Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Around twenty minutes later, the sound of footsteps came from the upstairs staircase.

Everyone sitting quietly in the living room simultaneously stood up.

Except for Li Qiao.

Right now, the sunshine managed to break through the thick clouds, and a few beams shone through the window and landed near Li Qiao’s feet.

The girl sat on the couch like a statue. Stony-faced, she stared straight at her toes without moving a muscle.

Only after Li Guangming and Shang Yu had gone back to the living room did she turn her attention to them and glance at them out of the corner of her eye.

Shang Yu stood tall and slowly walked to the center of the living room, then stopped. He said to Li Guangming with an impassive face, “Please stay here. You don’t have to show me all the way out.”

Li Guangming cracked an awkward smile and replied, “All right.. Then I’ll look forward to your father’s response.”

Shang Lu lowered his eyes in silent acquiescence.

No one else knew in detail what they had talked about. But Shang Yu and Li Guangming’s interaction was visibly odd and awkward.

Duan Shuyuan took a step forward. As the Mistress of the Li Family, she was worried about being a poor host to Shang Shaoyan. In an overpolite and stiff manner, she asked him, “Mr. Shang, are you leaving already? Do you want to stay for brunch if you’re not occupied?”

“There’s no need. Thank you very much.”

Shang Yu’s voice was exceptionally deep. While maintaining a respectful and courteous manner, he hardly revealed any emotion in his unfathomable eyes.

Shortly after, he walked to the foyer with his driver following behind.

His confident swagger and long, determined strides fully displayed his arrogance.

While Li Guangming, Duan Shuyuan, and other people in the Li Family were still mesmerized by Shang Yu’s intimidating presence, Li Qiao had already stood up and followed him out of the living room.

“Qiaoqiao—” Li Cheng was taken by surprise and called her name from behind, but Li Qiao had already disappeared into the foyer.

She followed Shang Yu at a steady pace into the yard of the villa. On the other hand, the ashen-faced Shang Lu was still holding his stomach and retching from time to time under a maple tree in a small garden on the right side. It was a pathetic yet hilarious scene.

“Master Yan!”

Li Qiao’s melodious voice sounded behind Shang Yu. The driver caught a glimpse of her and tactfully walked to the small garden by himself.

Shang Yu stopped walking upon hearing Li Qiao’s voice. He looked wild and charismatic with his broad shoulders and upright posture. He gazed at Li Qiao with piercing eyes and asked solemnly, “What’s the matter?”

The girl blinked casually and stuck her fingers in the pockets of her jeans. The breeze messed up the hair on her forehead. She shrugged her bony shoulders and said quietly, “Can I ask what you talked about with my dad?”

Li Qiao was obviously in low spirits. She lowered her thick eyelashes and hid the emotions in her eyes.

She had never doubted her parents’ love and support for her. But she couldn’t understand why they were so persistent about her marrying Shang Lu.

Shang Yu looked at Li Qiao, his dark, enchanting eyes gleaming. “It’s more appropriate for you to ask your father.”

“You can’t tell me?” Li Qiao frowned, and she suddenly raised her head to stare at him. Her wide eyes seemed calm, but they were incredibly piercing.

The man carefully inspected the girl’s delicate cheek, and his adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he turned her down without hesitation, saying, “I’m sorry. I can’t.”

By this point, Li Qiao was quite irritated. With a sullen face, she glared at him and asked coldly, “My last question. Can this engagement be broken off or not?”

Her impatience and annoyance were on full display. As carefree and easygoing as Li Qiao always was, she forgot to mask her feelings in front of Shang Yu.

Just when she was about to give up hope of ever getting an answer from Shang Yu, she heard him say, “You can as long as you want to.”