About an hour ago, Qiao Ruo had officially met Xinyuan's adoptive parents. As Xinyuan had described, they were people of a few words. Mr Xia Xing appeared to be tall and sturdy like an oak tree but hardly spoke. Mrs Xia, nee Hua Manyue, was slender and of mediocre height. However, it had been Mrs Xia who did most of the talking. None of them appeared to be strict, and this allowed Qiao Ruo to be at ease with them. They dressed casually in the latest trendy clothing.
Through Xinyuan, Qiao Ruo learned that the Xia couple had an older daughter studying in a university abroad in Malaysia named Xia Yixue. The couple missed their daughter vehemently and were keen to take Qiao Ruo as not their adoptive daughter, but their goddaughter. Observing her hesitance, Xinyuan suggested that they put her up at a five-star hotel in the meantime, while she contemplated the offer.
A part of her had wanted to accept, but she had too much on her mind. Cree's disappearance, followed by the imminent threat of his mother was incredibly suffocating to her. Xinyuan sufficiently convinced them that Qiao Ruo was the person they were looking for and a talent.
All of a sudden, she recalled what Xinyuan had said about them 'owing' her, and she piqued her curiosity by asking the trio what the statement meant.
"It's a long story," Xinyuan explained. "But it has something to do with your parents and the legacy they had left for you."
All of a sudden, her mind turned clear, and she wasted not a single second to ask boldly, "Auntie and Uncle Xia, how is it possible that you knew my parents?"
Her boldness was admirable. "Qiao Ruo dear, I don't think this can be explained in a few words. Qiao Yunting and Yan Li, we are forever in your debt," Mrs Xia sighed tearfully. Mr Xia also exhibited his sorrow and gratitude for the deceased couple with his emotions. Watching the expressions on the couple's faces, Qiao Ruo was uncertain whether to believe their words, but Mrs Xia soon returned with a dog-eared envelope, which she willingly offered with both hands.
She understood that this was a letter from her parents that they had kept from her. Everything felt so coincidental at that point. How could it be so unplanned that this couple had adopted Xinyuan as a child, and left her to suffer from Yan Ning's greed then? But even then, she didn't want to appear rude, so she instead asked Xinyuan to take her out for some fresh air so that she could make up her mind.
"Dear, take all the time you want. We will be waiting for you," Mrs Xia said with a genuine smile. The more Qiao Ruo looked at them, the more compelled she was to trust them, but having faced insecurities all her life due to someone she called family, she felt choked by all the feelings and confusion lingering in her.
The flower garden outside the castle was equally as majestic. The gentle breeze caught strands of Qiao Ruo's hair affectionately, cheering her up lightly, but that wasn't enough. She was miserable, and the serenity of the garden just made her feel even sadder.
"Is there somewhere we could go without having to face Li Yao or Ye Nantian's lackeys again?" was the first words that had come from her after being silent for the minutes that they were strolling in the garden.
"We can leave the city," Xinyuan said.
Qiao Ruo looked down at the wallpaper of her smartphone, which she had clenched tightly in her hand without realising it. "But Cree..."
"He's their son. They have use for him."
He was right. Cree would never come to harm as long as she was far from him. She closed her eyes, feeling the tears dripping down the sides of her face. She couldn't help it that she was vulnerable at that fragile moment, and her emotions were very evident to Xinyuan. He stretched his arms to take her in a brotherly embrace and brought her head to rest on his shoulder.
