When everyone was about to leave Vincent, Director Shi specifically called out to Shi Xingwu, "Are you sure you don't want to come back with us?"
Their visas were for a group tour and return, and they were leaving Finland for home that night.
There was an open spot for the return trip, and Shi Xingwu could have gone back.
"No, I want to be with my goddess and goddess's sister. What's the point of being with you guys?" Shi Xingwu immediately waved his hand, his face full of disdain, "I'll see you when I get back."
"You rascal." Director Shi chuckled at Shi Xingwu's words and then said to Mr. and Mrs. Xia Honglang with a憨笑, "My son has muscles but no brains. If he's offended you in any way, please bear with him."
"Not at all. Shi Xingwu is forthright and loyal, with a lively personality. We all like him very much." Xia Honglang genuinely liked Shi Xingwu. The boy was always cheerful and, although he occasionally made a fool of himself, it showed that his parents had raised him to be open and sincere, which was a good thing.
Xia Honglang also hoped that more sincere and good children like Shi Xingwu could be around his daughters, Xia Qingtian and her sister.
"Yes, you are indeed too modest. Thanks to Shi Xingwu's presence, our journey has been much more enjoyable." Aunt Liu also really liked Shi Xingwu. The boy was straightforward and sweet-mouthed, calling her "Goddess Mother" with every other sentence, which made Aunt Liu feel pleased.
Seeing that Mr. and Mrs. Xia Honglang didn't dislike Shi Xingwu, Director Shi was relieved. After giving Shi Xingwu a few more instructions, he left with his disciples.
His old friend Vincent personally escorted them to the airport, while the Xia family returned to the manor to prepare for the evening's grand banquet.
Meanwhile, Tarik first sent Lei Xirui back to the Third Young Master Lei before claiming he had matters to attend to at the banquet and left.
Third Young Master Lei thanked Tarik and, after seeing him off, asked Lei Xirui if she had a good time today.
"Happy!" Lei Xirui's eyes sparkled, "Very, very happy!"
"Is that so?" Seeing Lei Xirui so happy, Third Young Master Lei's lips curved upwards as well.
Look, even if it wasn't related to Xia Qingtian and her sister, as long as she was with someone outstanding, his sister would be very happy.
"Qingyu is so cool! That person was so much taller than her, and she just threw him out!" Lei Xirui began to excitedly recount what she had witnessed today, "I was completely stunned."
"..." The smile on Third Young Master Lei's lips froze.
Well, it was still related to Xia Qingtian and her sister.
Were the sisters so persistent?
So annoying!
After leaving Third Young Master Lei, Tarik went straight home. Xiang Xueyuan was trying on a bow tie in front of the mirror, matching it with a suitable tie clip.
Xifu, who had shut herself in her room for two days, finally appeared, diligently arranging Tarik's tie and selecting a tie clip, "Father, this one is good. This one also suits your suit today."
Xiang Xueyuan seemed to be in a good mood, a faint smile on his face.
"Father," Tarik greeted him upon entering.
"Did you finish accompanying Miss Lei?" Xiang Xueyuan asked casually.
"Yes, I've already sent her back to Third Young Master Lei." Tarik's gaze lowered slightly, afraid his adoptive father would see through his guilt.
"Father, don't trouble Tarik. He doesn't like that Miss Lei." Xifu didn't want Tarik to accompany other women, "You have so many people around you, just find someone else to accompany them."
"Third Young Master Lei likes Tarik, and this is also a form of destiny." Xiang Xueyuan knew what Third Young Master Lei was thinking. He looked at Tarik and said, "I am very open-minded. I won't force you to have any substantial relationship with someone you don't like. You don't have to worry about this."
Upon hearing this, Xifu's eyes sparkled as she looked at Tarik.
"Tarik." Xiang Xueyuan's gaze was unusually serious, "What do you think of Qingyu?"
"!" Hearing Xiang Xueyuan's question, Xifu froze, and a strong sense of crisis flashed in her eyes.
"Who?" Tarik's usually gentle and dignified perfect facade cracked for a moment.
Noticing the change in Tarik's expression, Xiang Xueyuan chuckled, patted his shoulder, and said, "Go try on your suit. I hope you like it."
Some things don't need to be said too clearly; a glance, a moment, is enough.
"Yes, Father." Tarik nodded, lowering his eyes, but a tempest raged within him.
He panicked.
It was the panic of being suddenly overwhelmed by unexpected surprises.
He detested anything he couldn't control, anything that exceeded his meticulously laid plans.
But this time, he didn't hate it.
Even...
He sort of liked it.
As Tarik walked out, his lips couldn't help but curve upwards.
Xifu caught sight of this smile in the mirror's reflection. Her heart turned to ice, and she felt as if she had plunged into an icy abyss.
"This is good." Xiang Xueyuan looked at the tie clip he was pairing with the tie in the mirror, "This one it is."
"Father," Xifu asked Xiang Xueyuan, "Are you... planning to have Tarik marry Xia Qingyu?"
"I do have that thought," Xiang Xueyuan didn't hide it from Xifu, "One is my most outstanding adopted son, and the other is my most outstanding adopted daughter. They are very suitable."
"Then what about me..." Xifu looked at Xiang Xueyuan in disbelief. What was she then?
Xifu had always known that Xiang Xueyuan chose her and Tarik for adoption because he valued Tarik's sensitivity to numbers and her skills – she had stolen his wallet within five minutes of Xiang Xueyuan entering the orphanage.
Xiang Xueyuan said she had the most nimble hands in the world and the most innocent eyes.
Xifu knew that part of the reason Xiang Xueyuan doted on her more than Tarik was that Xiang Xueyuan had once had a daughter.
As for whether that girl was alive or dead, she didn't care.
Those who came out of that place, Xifu never feared anyone competing with her; every day she lived was a bonus.
Just as Xiang Xueyuan had said, she had the most nimble hands in the world and the most innocent eyes.
She knew how to utilize all available resources and how to get what she wanted.
Tarik was steady and reliable, by the book.
Xifu was casual and unrestrained, not playing by the rules.
They should have been the best partners, the ones to spend their lives together.
They both came out of that place; they should die together in this life.
That would be right.
Everything was disrupted, all disrupted...
Xifu clenched her fists at her sides.
She hated this kind of disruption.
Whoever destroyed her expectations, she would destroy them.
Leave no survivors.