CHAPTER 1023: CHAPTER 1023: ANNOUNCING THE WEDDING

To have both Third Master Zong of the Imperial Capital and Master Rong of Wenxi Island seated at the top table, their relationship with Shaoyan speaks for itself.

Qiu Huan could see that the bond between He Chen and the others was not something a casual friendship could interfere with.

Some people are destined only to be friends, while others are born brothers.

...

Another ten minutes passed, and Li Qiao was growing impatient when Shang Yu finally arrived, fashionably late.

Today’s man was dressed exceptionally formally, in a black suit with dark motifs paired with a burgundy pocket square. Without a Windsor knot at the collar, the slightly opened two buttons exuded casualness and ease.

He approached Li Qiao step by step, leaning on the sofa with one hand, smirking as he bent down, "Sorry for the wait."

Li Qiao’s impatience slowly faded from her eyes, and she responded calmly, "Not too long, just over an hour."

Apart from Shang Yu, no one could make her wait so patiently for such an extended period.

The man touched Li Qiao’s chin with his thumb, kissed her lips slightly, "Something came up last minute, I’ll make it up to you later, okay?"

Li Qiao nodded, using the man’s strength to stand up, "What’s the event today?"

Shang Yu smirked profoundly and slightly bent his arm, "You don’t know?"

Li Qiao hooked her arm through his, giving him a sideways glance as if questioning the necessity for her to know.

Events like banquets took place almost daily.

Shang Yu invited her, suggesting it was an important occasion.

Soon after, Li Qiao adjusted her hair, walking slowly with the man towards the private banquet hall.

As the two large doors slowly opened, the smile on Li Qiao’s lips froze abruptly.

The private banquet hall, with four banquet tables, was filled with familiar faces.

Almost everyone she knew in the South Sea was present.

And on the large screen at the front, several words were written: "Happy Birthday, Mrs. Shang."

Li Qiao mechanically stepped forward, turned her head to look at the man beside her, clutching his arm, "When did you prepare this?"

"Yesterday," Shang Yu turned his head to meet her gaze, his handsome features carrying a slight smile, "Thought I’d forgotten?"

Li Qiao said nothing but pursed her lips in a smile.

Everyone present was familiar, making the atmosphere relaxed and harmonious.

Shang Yu led Li Qiao to the front row, facing the twenty-two gifts, "Want to open the gifts first?"

"Are there other segments?" Li Qiao looked at the gifts arranged from small to large, her heart slightly racing.

Neither she nor Shang Yu was particularly romantic; they rarely exchanged gifts.

These twenty-two gift boxes were probably compensation for each birthday she missed with Shang Yu.

Li Qiao suddenly didn’t want to open them, preferring not to share such a special moment in front of everyone.

She refrained from looking at the gifts, turning to Shang Yu with a gentle smile, "We’ll open them at home."

"Alright." The man had always been deferential to her, and then he straightforwardly led Li Qiao towards the podium.

Li Qiao occasionally glanced at the gift boxes, wondering what they contained.

Then, a deep and melodious voice resonated from beside her, "Happy Birthday, Mrs. Shang."

Li Qiao stood on the stage, barely reacting, before hearing his resonant voice again, "Everyone, I am Shang Shaoyan. May 17th, you’re welcome to join me and Li Qiao at our wedding."

Li Qiao was momentarily stunned.

May 17th? Wedding?

However, what surprised her even more was what happened next; Shang Yu publicly announced their wedding news, during which not only the private banquet hall but LED screens outside the hotel and throughout South Sea City simultaneously displayed live footage.

Shang Shaoyan, long known for his mystery, chose this way to reveal himself and announce his marriage to Li Qiao.

Not only did the entire city boil with excitement, but social media platforms flooded with hot topics.

Shang Shaoyan of the South Sea was already a legendary name, and his first time facing the public, he unequivocally announced his wedding. Who was Li Qiao to be so fortunate?

The city-wide broadcast video showed only Shang Yu standing tall; Li Qiao did not appear on screen.

Newly infatuated fans were heartbroken, swearing to uncover Li Qiao’s identity and dig up any unsavory history out of spite.

But before they could start, people online revealed the Li Family’s genealogy, the richest family in the South Sea.

Li Qiao’s name prominently figured.

Clearly, this wasn’t a Cinderella and Prince tale but a powerful alliance between two giants.

An Overlord of the South Sea and the daughter of the South Sea’s wealthiest family — perhaps no one matched them better.

...

The birthday party was probably just an appetizer; Shang Yu’s real intention was to give Li Qiao a breathtaking wedding of global attention.

During the dinner, Li Qiao ate her meal with a seemingly calm demeanor, but if one looked closely, waves of emotion surged in her eyes, belying her composed exterior.

Shang Yu occasionally picked food for her — whatever he picked, she ate — without looking up.

Next to them, Mr. and Mrs. Li watched the scene with smiles, each face filled with joy and amusement.

Joyful that they could finally make their wedding news public, amused because no one had ever seen Li Qiao this cutely confused.

Compared to the conventional tearful proposals, what Shang Shaoyan offered Li Qiao was uniquely heartfelt.

Their love should always be celebrated in the light.

Elsewhere, Yin Mo had gone to the washroom midway, encountering someone at the door upon exiting.

The other person leaned against the wall, fingers holding a cigarette at his side.

Yin Mo unexpectedly bumped into his shoulder, "Sorry."

She quickly lifted her gaze, and her apology stopped suddenly.

He Chen gave her a sideways glance, having not seen each other for a while, and she indeed made him poignantly reminiscent.

Yin Mo stepped back, intending to bypass him and return the same way.

But her wrist was gripped by the man’s dry palm; she failed to break free and furrowed her brows, speaking, "Do you need something?"

Every time Yin Mo saw He Chen, a multitude of complex emotions arose within her.

There was admiration a woman had for a man, an aversion towards him, and more so an undeniable disdain for his frivolous and unruly nature.

At this moment, He Chen could easily sense her resistance through Yin Mo’s eyes.

He tightened his grip, raising his lips playfully, "When are you planning to take me off your blacklist?"

Yin Mo’s captivating eyes, which fascinated He Chen, flickered before she calmly replied, "Right now."

"So straightforward?" He Chen squinted at her, attempting to read from her expression.

But Yin Mo was naturally a gentle beauty, her years with the Chairman Family had shaped her taciturn and rigid nature.

Seeing anything beyond calmness in her expression was indeed difficult.

Yin Mo tugged her arm backward, "Let go first."

He Chen didn’t comply but instead pulled her forcefully close, "Why are you so obedient today?"

Yin Mo lightly furrowed her brows, "It’s not a big deal anyways."

These words clearly felt insincere.

He Chen was adept at reading intentions; smirking slightly, he tousled her chin, raising an eyebrow coquettishly, "Saying that, do you believe yourself?"