Hidden identities of the AI Heiress
Chapter 614 - Chapter 614 Chapter 614 Is There a Traitor Or a Conspirator

Chapter 614: Chapter 614: Is There a Traitor? Or a Conspirator? Chapter 614: Chapter 614: Is There a Traitor? Or a Conspirator? Qiao Yun pursed her lips slightly, stealthily lifted her eyes to glance at Lu Zhanxing, who wore a stern look as though he was very angry, feeling inexplicably a bit guilty.

The appearance of her second brother here meant that he already knew what she had done?

Who informed him?

Qiao Yun turned her head to look at Pei Ya, who stood by her side, narrowing her eyes slightly.

It seemed from the eyes of Professor Qiao that she saw Pei Ya, who was to be punished by copying text a hundred thousand times: “…”

Was he the scapegoat? Did he have to bear the blame for everything?

Pei Ya defended himself with a look of grievance, “It’s not my fault. Your second brother found out by mistake.”

Qiao Yun responded with an “oh,” clearly not believing Pei Ya’s words, already considering how to punish him.

Informing on others was not allowed.

Seeing this, Lu Zhanxing found it a bit amusing. He cleared his throat and, with a stern face, said, “It wasn’t Director Pei who told me. I just took up a job in Hai City. I planned to take you out these days and went to the airport to pick you up and surprise you. I waited a long time and didn’t see you, only to find your bodyguard looking for you. I had no choice but to ask Director Pei, though he didn’t tell me what had happened.”

Pei Ya nodded, “Right, right.”

Only then did Qiao Yun withdraw her gaze from Pei Ya.

Pei Ya let out a breath, not afraid of Professor Qiao scolding him, but afraid of Professor Qiao staring at him.

Scarier than watching a horror movie.

Lu Zhanxing looked at Pei Ya and then at his sister, who was still wearing a cold face.

He furrowed his brows, feeling that something was off.

Even if his sister was collaborating with Shengqiao Group, there was no need for Pei Ya to be so humble, right?

It didn’t look like how one would act towards someone they liked; it rather resembled the fear a younger person might feel in front of an elder.

This thought struck Lu Zhanxing as incredible; regardless of how capable his sister was, she was only in her teens. There was no way she was qualified to act as an elder to Pei Ya. He must be bewitched.

Lu Zhanxing then looked toward Li Hanzhou, who was constantly staring at his sister, seemingly trying to bore a hole through her with his gaze, feeling inexplicably a bit suffocated.

Even Li Hanzhou, an outsider, knew about the issues, yet he, as a family member, was kept in the dark.

Li Hanzhou, sensing Lu Zhanxing’s gaze, lifted his eyelids to look over, giving him a look that said ‘there’s a problem?’

Lu Zhanxing gave a forced smile, “Mr. Li, I would like to talk to my sister for a moment.”

“Okay.” Li Hanzhou blatantly ruffled Qiao Yun’s hair then casually moved aside, giving space for the siblings to talk.

Seeing this, Pei Ya also moved aside to give peace of mind to everyone involved.

Previously occupied with Qiao Xun’s issues, he hadn’t been able to pay attention to the people at the institute; they were probably going to explode now.

Best to soothe them quickly, lest they become an annoyance once they’re loose.

Qiao Yun observed Lu Zhanxing’s expression, unable to guess whether her brother was angry.

Lu Zhanxing was more worried than angry at the moment, but he didn’t show it, and gently asked, “Sister, can you now tell me what exactly happened?”

“It’s nothing serious.” Qiao Yun pursed her lips, her beautiful eyes wide, wearing an expression that said she wasn’t guilty.

What did she have to feel guilty about? To her, it really wasn’t a big deal.

Lu Zhanxing’s mouth twitched slightly, “Dr. Qiao ended up in the emergency room, and you call that nothing serious?”

The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt–Qiao Xun ended up in such a dreadful state, what on earth did his sister experience?

“You’re not hurt, are you?”

Lu Zhanxing anxiously grabbed Qiao Yun’s arm, examining her from top to bottom.

Seeing only that her face looked a bit haggard, with no injuries on her body, his anxious heart finally settled back down.

Qiao Yun shook her head, “I’m fine.”

The more Lu Zhanxing worried, the worse she felt inside.

Not telling the Lu family about these things was exactly to avoid this situation; they still didn’t know what had happened to her, and they were already this worried. If they knew…

Qiao Yun pulled her thoughts together, remaining silent.

Lu Zhanxing probably guessed what Qiao Yun was thinking.

He had wanted to pretend to be angry, to make his sister spill the beans.

But in the end, he couldn’t bear to make Qiao Yun anxious, he sighed and said, “All right, I won’t ask anymore, as long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters. But if there’s a next time, you must tell me in advance, so I can be mentally prepared.”

Although he said that, his expression still looked somewhat disappointed.

Qiao Yun’s gaze fell on the faint blue under Lu Zhanxing’s eyelids, and her heart stirred slightly, frowning she said, “Don’t be unhappy.”

