CHAPTER 1279: CHAPTER 1279: MONEY OR GIFTS WILL DO, I’M NOT PICKY

September, Round Island Mansion.

After the assessment at Secret Hall ended, Li Qiao and Shang Yu returned to their routine work and life.

That morning, Li Qiao received a call from Duan Shuyuan in the lab, "Baby, your third brother and Xinxin’s wedding is set for the 12th of this month, it’s a Saturday, do you have time to go with Xinxin for a dress fitting?"

Li Qiao glanced at the calendar, just under a week to go, "Yes, what time?"

"How about one in the afternoon?"

"Sure."

...

Near the end of her workday, Li Qiao lazily looked at the slanting sun outside the window, pondering what He Chen had said to her a few days ago.

——Sister-in-law, Shaoyan seems to be loosening up, the second child is in sight.

He Chen, though frivolous, wouldn’t joke about something like the second child.

In fact, Li Qiao herself had noticed a change in Shang Yu’s attitude more than once.

Perhaps, it’s time to take action.

In less than twenty minutes, Li Qiao packed up her things, ready to go home.

But an unexpected call disrupted her pace.

"Boss Qiao..."

Tang Yiting called out to her gloomily over the phone.

Upon hearing the voice, Li Qiao raised an eyebrow playfully, "Finally decided to show up?"

Counting the days, it had been at least half a year since she last saw Tang Yiting.

The other side, Tang Yiting sighed, "Don’t mention it, I just got back to the South Sea recently, do you have time to come and console me?"

Li Qiao’s gaze was indifferent, "Hmm, send me the address."

By six-thirty, Li Qiao’s Mercedes arrived at Tang Yiting’s apartment.

Sitting in the car, she called Shang Yu, but he didn’t answer, probably busy.

Li Qiao smirked, sent him a text saying she’d be home late, and got out to enter the apartment.

...

Long time no see, Tang Yiting looked neither good nor bad.

Just a faint weariness between her brows, appearing quite low in spirits.

Li Qiao leaned against the half-open door, "How should I console you?"

The dimly lit living room was bathed in golden sunlight.

Tang Yiting sat cross-legged on the sofa, resting her chin in her hand, "Money or presents would do, I’m not picky."

Li Qiao chuckled, leisurely walked into the living room, "Where did you go recently?"

"Your husband’s hometown." Tang Yiting explained slowly, "Can’t you see I’m tanned? Parma’s summer is too hot."

Li Qiao was a bit surprised, "Went by yourself?"

"Yeah, my dad wanted me to get familiar with the business at my cousin’s company. Was supposed to be back in half a month, but the business was too complex, ended up learning there for seven months."

After that, Tang Yiting asked dramatically, "Am I not miserable?"

Li Qiao crossed her legs, responding with a question, "Lu Xiheng’s company?"

"Yes." Tang Yiting shrugged, said sheepishly, "You know, the Tang family company had some issues before, thanks to Uncle Li, we got through it.

My dad... was probably very disappointed in us siblings. When trouble hit, none of us could shoulder the responsibility. So now he’s having us find fields we’re interested in and start businesses, not allowed back home unless successful. What did I do to deserve this?"

Li Qiao looked at Tang Yiting, asked calmly, "What field are you interested in?"

"Me, huh..." Tang Yiting boasted shamelessly, "Besides enjoying life, I’m most interested in the private lives of celebrities. What do you think about me becoming a manager or a fan? Maybe I could create an entertainment empire."

Li Qiao: "..." Overconfident.

Tang Yiting scratched her head, picked up a peach on the table and took a bite, "Qiaoqiao, why don’t you give me some advice?"

Li Qiao was about to speak when the phone in her pocket buzzed.

It was Shang Yu.

"Just finished busy?"

A deep voice came through, "Yeah, just got out of a meeting. What time are you coming home?"

Li Qiao stood up facing the window ledge, "Around eight."

"Call me when you’re done, I’ll come pick you up."

Li Qiao agreed, hung up the phone, and turned to find Tang Yiting with a gossipy look, craning her neck, "Master Yan?"

"Who else?"

Tang Yiting touched her nose, "Going back by eight? We haven’t seen each other for so long, you don’t plan to stay over?"

Li Qiao raised an eyebrow, "Not planning to."

"As expected, love trumps everything." Tang Yiting tossed half-eaten peach on the table, "Fine, fine, I’ll go change, at least join me for dinner, okay?"

Li Qiao didn’t say a word but nodded towards the master bedroom, signaling her to hurry.

...

At eight-thirty at night, Yan Emperor’s convoy stopped in front of a western restaurant in the old city district.

The rear window of the driver’s seat rolled down, revealing Shang Yu’s chiselled handsome face.

By the restaurant window, Li Qiao was still listening to Tang Yiting’s nagging, just catching a glimpse of the convoy from the corner of her eye.

Tang Yiting also turned her head, seeing the imposing Rolls-Royce convoy, instantly straightened up.

In the end, no matter how long she’s known Shang Shaoyan, she still gets nervous every time she sees him.

The Overlord of the South Sea’s aura is not something others can compare to.

Li Qiao didn’t rush to get up, instead, she turned back to her friend, "Parma Huo Family is indeed top-notch in maritime transport."

Tang Yiting dismissed with a sneer, "So what, being top-notch is useless, bad character can’t be saved even by God."

"Huo Family?" Li Qiao said another name with meaning, "Or... Huo Ming?"

Tang Yiting, giving a vibe of deliberate avoidance, sipped her drink.

After a while, she nodded towards the window, "Alright, you should head back, don’t keep Master Yan waiting."

Li Qiao examined Tang Yiting’s feigned casualness, "Starting a business isn’t easy, let me know if you need help."

"Then..." Tang Yiting slowly reached out, palm open toward Li Qiao over the table, "Do you want to buy a share?"

Li Qiao understood, then opened her online bank account, "How many digits?"

Tang Yiting didn’t respond, just made a finger gun gesture.

In less than half a minute, she received a bank transfer alert for ninety million.

Tang Yiting nodded happily, "Thanks, major shareholder, once I succeed in business, I’ll send you gifts every day."

Li Qiao smiled calmly, "I’ll leave first."

Tang Yiting stood up to see her off, and once Li Qiao had gone far, she sighed, ninety million... should last her a while.

...

In the car, Li Qiao got into the back seat and tossed the Mercedes G-Class key to Wang Yue.

Shang Yu closed the file, his deep, cold eyes showing a hint of warmth, "Finished dinner?"

"Yes." Li Qiao relaxed her brow, glanced at the restaurant, "Tang family still hasn’t recovered?"

As the convoy merged onto the main road, the man replied softly, "Not that easy, but with Li family’s support, it won’t decline."

Li Qiao leaned back, looked thoughtfully towards the front seat, "Liuyun, find out what happened to Tangtang in Parma."