Chapter 40

Later, in a media interview, she mentioned that although she has owned countless valuable high-quality gems and numerous top-grade pearls, the most precious and priceless treasures have never been displayed in front of the camera.

The reporter noted that she had worn a pair of Australian white pearl earrings on several important occasions, sometimes on the left ear and sometimes on the right. Her black hair was tucked behind her ear, making the pure white pearls gleam silently. No one had ever asked her about the origin of these pearl earrings because, no matter how beautiful they were, they couldn’t possibly be the priceless treasure belonging to a princess.

Indeed, a collaborating designer had asked why she had bought a pair of such distinctive earrings, as they are usually worn as a single piece. Shang Mingbao smiled and lowered her head, her gentleness tinged with a hint of time passed.

“Yes, one would have been enough; it’s so expensive.”

But he wanted to give her a complete pair.

Shang Mingbao carefully took out the pair of earrings from the navy-blue velvet cushion.

Their design was quite unique. Based on Shang Mingbao’s extensive experience with various jewelry brands, these earrings did not belong to any known brand and might be the work of an independent designer. The titanium metal craftsmanship conformed closely to the shape of the ear, with a surround-style fit that naturally gave the earrings a thorny vine-like appearance. Set with five Australian white pearls, the largest one was at the earlobe, with a diameter estimated to be over 11 millimeters. The remaining four pearls were slightly smaller, varying in size and arranged in a staggered manner, resembling pure white flowers scattered among thorns.

Shang Mingbao carefully took out the pair of earrings from the navy-blue velvet cushion.

Their design was quite unique. From Shang Mingbao’s extensive experience with various jewelry brands, these earrings did not belong to any known brand and might be the work of an independent designer. The titanium metal craftsmanship conformed closely to the shape of the ear, with a surround-style fit that naturally gave the earrings a thorny vine-like appearance. Set with five Australian white pearls, the largest one was at the earlobe, with a diameter estimated to be over 11 millimeters. The remaining four pearls were slightly smaller, varying in size and arranged in a staggered manner, resembling pure white flowers scattered among thorns.

No one understood the grade of these pearls better than Shang Mingbao. The satin-like luster in the morning light was the best proof of their value.

She held them in her palm, though she didn’t understand why she was crying, tears flowed continuously.

She couldn’t cry any more; otherwise, it would be very awkward if Feiran saw her when he came back.

Shang Mingbao took a deep breath, placed the one from her left ear back on the cushion, brushed back her long hair from the right side with her fingertips, tilted her head, and properly put on the earring.

It was astonishing. The stability of gemstone earrings with some weight is a significant design challenge. Many less experienced brands or studios, despite having quality stones, often overlook this aspect. Complex designs can lead to issues like drooping, misalignment, heaviness, and wobbling, thus undermining the aesthetic effect.

But these earrings had a well-distributed weight. Shang Mingbao shook her head slightly to test it and found it very stable.

She placed the gift box aside and went to check herself in the hallway mirror. Just as she reached the hallway, she heard the sound of the key turning in the lock. The next moment, Xiang Feiran walked in with a food bag and a coffee.

He hadn’t expected to see her right away. For a moment, his gaze lingered, then moved to her right ear.

It suited her very well, and it was worth the time he spent designing it.

Indeed, it was her face, her hair, and her radiant expression that brought life and sparkle to these seemingly meaningless calcium carbonate stones.

Xiang Feiran looked at her with a mix of surprise and tenderness.

Shang Mingbao, slightly flustered, had not yet erased the traces of her tears, and Xiang Feiran saw through her.

Xiang Feiran smiled and asked playfully, “Is the wind so strong on the balcony?”

Shang Mingbao bit her lip and replied, “I stayed up too late yesterday, so my eyes are a bit sore.”

Xiang Feiran didn’t press further but closed the door behind him and asked, “Aren’t you going to give me a hug?”

Shang Mingbao ran over, didn’t brake, and threw her arms around his waist, like a little beast crashing into his embrace. Xiang Feiran was pushed back against the door, laughing, and patted her hair, “You’re stronger than me.”

Shang Mingbao looked up, “Why such an expensive gift?”

“It’s not expensive. Do you like it?”

Shang Mingbao nodded, genuinely concerned, “You won’t have trouble affording meals for the next two months, will you?”

