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Chapter 23: Necklace
Guan Xi now knows why Guan Ying tried to buy this necklace, and she finally understands why she kept bidding at the auction. Originally, she had the same idea as Yang Mingzhi. However, even so, she still couldn’t just let it go. She wasn’t that kind and generous. She also wanted her mom’s favorite thing to be given by herself, not by someone else.
Later, after viewing all the auction items, Guan Xi didn’t leave immediately. Instead, she went to the backstage to greet the organizer of this auction, Yang Mingzhi. Yang Mingzhi, nearing fifty, had a very spirited demeanor. Coupled with his refined and elegant appearance, he looked around forty.
“Uncle Yang.”
Seeing her, Yang Mingzhi welcomed her, “Xi Xi is here.”
“Yeah, it’s been a long time since I last saw you.”
Yang Mingzhi smiled and complained, “That’s because you never have time to visit this old man.”
“Uncle Yang, you’re a blooming fifty-one, don’t call yourself an old man. I don’t like hearing that.”
“You’re good at coaxing people.” Yang Mingzhi nodded at Jiang Suizhou and said, “Suizhou, you must have gained a lot tonight after collecting all these items.”
Jiang Suizhou replied, “The items on the stage today were indeed good.”
Yang Mingzhi looked meaningfully at Guan Xi and said, “But the biggest profit today is this little girl.”
“Come on, Uncle Yang, that’s not true,” Guan Xi said. “Oh, by the way, Uncle Yang, it’s my mom’s birthday in a few days. Will you come?”
Yang Mingzhi invited them to sit down, saying, “I have something to do; I won’t be able to make it.”
“Come on, you haven’t been to our house for a long time.”
Yang Mingzhi didn’t accept the invitation and asked, “Are you doing well lately? How are you getting along with your sister?”
Guan Xi shrugged, “It’s okay.”
Although Guan Xi spoke casually, Yang Mingzhi had heard quite a few rumors recently. “Xi Xi, no matter what, Uncle Yang has watched you grow up. If you have any grievances at home, you should tell me.”
“No, everything is fine at home,” Guan Xi said. “You should listen less to the rumors outside.”
Guan Xi obviously didn’t want to bring up those matters, and Yang Mingzhi could also sense it. So, later on, he stopped talking about it and just invited Guan Xi and Jiang Suizhou to have tea for a while.
A few days later, it was Wei Shaomin’s birthday. Wei Shaomin didn’t like to celebrate birthdays extravagantly, so on her birthday, the family just had a simple meal at home. After dinner, the family of four sat in the living room. Guan Xinghao first presented his gift, and after he finished, it was the turn of the two younger ones.
“What gifts have you two prepared for your mom?” Guan Xinghao asked.
Guan Xi joked, “Dad, our gifts are definitely better than yours. The scarf you gave is a bit uninspired.”
“Nonsense, dad carefully chose it,” Guan Xinghao glared at Guan Xi. “Let me see what you bought.”
Guan Xi raised an eyebrow, and had the housekeeper, Zhen Yi, bring over the gift. She placed the necklace she had won at the auction in an exquisite box and opened it in front of Wei Shaomin. As soon as the box opened, everyone’s eyes were drawn to the dazzling brilliance inside.
Wei Shaomin saw the necklace and her eyes lit up, “It’s this necklace…”
Guan Xi said, “Yes, Mom, you really like this necklace, right? I heard it was going to appear at the auction, so I immediately went and bid for it.”
Wei Shaomin truly liked it. However, this necklace had been taken by someone else a few years ago at an auction, and she hadn’t encountered a design she liked as much since then.
“Xi Xi, you’re thoughtful,” Wei Shaomin patted her head. “I really like it.”
For a moment, there was joy in everyone’s hearts, and Guan Xi felt it was all worthwhile.
Seeing that Guan Xi had given this necklace, Guan Ying also paused for a moment, “No wonder Mr. Jiang didn’t want to sell it. So, it was Xi Xi who wanted it.”
Wei Shaomin looked at Guan Ying, “What does that mean?”
Guan Ying smiled and said, “Well, that day at the auction, I was there too. Uh… I got to know that you liked this through some previous information. So, that day, I kept bidding against Mr. Jiang, but in the end, I couldn’t outbid him.”
Wei Shaomin was surprised, “Is that true, Xi Xi?”
Guan Xi glanced at Guan Ying and nodded, “Mr. Jiang Suizhou won the bid. I thought of giving it to you as a birthday present, so I asked him to give it to me.”
Guan Ying said, “Originally, I felt a bit regretful that I couldn’t get it even though I knew you liked it. But now, seeing it in Xi Xi’s hands, it’s fine. After all, no matter who gives it to you, it’s a gift.”
Wei Shaomin smiled, “You kids, you really know what I like.”
Guan Ying said, “I heard about it from grandma some time ago.”
