Hidden identities of the AI Heiress
Chapter 773 - Chapter 773 Chapter 773 Su Mians Frustration Parents Arguing;

Chapter 773: Chapter 773: Su Mian’s Frustration, Parents Arguing; Grandpa Li’s Strategy Chapter 773: Chapter 773: Su Mian’s Frustration, Parents Arguing; Grandpa Li’s Strategy Qiao Yun quietly watched Su Mian, her voice soft as she began, “What’s the matter?”

Feeling looked at with such trust, Su Mian’s throat clogged a bit, and the words that came out suddenly took a turn, “You and Mr. Li seem to have a really good relationship.”

After saying this, she felt embarrassed–it was a stupid statement, obviously anyone could see that their relationship was very good.

Qiao Yun honestly nodded, “Yes, it’s very good, he treats me well.”

When Qiao Yun said this, there was no expression on her face, yet Su Mian strangely perceived a hint of tenderness in her eyes.

That thought made her shiver violently all of a sudden.

It must be her imagination, absolutely her imagination.

Her daughter had always been stoic, how could she possibly show tenderness?

Su Mian shook her head vigorously, trying to shake off this terrifying thought.

Qiao Yun always felt Su Mian was acting strange, she couldn’t help but ask with concern, “What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”

“No.” Su Mian hurriedly denied, not sure why she couldn’t speak her mind, and after much thought, she asked, “Is Mr. Li very important to you?”

Qiao Yun didn’t understand why Su Mian would ask that, but memories of her moments with Li Hanzhou came to mind, she pursed her lips and seemed to smile slightly, “Yes, very important.”

In the past, as a friend he was important, but now it’s different.

Su Mian took a deep breath, forced a smile, and said, “Alright, mom knows.”

Qiao Yun: ??? Knows what?

Su Mian didn’t elaborate, only gently ruffled Qiao Yun’s hair, her voice smiling as she said, “You go upstairs first.”

“Okay.” Qiao Yun didn’t think much of it, nodded, and went upstairs.

Su Mian watched her dear daughter’s figure, constantly reassuring herself in her mind that once Qiaoqiao passed her birthday, she would be nineteen, and in a few more years she would be of marriageable age. Whether finding someone sooner or later didn’t matter.

Moreover, Li Hanzhou’s character was indeed good, polite to them and exceptionally kind to Qiaoqiao. Given his background, he wouldn’t be a burden but instead a support.

Unlike Qiao Yun’s brothers, Su Mian, as a mother, hoped that Qiao Yun could start her own family and have a normal person’s happiness, although this was earlier than she had anticipated.

Though that was her wish, Su Mian’s fingers unconsciously tightened around the valuable vase she was holding, the pressure seemingly enough to crush it.

Lu Rui finished clearing the tableware and came out of the small kitchen just to see Su Mian looking fiercely determined, he asked in confusion, “Wasn’t everything fine just now? What happened?”

Looking at Lu Rui now, Su Mian saw him as a complete idiot, she angrily said, “Is it because you irritated me?”

Lu Rui was utterly bewildered, what had he done?

Su Mian clicked her tongue, disdainfully said, “You and your blockhead, you’re useless to me. You’re not allowed in bed tonight, go sleep in the guest room.”

Lu Rui, inexplicably kicked out of the room, still had no idea what he had done wrong.

He looked horrified, “Wife, I haven’t done anything wrong, have I?”

“Hmph, you better think about it,” Su Mian pointed at his eyes, grinding her teeth in frustration, “I was nearly misled by you. You’re usually so smart, how can you be so slow on this sort of thing.”

Feeling deeply wronged, Lu Rui watched his wife storm upstairs and stretched out a hand, making a gesture to retain her, “At least tell me, what did I do wrong?”

…

The next day.

After Qiao Yun finished washing up and came downstairs, she was greeted by a listless Lu Rui. She paused, then asked, “Didn’t sleep well?”

Lu Rui sighed deeply and spoke enigmatically, “It’s not that. When you reach middle age, you always have to go through these things.”

Qiao Yun didn’t understand, but seeing that he didn’t seem to be in any serious trouble, she didn’t ask further.

At that moment, Su Mian came out with breakfast. She first glared fiercely at Lu Rui and then greeted Qiao Yun with a beaming smile, “Qiaoqiao, did you sleep well last night?”

“Very well,” Qiao Yun nodded in response.

Su Mian looked Qiao Yun up and down.

She wore the uniform of her school, her thick curly black hair tied in a ponytail, revealing her eyes with distinct black and white, which gave a slight sense of aloofness. Her skin was tender, and her eyelashes were partly drooped, giving her a lazy appearance that added a touch of elegance to her demeanor.

But due to her petite figure, she looked even more deserving of pity, making one curious to see what she would look like when smiling.

