The Favored Heiress
Chapter 320: What’s Your Ranking?

Chapter 320: Chapter 320: What’s Your Ranking?

"I’ve heard of them," Shang Yu’s fingers caressed Li Qiao’s jawline, his eyes brimming with interest as he looked at her, "Seven people, which number are you?"

Li Qiao cleared her throat, glancing at him, "The seventh."

It was because she was the youngest.

The man, catching the flicker in her eyes, probably guessed that something must have happened on the border back then for the Border Seven Sons to vanish without a trace overnight.

A few years back, they were unrivaled in the limelight, with countless rumors swirling around them, almost reigning supreme in that lawless land.

Shang Yu couldn’t help but be somewhat surprised; his girl was actually one of the Border Seven Sons.

From Yun Lih to Shen Qingye, no wonder she knew so many people on the border—it all had a traceable origin.

Shang Yu noticed her slightly resistant mood, leaned forward to press his forehead against hers, and while speaking, his chilly breath fell on the tip of her nose, "Did you call Shen Qingye here?"

Li Qiao nodded frankly, without mincing words, "He’s good at gathering intelligence, and my intention was to have him help investigate some matters. But I didn’t expect..."

She paused, and shot Shang Yu a sideways glance, "I didn’t expect that you knew each other, and that he’s also with the Sixth Bureau."

Upon hearing this, Shang Yu’s lips tightened slightly, his deep eyes narrowed, "You didn’t know before?"

Li Qiao shook her head casually, "Never asked."

The Border Seven Sons were as close as brothers, valuing the ironclad fellowship over elusive backgrounds and origins.

The man sat up, creating some distance between them, cupped Li Qiao’s face, and caressed it twice. His gaze fell on her swollen lips, a pleased smile raised his brows, then he lowered his face and fiercely nibbled on them again before opening the door and saying, "Let’s go."

...

In the private dining room, Shen Qingye had already finished two cigarettes.

He slouched on the couch with his legs spread, feeling anxious and increasingly impatient.

Especially since the few people at the banquet table across from him kept casting glances his way, occasionally whispering among themselves.

Shen Qingye was annoyed to no end. On a normal day, he might have stormed out by now.

He shifted his long legs, frowning deeply, then kicked the toe of Bai Luhui’s shoe with the tip of his foot, "Go out and see what those two are up to."

Bai Luhui nodded and was about to turn around and walk past the corner of the sofa when the door to the private dining room opened.

Shang Yu and Li Qiao walked in hand in hand, seemingly unchanged except... Miss Li’s lips were swollen.

Really red and swollen.

No one there was innocent enough not to guess what they had done outside.

Bai Luhui silently folded back to the resting area and said to Shen Qingye, "Young Director Shen, they’re back."

Shen Qingye waved his hand, indicating for Bai Luhui to step aside, and turned his head to look, with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.

Shang Yu led Li Qiao to their seats, pursed his thin lips, and lazily said, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

It had been a damn long wait.

Long enough for Li Qiao’s lips to swell up.

Shen Qingye barely shifted his gaze, seemingly composed as he picked up the teacup from the table and took a sip.

After moistening his throat, his smile faded, and he nodded his chin at Li Qiao, asking as if it was the most natural thing in the world, "Where am I staying tonight?"

Li Qiao tapped her knee with her fingers and nudged her chin upwards, "Stay here?"

She was referring to the Earl Hotel.

At that, Shen Qingye laughed mockingly, lifted his right leg to rest his ankle on his left knee, and swung it arrogantly, "Stay here? You summon me all the way here and you’re letting me stay at a hotel?"

Li Qiao thought about it seriously; after all, the Earl Hotel was nearly seven-star, with facilities and services considered to be top-tier in the industry.

But Shen Qingye’s comment suggested that maybe he felt her hospitality was lacking?

And so, Li Qiao nodded solemnly under Shen Qingye’s questioning gaze, her voice light as she said, "Then you should go back."

Shen Qingye’s swaying ankle stalled.

He looked at Li Qiao with a complex expression, rubbed his forehead with a frown.

Indeed, one shouldn’t have too high expectations for this Xiao Qi Zai; otherwise, one could be infuriated in a minute.

Seeing that Shen Qingye remained silent, Li Qiao lowered her eyes to hide the mischief within.

Of course, it was just a joke.

But it seemed that Shen Qingye took it seriously.

Li Qiao’s eyes flashed playfully as she was about to speak when Shang Yu, beside her, said unhurriedly, "Stay at the manor."

Shen Qingye and Li Qiao turned to look at him simultaneously; Li Qiao blinked but didn’t refuse.

Great minds think alike.

Indeed, she had the same thought, but since Paibo Manor was Shang Yu’s territory, Shen Qingye’s staying there would still require his approval.

At this moment, Shen Qingye looked at Li Qiao and mocked, "Look at him, look at your boyfriend. His way of dealing with people, can’t you learn a bit from him?"

What a huge suck-up.

Li Qiao licked her sour and numb lips, glancing sideways at Shen Qingye, "Or maybe you should just go back."

Shen Qingye gave a challenging smile, ignoring Li Qiao’s teasing, and, stretching his legs, casually picked up a teacup to toast Shang Yu, "Thanks, Master Yan."

...

The gathering ended half an hour later.

Shen Qingye ordered Bai Luhui to bring the helicopter to Paibo Manor and left the private dining room with Li Qiao ahead of everyone else.

At the banquet table, Huo Mang and others stood up. Lu Xirui, watching the direction of the door, couldn’t help but express his sentiment, "Shaoyan, your girlfriend... she’s truly impressive."

Among this group of guys, probably only Lu Xirui was unwavering in his belief in Li Qiao’s capabilities.

Whether it was a Myanmar Cabinet banquet or the Sixth Bureau’s Young Director Shen, it could only be said that Li Qiao definitely had unrecognized strengths to be favored by these people.

As for the He family siblings’ previous speculations about Li Qiao, Lu Xirui found them amusingly misguided.

Now, after reflecting for about fifteen minutes, everyone gradually calmed down.

Huo Mang stepped forward, clapped Shang Yu on the shoulder, and said, "It seems I did misjudge the situation earlier."

The attitude of Young Director Shen towards Li Qiao said it all.

He was not even pleasant to Bai Luhui but was obedient and even overly indulgent to Li Qiao.

And the familiarity and understanding between the two could not have been fostered overnight.

Now, faced with their praise for Li Qiao, Shang Yu remained composed and detached.

He smoothened the wrinkles on his sleeve, surveyed everyone with his gaze, and with a slightly lifted thin lip said, "Of course, she is more outstanding than you imagine..."

After saying the last word, the man’s glance casually fell upon He Xi’s face.

He Xi’s expression changed slightly, as though feeling guilty, she averted her gaze in a fluster.

Soon, Shang Yu said his goodbyes to everyone and then turned to leave the private dining room.

Huo Mang and the rest stood in place, exchanging looks before letting out a laugh after a short while.

Shaoyan’s girlfriend, on her first appearance, brought so many surprises to everyone. It’s uncertain what the future holds, which indeed makes people start to look forward to it.

As for He Xi, who had repeatedly tested Li Qiao, she now felt her cheeks unusually hot and was not feeling too good about herself.

He Qing, with a flicker in his peripheral view, seeing her face filled with an indescribable bitterness, sighed and said, "You’re asking for trouble. Remember not to be so impulsive next time."