Xiang Feiran casually replied, “I’ll just get free meals from the band.”

Shang Mingbao was taken aback, but she wasn’t willing to return the gift.

Seeing her conflicted expression, Xiang Feiran knew she took it seriously and hugged her again, “Don’t take it to heart. I’m an adult; I know what I can and cannot afford, and I’m fully responsible for my own intentions.”

In the end, Shang Mingbao didn’t ask how much the gift cost.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, stood on tiptoe, and shared a quiet kiss with him by the door.

It was likely very cold outside, as Xiang Feiran’s lips were cool to the touch, warming up only after a prolonged kiss.

When they had kissed enough, Xiang Feiran finally had time to remove his shoes.

He set the breakfast and coffee on the table, while Shang Mingbao went to tidy up the gift box. As she was folding the ribbon into the raffia, her fingertips touched something hard.

She gasped softly, didn’t think much of it, and naturally brushed aside the paper shreds to reveal a square metal frame underneath.

Xiang Feiran stood by the table, holding his coffee cup tightly, but his face remained calm.

When Shang Mingbao turned and asked what it was, he casually said, “It’s a piece of stone.”

“What kind of stone?”

“Quartz.”

“Quartz?” Shang Mingbao, familiar with minerals, knew what quartz was. She lifted the thick, heavy metal frame and looked at the white rock set inside.

The frame was like a polaroid picture. On the dark background under the quartz, there were two lines of parameters written in silver ink. She read that the first line was latitude and longitude, and the second line was time and altitude, with a small English place name in the bottom right corner: Rebo Mountain, Wisconsin, USA.

This was the first time Shang Mingbao saw Xiang Feiran’s handwriting—neat and effortlessly elegant.

She turned her gaze back, “Is this for me? Or was it misplaced?”

Xiang Feiran took a sip of coffee and casually said, “It’s a gift.”

Shang Mingbao held the palm-sized display frame in her hand, running her fingertip over the glistening rock inside.

She remembered that day—Xiang Feiran had cut his investigation short. They hadn’t seen or contacted each other for half a month before that. Shang Mingbao’s mind slowly connected the dots: Was Xiang Feiran missing her a lot that morning?

Her heartbeat quickened, and a sharp intuition struck her like lightning—could it be that this piece of stone was actually what Xiang Feiran truly wanted to give her? Since quartz is not valuable, no matter how much it holds his thoughts and affection, it wouldn’t be worth much. That’s why he bought the expensive earrings, making his feelings seem like a mere accessory, an added gift.

It was Xiang Feiran’s way of giving a pearl while keeping the gift box.

Shang Mingbao held the quartz close to her heart and softly said, “The gift is beautiful too… and I like it very much.”

Xiang Feiran silently smiled and tapped the table, “Come have breakfast.”

The weather forecast predicted a snowstorm starting at four in the afternoon, so Shang Mingbao’s Christmas Day was quite busy. They went for a walk to the nearby Columbia Circle Christmas market, where Shang Mingbao bought a bunch of assorted decorations, Christmas tree-shaped scented candles, corduroy teddy bears, and various other small trinkets.

She wasn’t new to market visits; she often went with friends to Soho and the West Village to shop for small items costing around a thousand dollars. But today, perhaps due to the festive atmosphere of the market, she found everything extremely charming—especially since Xiang Feiran was picking up the tab.

They had hot cocoa, freshly baked waffles topped with cream and strawberries, and Mexican tacos.

As night fell and the snowstorm was about to return, Shang Mingbao learned that Xiang Feiran had never seen the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center.

“Really?” She was surprised. Not seeing the Rockefeller Christmas tree while studying in New York was like visiting Manhattan and skipping Times Square.

Xiang Feiran nodded.

To him, the Christmas tree wasn’t special, and Christmas wasn’t particularly festive. His life was as minimal as a blank sheet, always maintaining its sharp edges. Every Tuesday, he visited the botanical garden and Greenwood Cemetery, on Sundays he spent two hours reading non-academic books in Central Park while soaking up the sun. Occasionally, he would ride his bike to the park under the Brooklyn Bridge to watch the sunset, or wait for rain to stop in a museum during damp, rainy days. When facing challenges with his research, he would take the subway to the monastery museum at the northernmost tip of Manhattan, analyzing problems one step at a time in the medieval cloister garden.

