Inside the jewelry box lay an imperial purple jade bracelet, of the absolute highest grade in both clarity and color.
A bracelet like this could not be bought on the open market. It was a peerless treasure, priceless beyond measure.
Actually, what Ye Zhixing saw were wisps of Purple Qi emanating from the bracelet.
She loved these wisps of Purple Qi; they made her feel wonderfully comfortable.
Her master had said that a heavenly tribulation weighed upon her.
In truth, she knew it very well herself, because that tribulation was like a woman's monthly period, arriving once a month.
The process lasted three to five days, accompanied by intense agony. Every time, she simply gritted her teeth and endured it.
Whenever she encountered places rich in Purple Qi, she felt immensely at ease.
Besides the bracelet, there was also an imperial purple peace plaque.
The peace plaque wasn't very large, about the size of a small mahjong tile, fastened with a red cord.
There was also a pair of ear studs, crafted from the exact same material.
Shang Jingchen knew this was truly an heirloom.
He hadn't expected his grandfather to take it out so quickly.
"Do your ears have holes?" Shang Jingchen looked at her ears. They were fair and tender, flushed with a natural pink, and an inexplicable impulse made him desperately want to pinch them.
Ye Zhixing shook her head. "No."
"Then I'll keep them for now. You can wear them after you get your ears pierced. Why don't you try the bracelet first?"
As if afraid she would refuse, Shang Jingchen picked it up himself and slipped it onto her wrist.
The entire process was extremely forceful, leaving no room for argument.
"It's a perfect fit. It seems this bracelet was tailor-made for you. Isn't this a kind of fate? Just keep wearing it." President Shang spoke with righteous confidence; this was the first time he had ever shown such patience toward any girl other than his sister.
With the bracelet on her wrist, Ye Zhixing felt wisps of Purple Qi crawl up her arm and envelop her body, making her feel wonderfully comfortable.
"Since that's the case, I accept it. From now on, I will do everything in my power to save you." Consider it repayment for the sentiment behind this bracelet.
The corners of Shang Jingchen's lips curved into a smile he hadn't even noticed.
He had originally thought it would take a long time to convince her. This girl didn't drag her feet at all, which he found rather refreshing.
"There's also a peace plaque here. You—" Shang Jingchen wanted to hand over the peace plaque, but before he could finish, Ye Zhixing interrupted him.
"Wear the peace plaque on your person. It's good for you."
Shang Jingchen raised an eyebrow. Didn't that mean the two of them would each wear half of the Shang family heirloom? Did this imply an even closer connection between them?
"Alright, should I put it on right now?" In truth, he disliked wearing any accessories, but at this moment, he didn't refuse.
"Wait a couple of days. I'll draw a protective talisman on it first, and then you can wear it."
President Shang was very surprised. "You can draw a protective talisman on a jade peace plaque?"
Then Ye Zhixing coolly replied, "Others can't, but I can."
President Shang raised an eyebrow, his gaze toward her carrying a few more notes of appreciation. He simply loved people who were so straightforward and confident.
"Then I'll trouble you."
"No trouble. I'll give it to you tomorrow."
Without realizing it, evening arrived. Shang Jingchen drove Ye Zhixing home, planning to head out after dinner and a brief rest to resolve Heyan's problem tonight.
As soon as they arrived home, Assistant Zheng happened to arrive as well.
Since the boss wasn't returning to the company today, Assistant Zheng had to come over in person to report some important matters and bring some documents that needed signing.
Dong Yi had bought groceries in the afternoon and had already started cooking dinner.
After entering the house, Ye Zhixing went to check on Shang Nuannuan, while Shang Jingchen and Assistant Zheng talked in the study.
"President Shang, the information you requested about the Young Mistress has been sent to your email."
Shang Jingchen nodded.
Then Assistant Zheng continued, "President Shang, this afternoon Ye Haichuan—the Young Mistress's father—sent someone to deliver an invitation. It says tomorrow is his forty-eighth birthday, and he is hosting a banquet. He would like to invite you to attend."
"Would you like me to decline?"
Because it concerned the Young Mistress, Assistant Zheng asked to be sure.
In the past, President Shang would never have attended such events.
Shang Jingchen suddenly remembered at noon, when Ye Zhixing was looking at her phone in her room, mentioning that Ye Haichuan had called her.
Perhaps that was what this was about.
And yet, that girl hadn't mentioned a word of it to him?
Perhaps realizing that Ye Zhixing wouldn't tell him, Ye Haichuan had chosen to send a separate, formal invitation instead.
Seeing that the boss didn't immediately refuse, Assistant Zheng felt he had done the right thing.
It seemed the Young Mistress truly held a different place in the boss's heart.
A moment later, Shang Jingchen pulled back his thoughts and said in a deep voice, "No need to refuse for now. Show me the invitation."
Assistant Zheng immediately took out the invitation and handed it to it.
It clearly stated the time and place: tomorrow evening at six o'clock, in the banquet hall of Yaohui Hotel.
Yaohui Hotel was a five-star hotel under their own group, with global chains.
For Ye Haichuan to specially choose this hotel to host his birthday banquet must have carried some hidden meaning.
Shang Jingchen kept the invitation.
In Shang Nuannuan's room, she was already awake. Naturally, she was unwilling to keep lying down with her whole body aching.
She just wanted to practice walking, recover her physical strength as quickly as possible, and return to normal life.
Seeing Ye Zhixing return, her eyes instantly lit up.
"Sister-in-law, you're back? Did my brother come back too?"
Hearing this form of address, Ye Zhixing paused in her steps. She pressed her lips together; after all, it was just a title, and she didn't refute it in the end.
"Mm, he's discussing business in the study."
"How are you feeling?" Ye Zhixing asked about her condition.
"Much better, I just want to get down and walk soon. I practiced a bit today, but my legs still don't have much strength."
"It's fine. In a couple of days, you'll be better." Ye Zhixing offered a rare word of comfort.
"Mm, I know. I'll definitely get better soon."
"It's summer vacation right now. By the time school starts, I should be recovered and back to classes at school."
"Sigh, but I've delayed a year; I'll have to repeat my junior year."
"As long as you're safe, that's what matters." Ye Zhixing nodded. She didn't know what to say to such things.
"Sister-in-law, I think you're about my age, aren't you? Are you still in school like me?" Shang Nuannuan asked with keen interest.
This sister-in-law of hers was so cool; the more she looked at her, the more well-matched she seemed with her brother.
"I've never been to school. I've been cultivating in a Taoist temple all along."
"Ah? Is that so?" Shang Nuannuan was somewhat shocked.
But she quickly recovered and offered comfort instead, "It doesn't matter. Educational background isn't that important anyway. Besides, you're a metaphysics master, much more impressive than most people!"
"Mm." Ye Zhixing gave a soft response.
Shang Nuannuan truly had a wonderful personality. Just like her name, she was like a little sun, warming people's hearts and giving them strength.
In the evening, after dinner, Shang Jingchen drove Ye Zhixing out, preparing to go resolve Heyan's problem.
Shang Jingchen called him, but no one answered.
He frowned. What was this guy up to?
"He keeps not answering his phone." His tone was already tinged with a trace of displeasure.
Ye Zhixing pinched her fingers to calculate, and suddenly her expression turned somewhat cold.
She named an address and asked Shang Jingchen what kind of place it was.
Shang Jingchen was startled. "It's his company." An uneasy premonition immediately welled up in his heart.
"Let's go there immediately."
"What's wrong with him?"
At that very moment, Heyan was in grave danger—