The Lost Diamond Necklace

Shen Qingling left behind a very modest answer and stepped off the stage.

Quite a few people crowded around, wanting to probe his identity. When they could not find that out, they asked for his contact information instead. Shen Qingling refused them all.

It took Ruan Mingyi a great deal of effort to squeeze her way in and chase those people off.

The woman looked at him as though her eyes were shining.

"Shen Qingling."

"Mm?"

"Just how many more surprises do you have that I don't know about?"

"There should be plenty more."

Ruan Mingyi was thrilled beyond measure, so much so that she wanted to throw her arms around him and kiss him in public. But considering how thin-skinned Shen Qingling was, she did not do it.

So she could only express all her excitement through words.

"Shen Qingling, seriously, a man like you—even if it only lasted one second, I'd accept it."

"?"

"Even if it were a needle, I'd accept it."

"?"

"Why aren't you denying it? Don't tell me it's true?"

"If it were a day and a night, would you still accept it?"

Hearing Shen Qingling play along with her joke, Ruan Mingyi laughed in surprise and delight. "You've finally been infected by me."

Shen Qingling answered with a hint of helplessness and indulgence, "Near vermilion, one turns red; near ink, one turns black. Near you, one turns yellow."

Ruan Mingyi bent over laughing, loving Shen Qingling even more.

After she finished laughing, she straightened and leaned close to Shen Qingling's ear. "Then do you know what happens when someone gets close to you?"

"What?"

"Near you, one goes mad. Every woman will go mad over you."

Shen Qingling looked around. Nearly every woman's gaze was fixed on him.

Without a doubt, Shen Qingling had become the focus of the entire gathering.

Shen Qingling started putting on airs too. "Then forget it. I didn't expect a casual performance to have this kind of effect."

Ruan Mingyi raised a brow. "A casual performance? Is this the humblebragging of a gifted master? Do you know that what you call a casual performance is something countless people could strive their entire lives and never achieve? You did this with a flick of your fingers—if you played seriously, the piano world would probably tremble three times over."

The sight of Shen Qingling and Ruan Mingyi standing together and chatting filled quite a few women with envy, jealousy, and hatred.

The Gu Family were even more astonished after seeing Shen Qingling's performance.

Gu Chenwang, Wen Sulan, and Gu Yutang stood together talking.

Wen Sulan said, "Chenwang, when are you planning to tell Qingling about his background? Wouldn't it be better to bring him back sooner? Everyone is discussing his identity."

Although Gu Chenwang was also surprised by and approving of Shen Qingling's piano skills, as the Gu Family's heir, no matter how outstanding one's piano skills were, they were useless. In the past, he had never cared about Gu Yijin's accomplishments at the piano either.

What he wanted in an heir was courage, skill, ambition, and strategy. These things were merely icing on the cake.

Gu Chenwang said, "Telling him now would be too hasty. If you truly can't wait, bring him home after the banquet and discuss it with him then."

Gu Yutang's disgust and resistance toward Shen Qingling eased slightly.

It seemed this younger brother was not entirely useless after all.

But she still preferred Gu Yijin, whom she had grown up with.

At that moment, Gu Yijin had been thoroughly humiliated by Shen Qingling. Though Sheng Xia was comforting him, her words sounded somewhat perfunctory, and her eyes were still searching for Ruan Mingyi and Shen Qingling.

Gu Yijin chuckled. "What is Xiaxia looking for?"

Sheng Xia shook her head. "Nothing. I was just thinking that Ruan Mingyi actually didn't come over to flaunt her victory. It really isn't her style."

"Oh? You were looking for Ruan Mingyi?"

"Yes."

"I thought you were looking for that pianist."

The smile in Gu Yijin's eyes did not reach their depths; instead, it carried a trace of chill and mockery.

As if someone had stepped on her tail, Sheng Xia immediately bristled. "What are you talking about?! I said I hate him! No matter how well he plays the piano, it has nothing to do with me. Besides, he's Ruan Mingyi's man. All I feel for him is disgust—nothing else."

"What if he weren't Ruan Mingyi's man?"

"If he wasn't... then he wasn't. What could there possibly be between him and me?"

Sheng Xia seemed unable to understand why Gu Yijin cared so much about that young man.

"You lost and you're taking it out on me. Forget it, you're in a bad mood too, so I won't hold it against you. Calm down by yourself."

After tossing out those words, Sheng Xia left as well.

Gu Yijin calmed down and began considering how to carry out his second plan.

Losing a piano competition wasn't a big deal. Gu Chenwang had never cared about things like that.

But he cared about his reputation, cared about how the outside world judged him, and cared even more about the honor of the entire family.

If Shen Qingling were branded a thief at this banquet, would he still bring Shen Qingling back to the Gu Family?

Halfway through the banquet, a noisy commotion suddenly broke out on the left.

"My diamond necklace is missing! What do I do?"

"Are you sure it was lost just now?"

"Yes, it was still there an hour ago. I don't know how it vanished in the blink of an eye."

"Miss Fang, please don't panic. I'll send someone to check the surveillance footage right away. I'll also have them help search the venue first."

"Steward Sheng, you have to help me find that necklace! It was a gift from Xiangshan, and it means so much to me. It absolutely can't be lost!"

"Of course, Miss Fang. Please calm down first."

Fang Qingran's eyes were red, her face full of anxiety. Sheng Xu could only keep comforting her.

That necklace meant a great deal to her. If it was lost, she definitely would not let the matter rest.

Xu Xiangshan returned from outside just then, and Fang Qingran looked at him sorrowfully.

"I'm sorry, Xiangshan. I lost the gift you gave me."

After saying that, she cautiously watched Xu Xiangshan's expression.

She was terrified that Xu Xiangshan would get angry.

She had pursued him for so long before he had finally agreed to be with her. What was more, this was the first gift he had given her—it held extraordinary meaning.

Xu Xiangshan's expression indeed turned cold.

"Qingran, do you remember what I said when I gave you this gift?"

"I remember... You said it was your mother's keepsake, meant for your future wife. I'm sorry. I didn't do it on purpose. I've already sent people to look for it. Don't be angry, Xiangshan..."

Fang Qingran apologized carefully, but Xu Xiangshan's expression did not ease.

His face icy, he said, "Fang Qingran, if this necklace can't be found, there's no need for us to continue. You've truly disappointed me too much."

With that, the man flung his sleeve and left, leaving behind Fang Qingran, whose face was filled with panic and helplessness.

Shen Qingling, Ruan Mingyi, Ye Qiao, and the others stood to the side, gossiping.

Ye Qiao said softly, "Didn't they say Fang Qingran had won Xu Xiangshan over? Why is his attitude toward her still so awful?"

Ruan Mingyi said without much interest, "Who knows what kind of fit Xu Xiangshan is throwing? It's just a necklace. Is it worth getting that angry over?"

Ye Qiao said, "I heard earlier that Xu Xiangshan gave his mother's keepsake to Fang Qingran. She was touched beyond words. They say that necklace is worth a fortune, so it's no wonder he's so angry."

Wei Qihe lowered his voice. "Worth a fortune... Hey, where do you think that necklace went? Don't tell me someone stole it?"

Half an hour later, for some unknown reason, Fang Qingran stormed toward Shen Qingling.

The woman rushed over and raised her hand to strike Shen Qingling, only for Shen Qingling to seize her wrist.

Ruan Mingyi reacted and shoved her aside. "What are you doing, Fang Qingran?! Are you insane?!"

Fang Qingran's gaze was crazed as she stared at Shen Qingling, her eyes brimming with hatred.

"It was you! You stole my necklace! You thief!"