Xue Yutang studied Li Qiao with amused interest.
The next second, Li Qiao received a call from Liu Yusī and hurried off.
Even from a distance, she could still hear a man’s agonized screams!
When she returned, Liu Yusī asked where she’d been. Li Qiao grinned mischievously. “Mom, I just caught a really good show.”
“What kind of show?” Mrs. Meng’s curiosity was instantly piqued.
“A cheating scandal!”
“That’s intense!” Mrs. Meng and Liu Yusī exchanged glances.
Liu Yusī knew her daughter well—Li Qiao wasn’t one to seek out drama.
Unless—
The people involved were ones she knew.
“Qiaoqiao, someone we know?”
“Yep.”
The mother and daughter shared a knowing silence, while Mrs. Meng fidgeted like an ant on a hot pan.
She needed to know!
Just then, Mrs. Meng’s eyes lit up, and she waved excitedly. “Yutang! Over here!”
Li Qiao turned and froze.
Oh. My. God.
Him?
That was Xue Yutang?
Dressed in a sharp suit, exuding elite vibes, Xue Yutang greeted Liu Yusī politely. “Auntie Liu.”
“Yutang, you’re so busy, yet you still made time to accompany us shopping. Thank you.”
“No trouble at all. Work is already wrapped up.” His tone softened in the presence of elders, his demeanor humble.
Mrs. Meng grabbed Xue Yutang’s arm and beamed. “Yutang, this is Auntie Liu’s daughter, Qiaoqiao. Qiaoqiao, if you see anything you like, just tell your Brother Yutang to pay for it. He’s loaded.”
Li Qiao forced a stiff smile.
She’d just threatened Xue Yutang, and now he was “Brother Yutang”?
“Qiaoqiao and I actually ran into each other earlier.”
“…”
Huh?
The two society matrons exchanged puzzled looks.
Li Qiao quickly changed the subject. “Mom, Auntie Meng, let’s focus on picking gifts. Time is money!”
Her distraction worked, and the two women resumed their shopping mission—though so far, nothing had caught their eye.
Gift shopping was hard!
Walking behind them, Li Qiao muttered to Xue Yutang, “Little Xue, some things are better left unsaid.”
“Qiaoqiao, what exactly are you referring to?”
“…”
“Qiaoqiao, you really are… unique.” He gave her a deep look. A young girl eavesdropping on adults’ affairs, witnessing a cheating scandal—
His expression was a mix of judgment and fascination.
Li Qiao: “…Honestly, you’d make a great mute.”
“Qiaoqiao! Yutang! Come here—this necklace is perfect! Yutang, doesn’t it suit Qiaoqiao?” Mrs. Meng held up a glittering jeweled necklace.
Xue Yutang’s gaze flicked between the jewelry and Li Qiao. “It’s a perfect match.”
“Great, wrap it up!”
“You Ruo, it’s too extravagant!”
“It’s my gift to Qiaoqiao. I adore this girl.” Meng You Ruo was unstoppable.
Naturally, Xue Yutang footed the bill—
One million, just like that.
Damn, rich people!
Since they were being so generous, Li Qiao couldn’t be stingy. She pulled out a talisman from her pocket and handed it to Xue Yutang.
“Little Xue, a gift in return.”
He raised an eyebrow, studying the talisman with a dubious expression.
Mrs. Meng excitedly nudged him. “Yutang, Qiaoqiao’s giving you a treasure! Take it!”
“Thank you.”
“Keep it on you at all times. Your recent business deal will go smoothly.”
Xue Yutang’s eyes flashed with surprise.
He had been struggling with a contract lately.
“Why so formal? Qiaoqiao, just call him Brother Yutang!”
“Let the kids decide what they want to call each other.”
“Fine.”
Afternoon.
Everyone went their separate ways.
Mrs. Meng was in high spirits on the way home, gushing about Li Qiao. When she mentioned the talisman, she warned, “Yutang, keep it safe.”
“Mom, you really believe in this stuff?”
“Remember when your dad and I…”
After she recounted the incident, Xue Yutang’s face darkened. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It was already resolved. Qiaoqiao saved your father. She’s our family’s benefactor. From now on, you better look out for her. She’s a good girl—maybe even future daughter-in-law material.”
Xue Yutang: “…Mom, she’s just a kid. To me, she’s like a little sister.” Marriage? Not happening.
“Tch. Don’t speak too soon. You might regret it later.”
“Mom…” Xue Yutang sighed.
He tucked the talisman into his inner suit pocket.
As soon as they stepped into the living room, Mrs. Meng added, “Oh, and prepare a gift for Grandpa Xiao’s birthday.”
“Got it.”
Meanwhile, Li Qiao was also home.
They’d already picked out a gift for Grandpa Xiao, but Li Qiao sensed Liu Yusī’s subdued mood.
On the way back, Li Qiao had mentioned the scandal involving Old Master Liu and Liu Yulan.
As the Liu family’s daughter, discovering her father’s affair with his adopted daughter—
Disgusting.
Li Qiao walked over and massaged her mother’s shoulders. “Mom, don’t overthink it. They made their choices.”
“You’re right, Qiaoqiao. I won’t dwell on it. They dug their own grave—they deserve what’s coming.”
Li Qiao watched as Liu Yusī went upstairs to rest.
She rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
The Liu family—
Serves them right.
Old Man Li came downstairs in high spirits.
“Grandpa, what’s the good news?”
“Qiaoqiao, your Grandpa Liang has reunited with his family! He’s living happily now. His children are filial, and his wife waited for him all these years. After a lifetime of suffering, they’re finally together. I’m so happy for him.”
“That’s wonderful. Grandpa Liang’s hardships have finally paid off.”
“Yes, truly wonderful—”
Though it meant the old friends wouldn’t see each other for a long time.
They’d originally planned to visit and thank Li Qiao, but Grandpa Liang’s wife was still in poor health and needed rest.
Li Qiao started drawing talismans while Old Man Li watched admiringly.
My granddaughter is amazing.
He had to show off on social media.
After snapping a photo, he asked, “Qiaoqiao, can Grandpa post this?”
“Of course.”
Li Qiao proudly displayed the talisman.
Old Man Li excitedly took another shot. Now, what caption to use?
After some thought, he typed:
“My brilliant granddaughter at work! 🧿✨”
If his granddaughter was this talented, he had to flex a little.
Within a minute, the post was flooded with comments.
[Old man using cutesy reduplication—cringe! Is your granddaughter really into mysticism, or is this a scam?]
[Li, is your granddaughter legit?]
[No way I’m buying this. Prove it by telling my fortune.]
[Grandpa, great photo! Qiaoqiao’s amazing!]
[Our Qiaoqiao is the best!]
…
Old Man Li smirked triumphantly—except for that damn Old Man He. His tone was way too smug.
Old Man Li fired back: “He, you’re using reduplication too—hypocrite.”
[You old coot, just you wait.]
“Waiting right here. Scared, He? Name the place—let’s settle this face-to-face.”
[Not worth my time. Disdain.]
Old Man Li fumed.
“Still as cowardly as you were back in the day.”
