Chapter 13

The Fu Liuchuan I knew had always been the epitome of calm and reason.

Even in our countless confrontations, he never lost his composure.

But in this moment, he stared blankly at the pink envelope.

His fingertips trembled.

“…Liuliu.”

Clutching the necklace in his hand, Fu Liuchuan opened the letter.

I had hidden it at the bottom of the jewelry box, sealed away in time. I thought my brother would never see it.

“Will you find me disgusting? Your sister isn’t a normal person.”

“When she’s mocking you, what she’s really thinking about is how to strip you bare.”

“Brother, I’m done for. I think I really am a despicable pervert.”

“What do I do, brother?”

I floated behind Fu Liuchuan, looking at the slightly faded ink on the page. I felt as if I had been stripped naked, all my secret thoughts laid bare for all to see.

I closed my eyes in shame, grateful that he couldn’t see me right now.

Suddenly, a dark spot appeared on the paper, the ink bleeding.

I realized what was happening and floated in front of him.

The first thing I saw when we were face to face was the redness rimming his eyes.

“…Brother.”

…

It was late at night when Fu Liuchuan returned with the pink diamond necklace.

His expression was as indifferent as ever, showing no sign of what had happened.

Jiang Yao greeted him, pouting. “Where have you been? Why are you back so late?”

“I went to get your necklace.”

“I’ve finished trying on the dresses. I liked them all, so I bought several. Do you mind?”

Fu Liuchuan looked down at her and managed a small smile. “As long as you’re happy.”

He took a few steps towards the bathroom, then suddenly seemed to remember something. He stopped and turned back.

“That necklace was a treasure of the Queen of England, a one-of-a-kind piece. I gave it to Fu Liuliu a long time ago.”

“You should ask her to come. It would be better if she gave it to you personally.”

As he said this, his gaze was fixed on Jiang Yao’s face, a hint of subtle probing in his eyes.

Jiang Yao didn’t notice.

The smooth progress of her plan had made her let her guard down completely.

Hearing how precious the necklace was, a flash of greed crossed her eyes.

“It’s fine,” she said eagerly. “Liuliu and I are best friends. I’m sure she’d be happy to give it to me.”

Fu Liuchuan said nothing.

His gaze was cold and sharp as a blade, sweeping over Jiang Yao’s features, as if trying to dissect her layer by layer.

For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a glint of tears in his dark, night-like eyes.

“…What is it?”

Fu Liuchuan forced a smile. “So she’s not even going to show up for her own brother’s engagement party, is that it?”

Jiang Yao nodded, putting on a show. “Liuchuan, don’t be angry. I’ll try to persuade her again.”

“Don’t bother,” Fu Liuchuan said, his face expressionless. “If she won’t come, I have my ways of seeing her.”

I suddenly understood-

My brother had been trying, again and again, to use his relationship with Jiang Yao to force me to appear.

Because he thought I was still alive.

He still held out hope that Jiang Yao had locked me up or hidden me somewhere.

He didn’t know yet.

I was already dead.