Chapter 36 – From a “Wild Peony” … to an …

Eight … eight figures?

Li Huan‑huan stared at the hefty jade necklace in her hands; it felt as though she were holding her fortune for the rest of this life—and the next.
“Huàn‑huàn? Why so quiet—are you okay?” best‑friend Xiao Jing asked over the phone.
“I‑I’m fine…” Li Huan‑huan swallowed. “Eight figures, are you sure?”
“Positive. That piece was just auctioned off—to some mystery buyer—for tens of millions,” Xiao Jing said. “Where on earth did you get it?”

Li Huan‑huan couldn’t answer. Hands trembling, she eased the necklace back onto its silk cushion, snapped the case shut and exhaled.
I can’t keep this—it’s worth more than my whole family put together. I’ve got to give it back!

Clutching the box, she hurried across the hall and knocked on #150.

Qin Shi—hair tousled, silk pyjamas on—opened the door, yawning.
“Li Huan‑huan? Something wrong?”
The case was thrust into his arms. “Take it!”
“Huh? Didn’t you like it?”

She blurted out Xiao Jing’s estimate. Qin Shi blinked, then laughed.
“It’s a replica.”
“What?”
“Or at least, nothing pricey. Maybe a few thousand yuan. You think I’m that rich?” he teased, shoving the box back into her hands. “Wear it to the wedding; if you lose it, no big deal.”

Two days flashed by. Huan‑huan buried herself in editing her “Cat & Husky” videos—real‑life episodes kept sneaking into the script, turning the online pair into unmistakable stand‑ins for her and Qin Shi. Commenters were already shipping the duo; she cringed at the thought of him ever seeing it.

Saturday arrived—the pro‑scene senior’s wedding. Xiao Jing dragged her through hair, make‑up and an entire wardrobe trial.

When she opened her eyes, a mirror‑bright beauty stared back: pale‑green embroidered cheongsam, peony buds threaded in gold, jade necklace gleaming at her collarbone, hair swept up with a pink jade hairpin. From a scruffy “wild peony,” she had become a cultivated, rare bloom.

“Wow.” Xiao Jing whistled. “No one will believe you pulled an all‑nighter.”

One look at the clock—she was late. Grabbing her clutch, she tottered to a taxi, heart hammering. Time to meet Qin Shi at the wedding venue… and hope the disguise held.