Nighttime.
At a private auction house.
Lin Zhishui absentmindedly flipped through the auction catalog.
Since arriving, she had sat quietly on the curved sofa, not wandering about.
The silk fabric of her dress was thin, draping over her knees and pooling at her feet.
Just thinking of the jade that Ning Shangyu had left with her made her furrow her brows, an odd sense of insecurity lingering in her heart.
As a result, she spent the entire day moving as stiffly as a jade statue, afraid that a single careless move would break the precious hibiscus jade Ning Shangyu had entrusted to her.
After all, jade was fragile.
She zoned out for so long that even the auction house manager and attendants nearby held their breath, not daring to disturb her.
But Ning Shuyu, who had been called over to act as her “little attendant,” had no such scruples.
He’d recently dyed his short hair chestnut brown, and now lounged against the back of the sofa, the chandelier’s light accentuating his gentle, harmless features—
He really did resemble some kind of fluffy puppy breed.
“Sis-in-law, what are you planning to buy for Ms. Sheng’s birthday? Let me help you pick, okay?”
Ning Shuyu was extremely familiar and casual.
It was a total contrast to the reserved driver he’d been before.
Lin Zhishui had already experienced this within ten minutes of first meeting him.
She came back to herself, blinking lightly as she gradually regained her composure.
“Some kind of ruby jewelry, I think.”
“Ruby?”
Ning Shuyu flipped through the catalog for her, then picked out a piece.
“How about this one? Sis-in-law, trust my taste—this would absolutely match Ms. Sheng’s stunning looks. Honestly, my brother spent enough money to build three libraries just to get me into Sulikov Academy of Fine Arts. I studied there diligently for three or four years, you know.”
He really could talk a mile a minute.
She resisted the urge to ask if Ning Shuyu couldn’t get in on his own, and looked at the catalog.
What he’d picked wasn’t bad, but Lin Zhishui’s gaze drifted to another item:
An antique pocket watch.
Ms. Sheng was always so busy with work she’d forget to eat or sleep; compared to jewelry, this seemed much more practical.
When Lin Zhishui saw the camellia-patterned pocket watch inlaid with rubies, she changed her mind.
She wanted this one.
Ning Shuyu wasn’t the least bit bothered that his choice wasn’t accepted; instead, he commented, “Our tastes are the same. Not bad.”
Then he asked the manager to bring the pocket watch over for a look.
While they waited, Ning Shuyu’s phone kept ringing with calls from other rich young men, inviting him to horse races or yacht parties.
Lin Zhishui sat quietly with her hands folded, her eyes fixed on the incense burner on the tea table, its smoke curling with a faint sandalwood scent.
With no one to talk to, her attention inevitably drifted.
After a while, Lin Zhishui’s eyes, hidden beneath her lashes, showed a trace of emotion.
She picked up her phone and messaged Ning Shangyu, [I’m uncomfortable, I want to take it off.]
Ning Shangyu replied quickly and succinctly, [No.]
Lin Zhishui, [Why?]
Ning Shangyu, [It won’t hurt you.]
[But it feels really bad right now…]
Lin Zhishui typed, eyes downcast, but before she could send it, the manager in a crisp suit came in, looking troubled.
Before Lin Zhishui could ask,
Ning Shuyu, having just ended his last call, saw the manager bowing and apologizing, so he frowned, “What’s going on?”
“Miss Lin’s chosen antique pocket watch… Miss Qin from next door also picked it out ten minutes ago.”
As soon as those words fell.
Lin Zhishui turned off her phone screen and looked at Ning Shuyu in confusion.
Just now, he’d been so imposing—anyone daring to compete with the Ning Clan for something would be in trouble.
But as soon as he heard “Qin Family”—
Ning Shuyu’s tone naturally became more friendly. “Oh, it’s Wanyin-jie.”
Then he turned to Lin Zhishui and explained, “The Qin Family used to be in Hong Kong, like yours, they started in pharmaceutical technology. Later, with backing from my family, they established themselves here. For over a decade, our families have had close business ties. Their children are also familiar with us.”
Lin Zhishui listened quietly, waiting for him to continue.
