Li Qiao stepped into the underground elevator and glanced at the venue directory on the wall before pressing the button for the fifth floor.
As the elevator ascended, she leaned casually against the wall, head down, her right leg slightly bent and resting over her left. She looked utterly relaxed—yet, beneath that laid-back posture, there was an unmistakable edge of arrogance in her bones.
Ding—
The elevator stopped on the third floor.
The carved elevator doors slid open at an even pace, letting in a soft breeze that lifted the strands of hair across her forehead.
Li Qiao raised her eyes slightly, her brows arching—
Two striking silhouettes dressed in black suddenly appeared before her.
Standing at the front was Shang Yu, wearing a black shirt and matching trousers. The top button of his shirt was undone, revealing the sharp lines of his collarbone.
Behind him, a step back, stood Liu Yun—also in black.
Under the warm yellow light of the elevator cabin, Li Qiao's gaze lifted and locked directly with Shang Yu's dark, piercing eyes.
He's back?
Before either of them spoke, Liu Yun stepped forward and placed a hand on the elevator door frame, nodding slightly toward her.
"Miss Li."
Li Qiao gave a lazy nod in return, but her gaze never left Shang Yu.
The man strode into the elevator, bringing with him the chill of dusk. The air around him was crisp and distant, carrying his usual cool detachment.
As the elevator doors slid shut behind them, Li Qiao finally broke the silence.
"I heard you returned to Parma. When did you get back?"
Shang Yu stood just half a meter from her. Reflected in the polished metal of the elevator door, he could clearly see the faint smile in her eyes.
Tonight, she wore a brown jacket paired with skinny jeans and combat boots—her legs looking long and straight in the outfit.
Catching her gaze in the reflection, Shang Yu slid one hand into his pocket and replied in a husky, low voice,
"Just now."
Li Qiao tilted slightly toward him, her eyes landing on the prominent curve of his Adam's apple.
"So… how did it go?"
The elevator was quiet for a few seconds. Then, just as the next floor's chime sounded, his deep, magnetic voice cut through the stillness:
"Just as you wished."
Ding.
The doors opened. Liu Yun stepped out first, holding the door open like a perfect, expressionless assistant.
Just as you wished—
That meant the engagement was officially called off?
At that, a subtle grin tugged at Li Qiao's lips—something rare, something genuinely pleased.
She tucked both hands into her jacket pockets and leaned back against the wall, tipping her head up as she offered,
"To thank you, Mr. Shang, allow me to treat you to dinner. If you're free, that is."
"No need," Shang Yu replied, turning his head ever so slightly. The refusal was swift and clean.
Just as a hint of regret flashed across her face, the man's eyes narrowed slightly, and a seductive curve formed at his lips.
"Do you bowl?"
Li Qiao went with the flow and nodded,
"A little."
The man met her gaze, a thoughtful smile playing on his lips. Then he turned and strolled out of the elevator, tossing back a simple command:
"Come."
Li Qiao blinked her misty doe-like eyes as she watched Shang Yu's retreating figure, then lowered her head with a soft laugh.
The more she observed, the more convinced she became—
Rumors really couldn't be trusted.
…
Li Qiao walked side by side with Shang Yu toward the private bowling suite on the fifth floor.
The No. 2 hall was just next door, but she wasn't in a rush. After all, Nan Yin was a hardcore bowling enthusiast—give her a bowling alley, and she could play until the end of time.
The private suite was a secluded and exclusive area, designed with privacy in mind.
The lights inside the hall were bright and clear. As Liu Yun pushed open the door, two men lounging in the seating area beside the lanes turned their heads—and both froze in surprise.
Li Qiao had seen them before.
That night at the entertainment club's Slow Bar, they were in the same private room as Shang Yu. It was also these two who had escorted the ranting man out of the room.
Now, one of them eyed Li Qiao closely, his gaze darting between her and Shang Yu. As he rose from his seat, he narrowed his eyes slightly and said,
"Well, well. Boss Shang, and this lady is…?"