Yun Zhiyi ran along the luxurious hallway for several minutes before finally slowing down, relieved to have shaken off Su Shen, that deceitful scumbag. Thankfully, he'd been entangled with An Yirou and couldn't follow her. If it weren't for An Yirou's interruption, escaping would've been much harder tonight.
Though she'd slapped Su Shen again, Yun Zhiyi still didn't feel satisfied. Compared to the pain he and An Yirou had caused her, it was barely a start. Tonight had been one twist after another, but at last, she was free.
Yun Zhiyi arrived at another hotel, booked a new room, and sent the room number to Xiang Man, asking her to meet up. While waiting, Yun Zhiyi changed out of her black dress and took a long shower.
By the time Xiang Man arrived, Yun Zhiyi was out of the shower, dressed in the hotel's robe and seated at the vanity. She turned to Xiang Man, who'd entered the room excitedly.
"The jewelry auction is still in full swing. Want to go check it out?" Yun Zhiyi asked, looking tired. Between dealing with Li Yuye and acting her way through Su Shen's advances, she intended to stay in the hotel and rest.
Seeing her friend's exhaustion, Xiang Man laughed teasingly. "An Yirou showed up looking for Su Shen! I half-expected a dramatic showdown over a man, but it ended so quickly!"
"Over a man?" Yun Zhiyi scoffed, annoyed. "He's hardly worth fighting over."
Xiang Man giggled. "Well, he's still your fiancé for now. Just handing him over to An Yirou is kind of embarrassing, isn't it?"
Yun Zhiyi sighed. "I almost lost my life because of them; why would I care about face? To be honest, I think he's up to something with me. If An Yirou hadn't shown up, I'm not sure how I would've managed to get away tonight."
Xiang Man raised a brow. "It's really that bad?"
"Yes." Yun Zhiyi nodded, trusting her instincts. "I need to figure out a way to end this. On the wedding day, I'll reveal their affair for everyone to see, and then I'll have to leave Jin City for good."
"Agreed," Xiang Man replied, sitting on the edge of the bed. As she sat down, her eyes landed on a black gift bag on the nightstand.
"Zhiyi, what's this?"
Yun Zhiyi glanced at the bag through the mirror, her tone dismissive. "It's from Li Yuye."
"What? That mysterious crime syndicate guy? He's here?" Xiang Man's eyes went wide.
Ever since they'd recapped Yun Zhiyi's escape, both of them suspected that Li Yuye was connected to the underworld. Now, it was only fitting that she half-joked about him being the leader.
Yun Zhiyi sighed. "Not only is he here, but he won't stop harassing me. He insisted on me taking these gifts."
Xiang Man picked up the bag curiously. "Zhiyi, what's inside?"
"Probably some lipsticks and perfumes. Toss it in the trash for me, will you?"
"Are you sure?" Xiang Man hesitated, already pulling items out of the bag. "These are high-end perfumes and lipsticks! It'd be a waste to throw them out!"
"Then you can keep them if you like."
"Oh, well, if you insist," Xiang Man said, though she was already unwrapping them eagerly. "Wow, this lipstick shade is gorgeous! And this one… and this… Oh, I love all of them!"
Yun Zhiyi sighed. "You're so easily impressed."
Xiang Man, however, wasn't finished. Reaching deeper into the bag, she pulled out an exquisite black box, one without any logos. She opened it, and her eyes widened with shock.
Inside, shimmering with unparalleled brilliance, was a pink diamond ring.
This ring was beyond beautiful, radiating a glow unique to the finest natural diamonds.
"It's stunning… it can't be real, right?" she murmured, instinctively examining it closer, using her professional skills to confirm its authenticity.
"Oh my god, it's real…"