The Favored Heiress
Chapter 442: Are You Deliberately Pinching the Peach Blossoms?

Chapter 442: Chapter 442: Are You Deliberately Pinching the Peach Blossoms?

In fact, Shang Yu had a myriad of ways to reveal his identity to Mr. and Mrs. Li.

Yet, he chose the most straightforward and awe-inspiring method to announce it to the world.

Even though Li Qiao was usually composed, at this moment she couldn’t help but feel a hint of vanity.

This was because the protection and sense of security Shang Yu provided her was truly not something just anyone could offer.

Li Qiao pursed her lips and looked at her parents, her peripheral vision catching Li Jun, her elder brother, in a dazed state, and in that instant, she had an epiphany.

A while back, an incident involving her elder brother Li Jun had embroiled the Li Family in turmoil and led to much ostracism.

And Shang Yu’s actions now served as a declaration to the world that the South Sea Li Family had the backing of Shang Shaoyan, the South Sea merchant.

At this moment, Li Guangming was utterly dumbfounded, and Duan Shuyuan was pinching his arm, her expression one of near uncontrollable bewilderment.

Their beloved daughter’s boyfriend was... Shang Shaoyan?

After all the twists and turns, it had come back to the Shang family?

Li Guangming had racked his brains and couldn’t have imagined that his daughter’s boyfriend was indeed a significant figure, the overlord of the South Sea whom no one dared to provoke.

He could even feel the envious and jealous glances cast his way.

This was Shang Shaoyan’s first public appearance, holding the hand of his precious daughter and presenting himself before her parents with a nod; such a scene was indeed unprecedented.

Li Guangming finally calmed down but couldn’t stop his voice from trembling with excitement, "This, this..."

After all that time, he still couldn’t produce a complete sentence.

Shang Yu, holding Li Qiao’s hand, had a faint smile tinged across his deep and dark eyes as he once again addressed Li Guangming, "My father will come to the South Sea in a couple of days to discuss the engagement matters."

"Good, good," Li Guangming responded much quicker this time, although his eyes still squinted with incredulous bewilderment, his mouth readily agreed, "Then we’ll talk in detail after Old Mr. Shang arrives."

This time, Mr. and Mrs. Li did not maintain any objections; instead... visible excitement and joy welled up in their eyes.

...

The banquet continued.

As the spokesperson of the annual meeting, He Chen took the stage and delivered a few words of courtesy, while Shang Yu sat with Li Qiao in the banquet hall’s lounge area.

Qiu Huan didn’t know when he had wandered over, and after taking his seat, he sized up Shang Yu and shook his head with a click of his tongue, "I really didn’t expect you to be so bold."

Shang Shaoyan’s public appearance would lead to more women flocking to him and would also draw the attention of those bearing grudges.

After years of steady progression, it was for Li Qiao that he had now exposed himself.

At this moment, Shang Yu glanced at Li Qiao, who was lowering her head to eat cake, his thin lips lifting slightly and his arm languidly resting on the armrest, "Previous reasons for appearing in public."

But this year, Li Qiao was his only reason.

Qiu Huan crossed his legs, squinting at Shang Yu with a laugh, "In ancient times, you would be King You of Zhou, who played with the beacon fires for the amusement of his consort."

Li Qiao, biting on the small fork, raised her head and gazed at Qiu Huan.

Was he implying she was a femme fatale?

Feeling a chill from Li Qiao’s gaze, Qiu Huan shifted another plate of cake in front of her, "Sister, eat slowly, there’s plenty."

...

A few minutes later, Li Qiao went to the restroom.

Qiu Huan watched her departing figure and turned his gaze back to Shang Yu, "Are you doing this just to pave the way for the Li Family, or do you have other plans?"

"What plans could there be?" The man held a cigarette in his hand, leaned back in his chair, and casually crossed his long legs in a languid stance.

Qiu Huan pressed his lips together and gave him a sidelong glance, "If you wanted to pave the way for the Li Family, a word in the right circles would have sufficed.

You didn’t need to clarify relationships at a public event and invite so many people. I feel like... you are deliberately cutting down suitors?"

Tonight at the banquet, there were not a few men discussing Li Qiao in private.

Shang Shaoyan was certainly mysterious, but his acclaimed reputation was known to many.

But Li Qiao’s face, one that could turn the world upside down, was seldom seen in public...