Chapter 27: Qualified Enough? Part 4

Jewelry collected over generations shouldn’t have been given to her in the first place. Even if to Old Madam Mu they were just “things to wear for fun,” she couldn’t bring herself to accept them shamelessly.

She was just Mu Shanyi’s bedmate. She wasn’t qualified.

As a child, she had cried and sworn never to go to Jinyuan again after struggling to write an essay about it. Now, as an adult, coming back once more only confirmed that it truly wasn’t a place she belonged.

“Don’t feel burdened. Just think of it as helping me out.” Mu Shanyi’s gaze shifted away from Miao Zhu’s furrowed brows and serious expression. She slowly turned the steering wheel. “Help me deal with some trouble.”

…So Mu Shanyi was using her as a shield?

Of course. Mu Shanyi was thirty-two, and the Old Madam loved a lively atmosphere. Rather than being passive, Mu Shanyi might as well take the initiative.

Because Xiao Hui had been busy this past month, that’s how she’d been able to have Mu Shanyi all to herself. That’s how she’d gotten the chance to help Mu Shanyi with this favor. Was that it?

Miao Zhu forced a shallow smile. “Sister A-Heng, I’m very willing to help you, but you know I can’t take it home conveniently. Can I leave it at your place?”

Saying it was “at Mu Shanyi’s place” was essentially the same as returning it to her. Mu Shanyi would surely agree smoothly. She was just lending her name to help out casually—there was no reason to turn the means into the end by accepting such an expensive gift.

The car behind them flashed its left turn signal, indicating it wanted to change lanes and pass. Mu Shanyi stared into the rearview mirror, seemingly not paying attention to what Miao Zhu had said. Only after the car had sped past by several lengths did she look at Miao Zhu, her expression uncharacteristically puzzled. “Hm? What did you just say?”

Miao Zhu repeated herself.

Mu Shanyi said flatly, “Sure.”

Miao Zhu stroked the wooden box. After a long moment, she looked out the car window, her lips tugging downward uncontrollably.

It was just a bit of disappointment. Seeing such rare antique jewelry up close but not being able to own it would leave anyone with regrets.

Back at Tower Shadow Sunny River, Mu Shanyi opened her jewelry room.

Her jewelry was arranged by material into sections, then further divided by color and craftsmanship within each material. Each set was displayed at varying heights, complemented by carefully designed lighting temperatures and Angels. At a glance, it resembled a magnificent jewelry exhibition.

Miao Zhu carefully handed the rosewood box to Mu Shanyi. A large section here was dedicated to jadeite, so Miao Zhu assumed Mu Shanyi would at least place the box’s contents there according to the system. Instead, Mu Shanyi pulled out a nearby compartment and casually shoved the wooden box inside.

She didn’t value it, didn’t care.

It was Mu Shanyi’s possession, after all—of course she could do with it as she pleased.

Miao Zhu withdrew her gaze, which inadvertently swept over the central display rack.

A few seconds later.

Her eyes returned to that rack. In the middle, around the mannequin’s neck…

It was a simple Bamboo Node Platinum Chain, slender and elegant, sparkling under the lights.

Miao Zhu had an identical one—a collarbone chain she’d bought at the mall with Jiang Jingjing at the beginning of the year for just over two thousand. She wore it occasionally for outfits. The last time, at Tang Yuwen’s wild luxury homestay, she’d worn it, but with her hair tAngeld in it, Mu Shanyi had helped her take it off.

She’d forgotten where she’d put it afterward and hadn’t worn it since.

“It’s yours. The guest room staff found it under the bed while cleaning and gave it to A-Wen.”

The specially treated jewelry room blocked out all external noise, so quiet they could hear each other’s slightest breaths. After Mu Shanyi said this, silence stretched for half a minute before she walked over.

“A-Wen asked me to return it to you. I forgot, but now it’s back to its owner.” Mu Shanyi reached to remove the dust cover.

“No!” In her panic, Miao Zhu grabbed Mu Shanyi’s hand.

She couldn’t understand Mu Shanyi.

She had a girlfriend and was using her as a shield. She took away the jewelry box without hesitation, yet kept her cheap Bamboo Node Chain in the most prominent spot in the jewelry room.

She couldn’t understand herself either.

It was all just play-acting with Mu Shanyi, so why do something so inexplicable? She didn’t want Mu Shanyi to take down the Bamboo Node Chain, but what did leaving it here signify anyway?

No answers. Miao Zhu just said blankly and softly, “Don’t give it back to me.”

Sand had gotten in her eyes, making them hurt. She blinked, and the mist blurred the Mu Shanyi before her.

“Sister A-Heng, you chose me.” She slowly let go. “I’m special to you, right?”

“Why are you crying?” Mu Shanyi’s muffled voice came through the haze.

Miao Zhu didn’t know, and she didn’t want to know anything. She just wanted Mu Shanyi to comfort her.

Mu Shanyi lifted Miao Zhu’s chin.

“To me, you’re very special.” Mu Shanyi seemed to have strong empathy, making her look pained too. “Miao Zhu, don’t cry because of me.”

Author’s Note:

Mu: You won’t accept me, but you want me to admit I’m moved by you. Oh heavens, is this what being a backup is like? Someone come give me peanuts [sobbing explosion]