A gentle breeze swept by, rippling the surface of the inner river. A few strands of hair blew across Li Qiao's face.
She glanced at Qiu Huan, lifting her delicate chin with a faint smile that was both dangerous and alluring. "So it was you behind all this, Young Master Qiu? What's your reason?"
Qiu Huan shifted uncomfortably under her gaze—her pitch-black, doe-like eyes made his skin crawl.
But since he was clearly at fault, he had no choice but to bite the bullet. "Qiao-jie, it really was just a misunderstanding…"
Li Qiao retracted her gaze, expression indifferent. "How are you going to prove that?"
Qiu Huan stole a glance at Shang Yu, who looked utterly uninvolved, and nervously scraped his leather shoe over the grass. He bent slightly, forcing a smile. "That idiot Zhang Leshan—I'll handle him for you. Sound good?"
At that, Li Qiao reached out and picked up an empty wine glass from the table. She poured herself half a glass of brandy, sniffed it gently, took a small sip, and then raised a brow as she asked slowly, "Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you, Young Master Qiu?"
Qiu Huan nearly dropped to his knees. Her indifferent, high-handed air—she was just like Shang Shao Yan!
"No trouble at all. It's my duty," he said quickly.
After speaking, he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He was about to take a seat when Shang Yu's icy voice cut through the air. "Find out who's backing Zhang Leshan. Bring them out too."
Everyone at the table had dealings in the underworld. The only difference between them and the police was a badge and a paper-thin moral line.
For Zhang Leshan to throw his weight around inside the Nanyang Police Department, it could only mean someone powerful was behind him.
But this time, he had overstepped—he moved against someone in Shang Yu's circle. So no matter who was backing him, even if it was the King of Heaven himself, they'd be punished together.
Qiu Huan nodded like a bobblehead. After sitting down, he let out a long breath, as if he'd just escaped death.
Li Qiao paid him no mind and silently sipped her brandy. Smooth, and surprisingly good.
Just then, a single crystal grape dropped into her glass with uncanny precision.
Li Qiao glanced sideways to see Shang Yu's elegant fingers returning the metal fruit tongs to the plate.
The custom glass resembled an ancient-style, straight-walled, three-legged cup with animal-head ring handles. The grape had landed perfectly in the center, cleverly blocking the flow of the liquid.
Li Qiao gave the glass a swirl. The aroma of brandy filled the air, but thanks to that grape, she couldn't drink anymore.
"Brandy has a strong kick. Girls shouldn't drink too much." A low, magnetic voice came from beside her.
Li Qiao looked up, arching her brow to meet Shang Yu's gaze.
She set down the glass, leaned back on the sun lounger, and raised an eyebrow with a half-smile. "Lord Yan, I can really hold my liquor."
The man gave a lazy smirk, eyes narrowed at her bold expression. "How well?"
"Mm… depends on the situation." Li Qiao turned the glass slowly in her hand, then glanced at Shang Yu. "When I want to drink, a thousand cups won't faze me. When I don't, one sip will knock me out. But… I never drink in front of strangers."
Meanwhile, Qiu Huan sat across from them like a useless decorative pillow, watching the two chat like he didn't exist.
Could they at least look at him?
Could they treat him like a human being?
He cleared his throat, trying to get their attention. "I was saying…"
Before he could finish, Shang Yu's brow furrowed slightly as he coldly cut him off. "You should leave."
Qiu Huan's breath caught in his throat. He looked like he might flip the table any second.
Then—he caught Li Qiao shooting him a slightly disgusted look. "So, Young Master Qiu… when are you planning to take care of Zhang Leshan?"
Translation:
What the hell are you still doing here?