She really was beautiful, just like her daughter.

Su Mian sighed internally for the umpteenth time, thinking about how her cute little daughter could have been taken away by someone, feeling so frustrated inside.

This made her even more annoyed with Lu Rui.

So when Lu Rui sat at the dining table, ready to enjoy today’s delicious breakfast, he was greeted instead by a bowl of plain porridge and pickles, and fell silent.

He looked up with a mournful expression at his wife, “Is this all I get today?”

In front of his daughter, Su Mian didn’t give him any face and snapped, “Take it or leave it.”

Lu Rui: “…”

After pondering all night, he still couldn’t figure out what he had done to upset Su Mian, concluding that the mind of a woman was as deep and impenetrable as the ocean.

Lu Rui silently bowed his head and obediently ate the porridge with pickles.

Qiao Yun looked at Lu Rui sympathetically. Even as insensitive as she was, she could feel that her parents seemed to have argued.

When Su Mian went to the kitchen, Qiao Yun quietly asked, “Did you guys have a fight?”

Lu Rui smiled and shook his head, “No.”

“Really?” Qiao Yun was skeptical.

Not wanting his daughter to misunderstand, Lu Rui vaguely said, “It’s normal for a married couple to sometimes have these little spats. A little bickering prevents life from becoming too dull and helps to strengthen the relationship. Look at your mom and me, after all these years, our relationship has always been very good.”

Qiao Yun nodded thoughtfully, “Oh, so arguing can actually improve a relationship.”

She nodded seriously, “I understand.”

Lu Rui: “?? What do you understand?”

He felt like he might have taught his daughter something rather troubling.

…

After breakfast, Qiao Yun went off to school. Once in the car, she took out her phone, opened “Love Encyclopedia,” and with a serious face, noted down what Lu Rui had said that day.

The driver, Zhou You, seeing how serious Qiao Yun was, couldn’t help but sigh.

Professor Qiao really loved research, not wasting even the time on her way to school. What reason did he have not to try his best?

With that thought, he perked up, pressed down on the accelerator, and strived to be a qualified driver.

Upon arriving at school, Qiao Yun ran into the listless Li Miao.

Because of the principal’s crazy insistence, Li Miao had recently been doing nothing but reviewing papers, driving her nearly to depression.

Seeing Qiao Yun, she lifted her hand to wave, then trotted over. After sizing Qiao Yun up, she asked, “Did my grandfather visit your house yesterday?”

Qiao Yun responded without much emotion, “Mm.”

Li Miao anxiously asked, “I didn’t startle you guys, did I?”

“Huh?” Qiao Yun was momentarily puzzled, then shook her head, “Grandpa Li is very nice.”

“Qiaoqiao, don’t speak up for my grandpa, don’t I know his personality?” Li Miao pouted.

Her grandfather, probably accustomed to high positions, could make a whole crowd cry just by standing there, let alone when he wasn’t smiling.

“You don’t know, when I was little, my grandpa liked to scare me with those little bugs and snakes. And as long as he was around, my playmates didn’t want to play with me.”

Actually, Old Mr. Li was just trying to amuse his granddaughter, but it backfired terribly.

So now, Li Miao had a psychological shadow when she saw her own grandfather.

Qiao Yun couldn’t imagine such a kind and amiable Grandpa Li having such a mischievous side.

“However, the fact that my grandpa took the initiative to visit your house proves he likes you a lot. He wouldn’t give up without winning over your family,” Li Miao said sympathetically as she glanced at Qiao Yun, “This is just the beginning. You’ll understand later.”

The sunlight reflected on Qiao Yun’s skin, making its cold white tone stand out even more; on hearing Li Miao’s words, she was full of question marks.

Just like what Li Miao had said.

The doorbell of the Lu Family rang.

Su Mian was arranging flowers in a vase that Li Hanzhou had given, and when she heard the doorbell, she went to open the door.

As soon as the door opened, she saw the smiling Old Mr. Li.

Su Mian was taken aback, “Old Mr. Li, how did you come over?”

What she really wanted to ask was, how did you come again?

“I was just bored and decided to stop by,” Old Mr. Li said as he walked inside, “Didn’t we agree that I could come over whenever I wanted?”

Su Mian’s smile stiffened because she had accepted his gift, making it difficult to turn him away. She could only watch helplessly as Old Mr. Li made himself at home.

Old Mr. Li sat on the sofa, looked up, and saw his cherished vase filled with flowers; his eyes suddenly widened, staring unblinkingly at the vase, unable to look away.

Seeing Old Mr. Li staring at her flower arrangement, Su Mian curiously asked, “Old Mr. Li, are you interested in flower arranging?”

Old Mr. Li’s smile was odd as he replied, “It’s okay, it just looks pretty.”

