Hearing the familiar voice beside her and seeing the phone box, the irritation between Li Qiao's brows gradually faded.
Somewhat surprised, she looked up at Liu Yun's solemn face and slowly accepted the box, her chest quietly warming.
"Thanks. Help me thank Master Yan," she said sincerely.
Liu Yun pressed his lips together and gave a polite nod. "Of course, Miss Li. The spare SIM card is also inside."
With that, Liu Yun gave a parting nod and turned to leave.
Li Qiao lowered her gaze and ran her fingers over the box. Without hesitation, she inserted the new SIM card and turned on the phone.
She crossed her left leg over her right, leaning casually against the hallway wall, and opened the dialer. Her fingers moved with practiced ease as she typed in Shang Yu's number.
After two rings, the call connected.
Staring out the window, her deer-like eyes sparkled with light and amusement.
"Thanks for the phone, Master Yan."
"No need to thank me. The banquet hasn't started yet?"
Shang Yu's deep, magnetic voice came through the speaker. It was no different from usual, but somehow it made her heart race.
Li Qiao took a quiet breath and answered truthfully, "Not yet, but probably soon."
Shang Yu gave a lazy hum and added, "Have fun. Call me if anything happens."
After hanging up, Li Qiao stood in the hallway for a long while.
Though her heartbeat had steadied, the lingering thrill and warmth in her chest continued to ferment.
——
Meanwhile, at the Nanyang residence—
In the semi-underground wine lounge, the three walls of wine racks were filled with an array of fine spirits.
At the black marble bar, Shang Yu and Ou Bai sat side by side, while Qiu Huan stood behind the counter, serving as bartender.
After ending the call, Shang Yu set his phone aside, lifted the glass of tequila, and took a relaxed sip.
Ou Bai and Qiu Huan exchanged glances, their eyes full of playful mischief.
Then, with a measuring cup pinched between two fingers, Qiu Huan poured an ounce of tequila into a shaker, raised an eyebrow at Shang Yu, and teased sourly:
"We've known each other for ages. How come you've never given me a phone?"
Ou Bai chimed in, "Yeah, I didn't get one either."
Under the dim golden glow of the bar's European-style chandelier, the warm light softened the man's usual sharpness and wild aura.
Shang Yu drained his tequila in one go and met Qiu Huan's teasing stare with a cool, deadpan expression:
"Talk too much."
Qiu Huan, who was mixing drinks: "…"
Is it too late to poison him now?
Off to the side, Ou Bai laughed gloatingly, knocking his knuckles against the bar before putting on a mock-serious face:
"Master Yan, seriously—what's the deal between you and Li San the bandit's little sister?"
As soon as he spoke, Qiu Huan stopped what he was doing and stared at Shang Yu intently.
"I'm curious too. The way you defended her at Jiuzun Club this afternoon, I almost thought you two had already secretly hooked up.
"Let's be honest—aside from her decent background, I doubt she's truly good enough for you.
"Putting everything else aside, let's talk about the An Tang (Dark Hall). Do you really think someone like her has what it takes to earn their recognition?"
Ou Bai nodded solemnly, his gaze just as probing.
After hearing their self-righteous assessments, Shang Yu's expression didn't change. He lowered his gaze and stayed silent for a moment.
Then he leaned back against the bar stool with casual elegance, his slender fingers twirling the base of his glass, and said in an unbothered, unruly tone:
"Why don't you both wait until you earn the An Tang's recognition—then you can comment on her qualifications."
Qiu Huan: "…"
Ou Bai: "…"
Damn.
Totally forgot about that part.
Ouch. That slap stings.