Xiao Xingxing understood Xiaoxiao's stubborn nature. Seeing Xiaoxiao now willing to humble herself before Alva, she must have suffered a great deal.
Just the method of starvation alone was enough for anyone to endure.
"This isn't the life you want or like. If I can't take you away from here, even if Alva lets me go, I won't leave," Xiao Xingxing said firmly.
Xiaoxiao was stunned, feeling that someone had always been consistently good to her, but she didn't want to harm Brother Xingxing.
She immediately said, "Brother Xingxing, are you foolish? I already told you I'm fine here, I'm not going with you. You finish your studies, and I have my own life. We are not people from the same world, so don't bother me again. I'm going to be a Duchess."
Xiao Xingxing didn't believe her and stood up, wanting to open the nailed-shut window to see Xiaoxiao's expression at that moment.
But then someone shouted, "Miss Ilena is missing! Has anyone seen her? Hurry and look for her!"
"Brother Xingxing, I can't talk to you anymore. I have to go back to the main building. Take care of yourself and don't worry about me anymore." After saying that, she hurried away.
Xiao Xingxing saw the shadow outside the window disappear and felt a bit lost, with only the moonlight shining in.
He knew Xiaoxiao; even after years apart, Xiaoxiao wouldn't like this confined life.
She yearned for freedom, and he was determined to let her live a life of her own will and unrestrained joy.
...
The next day, Susu finally waited for Tianyi and the others.
After Tianyi and Xiao Anjing arrived at the hotel and settled in, they went with Susu to the castle.
An Jing had contacted Alva beforehand but couldn't reach him, so they went directly to the manor.
They arrived at the castle's main gate, and An Jing identified himself to the security guard.
The guard listened and asked them to wait at the entrance, dispatching someone to inform Alva.
They waited for a full half hour before a guard finally came out and told them, "Mr. Alva invites you in."
The last time An Jing brought Xiaoxiao here, he thought the castle was magnificent, but today he felt it was more like a prison.
They arrived at the reception room in the main building and saw Alva sitting inside.
Alva was wearing a finely crafted dark tailcoat, his slightly curly hair meticulously combed, and his feet clad in gleaming boots. He smiled as he watched them enter and said, "Mr. Xiao, we meet again."
"Hello." Xiao Anjing stepped forward and extended his hand, intending to shake Alva's.
Alva lightly touched An Jing's hand with a distant attitude, lacking the warmth of their previous encounter.
An Jing awkwardly withdrew his hand and introduced his companions, "These two are my friends, Qin Tianyi and Susu."
"Hello. Are you two married?" Alva asked them.
Tianyi nodded and said, "Mr. Alva, it's an honor to meet you."
Alva asked, "What brings you to see me?"
Hearing this, Tianyi and Susu exchanged glances, wondering if Alva hadn't seen Xiao Xingxing.
An Jing said, "How has Xiaoxiao been these past few years? Why haven't I seen her?"
"She's very well. You used to contact me frequently to inquire about Xiaoxiao during her first year here, didn't you? She has long adapted to life here," Alva said politely. "She's in class right now."
An Jing felt a bit more at ease and said, "It's like this, the children of these two friends of mine recently came abroad to study. They said they wanted to visit Xiaoxiao during their holiday. The holiday has ended, but they haven't returned to school yet. I wonder if they are still with Xiaoxiao?"
Alva suddenly understood and looked at Qin Tianyi and his wife, saying, "So that young man is your son? I'm keeping him confined."
Tianyi and Susu were relieved to learn that Xiao Xingxing was indeed there.
But Susu couldn't help but ask, "Why are you keeping him confined? Did he have a disagreement with Xiaoxiao?"
"He came to visit Xiaoxiao, and as soon as he arrived, he wanted to take Xiaoxiao away from here," Alva said angrily. "I asked him to promise me not to try to sneak Xiaoxiao away, but he refused, so I dare not let him go."
Tianyi immediately said, "Where is he? We'll take him back now. He won't act recklessly again."
Alva nodded slightly and said, "Follow me." He then got up and led them to a small building.
He ordered someone to open the iron lock on the door of the small building, led them inside, and then opened a locked room.
They then saw Xiao Xingxing, who was staying in the room.
As soon as Susu saw Xiao Xingxing, she couldn't hold back. She rushed over and hit his shoulder, saying, "How could you, child, come here by yourself without telling us? You worried your father and me to death."
Xiao Xingxing directly hugged Susu and said, "Mom, I'm sorry. I didn't expect this."
Tianyi looked at Xiao Xingxing, confined like this and having lost weight, and his heart ached for him. He was somewhat angry at Alva's actions.
"As long as you're alright, let's go back," Susu said, holding back tears in her eyes, and pulled him to take him out.
Xiao Xingxing broke free from her hand and said, "Dad, Mom, I'm not leaving. If you want to take me, take Xiaoxiao with you."
Alva spread his hands and looked at Tianyi and the others, saying, "You see, this is how he is. He insists on taking my daughter away."
Tianyi felt like hitting Alva, but he restrained himself, as Xiao Xingxing's words were not unreasonable.
If it were any father, they wouldn't casually let a young man take their daughter away, would they?
He said sternly to Xiao Xingxing, "What exactly do you want? It's enough that you came to see Xiaoxiao. Why must you take her away? She has her own father and family. What right do you have to take her away!"
"Dad, it's not like that. Xiaoxiao is suffering by staying here..."
Before he could finish, An Jing interrupted him and said to Alva, "Since we're here, can I see Xiaoxiao? Where is she taking classes? I'd like to see her."
Alva said, "It's probably not convenient right now."
"She's taking classes right here in the castle," Xiao Xingxing immediately said. "She has to learn many things every day because this person wants to cultivate her into a Duchess. He's merely using Xiaoxiao as a tool for marriage alliances with other nobles!"
An Jing glared at Alva and asked, "Is what he says true?"
Seeing Xiao Xingxing's insistence on taking Xiaoxiao away, he felt that something must have happened to Xiaoxiao here, otherwise Xiao Xingxing wouldn't be so stubborn about not leaving and not returning to school on time.
Alva felt they were meddling in his affairs and said, "As women of our family, they naturally receive strict training and education from childhood, and in the future, they will marry nobles of suitable status."
"But you said before that you would treat Xiaoxiao well and make her happy!" An Jing angrily grabbed Alva's collar.
The servants accompanying Alva immediately swarmed forward, ready to confront them.
Tianyi quickly pulled An Jing away and whispered in his ear, "Don't be impulsive. We have no right to interfere with how they educate their daughter. Let's take Xiao Xingxing away first."