No, he was only interested in the vase being used for the flowers.

Su Mian bashfully said, “I just arranged them casually, please excuse my poor skills.”

Old Mr. Li took a deep breath, forcing himself to look away and changing the subject, “By the way, where’s Lu Rui?”

Su Mian hesitated for a moment, then quickly realized that Old Mr. Li was referring to Lu Rui.

She didn’t even know what expression to wear; he was being too familiar.

Su Mian said, “Please take a seat, I’ll go and call him.”

Soon, Lu Rui came downstairs, surprised to know that Old Mr. Li had come over again.

However, as soon as Old Mr. Li saw him, he cheerfully said, “Lu Rui, since you’re free anyway, come play chess with me.”

This was the first time Lu Rui had been called so informally, and he wore a somewhat bemused expression.

But, Old Mr. Li was elderly, and when you’re older, you’re often right.

Initially, Lu Rui was just humorously playing with Old Mr. Li, but then he found Old Mr. Li’s chess skills to be superior, making him take the game seriously. They played several rounds inadvertently. When Old Mr. Li was finally ready to leave, Lu Rui was somewhat reluctant, “I didn’t expect you to be so good. I hope to learn from you again if there’s a chance.”

Old Master Li rose slowly, smiling as he said, “No worries, I’ll come again tomorrow.”

Lu Rui choked, his smile more polite than sincere, “I’ll see you out.”

Finally managing to see Old Master Li out, Lu Rui returned perplexed and said to Su Mian, “I was just being polite earlier, who would have thought Old Master Li would take it seriously–does he not have other things to do?”

Old Master Li, being worldly and wise, often gave business advice during their conversations, and since they shared many hobbies, Lu Rui naturally welcomed his visits. However, it started feeling strange when the visits became too frequent.

Lu Rui couldn’t help but narcissistically suggest, “Could it be that Old Master Li fancies my talents?”

It was only now that Su Mian realized why Old Master Li had sent such an expensive gift previously–it was all to pave the way for his visits.

Ugh!

This crafty old man was quite the schemer.

She looked even more dissatisfied with Lu Rui, “You’re the fool, not seeing that he’s not here for that.”

“What?”

“Figure it out yourself,” Su Mian said, too lazy to explain further.

Lu Rui thought his wife might be going through menopause given her recent mood swings.

Initially, Old Master Li just used to meet Lu Rui for tea, but later, they would also go to art exhibitions, coincidentally including Old Master Lu as well.

The first time he met Old Master Li, Old Master Lu was quite serious. However, he soon realized that Old Master Li had no airs about him and relaxed, with the two families growing closer over time. Naturally, Old Master Li would indirectly mention Li Hanzhou, which raised the Lu family’s impression of Han Zhou even higher.

Old Master Li, having successfully infiltrated the Lu family, was now able to stand tall and proud in front of Han Zhou.

Knowing that his grandfather hadn’t done anything improper, Han Zhou let him be, expressing, “As long as you’re happy.”

Lu Rui had also mentioned this to Qiao Yun, but Qiao Yun just said, “Grandpa Li is not a bad person, he’s tolerable.”

With that, Lu Rui felt at ease, although he still couldn’t quite understand why Old Master Li enjoyed visiting so much.

It wasn’t until the relationship between Han Zhou and Qiao Yun was exposed that Lu Rui regretted his oversight.

But before that, the college entrance examination finally arrived.

Professor Qiao was attending his first college entrance exam, and Pei Ya even called specifically to check in, “Boss, don’t be nervous.”

Qiao Yun, his voice indifferent, asked, “Compared to you, how do I fare?”

Pei Ya naturally responded, “Of course, you’re smarter.”

Qiao Yun said, “So, do you think I need to be nervous?”

“…” Pei Ya decided not to further embarrass himself and switched topics to the Qin Family, “We’ve almost gathered enough evidence against the Qin family, and we can sue soon. As for Old Master Qin, even though he didn’t kill anyone himself, he is connected, so he can’t escape this time.”

The greatest mistake Old Master Qin had made was sabotaging the Lu Group and indirectly causing the premature death of Lu Wan, which weren’t serious enough crimes on their own.

However, since their infighting allowed Qin Yuan to scheme against them, Pei Ya naturally attributed those issues to Old Master Qin’s account.

“And Qin Yue,” Pei Ya said ambiguously, “She’s having a pretty good time with the Davis Family.”

Qiao Yun raised an eyebrow, “That’s good.”

Pei Ya chuckled coldly, indeed it was good.

Qin Yue liked to mess up, so Davis simply let her indulge in what she enjoyed doing. This time, even if she didn’t lose her mind, she wouldn’t have the heart to resist anymore.

“There’s one more thing.”