Not long after, Xia Qingtian and her group were asked to leave by the head of the Wen family. On the way back to the villa, Pavilion Master Shi accompanied them. Xia Qingtian finally asked the question in her heart: "Pavilion Master Shi, did the head of the Wen family call you Little Stone?"
"Mm, yes," Pavilion Master Shi said, feeling a bit uncomfortable in the flashy red sports car. "My father was the chief guard of the Wen family. I practically grew up in the Wen family. My father was the chief guard of the Wen family, and I am also the head guard by the side of the young lady." He paused, then added, "The young lady is my wife now."
"Pavilion Master Shi, you're quite something!" Bai Yuqi, who was driving, exclaimed with bright eyes upon hearing the gossip, teasing him, "Is the love story of a princess and a Jin Yi Wei coming true in reality?"
"Hehe, I don't understand all that, but my young lady has truly been like a princess since she was little," Pavilion Master Shi said, his eyes shining as he spoke of his wife.
Bai Yuqi, who had intended to tease Pavilion Master Shi, not only failed but was also thoroughly fed a mouthful of dog food, his eyes dimming.
What was going on? Everyone was showing off their affection in front of him, a single dog.
Honestly, he had to find a girlfriend too!
Hmph!
Xia Qingtian was quite curious as to why Pavilion Master Shi and the eldest daughter of the Wen family eventually opened that small martial arts school incognito in Z City, and raised such a simple and honest child like Shi Xingwu.
But in the end, she didn't ask the question.
Everyone had their own secrets. If Pavilion Master Shi wanted to talk about it, he would. Asking herself would only be intrusive.
By the time Xia Qingtian and her group arrived, the invitation to the Lei family's auction was also delivered.
It was evident that the Lei family was quite sincere this time, as the invitation arrived promptly and was for the best seats.
Along with the invitation, Xia Qingyu also arrived from Z City via an early morning flight, as she was too worried about Xia Qingtian.
"Qingyu?" Xia Qingtian was a bit surprised by Xia Qingyu's appearance. "Why are you here?"
Upon seeing Xia Qingtian, Xia Qingyu's heart finally settled. She said with a touch of arrogance, "I was afraid you'd do something foolish and hurt yourself again!"
"How could that be? I'm super reliable!" Xia Qingtian certainly wouldn't admit anything.
"Qingyu, you're here. How's my boy doing?" Pavilion Master Shi asked.
"Much better. With Xi Rui here, I think he'll be able to get out of bed and do somersaults in a few days." Xia Qingyu, recalling how Shi Xingwu called out Lei Xirui's name repeatedly in his semi-conscious state, and Lei Xirui's blushing face, felt rather superfluous.
Seeing that Shi Xingwu was being taken care of, Xia Qingyu returned with Miao Tong, who was also heading back to the capital.
"What is this invitation?" Xia Qingyu's gaze fell on the invitation from the Lei family in Xia Qingtian's hand.
"Nothing!" Xia Qingtian instinctively turned her back, hiding the invitation behind her.
If Xia Qingyu knew the importance of the Lei family's auction, she would definitely not feel at ease with her going alone.
However, she couldn't possibly let Xia Qingyu risk herself.
Especially with that Nie Qingkong around...
Xia Qingtian felt that things were already chaotic enough and there was no need to make them more so.
Seeing Xia Qingtian's reaction, Xia Qingyu narrowed her eyes slightly, then pretended to be indifferent, "What valuable thing? I don't care about it! Humph~"
With a light哼, Xia Qingyu turned her head away, no longer paying attention to Xia Qingtian.
After Xia Qingtian handed the invitation to Gu Yaoyang, she enthusiastically put her arm around Xia Qingyu's shoulders, saying she wanted to show her around the rooms upstairs so Xia Qingyu could pick one for herself.
As Xia Qingyu walked towards the stairs with Xia Qingtian, she paid attention to the invitation in Gu Yaoyang's hand, her beautiful eyes flickering.
Xia Qingtian knew that Xia Qingyu had a sharp mind and was very intelligent. Therefore, after settling Xia Qingyu in, she immediately conferred with Gu Yaoyang, Bai Yuqi, and Da Ya, who would be attending with her, agreeing that they should not mention the Lei family's auction to Xia Qingyu. Even if Xia Qingyu asked, they were to say it was just an ordinary high-society banquet, and that Xia Qingtian was nervous because the Gu family would be present.
This explanation sounded very plausible, and Xia Qingtian's subtle reaction earlier could be attributed to shyness and nervousness.
Just as Xia Qingtian had anticipated, Xia Qingyu did indeed ask Gu Yaoyang and Bai Yuqi, and received similar answers. Afterward, she also inquired of Da Ya and Shen Yao.
Although Shen Yao didn't ask many questions about Xia Qingtian's plans, she still understood Xia Qingtian's intentions and naturally helped to cover for her.
"Strange..." Xia Qingyu crossed her arms. Although the explanations given by everyone were reasonable, she still felt something was off. "Could it be that my sister is really just shy because of the Gu family matters?"
While Xia Qingyu was in doubt, the Gu family's side was also bustling.
As a prominent aristocratic family in the capital, the Gu family, with Gu Yaoyang's connection, naturally received an invitation from the Lei family.
Although the level of this invitation was clearly a notch below the one Xia Qingtian received, and allowed fewer accompanying guests.
Xia Qingtian received the highest level invitation from the Lei family, allowing up to five people to enter.
The Gu family's invitation was slightly less prestigious, allowing three people to enter and be seated together.
Xia Qingtian's group was finalized: Xia Qingtian, Gu Yaoyang, Bai Yuqi, Da Ya, and Pavilion Master Shi.
However, the Gu family's three spots were not so easily decided.
After all, it concerned the treasure that had been sealed for many years. Whoever could represent the family and bid for it would have their position within the family firmly established.
For these three spots, the Gu family patriarch would definitely attend. The remaining two spots would naturally go to the Gu family's next patriarch and the most favored person in the Gu family.
These two spots caused undercurrents to stir within the Gu family.
On the surface, everyone was exchanging pleasantries, but in their hearts, they held no regard for each other.
Gu Yaoqing received the most compliments and was also the most looked down upon.
Who didn't know how much trouble Gu Yaoqing had caused the Gu family in the past two years? He snatched Gu Yaoyang's fiancée and married her as if she were a treasure. In the end, he married a jinx who was now in prison.
Although the Gu family patriarch had suppressed some matters, everyone in the Gu family knew that Gu Yaoqing had committed many wicked deeds. If it weren't for his status as the legitimate eldest grandson of the Gu family, he would have been thrown into prison long ago.
This couple, one was more disgusting than the other.
In their opinion, a divorce was too good for them. This pair deserved to be locked together. It would be great if they could even look out for each other in prison.
Despite their hearts full of disdain, everyone still smiled outwardly, "As the legitimate eldest grandson, Yaoqing is definitely one of the chosen."
"Hehe, that depends on Grandpa's decision." Gu Yaoqing didn't think he had done anything wrong. He had simply met the wrong person and was tricked by that bitch Yu Linwan.
If he had known earlier, he should have let that unlucky star Yu Linwan stay with Gu Yaoyang for the rest of her life, and have her ruin that bastard instead!
"Hehe." Everyone forced a smile, but their smiles did not reach their eyes.