The Favored Heiress
Chapter 356: It took a long time to catch up, must be cherished

Chapter 356: Chapter 356: It took a long time to catch up, must be cherished

"Tomorrow I’ll return to the South Sea, they’re coming over for the foot ceremony," Shang Yu’s deep and resonant voice provided an explanation, his palm caressing Li Qiao’s face gently, "Sleep a bit more, hmm?"

Li Qiao relaxed her brows, lazily nodding her head.

She really was tired and didn’t want to move, even after spending the whole morning, she still hadn’t recovered.

Shang Yu bent down to kiss her forehead, his proportionate fingers slipping underneath the edge of her clothing, caressing her lower back, "Rest well."

This action...

Li Qiao stiffened all over, her face set as she pulled his hand out and slapped it.

The man’s rich laugh filled her ears, delivering a deep kiss before turning and descending the stairs.

In the main bedroom, after he left, Li Qiao was without any desire to sleep, looking around his bedroom, styled uniquely for him, nearly entirely in deep tones of black, white, and gray.

She lay there for a while, then got up unhurriedly and made her way to the balcony, resting her arms on the railing, gazing at Paibo Mountain in deep contemplation for a moment, then pulled out her phone to give Yun Lih a call.

...

Downstairs, Shang Yu returned to the living room, seated himself on a single sofa, and threw his head back, stretching his shoulders.

This action made it impossible for He Xi to look away.

Of all the brothers in Parma, neither the mixed-blood Huo Mang nor the refined Lu Xirui could compare to Shang Yu’s temperament and appearance.

This outstanding man was adored by women like carps crossing the river.

Including... Shang Fu, who was made famous by this morning’s newspaper announcement from Shang’s, had also adored him for many years.

As a woman, He Xi knew very well that to be loved by Shang Yu was a treasure beyond compare, worth more than plucking stars from the sky.

He Xi was both jealous and envious.

Especially after having witnessed him carrying Li Qiao back to their room, those strong arms were what every woman yearned for.

"Shaoyan, when you return to the South Sea tomorrow, when will you come back next?" Huo Mang, sitting in the center, crossed his legs and looked at Shang Yu to ask.

The man leaned against the sofa, his gaze lazy as he lifted it slightly, he gave a vague answer, "It depends."

Hearing that, Huo Mang chuckled and swung his leg, teasing, "Depends on what? Surely the next time you come back won’t be for a wedding banquet?"

Jokes among friends were often meant in good humor.

But these words were somewhat grating to He Xi’s ears.

She shifted her gaze away, looking down and idly playing with her nails, half-heartedly saying, "If it were for a wedding banquet, Shaoyan you’d need to give us a heads-up.

After all, among our group, we’ve always thought you were the least likely to get married."

Huo Mang and Lu Xirui exchanged subtle looks, an undertone of resignation flickering in both their eyes.

Emotions were beyond anyone’s control.

He Xi’s unrequited love was doomed to miss its mark, and her comments came off as petty.

Shang Yu’s arm rested on the armrest, his fingers pinching a flickering cigarette, and through the faint mist, he regarded He Xi with disinterest, "It’s just as difficult now, it requires her agreement."

Huo Mang was taken aback, rubbed his forehead and shook his head with a laugh, "What? The boss of the South Sea isn’t into the whole take-by-force routine anymore?"

Shang Yu took a drag of his cigarette, his lips curling up with a cold, sinister smile, "Anyone else could do, but not her, I chased her for a long time before I caught her, she needs to be pampered."

He Xi’s fingers clenched tightly, her face turned ashen.

A domineering and assertive man, admitting openly before all his brothers that he had taken the initiative to pursue a woman might be normal for others, but for Shang Yu... it was truly shocking.

...

As evening approached, a barbecue grill was set up near the mountain spring in the inner courtyard.

Yun Lih also rushed back to the manor by four o’clock in the afternoon.

The sky was streaked with the glow of the setting sun, and Liuyun, Luoyu, Wang Yue, and the other bodyguards were busy by the lakeside spring.

Walking leisurely beside Yun Lih, Li Qiao halted by the edge of the spring water, "Did you really get the tech guys to track the association leader’s coordinates?"

Yun Lih crushed some weeds with his heel, lifting his brows proudly, "Of course, though his coordinates only popped up in Parma City for a few seconds, that was enough."

Li Qiao, watching his smug expression, looked past his shoulder towards a few people approaching from a distance.

At the front of the crowd was Shang Yu, tall and lean, dressed all in black.

Yun Lih caught the direction of her gaze and scoffed, "Stop looking, aren’t you tired of seeing that broken face every day?"

"Not tired." Li Qiao dropped those two words and strode toward Shang Yu.

Yun Lih took a deep breath, holding back the urge to hit her, and with a twist of his heel on the grass, he followed Li Qiao’s steps.

Though tonight was said to be a celebratory banquet, it was really just a casual meal among a few friends.

Seeing Li Qiao, Shang Yu naturally extended his palm towards her.

The unspoken understanding between them seemed to constantly challenge the patience of all the single people around.

By the barbecue grill, everyone gradually took their seats on recliners, as dense smoke from the grill wafted over the river with the wind, carrying a touch of worldly warmth.

Liuyun and the others moved quickly, soon placing the roasted meats on the table.

Li Qiao casually picked up a can of beer, popped the tab, and took a few gulps, while a man’s caution reached her ears, "Drink less."

Holding a skewer, Yun Lih leaned over to address Shang Yu, looking beyond Li Qiao, "You’re controlling her drinking too? She loves beer the most, didn’t you know?"

His words seemed deliberately provocative.

Shang Yu, seated with his legs crossed on the recliner and wiping Li Qiao’s fingers stained with the beer can’s frost with a napkin, ignored Yun Lih, his tone steady as he cautioned, "Beer is cold, don’t drink too much."

"Are you not feeling well?" Yun Lih, not pondering further, turned his gaze back to Li Qiao and inquired.

He Xi, sitting nearby, narrowed her long, slender eyes at the scene.

She had heard from Huo Mang that the brash man was Yun Lih of the Mercenary Group.

He was also a friend of Li Qiao.

But it seemed their relationship went beyond mere friendship.

Because of Yun Lih’s excessive concern for Li Qiao and the veiled challenge directed at Shang Yu.

A glint flashed through He Xi’s long eyes, and certain scheming thoughts began to stir within her.

Even if she wouldn’t do anything too outrageous, the jealousy that brewed and was stimulated still grew as wildly as weeds.

So, He Xi suggested with a smile, "Just eating is too boring, how about we play a game?"

Feeling bored, Lu Xirui curiously asked, "What game? A drinking game?"

That was often what they played when they sat together.

Upon hearing this, He Xi put down the skewer in her hand, her gaze circling the group as she explained, "How about something simple, like dice?"

Lu Xirui chuckled teasingly, "Are you picking a game you’re good at? Who doesn’t know He Xi, the Casino Queen, is a wizard with dice."

Oh, the Casino Queen.

Li Qiao, hearing that title, couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows and take a sip of beer.

This suggestion to roll dice seemed normal enough, but she didn’t believe He Xi was just interested in playing games.