Wei Shaomin was pleased, “Both of you are thoughtful.”
Guan Ying chuckled, “But now my gift doesn’t seem so good. Compared to this necklace, it’s much inferior.”
Wei Shaomin glanced at her, “Nonsense, whatever you and your sister give, mom will love it.”
Guan Xinghao added, “Exactly, it’s the thought that counts.”
Guan Ying felt a bit embarrassed and took out something she had prepared from the drawer – a bracelet made of Buddhist beads, nothing particularly rare. Guan Xi, after a quick glance, felt relieved.
“This is something I got from a temple a few days ago. I know it’s not something precious, but it carries some of my wishes. I hope mom stays healthy and happy throughout her life.”
Wei Shaomin asked, “A few days ago? When you said you had something to do those days, you went to the temple?”
“Yeah… with a sincere heart. I went there and observed a vegetarian diet for two days.”
“Ah, you…”
Guan Xi’s heart tightened again. In contrast, her gift didn’t carry elaborate sentiments. It was just expensive and aesthetically pleasing. Guan Xi furrowed her brows, but the level of its expense might rival Guan Ying’s extraordinarily spiritual bracelet…
Even though she didn’t spend two days fasting and praying, Guan Xi still considered Wei Shaomin’s preferences and showed her deep filial piety. Moreover, since Guan Ying’s first choice was also a necklace, wouldn’t that make Guan Xi’s necklace the best gift after all?
Guan Xi was thinking along those lines.
Until—
That evening, when she was about to come down from upstairs, she saw Wei Shaomin and Guan Ying sitting on the sofa. Wei Shaomin wore the rough Buddhist beads on her hand, embracing Guan Ying while talking. Guan Ying seemed to feel that the gift she gave was inferior and looked a bit embarrassed. Wei Shaomin comforted her, saying it wasn’t true; she liked that gift the most.
A very heartwarming and affectionate scene. Guan Xi stood in the shadows for a while, then turned and went back to her room. Suddenly, she felt a bit foolish.
How confident was she to think that the gift she gave would surely be more liked by mom than Guan Ying’s? Mom’s favorite wasn’t necessarily about the gift itself, but rather who gave the gift…
Guan Ying gave a Buddhist bead bracelet, so naturally, the Buddhist bead bracelet was the best. If she had given a necklace, then the necklace would be the best…
After all, that was something recovered, a biological daughter who had fallen off her body.
Biological daughter…
Guan Xi sat on the windowsill, and in her mind floated the poignant yet enviable scene from earlier. For the first time, a thought appeared:
That is, if her mother were still in this world, could she also be treated like a biological daughter? Could she lean on her, listen to her nagging, and indulge in being spoiled by her…
However, as soon as this thought emerged for a few seconds, she immediately pushed it away.
Heavens… why was she suddenly thinking of such terrifying things?
That person could easily abandon her; where would there be any love?
**
After the auction, rumors such as “Guan Xi losing her momentum, breaking up with Jiang Suizhou” were debunked without any effort. Guan Xi only realized belatedly, after hearing from Lang Ningyi about the dark expressions of Wei Zihan and Li Xinran in the past few days, that on the day of the auction, Jiang Suizhou wasn’t just buying her gifts as usual.
It seemed like Er Gou had given her a good wake-up call. Once Guan Xi understood this, she felt quite touched, even soothing the frustration she had about the gift incident. So, the next day, she happily drove to Jiang Suizhou’s house, bringing along a bottle of vintage red wine.
However, upon arriving at his house, she found it empty.
“Hey, darling, where are you?” Guan Xi sat on his sofa, her two long legs crossed, calling out sweetly.
Jiang Suizhou, upon hearing her endearing address, clearly paused before responding, “I’m at Song Li’s place. What’s up?”
The environment on his end was quite noisy, filled with laughter, music, and a lively atmosphere. Guan Xi leaned back on the sofa, pondering, “I originally came to drink with you, didn’t expect you to be out enjoying yourself.”
Jiang Suizhou replied, “Wait for me at home. I’ll be back later.”
“No need, is it a club at Song Li’s? I’ll come find you.”
“No need.”
“Why not?” Guan Xi felt like she had caught a whiff of something and immediately asked, “Are there little girls there?”
“You think so.”
“That means there are a lot of little girls.”
Jiang Suizhou chuckled lightly. In his laughter, there seemed to be a hint of intoxication, a touch of a debonair charm. “Those over 18 can’t be called little girls, right?”
Guan Xi squinted, “Alright, I’ll be there soon. Let me see how many 18-year-old big girls you’ve got.”
Jiang Suizhou teased, “What, are you going to play the catching adultery game?”
“Absolutely.” Guan Xi asserted, “If you can hold onto both sides, I’ll be right there.”
Jiang Suizhou chuckled softly, “Sure.”
