Hidden identities of the AI Heiress
Chapter 894 - Chapter 894 Chapter 894 Qiao Yun Speak if you want shut up if

Chapter 894: Chapter 894 Qiao Yun: Speak if you want, shut up if you don’t Chapter 894: Chapter 894 Qiao Yun: Speak if you want, shut up if you don’t [4000 Words]

Huo Yaozong could not imagine Pei Ya being Fu Yao’s child, and he was not even willing to assume that.

The fact that Pei Ya could support Shengqiao Group was enough to demonstrate how strong his abilities were. If such a person were to become their enemy, the Huo Family would likely suffer greatly.

Huo Yaozong casually picked up a photo of Pei Ya, ignited it with a lighter, and as he watched the photo being consumed by the flames, his eyes darkened slightly, “Withdraw everyone, don’t let Pei Ya find out, and keep this matter hidden, especially from your aunt.”

With the brainless Fu Yun, he probably wouldn’t even think before rushing to confirm with Pei Ya which would likely cause more trouble.

Huo Feng responded, “Okay, I will make the arrangements now.”

As he turned to leave, he seemed to think of something; he paused, turned back, and asked with a peculiar expression, “Dad, do you know that aunt wants to take in a goddaughter?”

“If she wants to take one, then let her,” Huo Yaozong said nonchalantly. “What waves can a Jiang Family member cause?”

Huo Feng casually mentioned, “I heard that the girl named Jiang Jing has a grudge against Qiao Yun. If aunt takes her as a goddaughter, wouldn’t that upset Qiao Yun and in turn, make Li Hanzhou unhappy? He might come after the Huo Family.”

Huo Yaozong: “…”

Again with Qiao Yun!

Huo Yaozong furrowed his brows, then laughed, “Good, let them fight like dogs.”

He had always been dissatisfied with Huo Lin’s control, and if he could pull him down from power, he was sure to clap his hands in delight.

…

Qiao Yun came out of Li Hanzhou’s room and did not hurry downstairs; instead, she first called Pei Ya to inform him about the Huo Family investigating him.

“They’re investigating me?”

Pei Ya sounded a bit surprised; he had been preoccupied with the launch event lately and had not spared any time to pay attention to the Huo Family.

He never expected that he would be targeted.

Had they discovered something?

Pei Ya was extremely puzzled but not panicked, “Let them investigate; they won’t find anything anyway.”

He and Qiao Yun had a very good tacit understanding.

Qiao Yun hummed in acknowledgment, cautioning him, “Just be careful yourself.”

“I understand.”

There was a quiet moment on the other end of the phone, followed by Pei Ya’s voice, tinged with guilt and hesitation, “Boss, aren’t you going to ask me what exactly is going on between me and the Huo Family?”

Qiao Yun said disinterestedly, “If you want to say it, then speak; if not, shut up.”

Pei Ya: “…” Truly Professor Qiao, always so domineering.

Qiao Yun’s voice was earnest, “I’m here, I’ll protect you.”

Pei Ya was almost moved to tears.

Past events knotted in his heart, he never wished to mention them again, yet the Huo Family insisted on appearing before him.

Pei Ya took a deep breath and no longer hid the truth, saying, “Do you remember I told you before that Yaoyao was my mother’s life’s work?”

Qiao Yun acknowledged with a sound: “Mhm.”

She didn’t say much, just quietly listened to Pei Ya pour his heart out.

“I indeed have some connection with the Huo Family. Huo Lin’s mother was my mother’s sister. Huo Lin’s father wanted my mother to hand over the AI project. my mother refused, so she deleted all the research materials and was preparing to take us abroad…”

They hadn’t even boarded the plane when their family met with a car accident on the way to the airport.

A fierce fire, the car destroyed and lives lost.

He, fortunate to be alive, followed his mother’s advice and didn’t return to seek help from anyone, and then met Qiao Yun.

