novelraw Chapter 108 Clash
Chapter 108 Clash
"Kiki—"
Song Zhihe's voice was as intimate as that of a best friend she had called for many years.
Jin Qiqi paused and turned around.
Song Zhihe had already walked over, a perfectly timed smile on her face. She glanced at Lu Xiran, her gaze sweeping over her briefly before settling back on Jin Qiqi.
"Yanshen just happened to ask me to choose a wedding gift for you," she said gently, as if it were a matter of course, "but I'm afraid I might not choose one that you like. Why don't you take a look yourself? You'll probably like some of them more."
Jin Qiqi frowned slightly.
This sounded like a gesture of goodwill, but the phrase "his profound words just made me..."
Who is being reminded?
Jin Qiqi glanced at Lu Xiran subconsciously.
Lu Xiran's face remained expressionless.
"No need," Jin Qiqi said, taking Lu Xiran's hand and speaking in a calm tone. "You can choose for yourself."
She wanted to leave.
But Song Kexin had already taken the lead and affectionately linked arms with her other arm.
"My sister picked out several outfits," Song Kexin said with an innocent smile. "I wonder which one you like? Let's go take a look together."
As she spoke, she half-pulled and half-pushed Jin Qiqi toward the jewelry store across the street.
After taking two steps, she turned back and looked at Lu Xiran.
"Emma, shall we come along?"
The tone was like an invitation, but the look in his eyes carried something else entirely.
Lu Xiran didn't speak.
She followed.
The jewelry store's reception area was quiet, filled with a subtle fragrance under soft lighting.
The sales assistant brought over coffee and desserts, then presented five sets of jewelry, lined up in a row.
On the velvet trays, diamonds, rubies, jade, and pearls—each set is incredibly valuable.
Lu Xiran glanced at it.
Song Zhihe certainly went all out.
—This is an attempt to win over Jin Qiqi.
Jin Qiqi has loved jewelry since she was a child. Although her collection can't compare to Bai Fang's, these few sets are certainly eye-catching for everyday wear. She picked up a pearl set to look at it, then put it down to look at another diamond set.
"Qiqi," Song Kexin leaned over and pointed to two of the outfits, "These two are new styles that haven't been released yet, and they're much better than those out-of-season ones."
When she said "out of season," her gaze deliberately drifted towards Lu Xiran.
Then she turned to the sales assistant, her tone slightly dissatisfied:
"Why are you bringing out out-of-season items to embarrass yourselves? Out-of-season is out-of-season, it's annoying to even look at."
The sales assistant paused for a moment, about to explain—
"It seems Miss Song doesn't know much about quality."
Lu Xiran's voice was calm, but it made Song Kexin's expression freeze for a moment.
She stood up, walked to Jin Qiqi's side, and picked up the necklace that Song Kexin had rejected.
"This is called the classic model."
Her tone was unhurried, as if she were explaining something to someone who didn't understand.
"The difference between classic and out-of-season items is that classic items will always be in demand, while out-of-season items are simply unwanted."
She put the necklace back on the tray and looked at Jin Qiqi.
"I still think the classic styles look better. Especially those classic styles that you can never wear again, they have to be auctioned off."
She paused, a very faint smile appearing at the corner of her lips.
"It's like saying—what you can't have is always the best, right?"
Song Kexin's expression changed.
"That's because you can't have it," her voice turned cold, "not because you got rid of it—"
"Miss Song!"
The sales assistant quickly interrupted her, sweat already beading on her forehead.
Everything in our store is brand new! Every single item!
The atmosphere froze.
Song Zhihe chuckled softly, breaking the silence.
"Qiqi," she said gently, picking up the new outfit that hadn't been released yet, "look at this one, the overall design matches your dress better today."
Song Kexin quickly explained:
"The brand only released it in advance because my sister is the spokesperson. Ordinary people can't see it."
After saying that, he gave Lu Xiran a smug look.
Lu Xiran felt that she could no longer back down.
She stepped forward, glanced at the jewelry, and said in a casual tone, "Qiqi, I think this set is alright."
"Heh," Song Kexin chuckled, a hint of mockery in her voice, "You can't even buy it if you want to."
Lu Xiran looked at her.
That gaze was light, yet it made Song Kexin's smile pause for a moment.
"Oh," Lu Xiran's tone became even more indifferent, "but I don't need to buy it."
She turned to Jin Qiqi, her voice softening: "Qiqi, Grandma's treasured styles are still the prettiest. These... are only good for everyday wear."
Song Zhihe's expression froze for a moment.
It was only for a moment, but Lu Xiran saw it.
She knew that Bai Fang had left Lu Xiran a pile of jewelry. Any one of those pieces would be auction-worthy.
She didn't dare ask Gu Yanshen. Not even once.
Looking at Song Zhihe's fleeting stiffness, Lu Xiran suddenly felt a sense of relief.
—She guessed right.
Those pieces of jewelry,
—Gu Yanshen didn't give it to him!
Lu Xiran lowered her eyes, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve slightly.
She secretly praised Gu Yanshen many times in her heart.
Before Song Kexin could say anything more, Jin Qiqi stood up and affectionately took Lu Xiran's arm.
"Miss Song~ Thank you for your kindness~" Her voice was as sweet as honey, but it didn't reveal much sincerity. "I like all of these, you can choose for yourself~"
She pulled Lu Xiran and walked outside.
"Let's go back and try it on!" Jin Qiqi whispered, unable to contain her excitement. "Only that dress can match my main wedding gown!"
She waited three years after giving birth to hold this wedding, aiming to dazzle the entire city. Every detail had to be perfect—the wedding dress, jewelry, and shoes—nothing could be compromised.
Behind her, Song Zhihe stood still, her knuckles turning slightly white.
Song Kexin opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing more.
As they left the jewelry store, Jin Qiqi eagerly asked, "Ranran, where's that set of jewelry?"
Lu Xiran paused for a moment.
"...It should be in Gu Yanshen's safe."
"Huh?" Jin Qiqi's eyes widened. "How do we try it?"
"I..." Lu Xiran thought for a moment, "Should I contact him to pick it up?"
"Are you sure it's for you?"
Lu Xiran was silent for a second.
Then she looked up and smiled.
Anyway, it wasn't given to Song Zhihe.
There was a hint of pride in his tone, like a child possessive of their food.
Jin Qiqi paused for a second, then smiled.
"That's right!"
Looking at Jin Qiqi's expectant eyes, Lu Xiran took a deep breath.
"I'll bring it to you later," she said. "Leave it to me."
Although I felt a little uneasy.
But she felt that Gu Yanshen wouldn't be that petty, would he?
As soon as Lu Xiran came out of the mall, she dialed the number she hadn't made in three years, relying on muscle memory.
beep - beep -
I didn't answer.
She hung up and dialed again.
The second one. The third one. The fourth one.
Each beep felt like it was pounding on her heart, making her a little irritated.
The fifth one, still no answer.
Lu Xiran stared at the number on her phone screen.
Is he busy?
Meeting? Social engagement? Or just not wanting to take the job?
She started the car and habitually turned onto that road.
By the time I realized what was happening, the car was already parked in that familiar parking space.
His private parking space.
Lu Xiran gripped the steering wheel, looking at the familiar elevator ahead.
Since we're already here!
She picked up her phone and sent a text message:
I'm going back to get my jewelry.