In mere seconds, a study was transformed before Xia Qingyu's eyes into a multi-functional, modern arsenal.
On the left wall, weapons of various models, whose names Xia Qingyu couldn't even recall and wouldn't know how to use, hung in a dazzling display.
The right wall was a massive, full-wall screen, with dozens of monitors showcasing every corner of the banquet hall in real-time.
"Don't be so surprised, it's quite fun." Xiang Xueyuan smiled, his fingertips lightly tapping on the keyboard, zooming in on a single screen. "The people on the top row, they all came with you, right?"
"What do you want to do?" Xia Qingyu's heart leaped into her throat, her eyes widening.
"Relax." Xiang Xueyuan pointed to the third screen on the second row from the bottom. "See that red-haired kid? He's the illegitimate son of a second-in-command of a certain mafia. He's also in Finland to escape trouble. His father's legitimate wife doesn't want such an illegitimate son existing in this world, obstructing her son's path to advancement.
A mother's wish; I even feel touched hearing it. Maternal love is always great, isn't it?
So..." Xiang Xueyuan's fingertip pressed the Enter key. The red-haired man, who had been fiddling with his phone, was approached by a waiter. After less than three seconds, the waiter left.
Following the waiter's departure, the red-haired man's face suddenly turned ashen. His phone slipped from his hand, his complexion was deathly pale, and he leaned back.
At this moment, a waiter pushing a trolley immediately caught him from behind. Two people who appeared to be attendants quickly stepped forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder to block the camera's view.
When they separated, the waiter with the trolley had already moved away, and the red-haired kid was nowhere to be seen.
"You! You killed him!" Xia Qingyu stared at Xiang Xueyuan in disbelief.
"How could I have killed him? It was an excessive secretion of insulin causing his blood sugar to plummet, leading to sudden death. It's a tragedy. If only he had been more mindful of his diet, such a thing wouldn't have happened. Truly a pitiable person," Xiang Xueyuan said softly, shaking his head. "But fortunately, that mother who worried about her son's future can rest easy now."
Xia Qingyu looked at Xiang Xueyuan as if he were a demon.
"And this person, he's too old. If you ask me, he shouldn't have come here, let alone drunk so much," Xiang Xueyuan magnified a screen, then lightly pressed Enter again.
The portly elderly man with a European face suddenly rolled his eyes and leaned backward, being supported by two waiters who had appeared nearby at some point.
The people around were startled by the situation. The waiters, with practiced calmness, led the man away, explaining to the bystanders that the guest had too much to drink, urging them to continue enjoying the banquet and not to worry. They assured everyone that there were medical staff on the estate and that they would arrange for someone to care for the unfortunate old gentleman.
Everyone watched as the suddenly collapsed old gentleman was taken away, feeling that the banquet's arrangements were meticulous, truly befitting Mr. Xiang.
"Mr. Robert was a devout Christian. Sending him to meet his Heavenly Father sooner, I consider to have done him a great favor," Xiang Xueyuan's gentle smile remained unchanged. "It is also good news for his eldest son, who suffered from his favoritism, and for his mistresses, whom he coerced."
"You killed them..." Xia Qingyu's mind remained a blank slate.
How could Xiang Xueyuan so beautify his atrocities? He was like a hunter, like a master player controlling everything, using such a scheme to slaughter those he intended to kill, all while presenting a facade of "doing a good deed" to embellish his actions.
How dare he!
A demon! This demon!
"And then..." Xiang Xueyuan's gaze returned to the screens.
"Stop! Stop it! Don't continue!" Xia Qingyu cried out in panic.
"Heh heh." Xiang Xueyuan looked at Xia Qingyu with a smile and said, "Alright, since you don't want to watch anymore, we'll stop here for today."
Though Xiang Xueyuan said this, his fingers typed a series of shortcut commands on the screen. Immediately, the grids on the top row, filled with familiar faces to Xia Qingyu, were enlarged.
Looking at the people on the screen, Xia Qingyu's face lost all color, her eyes filled with terror. "What exactly do you want?"
"I simply hope for an opportunity to spend a few days with my daughter properly," Xiang Xueyuan said with a smile. "Don't be so tense."
"What good will spending time with me do?" Xia Qingyu clenched her fists at her side. "I hate you! The more time we spend together, the more I hate you!"
"As a father, hearing one's daughter say such things is truly a bit heartbreaking." Despite his words, Xiang Xueyuan's smile remained unchanged. "I simply admire your talent and want to see how much potential you have as my daughter. I also want to let you know what your biological father truly does. After that, if you still wish to leave, I won't stop you."
Xiang Xueyuan believed that once Xia Qingyu truly understood his capabilities and the mysterious empire he had built over the years, she would be tempted.
No one could refuse that mysterious power. All those who had witnessed its might would eventually bow before it, just as he had.
"Don't wear such a sad expression." Xiang Xueyuan reached out and patted Xia Qingyu's shoulder. "Go back to the banquet, don't make your mother worry. She's... the most timid."
Xia Qingyu glanced at the screen and indeed, Aunt Liu was already searching for her everywhere. Her sister was also looking for her.
"You're a smart person, you know what to do." Xiang Xueyuan offered Xia Qingyu an incredibly gentle and gentlemanly smile, which sent a shiver down Xia Qingyu's spine.
As Xia Qingyu left the room, Xifu was still standing by the door, smiling and trying to strike up a conversation. Xia Qingyu merely glanced at Xifu before heading directly back to the banquet.
Noticing Xia Qingyu's cold demeanor, a hint of coldness flashed in Xifu's eyes, which she quickly concealed along with her hatred, before knocking on the door.
When she was granted permission to enter, the room had already reverted to its usual state as a study.
"Father," Xifu called out obediently. "You've finished talking with Qingyu."
"Yes, this girl has quite a temper. You'll have to bear with her a bit while we live together these next few days," Xiang Xueyuan said cheerfully.
"Live, live together? What?" Xifu could hardly believe her ears. That Xia Qingyu was going to live with them!
Why her? Did she even deserve it?!
"Take care of the remaining people on the list," Xiang Xueyuan said, pretending not to understand the surprise and displeasure in Xifu's tone. "Be quiet about it. Don't startle Qingyu; she dislikes that."
"Yes..."