Hidden identities of the AI Heiress
Chapter 550 - Chapter 550 Chapter 550 There Are Organizational People by Her

Chapter 550: Chapter 550: There Are Organizational People by Her Side Chapter 550: Chapter 550: There Are Organizational People by Her Side (4000 words)

The old patriarch was fond of such well-mannered young men, and seeing that Pei Yao had spoken as he did, immediately took him to view the paintings, while also acting as a narrator.

Lu Rui followed behind them and, noticing that Lu Shiran had a strange expression, asked, “What are you up to? Why so sneaky?”

“I’m not,” Lu Shiran quickly straightened up, his face feigning ignorance.

Lu Rui looked around and asked, “Where’s Qiaoqiao? Why did you come back alone?”

“My sister… she…” Lu Shiran stumbled over his words, “she went to the bathroom.”

Seeing this, Lu Rui did not press further.

Lu Shiran let out a long sigh of relief. He hadn’t blown his cover, had he?

He was also very concerned about his sister’s safety and wondered if something had happened to her.

But with Pei Ya and Li Hanzhou around, he managed not to lose his cool.

Because he didn’t want to create further chaos.

The person in charge saw Pei Ya stride so boldly up the steps, hesitated for a moment with a flicker in his eyes, then quietly moved aside and took out his phone to make a call.

No sooner had the call connected than a towering and imposing bodyguard appeared behind him, snatched away his phone, eyes filled with murderous intent, “Trying to send a warning?”

The man in charge trembled, shrinking his neck like a quail.

…

Li Hanzhou, along with his bodyguards, headed toward the conference building.

The Zhou patriarch, for safety’s sake, had arranged for many people around the area.

Upon seeing a group of strangers barge in, he yelled, “You can’t go in here.”

Li Hanzhou gave a signal with his eyes.

The bodyguard behind him, understanding the cue, pulled out a gun from his chest and pressed it against the security guard’s head.

Li Hanzhou said casually, “Can I go in now?”

The security guard met Li Hanzhou’s cold gaze and started to tremble, unable to utter a word.

Li Hanzhou’s face was cold, “Where is the person?”

As his words fell, a click was heard, the safety catch of the pistol had been released.

The security guard’s breath caught, not wanting to die, and quickly disclosed Qiao Yun’s location.

Li Hanzhou nodded to his bodyguards, “Take care of the rest.”

“Yes.”

The bodyguards, all trained and raised by the Li Family from a young age, obeyed the Li Family without question.

In the conference room, the atmosphere began to thicken. The Zhou patriarch, with a look of determined ambition, asked, “Professor Qiao, would you like me to ask you to leave, or will you come with us?”

Asking was nearly the same as kidnapping.

The Zhou patriarch was very aware that the organization’s drug alone would not keep the old Mrs. Zhou alive for much longer.

Therefore, he was willing to take a gamble.

He believed what the organization said, that Professor Qiao had research that could bring the dead back to life.

Although he had no clue about this research.

But it must be real if the organization was going to all this trouble to have Professor Qiao, he thought.

Qiao Yun calmly raised his hand to check his watch, his voice detached, “Soon.”

“What do you mean, soon?”

No sooner had the Zhou patriarch finished speaking.

“Bang–”

With a loud noise, the door of the conference room was kicked open.

The first to enter were a group of well-trained bodyguards, followed by Li Hanzhou, who carried a chill with him.

The Zhou patriarch and Zhou Xinyu’s faces changed drastically, never having expected Li Hanzhou to appear so suddenly.

At that moment, they heard Qiao Yun say emotionlessly, “You see, they’re here.”

Old Master Zhou’s breathing hitched.

At that moment, he finally understood why Qiao Yun was not worried at all–it turned out that the deeds he had orchestrated might have been detected long ago.

Old Master Zhou couldn’t believe that his foolproof plan would fail, for he never revealed the slightest bit of concern for Qiao Yun from the beginning to the end.

Why was she still able to be prepared in advance?

After Li Hanzhou entered, he didn’t glance at the Zhou family’s grandfather and grandson; his gaze fixed intently on Qiao Yun.

Qiao Yun sat up straight, looking obedient, with no sign of panic or fear on her face.

He walked over to Qiao Yun, sized her up carefully, and only after confirming she was uninjured, did he let down his guard.

Seeing Li Hanzhou remain silent, Qiao Yun tilted her head slightly in confusion, her eyes clear as she met his gaze.

Li Hanzhou composed himself, raised his hand to rub her small head, “Not hurt?”

“No,” Qiao Yun glanced at Old Master Zhou, who seemed to have taken a heavy blow, and said, “He wouldn’t dare. He just tries to intimidate me.”

“…” Old Master Zhou’s expression shifted again.

It wasn’t that he didn’t dare, but rather that he hadn’t gotten the result he wanted, so he didn’t want to completely offend Qiao Yun, leaving a sliver of leeway for potential negotiations.

Seeing her serious demeanor, Li Hanzhou’s lips curved slightly, “What did he want with you?”

