At this moment, Shang Lu was nearly vomiting his consciousness away.
He held his stomach with one hand, his face showing displeasure, and glared angrily at the Li family members in the hall, still thinking they wanted to drive him out.
The scolding words were still fermenting on the edge of his mouth when the wrought iron gate behind him opened once more to both sides.
A breeze swept past, and outside the gate, a line of luxurious cars driving down the tree-lined avenue caught his eye.
At that moment, the first car slowed to a stop, the driver got out and jogged to the rear, respectfully opened the car door while holding one hand over the top, and said, "Master, we've arrived at the Li Family."
Shang Yu had arrived!
Just as Shang Lu was being given a hard time, Li Guangming had received a call from Shang Yu's confidant, Liuyun.
Today, the Overlord of the South Sea had come in person to call off the engagement.
Even as the wealthiest man in the South Sea, Li Guangming had only met Shang Yu once over so many years.
That was five years ago.
Now, across the mottled years, Li Guangming, past his fifties, still held admiration and wariness towards Shang Shaoyan.
From the back seat of the car, a pair of long legs clad in black trousers stepped out first, followed by the tall and straight figure of Shang Yu, who exited the vehicle unhurriedly and with composure.
The man's lips were slightly pursed, his chiseled face wrapped in a trace of coldness, his sharp gaze deep and mysterious, standing beside the car, he seemed to envelop the surrounding air with a chill.
For some reason, upon first seeing him, Li Qiao felt as though he was in a bad mood.
Shang Yu was still dressed in a pure black shirt, its sleeves rolled up to his forearms, three buttons undone at the collar, giving off a sense of seriousness mingled with unrestrained wildness.
His gaze, cutting through the crowd, easily caught sight of Li Qiao standing next to Li Cheng.
In just a second, his gaze shifted, and he signaled the driver beside him. The driver then went to the trunk to retrieve several gift boxes.
At this time, Shang Lu, suppressing his urge to vomit, staggered up to Shang Yu and complained with anger and annoyance, "Big brother, they..."
Without any change of expression, Shang Yu turned his head sharply, a powerful aura of pressure striking forth, immediately causing Shang Lu to gasp in a cold breath and swallow back all his complaints.
By then, Li Guangming had already stepped to the entrance with Duan Shuyuan to welcome them. After five years, the underground Overlord of the South Sea in front of them had become more reserved and composed, yet the air of lofty nobility emanating from him was even more oppressive.
"Mr. Li, pardon the disturbance," Shang Yu said, nodding to Li Guangming as he initiated the conversation.
The man's rich voice was like fine wine flowing down one's throat, intoxicating and enchanting.
"You flatter us with your politeness, Mr. Shang. Not at all a bother, please, come inside," replied Li Guangming exceedingly warmly, even overly so.
In the presence of the Yang Emperor Group mogul who held the economic lifeline of the South Sea in his hands, the status of the Li family's richest man was actually insignificant.
At this moment, Li Qiao stood by the pillar in the entrance hall, watching Shang Yu pass by her, a faint scent of tobacco wafting over, somewhat beguiling.
Her third brother smoked, and so did Li Shaoquan, but somehow only his scent was surprisingly pleasant.
Li Qiao turned her face away and silently laughed, trailing behind the group as they went in.
Shang Lu, however, was left in front of the door, left to retch by himself... unnoticed.
…
Inside the living room, the atmosphere was exceptionally solemn.
Li Qiao was the last to enter. The normally spacious hall, where one could run laps, now felt cramped and small due to Shang Yu's presence.
The man sat with his legs crossed on the main double-seat sofa, his silence doing nothing to reduce the overpowering aura that seemed as if it could swallow the heavens and the earth.
Li Qiao glanced around, everyone was seated on the sofas. Her parents together, her three brothers each in a single seat, leaving only the spot beside Shang Yu available.
Without hesitation, she walked forward, sat down next to Shang Yu, and casually greeted, "Hi, Master Yan."