Chapter Fifteen: Long Time No See

Jiang Zhen was just about to say she didn't like it when Zhao Jiacheng nodded from the side, "Aunt is right—this ring is quite good, and the price-performance ratio is high."

With this comparison, Jiang Zhen finally understood. It wasn't that they were unwilling to buy her something better; they simply believed she wasn't worthy.

Seeing Jiang Zhen on the verge of tears, Zhang Man quickly launched into a lecture, "Don't act as if you've suffered some great grievance."

"Think about it—what kind of family are you from? At best, there's only a civil servant earning a fixed salary. That might be enough in your rundown neighborhood, but in high society, you have no standing at all."

Seeing Jiang Zhen remain silent, Zhang Man assumed the posture of a superior elder and continued her reproach.

"Our Zhao family has spent so much effort and resources on this wedding, inviting countless big shots from Jiangcheng just to make your marriage look impressive."

"But your Jiang family? You do nothing, just come here to reap the benefits. You might even embarrass our Zhao family, and yet you have the nerve to show up."

Zhang Man snorted arrogantly and brought the subject back to Jiang Zhen herself.

"Tell me, did your parents never teach you to recognize your place? Don't always think of yourself as some noble lady. Marrying into our Zhao family is you climbing up the social ladder, understand?"

Jiang Zhen bit her lip, forcing back tears.

She never thought of herself as part of a wealthy family, but she had always been the cherished child at home.

Even that older boy had always protected her, never letting her suffer the slightest grievance.

"This ring is already the best you could hope for—all because you're marrying one of our Zhao family's promising young men. Otherwise, you'd be lucky to get a ring worth a couple thousand. And you still dream of a fifty-thousand sapphire diamond ring—is that something someone like you is entitled to?"

Finally, just as it looked like Jiang Zhen's tears would spill over, Zhao Jiacheng stepped in to smooth things over.

"Alright, alright, Zhen'er didn't mean anything by it—she knows she was wrong."

"As long as she knows, then we can settle on this one," Zhang Man declared, putting an end to the discussion.

She then took Zhao Jiacheng inside to discuss the price, leaving Jiang Zhen standing alone outside.

"Brother... I miss you so much..."

Jiang Zhen cried in her heart, silent tears falling as regret surged within her.

Why hadn't she called Qin Mu to apologize?

She remembered how, in the past, whenever she was bullied, Qin Mu would rush over without hesitation, never asking why, beating up the offenders until they apologized and never dared trouble her again.

"Little Jiang, with me around, no one will hurt you!"

"Little Jiang, let's go home."

"Little Jiang, I'll always be your brother."

If only Qin Mu were still here—

Who would dare harm her?

…

Yanguiyuan Residential Complex.

Xia Yuan, bearing several precious gifts, knocked on Qin Mu's door.

Qin Mu made some tea and poured Xia Yuan a cup.

He had always preferred simplicity when hosting guests.

"My father asked me to bring these to you as thanks for saving his life," Xia Yuan said, placing the gifts on the table. Even the cheapest among them was a rare tea that money couldn't buy.

"Alright," Qin Mu replied.

In truth, he'd only helped an old classmate, Xia Yuan, without any thought for Xia Qinghai's status. After all, no amount of money could buy the favor of Qin Mu's life-saving help.

Rubbing his hands together, Xia Yuan smiled, "But that's just a token from my father. Personally, our family is holding a jewelry exhibition at Jiangcheng's Jewelry City right now—"

"There's no need," Qin Mu interrupted.

He genuinely had no use for flashy luxury items.

At that moment, Wu Mu reminded him, "General, in a few days it's Little Jiang's wedding, and you haven't picked out a gift yet..."

Qin Mu shot Wu Mu a sharp look—so much for keeping quiet.

Xia Yuan, quick on the uptake, immediately caught on. He scooted over with a sly grin.

"Hey, Brother Mu, what a coincidence! Your sister's birthday is coming up. How could you not have a worthy and beautiful gift?"

"I can guarantee, under the Xia family name, there's not a girl who wouldn't like our jewelry."

