The rain gradually tapered off in the latter half of the night.
Li Wanqiu usually had trouble sleeping in unfamiliar places, she was the type of person who needed her own bed to feel at ease. Yet strangely enough, she slept remarkably well that night.
She didn’t even dream; when she woke, her head was clear and completely refreshed.
The dormitory grounds were lush with trees and flowering shrubs, presenting a picturesque view. The air was imbued with the faint, earthy fragrance of fresh rain, crisp enough to feel cleansing to the soul.
Wanqiu rolled over and grabbed her phone to check the time.
It was still early.
Ji Jinyan had sent her a message saying she had headed to work early. She also mentioned that a fresh, unworn change of clothes had been set out in her room, and Wanqiu was free to take them if needed.
Wanqiu typed out a quick thank-you. Even though Ji Jinyan had told her she could arrive later, she got out of bed, freshened up, and gently pushed open the door to Room 1303.
A delicate fragrance lingered in the air—the unmistakable scent of Ji Jinyan.
As if anticipating her visit, Ji Jinyan had neatly laid out a fresh outfit on the bed. Wanqiu picked it up: an immaculate, pure white dress, thoughtfully paired with an elegant outer coat. It unmistakably reflected Ji Jinyan’s refined, sophisticated taste, yet when Wanqiu slipped it on, it looked effortlessly chic and flattered her frame without feeling out of place in the slightest.
It was as if Ji Jinyan had selectively combed through her wardrobe to pick the single ensemble best suited for Wanqiu.
Stepping out of the elevator downstairs, Wanqiu had walked only a few paces before catching sight of Ji Jinyan in the pantry.
She seemed to be on a phone call, holding her mobile in one hand and a coffee mug in the other. She leaned casually against the wall with an effortless, languid grace, a subtle smile playing at the corners of her lips.
A small window in the pantry let in the soft, early morning sun. The gentle morning light poured through the frame, casting a warm halo over Ji Jinyan that softened her striking features.
Sensing she was occupied, Wanqiu decided not to intrude and kept walking. But before she could take more than a couple of steps, a voice called out from behind: “Morning.”
Wanqiu paused and turned instinctively, locking eyes with her. “Morning.”
“Let’s catch up later,” Ji Jinyan said into the receiver, winding up the call before falling into step beside Wanqiu. “Did you sleep well in the dorm bed?”
“Very well,” Wanqiu replied. Pausing for a second, she asked softly, “Was it okay to hang up like that?”
“It’s fine,” Ji Jinyan said dismissively. “It wasn’t work-related, just a friend.”
“I see.” Wanqiu nodded, exchanging light banter with her as they walked. A visitor had booked a tour the previous night, and several unread emails sat in her inbox, so the moment she entered the office, Wanqiu threw herself into her work.
She didn’t even notice when Assistant An arrived.
“A-Qiu, why are you here so early?” Assistant An asked, clearly surprised. With the heavy rains just clearing, the flooded roads made commuting a nightmare—especially from downtown, which usually took quite a while.
Assistant An took a few steps closer, then took note of what she was wearing. “Did you switch up your style today?”
Wanqiu looked up. “Did I?”
“You did,” Assistant An laughed, lightly pinching the hem of Wanqiu’s sleeve. “This looks just like President Ji’s taste in clothes.”
It was merely an offhand remark, yet hearing it made Wanqiu freeze.
Earlier that morning when she put the clothes on, she hadn’t given it much deeper thought beyond appreciating Ji Jinyan’s thoughtfulness. But now that Assistant An had pointed it out, a strange flutter stirred within her chest.
She hadn’t gone home last night. She had spent hours alone with Ji Jinyan at Bisha, glimpsed a side of her that few ever saw, stayed right next door to her, and was now wearing her clothes.
Even though the garments were brand new, having hung in Ji Jinyan’s closet had imparted the faint, lingering trace of her signature perfume. It was a distinctive fragrance—one that could easily be detected if someone leaned in close enough.
Feeling as though a private secret had suddenly been exposed, Wanqiu felt a flicker of panic. She offered a casual laugh to play it off, subtly shifting a step to the side to create some distance.
“It’s probably just a coincidence,” she murmured softly.
Sister An: “?”
The workday flew by. Just before clocking out, Wanqiu received a call from Yan Weiwei.
“A-Qiu, are you busy?” Yan Weiwei’s voice came bursting through the receiver the moment the call connected. “Let me tell you, I got such a scare today!”
Wanqiu was puzzled. “What happened?”
“That person called me,” Yan Weiwei grumbled, clearly reluctant to even utter the name. “You know who—that woman. God knows where she got my number.”
Wanqiu knew immediately she was referring to Guan Chun. Her brow furrowed instinctively. “What did she want with you?”
