Inside the sleek Maybach, Li Qiao leaned in and took a seat. A faint scent of tobacco mixed with the crisp, cool fragrance of the man beside her drifted into her nose.
As usual, he sat in the car with one leg crossed over the other, reviewing documents. His well-proportioned fingers held a diamond pen, smoothly signing his name with practiced ease.
Li Qiao leaned sideways against the leather seat, resting her elbow on the top of the backrest. Her lips curled slowly as she drawled,
"Master Yan, did you come all the way here just for me?"
Up in the front, the driver quickly glanced at the rearview mirror.
This girl—after just a few days—seemed even bolder.
The way she talked to their boss… was like she'd known him for years.
She probably hadn't seen what their boss looked like with bloodied hands and murderous rage.
At this moment, Shang Yu set down his pen, placed the document on the fold-out table, and rubbed his brow. "Did you get into a fight?"
The tone was almost like a parent conducting a routine check-in.
Li Qiao straightened up, crossed her legs, and replied calmly, "Of course not. I'm a model student with excellent conduct and grades."
Hearing this, Shang Yu cast her a sidelong glance. She was wearing a layered-collar knit top and form-fitting blue jeans. Though her crossed-leg posture wasn't traditionally ladylike, it gave off a certain cocky confidence.
He pressed his lips together, then slid the table away, reached into the car's mini fridge, and handed her a bottle of mineral water. "No thesis defense today?"
The bottle was cool to the touch. Li Qiao curled her fingers around it and nodded. "The school will reschedule it."
"Mm. If you need anything, just let your principal know."
His tone was casual, almost indifferent.
Li Qiao couldn't help but laugh softly. "Isn't that a bit much for such a small matter? No need to bother the principal."
Shang Yu glanced at her, then leaned back against the seat, closed his eyes, and said, "It's no trouble. Just a small favor."
…
Less than five minutes later, Li Qiao stepped out of the car.
Her expression was calm, but a hint of disappointment crept into her brows.
Because just now, she had invited Shang Yu to have lunch with her—
Only to be coldly refused.
So… he didn't come just for her?
Standing outside the car, Li Qiao looked through the window at Shang Yu, gave a small wave, and turned away without hesitation.
That feeling of misjudging someone's intentions… left a sour taste in her mouth.
At that moment, Liu Yun—waiting by the car—called out to her. Li Qiao stopped and turned back, saying nothing, her expression noticeably frosty.
Liu Yun was momentarily confused by her icy demeanor, but still dutifully did his job as the messenger.
"Miss Li, the boss reserved lunch for you at Crystal Garden. If you head over now, the timing should be just right."
Li Qiao's lips curved slightly in a faint, cool smile. She glanced toward the figure sitting straight in the car and asked casually, "Oh? When did he book it?"
What was this supposed to mean? He didn't want to eat with her?
"On the way here," Liu Yun replied with a silly grin, then helpfully added, "The boss has to attend an economic forum in Lin City this afternoon. His schedule's tight, so he really can't stay."
In other words, the boss had serious matters to handle—that's the only reason he didn't join her.
Li Qiao understood. The chill in her gaze melted away.
"I see. Then please thank Master Yan for me."
"Of course, Miss Li."
As Liu Yun gathered the bodyguards into the convoy and the cars slowly pulled away, Li Qiao glanced through the half-lowered window and locked eyes with the man inside.
She smiled, eyes curving into crescents, and waved him goodbye.
A breeze swept past, carrying with it a faint, sweet floral scent.
…
Not long after, Li Qiao arrived at the parking lot. Looking up, she saw Tang Yiting and Wen Shi waiting for her in the distance.