Li Qiao listened to his aggrieved complaints and lowered her head to rub her forehead.
Strictly speaking, if the Seven Sons hadn’t each gone their separate ways back then, Anyao might have really become one of their companions.
Seeing that she was silent, Anyao sneaked out his phone to access mobile banking, preparing to return the car payment back to where it came from.
"You said it yourself, just a ’reservist.’" Li Qiao wouldn’t miss his little trick, and with raised eyebrows, she teased Anyao, making it clear that the deal was done, with no money owed on either side.
Anyao, his mood soured, hung his head and stuffed his phone back into his pocket, then turned to look at the Ferrari F8 with a huff and muttered, "I’ve never seen anyone as nitpicky as you."
Is that how you use the word ’nitpicky’?
Li Qiao glanced at him, a faint smile curving her lips, "Buy you a drink?"
Anyao’s expression immediately brightened up, and he even stamped his feet on the ground, tugging at her sleeve as he urged her, "You said it, no going back, let’s go, let’s go, let’s not return until we’re drunk tonight."
In front of Li Qiao, Anyao didn’t have the arrogance or the high-handedness that rich second-generation kids usually have, he was just like a spoiled big boy, full of energy and caprice in every action.
In fact, he was four years older than Li Qiao.
Imperial Capital’s Old Cannon Nightclub.
Li Qiao and Anyao each drove a Ferrari into the parking lot in front of the club.
Both of them dressed casually with an outstanding temperament, and every gesture showed a hint of wealth.
Even though Li Qiao was relatively low-key, the moment Anyao showed up in the nightclub, a familiar waitress immediately led them to the VIP area.
The club was filled with swirling smoke and the roar of loud music everywhere.
Anyao waved his hand and ordered two bottles of vintage whisky, along with various fruit platters and snacks.
"Have you been in South Sea these past few years?" Anyao poured two drinks, handed one to Li Qiao, and asked with a grin.
Li Qiao took the glass and sipped, "Mhm, my family is in South Sea."
Anyao downed half a glass in one gulp, grimacing as he said, "Why did you guys suddenly go your separate ways back then? You didn’t even say anything. I had such a hard time looking for you."
"Something happened." Li Qiao swirled her glass, her tone very light.
Anyao tilted his head to examine her in the dim light, choosing his words carefully, "I may not be very capable, but if you need help, you shouldn’t be shy with me."
Though he thought the likelihood of Li Qiao asking for his assistance was next to none.
Even that time with the investigation of the Ferrari Enzo, he had relied on his father’s clout as the Asia-Pacific regional general agent.
Li Qiao and Anyao looked at each other, and after a moment, she pressed her lips together, her eyes teasing, "Alright."
After eleven at night, Li Qiao and Anyao parted ways at the entrance of the nightclub.
Since they both had been drinking, Anyao specifically called for the club’s designated driver service to drive them away.
Anyao sat in the passenger seat of the Ferrari, sticking his head out the window, burped an alcoholic burp, "Can I come and see you tomorrow?"
Li Qiao wasn’t as drunk as he was, at least she was soberer. She walked leisurely to her F8, glanced at him, "We’ll see."
Anyao leaned on the car window, reluctantly watching the F8 drive away, he hadn’t had enough when his phone rang in his pocket.
He took it out and immediately sobered up a good deal, "Dad, what’s up?"
Anyao listened to his father’s thunderous roar, irritably ran his hands through his hair, "What do you mean I’m out gallivanting again?"
"No, when did I show off? You never said cars in the showroom couldn’t be driven, right?"
The Fa Family Crown Prince was engaged in a battle of wits on the phone with his father, and no matter what the other party said, he always had countless reasons to retort.
Simply put, the willful Crown Prince had driven away all eight new models from the Imperial Capital Ferrari showroom tonight.
When his father received the news, he almost called the police, thinking that the showroom had been robbed.
The next morning, two Red Flag cars drove from the Emperor View Villa towards the Zong Family’s old residence, followed by a fiery red Ferrari F8.
Li San sat in the passenger seat of the F8, surveying the car’s structure, "When did you buy this?"
It was still the latest concept model.
Li Qiao, with one hand on the steering wheel, glanced at the rearview mirror, "Anyao brought it over."
"Anyao?" Li San repeated the name, "That idiot from the Ferrari family?"
Li Qiao pursed her lips and smiled, then gestured with her mouth towards the Red Flag cars in front, "Yeah, those drivers are from the Zong Family. It’s not convenient to talk in the car, so I’ll be driving this for the next few days, just in case."
Li San nodded in agreement, "Get me one just too."
An hour later, the three cars successively entered the vicinity of Wanliu Alley in the second ring.
The Zong Family’s old residence was at the end of the alley, a historic quadrangle, with the famous Prince’s Manor not far next door.
In front of the house, sentries stood guard.
Mr. and Mrs. Li got out of the car and quickly took numerous gift boxes from the trunk.
In the front courtyard’s reception room, the table was set with tea and pastries. As everyone took their seats, Zong Zhan walked in from outside, dressed in a white shirt and trousers.
He was accompanied by Liang Wanhua, who was dressed in an elegant cheongsam.
"In-laws, you have finally arrived." Liang Wanhua walked politely to Duan Shuyuan’s side, exchanged a few pleasant words, and managed to break the ice in the previously tense reception room.
Zong Zhan sat on the sofa near the window, his gaze fixed on Li Qiao.
Separated only by a low tea table between them, he leaned forward, resting his elbow on his knee, and asked in a low voice, "What do you think of the Imperial Capital?"
Li Qiao looked at Zong Zhan. At first glance, there didn’t seem anything amiss with the question.
But would Third Master Zong of the Imperial Capital care about her feelings towards the city?
Li Qiao raised her eyelids slightly, "Not bad, it’s just that the alley outside your house... has too many potholes."
Zong Zhan took a few seconds to catch on.
He smiled, his fingers brushing past his temple, "That might be because your car’s suspension is too low."
At this point, both Li Qiao and Zong Zhan had an unspoken understanding of each other’s intentions.
He must have known that she got out of the car halfway through the previous night, and he probably saw that Ferrari as well.
As to why he would take such an interest in her affairs, Li Qiao was even clearer about that.
The two exchanged a covert glance, and after a second, both averted their eyes.
The group sat in the living room, occasionally making idle conversation as time quietly slipped away, but Old Master Zong still hadn’t appeared.
Liang Wanhua looked up at the clock on the wall, sighed silently, and explained to Duan Shuyuan, "These past two days, the Old Master hasn’t been feeling well; he almost fell ill again last night.
I’ll go check on him. You all have some tea first. Zong San, please entertain our guests for me."
Zong Zhan nodded at Liang Wanhua and then picked up a cigarette case from the coffee table, glancing at Zong Yue, who looked very uneasy, "Aren’t you going to see your grandfather?"
Zong Yue bit her lip, appearing a bit guilty as she responded, "Oh, right. I’ll go now."