Fei Zhihong rubbed his forehead helplessly, then began to explain in a rambling tone.
He was indeed supposed to be on a business trip to the neighboring province today. But just as he was waiting at the airport, he received a call from Liu Yun.
The other party didn't bother with pleasantries and dropped a bomb: "Director Fei, your police station arrested one of our people."
Fei Zhihong nearly dropped dead on the spot. He rushed back to the station at top speed.
Now, after hearing his explanation, Li Qiao lowered her gaze slightly, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Oh, I see…"
The fact that Liu Yun showed up made it clear who was behind this.
Fei Zhihong took a sip of cold tea, still feeling shaken. "By the way, those five people who came in with you—if we go by the book, it could count as kidnapping…"
Li Qiao pondered for a few seconds, then shook her head. "It's not kidnapping. Just a misunderstanding. Let the other four go. As for Li Shaoquan… keep him locked up for now."
Li Shaoquan, still in the holding room waiting for his dad to come save him: "…"
Fei Zhihong nodded in understanding, just about to speak when he saw Li Qiao standing up to leave.
"Where are you going? Want to have dinner with your godfather tonight to help you unwind?"
Li Qiao opened the door, turned around, and smiled, "No thanks. I've got something else to do."
Only after she left did Fei Zhihong realize with a jolt—he'd forgotten to ask Qiao Qiao how she knew Mr. Yun from Yanhuang.
Outside the station, Liu Yun was waiting beside a sleek Rolls-Royce Phantom. When he saw Li Qiao walk out, he immediately opened the rear door. "Miss Li, the boss is waiting. Please get in."
…
Jiuzun Private Club was located in a luxury villa district not far from the Nanyang police station.
The area was picturesque and serene—an oasis of peace in the middle of the bustling city, like a hidden paradise.
The car crossed a narrow bridge over the inner stream and stopped on a wide stretch of artificial lawn. Liu Yun got out and said, "Miss Li, the boss is just ahead."
Li Qiao turned to look and saw a man dressed in black sitting under a sunshade at the edge of the lawn where it met the stream. His legs were crossed, and on the table before him were a custom wine glass and a fruit platter—he looked quite relaxed, enjoying the scenery.
She gave Liu Yun a small nod and casually stepped onto the lawn.
It was just after 3 p.m., and the sky was a soft swirl of clouds and mist.
Li Qiao walked up to the sunshade and sat down, tilting her head to look at Shang Yu. Her delicate features lit up with a smile. "Lord Yan, you've waited long."
The man lifted his finely boned hand, took a light sip from his wine glass, and gave a faint smile. "Not that long. Aren't you going to ask why I didn't come myself?"
Li Qiao's gaze lingered on his fingers, the dry touch of his palm flashing in her mind. She licked her lips slightly, her eyes gleaming. "Such a minor issue—hardly worth your personal attention."
A glimmer of amusement flickered in Shang Yu's deep eyes. His sharp features softened slightly. "Fei Zhihong is your godfather?"
"Yeah," Li Qiao said as she casually picked a slice of watermelon from the fruit plate. "I was kidnapped when I was seven. He led the team that rescued me. My dad sees him as a lifesaver, so we made it official."
She said it lightly, but Shang Yu's eyes darkened with intensity. "What happened to the kidnappers?"
"Killed on the spot," Li Qiao replied breezily with a faint smile.
Upon hearing this, a murderous glint flashed in Shang Yu's eyes.
A seven-year-old girl, kidnapped, and the culprits killed on-site—this was how the Li family protected her?
And yet the girl in front of him was composed as ever, speaking of childhood trauma as though it were someone else's story.
Was she truly fearless? Or had her mind grown so resilient that she could now talk about nightmares with detached ease?
Shang Yu took another sip of wine, his gaze deep and focused on Li Qiao. Perhaps it was both. That's what made her so special.
Not long after, the sound of an engine interrupted the moment.
Li Qiao looked back to see Qiu Huan slam a car door shut and rush over, clearly flustered. His first words were, "Lord Yan, please, give me a chance to explain!"
From his tone, it was obvious he had something serious to discuss with Shang Yu.
Li Qiao glanced at the man drenched in sweat, then looked back at Shang Yu. "Do you need me to step away?"
The man swirled his wine glass slightly, expression cold, voice low. "No. Stay. You should hear how he managed to get the deputy director to target you at the station."
Qiu Huan's knees nearly buckled.
Zhang Leshan, you idiot! What the hell were you thinking?!