Chapter 25

Editor: Inschain

Qiao Yun had stayed at the old house for a while longer and received a worried phone call from Su Mian when she realized it was already eight o’clock without her noticing.

She descended the stairs, walked out of the alley, and before she could raise her hand to hail a taxi, one had already stopped in front of her.

“Professor Qiao.” The car window rolled down to reveal Zhou You’s resolute face, “I’ll take you home.”

Qiao Yun raised an eyebrow and got into the car, “Driver, please hurry.”

“Sure thing.”

Zhou You stepped on the gas, and the taxi sped away, skirting the edge of receiving a ticket with its frenzied dash.

Qiao Yun felt a bit dizzy and said, “Be careful of traffic cops.”

Zhou You completely missed Qiao Yun’s point and confidently assured her, “Don’t worry, there hasn’t been a ticket I couldn’t dodge or a cop I couldn’t evade in the entire country.”

“…”

Qiao Yun raised her hand to lower the brim of her hat, closed her eyes, very much with the intention of ‘out of sight, out of mind.’

Zhou You, who initially wanted to chat some more, instantly zipped his lips, thoughtfully slowed down a bit, and stopped swerving so that the esteemed guest could sleep peacefully.

Traffic in Shangjing City was particularly bad at night, and Qiao Yun finally arrived at the villa right at ten o’clock.

Before getting out of the car, she noticed Zhou You had put on a security guard’s jacket, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

Zhou You adjusted his hat and explained, “I applied for a security job at your villa.”

Qiao Yun thought Zhou You was a very dedicated bodyguard and nodded in response, “Mhm.”

Zhou You stood tall and proud, having secured this job after much effort, determined to protect Qiao Yun thoroughly and from all angles.

…

Qiao Yun pushed the gate open and entered, her eyebrows raising in slight surprise.

In the living room, everyone was present except for Lu Rui.

Su Mian let out a yawn upon seeing Qiao Yun return safely, “You’re back, did you have fun today?”

“It was alright, I encountered some interesting things.”

Qiao Yun’s calm response was accompanied by a glance at Lu Ting from her dark, ink-like eyes, but she quickly looked away.

Her gaze was cold and detached, devoid of any superfluous emotions, yet Lu Ting’s heart skipped a beat.

Her heart pounded thunderously.

What, what does that mean?

Why did she suddenly glance at her? Could it be that Qiao Yun knew something!

Lu Ting was fraught with anxiety.

Impossible, who could link a bunch of thugs with the young Miss of the Lu Family?

It must be her overthinking.

Despite her inner reassurances, Lu Ting couldn’t help but continuously fidget with her fingers.

Su Mian showed concern, “Are you hungry? Do you want me to cook some late-night snacks?”

Qiao Yun honestly replied, “I’m not hungry.”

Su Mian nodded; now that Qiao Yun was back, she could go and rest.

That’s when Lu Jingzhi stood up, awkwardly handed her a gift bag, and said, “I bought this because I thought it would suit you.”

Feeling reassured by this harmonious sibling scene, Su Mian teased, “How come there’s only a gift for Qiaoqiao and none for me? Big brother, you’re too biased.”

Lu Jingzhi was speechless, thinking her acting was too exaggerated and he didn’t pay her any attention, instead turning to ask Qiao Yun.

“Do you like it?”

Qiao Yun’s eyelashes fluttered downward, and her lips pursed.

After a dozen seconds, she reached out to take the bag and said softly, “Thank you.”

Lu Jingzhi smiled; it seemed giving gifts never grew old and he felt that his relationship with his own sister might have gotten a tiny bit closer.

The act of Lu Jingzhi giving Qiao Yun a gift was like a needle piercing directly into Lu Ting’s heart, filling her with both hatred and anger.

Not only had Qiao Yun stolen her parents’ attention, but was she now trying to take away her big brother’s concern as well?

A faint light shone in Qiao Yun’s eyes as she was about to see what the gift in the bag was when Lu Jingzhi tentatively asked her.