Later, Huo Lin’s father took the unfinished AI system out for experiments, and after an accident that resulted in a death, he declined rapidly and passed away not many years later.

With the main culprits dead, Pei Ya did not take any actions against the Huo Family; after all, his mother had told him not to blame Fu Yun.

Pei Ya did not know that many people from the Huo Family had been involved in the incident back then. He had always thought the only person responsible was Huo Lin’s father, and that was why he had not acted against the Huo Family.

As for Fu Yun.

Pei Yao was aware that Fu Yun had once advised Fu Yao to give up her authorship rights.

But because of Fu Yao’s instructions, Pei Yao wouldn’t trouble Fu Yun, and of course, he wouldn’t acknowledge her either.

The reason Pei Yao developed the AI system was to fulfill Fu Yao’s last wish.

Qiao Yun’s expression was blank.

The heartless Pei Yao actually had such a past.

With a calm voice, Pei Yao said, “My real name isn’t Pei Yao, it should be Pei Jiu.”

His father’s surname was Pei, and his mother’s given name was Yao, so he changed his name to Pei Yao.

Qiao Yun was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Do you really want the AI system to go public?”

Pei Yao answered straightforwardly, “I didn’t want to before, but now I do. My mother did nothing wrong; it was originally hers, why should I keep hiding it?”

His choice to go public was to make it clear to the Huo Family that even their theft could not take it away.

The most important point was that he wanted to ensure the name Fu Yao would be remembered by everyone and that they would know the AI system was developed by her!

“Okay.”

Qiao Yun indicated that she understood.

Whatever Pei Yao wanted to do, she would help him unconditionally.

However, there was one thing Qiao Yun was quite puzzled about, “Why would the Huo Family want to investigate you?”

Pei Yao was also perplexed, “Maybe they suspect me, I suppose, as I resemble my mother quite a bit.”

Qiao Yun silently calculated the timeline, and understood.

Could it be that Fu Yun spotted Pei Yao that day when he went to pick her up?

Pei Yao said with nonchalance, “Once the AI system goes public, the Huo Family can easily guess my identity.”

He had no intention of keeping it a secret forever. He wasn’t someone to hide away; shouldn’t the Huo Family be the ones feeling guilty?

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

“Mhm.”

Qiao Yun didn’t say much.

She was quite indulgent with her own child and also believed that Pei Yao was doing the right thing.

It was his own creation, after all; why should it always be hidden away?

After Pei Yao had poured out everything to Qiao Yun, the weight that had been pressing on his heart finally lifted, and he even hummed a few lines of a song in good spirits.

Wait a minute…

Pei Yao stroked his chin.

If they suspected his identity, why not directly approach him instead of sneakily investigating?

What were they feeling guilty about?

Pei Yao always felt that he was missing something, but couldn’t think of what it was. Just then, Han Wang came looking for him to discuss the security arrangements for the press conference, shifting Pei Yao’s focus away.

…

Qiao Yun went downstairs, where Lu Zhanxing was being bombarded with questions by Shen Qi, mainly about Professor Qiao’s affairs.

Lu Zhanxing excitedly told Shen Qi how adorable, sensible, and so on his sister was…

Shen Qi: “…”

With a strange expression, Shen Qi wondered why the Professor Qiao he knew and the one Lu Zhanxing described seemed to be two different people.

Lu Zhanxing’s bragging grew more and more lively until he stopped upon seeing Qiao Yun coming down. His brows furrowed when he noticed her.

Why did his sister seem so listless?

Lu Zhanxing’s eyes widened, “Sister, did someone bully you?”

She had been fine going upstairs, but now she seemed unhappy coming down; surely it must have been Li Hanzhou’s doing.

Qiao Yun shook her head, sat beside Lu Zhanxing, propped her chin with her hands, and said with distress, “I didn’t know he had it so rough.”

Lu Zhanxing: “Huh?”

Shen Qi: “??? Who’s the unfortunate one?”

Qiao Yun muttered to herself, “I should be nicer to him in the future.”

