Unexpected Encounter

The car slowly entered the heavily guarded Lake Island. As the name suggests, Lake Island is situated in the middle of a lake, and both the island and the lake are private property of the Ye family.

The outer areas serve as a well-known photography and filming location open to the public, but the core area is off-limits to any visitors.

As the eldest daughter of the Lin family in Oceanic City, Zuri had the fortune of being invited to a Ye family banquet in her previous life. Unfortunately, Saira tore her evening gown, causing her to miss the opportunity.

Since then, she had never had another chance to witness the most prestigious and luxurious estate in Oceanic City.

In both her previous and current lives, this was Zuri's first visit here. After entering Lake Island, the temperature noticeably dropped a few degrees. The island was shaded by lush trees, with a forest covering seventy percent of the area. The air was free of car exhaust and filled with the faint fragrance of flowers and grass.

After getting out of the car, Azura and Zuri walked along a shaded path.

Azura turned her head, "How do you feel?"

"The environment is beautiful."

"Yeah, I think so too. It's just that there are too many mosquitoes in the summer. If you like, you can come live here with me. Don't worry about my uncle; he won't say anything."

That pig, wanting to be an old cow eating tender grass, certainly wouldn't oppose.

Zuri smiled but didn't respond.

There probably wouldn't be a chance.

Maybe, in the future, they wouldn't even be friends.

The Ye family was a prestigious family in the capital, Beijing. Such a family could easily crush her.

A servant hurried over, "Miss Azura, Leo has returned."

The two of them headed back.

Entering the living room, Leo was seated on the sofa, holding a magazine. Upon hearing them, he slowly put it down, his gaze falling on Zuri.

"Azura, go help Uncle Qin with the backyard garden."

It was clear he wanted her out of the way.

Azura refused, "I don't know how to do that. Let someone else go."

She wasn't leaving. She would stay and keep an eye on her uncle.

If her uncle harbored ill intentions toward Zuri, she could intervene.

Leaving Zuri alone with that pig was too dangerous.

"Are you sure you don't want to go?" Leo's cold eyes fixed on her.

"I, I… I'll go." Azura pouted and reluctantly left under Leo's pressure.

With Azura gone, only Leo and Zuri remained in the living room.

Leo gestured to the sofa opposite him, "Please, sit."

Zuri sat down without fear.

Leo poured them each a cup of tea.

"I invited you here today to discuss something with you," Leo said straightforwardly.

"Call me Zuri."

She hated being called Miss Lin.

Leo complied, "Zuri, you are Azura's good friend. What do you think of her?"

"She's great," Zuri replied succinctly, then added, "I know what you're going to say. Don't worry, from today onwards, I'll stay far away from her and not lead her astray. Actually, you could have just called me; there was no need to meet in person."

Leo was momentarily taken aback, a faint smile appearing on his stern face. "You misunderstand. I'm not asking you to stay away from Azura. On the contrary, I hope you will guide her."

"What?!"

This time, it was Zuri's turn to be stunned.

Was he out of his mind?

Seeing her violent side, he still didn't want her to stay away but rather to guide her. It was unbelievable.

Leo seemed to notice her doubts, "To truly understand people, you need to look with your heart. Sometimes, the eyes can deceive. Azura appears carefree, but she's actually very perceptive. Few people can become her friends. If she trusts you completely, it means you're not bad."

"Azura dislikes studying and enjoys dark, gothic things. I hope you can help her change these habits. The Ye family doesn't need her to be a top student or extraordinarily outstanding to ensure she lives comfortably for the rest of her life. But wealth can disappear at any moment."

"If one day, the Ye family falls and the wealth is gone, imagine how she would cope. Wealth and power are not constant, but knowledge in one's mind can never be taken away."

"I want her to be self-sufficient and capable of protecting herself in any situation. That's why I invited you here."

Leo's words left Zuri somewhat surprised.

She hadn't expected this, but he wasn't wrong. The world was ever-changing, and no one knew what might happen next.

Planning for the future was the wisest path.

Knowledge is wealth.

"If you agree, you can name your price," Leo said generously.

"I'll take the job. As for the payment, it's unnecessary."

As long as Azura didn't betray her and remained her friend, she wouldn't take any payment. But if she ceased to be her friend, she would personally collect the fee.

Leo handed her a black card, "This is the access card for Lake Island. You can come over anytime."

A flicker of surprise crossed Zuri's eyes as she accepted the card.

A glimmer of satisfaction appeared in Leo's eyes. He extended his long fingers.

Looking at his outstretched hand, Zuri reached out.

Their hands clasped.

One large, one small.

The contrast of her fair skin against his bronzed complexion was striking.

Leo felt the soft, smooth texture of her hand, a slight tingling spreading from his palm to his heart.

"Pleasure working with you."

"Pleasure working with you."

Zuri withdrew her hand.

Leo felt a fleeting sense of loss and reluctance as he looked at his empty palm.

Zuri's phone rang. She answered, seeing it was a call from Aaron, and walked to the window.

As soon as she answered, Aaron's angry voice boomed through, loud enough for Leo to hear.

"Zuri, did you beat up Sergio's son, Hector? Is it true?"

"Yes," Zuri replied calmly.

Aaron's blood pressure soared upon her confirmation. "Can't you stay out of trouble? How could you beat him up so badly! No matter where you are, come back immediately."

"Okay," Zuri responded coolly, unperturbed by his anger.

She hung up and walked back.

"Need any help?" Leo guessed.

"No, I can handle it."

If she couldn't manage this small matter, how could she take down the Lin family in the future?

"If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to reach out. Here's my number." Leo handed her a black, gold-embossed private card.