Li Qiao set the group message to Do Not Disturb mode, exited WeChat, and then, leaning against the seatback, she silently curled up a smile.
"What’s with that expression?" Shang Yu turned on the overhead light and caught a glimpse of Li Qiao’s slightly sarcastic smile, toying with her slightly cold fingertips in his hand.
Li Qiao lifted her eyelids to look at the road ahead and answered playfully, "He’s called everyone here."
Shang Yu’s thick brows slightly rose as he pinched her soft, boneless hand, his voice rich and deep, "Coming to a conclusion wouldn’t be so bad."
"Not contacting is the best conclusion," Li Qiao spread out her fingers, slipping them through the gaps of his, and cracked a faint smile, "Calling everyone to British Imperial doesn’t sound like he wants to come to a conclusion."
Hearing this, Shang Yu turned his head lazily, his gaze sweeping over her abdomen, "Sleep a little more."
Li Qiao was still pondering Xiao Yehui’s intentions when she heard his words, opened her mouth to respond, then smiled helplessly.
At seven in the evening, three cars stopped at the Platinum Luster Hotel in Charlman City.
About half an hour later, Li Qiao, with Luoyu, headed for the semi-basement café.
In a corner, Xia Lao Wu and Song Liao were each engrossed in their phones, Su Lao Si had not yet arrived, and Shen Qingye was reportedly entertaining guests with his father.
Li Qiao walked over unhurriedly and had Luoyu order her a latte.
Just as she took her seat, Song Liao looked up, calling out with a naive expression, "Qi Zai, you’re here."
Li Qiao leaned back and raised an eyebrow at him, questioning, "You received an invitation too?"
It was not surprising for Huanxia Pharma Enterprise, a multinational company, to receive an invitation.
The same went for Uncle Shen from Sixth Bureau, who was once a member of MI6 of British Imperial; being invited to the fireworks festival was reasonable.
The only exception seemed to be Song Lao Liu from Interpol, who appeared to lack proper justification.
At that moment, Song Liao set his phone on the table and replied openly, "Boss Xiao personally invited me, I could not refuse the courtesy."
Li Qiao didn’t even look as she pushed the phone back with a curved smile.
Xia Siyu propped her chin on her hands, watching the exchange, rhythmically tapping her fingers on the table, "I’m so looking forward to it, the Seven Sons are going to unite."
While she spoke of anticipation, her eyes were filled with a chilly sarcasm.
Li Qiao was non-committal, accepted the coffee Luoyu brought, and took a shallow sip.
Then, she frowned as she opened the lid of the coffee, a rich scent of milk assaulting her nose.
Li Qiao looked expressionlessly towards Luoyu behind her, lifting the coffee cup, "Latte?"
Since when was a latte pure white milk?
Luoyu cleared his throat and moved a step to the side, "Maybe... you could ask the boss?"
Li Qiao raised an eyebrow and looked over, noticing Shang Yu and Feng Yi chatting casually not far away.
Feeling her gaze, the man gestured towards the coffee cup in her hand as if to say, "Drink up."
Li Qiao supported her forehead with one hand, inaudibly sighed, recapped the lid and sipped the caffeine-free coffee, her temples throbbing.
She had been careless yesterday when using the test strip.
After a while, Su Lao Si arrived fashionably late.
Four of the Five Sons had gathered, each carrying a smile with an intriguing edge.
Su Lao Si, in a jacket, sported a conspicuous wedding ring on his left hand. He took out two small, unlabeled medicine vials from his pocket and handed them to Li Qiao, "Twice a day, one at a time."
Li Qiao didn’t ask any questions and handed them over to Luoyu.
Xia Siyu leaned in curiously, "What medicine? Has Qi Zai gotten hurt again?"
Before Li Qiao could reply, Su Lao Si said earnestly, "Calcium pills, she’s lacking calcium."
Li Qiao’s eyes drooped as she took another sip of milk, "Luoyu, help me order another coffee."
As Luoyu turned to leave, Li Qiao tilted her head slightly and whispered to the few people at the table, "Be careful at the Ducal Residence tomorrow night."
Xia Siyu waved her hands with an awkward smile, "Don’t worry, I’ve learned my lesson once; I can’t afford another fall."
Su Moshi scrutinized Li Qiao’s expression and leaned forward, eyes narrowing as he inquired, "Is there some special situation?"
Their gazes instantly settled on Li Qiao’s face.
She had no intention of hiding it. While Luoyu was still away, she reminded them in a muted tone, "I’m going to find someone. Cover for me."
Song Liao blinked innocently, "Covering for you is no problem, but who are you looking for?"
Li Qiao looked up and uttered a name, "Yun Lih."
Xia Siyu’s breath hitched, her expression freezing abruptly...