Qiao Yun told the truth, “He wanted to cooperate with me.”

“Cooperate?” Li Hanzhou arched an eyebrow, his gaze turning frosty as he looked at Old Master Zhou, his tone mocking yet not quite smiling, “Is this the Zhou family’s attitude toward cooperation?”

Old Master Zhou clenched the walking stick in his hand, his tone unwilling, “Did you come here on purpose?”

“I didn’t know it was you looking for me, but indeed I came here on purpose,” Qiao Yun said calmly and deliberately, “You can’t touch the Lu family, because I’m here.”

Old Master Zhou nearly lost his composure, believing there was nothing wrong with his plan, yet he still lost to Qiao Yun’s meticulous caution.

He thought it was Qiao Yun who walked into his trap, but it turned out he was the one ensnared.

In this game of strategy, he lost.

Qiao Yun was not ignorant of the ways of the world; she was no fool.

She walked into the trap on purpose to see who was looking for her and why.

Now that she knew who it was and the reason, she told Old Master Zhou, “Tianqi Research Institute will never cooperate with the Zhou family.”

A layer of frost overlaid Old Master Zhou’s weathered face.

As Qiao Yun turned to leave, he played his last card, “Wait, don’t you want to know why I would seek out Tianqi Research Institute and not Qiaose Research Institute? Why I would know your identity?”

Qiao Yun stopped in her tracks, without hesitation she said, “I want to know.”

Old Master Zhou sighed in relief, negotiating terms again, “I can tell you everything, as long as you can cure my spouse. The Zhou family will be at your disposal to criticize as you see fit.”

His calculations were sharp.

If there’s no cooperation with the Zhou family, he could steal.

As long as Qiao Yun was willing to save someone, he could plant his own people.

Qiao Yun finished her previously unfinished sentence, “But I don’t like being threatened, so now I don’t want to know anymore.”

Old Master Zhou’s expressions went through a myriad of changes, “Are you playing me?”

Qiao Yun admitted candidly, “Yep, it’s fun.”

Li Hanzhou couldn’t suppress a laugh.

The kid, sometimes quite infuriating.

Still smiling, Li Hanzhou asked, “Are we still playing?”

“No more playing, it’s boring, too weak,” Qiao Yun shook her head disapprovingly and tugged at Li Hanzhou’s sleeve, “Let’s go.”

If they didn’t return soon, Dad and Grandpa would start worrying.

“Yeah.”

Li Hanzhou walked out with Qiao Yun, striding confidently.

Old Master Zhou’s face turned ashen.

Zhou Xinyu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, “Grandfather, will they retaliate against us?”

“What’s there to be afraid of!” Old Master Zhou retorted coldly, “The Zhou family has never been afraid of anyone.”

Zhou Xinyu muttered to himself, that doesn’t seem right–if they were truly not afraid, they would have actually kidnapped Professor Qiao just now and wouldn’t have wasted so much time with her.

“She says she won’t cooperate, and that’s it, we’re just going to let this go?”

Zhou family elder gritted his teeth, “Of course it won’t end like this, if it didn’t work out this time, there’s still next time.”

Zhou Xinyu wanted to say something but hesitated.

In fact, he thought that this matter might really be over.

Qiao Yun seemed obedient but was actually extremely stubborn, otherwise, he would not be in such a sorry state now.

…

“Just let the Zhou family off like this?” Li Hanzhou felt this wasn’t the style of a kid.

Being threatened and nearly involving family members, according to the kid’s style, the Zhou family would have been returned to nature by now.

But she said nothing and just left.

Qiao Yun muttered ambiguously, “No, I’m fishing.”

“Hmm?” Li Hanzhou raised an eyebrow, and thinking about what the Zhou elder said just now, he understood.

She wanted to fish for the person behind this.

Qiao Yun never needed to please others to find out what she wanted to know.

“You really are…” Li Hanzhou chuckled, “Are you smart or just plain silly?”

Qiao Yun pouted, “I’m very smart.”

“Yes, you are smart,” said Li Hanzhou sincerely.

Watching Qiao Yun with her earnest little face, his hanging fingers twitched slightly. Eventually, he couldn’t resist lifting them up and gently brushed her cheek, coming to rest on her delicate earlobe, gently pinching it with very light force.

“Truly too clever for your own good.”

Qiao Yun pursed her lips and touched her earlobe somewhat uncomfortably, mumbling, “I was always clever.”

Li Hanzhou watching her earlobe turn slightly red suddenly felt in an excellent mood, his lips curved up, and he no longer continued teasing her.

“Why do you always like to take such risks with yourself?” Li Hanzhou asked, “What did you promise me last time?”

He was referring to the incident in Hai City when Qiao Yun deliberately allowed herself to be abducted.

Qiao Yun kept a straight face and righteously explained, “It was sudden.”

So, it wasn’t that she broke her promise, oh no.

And she was convinced that the other party posed no threat or else she wouldn’t have followed them.

If they wanted to harm her, they would have simply kidnapped her instead of going through so much trouble to arrange an auction event to invite her.

