The Favored Heiress
Chapter 573: Come to the Border

Chapter 573: Chapter 573: Come to the Border

Having returned to the Mansion, Li Qiao leisurely went back to her bedroom to catch up on some sleep, while Shang Yu and the others sat in the living room making casual conversation.

He Chen’s posture was relaxed as he sprawled on the sofa, his arms draped over the backrest, "How’s South City doing?"

At the South Sea Conference, Qiu Huan had taken control of South City, but after so much time had passed, there seemed to be no significant movement there.

While holding a tea cup, Qiu Huan took a light sip and then let out a heavy sigh, "It’s just alright. Tu Anliang had a very poor reputation in South City, and since I took over, many things have needed to be redesigned from scratch. Effects won’t be seen so quickly."

He Chen lifted his gaze, eyeing him up and down before curving his lips slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

The second son of the invisible Qiu family aristocracy, who had grown up in luxury and had never suffered the harshness of society, was too indecisive and lacked decisiveness. His soft approach simply wouldn’t work in fully taking over South City.

At that moment, Shang Yu was silently smoking a cigarette, leaned against the sofa, with no intention of joining the conversation.

There was a brief silence in the living room atmosphere when Qiu Huan suddenly received a call from the old house. After a short conversation, his expression became serious, and he stood up, "There’s something at home, I need to go back. Shaoyan, once I organize my schedule, call your sister, and let’s have a meal together."

The man’s eyelids lowered slightly, "Hmm."

Qiu Huan nodded to He Chen, indicating he would leave first, then walked swiftly out of the living room, his silhouette seeming quite anxious.

He Chen glanced out the floor-to-ceiling window, "Why did your woman help him today?"

He felt indifferent toward Qiu Huan, not even considering him a friend.

If it weren’t for Shaoyan’s connection, He Chen would usually not bother interacting with such wealthy, spoiled young masters.

Shang Yu pinched the cigarette between his fingers, his profound eyes flitting with a hint of amusement, "You can ask her when she wakes up."

Helping Qiu Huan seemed to be just a small effort for her.

As to why she helped, Shang Yu already had his suspicions.

Li Qiao was smarter and more perceptive than everyone thought.

Perhaps... she had already guessed that this Secret Hall assessment was prepared for her, with Qiu Huan merely playing a supporting role.

He Chen stretched out his arms, reclined his head against the back of the chair, and looked up at the ceiling. Not wanting to continue the topic about Qiu Huan, his thoughts shifted, and he said, "Speaking of South City, it seems that Tu Anliang has really given up on the South Sea, right? Gu Jin said he went to Scarlet City at the border. When I inquired casually, the biggest force there was the Flame Alliance, which is their territory."

The Flame Alliance belonged to an organization outside the country, with little known about it domestically.

A closer investigation revealed that the early Flame Alliance had a dark background with roots in many cities overseas, but in recent years, it had been trending towards legitimization.

Upon hearing this, Shang Yu casually smiled without showing any surprise, "You’re so interested in Tu Anliang’s affairs?"

"Interest? Hardly. I’m more curious about how he got into the Flame Alliance’s territory," he said as he squinted his eyes at Shang Yu, attempting to discern something from his indifferent demeanor.

The man leisurely rolled up his shirt sleeves after undoing the cuffs, his voice light with a faint laughter, "Have you forgotten who sent him on his way?"

Just as He Chen was about to respond, a figure flashed through his mind.

He focused and knitted his brows, sitting upright and licking his back teeth. It was Li Qiao who had dealt with Tu Anliang.

So...

He Chen touched his eyebrow, his expression difficult to describe, "Your woman... does she also have a connection with the Flame Alliance?"

With such a major underground organization overseas, how did she manage it at such a young age?

Shang Yu arched his eyebrows enigmatically, "You can ask her."

He Chen let out a cold laugh, "Why the hell don’t you ask her?"

"Is there a need?" the man replied, crossing his legs and looking coolly composed, "She’ll tell me if she wants to."

...

Two hours later, just as noon struck twelve o’clock,

Li Qiao awoke.

She changed into a beige T-shirt and jeans, tidied up her messy long hair, grabbed her cellphone ready to head out, and with an idle glance, saw that there was a missed call.

Caller: Third Brother Li Cheng.

Li Qiao turned around and sat at the edge of the bed, calling him back.

On the other end, amidst the loud wind, Li San’s deep voice carried over, "What’s happened to Second Bro?"

Li Qiao paused in the middle of rubbing her forehead, "What’s he done now?"

"I’m asking you," Li San’s tone wasn’t great, sounding somewhat angry, "Is he so bored that he’s in pain or has he run out of art exhibitions to attend, that he has to come to my place for what?"

Li Qiao raised her eyebrows in surprise, "He’s gone to the border?"

Li San grunted disdainfully, "He’s been here since the day before yesterday, looking like he’s lost his soul."

Not only that, but he’s also been clingy with Nan Xin all day, who knows what he’s up to, like an annoyingly persistent chewing gum.

Listening to Third Bro’s venomous tone, Li Qiao replied without much sympathy, "Perhaps he really has lost his soul."

It seemed that Mo Jue being taken away had indeed struck a heavy blow to him.

This Second Bro of hers, who prides himself as an art tycoon, always looked down on Li San, who was all about fighting and killing.

Has he lost his mind now? Going to the border willingly.

It can’t be just for some relaxation, he must be up to some mischief again.

Hearing this, Li San clicked his tongue against his cheek and bluntly said, "You come over and take him back."

"I’m not free," Li Qiao flatly refused.

Li San fell silent for a few seconds, "Then I’ll call Mom."

Li Qiao: "..."

She coldly mocked him, "What are you, a three-year-old? Running to Mom whenever there’s trouble?"

Li San replied righteously, "I’m busy lately, there have been some issues with a few weapons orders, and we’re already short-staffed; his being here is just causing trouble."

Li Qiao squinted her eyes and asked casually, "What’s wrong with the orders?"

"That’s not the point, figure out a way to take him back, otherwise if something happens, I’ll still have to distract myself to protect him."

The art tycoon has a good eye for appreciation, but in terms of capability... he’s completely a weakling.

Li Qiao sighed softly and muttered, "Okay, hanging up."

Second Bro Li Yan going to the border certainly wasn’t for business.

In the lawless border zones, there’s not even an art gallery, so what could he be there for?

With such questions in mind, Li Qiao tried calling Li Yan again.

But unfortunately, his phone was switched off.

She sat at the end of the bed, kicking her legs in irritation, and the slippers on her feet flew off.

The moment they hit the ground, the bedroom door happened to open—

Shang Yu walked in leisurely with one hand in his pocket, noticing the slippers that had rolled a couple of times on the floor, and looked at Li Qiao languidly, "What’s wrong?"

The young girl’s brows and eyes displayed impatience as she watched the man lean down to pick up the slippers and head towards her, the restlessness in her eyes dissipating a bit.

Shang Yu bent down, grabbing her ankle, and put the slipper back on her fair foot, then rubbed her head, "Didn’t wake up well?"

Li Qiao’s eyes were still a bit red, and she threw herself forward limply, crashing into his embrace, she nuzzled her head into the nook of his neck, and instead of answering, she asked, "I did wake up, have they left?"

Shang Yu gently stroked the back of her head, "He Chen is downstairs."