Half an hour later, Li Qiao didn’t go to the office but followed Mr. and Mrs. Li back to the mansion.
The rain outside the window showed no signs of abating, and the three members of the family were sitting in the living room, plunged into a long silence.
Li Guangming, having drunk alcohol, was slightly tipsy and weary, reclining against the sofa with an arm draped over his forehead, occasionally burping.
Duan Shuyuan’s expression had lost the earlier tension, and she occasionally wiped Li Guangming’s face with a towel in her hand.
"Mom, Dad, don’t you have anything to say about today’s events?"
Li Qiao sat upright in the middle of the sofa, looking straight at the elderly couple opposite her, her tone playful.
Li Guangming took the towel from Duan Shuyuan’s hand to wipe his face. His bloodshot eyes, muddled from the alcohol, he rubbed his forehead and slapped his thigh, "Right, I almost forgot to tell my girl, the pass Old Mr. Shang gave you. You must keep it safe. It’s Parma’s unlimited lifetime pass, and there are no more than ten cardholders worldwide."
Duan Shuyuan also looked at Li Guangming in surprise, "That card is... the Rare Gold Diamond Card?"
Li Guangming pursed his lips with an air of seriousness, "Hmm, I’ve seen it for the first time."
At this moment, listening to the elderly couple discuss the origin of the diamond card before her, Li Qiao slowly pulled out the card from her pocket.
The elongated card was made of a special material that felt like metal, yet it was extremely light. The edges of the card were encrusted with a dozen high-purity diamonds, and the hidden patterns were also quite unique.
Li Qiao twirled the card between her fingers, then looked up at Li Guangming, whose eyes were glazed over, "Dad, how do you know so much about it? Have you been to Parma before?"
Li Guangming rubbed his forehead and sighed as he nodded, "Of course, I’ve been there, though it’s been many years."
"Oh, I haven’t heard you mention it before." Li Qiao’s expression remained indifferent as she looked at the card in her hand. The Rare Gold Diamond Card was indeed no ordinary name.
Li Guangming and Duan Shuyuan exchanged glances, both wearing inexplicable and elusive expressions.
After a moment of silence, Li Guangming, propping himself up by the knees, stood up. His drunken figure was unsteady, and he took a couple of sways before he spoke, "My girl, now that the engagement has been called off, don’t think too much about it. Dad’s had too much to drink, I need to sleep it off."
Having said that, Li Guangming staggered towards the stairs. After taking two steps, he turned back to look at Li Qiao, pursed his lips, but ultimately said nothing.
After he left, the living room was left with only Li Qiao and Duan Shuyuan, who looked at each other.
Li Qiao gently stroked the diamond card, while Duan Shuyuan gave a tender smile, sat down next to Li Qiao, and ruffled her bun, "My baby, you’ve finally called off the engagement, are you happy?"
"Yeah, happy." Though she said so, there wasn’t a hint of joy on Li Qiao’s face.
Duan Shuyuan pinched her cheek lightly, "Is there something you want to ask me?"
The mother before her remained as ever without any additional expressions, her graceful face always bearing affection and concern for Li Qiao.
Li Qiao shook her head slightly, lowered her eyelids, "There is indeed, but... would you be willing to tell me?"
"There’s nothing I’m unwilling to share." Duan Shuyuan took her hand, stroking the back of her smooth hand, her gaze turning distant and prolonged as she fell into reminiscence, "Actually, it’s not as complicated as you think. The reason we arranged your engagement with Shang Lu was indeed because the Li Family owed someone a favor. We didn’t tell you before because we didn’t want you to feel burdened."