“Prying about you, obviously,” Yan Weiwei scoffed. “Asking how you’ve been doing all these years, and why you suddenly started working at Bisha.”
“I didn’t tell her a single thing,” Yan Weiwei sighed, her tone dripping with disbelief. “Seriously, does she have nothing better to do? She didn’t contact anyone for years while abroad, so why the sudden change of heart the moment she comes back?”
“I don’t know,” Wanqiu replied with a shake of her head, recalling the previous night. “It probably has something to do with my mother as well.”
“Ugh.” Yan Weiwei let out an exasperated breath. “Well, whatever the case, just keep your distance from her.”
Wanqiu nodded. “I know.”
“By the way, are you free tonight?” Yan Weiwei asked, eager to drop the subject of Guan Chun.
“What’s going on?” Wanqiu asked.
“Did you work yourself into a stupor?” Yan Weiwei cried out in mock horror. “Didn’t I tell you last week? There’s an auction tonight with tons of rare, limited-edition pieces you usually can’t buy for love or money!”
Yan Weiwei voiced her utter outrage at Wanqiu’s forgetfulness: “Anyway, you have to come with me!”
She sounded so puffed up with indignation that she resembled an angry pufferfish.
“Fine, fine,” Wanqiu chuckled, amused by her antics, and agreed. Checking the time, she said, “See you at the venue in an hour and a half.”
Since she left the office earlier than usual and the roads were relatively clear, Wanqiu took a shortcut directly from the company and arrived right on time.
“A-Qiu!” Despite the crowd, Yan Weiwei spotted her instantly. “Over here!”
Song Yu and a few other acquaintances were with her.
Wanqiu nodded and walked over briskly. The moment she stopped in front of them, Yan Weiwei’s sharp eyes caught onto something: “Your style looks different from usual today, doesn’t it?”
“Does it?” Wanqiu gave a soft cough. “Just threw something together.”
“It looks gorgeous,” Yan Weiwei smiled, giving her an enthusiastic thumbs-up. “Our A-Qiu is a certified stunner.”
“True, absolutely true,” the others chimed in with a laugh.
“You’re full of sweet talk today,” Wanqiu replied, smiling helplessly. Being around close friends put her at ease, and after exchanging a few jokes, they headed inside together.
The auction began shortly after. Wanqiu had only come along to keep Yan Weiwei company, with no intention of buying anything, content to just watch the spectacle unfold.
This auction was relatively informal compared to high-end estate sales; most of the lots were private collections from wealthy socialites and young heirs—predominantly designer bags and luxury watches—with reasonable price points.
With deep pockets to burn, Yan Weiwei was eager to bid on whatever caught her fancy, even if she wasn’t guaranteed to win. If Wanqiu and Song Yu hadn’t held her back, she would have bid on half the catalog.
Before long, the auction neared its conclusion. The final lot was an exquisite necklace.
A close-up shot was projected onto the main screen. The piece was purportedly crafted by a renowned master artisan: a star-shaped pendant cradling a pale blue gemstone at its center. Under the spotlight from above, the facets captured the light, radiating a soft, scintillating brilliance.
It was breathtakingly unique—a true one-of-a-kind.
The crowd gasped in admiration, completely captivated. No one had anticipated seeing such an extraordinary piece at this auction. Even though it was the final lot, excitement rippled through the room, and bids escalated rapidly.
“What do you think?” Halfway through the bidding war, Wanqiu nudged Yan Weiwei’s arm with a smile.
“It really is gorgeous,” Yan Weiwei agreed after a thoughtful pause, then sighed. “But my fun budget is running on fumes. I’ll pass.”
“How about I bid on it for you?” Wanqiu teased. “Consider it an early birthday present.”
“No, no, definitely not,” Yan Weiwei waved her hands dismissively. “As pretty as it is, it doesn’t match my style at all.”
“It suits you much better, actually,” Yan Weiwei pointed out, glancing back at her. “If you like it, why don’t you bid on it for yourself?”
“I think I’ll pass too,” Wanqiu said.
Jewelry and gemstones carried no fixed valuation; beyond the raw materials, craftsmanship, cut, and rarity dictated their worth. If someone truly fell in love with a piece, almost any price felt justified.
Wanqiu had set an internal budget for it, but watching the price climb well past what she had in mind, she decided to step back and leave it to someone who wanted it more.
Still, as the atmosphere in the hall grew more electric, her curiosity was piqued. Like everyone else around her, she eagerly anticipated discovering who would ultimately take the necklace home.
That was until a slender, porcelain-pale hand entered her field of view, gracefully raising a bidding paddle. Delicate, well-manicured nails caught the light, gleaming subtly under the chandelier.
For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, Wanqiu recognized her at a single glance.
It was Ji Jinyan.