The Favored Heiress
Chapter 360: Tonight I Want to Sleep Alone

Chapter 360: Chapter 360: Tonight I Want to Sleep Alone

Later, He Qing helped He Xi to her feet, with furrows of concern etched deeply into his frown, "Do you realize your mistake now?"

He Xi, still shaken, looked up and asked tearfully, "Brother, do you also think I was wrong?"

"If you believe you did nothing wrong, you can continue to provoke Li Qiao. Of course, if you can’t leave Paibo Manor alive tonight, don’t blame me for not helping you!"

He Qing slowly released He Xi’s arm, suddenly filled with disappointment and disgust toward her.

Self-proclaimed wisdom and arrogance.

Not to mention Shaoyan, even an ordinary man would probably steer clear of such a woman.

He Xi was so startled that she forgot to react, the phrase ’cannot leave Paibo Manor alive’ having stunned her.

Seeing her perplexed and overwhelmed expression, He Qing shook his head with a hint of mockery in his eyes, "He Xi, I used to think you were quite clever, but tonight, you are beyond foolish.

Li Qiao can sit on an equal footing with the boss of the Mercenary Group, she can command the respect of Young Director Shen from the Sixth Bureau, and she can be the guest of honor at the Myanmar Cabinet’s banquet.

Have you forgotten all this? What makes you so confident that you can replace her in Shaoyan’s heart?

In terms of looks, you cannot compare to Li Qiao, and in terms of background, you are merely the second daughter from a concubine. Do you really think you are better than everyone else just because you’ve mingled in high society with me?

He Xi, let me tell you, if I weren’t here tonight, Shaoyan would never have let you leave the manor unharmed."

He Qing was utterly disappointed in her, snorted coldly, and turned to leave.

But he paused, glancing sideways at He Xi from over his shoulder, he dropped another bombshell, "Five minutes ago, the entire Parma was notified that you have been expelled from Young Master of the Shang Family’s circle.

So, from now on, you’d better stay content in the He Family as a lady of the house, for you have no place in Parma’s high society anymore.

He Xi, you can’t blame anyone else for this, blame your own foolishness."

He Qing, having become friends with Shang Yu, obviously was not someone who couldn’t differentiate right from wrong.

These piercing words of advice also served as a reminder to He Xi that there would inevitably be a clear divide between them as siblings in the future.

...

Within half an hour, Huo Mang and the others had left the manor one after another.

What was supposed to be a pleasant celebration dinner was completely ruined by He Xi.

Before leaving, He Qing made a special apology to Li Qiao and Shang Yu, but having made a significant misstep, he had no face to ask for forgiveness.

The twilight deepened, and dusk settled upon the treetops.

Yun Lih leaned against the fountain pool wall, arms crossed, looking straight ahead; his narrowed gaze fixed on the car that He Xi was riding in.

"I’ve given her enough lessons; there’s no need for you to take action," came Li Qiao’s indifferent voice suddenly from behind the fountain.

With one hand in her pencil pants pocket, she stepped down from the porch steps, speaking as she walked.

Yun Lih dropped his hands and squinted at Li Qiao, emerging backlit, licked his back teeth and commented, "Are you choosing to make peace for Shang Shaoyan’s sake?"

In his opinion, the lesson He Xi received was far from enough.

Such an arrogant woman simply deserved to be taught a lesson.

Li Qiao glanced at him and replied coolly, "If it were for his sake, then I wouldn’t have taken action against He Xi today."

The things she wanted to do did not require her to read the faces of others.

And Shang Yu understood her and would never make things difficult for her.

At her words, Yun Lih relaxed and curled his thin lips, flicking her forehead with his forefinger, "Not bad, even being in love hasn’t turned you lovesick. Keep it up," he said.

He had reluctantly accepted the fact that Li Qiao was with Shang Shaoyan.

His only concern was that she might compromise herself for the sake of Shang Shaoyan’s face or their friends.

Li Qiao rubbed her forehead and looked down at her toes, "When will you return to Nia State?"

"Tomorrow," Yun Lih’s wave-filled eyes deeply gazed at Li Qiao. Seeing her lifting her head, he quickly moved his gaze away.

Li Qiao raised her eyebrows slightly, "What time are you leaving? I’ll take you."

Yun Lih clicked his tongue and looked toward the depth of the lawn ahead, "No need, Parma and I are more familiar with each other."

Seeing his insistence, Li Qiao didn’t press further. They chatted for a few more sentences and then returned to their rooms separately.

...

On the second floor, Li Qiao unconsciously returned to the guest room.

She pushed open the French windows and stepped onto the semicircular balcony, her arms resting on the white marble balustrade, fingers tapping rhythmically on the stone surface.

The night breeze was gentle, carrying a dense moisture, with a refreshingly moderate temperature.

Li Qiao half-closed her eyes, feeling a tickling sensation as her fringe brushed past her face, and let out an involuntary sigh.

She hadn’t been in Parma for long, but the events that had unfolded were even more heart-stopping than in the South Sea.

When she would return next, she had no idea.

At that thought, Li Qiao pursed her lips and shook her head to herself.

When had she become so melancholy and sentimental?

There were footsteps behind her.

Li Qiao frowned and looked back; that familiar ink-colored shirt was already close at hand.

The air around her was tinged with his fresh and cold scent, the man stood behind her, his strong arms reaching past her side and resting on the balustrade.

Li Qiao was trapped in between, so she leaned back, resting against his chest.

Shang Yu’s jaw with its sharp angles gently brushed against Li Qiao’s forehead as he looked ahead, his voice deep as he asked, "Why did you come to the guest room?"

Li Qiao slid her hands into her pockets, her back against the man’s chest, and turned her head slightly. Her thick eyelashes just brushing against his cheek, "I’ve grown accustomed to staying here."

Shang Yu lowered his handsome face, warm breath pouring out, his voice slowly laced with a smile, "Don’t like the master bedroom?"

"It’s not that..." Li Qiao subtly shifted to the side.

His familiar and intense scent of ebony enveloped her, and the two close bodies could even feel the vibrations of each other’s chests as they spoke.

The sensation was somewhat stimulating.

Memories of the indulgent scenes from the night before still swirled in Li Qiao’s head, and with that thought, she suddenly felt her waist starting to ache again.

At that moment, Shang Yu’s deep and handsome features softened, catching Li Qiao’s small movement. He bent his knees forward, closing the distance once more and spoke in a low, hoarse voice, "If you don’t like the master bedroom, I’ll accompany you in the guest room."

The instant the words fell, Li Qiao’s earlobe was captured by the man’s lips.

She took a short breath, turned her head to avoid Shang Yu’s thin lips, spun on her feet, and faced him, her finger poking at his chest, "No need, I..."

"Hmm, then let’s go back to the master bedroom," Shang Yu immediately complied smoothly.

Li Qiao: "??"

Is that what she meant?

Watching Shang Yu wrap his arm around her waist, about to turn back into the guest room, Li Qiao hurriedly tugged at his arm, "Wait."

The man stopped, his thin lips curved with an almost imperceptible smile, his deep eyes full of mischief, "Don’t want to go?"

Seeing this, Li Qiao’s expression flickered, her voice dropping a few degrees, "I’m tired." After saying that, she felt her words could be misinterpreted, so she added, "Tonight, I want to sleep alone."

A low, magnetic laugh resonated from Shang Yu’s chest. He exerted force in his arms, pulling Li Qiao directly into his embrace.