Chapter 14: One of a Kind

As one of the flagship properties under the Li Corporation, Tianjie wasn’t just a shopping paradise—it was a symbol of luxury and a hub of elite social interaction. Its revenue and reputation ranked among the highest, not only in Jing City but across the country. The golf course at the back was strictly members-only—entry was a privilege reserved for the rich and powerful.

If Li Hanye truly wanted to “inspect” operations, he certainly wouldn’t choose a weekend to do it, let alone drag him along—someone with nothing to do.

—

In the jewelry section of the mall, Si Tiantian and Gu Yazhi strolled through rows of glittering glass cases, each one filled with dazzling gems that sparkled under the soft lighting, nearly blinding in their brilliance.

Suddenly, Gu Yazhi’s eyes lit up. She spotted the store she had been dreaming about and grabbed Si Tiantian’s arm excitedly, her voice coming faster than usual.

“Tiantian, look! Only—it’s Only! I’ve tried booking an appointment for their new releases so many times and never got through. No matter what, I have to get in today! Who knows—maybe luck’s on our side and we’ll stumble across a hidden gem!”

Only Jewelry was legendary in the upper circles of Jing City. It wasn’t just the sky-high prices that made it famous—it was the concept behind it. Every piece was a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted by top-tier designers. No duplicates. No mass production.

The exclusivity and extreme luxury made it an object of obsession among socialites and heiresses. Every new launch was a frenzy—just one piece per design, often requiring reservations made months—or even a year—in advance. Rumor had it, even a top film queen had to wait in line for a necklace she had her eye on.

Si Tiantian had never been one to obsess over material things, but seeing Gu Yazhi’s bright, expectant eyes, she couldn’t bear to dampen her mood. She smiled and nodded.

“Alright then. I’ll go in with Miss Gu to broaden my horizons.”

“What do you mean ‘go in with me’? You might fall in love with something too!” Gu Yazhi teased, linking arms with her as they walked toward the store’s grand, intricately carved ebony doors that exuded understated luxury.

Inside, the store was tastefully decorated with elegance and opulence. The air was subtly scented with a custom luxury fragrance, delicate and refined.

Unlike the bustling crowd outside, the interior was tranquil—quiet enough to hear one’s own breath.

Under warm, non-glaring lights, every piece of jewelry rested on plush velvet beneath protective bulletproof glass. Each gem gleamed with a brilliance that made people instinctively hold their breath.

—

“She’s in the jewelry section now,” Lin Ke whispered a report to Li Hanye.

“Let’s go inspect the jewelry section,” Li Hanye replied, striding forward with uncharacteristic urgency. His tone was as calm as ever, but his pace was noticeably faster than usual—steady, yet threaded with a hint of impatience that was hard to miss.

Watching him nearly blow past, Yan Chengyang grabbed Lin Ke, who was trailing just behind, and lowered his voice.

“Hey, Assistant Lin, what did you just whisper to Han-ge? The guy looks like he’s about to storm a battlefield! What’s the rush—did a chandelier fall in the store or something?”

He waggled his eyebrows. “No, seriously, when did he start giving a damn about sparkly little baubles? This is weird, even for him!”

Lin Ke calmly adjusted his glasses, his gaze cool and unreadable behind the lenses. The corners of his mouth lifted—just barely.

“You’ll know if you follow along, Young Master Yan. I don’t presume to guess Master Han’s motives.”

“Tch.” Yan Chengyang rolled his eyes. “You all act so mysterious and serious all the time. Fine. I’m going to see for myself what kind of potion he’s brewing in that gourd of his.”

He sped up to catch up with Li Hanye, his mind spinning over this rare, bizarre behavior.

—

Inside Only, Si Tiantian had just taken a seat on one of the velvet-lined sofas in the boutique’s private viewing area. Her every move was graceful, natural—like water flowing over polished stone.

On the coffee table sat an elegant assortment of pastries and fresh fruits. Si Tiantian glanced at them, but what flashed through her mind wasn’t what was in front of her—it was the memory of the desserts Li Hanye had personally chosen for her before. The thought of his quiet, thoughtful gesture curved her lips into a soft, genuine smile.

A well-dressed woman in a tailored skirt suit, with a refined demeanor and professional grace, immediately approached them. Her smile was practiced to perfection, warm but never intrusive.

“Good afternoon, ladies. Welcome to Only. I’m Shirley, the store manager. May I assist you with anything today?”

Shirley’s gaze lingered subtly on Si Tiantian’s face for a few seconds—just enough to marvel inwardly.

What a breathtaking beauty.

Even in Only, where she had grown used to all kinds of stunning women, this girl still left a strong impression.

She then glanced at Gu Yazhi, who exuded a bright, lively elegance—clearly someone from a privileged background as well.

Gu Yazhi couldn’t wait any longer and addressed the smiling manager directly, “You’ve just launched the new collection, right? Quick, show us! I’ve been waiting forever!”

Shirley had spent years in the luxury retail industry and had developed a keen eye for true clientele. These two girls—everything from their outfits to their accessories—were clearly the latest seasonal pieces from top-tier brands.

Especially the girl in the pale yellow off-shoulder top—her porcelain skin and flawless features radiated a soft, sweet nobility. The natural innocence mixed with elegance could only come from being carefully raised in a true upper-class family.

Shirley dared not be careless. She immediately bowed slightly. “Please wait a moment, ladies. We just received a few new masterpieces yesterday—exclusive designer pieces not yet on public display. I’ll have them brought out right away.”

Soon, several uniformed staff members approached, each carrying a dark velvet-covered tray. Their steps were light and steady as they gently placed the trays onto the display table in front of the two girls. One by one, the velvet coverings were lifted.

“Wow!” Gu Yazhi’s eyes sparkled instantly as she leaned forward to admire the pieces—each one intricately designed and dazzling under the light. “Tiantian, look at this Starlit Dream bracelet. It’s made for you! You’d look absolutely breathtaking in it!”

Si Tiantian followed her gaze to a bracelet crafted from tiny diamonds and sapphires, shimmering under the soft lights. The way it reflected light was reminiscent of a galaxy strung across the night sky—fluid, fantastical, and utterly enchanting.

She couldn’t deny she liked it. That deep, twinkling blue struck a chord deep inside her.

Gu Yazhi picked up a necklace with a large cornflower-blue sapphire as its centerpiece and held it up to her neck. “Tiantian, do you think this Heart of the Deep Sea suits me? Or is it too mature?”

The gem was richly colored and surrounded by delicate white diamonds. It exuded nobility and elegance.

Si Tiantian studied it seriously before breaking into a smile. “You’ve got a great eye, Zhizhi. That necklace actually matches your denim set today—there’s a vibe that’s both cool and luxe. Not mature at all. The cut is very modern too. With this on, you’re a stunning mix of bold and beautiful.”

She paused, then added, “Why don’t we try them on? Let’s see how they look overall.”

“Yes, yes, let’s do that!” Gu Yazhi beamed and gestured for Shirley to assist.

Just then, the quiet of the store was broken by a burst of slightly noisy footsteps and chatter. Several young women dressed in the latest fashion and decked out in designer brands walked in as a group, their presence immediately drawing attention.

Their arrival disrupted the boutique’s composed atmosphere with the kind of haughty energy only the wealthy and entitled carried with them.

The door had barely closed behind them before one of the girls said loudly, half in surprise and half in challenge, “Eh? Isn’t that Si Tiantian?”