Chapter 5: The Jade Peace Amulet Part 2

So much to say, she didn’t know where to start. She typed and deleted, deleted and retyped. After several tries, a new message from Miao Zhu popped up.

【Mia: Good night~】

He Zizhou: “…”

He Zizhou deleted everything and hurriedly replied with a good night to Miao Zhu.

Even into the next day, He Zizhou regretted her performance.

Her cousin He Zishan learned that at twenty-eight, she’d finally felt her heart flutter for the first time. She eagerly schemed for her. “We have a casual party-style exchange next Monday night—all young people, very relaxed. Invite her to hang out. You can’t build feelings just through text; ask her to meet up.”

He Zizhou agreed deeply and immediately drafted a message to Miao Zhu. She sent it at noon, but by dinnertime, no reply.

Miao Zhu was clearly busy with work.

Miao Zhu had no performance that day and got off work on time to head home.

She turned off the car in the yard but didn’t get out, leaning back in her seat to zone out.

Her phone on the passenger seat buzzed twice. Miao Zhu lazily reached for it—messages from Sheng Xingran.

Sheng Xingran sent a link to a glamping homestay website, with a voice note saying it was Tang Yuwen’s place. She asked if Miao Zhu wanted to check it out. If yes, they could schedule it for the weekend, Miao Zhu’s day off.

The Tang and Sheng families were always close. Besides running an entertainment agency, Tang Yuwen’s sole hobby was investing in food, drink, and fun spots. Of course Sheng Xingran would visit to show support.

Miao Zhu opened the link. The header image showed a tiled-roof cottage nestled in lush mountain woods. She scrolled casually, then remembered He Zizhou’s noon message.

Miao Zhu: “…”

She backed out to check if He Zizhou’s invite clashed with Sheng Xingran’s.

Staring at her phone screen, her peripheral vision caught the car accessory. Soon, her attention shifted. Miao Zhu set down the phone and reached for the pendant.

She hadn’t noticed before, but now she saw a unfamiliar jade plaque beside her original Bamboo Pendant.

It was a Jade Peace Amulet of fine emerald material, with excellent clarity and a smooth, warm touch.

Miao Zhu examined it silently, then let go. She picked up her phone again, still on the chat with He Zizhou.

【Mia: Sounds good, looking forward to it~】

She copied and pasted the same message to Sheng Xingran.

Finally, she screenshot both chats and sent them to Miao Ling to check in.

After days of clear skies, temperatures quickly climbed back to sweltering over thirty degrees.

The drive from Cloud City to Tang Yuwen’s homestay took over two hours, half of it on winding mountain roads. Miao Zhu and Sheng Xingran arrived near evening.

The mountain was much cooler than the city. The housekeeper greeted them, took their luggage, and led them to their courtyard. “Miss Sheng, your friends are resting at the Observation Deck now. Great views there—the sunset will be beautiful. The boss specified dinner will be served there too.”

That’s when Miao Zhu learned Sheng Xingran had invited others.

“Is Wen jie here today?” Sheng Xingran asked the housekeeper.

The housekeeper replied, “The boss will come, just a bit later.”

The homestay sat midway up the scenic mountain, with room courtyards built into the slope, about a dozen in total.

Miao Zhu’s was next to Sheng Xingran’s, surrounded by mountains on three sides, endless layers of deep and light green filling the view. Miao Zhu dropped her bags, pushed open the glass door to the terrace, and breathed the mountain breeze on the mountainside deck.

When Sheng Xingran knocked, Miao Zhu went with her to the Observation Deck for dinner.

Through the screening walls and branches, laughter drifted over. As they emerged, Miao Zhu saw the girl with the Paris-inspired hair dye.

The girl spotted them too; her laughter cut off, and she awkwardly turned away.

Li Zi stepped forward, apologizing to Sheng Xingran. “Sorry, Xingran. I thought you’d invited Li Li, so I mentioned it… “

She watched Miao Zhu’s expression while speaking. “Li Li came on her own; the homestay couldn’t turn away your friend…”

Miao Zhu showed no particular reaction. Sheng Xingran shrugged it off. “She’s here, might as well hang out.”

With that, the group’s vibe livened up again.

The fiery sunset sank toward the peaks, the evening sky gorgeous. The kitchen began serving dishes.

Everyone headed to the table. Li Li hovered shamelessly around Sheng Xingran. “Not mad at me anymore?”

She walked backward, stepped on a pebble, and slipped. Sheng Xingran instinctively grabbed her. “Watch your step.”

Li Li ignored the path, beaming triumphantly at Miao Zhu first.

Over the years, many had pursued Sheng Xingran, but besides Bianca, Li Li was the only one Sheng Xingran indulged to provoke right in front of others.

Sheng Xingran treated Li Li differently.

Miao Zhu wasn’t sure if she should say something, but they’d reached the table, giving ample reason to table it.

The kitchen had prepared crawfish. Miao Zhu peeled a few, but her glove tore on the shells, juice spilling over her hands.

Sheng Xingran handed her tissues. Miao Zhu removed the glove and said she needed to wash up, heading to the public sink outside the courtyard wall.

The steady stream rinsed away the foam. Faint voices carried from beyond the white wall, indistinct.

Once the grease was gone, Miao Zhu straightened—and winced as her scalp tugged.

A few strands of hair had tAngeld in the Bamboo Joint Necklace.

She tried untangling them in the mirror, but they were knotted tight; tugging snapped hairs.

She decided to remove the necklace.

Her damp fingers fumbled the clasp unsuccessfully several times.

“Need help?”

The unhurried voice interrupted her latest try. Miao Zhu looked up and saw Mu Shanyi in the mirror.

Mu Shanyi wore a light, thin plain silk dress, her long hair loosely pinned up, delicate emerald earrings swaying against her pale neck.

Elegant and refined. Yet Miao Zhu’s mind flooded with memories from that night: the relaxed bar vibe, lipstick on Mu Shanyi’s collar, hazy yellow streetlights, the fragrant night breeze—all culminating on that Jade Peace Amulet.

Without hesitation, Miao Zhu said softly, “Sure.”