A moment later, a deep, hearty laugh echoed through the quiet car.
Shang Yu laughed because of her comment. The faint smile at the corners of his lips carried a mature charm, and in his dark, obsidian-like eyes, there was a rare trace of delight.
Li Qiao felt a slight jolt in her chest. She looked away from his face and muttered, "Was what I said really that funny?"
At that moment, Wang Yue almost wanted to applaud her, but since he had just tried to scare her on purpose, he could only awkwardly rub his nose and stay silent.
This girl's got some spunk!
Soon, the rain began to let up.
The three lead cars started to pick up speed again.
Following Wang Yue's command, the four vehicles behind swiftly overtook and flanked the main car on both sides.
Despite the slick roads, the security team's skilled driving managed to block the heavy off-road vehicles with force.
The other side clearly didn't dare act rashly, and the three cars in front took the chance to speed ahead, leaving the pursuers in the dust.
Li Qiao saw all this through the rearview mirror, and her lips curled, the interest in her eyes gone.
With driving skills like that, they want to be outlaws?
Just then, Shang Yu clicked his lighter, lit a cigarette, and lowered the car window a few centimeters. The damp air mixed with a fresh breeze blew into the cabin, bringing a few raindrops that landed on his dark shoulder.
Li Qiao remained in her lazy posture, watching Shang Yu's smoking movements from the corner of her eye. Her gaze landed on the prominent Adam's apple bobbing as he exhaled smoke—striking and undeniably sensual.
She twitched her fingers, suddenly tempted to touch it.
"Boss, it's done," Wang Yue said out of nowhere, glancing at his phone and turning around to speak.
The subtle atmosphere was instantly shattered.
Shang Yu and Li Qiao simultaneously shot him a sidelong glance—one indifferent, the other expressionless.
Wang Yue (in his heart): Ouch… totally getting the cold shoulder here.
…
An hour later, the convoy smoothly entered the main road into Nanyang.
Around five o'clock, Li Qiao got off in front of her house.
The rain had stopped, but the road was still muddy.
After saying goodbye, she took her car keys back from the bodyguard and watched the convoy slowly drive away.
Seven luxury cars, after a highway ambush? Li Qiao now understood the purpose of such an extravagant arrangement.
She stood there pondering for a moment, just about to get into her car, when a silver-gray Hummer sped down the tree-lined lane ahead.
The car stopped, and the half-lowered window revealed the iron-blooded figure of Li San.
"Where were you last night?" He leaned his arm on the window frame, revealing a muscular forearm, and his tone was clearly displeased.
Li Qiao lifted a corner of her mouth and waved her car key. "Yan City."
Li San narrowed his eyes, his expression half-smirking. "With Shang Shaoyan? Don't try to fool me—I saw his convoy just now."
"Oh…" Li Qiao slowly opened the Mercedes door. "I didn't go with him."
Just as Li San's expression began to ease, she added, "We just came back together."
Damn it. What's the difference?!
The two cars entered the Li family estate one after the other. In the garage, Li San slammed his car door shut, then strode up to Li Qiao. Using his height advantage, he planted one hand on his waist and the other on her car window.
"I've told you a hundred times to stay away from him. You just won't listen, will you?"
Li Qiao glanced at his posture and tapped his arm. "Let me ask you something."
"What?" Li San immediately shifted gears, his train of thought pulled off course.
Li Qiao shrugged lazily and leaned against the arm he had propped on the car, raising her brows. "Do you have a grudge against Shang Shaoyan?"
"Nope!" Li San replied without hesitation. "Why do you ask?"
Li Qiao's eyes glinted as she tossed out another question, "If there's no grudge, why won't you let me see him?"