“I’m not unhappy.” Lu Zhanxing pouted, then added, “Cheer your brother up a bit.”

Qiao Yun thought, her brother was unhappy, her brother was upset–this was different from her intention.

She thought about it and chose not to hide it, now that the issue had already been resolved.

She mulled over her words and said, “Did you see the explosion?”

Lu Zhanxing was stunned for a moment, then remembered the pervasive news about a dock explosion on the way here.

“I saw it, why suddenly bring this up?”

“Oh,” Qiao Yun said nonchalantly, “The explosion has something to do with me.”

Lu Zhanxing: Hm? Ah! Ahhh!

Under Lu Zhanxing’s shocked expression, Qiao Yun succinctly explained, “There was a bad guy who wanted my research project. I refused, he threatened me, I caught him, and he wanted us to perish together–then the explosion happened.”

Lu Zhanxing: “…”

He once again screamed internally, my sister, what on earth have you been through!!

“I’m sorry I kept it from you, I didn’t want you to worry.”

Lu Zhanxing took a deep breath, barely maintaining a gentle smile, “Have they caught the person now?”

Qiao Yun nodded, “Yes, it’s resolved.”

“Don’t let there be a next time; such dangerous things should be told to us,” Lu Zhanxing said seriously to Qiao Yun for the first time.

Qiao Yun obediently nodded.

Lu Zhanxing paused then amended, “Just tell me is fine, don’t tell mom and dad.”

Fearing they’d be scared to death, fortunately, he hadn’t told the family about his sister’s disappearance.

Qiao Yun continued nodding.

Lu Zhanxing couldn’t help but smile, “Sister, are you trying to placate me?”

Qiao Yun nodded embarrassingly.

She wasn’t good at cajoling people, so she could only be a bit more obedient to make her brother happy.

Any gloom Lu Zhanxing had also dispersed, who could stay mad at such a well-behaved sister.

Just then, Lu Zhanxing’s phone in his pocket rang.

Lu Zhanxing took it out and saw, good heavens, he hadn’t noticed earlier, but now saw Xie Ying had called him dozens of times and sent countless text messages.

He then remembered, there was an important film audition later.

“You go ahead with your work,” Qiao Yun let Lu Zhanxing not worry about delaying his work because of her.

Lu Zhanxing, having confirmed that Qiao Yun was really fine, and after Qiao Yun’s repeated insistence, reluctantly said, “Alright, I’ll come to find you after I handle my work, call me if there’s anything, okay?”

“Yes.”

“Right, remember to call home, otherwise, I can’t hide it anymore.”

“Okay.”

Lu Zhanxing said with concern, “You look tired, go rest first.”

Qiao Yun complied.

Now that Qiao Yun was safely back, Lu Zhanxing’s heart returned to its place, and after giving instructions, he finally went to work relieved.

“You really should rest,” Li Hanzhou walked up to Qiao Yun, looking at her complexion with dissatisfaction, and frowned.

Qiao Yun said unconcernedly, “No need, wait until Uncle wakes up.”

She had a lot of questions for her Uncle.

Pei Ya hurriedly said, “It’s fine for me to watch over him. You’re still growing, you need to rest properly.”

Li Hanzhou’s lips curved into a smile as he asked slowly, “Or, would you prefer a princess carry?”

Qiao Yun’s expression froze, and suddenly, the scene from the explosion site where Li Hanzhou had carried her out in a princess carry flashed through her mind.

The situation had been urgent earlier, and she hadn’t had time to react, but now it was brought up again.

Her expression became colder and colder, as cold as if it were about to snow.

Li Hanzhou: “…”

What kind of reaction is this from the kid?

“Absolutely no princess carries,” Qiao Yun rejected this utterly outrageous act.

In either her past life or this one, it was the first time she had been carried this way.

Her feelings were quite mixed.

“When you wake up, let me know,” she said to Pei Ya.

“Don’t worry, task guaranteed to be completed,” Pei Ya responded with concern. “You should go rest.”

Qiao Yun had been dealing with the organization for two days and a night and definitely hadn’t had any good rest.

That was indeed true, as in enemy territory, her sleep had really been poor.

Li Hanzhou volunteered to give Qiao Yun a ride.

Pei Ya glared at Li Hanzhou but let him do it anyway.

As Qiao Yun walked out of the hospital, a cold breeze blew, chillingly cold.

It made her mind a bit clearer, and she pulled her coat tighter, suddenly feeling more grounded.

Then out of nowhere, she asked, “Uncle’s okay now, right?”

Li Hanzhou’s voice was gentle, “He’s fine now.”

Qiao Yun responded with an “Oh,” her expression calm, revealing nothing of her thoughts.

By this time, the car had stopped in front of them.

Qiao Yun and Li Hanzhou got into the car.

In the car, Qiao Yun thought for a moment and sent a message to Su Mian to check in, telling her she would be back soon.

With Lu Zhanxing providing cover, Su Mian knew nothing of what Qiao Yun had been through, and she expressed her concern with a few words, asking if she had fun in Hai City.

