Mrs. Camille had just entered the living room when she saw a handsome man in a sharp suit being led in by the butler.
"Mobius," Mrs. Camille approached him and touched his cheek in a greeting, her voice gentle. "It's been a long time."
"It has indeed, Mrs. Camille," Mobius said softly. "My friend didn't cause you any trouble, did she?"
"Tsk," Mrs. Camille huffed, not unkindly, and used her feather fan to tap his chest. "Before she even had a sip of water, she was already asking about you? Don't worry, I wouldn't eat her."
"Not at all," Mobius replied with a slight smile. "I was just worried she might be ill-mannered and say something offensive."
"Enough," Mrs. Camille tapped his chest again with the fan, her beautiful brown eyes showing a hint of displeasure. "After a few years, you've become even more worldly. Say that again, and I'll kick you out."
Mobius didn't respond, only curving his lips.
At that moment, a maid carrying a plate of pastries passed by. Her head was bowed, and her steps were hurried, as if she were busy preparing for the banquet.
Mobius's gaze fixed on her, and his thoughts began to stir.
He wondered if Xia Qingtian had noticed anything amiss with this maid.
As Mobius was pondering this, he heard a delighted female voice calling from the stairs, "Mobius?"
Turning around, Mobius saw Xia Qingtian, dressed in a red off-the-shoulder mermaid gown, descending the stairs with a cheerful smile. "You're here too!"
"Mmm," Mobius's eyes lit up, and the smile on his lips became more natural.
"Why is it just you? Where is Mr. Gu?" Xia Qingtian asked with a smile.
"Mr. Gu..." Mobius hesitated before replying, "Mr. Gu had a last-minute work commitment. I'll be representing Mr. Gu tonight as your male escort."
Hearing Mobius say this, Xia Qingtian felt a sense of relief. If she could choose her own escort, she would have preferred the more familiar Mobius.
"Why are you walking so fast? I was afraid you'd fall," Jean Lingol rushed down at that moment. Upon seeing Mobius, Jean Lingol paused for a moment before smiling and extending his hand to greet him, "Mobius, long time no see!"
"Long time no see," Mobius shook hands with Jean Lingol, his smile reserved.
This Jean Lingol was quite an oddity. He was the wealthy young master of the Lingol family, a titan of finance, yet he preferred to live life as a vagrant, roaming the streets rather than returning to his family's business. He wasn't a bad person, just unconventional in his ways. Later, aimlessly wandering, he died two years later in a pointless street brawl, struck by a stray bullet and succumbing to his injuries due to delayed medical attention. After Jean Lingol's death, the Lingol family also suffered blows from uncontrollable forces, compounded by volatility in the financial markets, and gradually declined. It was quite a pity, really.
"Wow, this watch is nice. The dial is entirely enamel, and the Carrousel layout is clean and sharp. Early last year, this watch was recognized as the best artwork embodying Swiss craftsmanship, priced at 2.27 million. It must be selling for tens of millions now!" Jean Lingol's eyes gleamed as he looked at Mobius's watch. "Tsk, tsk, tsk... this watch..."
Before he could finish, Jean Lingol felt a sharp pain on the back of his hand. Mrs. Camille's feather fan had struck him, accompanied by a warning glare. Jean Lingol hadn't intended to steal Mobius's belongings, after all. They were all familiar with each other. Besides, who would be foolish enough to set their sights on Mobius, who had become so legendary in the circle in recent years?
Mobius merely smiled after withdrawing his hand.
"You rascal, come with me," Mrs. Camille impatiently pulled Jean Lingol aside and began to scold him in a low voice.
Xia Qingtian looked at Mobius, somewhat bewildered.
"Jean has rather unique hobbies," Mobius said casually.
"You mean he..." Xia Qingtian covered her mouth with her hand and whispered, "is gay?" She had wondered why Jean Lingol had held Mobius's hand for so long earlier.
Mobius, unaware of the wild misunderstanding, immediately clarified. Xia Qingtian, upon hearing his explanation, merely pursed her lips and chuckled, her beautiful eyes curving into crescents like a cunning, intelligent little fox. Mobius was momentarily lost in thought before realizing Xia Qingtian was just joking, and he smiled along.
Seeing the wonderful atmosphere between them, Mrs. Camille raised her feather fan to her lips, a smile playing on her mouth.
"Sigh..." Jean Lingol also noticed this scene, and a faint bittersweetness welled up within him, making him feel uncomfortable. It was the first time he had believed in fate, but the outcome... was not as he wished.
"Aunt Camille, I... I'm going to get some air." Jean Lingol's voice held a hint of bitterness as he gave a dry laugh and walked out.
Looking from Jean Lingol to Xia Qingtian and Mobius, Mrs. Camille murmured, her lips parting slightly, "Interesting." She then claimed to have other matters to attend to, leaving Xia Qingtian and Mobius to their own time and space.
Being alone with Mobius made Xia Qingtian feel much more relaxed. However, the current situation was not one where she could completely let down her guard. "Mobius, I need to tell you something."
Xia Qingtian leaned closer to Mobius and shared her discoveries from the past two days. After their joint operation at Divine Mountain, Xia Qingtian trusted Mobius's abilities implicitly and was willing to cooperate with him. After all, the system hadn't forbidden her from seeking help, right?
Mobius narrowed his eyes slightly. He hadn't expected Xia Qingtian to encounter that maid so soon after arriving. He was also shocked that Xia Qingtian had managed to establish a working relationship with Jean Lingol in such a short period. The Jean Lingol he knew wouldn't even give face to the head of the Lingol family. The only person who could make him behave was his mother, Mrs. Meryl, with her fists. Even the capable Mrs. Camille had found it difficult.
"For the time being, you'd best stay with me," Mobius said, his brow furrowed slightly. He had initially asked Mrs. Camille to bring Xia Qingtian to Camille Manor to rest, hoping to protect her from Yu Linwan's harassment. He hadn't expected, however, to inadvertently place her in an even more dangerous situation. In that moment, a sense of emptiness and a touch of fear washed over Mobius.