The Favored Heiress
Chapter 856: Bad Luck

Chapter 856: Chapter 856: Bad Luck

Laboratory.

Li Qiao is dissecting a Blue-ringed octopus and successfully extracted its toxins.

At this moment, the glass door was knocked, Li Qiao didn’t look up, "Come in."

He Chen walked in leisurely, pulled up a chair to sit at the research table, focused on Li Qiao’s skillful technique, and offered a compliment, "Nice knife work."

Li Qiao paused her fingers and glanced at He Chen, with her mask-covered face revealing only a pair of bright deer eyes, "Looking for me?"

He Chen casually smiled, "Yin Lao Er asked me to tell you that Xiao Yehui’s wedding might be moved forward."

Li Qiao put down the scalpel, took off her surgical gloves, and tossed them into the trash, "Specific date?"

"Christmas." He Chen crossed his arms behind his head, slightly lifting his chin as he added, "The wedding announcement should be released soon."

Li Qiao squinted her eyes, "They really can’t wait."

Su Lao Si’s predictions were correct, Charlman indeed rescheduled the wedding, but it was moved forward instead of postponed.

He Chen’s gaze fell on the dissected Blue-ringed octopus as he stroked his chin and curled his lips, "What are your plans?"

"No plans." Li Qiao’s expression was very calm, "Charlman wants to strengthen ties with the Second Crown Prince, provided they don’t fall out."

If a rift occurs between the two families, the alliance may not proceed as scheduled.

"Got any ideas?" He Chen leaned back, "Come, tell me your plan?"

Li Qiao restrained the depth in her eyes and looked at He Chen’s handsome long face, "You’ll soon find out."

"Still quite mysterious." He Chen chuckled lightly, nodded towards the octopus’s corpse, "I’ve delivered the message, you carry on."

"Have you been in touch?" Li Qiao asked softly as he stood up.

He Chen slowly brushed off his coat hem, his eyes holding interest, "Interested in what’s between us?"

Li Qiao gazed at him quietly, then gestured towards the door.

...

Time passed quickly, three days later, it was early December.

That day, the sky was overcast.

Starting at seven in the morning, drizzle mixed with snowflakes cleansed the entire city.

At the same time, Xi Luo also set out for Myanmar to attend the second negotiation of the acquisition case.

Li Qiao naturally was not accompanying.

Before departure, Xi Luo called Li Qiao from the first-class VIP lounge.

Due to weather conditions, the flight was delayed.

Li Qiao had just woken up, still sitting on the bed admiring the sleet outside the window.

"Kid, why have you been so quiet lately?" Xi Luo lay in the massage chair in the VIP Hall, her faint voice carried a hint of teasing.

Li Qiao held a cup with one hand, her voice a bit hoarse as she retorted, "Have I?"

"Absolutely!" Xi Luo said matter-of-factly, "Three days ago, the list I gave you, aren’t you planning to make good use of it?"

Implicitly, she was eager for a spectacle.

Li Qiao uttered an ’oh’ and leisurely replied, "Already used."

Xi Luo suddenly sat up, her tone slightly excited, "So quickly? When does it start?"

"In about a week." Li Qiao obediently answered every question, her voice growing softer as she seemed to be pondering whether to take a nap.

Such rainy weather is best for lazing in bed.

Hearing this, Xi Luo softly laughed, "In a week I should be back in South Sea, still plenty of time."

Li Qiao drooped her eyelids, unhurriedly tossed out two words, "Hanging up."

Xi Luo called out in protest, but the receiver had already sounded the notification tone of disconnection.

She pouted, tossing her phone into her handbag, and lay back into the massage chair again.

Li Qiao, this kid, never indulges in pointless endeavors.

She was so curious how Li Qiao would use that list from Madam Xiao’s social circle.

Her imagination ran wild, and soon drowsiness overwhelmed her; she squinted and prepared to ask a staff member for a blanket when, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a figure and muttered a curse under her breath.

In the right front of the VIP Hall, the tall and rugged figure of Zong Zhan strode in.

The shoulders of his dark blue coat still carried dampness, his angular face was more disappointing than the dreary weather outside.

Xi Luo watched as Zong Zhan sank into the sofa opposite her without acknowledging him, she requested a blanket and covered herself.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Initially, she thought Zong Zhan being at the airport was mere coincidence.

After all, in a crowded place, Xi Luo didn’t believe he’d dare lay hands on her.

Until the boarding announcement sounded, Xi Luo opened her eyes with a sigh, picked up her suitcase, and left the VIP Hall.

Within three minutes, she entered the first-class cabin and, seeing the man reading a newspaper next to her seat, her expression changed momentarily.

But soon, with a smile, she nudged her suitcase towards Zong Zhan, "Sir, could you help with the luggage?"

No need to guess, he’d certainly say no.

However, Zong Zhan folded his newspaper, glanced at her suitcase, and smirked, "Sure."

Xi Luo’s smile slightly faded, suspicious he might be under some spell.

Despite being a jerk, Zong Zhan still possessed basic gentlemanly conduct.

He put down his newspaper, easily lifted Xi Luo’s suitcase into the luggage rack, then in a tone filled with implication, "You’re welcome."

Xi Luo feigned a smile.

She’d never intended to thank him.

Filled with suspicion, Xi Luo cautiously sat beside Zong Zhan.

Neither exchanged words during the journey, one read the newspaper, while the other slept.

At that moment, Xi Luo certainly couldn’t foresee this business trip to Myanmar would firmly establish a complex relationship between her and Zong Zhan.

...

Meanwhile, Charlman Manor, eight in the morning.

On the first floor dining room, Xiao Hongdao sat at the head, with Ming Dailan and Xiao Yehui on either side.

Xiao Yeyan hadn’t come down yet.

The atmosphere around the table seemed amicable, yet Madam Xiao’s eyes concealed deep fatigue.

Ever since the incident with Xiao Yening, she had been consistently uneasy.

Even though half a month had passed, this sentiment grew increasingly intense.

Xiao Hongdao organized his napkin casually, as though by chance, "Did Lady Andrew contact you yesterday?"

Ming Dailan, spreading butter on her bread, responded coolly, "Yes. She wanted me to accompany her, but I turned her down."

"Why did you refuse?" Xiao Hongdao took the bread she handed him, the furrow between his brows deepening, "Andrew will run for Speaker of the Lower House early next year. It’s best to maintain good relations with his wife at this time."

Ming Dailan smiled lightly, yet the smile didn’t reach her eyes, "Even if we don’t travel together, it won’t affect our relationship. Since I couldn’t prevent others from hurting Ningning in British Imperial, who will ensure her safety if I leave abruptly?"

The underlying resentment was evident.

Xiao Hongdao, then, pinched a small piece of bread, shaking his head helplessly, "You really tend to overthink."