Chapter 60: He Was So Jealous It Nearly Broke Him

Although Ren Tianchuan had produced that video in order to protect Ren Yishan, Jian Qing also understood that his words were not without merit. If things really escalated and both parties went down together, that video would not do her any good either.

Moreover, she had just established a connection with the Li family, and now it looked as if the two Jian sisters were a pair—one with superhuman strength, the other a thief. If word got out, it would be a disgrace. Her mother’s efforts abroad would be for nothing.

A shadow flickered in her eyes; after a moment, Jian Qing nodded and gave a relaxed smile, then took two steps toward Ren Yishan.

Meeting the woman’s anxious, pleading gaze, she spoke coolly:

“You’re saying this ring is a gift from me?”

Ren Yishan seized the lifeline and nodded at once. “Sister, at a time like this, there’s no need to quarrel with me or say anything reckless. The police are just doing their job.”

She grabbed Jian Qing’s hand, and Jian Qing could feel the slight tremble in her fingers. After all, the ring was expensive; if Ren Yishan was convicted of theft, there would be no good outcome for her.

Jian Qing had no qualms about sending her to prison, but there was a tricky problem: the ring had been found. Even in a theft case, if the stolen goods were recovered, prosecution or criminal charges might not follow. If it all ended with mere administrative penalties, the Jian family’s reputation would suffer more than Ren Yishan’s.

In truth, this whole matter was unlikely to cause much of a stir.

Seeing that Ren Yishan’s reputation was already in tatters, Jian Qing saw no reason to destroy herself in a mutually assured downfall. So, she relented, but even as she cleared things up, she couldn’t resist making Ren Yishan uncomfortable:

“Perhaps my sister took something of mine without telling me—she does have a habit of taking my things without asking. Whether it’s a ring, or an engagement…”

Ren Yishan: ...

It sounded like a clarification, yet somehow it only made things worse.

This soon became the focal point of gossip among the onlookers, their whispers spreading through the crowd:

“I remember Ren Yishan’s fiancé used to be Jian Qing’s boyfriend, right?”

“Are you serious?”

“That Xiao Yuncheng guy? He was quite the player, I hear.”

“My goodness, Ren Yishan would even go after a man like that. I need to keep a closer eye on my own husband!”

“…”

In the end, the matter was hastily settled as the parties involved chose not to pursue it. Yet at the gathering, no one wished to speak another word to Ren Yishan.

She stood isolated amid the crowd, watching Li Shuang lead Jian Qing from one group to another, trying several times in vain to approach them.

Jian Qing, on the other hand, met many new faces with Li Shuang’s help. Yet, throughout the entire event, neither Li Jingche, the man of the hour, nor Yan Jin made an appearance?!

How could she not show up at such an important occasion?

Just as she was thinking this, the lights in the banquet hall gradually dimmed. A distinguished lady made her way to the stage. Li Shuang leaned over and whispered in Jian Qing’s ear:

“That’s my mother, and the girl she’s bringing up is Miss Hao from the Hao family, Hao Qing.”

With one glance, Jian Qing could see that this girl held a special place in Madam Li’s heart. Upon reaching the stage, Madam Li held tightly to Hao Qing’s hand. As soon as the microphone was handed to her, she began by criticizing Li Jingche for leaving without notice:

“Dear guests, today is Jingche’s birthday. He’s naturally reserved, dislikes such occasions, and has gone off on business. Today’s gathering is not only to celebrate his thirtieth birthday, but also…”

Here, the older lady drew out her words, then gently pushed Hao Qing forward.

“The Hao and Li families have always enjoyed close ties. Today, I am formally recognizing Hao Qing as my goddaughter, and I hope our families’ bond will deepen in the future.”

At these words, the astute among the crowd exchanged meaningful glances—

Wasn’t this just a public announcement of an engagement between Li Jingche and Hao Qing?

