The Favored Heiress
Chapter 387: This Brother-in-law, Not Bad

Chapter 387: Chapter 387: This Brother-in-law, Not Bad

The next morning, Li Qiao awoke in her own bedroom.

The scant sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, and she sat up, hugging her knees and staring blankly into space.

After a short while, she finished freshening up and left her room, only to bump into her second brother, Li Yan, at the corner of the spiral staircase.

He was holding the handrail with one hand and had the other hand in his pocket as he was walking upstairs. Seeing Li Qiao, he looked somewhat surprised, "You’re up so early?"

"Mm."

In the past few days, since the eldest brother had been taken away for investigation, aside from Li San not returning, Li Er had also rushed back from an overseas art exhibition.

Standing on the steps, he looked at Li Qiao’s fair and delicate cheeks and pursed his thin lips, "Come with me."

Li Qiao raised an eyebrow but followed him silently to the mid-level sky garden.

When the siblings reached the semi-open balcony, Li Er had a servant bring milk and toast. Once it quieted down around them, he squinted his eyes and said, "Qiaoqiao, how did elder brother manage to get out this time?"

Li Qiao, sipping her milk in small gulps, glanced at Li Er, "You should ask the Discipline Inspection Commission that question."

Li Er’s eyes held a profound gaze as he watched Li Qiao. Seeing that she had drunk half a cup of milk, he smoothly picked up the plate and handed her the toast, "Stop playing dumb with me, you know what I mean."

After a pause, he lowered his voice and leaned closer to Li Qiao, testing the waters, "Did Shang Shaoyan help elder brother get released?"

Li Qiao chewed on the toast in her mouth, her eyes flickering, and she did not deny it, "Mm, he helped."

Since when did the second-hand dealer become so clever.

Just then, with an expression that said ’I knew it’, Li Yan crossed his legs and shook them, giving Li Qiao a side glance and smacked his tongue with interest, "This brother-in-law of mine... is not bad."

Li Qiao paused her biting into the toast and looked at him deeply, "Should I give you his number so you can thank him yourself?"

Li Er’s breath hitched. Calling Shang Shaoyan brother-in-law, did he have a death wish?

Before he could refuse, Li Guangming’s voice came from behind them on the stairs, "Second, who are you planning to call to say thanks?"

Li Er and Li Qiao stood up at the same time and looked back, both calling out ’Dad’.

Li Guangming walked slowly to the vicinity of the balcony and took his seat before pressing down on his wrist, "Sit down, there’s something I need to discuss with you both."

"What is it?" The siblings covertly exchanged glances, with Li Er speaking up first.

Li Guangming patted his knee and pondered for a few seconds before he started, "Elder brother managed to come back safe and sound this time; it’s not only due to his luck but also thanks to everyone’s help.

He has always been thinking about Ye Yun these years, and each time we talked about him getting married, he always rejected the idea, saying he was too busy with work.

Now you see, even as the South Sea Secretary-General, a high-ranking official among high-ranking officials, he still got framed.

So, after discussing with your mother, we’ve decided to look for an opportunity to arrange a political marriage for the elder brother."

Li Qiao and Li Yan looked at each other, speechless.

Undeniably, to stabilize the position of power, a political marriage indeed seems to be the best choice.

But... is it really necessary?

Li Qiao’s calm demeanor gave nothing away as she asked with downcast eyes, "Does elder brother agree?"

Li Guangming was silent, his gaze drifting off into the distance outside the window, "What can he do if he doesn’t agree?

We, the Li Family, have money and resources, but we don’t have power.

Just having money won’t be of any help to your elder brother.

Even if his stance is firm enough, should there be another partisan struggle, he may not be as lucky as he was this time."

Li Qiao and Li Yan’s gazes met, a silent disapproval in both their eyes.

If elder brother accepted the arranged marriage, it meant... either Li Er or Li San might also have arranged marriages in the future, and possibly even Li Qiao.

They could refuse, but it would only add to their troubles.

"Dad, eldest brother might not agree, let alone..." Li Er’s words were still on his lips when Li Jun, who had been standing behind for who knows how long, solemnly interjected, "I agree."

The three people on the balcony turned around and saw Li Jun standing near the staircase, dressed in a sharp, formal suit.

Li Guangming looked at his eldest son with a hint of surprise, "Have you thought this through?"

Li Jun nodded and stepped forward with a steady demeanor, "I understand what you mean, so I agree."

In the past, he thought little of marriage as a means to secure one’s position.

But after this incident, he felt it was imperative.

Having spent years in the officialdom, Li Jun was acutely aware of the principle that if there was a first, there would be a second.

Moreover, the fact that he was suddenly released this time, even if Qiaoqiao didn’t spell it out, Li Jun could guess the gist of it.

His reinstatement was most likely the result of Qiaoqiao asking Shang Shaoyan for help.

But what if there was a next time?

Was he supposed to rely on his younger sister forever?

At that moment, Li Qiao looked at his calm and composed expression and frowned, "Big brother, there’s no need to force yourself into this kind of thing."

No sooner had she finished than Li Guangming abruptly patted her shoulder, "My girl, your big brother can make his own choices. If he truly doesn’t want to, we won’t force him.

You’ve been busy these past few days. Why not take some time to go out and have fun, clear your mind? Leave the adult matters to us; stop worrying about them."

Li Qiao wanted to say more, but Li Jun had already walked up to her and spoke earnestly, "Dad is right. Since I’ve chosen this path, I know what should and shouldn’t be done.

Listen to Dad, go out and have some fun, or take a trip with your friends. You’re young, don’t waste your energy on these trivial matters, your big brother knows what he’s doing."

Li Qiao: "..." Is a political marriage a trivial matter?

Within three minutes, the sky garden was left with only Li Qiao.

Li Guangming called Li Jun and Li Yan into the study, probably to discuss the political marriage.

Li Qiao stood by the window, expressionless, her eyes revealing a sense of helplessness.

Perhaps it was because he had been framed by Ye Yun, or maybe he had completely lost faith in love, which is why he agreed so easily to the political marriage.

It truly confirmed the saying, if the person one marries is not the beloved, then it really doesn’t matter who it is.

Li Qiao narrowed her eyes as she looked at the bright sun outside the window and shook her head with a sigh.

She understood her big brother, upright and as good as his word.

Once he made a decision, it was hard to turn back.

Li Qiao pursed her lips, hesitated for a long while, but still took out her phone from her pocket.

"The list of top power families in the country, send me a copy."

...

In the afternoon, Li Qiao had lunch at home and then drove back to the lab.

Having been on leave for a few days, much of her work had been delayed.

She walked into the third-floor laboratory, put down her phone, and Lian Zhen, turning from his wheelchair, handed her a document, "Xiao Li, take a look at this."

Li Qiao took it, looking it over while listening to Lian Zhen’s explanations.

Shortly after, she placed the document on the table, her eyebrows raising, "So, the theme is chromosomal mutations?"

Lian Zhen nodded, his expression a bit excited, "Quite a coincidence, isn’t it?!"