No copying as punishment then.

Let’s start reclaiming wasteland instead.

Labor can make people forget their troubles.

Later that day, after finding out that Lu Zhanxing had arrived, Su Fan organized a dinner outing for everyone.

Upon learning that Tianqi was holding a press conference in a few days, Lu Zhanxing decided to stay a bit longer, completely ignoring Xie Ying’s howling protests.

Qiao Yun expressed her happiness about this.

Except for Li Hanzhou, of course. He had no choice but to be discontent.

…

A few days later.

Yuncheng broke big news: the mother of the Huo Family Head was going to acknowledge Jiang Jing as her goddaughter!

As soon as this news came out, the entire upper echelon of Yuncheng was shaken.

By becoming Fu Yun’s goddaughter, wouldn’t that make her Huo Lin’s god sister? And if the god sister becomes a sweetheart?

After all, proximity provides advantage.

Jiang Jing is about to skyrocket! Her luck is through the roof!

It’s said that Fu Yun is even planning a banquet to officially recognize her, which shows just how favored Jiang Jing is by her side.

People who had laughed at Jiang Jing for not being selected by Tianqi were now all trying to think of ways to get on her good side.

Jiang Shaocheng was the last to know about this, and he hurried home immediately upon finding out.

Xu Qiao was reviewing the guest list when he arrived. She greeted him with a beaming smile, “Take a look at this list, will you? I’ve invited everyone we know from Yuncheng and beyond. With Jingjing being so capable, everyone must be made aware.”

Jiang Shaocheng scowled, “Why didn’t anyone consult me?”

Xu Qiao was surprised, “Didn’t you know that Mrs. Huo is going to acknowledge Jingjing as her goddaughter? What else is there to discuss?”

Jiang Shaocheng pointed at her, “Did I ever say that we should consider this matter?”

Xu Qiao rolled her eyes, “What’s there to consider? So many people would kill for this opportunity, yet you don’t seem to want it.”

Jiang Shaocheng didn’t mind doing business with the Huo Family but objected to being so closely tied to them–their fortunes and misfortunes linked as one.

Xu Qiao soothingly said, “Haven’t you noticed how much better Jingjing’s mood has been lately?”

Jiang Shaocheng fell silent; he wasn’t blind, of course, he had noticed.

“It’s rare to have something that makes her happy, so don’t stir up trouble.”

Xu Qiao put aside the guest list and gently massaged Jiang Shaocheng’s shoulders, “Our daughter is making great achievements; you should be happy.”

With things at this point, he could only say resignedly, “As long as you don’t regret it.”

Xu Qiao thought to herself, with a pie falling from the sky, how could she possibly regret it?

Xu Qiao snorted coldly, “It’s rare to have something that can bring us prestige, and I have arranged everything. This time, I’m not only inviting all the elites of Yuncheng, but I’ve also sent invitations to the entire Li Family.”

She hadn’t forgotten how the old lady of the Li Family had snubbed her for Qiao Yun.

And the Li Family’s lady had warned her not to delude herself with thoughts of marrying into the Li Family.

Li Hanzhou had broken Jiang Yuan’s hand…

Adding up all these incidents, she had been angered enough; now was the perfect opportunity for payback.

Jiang Shaocheng felt that apart from him, and the prodigal son Jiang Yuan, both Xu Qiao and Jiang Jing had gone mad.

“We must also invite the Su Family, let Su Qingyan clearly understand his place. Now, my daughter is not someone he can match. The timing is perfect, just the day before the Tianqi press conference, when all the relevant people have already arrived in Yuncheng, saving us the trouble.”

Xu Qiao couldn’t fathom why Fu Yun was so fond of Jiang Jing, but it didn’t impede her from taking advantage of the situation.

Jiang Shaocheng said helplessly, “Even if you’re willing to invite them, it doesn’t mean they’ll come. Just don’t embarrass yourself.”