This was his way of filling the gaps in life, unrelated to festivals and only vaguely related to the weather, with little uncertainty.

Shang Mingbao called Sophie to arrange for a goose down quilt to be sent to 56th Street and then to come find her at Hudson Pier.

“Hey—” Just before hanging up, Sophie stopped her, “Not coming back today?”

Shang Mingbao was straightforward with her housekeeper, not feeling guilty, “It’s the same in the apartment.”

Sophie, knowing her pampered nature but also her strong will, didn’t press further. She mentioned, “This morning, while shoveling snow on the steps, I found a jewelry box. Is it yours?”

Shang Mingbao asked what it was, and Sophie replied, “A ring from Valeridge’s New Year’s limited edition, the one with full diamonds.”

Shang Mingbao paused, “Keep it. It should be from Alan.”

Sophie then went to her luxurious dressing room and placed the ring on the vanity, saying, “Young Master Wu is quite thoughtful.”

Shang Mingbao instructed her, “Find a gift of equivalent value to return to him. You know what to do.”

For a seasoned and experienced housekeeper, this was a routine matter. Sophie agreed and soon sent over several bottles of wine and artworks. Shang Mingbao selected a set of vintage wine from an auction last year and had Sophie send it to Wu Baiyan.

While she was on the phone, Xiang Feiran waited quietly. After the call ended, before he could speak, Shang Mingbao took the initiative and said：“Wu Baiyan found the gift he sent me yesterday. I’ve asked Sophie to send a return gift.”

The meaning behind her words was clear, and Xiang Feiran nodded, seeming indifferent. After a moment, he asked casually, “What did he send?”

Shang Mingbao hesitated slightly before answering smoothly, “A small piece of jewelry.”

When the Bentley arrived, night had fallen, and the snowstorm resembled ink spread across rice paper.

Shang Mingbao told the driver to take a taxi back and kept the car for herself.

The driver, who had come from Hong Kong, was reticent but briefly glanced at the man next to Shang Mingbao. Xiang Feiran responded with a nod.

Once in the car, they seemed much more at ease. When they reached the vicinity of Rockefeller Center, traffic was congested, with red taillights stretching like a long dragon.

Shang Mingbao initially felt a bit irritated by the delay, but Xiang Feiran’s patience as he steered seemed to calm her oddly.

In the reflection of the snowy white and the red lights on the windshield, they shared a quiet kiss, with the red light counting down from 59 to 7.

After the kiss, Xiang Feiran lifted his eyes, the desire in them dissipating without a trace. He gently touched Shang Mingbao’s soft eyes and said, “Wu Baiyan has a gift, but I don’t?”

Shang Mingbao was momentarily stunned and nervously parted her lips.

This person not only had the patience to endure a never-ending traffic jam but also the patience to be jealous for so long.

His voice was low and resonant, his eyes deepened by the reflection of the night and colorful lights outside the car window. With his slightly lowered eyelashes concealing a hint of tender patience, Shang Mingbao found herself increasingly unsettled under his intense gaze.

Her heart raced, mouth dry, palms sweating, and she struggled to form coherent words.

“W-well…” She swallowed, her eyes fixed on Xiang Feiran.

The car’s long line remained unmoved, and Xiang Feiran remained perfectly still, maintaining the close proximity of their breaths. His gaze slowly shifted from meeting hers to her rosy lips: “Which one?”

Before Shang Mingbao could respond, he silenced her with another kiss.

This time, his kiss was more fervent. One hand braced against the back of her seat, while the other held her face firmly—less of a caress and more of a grip to prevent her from pulling away.

Shang Mingbao was overwhelmed, her heart racing, and her mind in a haze. Initially, she tried to avoid his kiss, but soon, she found herself eagerly returning his affection.

When Xiang Feiran finally released her, she bit her lip, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, and asked, “Feiran Ge… are you jealous?”

Xiang Feiran straightened up, his usual cold demeanor returning. He squinted slightly and replied, “Is it that obvious?”

Shang Mingbao’s smile widened. “I was going to pick out a gift for you, but since you ignored me a few days ago, I didn’t buy it.”

Her confident tone made Xiang Feiran smile slightly. “It’s fine.”

