Li Qiao listened to the familiar voice in her ear and then glanced at the phone box; the irritation between her brows gradually dissipated.
She looked up somewhat unexpectedly, gazing at Liuyun’s earnest face, and slowly took the box, feeling a warm surge in her chest, "Thank you, please convey my thanks to Master Yan."
Liuyun pursed his lips and nodded gracefully, "Of course, Miss Li, the spare SIM card is also inside."
After speaking, Liuyun said goodbye and turned to leave.
Li Qiao’s gaze fell, and she touched the phone box without hesitation, promptly switching the SIM card and powering on the phone.
With her left leg crossed over the right, she casually leaned against the corridor wall, opened the dial pad, and skillfully entered Shang Yu’s phone number.
After two rings, the call connected.
Li Qiao looked out the window, her doe eyes shimmering with light, her smile hidden, "Thank you for Master Yan’s phone."
"No need to thank me. Has the banquet not started yet?" Shang Yu’s deep and magnetic voice came through the receiver. It sounded just as usual but somehow made her heartbeat quicken.
Li Qiao took a breath and responded truthfully, "Not yet, but it should begin soon."
Shang Yu hummed lazily, paused, and then said, "Enjoy yourself, and call if you need anything."
After ending the call, Li Qiao stood in the corridor for a long time.
Even though her heartbeat had steadied, that persistent throbbing still lingered and fermented in her heart.
Meanwhile, at the South Sea Mansion.
The semi-basement wine-tasting lounge was surrounded by shelves filled with an array of fine wines.
In front of the black marble bar, Shang Yu and Ou Bai sat shoulder to shoulder, while Qiu Huan stood inside acting as the bartender.
Having ended the call, Shang Yu set his phone aside and casually took sips of the prepared tequila.
Ou Bai and Qiu Huan exchanged glances, their eyes filled with teasing.
At that moment, Qiu Huan, holding a jigger between his fingers, poured an ounce of tequila into the mixing jug, raised an eyebrow at Shang Yu, and said with a hint of sourness, "We’ve known each other for so long, how come you’ve never given me a phone?"
Ou Bai chimed in, "Me neither."
Then, the dim glow of the European-style chandelier above the bar bathed the men, softening the sharpness and wildness around them.
Shang Yu downed the tequila in his glass in one go and met Qiu Huan’s joking gaze with a cold look, "You talk too much."
The bartender Qiu Huan: "..."
Is it too late to poison him now?
Ou Bai, reveling in another’s misfortune, chuckled and tapped the bar with his knuckles, straightening his face, "Shaoyan, tell me the truth, what exactly is going on between you and the bandit Li San’s sister?"
After he spoke, Qiu Huan too stopped what he was doing, staring intently at Shang Yu, "I’m also quite curious. The way you defended her this afternoon at the Nineveh Clubhouse, I almost thought you two were already in cahoots.
To be fair, apart from her good background, she might not be suitable for you in other aspects.
Let’s not mention anything else, just take the Secret Hall, for instance. Do you think with her abilities, she could gain the recognition of the Secret Hall?"
Ou Bai also fixed his gaze on Shang Yu with intense scrutiny, pursing his lips and nodding seriously.
After hearing the two’s presumptuous analysis, Shang Yu’s expression remained unchanged as he lowered his eyelids.
He was silent for a moment, then lazily leaned back in the high chair, his elegant fingers resting on the base of the glass, gently swirling it, his tone carefree, "As for her abilities, you can judge for yourselves after you both gain the approval of the Secret Hall."
Shit, I forgot about that, my face hurts!