Li Qiao expressionlessly tugged at her skirt.
Shang Yu timely walked over, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, his voice deep, "After the wedding, how should we arrange Yin Mo?"
He Chen said nothing.
An amused sparkle flashed in Li Qiao’s eyes as she raised an eyebrow, "For safety’s sake, it’s better to hide her."
"Hmm, let’s do that then." The man smoothly picked up the conversation.
He Chen watched their departing figures, side by side, and muttered under his breath, "Damn..."
Time moved to four in the afternoon. Li Qiao seemed quite busy, continuously messaging while en route to the Cabinet Office in a courtesy car.
The screen was constantly changing, indicating she wasn’t just communicating with one person.
Meanwhile, Shang Yu sat lazily, his gaze fixed on Li Qiao, staring at her cheongsam-collared long dress, his deep eyes revealing he was lost in thought.
This sensational wedding, drawing guests from over a thousand people, created a spectacular event not seen in Myanmar for years.
The courtesy cars came and went, showcasing a rare festive scene in recent years in Myanmar.
Simultaneously, various forces in the shadows were watching for opportunities.
The entire capital of Naypyidaw was awash with undercurrents.
The Cabinet Office, located in the northern economic development zone of the capital, usually austere and solemn, today bore splashes of festive red.
The golden-roofed buildings around gleamed with a golden glow under the sunset, drapes of colored silk flowing down, representing the blessed traditions of Myanmar.
In front of the Cabinet Office, Li Qiao, arm in arm with Shang Yu, glanced at the familiar buildings, a soft curve forming at the corners of her lips.
"Greetings, Tan Sri."
The person responsible for welcoming them at the door was a staff member from the Cabinet Office’s general affairs department.
Over forty, he quickly saluted on seeing Li Qiao, his face showing a hint of astonishment.
Not long after, Shen Qingye and others also arrived successively at the Cabinet Office.
About ten minutes later, the group passed through the security area and crossed the grand hall of the Cabinet Office, arriving at the magnificent State Banquet Hall.
The floor was laid with intricately patterned carpets, with guest seating areas on both sides.
Li Qiao scanned the surroundings, noticing many familiar faces as she watched foreign dignitaries engaging with companions, network-building and conversing.
Zong Zhan looked imposing in his military uniform, the golden sash and epaulettes on his chest accentuating his righteous demeanor.
Jin Rong, abandoning his usual casual attire, was impeccably dressed in a cream-white suit, toasting and chatting jovially with others.
With forty minutes still till the wedding began, Li Qiao had yet to spot Xiao Hongdao and Xiao Yehui.
Suddenly, a soft call came from behind, prompting Li Qiao and the others to turn back, seeing Councilor Ning Yuanyang of the Parma Chieftain Court strolling over.
Beside him was the Myanmar diplomat from the Parma Embassy, Sayyibun.
Li Qiao’s eyes flickered as she softly greeted, "Councilor Ning, Uncle Sa."
Ning Yuanyang’s expression was gentle as he nodded at her, then turned to look at Shang Yu, "Is your old man not here yet?"
"On the way," the man replied in a deep voice, nodding to Sayyibun, "Mr. Sa."
At this time, Li Qiao gently squeezed Shang Yu’s arm and said gracefully, "Councilor Ning, Uncle Sa, you two chat first, I’ll go see a friend."
The man turned his handsome face, lowering his voice as he cautioned, "Don’t wander off."
Li Qiao nodded, giving Shang Yu a reassuring look, then turned, holding her skirt, and walked towards the other side.
She could tell that Ning Yuanyang seemed to have something to discuss with Shang Yu.
Upon seeing this, Shen Qingye and Song Liao also straightened and followed Li Qiao’s steps.
Ning Yuanyang turned slightly, motioned for a server, and picked up the champagne, handing it to Shang Yu and Sayyibun, "Though I don’t know what you and the old man plan, before I came, the chieftain specifically instructed, behind you is all of Parma."
Shang Yu lightly curled his thin lips, nodding imperiously yet humbly, "Thank you, Uncle Ning."
"No need to thank me. This is all at the chieftain’s directive. Besides..." Ning Yuanyang took a sip of champagne, exchanged glances with Sayyibun, and further explained, "Three days ago, Major-General Wei Lang took away a team of special forces. Although he reported it, the procedure was improper.
It just so happened Mr. Sayyibun returned home this time, I’ve already had the Tribal Chief’s Council issue an official letter, assigning Major-General Wei Lang with the special operations group to accompany Sayyibun’s security, under the pretext of protecting him."
Shang Yu’s thick brows slightly raised, the smile deepening at his lips, "Much obliged, Uncle Ning."
Ning Yuanyang shook his head, leaned forward slightly, and couldn’t help venting, "Shaoyan, find some time to talk to Wei Lang, he’s at least a major-general, he shouldn’t act so recklessly.
If he wants to go on a mission, no one’s stopping him. But then he filed a report saying he was visiting family, taking thirty special forces soldiers overnight. This isn’t nonsense. Besides, he’s from Parma, who would he be visiting in Myanmar?!"
Elsewhere, Li Qiao, with Shen Qingye and Song Liao, left the State Banquet Hall directly, taking a secluded corner down the Cabinet’s corridor for some peace.
Shen Qingye’s brows were filled with melancholy. Sitting by a bench, legs crossed, he sighed, "Life is really damn unpredictable. It’s such a pity that both Old Second and Lao Wu can’t attend Lao Si’s wedding."
At his words, Song Liao also drooped his head, sighing, "It truly is a pity."
Li Qiao alone continued to message, seemingly oblivious to their lamentation.
Soon after, she put down her phone, gazing at the artificial lake in apparent deep thought, occasionally checking the time, as if calculating something.
"Third Brother is here."
Song Liao caught a glimpse with his peripheral vision, and saw the sharp-suited Li San striding over.
Li Qiao glanced sideways, her eyes gradually regaining clarity, "Where is she?"
Li San smirked wickedly, "There wasn’t a chance for me to step in, He Chen took her inside."
Shen Qingye and Song Liao were confused by the conversation, but upon mention of He Chen, they both instinctively thought of Yin Mo.
Li Qiao smiled softly, "Yes, she is."
Shen Qingye raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Then will Lao Wu..."
Li Qiao’s words were always something Shen Qingye and Song Liao deeply trusted.
Li San stood nearby, observing for a moment, then nodded forward, "Qiaoqiao, come with me."
Shen Qingye and Song Liao didn’t interrupt, deciding after some discussion to go find Xia Siyu.
At this moment, Li San looked at Li Qiao sternly and asked after some contemplation, "Is your operation this time dangerous?"
Li Qiao paused her gaze, lazily lifting her eyelids, "What operation?"
Li San pursed his lips displeased, "Don’t play dumb with me, would you issue a protection order if it weren’t dangerous?"
Li Qiao’s expression didn’t change, or rather, she had expected it long ago, that the matter of the protection order could be hidden from everyone but inevitably not from Shang Yu.
She tugged at her lips, summarizing succinctly, "Just a precaution, no matter what happens next, remember to protect yourself and Nan Xin."
"Do you underestimate me?" Li San placed a hand on his hip, his face darkening.
Li Qiao gave him a sidelong glance, "I’m just reminding you, someone may act in desperation."