The journey to the Wen family was uneventful, and Yu Zixuan brought Shen Yao back to the Yue family.
Xia Qingtian finally relaxed.
"Your rooms have been prepared," the Wen family head said. "The butler will show you. Yaoyang, come to my study with me."
As the Wen family head turned to go upstairs, he seemed to recall something and looked back at Xia Qingtian, saying coldly, "You don't need to come."
Hearing this, Xia Qingtian rolled her eyes inwardly but replied with a smile, "Don't worry, as long as the money is right, I'll do as you say."
The Wen family head snorted in annoyance at Xia Qingtian's pragmatic response.
Lu Yaoyang curved his lips, gave Xia Qingtian a doting look, and then followed the Wen family head upstairs.
Xia Qingtian and the others followed the butler to see their respective rooms.
As for Elder Shi, he could stay in the room his wife used before she got married.
Xia Qingtian and Xia Qingyu were arranged in two opposite rooms on the west side of the third floor.
Xia Qingyu initially wanted to share a room with Xia Qingtian, but seeing the stern expression of the Wen family butler, she felt too embarrassed to voice her request.
"Get some rest early," Xia Qingtian said to Xia Qingyu with a smile. "We have to go out early tomorrow, so I won't call you. We'll probably be back after lunch."
Xia Qingyu opened her mouth, but thinking about what happened at the auction today, she knew Xia Qingtian was indeed going to be busy. She swallowed her words, nodded silently, and said, "Goodnight, sister."
"Goodnight."
After saying goodnight to Xia Qingyu, Xia Qingtian returned to her bedroom but felt no sleepiness.
One reason was the many things that had happened today, and the other was that she didn't believe Xiang Xueyuan would give up so easily and might cause more trouble.
With this thought, Xia Qingtian contacted Xia Honglang and asked him to spend more time with Aunt Liu.
"I'm with her. Didn't you see our livestream tonight? Everyone said it was so sweet~" Xia Honglang's smile held a hint of pride. He knew he hadn't been abandoned by the culture of the younger generation.
"I was a bit busy tonight," Xia Qingtian saw that Xia Honglang was in a good mood and didn't want to dampen his spirits. "Then keep accompanying Aunt Liu and make the livestream a success. She's finally reached a new starting point in her career, so support her more."
"Don't worry." Xia Honglang chuckled a few times before asking, "How are things in the capital? You just left without a word. Your wings have truly grown strong, haven't they?"
"No, it's just that I needed to find a renowned doctor for Shi Xingwu," Xia Qingtian had already thought of her excuse. "This time, Yaoyang was helpful in introducing relevant experts. We'll head back together in a few days."
"Alright, I'm too lazy to bother with your young people's affairs." Xia Honglang reminded her a few more times before hanging up.
After hanging up Xia Honglang's call, Xia Qingtian bathed and prepared to rest.
Meanwhile, Lu Yaoyang followed the Wen family head to the study. As agreed, the Wen family head first returned the corresponding property deeds. "Some procedures are still being processed and will be completed within three days. At that time, you can return to the old Lu family mansion. It has always been kept clean, and the furnishings haven't been moved. It's just that the decor might seem a bit old-fashioned. If you don't like it, you can hire someone to renovate it."
"I'm fine with anything. We'll see what Qingtian decides then," Lu Yaoyang had no particular thoughts on this matter.
He had only learned today that his surname was Lu.
He felt no special connection to either the Lu family or the old Lu family mansion.
He just hoped Xia Qingtian would like it.
Hearing Lu Yaoyang's words, the Wen family head glared at him irritably. "Are you really so willing to be led around by her? Whatever she says goes? Aren't you afraid she'll be greedy and harm you?"
"She won't." Lu Yaoyang's lips curved slightly, his eyes gentle. "She cares about me."
This "care" was something the Gu family had never given him.
Upon hearing Lu Yaoyang's words, the Wen family head swallowed back his many complaints and could only let out a sigh in the end.
"When I sent you to the Gu family, it was to preserve your life and leave a bloodline for the Lu family," the Wen family head said, looking at Lu Yaoyang now without his previous stern demeanor. He seemed like a declining old man reminiscing about a regretful event with a junior. "Gu Shenghai back then wasn't the person he is now."
"I know." Lu Yaoyang knew the Wen family head didn't truly want to harm him. After so many reincarnations, he could still see these things clearly. "Grandpa Wen, thank you for your protection and care all these years."
The address "Grandpa Wen" made the Wen family head's nose sting. He waved his hand and looked at Lu Yaoyang again. The face, which bore some resemblance to the deceased he remembered, finally turned away and said slowly, "It's getting late. Go back and rest."
"One more thing," Lu Yaoyang said. "Tomorrow I'm going to the Miao family. The Tang family will also be here, and we'll be discussing this treasure map together."
"This treasure map has always been preserved by the Lu family," the Wen family head replied. "It can continue to be kept by you; the Miao and Tang families won't say anything."
"But you probably want me to dig up the treasure, right?" Lu Yaoyang looked at the Wen family head.
"The treasure map is no longer a secret, and the treasure won't be hidden for much longer. Instead of letting various people covet it, it's better to dig it up directly," the Wen family head said. "The Wen family will be responsible for the coordination, which will deter many people."
"But it can't deter Xiang Xueyuan, can it?" Lu Yaoyang's voice was faint. "This is a scheme targeting Xiang Xueyuan, isn't it?"
The Wen family head did not answer Lu Yaoyang directly. Instead, he looked up at him and threw the question back. "Did that girl tell you? Being smart isn't a bad thing, but when a smart person is so flamboyant, it leads to trouble."
"Qingtian isn't flamboyant; she's a little hedgehog," Lu Yaoyang said to the Wen family head. "She only bristles with all her sharp quills when she needs to protect the fruit in her arms."
Even when she was trembling with fear, she would carefully shield the scarlet fruit with the softest part of her body, bristling with all her sharp quills, presenting a formidable front.
In reality, she was just a little hedgehog herself.
"Hedgehog?" The Wen family head recalled Xia Qingtian, who had challenged him, and indeed, she was like a small hedgehog.
The Wen family head chuckled and looked up at Lu Yaoyang with a teasing gaze. "And you? What are you? A foolish rabbit infatuated with a hedgehog?"
"No," Lu Yaoyang shook his head. "I am the fruit she protects in her arms."
Hearing Lu Yaoyang's words, the Wen family head was silent for a long time before saying irritably, "If one day you get eaten by this hedgehog, it'll be your own fault."
"Yes," Lu Yaoyang smiled. "I asked for it."