Ning Shuyu’s thinking was simple: since they were acquaintances, it wouldn’t do to throw their weight around.
But if Lin Zhishui simply gave up what she wanted, it wouldn’t look good either.
He planned to appeal to emotion and reason… by going next door to talk.
But unexpectedly, the person from next door arrived first.
With light footsteps, Qin Wanyin stopped at the doorway, her soft, pleasant voice carrying through the embroidered screen, “Shuyu, are you there? The manager just told me a girl from your side also wants the pocket watch.”
Lin Zhishui’s gaze shifted over.
Across the screen.
Qin Wanyin never entered, as if showing great respect for Ning Shuyu and the unknown girl’s privacy.
She sat not far away, but could hear everything clearly.
Ning Shuyu replied honestly, “I was just about to find you… Wanyin-jie, normally I’d give you anything, but tonight, I really can’t let go of this pocket watch. Please understand.”
“Shuyu, there’s no need for courtesy between us. Just treat it as me giving her a meeting gift,” Qin Wanyin started, then paused, lowering her voice as she continued, “Give it to her as a welcome present.”
Ning Shuyu folded his arms and leaned against the white screen, a hint of amusement in his voice, “That won’t do. This is my brother’s fiancée. It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to give her a welcome gift.”
Lin Zhishui still sat quietly, but the room had fallen completely silent.
For once, Qin Wanyin’s usual poised gentleness failed her, and she was silent for two minutes.
Through the screen, she glanced vaguely toward the sofa…
That slender, stunning figure remained unmoved.
After a while.
Ning Shuyu, taking charge of who would get the pocket watch, spoke generously, “Wanyin-jie, how about I give you a welcome gift on behalf of my sister-in-law? As for the pocket watch, I’m afraid we can’t give that up.”
After all, Lin Zhishui was to be the future mistress of the Ning Family—her status made it only appropriate for her to present welcome gifts to others.
Qin Wanyin hadn’t yet refused.
Behind the screen, Lin Zhishui finally moved.
She stood up from the sofa and walked out, first revealing the delicate profile of her face.
Even the barest glimpse of her creamy, jade-like skin was enough to evoke a sense of breathtaking fragility.
Then, as she fully emerged, she casually met Qin Wanyin’s crescent-moon eyes for a second.
Lin Zhishui’s gaze was even clearer, untouched by the world’s petty desires, and she didn’t deliberately look away.
As she passed, she said to Ning Shuyu, “She chose it first. Give the pocket watch to Miss Qin as a meeting gift from me.”
She had never liked fighting for things in public.
Much less for something someone else had already set their sights on…
Lin Zhishui knew she wouldn’t find a suitable birthday gift tonight.
Ms. Sheng Mingying deserved something truly unique and special, so she didn’t intend to settle for a mediocre choice.
After stating her position, she maintained her usual cool composure and walked toward the elevator in the corridor.
This private auction house was located in a high-rise building in a prime location.
Lin Zhishui, her interest waning, finally waited for the elevator, and when she looked up, she was momentarily stunned.
Inside the brightly lit elevator stood a group of handsome men in business suits, and at their centre was none other than Ning Shangyu.
With one hand in his pocket, his tall, well-tailored figure stood out, every gesture dazzling and commanding, his aura making it impossible to get too close.
Ning Shangyu glanced her way and, noticing her dazed expression, said, “Aren’t you coming in?”
Lin Zhishui’s heart suddenly raced, and after a moment, she slowly stepped inside.
The elevator doors quickly closed.
All the elites present seemed to instantly reach a tacit understanding; perhaps because of her presence, the atmosphere became abruptly silent.
Lin Zhishui stood quietly in her high heels, her skirt demurely in place.
Ning Shangyu’s presence was so overwhelming that images she dared not dwell on flashed through her mind.
Her gaze dropped to his arm for two seconds, and her voice unconsciously lowered, “I need to talk to you.”
Ning Shangyu’s eyes fell on her lips, waiting for her words.
Lin Zhishui quietly moved closer, speaking so only the two of them could hear, her voice even softer the second time, “When you have a moment later… can you check for me… if the jade is broken?”