Li Qiao turned to Shang Zonghai, offering a faint smile as she shook her head. "No, I haven't been there."
If she hadn't met Shang Yu, she likely would have never given Parma a second thought in her life.
Now, however, prompted by Shang Zonghai's mention, a quiet curiosity stirred in her once again.
Shang Zonghai took a small sip of his black tea, his calculating eyes watching her over the rim of the cup. He remarked knowingly, "So, you haven't been…"
Before Li Qiao could respond, he gently rubbed the teacup and, with lowered lids, said meaningfully, "If you get the chance, you should go back and take a look."
No one noticed the silent Duan Shuyuan, whose face was etched with unmistakable tension.
Li Qiao remained focused on Shang Zonghai. At his words, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.
Go back and take a look.
That phrasing… seemed a little off.
Why wasn't it "take a look if you have time," but instead "go back"?
Between her and Parma—besides this inexplicable childhood betrothal—was there some hidden connection she didn't know about?
Just then, Li Guangming hurried down the stairs from above.
In his hands, he held a long red rectangular brocade box that appeared quite old yet well-preserved.
With both hands carefully holding the box, he offered it to Shang Zonghai. "Old Master Shang, this is the original betrothal contract."
His posture remained respectful and deferential.
Shang Zonghai accepted the box and gave it a cursory glance before looking at Li Guangming.
"Not bad. You've preserved it well. That's thoughtful of you."
Li Guangming smiled as if flattered. "You're too kind, Old Master Shang. It's only what I should've done."
With that, it seemed this odd, long-standing childhood engagement had finally come to an end.
And yet, a ripple stirred in Li Qiao's heart because of what Shang Zonghai had said.
What exactly was written in that contract?
And what did Parma really have to do with her?
At that moment, Shang Zonghai glanced at his watch, then rose from his seat.
"Let's go. I've arranged a lunch at Crystal Court. It's been years since Guangming and I caught up. We may have called off the engagement, but our friendship mustn't be affected."
…
Crystal Court, Penglai Pavilion Private Room
After several rounds of drinks, Shang Zonghai and Li Guangming continued to toast and chat warmly at the main table. Duan Shuyuan sat nearby, chiming in occasionally, but her mind was clearly elsewhere.
Meanwhile, in the back courtyard's Scenic Pavilion, a light drizzle cast a thin veil of mist over the landscape.
Li Qiao leaned lazily against the moon gate corridor, one hand in her pocket, lost in thought.
Footsteps approached. Beneath the eaves of the walkway, Shang Yu's tall, black-clad figure gradually emerged from the shadows.
Li Qiao locked eyes with him, her gaze steady. She curved her lips silently.
"Thanks to you, Master Yan, my wish has been fulfilled."
The man stopped in front of her, leaning down slightly. A few loose strands of hair brushed across his brow—untamed and wild.
"You came here alone. Were you thinking about how to thank me?"
Li Qiao tilted her head back slightly, her gaze meeting the inky depth of his eyes. She smiled faintly.
"Not entirely. I do have a question, and I need you to clear it up for me. It's about the marriage contract. Had you seen it before today?"
The marriage contract had been an unexpected revelation in this process of breaking off the engagement.
For so many years, she had borne the burden of an arranged marriage without ever knowing that such a document existed.
Even though the engagement was now void, certain peculiar details made everything feel more complicated than it seemed.
Like her father's overly humble attitude toward Shang Zonghai.
Or the odd way Shang Zonghai had spoken to her.
Just then, the wind stirred the collar of Shang Yu's crisp dress shirt. His Adam's apple bobbed subtly, and his lips curled into a faint smile.
"No. I only learned about the contract today as well."