Half an hour later, two domineering SUVs drove one after the other into the underground parking lot of the Yanhuang Group.
After parking, Li Qiao glanced at the space next to hers.
Though she had clearly refused Luo Yu's company, the latter had still followed her the entire way—always maintaining a respectful distance.
Li Qiao's expression remained indifferent as she curled her lips slightly. After getting out of the car, she headed straight for the private elevator.
Luo Yu, who had just gotten out, caught a glimpse of the exclusive elevator card in Li Qiao's hand—and couldn't hide her surprise.
Li Qiao was the first person outside of the Four Great Assistants to receive a private elevator card.
Even Young Master Qiu and Young Master Ou hadn't been given such a privilege.
…
By the time they arrived at the top floor—Suite 101—it was not yet 8 a.m.
Ignoring the dark expression on Luo Yu's face, Li Qiao walked straight into the chairman's office. Shang Yu hadn't arrived yet.
Outside the windows, dark clouds loomed, threatening a heavy downpour.
Li Qiao stared at the gloomy sky for a moment, then grabbed her phone and headed to the break room.
In the break room, the secretary was whispering something to Luo Yu. When they saw Li Qiao enter, the secretary gave her a polite smile and immediately fell silent.
Li Qiao placed her cup under the coffee machine, pressed the latte button, and began idly scrolling through her WeChat while waiting.
Behind her, Luo Yu didn't take her eyes off Li Qiao's back. She gave the secretary a subtle look, and the two of them silently exited the room.
Hearing the footsteps fade away, Li Qiao lazily raised an eyebrow and looked over her shoulder—just in time to catch the complicated look Luo Yu threw her before leaving.
Li Qiao didn't take it to heart. She turned back and, seeing a message pop up on her screen, raised her phone and made a voice call.
"Help me check if Guan Mingyu has had any medical records in the past year."
"Mm, get me the results as soon as possible."
She ended the call in just a few words, stood there thinking for a moment, then returned to the office.
…
Time passed quickly. It was almost noon, and Shang Yu still hadn't shown up.
Inside the massive 400-square-meter office, only the sound of the air conditioning filled the silence.
Li Qiao glanced down at her phone in boredom. A few minutes ago, she had sent Shang Yu a WeChat message—but there was still no reply.
Just then, her phone rang at the perfect moment.
Caller: Yan.
A smile flickered in her eyes as she answered and softly greeted,
"Yan-ye."
The line was quiet. Not a single background noise.
Then the man's deep, magnetic voice traveled through the speaker and into her ear:
"You're at the office?"
Li Qiao leaned back in her chair, swiveling slightly as she glanced lazily at the empty executive desk across from her.
"Mm-hmm. Boss isn't here. No one gave me new assignments either. Pretty boring."
Shang Yu, holding his phone, curved his lips slightly as he glanced out the car window, the smile in his eyes barely hidden.
"Sounds like it's the boss's fault."
"Not really. Yan-ye's a busy man. I understand," Li Qiao teased lightly. Then, with a turn of her gaze, she asked,
"By the way, why did you assign Luo Yu to follow me? Something going on?"
Li Qiao didn't care much for Luo Yu—neither her presence nor her attitude—but she knew Shang Yu wouldn't have made such an arrangement for no reason.
"There's more to that. We'll talk later. For now, get ready to return to the Li estate. The Old Master has arrived."
Old Master Shang is here?!
Li Qiao's eyes lit up, and she raised her brows with a smile.
"Got it. I'm on my way."
…
At the Li family's villa, two rows of luxury cars lined the tree-shaded path outside the main gates—double the number of vehicles usually seen in Shang Yu's motorcade.
Light rain was falling.
On either side of the ornate iron gates stood four unfamiliar bodyguards, unmoving in the rain.
Li Qiao parked at the entrance and strolled calmly into the grand hall.
What could she say? From the moment she stepped through the gates, she'd seen bodyguards stationed all around the massive estate.
Even Shang Yu himself had never traveled with such a heavy escort.