Chapter 12

In her past life, Fang Junrong was seen by many as the meddling, malicious, and cold-hearted mother-in-law. Her being sent to a mental hospital was practically what everyone wished for—Li Wangjin not kicking her while she was down was already the height of benevolence.

Back then, they had played their roles too well, so well that everyone was fooled. No—perhaps not everyone was fooled. But at that time, Li Wangjin and Li Shize had multiplied their fortunes several times over. The father and son ranked first and third respectively on the rich list, their influence immense. No one would dare speak up for Fang Junrong and risk offending them. In this life, she would not only reclaim what was rightfully hers but also tear off their hypocritical masks.

She ordered a few pastries, ate them slowly, and packed some of her daughter’s favorites to take home.

By the time she returned, Li Wangjin was already back. He sat on the sofa, his hair sticking together in clumps from sweat. A cloud of gloom hung around him, a far cry from his usual refined demeanor. When he abruptly raised his head, his eyes burned like a beast’s, dark flames flickering within. His voice carried a faint accusation, “Did you go around telling everyone about me buying that painting?”

Everyone in their circle already knew about it, and behind his back, they mocked him for being a fool with too much money. Aside from Director Su, many others had called him, praising Fang Junrong to his face. The thought of those compliments directed at his wife made Li Wangjin feel as though he had swallowed a fly—nauseating. After all his hard work, not only had he lost a fortune, but he had also ended up boosting his wife’s reputation? How could that not make him furious?

Fang Junrong chuckled lightly, her expression indifferent. “It’s not something that needs to be kept secret. Was I not supposed to mention it?”

Li Wangjin snapped, “You don’t know how they’re talking about me.”

Her expression turned serious. “Telling them the truth is better than letting them misunderstand. You rushed to sell those shares—many people thought our company was in trouble and needed emergency funds. If I hadn’t explained, several partners would have canceled their contracts.”

Li Wangjin was speechless. He hadn’t considered that.

Fang Junrong continued, “And some even whispered to me that you spent so much money to keep a mistress. Of course, I couldn’t let them misunderstand you, so I had to tell the truth.”

“Today, Sun Mei told me she saw you dining with a woman, acting intimately. Is that true?” Her gaze bore into him.

Under her scrutiny, Li Wangjin felt as though he were standing naked under the sun, utterly exposed. The image of Wen Sixian’s tender, affectionate expression flashed through his mind, but he shook his head to dispel it—no, they were innocent. He was only looking out for her out of consideration for Wen Sier.

So he retorted righteously, “You should stop associating with that gossip Sun Mei. She just can’t stand seeing us happy.”

After a pause, he explained, “She’s Yage’s aunt. She returned to the country after a bad marriage. I met with her hoping she could spend more time with Yage and comfort her. You know how depressed Yage has been because of her parents.”

Fang Junrong inwardly sneered. Li Wangjin made it sound like Jiang Yage was some paragon of filial piety. If she truly cared about her parents, she wouldn’t spend all her time flirting with Li Shize, personally cooking soups for him and tidying his study. Several servants in the household had whispered similar concerns to her, saying their relationship seemed overly intimate, crossing certain boundaries.

In her past life, after learning of this, she had called Jiang Yage over and gently reminded her. But then Jiang Yage ran to Li Wangjin and Li Shize, shedding crocodile tears, turning Fang Junrong into the villainous elder who falsely accused others in their eyes.

This time around, Jiang Yage and Li Shize could do whatever they wanted—it had nothing to do with her.

She couldn’t be bothered to bring up Jiang Yage and changed the subject instead. “By the way, when will that painting arrive? I remember the payment was already transferred. I’d like to admire Master Xu’s masterpiece too.”

Li Wangjin froze on the spot. He Ming had already run off with the money—where would he find *Frozen River Snow* now? At this point, he couldn’t even find a suitable buyer on short notice, partly out of fear that news would leak and partly because finding a painter skilled enough to forge a convincing imitation wasn’t easy.

His lips trembled, but no words came out for a long while.

Fang Junrong glanced at him. “Did something go wrong? Or did the seller change his mind?”

What else could Li Wangjin say? He had no choice but to grit his teeth and admit it. “Yes, his financial situation improved, so he’s no longer willing to sell.”

