Xia Qing Tian had told her this because she was worried about her getting into accidental danger, and she wanted to live up to Xia Qing Tian's gentle kindness.
Hearing this, Lei Xirui had no sleepiness at all. She was truly worried about the safety of Xia Qing Tian and her sister. "Sister Qing Tian, how are you going to escape tomorrow? Is there anything I can help with?"
"Tomorrow, we..." Xia Qing Tian yawned, then explained their plan to leave by boat.
Seeing that Xia Qing Tian was already quite sleepy, Lei Xirui didn't want to disturb her further. She suppressed the countless questions in her heart and said goodnight.
Xia Qing Tian also said goodnight and soon fell asleep.
Lei Xirui hadn't been sleepy at all. Furthermore, after Xia Qing Tian fell asleep, her limbs became more aggressive in their invasiveness. Lei Xirui was at her wit's end. She gently moved Xia Qing Tian's arm, which was resting on her stomach, tiptoed off the bed, and left the room in her slippers, intending to get a drink of water and catch her breath.
When Lei Xirui went downstairs, she noticed that the lights in the living room were on. She realized that both Gu Yaoyang and Bai Yuqi were still awake, looking at something on the computer at the bar.
Seeing Lei Xirui, Bai Yuqi immediately quieted down and waved at her with a smile. "Still not asleep?"
"Mm, I was a bit thirsty and wanted a glass of water," Lei Xirui walked towards them with a slight smile.
"There's some here," Gu Yaoyang poured Lei Xirui a glass of water and handed it to her.
"Thank you." Lei Xirui took the glass and casually glanced at the computer screen.
Bai Yuqi had already hidden the information on the web page and documents with a single click. Lei Xirui only saw the computer wallpaper.
It was a photo of a ship, looking quite luxurious on the sea under the sunlight.
"Can't sleep because of your third brother's matters?" Gu Yaoyang asked Lei Xirui.
"Mm," Lei Xirui put down her water glass and nodded. "That's part of the reason..."
"Some unpleasant things have happened to the Lei family recently, and your third brother might be a bit anxious," Gu Yaoyang knew that Young Master Lei San wouldn't let Lei Xirui know about these troubles. He didn't intend to say more. Relying on Young Master Lei San's abilities, although it would be hard work, he should be able to get through it. However, he strongly disapproved of Young Master Lei San's current move of seeking an alliance with the tiger: "You should go back and persuade him tomorrow. He might listen to you."