What they didn't notice was that when they were checking out of the hotel, a young onlooker had cast several curious glances at them. After confirming Qiu Tu's identity, a flicker of strangeness passed through the young person's eyes before he hurried upstairs...
When Qiu Tu set out for Eastern City, it was 6 P.M. in the evening.
By the time he returned to Xinjie City, it was past 2 A.M.
Because it was so late, Qiu Tu didn't go home.
As for Tan Huimin... after having driven back and forth for 7 hours, she was too tired to want to return home at that point.
Therefore, Qiu Tu had her stay in his independent office on the 12th floor.
As one of Xinjie City's nine top executives, Qiu Tu's office on the 12th floor finally had its own independent rest area, with a fitness room, a study, a living room, a bedroom...
And with new bedding and pillows, it wasn't a problem for the two of them to stay there temporarily for the night.
He sent Tan Huimin to take a shower first.
Qiu Tu then went to the safe in the study, entered the password, and opened it.
Larilo, who was shackled by the "Soul Shackles," still lay there quietly.
Perhaps because it was so boring to be locked inside the dark safe, Larilo had fallen asleep on the altar.
Qiu Tu had placed her in the safe as a safety measure.
The ritual to summon Zhao Ji had been taught to Qiu Tu by Larilo, and he couldn't guarantee she hadn't left behind some way of keeping in touch with Zhao Ji—for example, allowing Larilo to communicate directly with Zhao Ji.
As a result, Qiu Tu didn't dare to take Larilo with him on his trip to Eastern City this time.
As for leaving her with Tang Feifei or Qin Shuman?
Frankly speaking... wouldn't that be like letting the wolf guard the sheep?
Even though both women were his close partners, the potential gains from Larilo were simply too great.
Qiu Tu didn't want to test human nature with benefits. After all, human nature is the least resilient when tested.
And to leave Larilo with a confidant to guard her?
Qiu Tu felt that would have been an even more conspicuous move.
Nowadays, too many were watching him; if he dared to leave her with a confidant, those people would be bold enough to kill the confidant and forcefully take her away.
So, after much consideration, Qiu Tu decided... the most dangerous place might be the safest.
He simply put Larilo straight into the safe and then left.
Other forces would find it hard to guess that he would dare to place such an important item in a safe; they would suspect he had taken Larilo with him.
This is why... Larilo could lie there safely in the safe for so long...
Looking at the Heretic Goddess Girl who held sway over the regional center, Qiu Tu rehearsed the thoughts he had about hiding Larilo tonight and then tapped the altar that controlled Larilo.
Hearing the tapping and feeling the vibrations, Larilo stretched lazily, yawned, and looked like she had just woken up.
However, as soon as she caught sight of Qiu Tu out of the corner of her eye, a bright light flashed before her.
She looked at Qiu Tu with hope and asked, "How did it go? Did you meet with my sister?"
During the three and a half hours of the return journey, Qiu Tu had already rehearsed this scene countless times.
So when he heard Larilo's question, Qiu Tu immediately wore an expression of awkwardness and embarrassment.
Seeing this, the flame that had just ignited in Larilo was instantly extinguished.
She said somewhat disinterestedly, "Was there some issue on the road, or did you change your mind and decide not to help me?"
Hearing Larilo's words, Qiu Tu's face still showed embarrassment.
He shook his head and then said, "Your Highness, it's neither."
Larilo, upon hearing this, couldn't help but ask, "Then what's the reason?"
Qiu Tu coughed and then began his second plan for the evening...
He looked at Larilo and said with awkwardness, "It's because... it's because Her Highness Zhao Ji has ill intentions towards me."
"She... has taken a liking to me."