Half an hour later, instead of heading to the company, Li Qiao returned to the villa with her parents.
Outside the window, the rain showed no signs of stopping. Inside the living room, the family of three sat together, wrapped in a long and heavy silence.
Li Guangming, slightly drunk from the wine, looked exhausted. He reclined on the sofa, one arm draped across his forehead, occasionally hiccupping from the alcohol.
Duan Shuyuan had visibly relaxed, her earlier tension now gone. She gently dabbed at Li Guangming with a towel from time to time.
"Mom, Dad," Li Qiao finally broke the silence, her voice tinged with irony as she sat upright in the middle of the sofa, eyes fixed on her parents across from her. "Don't you have anything to say about what happened today?"
Li Guangming took the towel from Duan Shuyuan and wiped his face. His eyes were bloodshot from the alcohol, slightly clouded. He rubbed his forehead, then suddenly slapped his thigh, as if recalling something.
"Oh right, I almost forgot to tell you—about the pass Old Master Shang gave you. You must keep that safe. It's a permanent, unlimited-entry pass to Parma. Fewer than ten people in the world have one."
Li Qiao: "…"
Is that the point?
Duan Shuyuan looked at Li Guangming in mild surprise. "That card… it's the Rare Platinum Diamond Card?"
Li Guangming nodded with a serious expression. "Mm. I've never seen one before, either."
As the two elders discussed the origins of the diamond card in front of her, Li Qiao slowly pulled the card out of her pocket.
It was rectangular, with a unique texture—metallic to the touch, yet surprisingly light. Embedded along its edges were over a dozen flawless diamonds. Even the dark patterns etched into it had an unusually intricate design.
Li Qiao twirled the card between her fingers and glanced up at her father, whose eyes were glued to it in awe.
"Dad, how do you know so much about this? Have you been to Parma before?"
Li Guangming rubbed his temple and sighed with a nod.
"Of course I've been. Though it was many years ago."
"Oh? You've never mentioned it before," Li Qiao said quietly as she studied the card in her hand.
A Rare Platinum Diamond Card—even the name sounded extraordinary.
Li Guangming and Duan Shuyuan exchanged glances, both bearing a subtle and unreadable expression.
After a pause, Li Guangming braced himself against his knees and stood. Still a bit unsteady from the alcohol, he swayed twice before speaking.
"Sweetheart, since the engagement has been canceled, don't overthink it. I've had too much to drink—I'm going to lie down for a bit."
He turned to leave but paused after two steps. Glancing back at Li Qiao, he pursed his lips as if wanting to say something—then ultimately said nothing and went upstairs.
Now, only Li Qiao and Duan Shuyuan remained in the living room, staring at each other.
Li Qiao gently stroked the surface of the diamond-studded card, while Duan Shuyuan gave her a warm smile. She walked over, sat beside her, and affectionately patted her daughter's bun hairstyle.
"Baby, the engagement is finally off. Are you happy?"
"Mm. I'm happy."
Though she said so, there wasn't a hint of joy in her expression.
Duan Shuyuan reached out and pinched her cheek.
"Something on your mind? Want to ask me something?"
Her mother looked the same as always—calm and composed, her face still elegant and full of maternal warmth and affection.
Li Qiao blinked, then lowered her eyes.
"I do… but, Mom, would you really tell me?"
"There's nothing I wouldn't tell you."
Duan Shuyuan took her hand, gently rubbing the smooth skin on the back of it. Her gaze grew distant, as if caught in a memory.
"Actually, it's not as complicated as you think. Back then, the engagement with Shang Lu really was because our Li family owed someone a favor. We didn't tell you before because we didn't want you to feel burdened."