Chapter 63: Things Money Cannot Buy

Jian Qing had always been a woman of integrity, never one to hide her intentions, and she had seen her share of male models, sometimes with one in each arm. Yet now, when Number 33 asked her so directly, she felt a rare wave of unease. For a moment, she couldn’t think of any excuse. After pondering in silence, she sighed and fell heavily onto the bed, a delicate smile on her lips.

“What’s this? Are you not confident in your looks?”

He was silent.

“I’ve been worn smooth by the years, my edges softened, my shape blurred. I’ve become a person of many colors, so to me, your face is as vast as the sky and earth.”

Li Jingche let out a derisive laugh. She really had a way with words when she wanted to coax someone, just like last night when she’d begged for mercy in bed.

“I’m very confident in my face. It’s just my place in your heart I’m not so sure about. Tonight, I’ll be waiting for you at Jiaohai Bay. Come home early.”

Come home early.

Those four words fell into Jian Qing’s ears, still tinged with laughter, warm and tender. Only her mother had ever said that to her before.

Her expression softened, even the light in her eyes gentle as she replied softly, “Don’t worry.”

Though she felt a little guilty for lying to Number 33, since she was going to speak on the Xiao family’s behalf that afternoon—and just this once—Jian Qing still dressed up nicely. The drive to the Du family’s house was silent, just her and Xiao Yunchen. Only when they parked in the Du family’s garage did Xiao Yunchen finally break the comfortable silence.

“Jian Qing, are you still seeing that male model of yours?”

Xiao Yunchen remembered Li Jingche’s warning, but he didn’t dare be disrespectful. He glanced around before lowering his voice.

Jian Qing shot him a look. “Male model? That’s what you call him?”

She moved to get out, but Xiao Yunchen grabbed her hand.

“You should break up with him. He may look simple, but who knows how deep the waters run beneath the surface? You can’t handle someone like that. I’m saying this for your own good.”

The word ‘interest’ is harsh reality—one comes with a knife, one is stained with blood.

Once, Xiao Yunchen had leeched off Jian Qing, living off her generosity. Now that he couldn’t anymore, he was anxious.

Jian Qing shook off his hand and was about to point at his nose when her phone rang.

“Ah Yu?”

“Qingqing, when you arrive, wait for me by the pool. I have a few things to finish here.”

“Alright.”

She hung up. Seeing Xiao Yunchen about to speak again, she warned, “I know your intentions are good, but just stay put. Worry about yourself, Ren Yishan, and the problem you have under your belt. Once that’s sorted, you and I have nothing to do with each other.”

Jian Qing got out and walked away without hesitation, not giving Xiao Yunchen a chance to use old debts to hold her back.

People, once they become heartless—

They can be truly happy.

Meanwhile, standing at the floor-to-ceiling window on the Du family villa’s fourth floor, Li Jingche held a cup of tea, watching Jian Qing sit in the small pavilion by the pool, his expression anything but pleasant.

He Jiangyu was playing chess with Du Yu, scratching his head and appealing to Li Jingche for help. “Brother Che, help me out! I’m about to lose!”

Li Jingche’s gaze never left Jian Qing, but he moved his feet slowly. When he saw her getting splashed by a child and her delicate white embroidered blouse soaked, his brow furrowed.

“Du Yu, your relatives’ kids are really out of hand.”

“What happened?” Du Yu turned to look. He Jiangyu took the chance to switch his chess piece, mumbling, “Brother Che, I missed your birthday last time, but I heard Du Yu brought his girlfriend. Is she beautiful?”

“Of course she’s beautiful,” Du Yu replied, having also noticed Jian Qing’s soaked blouse. Xiao Yunchen had taken off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Du Yu instructed the butler to escort her to the second-floor dressing room, adding, “That’s the Jian family’s daughter. You must have heard of her—she’s a real stunner in the socialite circle.”

“Oh—so she’s from the Jian family… Wait, who?” Thinking he’d misheard, He Jiangyu glanced at Li Jingche, who slowly withdrew his gaze and gave him a look. He Jiangyu immediately fell silent, not daring to ask more.

“Jiangyu, come take a walk with me.”

Li Jingche left first; He Jiangyu hurried after him, both heading up to the second floor. He Jiangyu was nervous.

“Brother Che, what’s going on? Did your girl run off with someone else?”

“It’s a long story. There’s a gift bag in my car. Take it upstairs to the second-floor dressing room.”

In the third-floor garden, Li Jingche stopped and handed over the car keys. He Jiangyu saluted to accept the mission, sprinting to the underground garage where the Alpina was parked. On the back seat sat an exquisite shopping bag with a discreet gold logo. He raised an eyebrow.

Next autumn’s haute couture from the top designer—a piece not yet shown on any runway, still a commercial secret. Money alone couldn’t buy it.

Brother Che wanted Jian Qing to wear this?

But wasn’t Jian Qing seeing Du Yu?

He Jiangyu was full of questions as he made his way upstairs. At the door to the second-floor dressing room, he ran into Xiao Yunchen and Jian Qing, who had just arrived with the butler.

He quickly called the butler aside to avoid an awkward encounter. “Take this inside and have Miss Jian change into it.”

“Yes, Mr. He.” The butler entered and handed the bag to Jian Qing.

“Miss Jian, Mr. He asked you to change into these clothes.”

“Mr. He?” Jian Qing was momentarily puzzled, lifting her gaze just as Xiao Yunchen’s figure cut off her line of sight.

“Jian Qing, you’re not even clear with He Jiangyu and now you’re dating Du Yu? I never realized you were the type to juggle so many men at once!”

Jian Qing was stunned.