Chapter 7  

Li Yan walked forward. “Cousin, I came in a rush, so I did not manage to prepare any gifts. Unlike Second Young Mistress Qiao, I don’t have an “invaluable” gift for you, and I apologize for that.”

He emphasized the word “invaluable”, and to Qiao Mu, the word was like a ticking time bomb.

‘Cousin? So, he’s Yu Tingyun’s brother…’

Qiao Mu was utterly shocked. From what he could remember, Yu Tingyun did have a younger cousin.

Yu Tingyun felt extremely honoured that such a rich and powerful man was attending her birthday dinner. Naturally, she was tremendously happy about it. She smiled and said very politely, “Ah Yan, you don’t have to be so courteous with me. The fact that you’re here makes me very happy already. I wasn’t even aware that you’re back in the country.”

‘Li Yan…

‘How long has it been since I’ve heard this name? ‘It has been ten years!’

It felt so surreal to be hearing this name again after ten years. Qiao Mu had not thought about him for quite some time, to the point that she could not recognize him the first time she saw him earlier.

This young man was Yu Tingyun’s cousin, which meant that he was Qiao Ya’s uncle.

Qiao Mu gazed at the man’s devilishly charming face and recalled what he looked like ten years ago. From what she could remember, he used to be extremely handsome too. The years away had given him a mature and polished aura, and he looked even more captivating than before.

Qiao Mu suddenly realized that she was in a dangerous situation. She had offended Tu Tingyun’s cousin. He was Yu Tingyun’s family member!

Qiao Ya said enthusiastically, “Uncle, it’s really you! We’ve not seen each other for years. I’m Young Ya. You do remember me, don’t you?”

Li Yan looked flatly at Qiao Ya and hummed in acknowledgement. There were no emotions in his voice.

Qiao Ya immediately felt embarrassed. To make the situation less awkward, she decided to drag Qiao Mu into the conversation. “Mu Mu, this is your uncle. Why aren’t you coming over to greet him? So impolite! I remember that you used to follow him around all the time when you were young. Don’t tell me that you’ve forgotten about him.”

Qiao Mu took a step forward. Her head was lowered, and she looked obedient. “Hello, uncle.” ‘Hello?’

Li Yan lowered his head, and his gaze fell upon Qiao Mu’s face. She looked like an obedient big baby who was politely greeting someone older than her.

Beneath her calm appearance, he could actually tell that she was shocked and anxious. Li Yan arched an eyebrow. ‘Wasn’t she very fierce just now?’

This little thing was drunk the first time they have met after ten years, and she tried to seduce him. When they met for the second time, she pointed at his nose and threatened him. And now, she was putting on an obedient front, and she even called him “uncle”.

He did not like her to address him like this.

Li Yan had recognized Qiao Mu when he met her on the cruise ship. It had been ten years, but her face almost did not change at all. She was just a grown up version of the child she used to be. The only difference was that she was no longer as childlike and naive as she was before. She had become more ladylike.

She was eighteen, and even though she was not that mature yet, she had grown a lot compared to when she was eight. She had become more beautiful, and her body was starting to look like that of a woman’s.

Li Yan flashed a slight smile and said slowly, “Second Young Mistress Qiao had already greeted me when we were outside just now.”

Qiao Ya became jealous when he heard this. She was related to him by blood, but he ignored him and decided to entertain an outsider!

Qiao Jiannan said with a smile, “Young Master Li, my younger daughter never liked meeting people, and she’s shy. I hope you don’t mind.”

The fact that an older person was calling him “Young Master Li” showed that Li Yan was indeed a force to be reckoned with.

Li Yan smiled playfully. Shy? He did not think that this young woman was a shy person.