At that moment, Master Jiu Gong removed the black mask from his face, relaxed his furrowed brow, and sighed. "Master Yan, you're too kind. That young man passed so unexpectedly at such a young age—what a shame. Still, having a boss like you handle his funeral… at least his time in this world wasn't in vain."
Shang Yu's Adam's apple moved slightly. He met Jiu Gong's gaze for a brief moment before turning to give instructions to Liu Yun behind him. "Take Master Jiu Gong to the guest villa to rest. Wait until the rain stops to send them down the mountain."
"Yes, sir."
…
About ten minutes later, at the Nanyang Mountain guest villa, three black sedans stopped at the entrance.
Liu Yun arranged for the villa staff to take good care of them, then immediately headed back to Nanyang Mansion two kilometers away.
Once inside, Li Qiao finally removed her mask and followed a housekeeper to the living room to rest for a while.
Mo Qi, meanwhile, was staring in awe at the opulent, grand living room. Calling it "luxurious" would be an understatement—especially considering this was just a temporary guest villa.
Clicking his tongue quietly, he couldn't help but marvel at the power of wealth. "Teacher, are you and that man… close?"
As the words fell, Li Qiao, seated alone in an armchair, slowly lifted her head.
Earlier at the cemetery, they had all been wearing masks. Li Qiao had never spoken to Shang Yu, so she didn't know whether he had recognized her.
But judging from the conversation between Master Jiu Gong and Shang Yu, it seemed they were at least somewhat acquainted.
At this moment, Master Jiu Gong took a cup of hot tea from the housekeeper. After blowing on it gently, he answered in a calm tone, "I've handled the funeral preparations for several of his deceased subordinates before, so I suppose you could say we're familiar."
"So you attend every burial in person?" Mo Qi pressed, genuinely curious. After all, the official mortician's handbook didn't include the burial as part of the process.
They had gone today only because Master Jiu Gong was leading the team.
Hearing this, Master Jiu Gong took a sip of tea. His face, lined with age and weariness, showed a hint of annoyance as he shot Mo Qi a look. "Why do you ask so many questions?"
Clearly, he had no intention of answering further.
Mo Qi rubbed the bridge of his nose, glanced at Li Qiao, and mumbled to himself, "I'm just curious, that's all…"
"Ask what should be asked. Don't go poking your nose where it doesn't belong."
Just then, a housekeeper came to inform them that the guest rooms were ready and invited them to rest.
Li Qiao remained silent the entire time. She followed the housekeeper to a second-floor guest room, and once inside, she sat in a recliner by the window, staring out at the rain in a daze.
Today's farewell had changed her view of Shang Yu once again.
According to rumors, he was the cold-blooded and domineering ruler of Nanyang—arrogant and paranoid to the extreme.
But what she saw today was a man of deep loyalty and emotional weight—a true leader who valued brotherhood and honor.
Maybe that was why his subordinates were so loyal—because of who he was.
At that moment, the phone Li Qiao had kept in her pocket suddenly buzzed.
She picked it up and glanced at the screen lazily—only for her heart to skip a beat.
It was a WeChat message from Shang Yu.
Just two simple words: Come downstairs.
Her heartbeat quickened. She rose without hesitation and walked out the door.
Downstairs, the living room was empty.
Li Qiao walked down the stairs, through the entryway, and pushed open the villa's brown front doors—only to see a man standing in the rain, holding a black silk umbrella.
It was him.
Still dressed in that formal black suit, he stood tall against the wind and rain, his presence so striking it made everything around him seem hazy and indistinct.
Li Qiao pressed her lips together, faint fatigue lingering at the corners of her eyes as she slowly walked toward him.
Under the umbrella, with the dim light casting gentle shadows, she looked up into Shang Yu's deep gaze and smiled softly. "When did you recognize me, Master Yan?"