At his age, Old Master Liang couldn’t handle extreme emotions—whether joy or sorrow.
“Mom, I’ll take a closer look during dinner.”
“Qiaoqiao, observe carefully.”
“I will. Also… today at the hospital, I ran into Second Brother Xiao. He invited our family to Old Master Xiao’s birthday celebration next month.”
Liu Yusī froze.
“Mom, fate is predetermined. You and the Xiao family are destined to cross paths.”
“Qiaoqiao, I…”
“Mom, just follow your heart.” Li Qiao’s words seemed to awaken something in Liu Yusī.
She hugged Li Qiao gently and smiled. “My precious daughter is my lucky star.”
“Lucky star? That’s an exaggeration, Mom.”
Li Qiao blushed at the praise.
Seizing the moment, Liu Yusī brought up the Xiao family again.
“The old master and his wife had three sons and six grandsons—a house full of men. But in the Xiao family, daughters were cherished the most. For ten years, I was happy there…”
Recalling the past, Liu Yusī felt warmth in her heart.
She shouldn’t have yearned for the affection of the Liu family.
When dinner was served, the two old masters returned indoors.
Old Master Liang was a lively conversationalist, and his hearty laughter filled the room.
Throughout the meal, Li Qiao discreetly studied Old Master Liang’s appearance, exchanging meaningful glances with Liu Yusī.
Once she confirmed her observations, Liu Yusī’s face lit up with joy.
Old Master Liang was about to receive wonderful news.
After he left, Li Qiao and Liu Yusī shared their discovery with Old Master Li.
“Is this true?”
“Grandpa, I’m certain.”
Li Qiao’s confidence left no room for doubt.
Overjoyed, Old Master Li grabbed his phone to call Old Master Liang—but then paused.
“No need to rush. Let’s give him a proper surprise.”
Finding the person first would prevent false hope.
Old Master Li’s caution made sense, and Li Qiao agreed.
With the Li family’s resources and Li Qiao’s abilities, locating the person wouldn’t be difficult.
This was truly good news!
Just then, a phone rang inside the house.
Old Master Li answered, his expression shifting subtly as his gaze flickered toward Li Qiao.
Sensing something amiss, Li Qiao grew curious.
After hanging up, Old Master Li studied her intently.
“Qiaoqiao, Grandpa wants to ask you something.”
“Go ahead, Grandpa.”
“Qiaoqiao… you and the neighbor… are you two…?” He hesitated, leaving the question hanging.
His implication was obvious.
Quick-witted as ever, Li Qiao understood immediately.
“Grandpa, Mr. He and I have a purely platonic relationship. We—”
“Did you hear that? My Qiaoqiao and your grandson have no romantic involvement! Don’t even think about scheming. I’ll have you know, my Qiaoqiao is destined for a long, prosperous life!”
Click!
Old Master Li hung up abruptly.
Li Qiao was stunned.
Grandpa… hadn’t ended the call earlier?
So the person on the other end was—
Old Master Li grinned mischievously.
“Don’t worry, Qiaoqiao. Grandpa won’t let you marry a man who brings misfortune to his wives. No matter how powerful his family is, a short-lived man isn’t worth your future happiness.”
Though He Jingnian was a decent man, his ill-fated destiny made him unsuitable.
The Li family had no interest in social climbing—Old Master Li only cared about Li Qiao’s happiness.
“Grandpa, I’m still young.”
“Exactly! Our Qiaoqiao has plenty of time to choose.”
Old Master Li was in high spirits.
As for her closeness with He Jingnian, he didn’t press further.
Qiaoqiao was a sensible girl.
Warmth blossomed in Li Qiao’s heart. The love of family was more precious than gold.
When she prepared to leave for the hospital, Liu Yusī handed her a thermos of soup.
“Tell your third brother to rest properly and stay off the internet. I’ll be monitoring his social media.”
Li Qiao nodded with a smile.
As soon as she stepped outside, she spotted Xu Tong waiting.
“Young Master Xu, waiting for someone?”
“I’m here to be your chauffeur.”
Li Qiao arched an eyebrow.
Xu Tong shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.
“Don’t overthink it. I’m just repaying a favor.”
“Oh? So I misjudged Young Master Xu all this time?”
Xu Tong: “…?”
He chased after her.
“What do you mean? Explain yourself—”
Hospital
Li Qiao carried the food container and turned back.
“Young Master Xu, you can go now.”
“Call me Brother Xu. ‘Young Master Xu’ sounds too distant.”
“You’re not qualified to be my brother.” Li Qiao looked him up and down, her disdain unmistakable.
Xu Tong: “…” (I want to hit someone.)
While they were talking, someone bumped into Li Qiao, nearly knocking her over. Xu Tong steadied her just in time.
“Are your eyes in your pants?” he snapped.
“How vulgar!” A petite girl glared at him.
“Me? You’re the one who can’t walk straight. The hallway’s wide open, yet you had to crash into someone. What’s wrong with you?”
“Do you even know who I am? How dare you insult me!”
“Couldn’t care less.”
Xu Tong shrugged indifferently.
Humiliated, the girl’s eyes welled with tears.
Li Qiao admired Xu Tong’s sharp tongue—he was practically her spokesperson.
“Qiantang, why waste time with these people? Hurry and see Brother Xing. The soup you made will get cold. Don’t let someone steal your chance.”
A short-haired girl stepped forward, deliberately eyeing Li Qiao’s food container.
The girl named Qiantang smirked. “You’re right. Can’t forget my mission.”
With a cold, haughty glance at Li Qiao, the two entered the ward.
Inside the Ward
“Su Qiantang, how many times do I have to say it? Stop wasting your time.”
Li Shaoxing’s tone was icy.
Unfazed, Su Qiantang in her pink Chanel-style dress pushed forward.
“Brother Xing… I made this myself. Please try it.”
“That’s right, Brother Xing. Qiantang burned her hands making this soup.”
Li Shaoxing remained indifferent.
“I never asked her to. A delicate young lady like Miss Su should take care of herself.”
Su Qiantang smiled shyly.
“Brother Xing… if you marry me, my family’s wealth will be ours. You won’t have to work so hard playing games anymore.”
“Oh? The Su family would accept a poor guy like me?”
His lazy retort made Su Qiantang stiffen.
She insisted, “My father said that as long as you quit gaming and learn the family business, he won’t stand in our way.”
Her lips curled into a bashful smile.
“How… considerate of the Su family.”
The door creaked open.
Li Shaoxing’s face lit up when he saw Li Qiao.
“Qiaoqiao! You’re finally here!”
She handed him the soup.
“Drink up.”
“Of course! Did you make this, Qiaoqiao?” He grinned.
“Nope.”
(Mom did.)
After one sip, Li Shaoxing recognized the flavor immediately.
His attitude toward Li Qiao and Su Qiantang was night and day.
Jealous, Su Qiantang demanded, “Brother Xing, who is she?”
Holding Li Qiao’s hand affectionately, Li Shaoxing declared:
“The love of my life.”