“How could they not come?” Xu Qiao muttered, “The Huo Family’s reputation is at stake here. Even if they don’t give face to our family, they have to give face to the Huo Family.”

She had previously blabbered to Fu Yun that the Jiang Family and the Li Family were related.

Huo Lin knew about this and even specifically reminded them to invite the Li Family.

Once the words were out, how could they be taken back?

While discussing the guest list for the banquet with Jiang Shaocheng, Jiang Jing came back from Fu Yun’s place and heard about this as soon as she walked through the door.

She paused and said, “Mom, you forgot someone.”

“Who?” Xu Qiao was confident that they’d invited everyone they were supposed to.

Jiang Jing smiled and said, “Qiao Yun.”

“Why invite her? To cause trouble?” Xu Qiao was impatient, “Don’t forget, last time Madam Huo almost distanced herself from you because of a few words from Qiao Yun.”

Jiang Jing spoke unhurriedly, “It won’t be the same this time. I can feel that Auntie Fu seems to have mistaken me for someone, and as long as that person has a place in her heart, she won’t distance herself from me.”

She wanted Qiao Yun to see with her own eyes how she was surrounded by everyone.

Xu Qiao indulged her, “Alright then, let’s do as you say.”

…

When Su Qingqing returned home, she was blinded by the glittering, extremely lavish invitation on the coffee table.

Curiously picking it up, she casually asked her father, who was reading a newspaper on the sofa, “Dad, who is throwing a banquet?”

Su Fan glanced at her, “Hmph, Jiang Jing wants to acknowledge Madam Huo as her godmother, and the Jiang Family evidently wants to announce it to the world.”

Su Qingqing was astonished, “Really? I always thought it was just a rumor.”

“Who knows what’s really going on.” Su Fan shook his head and sighed, “The social landscape of Yuncheng is about to change again…”

For some reason, Su Qingqing suddenly thought that Jiang Jing might have pursued Fu Yun as a godmother just to show off in front of Qiao Yun.

Otherwise, if it had been the Jiang Jing of before, she would have definitely been disdainful.

After thinking for a bit, Su Qingqing went to find Qiao Yun.

…

When Lu Zhanxing saw Su Qingqing come over, he instinctively asked, “Why are you here?”

Su Qingqing raised her eyebrows and said in a warm, gentle voice, “Second cousin, are you not welcoming me?”

Lu Zhanxing got goosebumps all over and rubbed his arms, “Stop disgusting me.”

Su Qingqing chuckled and looked at Qiao Yun, “Cousin, have you heard about Madam Huo wanting to take Jiang Jing as a goddaughter?”

Qiao Yun blinked and said concisely, “No clue.”

Lu Zhanxing was stunned for a moment then remembered, “I think I heard our mom mention today that there’s a banquet inviting us over.”

Qiao Yun uttered, “Not going.”

Lu Zhanxing nodded, “I saw mom flush the invitation down the toilet with my own eyes.”

Qiao Yun: “…”

Su Qingqing laughed, “That’s more like it. Why go there, to watch her show off?”

Su Qingqing wasn’t dumb; the Jiang Family sending out invitations to both the Su Family and the Lu Family was as clear as the nose on your face.

Li Hanzhou, who had been quiet all along, slowly said, “Not just you. The Li Family received one, too.”

Qiao Yun asked curiously, “Is this what they call ‘a petty person becoming complacent’?”

“Right.” Li Hanzzhou ruffled Qiao Yun’s hair and told her, “The invitation for the Li Family isn’t the same; it mentioned bringing you along.”

Qiao Yun muttered, “What’s that got to do with me?”

Li Hanzhou informed her, “Fu Yun isn’t someone who likes to waste. So, this banquet is very likely to have been suggested by Huo Lin.”

Su Qingqing thought shockingly to herself, could it be that Jiang Jing has caught Huo Lin’s eye?

Seeing Qiao Yun’s confused expression, Li Hanzhou chuckled, “My guess is, you’re the star of this banquet.”