The Favored Heiress
Chapter 249: I Can’t Catch My Breath

Chapter 249: Chapter 249: I Can’t Catch My Breath

Meanwhile, the few women beside Jing Yuean were also nodding seriously. Li Qiao was new here as well; what made her qualified to give Master Yan a tour?

Yet, before Jing Yuean could finish, Shang Yu’s lightly upturned lips slightly drooped, his thick brows furrowed as he tutted at her with a tone both chilling and dismissive, "I was asking Miss Li."

Jing Yuean froze under Shang Yu’s gaze, her face turning pale as she bit her lip in embarrassment.

Indeed, not gentlemanly at all...

Jing Hengsheng’s expression turned to panic, fearful that his youngest daughter had angered Shang Yu. He quickly gestured with his eyes for her to be quiet.

At that moment, Duan Shuyuan stealthily kicked Li Guangming under the table. Regaining his composure, he tried to appear calm as he spoke to Shang Yu, "Qiaoqiao indeed isn’t familiar with this place. If you would like a tour, perhaps I can arrange..."

Before he could finish, Shang Yu’s expression turned displeased and he pursed his thin lips, tapping his fingertips on the table twice, "Miss Li?"

He was waiting for Li Qiao’s response.

Li Guangming closed his mouth, his gaze turning to Li Qiao, not daring to say anything more.

Seeing this, a faint, imperceptible smile hung on the corner of Li Qiao’s lips. She gave Jing Yuean a measured look, propping herself up on the table’s edge to stand, and replied casually, "Such a small estate, even if unfamiliar, can be easily toured. Master Yan, if you please."

Jing Yuean: "?"

This nearly several dozen-acre estate, in her mouth, had become a small manor?

Soon after, Shang Yu rose unhurriedly, nodding to Li Guangming and the others before circling the table corner with a steady stride towards her, his voice rich as he pursed his lips, "Thank you for the trouble."

Li Qiao watched the man approaching, amusement hidden in her eyes, and lowered her gaze in agreement, "You’re being too polite, Master Yan."

Then, those at the table watched, dumbstruck, as the two of them walked away.

In the distance, they could still hear the pair conversing naturally and with ease—

Shang Yu asked with his magnetic voice, "Have you seen larger estates before?"

Li Qiao, hands in pockets and walking leisurely, nodded forward, "Mmm, I have, a mountain mansion spanning a hundred acres."

Shang Yu seemed pleased, pressing his thin lips together with a knowing smile, "Sounds quite nice."

Li Qiao glanced at him, replying unhurriedly, "If Master Yan likes, I’ll take you on a tour when we have the chance."

Their figures moved further away, and their talking voices dissipated with the wind.

Yet, everyone left behind wore a puzzled expression, feeling an indescribable oddness.

Why...did they feel that Shang Shaoyan, the South Sea merchant, was particularly generous and biased towards Li Qiao?

Even giving rise to the illusion that he was deliberately seeking out Li Qiao.

How could that be?

He is Shang Shaoyan, the South Sea merchant, wild and ruthless, despotic and paranoid—could he also be interested in Li Qiao?

It must be an illusion, Li Guangming thought to himself.

...

Elsewhere, in front of the manor amidst the sea of roses.

At this moment, Li Qiao was sitting on a swing, with Shang Yu standing behind her.

Liuyun and Luoyu stood guard ten meters away, forbidding anyone from approaching.

A fresh mountain breeze wafted by, bringing waves of the intoxicating scent of roses.

Li Qiao pulled on the swing ropes, her toes occasionally brushing the ground, and as her peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the man’s figure, she quipped, "Why didn’t you say you were also coming to the party?"

Shang Yu’s warm palm rested on top of her head, rubbing it gently, a hint of mirth flashed in his deep eyes, "I didn’t plan to come, but I happened to pass by."

She didn’t believe it.

Li Qiao, clutching the rope, leaned back and just pressed against the man’s waist, lifting her lips in a playful tease, "Tangxi Mountain and South Sea Mountain, one east and one west, it’s quite a coincidence that Master Yan is passing by."

Shang Yu lowered his eyes to look at her small head; under the bright sunlight, the girl’s thick lashes trembled slightly, and her face, white and radiant, was exquisitely set against a vast sea of flowers.

His Adam’s apple rolled slightly, and he leaned down to kiss her forehead, "Miss Li, when do you plan to take me to visit the mansion?"

Li Qiao tilted her head back, swung off the swing, and looking around, she just happened to see a resting pavilion in the depths of the flower sea. She pointed casually, "Then let’s go, I’ll take Master Yan to see the roses first."

On the way, Shang Yu walked with one hand in his pocket and the other holding Li Qiao’s hand. As they delved deeper into the sea of flowers, the scent of roses grew increasingly intense and overwhelming.

"Do you like roses?" Shang Yu watched Li Qiao picking a rose from beside the path, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

Li Qiao brought the rose to her nose, sniffed it, then wrinkled her nose and shook her head, "It’s average, too common."

Meanwhile, the two arrived at the resting pavilion, surrounded by a romantic and beautiful vista of a sea of crimson roses.

Inside the pavilion, there was a fabric sofa and a low table. Li Qiao pulled Shang Yu to sit down, sighing comfortably, "Master Yan, are you satisfied with the visiting spot Miss Li has chosen for you?"

Shang Yu rested his arm on the back of the chair, turning to watch Li Qiao’s contented demeanor. His fingertips twirled, climbing to her cheek, "Very satisfied."

Hearing this, Li Qiao’s brows arched and the corners of her eyes lifted. She just turned her head when her cheeks were cupped, and immediately, the strong scent of the man enveloped her.

Deep in the sea of flowers, two dark silhouettes embraced and kissed passionately on the fabric sofa.

Shang Yu sucked on her lips, pried open her teeth, and fed her his tongue.

Li Qiao barely responded, her fingers curling and gripping the fabric on his shoulder tightly.

Perhaps they were too engrossed, or maybe the fabric sofa was too soft; Li Qiao trembled at the waist, and her body uncontrollably fell backwards.

The man then pressed down on her just as naturally.

This position was unprecedented!

His scent of ebony wood filled her nostrils, so intense it overwhelmed all other floral fragrances.

Li Qiao blushed; the man’s robust physique pressed against her, intimately close, with undeniable hints of arousal.

The woman was more enchanting than the flowers.

After the kiss ended, Li Qiao breathed heavily, her lips swollen, her eyebrow arches and the corners of her eyes also flushed with alluring color.

Shang Yu still pressed on her, nuzzling gently against her neck.

The man’s lips were cool to the touch, each one causing Li Qiao to shiver, her entire body enveloped by an unfamiliar surge of emotions.

He was steadying his breathing, and so was she.

After a moment, Shang Yu’s kisses trailed from her delicate neck to her cheek. He propped himself up slightly, gazing down at her bright and delicate face.

This motion also caused a few strands of his hair to fall in front of his forehead, adding to his wild and unbridled demeanor.

"What are you thinking about?" Shang Yu looked down at Li Qiao, a fierce light in the depths of his eyes.

His thumb caressed the skin beside her cheek, his Adam’s apple rolling erratically.

Li Qiao took a moment to compose herself, her cool lips pursed. She poked at his chest with her fingertips and said somewhat breathlessly, "I was thinking... when are you going to get up, I can barely breathe."

Shang Yu’s lips curved in a smile, and a deep chuckle spilled from his throat.

He pulled Li Qiao’s wrist to hoist her up and gently wiped her swollen lips with his palm, then leaned back into the soft sofa, exhaling a long breath.

Li Qiao swallowed, taking small gasps, finding it hard to recover her composure.