It was clear that they were afraid she wouldn’t meet them and didn’t want to offend her, hence they did it this way.

Li Hanzhou indulged her, “Okay, you have a point.”

Qiao Yun: “Mm-hmm.”

The Zhou family might not pose a threat, but that wasn’t necessarily true for the people behind the Zhou family.

On the way to the auction event previously, Qiao Yun received a message that the mysterious organization had been in frequent contact with the Zhou family lately.

It seemed they wanted to use the Zhou family to do something to her?

From the Zhou elder’s persistence in wanting to cooperate with her, it was deducible that they were after the “New Life Project.”

With this thought, Qiao Yun looked up at the handsome man.

Suddenly she grabbed his hand, Li Hanzhou’s heart jolted, and before he could react, he heard Qiao Yun say.

“I will protect you.”

“?”

Li Hanzhou was baffled, instinctively saying to Qiao Yun, “I will protect you too.”

Though he didn’t understand why Qiao Yun would say such a thing, being protected by the kid, huh?

Damn, it was a thrilling feeling.

Li Hanzhou followed Qiao Yun back to the venue.

The auction had already reached the halfway point.

Upon seeing Qiao Yun and Li Hanzhou appear together, Lu Rui thought Qiao Yun stayed with Li Hanzhou after using the restroom, never suspecting that Qiao Yun had just been secretly taken away, and he and the old man were also almost in danger.

Pei Yao whispered to Qiao Yun, “Boss, don’t worry, none of your family members are in any trouble.”

Qiao Yun praised him, “Well done.”

Pei Yao’s expression immediately became smug as he provocatively sneered at Li Hanzhou.

So what if there are couple’s watches? He is the most important ‘son’ in Professor Qiao’s heart.

Li Hanzhou scoffed, showing no concern for Pei Yao’s challenge. In his view, Pei Yao posed no threat whatsoever.

Pei Yao, feeling annoyed, pouted and then said to Qiao Yun, “Let me change your watch for you. This one isn’t good. Who knows if he’s planted any software to monitor us?”

Qiao Yun shook her head, “I’m the one watching him.”

“Ah?” Pei Yao was baffled.

Unbeknownst to Pei Yao, Qiao Yun wore the watch because it could track Li Hanzhou’s location.

It was very convenient for her to know at any moment if Li Hanzhou was in danger.

Pei Yao deflated and, when he looked up, saw Li Hanzhou chatting warmly with the Lu Family father and son.

He was shocked.

Look at you, big bad wolf, trying to cozy up to Professor Qiao’s family again.

So, he also stepped forward, absolutely not giving Li Hanzhou the chance to sway Qiao Yun away.

Lu Shiran, seeing his sister without anyone by her side, couldn’t contain his restless heart and asked anxiously, “Sis, where did you go just now? Did something happen?”

Qiao Yun didn’t want Lu Shiran to worry and vaguely replied, “I went to find someone.”

Lu Shiran said, “Don’t disappear so suddenly next time, I’ll be worried. Remember to take me with you if you’re looking for someone.”

Qiao Yun sincerely admitted her fault, “I won’t do it again.”

Lu Shiran touched his head, afraid Qiao Yun would find him too strict, and added, “I’m not trying to restrict your freedom. It’s just that with me along, I can protect you if anything happens.”

Qiao Yun, somewhat embarrassed, said, “Thank you, Brother.”

A single ‘Brother’ had Lu Shiran completely dazed.

Qiao Yun rarely called him Brother, and now he just felt, wow, so sweet.

After the charity sale ended.

Because the Lu Family people were also there, Pei Yao and Li Hanzhou didn’t continue following.

Before leaving, Qiao Yun told Pei Yao, “Check on the matter with the Zhou Family matriarch.”

Pei Yao didn’t ask any further, simply nodding in acknowledgment.

He already knew that Professor Qiao’s disappearance was because the Zhou Family sought her out, only to think that the Zhou Family really had some nerve. Once the people from the organization were caught, all debts would be settled.

Qiao Yun had another doubt in her heart.

She suspected that there were people from the organization… around her.

Who else could know her information so clearly?

But… maybe the organization had other means of finding out.

Qiao Yun shook her little head.

So confusing, so troublesome.

She decided not to think about it anymore.

After all, there were plenty of people to worry for her. She just wanted to live her life quietly.

“Kid, I’m leaving first,” Li Hanzhou said as he saw Qiao Yun deep in thought and called out to her.

Qiao Yun fished a piece of candy from her pocket and placed it into Li Hanzhou’s palm, “Thank you for today.”

“Candy? Is this a reward?”

“You could say that.”

Qiao Yun wasn’t very good at expressing gratitude, so she thanked him in this way.

Li Hanzhou looked at the candy in his palm, smiled, and pocketed it.

Qiao Yun waved at Li Hanzhou and got into the Lu Family’s car.

In the distance, someone was sitting in a car, eyes fixed on the vehicle Qiao Yun boarded, their gaze filled with madness.