CHAPTER 957: CHAPTER 957: THERE IS NO NEXT TIME

Can I see Shaoyan?

Li Qiao did not answer, only returned a gaze full of extreme sarcasm to Ming Dailan.

Their eyes met, Ming Dailan calmly faced Li Qiao and said, "You have no grounds to stop me from seeing Shaoyan, Li Qiao, you understand."

"Madam Xiao, you’re right, but..." Li Qiao shifted her gaze and said lightly, "I have grounds to protect my man."

Ming Dailan’s breath caught, and she subconsciously took two steps forward, "Li Qiao, I..."

"You want to see him, not out of remorse, do you?" Li Qiao’s eyes were clear, staring directly at Ming Dailan, seemingly able to see through her inner thoughts, making everything come to light.

Li Qiao ignored the changes in her expression, and before turning, she spoke sharply, "If you feel guilty, you should think about him from his perspective, rather than trying all means to meet him, and incidentally... vindicate yourself."

Ming Dailan was stunned in place, her pupils narrowed, feeling the embarrassment of someone exposing her secret.

Li Qiao gave Ming Dailan a deep look, then stepped out of the office first.

She never believed Ming Dailan would genuinely repent. Maybe there would be guilt, but not enough to drop her pride and admit fault to Shang Yu.

Such a proud and vain woman, after feeling guilty, would only try her best to exonerate herself.

...

Shortly after, Li Qiao walked out the back door with a frosty expression. The night was thick, like an endless inkwell.

She lowered her gaze and descended the steps, inadvertently glancing to the front left, where her steps suddenly paused.

Beside a black business car, Shang Yu leaned against the car with hands in his pockets, long legs crossed, a faint smile in his deep eyes, "Finished?"

The man spoke, his voice deep and magnetic as always.

Li Qiao met his gaze across the distance, feeling an instant rush of mixed emotions.

Ming Dailan was upstairs and would be coming down soon. Li Qiao privately hoped they wouldn’t meet.

Because Ming Dailan was unworthy.

Thinking of this, Li Qiao didn’t hesitate any longer and walked straight to Shang Yu, "Let’s go back."

The man lifted a corner of his lips, raising his arm to welcome her from a few meters away.

Li Qiao took his hand. Just as the car door opened, hurried footsteps came from behind, "Shaoyan—"

Ming Dailan’s voice sounded unsurprisingly, and both Li Qiao and Shang Yu stopped simultaneously.

Facing the direction of the car, even without turning, they could hear the urgency in Ming Dailan’s tone.

Li Qiao remained silent, letting Shang Yu make his own decision.

As Ming Dailan’s footsteps approached, the man beside her wrapped his arm around Li Qiao’s shoulder, teasingly asking, "Why are you standing there? Do you want me to carry you into the car?"

Li Qiao looked up at him with a knowing smile and bent to get into the vehicle.

Shang Yu followed right after.

"Shaoyan, wait." Ming Dailan walked quickly, losing her usual elegance and composure, "Can we talk?"

As she finished speaking, the car door closed tightly.

Ming Dailan had imagined countless scenarios of meeting Shaoyan, but didn’t anticipate his resolute refusal, unwilling to say even a word to her.

At this moment, the car window descended slowly, revealing the man’s stern and distant profile.

Sitting inside the vehicle, his gaze fixed ahead, he left Ming Dailan only a cold side face, "Madam Xiao, do not contact Qiaoqiao again. This is the last time."

Ming Dailan pressed a hand against the window glass, her eyes red, "Shaoyan, come down, Mom wants to talk to you."

The car window rose slowly at this moment, Shang Yu turning his head dispassionately, deep eyes waves of tranquility, "There is no need, I have nothing further to say with you."

Drawing in a breath, Ming Dailan stubbornly pressed upon the window, "Shaoyan, you surely..."

"Liuyun!" Shang Yu closed his eyes momentarily, brows tightly knit, a slight displeasure emerging.

The Liuyun following behind quickly held Ming Dailan’s arm, "Madam Xiao, it’s best to relent."

Ming Dailan took a step back, watching the car window ascend before her, all hope seemingly extinguishing at that moment.

She shook her head, murmuring softly, "Shaoyan, Mom has reasons, why won’t you listen to my explanation?"

The business car sped off down the road, also eradicating all of Ming Dailan’s lucky visions.

She shook Liuyun off, covering her eyes in silence for a prolonged time.

Liuyun cast a sideways glance at her, admittedly exhibiting more feeling than appropriate, but was undeniably displeased.

Because... the business car drove away, how was he to get back?!

Liuyun glanced around the empty rear courtyard, his sight settling on a corner where an old two-eight bicycle stood, he sighed heartily, as though only cycling back to the compound was possible now.

Taking a taxi was impossible, he had no Myanmar Kyat, besides... the compound’s location was peculiarly isolated, taxis simply couldn’t access it.

Liuyun turned around to go, Ming Dailan timely spoke, "Where does Shaoyan live?"

"It’s more appropriate for you to directly inquire with the boss," Liuyun mumbled, lowering his head, "Madam Xiao, suit yourself."

Then, amid Ming Dailan’s anxious gaze, Liuyun pulled out the bicycle, dusted off the saddle, and without hesitation, pedaled away.

...

Inside the business car, Li Qiao quietly opened her phone, logged into the watch’s program, accessed the physiological surveillance page, and secretly monitored Shang Yu’s blood pressure and heart rate.

Any onset of mania or paranoia would inevitably prompt changes in these physical indicators.

After observing for a minute, the anxiety within her quickly subsided.

Shang Yu’s physiological indicators were stable, showing not even the slightest fluctuation.

Li Qiao exited the program, easing her brows while watching the street scenery outside glide by.

How wonderful, Madam Xiao could no longer affect him.

"Has Xiao Yeyan been dealt with?" Shang Yu asked, lazily turning his head.

"You could say that," Li Qiao tucked her phone away, glancing back with raised eyebrows, "Did He Chen tell you?"

Regarding Xiao Yeyan’s issue, even without Ming Dailan’s involvement, she would handle it similarly.

However, with Ming Dailan contacting her actively, several steps were saved.

Shang Yu leisurely watched Li Qiao, "Why collaborate with her?"

"No collaboration." Li Qiao lazily leaned against his shoulder, grasping his long fingers, playing with them in her palm, "Her sincerity is doubtful, and there’s no necessity to aid her.

Handling Xiao Yeyan was already in my plan, with or without her, the outcome remains unchanged. Tonight, bringing her was solely to let her witness Xiao Yeyan’s downfall, if any errant thoughts arise again, she’ll be next."

"Interesting concept, but..." Shang Yu narrowed his eyes briefly, suddenly squeezing Li Qiao’s hand firmly, "Keep distance from her in the future."

Li Qiao couldn’t help but chuckle, "There will be no future."

Tonight’s showdown, Ming Dailan was also a player within, her wish for solitary preservation could prove treacherous.

Evidently, Xiao Hongdao had already suspected her, and with this incident involving Xiao Yeyan, Ming Dailan walked straight into Xiao Hongdao’s trap, she has already lost.