“How can it be fine? You’re jealous, so I’m going to buy everything I picked out,” she declared.

She had chosen quite a few things: celebrity replicas, signed drumsticks, Turkish cymbals, a super cool jacket, limited-edition sneakers, and a pendant engraved with her name (something he would never notice if she didn’t say).

“No need,” Xiang Feiran said, glancing at her with a hint of an unspoken wish in his next words: “There’s always next year. Gifts can be given year after year.”

His wish was subtle and likely lost among the billions of Christmas wishes to the gods.

After maneuvering through traffic, they finally arrived at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Shang Mingbao, having seen so many dazzling things that day, found the tree quite ordinary in comparison. It was just tall, adorned with three million Swarovski crystals, the sparkling Berkeley star, and countless twinkling lights.

Shang Mingbao was more concerned about Xiang Feiran’s feelings. While others might marvel at the tree, Xiang Feiran, who could dismiss a million British roses as “trite,” wouldn’t find this manufactured beauty more valuable than a historic specimen in a museum.

“Feiran Ge,” she asked hesitantly, “are you bored?”

The Christmas tree might seem boring, but Shang Mingbao standing beneath it made it special.

Xiang Feiran took a photo of her. He was possibly the best boyfriend when it came to photography—effortlessly capturing great shots.

Shang Mingbao then asked an Asian girl to take a photo of them together. After handing over the phone, she said with a playful tone, “You should always ask an East Asian girl to take your pictures outside because Europeans don’t know how.”

Xiang Feiran smiled softly, finding her adorable.

The girl, who took excellent photos and directed them with patience, commented, “You two look perfect together. I kept looking at you, and it’s just so pleasing.”

Shang Mingbao smiled brightly, and Xiang Feiran, standing next to her, nodded courteously.

“May you both grow old together!” the girl waved goodbye enthusiastically.

Shang Mingbao’s smile faltered slightly at the girl’s blessing. She instinctively lowered her head and reviewed the photos she had already seen.

East Asian girls indeed take the best photos.

Afterward, she looked up and asked Xiang Feiran, “Can I edit the photos and send them to you later?”

Xiang Feiran, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, replied, “Sure.”

The snow was falling heavily, so they decided to head home. They walked back to retrieve the car and, after enduring another long traffic jam, finally arrived at the apartment before nine.

While Shang Mingbao was deeply engrossed in editing the photos, she realized she had nowhere to post them. She had never shared solo photos with a male friend on social media, knowing it would attract unnecessary attention and complications, especially in a place like New York. Moreover, she didn’t want her family to know—neither her older siblings nor her parents.

Shang Mingbao saved several of the photos and posted a solo picture on Instagram instead.

The post received a lot of likes, and she saw a familiar account with a solid green forest icon among the likes—it was the account that had previously discussed the orchid evolution story with her.

Her younger brother, Shang Lu, was whale-watching in the Pacific, her older brother, Shang Shao, was becoming increasingly silent and busy with work, and their father was dealing with health issues. The first to notice the unusual post was her second sister, Shang Mingzhuo, who was doing her postdoctoral research at Harvard.

Shang Mingzhuo messaged her: [Who took these photos?]

Shang Mingbao: [A friend]

Shang Mingzhuo: [Boyfriend?]

Shang Mingbao: [……No!]

Shang Mingzhuo: [Oh, so our little Bao is recovering from her “fake marriage” and has started a new romance.]

Shang Mingbao: [Every word you say is evidence.]

Shang Mingzhuo: [And it will be recited at your wedding?]

Shang Mingbao: [Not talking to you anymore!]

Shang Mingzhuo: [Besides people who like you, no one else could take such good pictures of you.]

And added: [Look at your face.]

Shang Mingbao felt a pang of frustration. Her second sister, a blend of Xiaolongnu and the exterminator, had a sharp intuition that seemed almost supernatural.

However, to her surprise, Shang Mingbao decided to send the photos to her.

She knew her sister wouldn’t gossip, and she wanted to openly share everything about her and Xiang Feiran.

Shang Mingzhuo zoomed in on the photos, adjusted her glasses, and reviewed them three times. With a knowing “Oh,” she messaged: [Xiang Bo? Have you slept together?]

Shang Mingbao nearly fell out of bed.