Qiao Yun’s response was unfazed, “Yes.”

She rarely had opportunities for adventure, and having lived such a mundane life for so long, she had almost forgotten the battlefields of her past life, so this adventure was indeed a bit fun for her.

After putting down her phone, Qiao Yun turned and asked Li Hanzhou, “Why your uncle?”

Li Hanzhou’s eyes slightly closed, his gaze deep, he spoke slowly, “He might be sick.”

Qiao Yun was unsatisfied with this answer.

Li Hanzhou chuckled softly, “He doesn’t need a reason to act. Just like he used to want to harm me because he couldn’t stand me, couldn’t stand that I lived longer than him.”

Qiao Yun looked at him dazed, then stretched out her hand and patted his hand reassuringly, “He can’t harm you anymore.”

“Hopefully,” Li Hanzhou’s eyes dimmed.

Even if Li Nanfeng had been left to fend for himself abroad, Li Hanzhou had people watching him but received no reports of him conducting any undercover research.

Either there was a traitor among his people, or someone else was conspiring with Li Nanfeng.

Li Hanzhou tapped his fingers on his thigh, took out his phone, and ordered a thorough check on those watching Li Nanfeng for any issues.

He also instructed them to monitor the people whom Li Nanfeng had closely interacted with abroad over the years.

After making these arrangements, he put away his phone, turned his head to say a few words to Qiao Yun, only to see she had fallen asleep with her eyes closed.

Her small head nodding slightly, her eyelashes fluttering, she seemed very restless in her sleep.

Li Hanzhou watched her sleeping posture for a while before he softly supported her head, letting her lean on his shoulder. Then he told the driver an address and asked him to head there.

After reaching the destination, Li Hanzhou did not wake Qiao Yun but boldly once again carried her in a princess carry.

After all, heaven knew, the earth knew, he knew, the driver knew–Qiao Yun didn’t know.

Qiao Yun was a light sleeper, and the slightest movement would wake her, her eyes opening groggily, still somewhat confused.

“Who?”

“It’s me.” Li Hanzhou’s arm was stiff, wondering if it was still possible to put Qiao Yun down without upsetting her. If he didn’t put her down, would he get hit?

However, upon hearing Li Hanzhou’s voice, Qiao Yun just made a sound of acknowledgment, instinctively rubbed against his chest, and closed her eyes to continue sleeping.

Li Hanzhou was tickled by her actions, but he was cautious, afraid of driving Qiao Yun away.

In the end, he could only obediently carry Qiao Yun back home, tuck her into bed, and watch her breathing steadied.

Li Hanzhou then left the room.

As soon as he went out, he received a call from his father.

He raised his eyebrow, quicker than he had expected.

Li Hanzhou answered the call, and the voice on the other end asked solemnly, “What’s the matter with Nanfeng? Why did he come back? Is he troubling you again?”

“Dad, you found out quite quickly.” Li Hanzhou walked to the French window, his eyes deep as he looked at the scenery outside.

“After all, he is from the Li Family, isn’t it normal for me to know?”

Li Hanzhou sneered, “Did someone intentionally tell you, or did you find out by accident?”

“Ah, well, just the family…”

“Dad.” Li Hanzhou cut him off, his voice laced with ice, “He almost hurt Qiao Yun.”

“…”

Li’s father’s expression nearly shattered, feeling as if the sky had fallen and the earth had sunk. Of all people to trouble, he had to trouble his family’s great benefactor.

This little brother of his might as well just go die.

“I understand.” Li’s father said distastefully, “I’ll make things clear to them.”

Li Hanzhou was indifferent, determined not to let Li Nanfeng off this time.

He asked again, “During the years Nanfeng has been abroad, did anyone from the family contact him?”

“I don’t know about that. Is there a problem?”

“No.”

He just wanted to ensure that no one else knew about the “New Life Plan” aside from Li Nanfeng.

Li Hanzhou said coldly, “If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up.”

Li’s father: “…”

This son of his really wasn’t adorable. Perhaps it was better to have another child.

…

When Qiao Yun woke up, it was already the next day.

She sat on the bed in a daze for a while, picked up her phone to check it, and saw no missed calls, seeming that the uncle hadn’t woken up yet.

She gathered her thoughts, threw off the blankets, and got out of bed.

After descending the stairs, she found Li Hanzhou busy in the kitchen.

Qiao Yun paused in her steps, rubbing her eyes.

This wasn’t a dream.

Li Hanzhou had already heard the noise behind him and, without turning around, said, “I made porridge, have some first.”

Qiao Yun humbly asked, “Can you cook?”

Li Hanzhou turned to look at her, raising one eyebrow, “Afraid it’ll taste bad?”

Qiao Yun, thinking of how nice Li Hanzhou was to her, immediately put on a brave face, “I’ll eat.”

Li Hanzhou’s lips twitched slightly, both annoyed and amused, “Ever heard a saying?”

“Hmm?”

Li Hanzhou looked at the sleepy-eyed Qiao Yun, each word deliberate, “To capture a woman’s heart, one must first capture her stomach.”