The call ended, and Jiang Suizhou put down his phone, pouring himself a drink.
After a while, Song Li sat down beside him, “I saw you laughing from afar. What’s so funny?”
Jiang Suizhou took a sip of his drink, his gaze drifting lazily, “Hmm?”
Song Li asked, “I’m asking why you’re laughing. Sitting alone here with a smitten expression, anything wrong with you?”
Jiang Suizhou put down the glass, not answering his question directly. He just said, “Why did you come over? Aren’t you still playing?”
Today, many people came to this event hosted by Song Li. There were handsome men and beautiful women, with familiar faces and many new ones.
“Just finished discussing cooperation with Xie Yan. The business matters are settled, and the fun is about to begin. I came to get you. Come on, play and drink at the same time. What’s the point of drinking alone here?” Song Li suggested.
Jiang Suizhou remained seated, showing no interest. His tone carried a trace of disdain, “Your boring games again?”
“Tsk… how boring. Alright, since you, the Buddha, won’t move, I’ll go call everyone over.” Song Li said, not waiting for Jiang Suizhou’s response, and got up to call everyone.
Seeing Song Li’s enthusiasm, Jiang Suizhou couldn’t be bothered to say anything. After a while, people came over in groups of threes and twos. Xie Yan was also here today, and during this period, Song Li and Xie Yan had become quite close, and Jiang Suizhou had also become acquainted with them. After Xie Yan came over and greeted him, he sat down next to him.
There was exactly one vacant spot between the two, leaving room for someone else. In the next second, a girl walked straight over and sat down.
“I’ll sit here!” The girl was a friend brought by Song Li’s friend. She had an outgoing personality and was pretty, enjoying herself in such gatherings.
Jiang Suizhou glanced at her. The girl had applied makeup to look charming and smiled brightly at him. He withdrew his gaze indifferently, and in his mind appeared the image of Guan Xi, the butterfly. He thought, if it came to charm, no one could surpass her.
Song Li greeted everyone to sit down, “Sit anywhere, sit anywhere. What about playing Truth or Dare?”
“Oh, truth or dare? Isn’t that outdated?”
“What game do you suggest, then?”
…
The group passionately discussed and finally settled on a simple game, the Spin the Bottle. The person at the tail end of the spinner can command the person at the front end to perform a dare. It was a simple but thrilling game. However, just as the game was about to begin, the door of the private room was suddenly pushed open.
The light outside the room was different from inside, and when the door opened, the white light from outside spilled in. People turned to look, and when they saw a tall and beautiful woman walking in through the door, they were stunned.
“Eh? Whose friend is this beauty?” someone exclaimed.
All eyes turned, and the first to react was Song Li. He immediately stood up, saying, “Guan Xi! Miss Guan, what wind blew you here?”
Guan Xi glanced at the flamboyant Song Li, her gaze landing on the man sitting in the middle of the sofa, and then slowly looking at the woman sitting next to him.
She smiled slightly, walked over directly, and said, “What game are you playing? I happened to arrive at the right time. Let’s play together.”
Following her gaze, Song Li also saw a girl sitting beside Jiang Suizhou. Alarm bells rang in his mind, and he immediately made suggestive gestures to the girl!
However, the new girl, who didn’t know many people here, had just come and took a seat because she noticed Jiang Suizhou and heard her friend say he was someone remarkable.
“Sorry, could you please make some room?” Guan Xi stood in front of the girl, polite and composed.
Polite in words, but not in appearance. Guan Xi was stunning and exuded a strong aura. The girl looked up at her and was momentarily stunned. f course, she didn’t want to give up her seat. Just as she was about to react, she was suddenly pulled up by Song Li. “Come, come, sit next to me, and let Guan Xi sit here!”
The girl looked at Song Li in surprise.
Song Li whispered, “Little sister, I’m saving you!”
After the onlookers were led away, Guan Xi calmly took a seat next to Jiang Suizhou. After greeting Xie Yan on her right, she turned to Jiang Suizhou and said lightly, “She’s not that little, is she?”
Jiang Suizhou smiled, “She just sat down not long ago. I didn’t ask her to sit next to me.”
Guan Xi said, “Is that so, Mr. Jiang? Then why didn’t you keep your distance from her?”
Jiang Suizhou pondered for a moment, “Originally, it should have been like that, but when I thought about you saying you were coming to catch me in the act, I hesitated. I couldn’t let you come over and find it empty.”
Guan Xi glanced at him. Of course, she knew Jiang Suizhou wasn’t that foolish, knowingly letting her come over and ruin his reputation. But she enjoyed playing along and whispered, “So now I haven’t found it empty. You’ve been caught cheating by me. What do you say?”
Jiang Suizhou looked at Guan Xi’s playful eyes and felt that tonight had become more interesting.
He hooked his lips, grabbed her wrist, and said, “How about letting you handle it now?”
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