In the dark night, a loud roar broke the silence, and a red light with a long tail sped along the busy highway, weaving skillfully like a nimble fish. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a motorcycle.
After about half an hour of riding, the motorcycle entered a place that resembled an estate. The motorcycle's speed gradually decreased and finally came to a stop after rounding a corner.
"How was it? Fun, right?" Qiao Xiaoqing removed her helmet and gave Kaguya a proud wink.
Kaguya took off her helmet and curled her lips slightly. Luckily, she now had strong powers and didn't get carsick. Otherwise, a normal person would have been nauseated and dizzy from that ride. This wasn't just driving; it was playing with one's life.
"You must be hungry. Let's go eat first." With that, Qiao Xiaoqing took Kaguya's hand and led her inside.
In front of them was a green shaded path lined with flowers, plants, and trees, exuding a refreshing scent. A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, providing a rare sense of coolness in the hot weather.
Walking along the shaded path, they soon saw a large villa in the distance. The villa had a somewhat European style, with hints of Gothic architecture, and it was grand and exquisite, radiating a strong sense of beauty even from afar.
"Is this your home?" Kaguya asked in surprise. She had never heard that Qiao Xiaoqing's family was so wealthy.
"I suppose it is." Qiao Xiaoqing chuckled softly, seemingly not wanting to continue the topic. "Let's go."
At the entrance of the villa, two uniformed guards emerged from the bushes on either side, greeting respectfully, "Welcome home, young lady."
"Mm," Qiao Xiaoqing nodded slightly without saying much.
With a "clank, clank" sound, the villa's gate slowly opened, revealing a shaded path leading to the villa.
"Come on." Qiao Xiaoqing smiled, her eyes forming crescent moons, and led Kaguya inside.
Kaguya turned her head and saw the two guards quickly return to the bushes, disappearing with a "whoosh," hiding again. Kaguya noticed they were armed with guns and fully equipped with ammunition.
There were armed guards here. It was known that only certain government departments could possess firearms; no one else was allowed, and violators would face imprisonment. Kaguya couldn't help but grow more curious about Qiao Xiaoqing's identity, as even her home had such guards.
Upon entering the villa, the luxurious interior was truly impressive. The first thing that caught the eye was the enormous crystal chandelier on the ceiling, crafted with exquisite detail. The murals on the walls were clearly the work of famous artists, even an amateur like Kaguya could tell they were invaluable. The furniture was made of the finest rosewood and redwood, with intricate carvings that were elegant without being ostentatious.
The entire room had an elegant and serene atmosphere, creating a harmonious feel, unlike some nouveau riche homes that opt for the most expensive items regardless of style, resulting in an incongruous mix.
"Come, I'll show you to your room," Qiao Xiaoqing said, pulling the still-curious Kaguya upstairs to the second floor, opening a door, and walking inside. "How about this? Not bad, right?"
The room continued the villa's style but was softer and more vibrant in color. It was beautifully decorated, with complete furnishings like a desk, chairs, and bookshelves. What caught Kaguya's eye was a computer on the desk, which she could use to check what had happened over the years. Speaking of which, she didn't know the current year, but it didn't seem like much time had passed.
The centerpiece of the room was a large bed made of the finest cherry wood, with exquisite carvings and pink tones. It was covered with a soft down comforter, and a plush toy sat nearby. Above the bed hung light pink drapes.
It was clearly a girl's room, designed to be incredibly cute. Unfortunately, Kaguya didn't particularly like it, especially the pink tones, which she found off-putting. She preferred darker, deeper colors.
But seeing Qiao Xiaoqing's expectant expression, Kaguya didn't want to disappoint her and nodded gently, saying, "It's nice."
"See? I told you so!" Qiao Xiaoqing said happily. "I decorated it myself, but don't worry, I've never slept here."
"Why not sleep here?" Kaguya asked curiously. "If you like it so much?"
Qiao Xiaoqing's smile froze for a moment before she awkwardly laughed and said, "Oh, it's nothing. It's just that I study away from home and don't have much time to come back."
"I see," Kaguya nodded. Most schools required boarding, so it wasn't unusual not to return home often. Like Kaguya, she had been boarding since middle school and spent most of her life in school, so it wasn't surprising.
"Well, go take a bath first, then we can eat. I've already asked the kitchen to prepare food," Qiao Xiaoqing said with a smile. "The bathroom is on the southeast corner of the first floor, with new clothes and toiletries for you to use."
"Mm." Kaguya was examining the wall murals and nodded slightly, turning to smile at Qiao Xiaoqing.
Kaguya's smile was like a blooming flower, especially her eyes, which could captivate someone in a heartbeat.
Staring at the beautiful silver-haired loli before her, Qiao Xiaoqing was momentarily dazed, feeling a tingle like an electric current coursing through her body.
"What's wrong?" Kaguya asked, seeing Qiao Xiaoqing in a daze.
"No, nothing." Qiao Xiaoqing snapped back to reality, looking flustered and waving her hand. "I'll go now." She hurried out, almost tripping at the door.
What's going on with her? Kaguya wondered, watching Qiao Xiaoqing leave in a rush.