Unable to resist Xia Yuan's persistent coaxing, Qin Mu finally agreed to get dressed and go out.

"Come to think of it, in nearly twenty years, I've never given Little Jiang a proper gift," Qin Mu said. "Which is your best piece?"

Without hesitation, Xia Yuan answered, "The sapphire pendant, Heart of the Ocean."

"Our top designers from around the world collaborated on it for three years before completing it. It's listed at a billion, but it's not actually for sale."

He spoke with pride, for he'd intended to give it to Qin Mu as a token of gratitude.

When they arrived at Jewelry City, Xia Yuan led Qin Mu through the VIP entrance straight to the top floor.

The entire venue was reserved by the Xia family, displaying all kinds of treasures.

The most dazzling, and the one drawing the largest crowd, was none other than the Heart of the Ocean, hanging inside a glass case at the center of the room.

The deep blue radiance emanating from the gemstone was as mesmerizing as the depths of the sea—dreamlike, enchanting, impossible for the average person to resist.

Without a moment's hesitation, Xia Yuan gave the order.

Soon, the many wealthy onlookers watched as a team of professionals entered, opened the display, and carefully removed the Heart of the Ocean.

"What's going on?"

"Could someone have bought the Heart of the Ocean?"

"Impossible! The exhibition's been going on for days and plenty have tried to name a price, but the Xia family isn't interested in money."

It had been known from the beginning that Jiangcheng was only the first stop of the Xia family's world tour; they never intended to sell.

Besides, no one in Jiangcheng had the status to buy the Heart of the Ocean!

Yet now, it was being taken down?

All eyes followed the Heart of the Ocean as the professionals carefully packaged it and handed it to the Xia family's own young master, Xia Yuan.

They watched Xia Yuan's eager expression.

Was he really about to give it away?

But to whom?

No one had heard of anyone in Jiangcheng important enough for the Xia family's young master to gift the Heart of the Ocean to win their favor!

Just as Xia Yuan was about to hand the Heart of the Ocean to Qin Mu, it was suddenly snatched away.

Xia Yuan's eyes widened, trying to see who dared be so bold.

"Xia Yuan, you really are generous! The Heart of the Ocean, a piece our family poured untold effort into, and you want to just give it away?"

The culprit was none other than Xia Xuan, who had clashed with Qin Mu a few days before.

But today, Xia Xuan was in high spirits, showing none of her previous defeat.

"Xia Xuan, this isn't your place to make trouble. Give it back!"

"Oh? So it's alright for you to give out gifts and network, but not for anyone else?"

Xia Xuan chuckled, then asked, "Have you heard of the Department of Resources?"

"Department of Resources?" Xia Yuan frowned, sensing trouble.

"The Department of Resources is backed by the Banking Regulatory Commission. You should understand what that means."

"Without their clearance, our family's exhibition tour can't go forward."

Xia Yuan knew this well.

The Department of Resources monitored major capital flows within the city. For their exhibition to travel from Jiangcheng, it had to pass inspection. If someone deliberately held things up for six months, the family would have to spend enormous effort to resolve it.

And even if they managed, the Xia family's reputation would suffer greatly.

"As it happens, I've just met the boyfriend of a high-level official in the Department of Resources. If I want to grease the wheels with a gift, what should I give?"

Xia Xuan's intentions were clear as day.

No wonder she wasn't afraid of Xia Yuan.

With her boyfriend in the Department of Resources, even Xia Qinghai would have to think twice before speaking.

To outsiders, it seemed Xia Xuan was about to take the Heart of the Ocean for herself!

As Xia Yuan hesitated, torn between options—

"Darling, are you ready yet?"

A voice called from outside. Its owner strode through the crowd to Xia Xuan's side, his face smug as he looked at Xia Yuan.

However, the moment his eyes caught sight of Qin Mu standing nearby, his expression shifted to one of sheer terror, as if facing an icy abyss.

Qin Mu, hands in his pockets, cocked his head slightly and smiled.

"Secretary Chang from the Resources and Human Affairs Headquarters. Long time no see."