The Favored Heiress
Chapter 441: I am Li Qiao’s Boyfriend

Chapter 441: Chapter 441: I am Li Qiao’s Boyfriend

This time, Tu Anliang didn’t persist in his harassment, merely standing in place with a sinister cold smile curving on his lips while watching Li Qiao’s dark silhouette.

As one of the four major powers at the South Sea Conference, everyone had to show him some courtesy on such an occasion.

A young girl likely had no idea who all were present tonight.

...

Shortly thereafter, Li Qiao approached Li Jun, and Zong Yue was the first to spot her, whispering in a low voice, "Li Qiao?"

Li Jun, who was engaged in conversation, turned around in surprise upon hearing his name and, spotting her figure, politely excused himself to the other party, "Excuse me, please give me a moment."

Li Jun turned to survey Li Qiao with a look of puzzlement, "Did you come with mom and dad?"

"No, with my boyfriend," Li Qiao laid the groundwork with her reply. Li Jun repeated in astonishment, "Boyfriend? Since when did you have a boyfriend?"

Tonight’s occasion was one to which ordinary people simply could not gain entry.

Because the gathering brought together various forces, from the political arena to the business world and even the underworld.

It could be said that anyone appearing in the banquet hall had the backing of immense, unshakable wealth and power.

At that moment, Zong Yue looked up at Li Jun beside him, then exchanged a meaningful glance with Li Qiao.

It turned out that Li Jun still didn’t know who Qiaoqiao’s boyfriend was.

Li Qiao naturally caught Zong Yue’s somewhat teasing gaze, withdrew her eyes, and said to Li Jun in a calm voice, "I’ve had one for a while, and you’ll see him tonight."

Li Jun was somewhat skeptical and was about to ask who it was when Mr. and Mrs. Li made their entrance.

Arm in arm, they walked in while many people greeted them on their way.

Renowned and recognized as the wealthiest among the South Sea People, their presence here was to be expected.

But when the figure of Li Qiao starkly caught their sight, an uncontrollable surprise swept over Mr. and Mrs. Li in unison, "Daughter? How did you get here?"

Before Li Qiao could answer, Li Jun laughed and asked, "Qiaoqiao said she came with her boyfriend."

Well, that’s good, all the groundwork has been laid.

She hoped they could maintain their composure when they saw her with Shang Yu.

Mr. and Mrs. Li had heard rumors before of Li Qiao having a boyfriend, but they had never known who he was.

Surprised to hear that she had come with her boyfriend, the couple exchanged a secretly astonished and somewhat peculiar look.

"Daughter, your boyfriend is..."

Before the words were finished, a commotion suddenly arose at the entrance of the banquet hall.

The crowd inside the hall parted to either side, as Shang Yu, leading a group of five men, slowly walked through the main entrance.

Under the bright crystal lights, following the man were He Chen, Tu Anliang, and two other men in their thirties.

They were none other than Qiao Ziyang from East City and Gu Jin from North City.

At that moment, the murmurs around them grew louder and louder.

"That, that’s Shang Shaoyan?"

"Indeed, it’s him, no mistake. After so many years of the South Sea Conference, he has finally made an appearance."

"What’s the situation? Is there something special this year? Didn’t he always avoid public appearances in the past?"

"Ah, he’s so handsome! I always thought He Chen from West City was the most handsome, but it turns out the Overlord of the South Sea is even more so."

Hearing these people’s discussions, Li Qiao, standing among the crowd, also came to realize why Shang Yu was so mysterious, as it turned out that he never made public appearances.

So why was he suddenly willing to appear in public now?

Those who came to the banquet were all dignitaries and nobles.

Including the young ladies and young masters, all their families had profound backgrounds.

There were also many who were invited for the first time, their excitement clearly spilling over.

Plus, with Shang Shaoyan, the South Sea merchant making his first public appearance, one can only imagine the chain reaction that would trigger.

For instance, several daughters of wealthy families standing not far behind Li Qiao were discussing how to confess their feelings to him.

Or like the several discreet tycoons across the aisle, whispering to one another, weighing which of their daughters would make the best match.

It wasn’t that she was eavesdropping on purpose; these people were simply too excited. It was hard not to hear them.

Li Qiao looked up at the sky, her eyes filled with helplessness and impatience.

She really didn’t like so many women coveting Shang Yu....

Then, a glass of champagne was passed to her from the side. Li Qiao caught the scent of the drink and turned to look. The face was not very familiar, but still recognizable.

Second Young Master Jing, Jing Ruian.

She glanced down at the champagne but didn’t take it.

Jing Ruian didn’t mind. He smiled and pushed the glass a little closer, "Miss Li, I noticed you seemed to enjoy this kind of champagne a while ago, so I specifically got you a glass."

The subtext was, I’ve been paying attention to you for a long time.

Li Qiao pursed her lips, looking at him. It seemed impolite not to take it, but as she was about to reach out, Li Jun was one step ahead, "Second Young Master Jing, sorry, but my sister can’t drink."

A lie told without a blush or breathlessness.

Li Jun could clearly see Jing Ruian’s intentions, but frankly, in his eyes, Jing Ruian was not a good match for his sister.

After Li Jun took the champagne glass away, Jing Ruian didn’t say anything. He just smiled and said it was okay, then stood beside Li Qiao.

In truth, aside from a few striking men who had walked in, it was Li Qiao, in her black strapless dress cinching her waist, who was the most eye-catching among the women.

With an extremely beautiful face and a slim yet curvaceous body to match her cool and aloof demeanor, many wealthy and influential young men at the event had already set their sights on her.

In these circumstances, a true gathering of the high society elite, if a union could be facilitated, it would undoubtedly be a powerful alliance.

At this moment, five people were gradually approaching the dense crowd from the banquet hall.

Shang Shaoyan, in his black suit, walked in the center, his presence and unforgettable handsome face making him unquestionably the center of attention tonight.

As they got closer, more and more people began to congregate around them.

The man, walking under the glimmering lights, came to a halt in the center of the hall, surrounded by countless adoring gazes, and the people behind him also stopped.

At that moment, the spot where Shang Yu stood was only a step away from Li Qiao.

The man surveyed the surroundings, and the noisy discussions gradually ceased.

He was like the only sovereign in the room, standing tall and noble, his beauty almost unearthly.

And then, in this moment under everyone’s gaze, he opened his palm toward Li Qiao.

The handsome and tall man, the beautiful and delicate woman, their coordinating outfits coupled together—striking and perfectly matched.

Li Qiao didn’t hesitate. She extended her hand to his, their fingers interlocking.

The entire room buzzed with surprise.

The man and the girl smiled at each other, standing in front of Mr. and Mrs. Li. His voice, deep and resonant with magnetism, parted his lips, and everyone held their breath in anticipation—

"Uncle and Auntie, long time no see, I’m Li Qiao’s boyfriend, Shang Shaoyan, the South Sea merchant."

In that moment, the whole world went quiet.

Tu Anliang, standing behind the man, gaped in disbelief as the sound of sharp intakes of breath rose sporadically throughout the banquet hall.

The truth was, even Li Qiao hadn’t expected him to go straight for the introduction to Mr. and Mrs. Li without saying anything else.

Li Qiao looked up at the man beside her, her fingers curling, and a bizarre thought crossed her mind.

It seemed as though he deliberately wanted everyone to know just how close the Li family was to him.