The Favored Heiress
Chapter 246: You’re not here for a blind date, are you?

Chapter 246: Chapter 246: You’re not here for a blind date, are you?

Li Qiao: "?"

What does she have to discuss with such talented young men?

No sooner had Duan Shuyuan’s voice fallen than Li Guangming subtly nudged her with his arm, "Stop talking so much, let’s go in and greet everyone first."

Following that, the family of three headed towards the estate’s main entrance.

Just then, a middle-aged man dressed in black embroidered Tang attire approached from the opposite direction and cheerfully said to Li Guangming upon seeing him, "Old Li, you’re late."

Li Qiao knew this man; he was Tang Yiting’s father, the current head of the Tang family, Tang Nanli.

"What are you talking about, the party has just started, how could I be late?" Li Guangming jovially bantered back with Tang Nanli, their mutual understanding and familiarity beyond doubt.

Among the South Sea Five Giants, all led by the wealthiest Li Family, the Li and Tang families shared the deepest bond.

At that moment, Tang Nanli’s gaze flickered and he unexpectedly noticed Li Qiao.

His eyebrows raised in surprise, a sense of astonishment apparent in his eyes, "Qiaoqiao?"

"Uncle Tang, long time no see," Li Qiao said politely, nodding in greeting to Tang Nanli.

After his initial surprise, Tang Nanli looked at Li Guangming with a knowing smile, "Old Li, you finally brought Qiaoqiao out? Other families have been inquiring about her quite often over the years."

All Five Great Families were aware that the Li Family had a younger daughter, but few had seen her.

After all, Li Qiao was probably the only junior from The Five Great Families who hadn’t made an appearance for many years.

Because of the mystery, people were often more curious.

Suddenly, a crisp exclamation came from behind Tang Nanli, "Qiaoqiao!"

Everyone turned towards the voice and saw Tang Yiting running towards them in a dress.

Seeing this, Tang Nanli sharply scolded, "Walk properly, what are you running for in a dress?"

Facing her father’s rebuke, Tang Yiting immediately slowed down and quickly walked up to Li Qiao, affectionately linking arms with her, and called out to Li Guangming and his wife, "Uncle, Auntie, hello."

After finishing, she shook Li Qiao’s arm and whispered in her ear, "My goodness, you’re actually showing up and attending the gathering?"

This choice of words was quite fitting.

Li Qiao looked at Tang Yiting with a faint smile and blinked her eyes.

After a while, Li Guangming and his wife, along with Tang Nanli, went to the teahouse in the estate, while Li Qiao followed Tang Yiting for a walk around the place.

"Seriously, what got into you this year to come to this gathering?" Tang Yiting said as she and Li Qiao arrived at the nearby Rose Garden. They sat on a swing, casually chatting on and off.

Li Qiao gazed at the fiery red sea of roses ahead, a lack of enthusiasm evident as she lowered her eyes, "To see the world."

Tang Yiting’s face was full of question marks, Do you still need to see the world?

Suddenly, Tang Yiting remembered something she had heard before. She leaned in close to Li Qiao, conspiratorially pulling at the swing, "Say... you’re not here for a matchmaking session, are you?"

"Do I need to?" Li Qiao arched an eyebrow and looked at Tang Yiting with a puzzled expression.

Seeing this, Tang Yiting pondered seriously for a moment before answering truthfully, "I know you don’t need to, but other people don’t know that.

Qiaoqiao, let me tell you, before this gathering, I heard something."

Li Qiao fell silent and, with interest, plucked a rose from next to the swing, twirling it between her fingers, "What is it?"

Tang Yiting looked at her, then whispered, "I heard from Jing Family’s second child before this event that relations among The Five Great Families have been somewhat tense lately.

So, those old guys might have the idea of matchmaking to ease tensions and promote harmony.

After all, the juniors in our families are about the same age, and this time, it’s a full turnout—everyone who can come has come."

Having said that, Tang Yiting looked significantly at Li Qiao, her eyes seeming to imply, "Even you have come, there’s no escaping matchmaking."

"Matchmaking?" Li Qiao played idly with a rose, her fair fingertips slowly plucking a petal, "Tsk, no wonder..."

She thought her father’s so-called paving the way was quite a stretch.

Along with her mother’s comment "interact more with talented young men," everything started to make sense.

Seeing Li Qiao’s deep-set eyes and worried she might overthink, Tang Yiting hurriedly explained, "Actually, it’s just my guess, but this year is indeed different from the past.

We youngsters from The Five Great Families basically all know each other, think about it, if it were about matchmaking, those matches would have been made long ago, there’s no need to wait until today. But you... are the only unfamiliar face."

And the most mysterious heiress among The Five Great Families.

With the conversation reaching this point, even if Li Qiao were slow, she could understand the purpose of her being here.

Moreover, she had suspicions already, and Tang Yiting’s elaboration only further confirmed her judgment.

Among The Five Giants, matchmaking indeed seemed like a good strategy to pave and stabilize relationships.

It’s just a pity, she didn’t need it.

...

After about twenty minutes, the manor gates slowly closed.

All family members of The Five Giants were now present, and this annual internal gathering had officially begun.

Approaching noon, the younger folks scattered about began heading toward the outdoor dining area in the back garden.

Hanging onto Li Qiao’s arm, Tang Yiting walked and introduced her to the others, "Look, the person in the sky-blue suit who gets along best with me, Jing Family’s second-born Jing Ruian. I’ll find an opportunity to introduce you two later."

In contrast to the low-profile Li Qiao, Tang Yiting attended the gathering every year and was more familiar with the members of The Five Great Families.

Li Qiao glanced indifferently at Jing Ruian, not quite remembering his appearance, but the suit was indeed eye-catching.

Like a wandering blue enchantress.

"And there, the Eldest Young Master of the Ji Family, next to him is the young master of the Quan Family..."

Tang Yiting was enthusiastically introducing the families’ members to Li Qiao, confidently muttering, "Among our families, the most handsome man belongs to the Eldest Young Master of the Ji Family, and the most beautiful woman would be you!

Qiaoqiao, you have to be careful—the daughters from the Quan Family and Jing Family seemed to be discussing you behind your back.

Those little bitches, when they get together, they only know how to compete with each other. Remember not to bother with them."

After finishing, Tang Yiting did not hear Li Qiao responding. She turned her head and saw the richest heiress engrossed in playing Candy Crush on her phone while walking.

Tang Yiting talking to herself: "..."

The manor’s outdoor dining area.

Under a row of white tents, long tables covered with tablecloths could easily accommodate thirty people for dining.

Outside the tents, there were buffet stations all around, with many waitstaff moving back and forth in a busy but orderly manner.

At this moment, as Li Qiao appeared near the dining area, many gazes lingered on her.

Whispers also gradually increased.

"Is that Uncle Li’s daughter, Li Qiao?"

"It should be, she has kept such a low profile over the years."

"Low profile? To me, she looks a bit shabby. Wearing casual clothes to an occasion like this, she should’ve at least worn a cocktail dress to be appropriate."

A few twenty-something heiresses huddled together, sizing up Li Qiao and making comments.