Meanwhile, back in the banquet hall, Li Qiao returned just as Director Duan Yuanhui and the department head were delivering opening remarks at the front of the stage.
Tonight, her uncle Duan Yuanhui was dressed casually—blue shirt paired with black slacks, sleeves rolled up past his forearms. At just over forty, he carried the calm confidence of a man seasoned by time.
Midway through his speech, he spotted Li Qiao entering and gave a subtle, pleased nod.
Li Qiao casually curled her lips into a faint smile. With her hands tucked into the pockets of her punk-style jacket, she dragged a chair over from the corner and sat herself down against the wall near the entrance.
The male classmates seated at the back exchanged glances, falling into collective contemplation.
Should they also move their chairs and go sit beside Li Qiao?
After all… tonight was a rare opportunity.
At that moment, Duan Yuanhui cleared his throat and announced loudly, "Alright, let's officially kick off the farewell banquet. And don't say the school never gave you a chance to find love!
Over in the East Hall, the Finance Department brought over 370 people tonight. Feel free to mingle later—falling in love could be just around the corner!"
"Director Duan, you're the best!"
"You look so handsome tonight, sir!"
"I love Med Uni! It's the cradle of my love life!"
In an instant, the whole hall erupted into cheers.
As their student days came to a close, the crowd seemed to completely let loose.
——
Not long after, Li Qiao coldly turned down the third guy who came to offer her a toast and invite her to dance. Having observed this from a distance, Duan Yuanhui finally approached her unhurriedly.
He also dragged over a chair and sat down with a playful smile.
"That last one—Liu Zhe, right? Isn't he the campus heartthrob of the bio department? Cute kid. You turned him down pretty bluntly."
Li Qiao locked her phone and turned to him, tone indifferent:
"You said it yourself—he's just cute."
Duan Yuanhui couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head, glancing at her effortlessly cool outfit.
"So you really didn't come here tonight looking for a date, huh?"
All the other girls had dressed up in dazzling outfits, but not their Li Qiao—she'd shown up in punk biker gear.
Li Qiao turned her head away, face expressionless.
"Do I need to?"
Duan Yuanhui fell silent: "…"
Among all the younger members of the Duan and Li families, Li Qiao's looks were the most striking—undeniably.
She didn't need to find someone at an event like this.
No one here could measure up to her anyway.
By around seven, students from both the East and West Halls had already begun to mingle and strike up conversations.
Li Qiao checked the time, then got up lazily. "I'm leaving."
Duan Yuanhui uncrossed his legs and leaned back, one hand resting on the chair.
"Leaving already? There's a ballroom dance later. You're not staying for that?"
Li Qiao paused and looked over her shoulder.
"Not interested. Boring."
"Alright then. Be careful on your way back. Oh, and don't forget—your grandfather's birthday banquet is next Saturday. Make sure you prepare a gift."
As he reminded her, Duan Yuanhui stood up as well, and the two of them exited the banquet hall side by side.
This left a bunch of hopeful male students utterly panicked.
Director Duan! You knew this was supposed to be a matchmaking event for the students—why on earth did you monopolize Li Qiao the whole night?
How were the young men supposed to even try?!
Night had fallen, and the lights shimmered faintly through the hotel plaza.
Li Qiao passed the mermaid fountain alone, intending to call a ride and head straight to the police station.
Just then, a silver-gray Bentley Continental pulled out of the parking lot to her right and came to a stop right next to her.
Liu Yun stepped out, resting one hand on the car door.
"Miss Li, heading to the station?"