The Favored Heiress
Chapter 850: Grievance

Chapter 850: Chapter 850: Grievance

The Yan Emperor’s Special Plane landed at South Sea International Airport at noon.

Li Qiao traveled to and fro the border within two days, and her body couldn’t bear the strain.

After getting into the car, Luoyu handed her a thermos cup and said cautiously, "Madam, you didn’t have to rush back in such a hurry..."

Even a normal person would be exhausted from such continuous travel, let alone a pregnant Li Qiao.

Li Qiao didn’t respond, leaning against the backseat with her eyes closed to rest.

She returned to the South Sea in a hurry, naturally, she had her reasons.

Scarlet City and Dian City are only separated by a Yunshan mountain, roughly a half-hour drive.

Three years ago in Dian City, Madam Xiao attempted to drive and hit him. If Shang Yu went to Scarlet City, it might trigger his memories of that incident.

...

Mansion.

After entering, Li Qiao went straight to the master bedroom.

Shang Yu heard the news and called, but there was no answer.

After a dozen minutes, Li Qiao walked out from the bathroom, droplets hanging from her chin, and her eyes were red.

She sat on the bed, picked up her phone, saw the missed call, cleared her throat, and dialed the man back.

"You’re back?" The tone sounded only once, and Shang Yu’s deep and magnetic voice came through the earpiece.

Li Qiao’s voice was slightly hoarse, "Mm, just got home."

The man, keen to the core, could sense Li Qiao’s discomfort without needing to discern it, "Are you feeling unwell?"

"No, I choked on some water." Li Qiao leaned against the headboard, her brows and eyes wearied, lacking spirit, "I’m fine, you carry on with your work, we’ll talk when you get home tonight."

Shang Yu pursed his lips, advised her to rest first, and after they ended the call, the man grabbed the coat on the armrest and strode towards the door.

He Chen was still chatting away when suddenly he noticed Shang Yu’s actions, biting his cigarette he teased, "Only separated for two days, in such a rush?"

The response he got was the sound of the door slamming shut.

He Chen cursed with a smile, not bothered, and turned his gaze to Zong Zhan, "Still pretending to be sick?"

Zong Zhan lay flat on the hospital bed, fingers interlocked over his abdomen, withdrawing his gaze from the ceiling to glance at the opposite side, "I’ll be discharged tomorrow."

"Having diarrhea landed you in the hospital for a week, do those new recruits in your military know you’re such a slacker?"

Zong Zhan couldn’t be bothered to respond, continuing to stare at the ceiling, pondering how to deal with Xi Luo after arriving in Myanmar.

Soon, there was a knock on the ward door, and Zong Yue appeared at the entrance with a fruit basket, poking half her head in, "Third Uncle, Fourth Uncle."

He Chen crossed his legs and exhaled smoke, "Came by yourself?"

Zong Zhan sat up, his dark eyes glancing behind Zong Yue, "That kid didn’t come with you?"

That kid, Li Jun.

Zong Yue placed the fruit basket on the bedside table, smiling slightly, "No, he’s quite busy."

He Chen squinted through the smoke at Zong Yue, "Busier than your Fifth Uncle?"

"Uh... probably not." Zong Yue sneaked a glance at Zong Zhan’s obviously unhappy expression, pulling her phone from her pocket, "Why don’t I... ask him?"

Wasn’t it just said that Third Uncle just had an upset stomach? Why does it seem like he came down with some serious illness, needing Li Jun to visit?

Zong Zhan, with the posture of an elder, pressed his lips and nodded, "As a junior, you should still be aware."

He Chen glanced at Zong Zhan putting on airs and scoffed.

Why the hell don’t you just say you find Li Jun an eyesore.

So, Zong Yue made the call, and Li Jun immediately put down his work and arrived at the Royal Private Hospital half an hour later.

Li Jun knew Zong Zhan had a big issue with him, likely stemming from the incident where Zong Yue had gotten drunk, landing them in the police station.

As the head of the Military Department, Zong Zhan was inherently righteous, plus the aura of authority he deliberately maintained, added considerable pressure on Li Jun.

In terms of age, they were similar, but in presence, he fell short by a notch.

At this moment, Zong Zhan was wearing a patient’s gown, sitting grandly on the sofa smoking, completely ignoring the hospital’s no-smoking rules.

He Chen was no longer in the ward, having left without a word after taking a call.

"You’ve been married to Xiao Yue for a few months now, when are you planning to take her back to the Imperial Capital for a visit?"

Li Jun sat upright at the side, turning his head to glance at Zong Yue, who was picking her fingertips, "Let’s see what Xiao Yue prefers. If she wants to go, I’ll find time to accompany her back."

"Find time?" Zong Zhan was very displeased with this wording, "Is your work so busy that you don’t even have time to accompany your wife? Then why did you get married?"

Li Jun furrowed his brows, pursing his lips without a word.

He equally disliked Zong Zhan because his style was laden with military arrogance, decisive and unforgiving.

"Third Uncle!" Zong Yue couldn’t stand seeing Li Jun being reprimanded, and couldn’t help but speak up in support, "He previously asked if I wanted to go home, it’s just that I didn’t want to..."

Before finishing, she shut her mouth herself.

Oh no, this sounds worse than not saying anything.

Sure enough, Zong Zhan’s piercing gaze became even deeper, the cigarette in his hand gently tapping his knee, half-smiling, "If you don’t wish to go home, then don’t go in the future."

His difficult behavior with Li Jun was nothing more than a way to ensure he cared more for Zong Yue.

As one man to another, even now, he could hardly see any affection in Li Jun’s eyes for Zong Yue.

Even if he didn’t needed to be as expressive as Shaoyan with Li Qiao, he should still be like ordinary couples, supporting each other through life.

Even though Li Jun was reserved and composed, Shaoyan was even more so, yet he still expressed his concern and affection for his loved one without restraint.

And all of this, Li Jun was lacking.

Yet Zong Yue was deeply involved, not knowing what was so good about this uninteresting man Li Jun.

Zong Zhan pressed his temples irritably, "You two head back."

"Third Uncle..." Zong Yue regretted confronting him for Li Jun.

Zong Zhan, without raising his head, stubbed out his cigarette and waved dismissively, "Whether you want to return to the Zong family or not is up to you, but don’t forget to call your grandfather during holidays, so he doesn’t worry about you."

Walking out of the hospital, Zong Yue’s mood was hard to settle.

After being married for so long, it was the first time she felt a sense of complaint towards Li Jun.

She held it in, silently walking to the parking lot, and as she took out her keys, a tight embrace caught her arm, "Why aren’t you talking? Thinking about your grandpa?"

Li Jun, being who he was, wasn’t one for subtleties and twists, seeing Zong Yue’s lowered mood, instinctively thought she was homesick.

And just like that, this single remark ignited all of Zong Yue’s inner grievances.

She broke free from Li Jun, stubbornly turning her head away, "Don’t worry about me, I’m going back to the office."

"Don’t worry about you?" Li Jun grasped her arm again, "What are you angry about?"

Zong Yue felt extremely tired, as even arguing with Li Jun made her feel like she was hitting cotton, utterly powerless.

Li Jun’s heart was too calm, accustomed to dealing with matters objectively.

But emotions can’t be treated objectively.

Zong Yue wanted to express her anger, yet felt she was being unreasonable.

She composed herself, lowered her gaze, and shook her head, "I’m not angry, there’s business at the company, I need to go back soon."

Li Jun scrutinized Zong Yue, unable to determine if she truly had business or was mad at him.