Li Qiao let out a disgruntled "Oh," her tone tinged with disappointment.
Even Shang Yu didn't know about the marriage contract—maybe… only her father knew the truth.
"Since the engagement has been annulled, the contract is naturally void. Instead of dwelling on that, shouldn't we talk about how you plan to thank me?"
Shang Yu's deep eyes locked onto hers. A few strands of hair fluttered slightly, and his voice—tinged with the sound of falling rain—was soft enough to stir the soul.
Li Qiao extended her hand beyond the eaves. Droplets from the roof hit her palm with a crisp rhythm, but even the cool rain couldn't extinguish the heat surging in her chest.
Slowly, she curled her fingers, letting the water slip through the gaps. Steadying the erratic beat of her heart, she cleared her throat and asked with a teasing smile,
"What sort of thank-you gift does Master Yan prefer? Maybe give me a hint?"
Shang Yu's gaze lingered on her delicate, fair features. His eyelashes lowered slightly, his posture relaxed and effortless.
He curled his lips into a faint smile and turned his eyes to the rain outside the corridor, standing with his hands behind his back—exuding a wild, untamed allure.
"Think of something yourself."
Li Qiao raised an eyebrow at him, her eyes shining faintly in the dim light.
"Then…"
Before she could finish, a sudden burst of ringtone interrupted her.
Li Qiao's smile faded slightly as she watched Shang Yu take the call. She let out a quiet sigh.
Moments later, he slipped the phone back into his pocket, turned to her, and—without continuing the previous topic—asked instead,
"You and Luo Yu had a falling out this morning?"
Li Qiao tugged at the corner of her mouth and leaned against a corridor post, lifting one leg casually over the other.
"Not quite a falling out. But you haven't told me yet—why assign her to oversee my travel arrangements?"
In terms of skill, she didn't feel she needed any special protection.
Shang Yu took out a cigarette pack from his pocket. His gaze was distant, deep.
"Consider it… a precaution."
"Is that so…" Li Qiao mulled over it for a moment, then shrugged nonchalantly.
"Alright. As long as she doesn't interfere in my affairs, I've got no problem."
Shang Yu held the cigarette between his fingers but didn't light it. Instead, he leaned in slightly and gave a lazy smile.
"No one can interfere in your affairs."
With that, he lifted a hand and used his knuckles to gently wipe away a drop of rain that had landed at the edge of her forehead. Their eyes met again, and he added indulgently,
"Whatever you want to do—go ahead. If the sky falls, I'll hold it up for you."
…
The time it took to smoke a cigarette later, Li Qiao and Shang Yu returned to the Penglai Pavilion private room.
At the antique-style dining table, Shang Zonghai and Li Guangming were still drinking and chatting animatedly.
Yet anyone with a discerning eye could see that Li Guangming remained cautious and reserved throughout.
When Li Qiao and Shang Yu reentered side by side, a sharp glint flickered in Shang Zonghai's narrowed eyes as he watched them.
After lunch, the group gathered at the entrance of Crystal Court to say their goodbyes.
Shang Zonghai stood with a group of bodyguards behind him. Though his cheeks were lightly flushed from the wine, it didn't diminish the composed authority in his demeanor.
He paused at the top of the steps, his gaze landing on Li Qiao standing behind Li Guangming.
"Young lady, come here."
Li Qiao strolled forward and greeted him politely.
"Old Master Shang."
"No need to be so formal. Just call me Uncle."
Shang Zonghai fixed a long gaze on her, hesitated for a second, then raised a hand and lightly patted her shoulder.
"I heard that Shang Lu was rude to you before. Don't take it to heart. I'll be sure to discipline him properly when I get back."
Li Qiao nodded with courtesy.
"It's nothing. You're being too kind."
Shang Zonghai sighed softly and nodded. Then, he reached into the outer pocket of his traditional Tang suit and pulled out a card—its surface embedded with gold and diamonds, patterned with hidden textures. He handed it to her quietly.
"Take this. If you ever go to Parma, remember to come find your uncle."
Li Qiao hesitated, not immediately taking it. Her eyes flicked briefly, almost imperceptibly, toward Shang Yu. It was obvious at a glance that this card was no ordinary item.
At that moment, Shang Yu's lips curved faintly, his eyes slightly lowered as he spoke in a low, magnetic voice:
"A Parma access pass. Take it."