Chapter 920: Chapter 920: The Oppression of Class Hierarchy

A group of old fellows, upon learning that he was Qiao Yun’s boyfriend, turned a peaceful tea house where one would drink tea and admire the blossoms into a scene reminiscent of a liquor-table gathering.

Old Zhang filled Li Hanzhou’s cup with wine and said with a beaming smile, “We were good friends with Qiaoqiao’s grandfather and watched Qiaoqiao grow up. As Qiaoqiao’s elder, I toast to you.”

Immediately after, Old Qi joined in, “I’ll also give you a toast. You better not bully little Qiaoqiao, or I won’t let you off the hook.”

The Qi Family and the Li Family had good relations, so Old Qi didn’t have many reservations when speaking with Li Hanzhou.

However, Li Hanzhou seemed oblivious to the old fellows’ not-so-subtle way of backing Qiao Yun, reminding him that even though Qiao Ansheng had passed away, Qiao Yun still had their group of elders around. He remained calm and collected, accepting every drink offered and maintaining a poised and noble demeanor, all while engaging in light-hearted banter with them.

Qiao Yun furrowed her brows and closely observed Li Hanzhou’s expression. Seeing that his expression remained unchanged, she knew he could handle it and didn’t speak up to stop them.

Qiao Se, who didn’t drink, busied himself with a cup of tea, watching their back-and-forth, seemingly determined to not stop until the other was drunk. Especially impressive was Li Hanzhou, who managed to hold his own against seven opponents. He couldn’t help but admire, “Qiaoqiao, I really feel at ease leaving you with him. This guy’s got some strong mental fortitude.”

Most people faced with these big shots would’ve been on their knees, calling them ‘Dad’ by now, but not Li Hanzhou who could remain composed and not be overshadowed in their presence.

After all, the Li Family was not an ordinary family, and Li Hanzhou was no ordinary person.

Qiao Yun blinked her crow-feather-like eyelashes and asked softly, “Second Grandpa, what nice thing did they give you this time?”

Qiao Se smiled kindly, “You knew I couldn’t keep it from you. It’s nothing much, just a traditional Chinese painting I’ve wanted for a long time. That old man Su has been hiding and hoarding it, but this time he finally relented and gave it up.”

He spoke nonchalantly, but Qiao Yun knew the painting must be valuable.

Qiao Yun spoke with a hint of helplessness, “Second Grandpa, that’s not right. If they want to see me, they don’t need to go through all this trouble.”

She simply didn’t want to bother with unimportant people. If these elders who watched her grow up wanted to see her, she would be very polite.

“It was their voluntary offer, not because I forced them,” Qiao Se asserted with conviction. “When desirable items are delivered right to your doorstep, isn’t it foolish not to take them? You are just too well-behaved, which is how Li Hanzhou managed to whisk you away.”

At this point, he even got a bit annoyed, his brows knitting together.

Qiao Yun: “…”

Qiao Yun didn’t know what to say to that and tried to console him, “Second Grandpa, I have many paintings. If you want any, you can take them.”

For Qiao Yun, such material possessions were plentiful.

Qiao Se waved his hand dismissively, “Keep them for yourself. In case you go bankrupt in the future, you can still sell them for money.”

Qiao Yun: “…”

It was at this moment that Pei Yao’s message came through.

Qiao Yun glanced at it but didn’t disturb them. She said goodbye to Qiao Se and pushed open the door of the private room to leave.

She stood at the door of the private room and texted Pei Yao back: [Agree with what?]

Pei Yao’s message came quickly: [Just now, the Huo Family approached me, saying that my parents’ deaths were not an accident. No wonder Fu Yun had that attitude. This matter can’t be explained in a few words. Where are you? I’ll come to find you.]

Qiao Yun sent Pei Yao an address, and soon he replied with an OK. Then she put her phone back in her pocket, and as she turned to go back to the private room, she heard a voice.

“It’s you!”

A voice tinged with surprise rang out. Qiao Yun subconsciously paused her steps, looked up, and saw Fu Yun standing not far away, looking at her oddly.

Fu Yun’s face showed a slight astonishment upon seeing Qiao Yun’s face, but soon, some thoughts began to emerge in his mind.

Qiao Yun raised an eyebrow, not interested in dealing with Fu Yun, especially since she and Fu Yun didn’t have any interactions anyway.

Fu Yun’s gaze flickered, and seeing Qiao Yun turning to leave, he called out to her again, “Don’t go just yet, let’s talk.”

His tone was forceful, brooking no doubt.

Qiao Yun didn’t like Fu Yun’s tone. She furrowed her brows and opened her mouth to say she didn’t have time, but for some reason, Pei Yao’s recent message came to mind.

She suppressed her brow and eyes, speaking indifferently: “Fine.”

Fu Yun looked around and, although the teahouse was quiet, still suggested: “It’s not convenient here. Let’s go to my private room.”

Qiao Yun flicked her eyelids but did not object.

When Fu Yun pushed open the private room next door, Qiao Yun’s brows and eyes twitched. She hadn’t expected that Fu Yun would be in the room right next to hers.

Fu Yun didn’t come out alone. She was in a bad mood because of Pei Ya’s ruthless attitude, so Jiang Jing suggested they go out for a change of scenery to lighten her mood, which is why she had come out.

So, when Qiao Yun was brought into the private room by Fu Yun, Jiang Jing’s smiling lips suddenly stiffened, unable to hide the clear disgust in her eyes.

Why is Fu Yun with Qiao Yun?

Since when did they become so close?

Jiang Jing clasped her fingers tightly into her palm, absurdly thinking, could it be that Qiao Yun wants to snatch Fu Yun from her?

The mere thought enraged Jiang Jing to the point where she wanted to rush up and tear Qiao Yun’s face apart. Was she looking to oppose her this way?

Jiang Jing suppressed the anger in her heart, staring fiercely at Qiao Yun with a warning in her eyes.

Fu Yun’s attention was entirely on Qiao Yun and, hence, she didn’t notice Jiang Jing’s expression; otherwise, she would likely feel disgusted.

Jiang Jing’s current appearance was nothing like Fu Yao’s.

Fu Yao was kind and gentle, with an easygoing personality, not someone like Jiang Jing with a narrow heart and deep thoughts.

Fu Yun ignored Jiang Jing and had Qiao Yun sit down.

Qiao Yun pulled out a chair and sat opposite Fu Yun. She remained silent, just staring at Fu Yun with her clear black and white eyes.

Fu Yun felt an inexplicable pressure, which she found very strange.

It felt like… the oppression of class.

Qiao Yun still carried the air of someone superior.

Fu Yun furrowed her brows hard at this sensation.

It must be an illusion.

A girl not even in her twenties, where would she get such a powerful aura from?

Fu Yun carefully chose her words, and slowly began: “Last time we met, I noticed that you and Jiujiu have a good relationship, are you friends?”

Qiao Yun casually nodded: “Mhm.”

She didn’t deny it, nor did she need to.

Jiang Jing, at the side, listened in confusion. Who is Jiujiu?

But it seemed now that Fu Yun was looking for Qiao Yun because of this person, and her anxious heart finally relaxed.

Fu Yun was initially puzzled by the odd pairing of Pei Ya and Qiao Yun, finding it hard to imagine how these two became friends.

Then she breathed a sigh of relief, muttering to herself: “So they are just friends… just friends is good…”

Better than liking someone romantically.

For some reason, she didn’t like Qiao Yun much, maybe because Qiao Yun didn’t show her the usual reverence like others.

In Qiao Yun’s eyes, she was just an ordinary person.

So if Pei Ya liked Qiao Yun, then she would be troubled about how to separate them.