Chapter 462
She stared down at the badge, lost in thought for a long moment.
It remained zoo merchandise featuring the little girl’s favorite cartoon panda—munching on fresh bamboo with adorably clumsy charm.
“What’s on your mind?”
Victor suddenly leaned down, whispering near her ear.
Clutching the badge, Alarieka felt an impulse surge through her.
“I…”
She hesitated abruptly.
Victor prompted, “You what?”
After a brief pause, Alarieka shook her head, murmuring, “Nothing.”
She understood her rebirth experience would sound utterly bizarre to anyone normal. Speaking it aloud would likely get her labeled insane. No one would believe her.
As silence hung between them, a hand suddenly ruffled her hair roughly.
Victor teased, “Since when did our CEO become so indecisive? Can’t even form words now?”
Alarieka glared at him.
He slipped both hands into his pockets just before she could swat him away, remarking casually, “Don’t force it. Do whatever you want, boss. No need for that expression.”
“What expression?” she challenged.
Victor dipped his head, eyes crinkling with a smile. “Nothing. Lighten up, Alaricka.”
Meeting his gaze, Alaricka froze momentarily.
“Are you two dating?”
Alaricka turned toward the voice.
The little girl peered over her bodyguard’s shoulder, dark eyes studying them with innocent curiosity.
Alaricka’s fingers twitched. “No. We’re just friends.”
The girl pouted. “You’re lying! You look like-”
The tour bus arrived. The bodyguard tapped her back gently. “Miss, the bus is here. Let’s board.”
Her unfinished sentence hung in the air as the bodyguard carried her onto the vehicle.
Alarieka didn’t dwell on it, following the crowd aboard.
Upon reaching the internet–famous panda’s enclosure, the sea of people gave her newfound appreciation for its staggering popularity.
The girl and her bodyguards couldn’t squeeze through the crowd. One bodyguard hoisted her onto his shoulders, letting her peer over the mass of heads toward the panda.
Standing at the crowd’s periphery, Alarieka and Victor exchanged a wordless glance at the forest of backs and scalps.
“Let’s rest over there first.”
But as Alarieka spoke, her gaze abruptly snagged on a figure within the throng.
Was that…
Xing Qiyuan?
The small silhouette darted through the crowd, barely visible through the press of bodies.
Alaricka edged closer, staring intently before confirming it was indeed Xing Qiyuan.
Because Xing Qiyuan turned and looked directly at her.
Victor asked, “What’s wrong?”
Alarieka averted her eyes. “Nothing. Saw Xing Qiyuan.”
If Xing Qiyuan was here, it meant either Kieran or Rose must be nearby.
Alaricka tutted in displeasure in her heart.
How could she run into him here?
Shi Yao clearly wasn’t pleased: “Aiya, we finally get a rare date-”
“Right.”
Shi Yao clutched his stomach while bending over, face twisted in pain: “Alarieka, why’d you hit me?”
Alaricka smiled sweetly and patted his shoulder: “Young man, your top priority now is to shut up.”
The two waited under the tree shade for a while.
Gasps of surprise suddenly rose nearby, wave after wave.
Alarieka looked up to see bodyguards swarming around a little girl running toward them.
Only when they approached did Alarieka ask: “What happened?”
“A little boy got pushed over the railing.”
A little boy?
Alarieka’s heart sank. She turned to exchange a look with Victor.
She glanced at the noisy crowd and cautiously asked again, “The little boy… what color was he wearing?”
The bodyguard, busy tending to the little girl, answered distractedly, “Didn’t see clearly.”
Alaricka fell silent for a moment, then reached out to brush a leaf from the little girl’s hair.
Chaos reigned in the crowd, a jumble of voices overlapping.
Alaricka couldn’t see clearly, couldn’t hear clearly.