Jian Qing was about to ask Li Shuang for an introduction to Hao Qing when her phone suddenly rang.

It was Number 33, unable to wait any longer, sending a message:

“Still not over?”

Jian Qing replied, “Not yet.”

Number 33: “What part are you at?”

Jian Qing: “They’re announcing Li Jingche’s intended.”

Number 33: ?

In the villa, Li Jingche stared at the unfamiliar words. After pressing Jian Qing for details, he immediately sent a message to Li Shuang.

Li Shuang, who had just been pouting at the stage, annoyed at her mother’s poor choice in picking Hao Qing, saw her phone light up. Seeing it was her brother, she straightened up at once and began to reply.

The tall, cool older brother: What is Mom doing?

Warrior Shuang!: She’s cutting off your love life, bro. Mom’s making Hao Qing her goddaughter—doesn’t that mean she wants you to marry her? Even if you don’t, just imagine her pining for you as your god-sister. How awkward!

After sending her message, Li Shuang got no reply. Instead, Jian Qing’s phone was bombarded with messages:

“When are you coming to Jiaohai Bay?”

“Hurry up and get here.”

“Is some strange man’s birthday more important than mine?”

“You know I’ve never had cake since I was a child…”

“…”

Message after message poured in. Even through the screen, Jian Qing could sense his furrowed brow, the gloomy, aggrieved face typing out each word.

With a sigh, Jian Qing gave up searching for Yan Jin in the crowded hall.

“Li Shuang, sorry, something’s come up at home. I have to go.”

Li Shuang understood at once, called for help, and even had Jian Qing’s hidden wheelchair loaded into the car, seeing her off all the way.

When Jian Qing arrived at Jiaohai Bay, she opened the door to the scent of food and a man’s slightly plaintive voice:

“So, in the end, a rich young master is still better than me, Jian Qing.”

He sat on the sofa, arms crossed, legs casually propped up, a bathrobe draped over his sculpted frame, muscles hinted at beneath the fabric. Even a simple profile was enough to outshine the most extravagant praise.

After these few days together, Jian Qing had learned some of Number 33’s little quirks. Though he was prone to jealousy, he was easily coaxed back into good spirits. Coupled with that devastatingly handsome face, it was impossible to stay angry with him.

She tossed her bag onto the sofa, dismissed the servants, and sat down beside Li Jingche, interlacing her fingers with his.

He snuck a glance at her, then stiffly turned away, pretending not to look.

“You have to understand, it’s hard for us women out there. This time, with the Xiao and Li families’ business, my mother asked me to help. I had to do my part.”

“Xiao family?”

The words seemed to prick him. Li Jingche’s expression darkened at once.

“You’re going to plead on their behalf with the Li family?”

Jian Qing smacked her lips, then leaned against his shoulder, the scent of jasmine drifting between them.

“I don’t want to, but Xiao Yuncheng once saved my life. I can’t refuse. Besides, my mother says this is the last time—just tying up loose ends with the Xiao family.”

He fell silent, eyes fixed on her hand wrapped in his. After a while, he asked, tentatively,

“So… how exactly are you planning to help?”

“Now that I know Li Shuang, maybe I’ll get a chance to meet Li Jingche?”

“And if helping means going even further? If Li Jingche asked you to sleep with him to help Xiao Yuncheng, would you do it?”

Raising one eyebrow, Li Jingche’s tone was both serious and teasing. Even after saying it, he couldn’t hide a wry smile.

Jian Qing was taken aback for a moment, but then shook her head.

“He’s a rich young master in the capital, surrounded by beautiful women. He doesn’t need me.”

“And what if he insists?”

Number 33 asked in earnest, his gaze fixed on Jian Qing’s eyes, as if searching for the part of her soul that truly belonged to him.

Today, Du Yu had called her his girlfriend in front of everyone, which already left Li Jingche in a foul mood.

Now, she was asking for a favor for the Xiao family.

Had Jian Qing ever gone this far for him?