Xie Liuzheng's Suspicions

Xie Liuzheng had no interest in watching anyone else. She was paying for her purchase.

Qiao Yun came over and pointed at the Pink Diamond Necklace around her neck. "I want that new necklace."

She had money now. She could afford it.

The sales associate looked troubled. "I'm sorry, miss, but that's the last one we have."

"Perhaps you'd like to look at some other styles? They're all new arrivals from last month."

Qiao Yun's mood soured instantly. "No. I want that one."

The sales associate hesitated, then offered another solution. "If you really like it, you can leave your details with us. We'll notify you as soon as it's back in stock. Would that work?"

"No," Qiao Yun said.

Seeing that Xie Liuzheng was about to leave, she impulsively stepped in front of her.

Shen Wan pulled Xie Liuzheng back, her eyes wary.

Qiao Yun realized how strange she was acting and tried to sound humble. "Miss, I really like that necklace. Would you let me have it?"

"I can pay double," Qiao Yun added after mentally calculating the budget Duan Xing had given her.

Xie Liuzheng frowned. "I like this necklace. It's not for sale."

With that, she took Shen Wan's hand and walked out of the store without giving Qiao Yun another glance.

Qiao Yun started after Xie Liuzheng, but the bodyguards blocked her way.

Shen Wan saw the commotion behind them through the glass door. "There's something strange about her. Let's go."

"I thought so too," Xie Liuzheng said. "That came out of nowhere."

Qiao Yun watched them walk away, her gaze growing venomous. Xie Liuzheng's men were all hers, and everything else would be hers too.

The jewelry store staff saw Qiao Yun's odd behavior and quietly kept their distance. Best to stay away from someone like that.

When Shen Baili came home from school, she was stunned by the army of handbags in the living room. "Mom, who did you go shopping with? Why didn't you take me?"

She wanted to go shopping with her mother too.

"Your Aunt Liuzheng. She bought all these bags." Shen Wan briefly told her what had happened.

After hearing the story, Shen Baili said, "You two are so cool."

"I'm a cool mom," Shen Wan said.

Shen Baili plopped down beside her. "You're a cool girl."

Shen Wan tapped her nose. "You always know how to make me happy."

"I'm telling the truth. My mom really is a cool girl~"

"Where's Aunt Liuzheng? I haven't seen her." After racking her brain for days, Shen Baili had finally remembered the plot involving Xie Liuzheng the night before.

The adoption was that disgusting social climber's scheme.

She had been so angry she had nearly lost sleep, and she had spent ages wondering how to tell Xie Liuzheng.

She didn't know Xie Liuzheng well.

And Xie Liuzheng clearly trusted Duan Xing. Going straight to her would only tip him off.

She needed a good approach. If all else failed, could she tell Xie Zhiyu?

There it was again: the familiar problem of how to pass on what she knew.

But she couldn't ignore this. Shen Baili couldn't bear to see a girl's sincere feelings betrayed.

That social climber was disgusting, scheming at every step. How dare he?

After cursing Duan Xing eight hundred times in her head, Shen Baili decided to see Xie Liuzheng first and test the waters.

"Liuzheng was tired after shopping today. She went home after dropping me off."

"Why do you ask?" Shen Wan asked, seeing her interest.

"Nothing." Shen Baili was a little disappointed.

"I bought you a few dresses. Try them on." Shen Wan pointed at the dozen or so bags.

"A few?" Shen Baili asked.

"You'll look beautiful in them." Shen Wan smiled gently.

"Then I'll put them on and show you in my room."

"Let's go upstairs now." Shen Wan could hardly wait.

"Mom, when is Aunt Liuzheng coming over again? Let me know when she does. I..." Shen Baili came up with an excuse. "One of my classmates is interested in the piano, and I want to ask her about it."

"She's a little busy these days," Shen Wan said. "It might have to wait until next week."

"If it's urgent, shall I call her?"

Shen Baili thought for a moment. "Mom, give me her number. I'll call her myself."

Shen Wan agreed.

Mother and daughter spent more than an hour in the bedroom playing Miracle Suìsuì.

What Shen Baili hadn't expected was to run into Xie Liuzheng at the mall the very next day, before she had even decided how to warn her.

While she was crouched in a public women's restroom at her most "desperate and helpless," an angel came to her rescue.

And that angel was Xie Liuzheng.

Xie Liuzheng's Suspicions.

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

The girl's clear voice echoed through the empty restroom.

Several seconds passed without an answer.

There was no one else there.

That made no sense. The odds of finding an empty women's restroom on a weekend were about the same as winning the lottery.

And of course, this lucky—no, unlucky—thing had happened to her.

On a rare free weekend, Shen Baili had arranged to see a movie at the mall with her friends. The four of them had eagerly watched a film so absurd it seemed determined to traumatize the entire world, then decided to soothe their wounded souls with hot pot.

Partway through the meal, Shen Baili had gone to the restroom and found herself facing a huge "surprise."

Her period had arrived early. That was highly unusual.

Shen Baili's cycle was always regular, as dependable as an alarm clock that never went off early or late.

Naturally, the unexpected happened.

She reached for her phone to ask Qiao Yi for help, only to find her pocket empty. Then she remembered she had left her phone in her bag.

Worse, she was wearing light-colored pants, and they were stained too.

One misfortune followed another, like falling dominoes.

Shen Baili thought it over. If she had to, she would go to the restroom entrance and find someone.