A wave of despair washed over him as he realized the money he had secretly set aside would likely have to be used to cover this loss. For a moment, Li Wangjin felt utterly lost. Had all his years of effort been for nothing?

Crushed by the blow, he seemed to age several years in an instant. His steps were unsteady as he drifted up the stairs, his silhouette radiating desolation.

Fang Junrong, of course, felt no sympathy for him. In high spirits, she returned to her room, fervently hoping Li Wangjin would seek comfort from Wen Sixian so she could capture definitive evidence. She was sick of sharing the same roof with him.

But her good mood lasted less than fifteen minutes. The moment she entered her room, she noticed her safe had been tampered with.

The jewelry and property deeds inside had long been transferred into her *Dimension*, leaving the safe in her room completely empty. She had tied a red knot around the safe—a gift from her daughter Li Xinyun, who had clumsily woven it herself. Though lopsided, it was a token of her daughter’s affection, so Fang Junrong had kept it.

Now, the knot had clearly been moved due to the safe being opened.

Fang Junrong hadn’t installed surveillance in this room before, so she couldn’t be sure who had entered. But she had her suspicions: it had to be either Li Shize or Jiang Yage. Li Shize was the more likely culprit since he knew the safe’s password.

In her past life, hadn’t that *Barbecue Pork Son* of hers taken her jade bracelet and given it to Jiang Yage?

What intrigued Fang Junrong more was this: even she hadn’t known the bracelet’s secret. How had Jiang Yage found out, going to such lengths to obtain it? The novel she’d read had glossed over this detail as if it were mere coincidence. But she didn’t buy that for a second.

If the culprit hadn’t found the bracelet, they would surely try again.

Fang Junrong unconsciously stroked the faint mark on her wrist.

Jiang Yage gazed at the handsome and upright Li Shize with hopeful eyes. She had to admit, she held a certain fondness for him. In this household, apart from Uncle Li, Li Shize was the one who treated her the best.

“Shize.”

The cold expression on Li Shize’s face softened involuntarily when his eyes met Jiang Yage’s. Initially, he hadn’t thought highly of her because she worked at that place. It wasn’t until he accidentally learned that Jiang Yage had taken the job to raise money for a friend in trouble. Even in a place like “White Crane,” she remained untainted, never seeking to climb the social ladder by attaching herself to the wealthy. Despite being misunderstood, she endured the humiliation without explaining, all to keep her friend’s secret.

Though he had met many women growing up, none were like Jiang Yage—seemingly delicate yet incredibly tenacious and strong-willed. Moreover, his mother and sister clearly disliked her, often belittling her at home. Out of pity and sympathy, Li Shize couldn’t help but treat her a little better.

Of course, deep down, he silently blamed Zhong Yi for this. It must be because Zhong Yi often spoke ill of Yage; otherwise, how could Mom and his sister have misunderstood her so badly?

Despite the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind, his outward demeanor remained reserved and sparing with words. Only around those he cared about would he speak a little more.

“Yage.”

Jiang Yage’s beautiful, expressive eyes fixed on Li Shize. Her best feature was undoubtedly her eyes—luminous and seemingly capable of speech, brimming with tender affection with every glance. These eyes elevated her from merely pretty to truly beautiful.

Li Shize said, “I’m sorry. My mom has put away her bracelet, and I haven’t been able to find it yet.”

One day, he had seen Yage crying silently and learned she had lost a bracelet—one that didn’t belong to her but was a gift from her parents’ friend. When she was just a baby, the two families had arranged a marriage pact, and the bracelet was essentially the betrothal gift. If the two children grew up and found they weren’t suited, the bracelet was to be returned.

The light in Jiang Yage’s eyes dimmed. “I have no feelings for him, and I don’t want to marry him. But I can’t return the bracelet to them.”

Li Shize asked, “Don’t worry. I’ll keep looking. Maybe we can find a similar one on the market?” With enough money, it should be possible.

Jiang Yage’s eyes reddened. “No, I’ve never seen one like it—except for Mom’s. That bracelet had a particularly clear patch of green, almost like a mountain.”

Li Shize wasn’t surprised she knew about his mother’s bracelet. Perhaps his mother had worn it in public before. He reassured her, “Don’t worry. If it comes to it, I’ll give you my mom’s. Arranged marriages like this have no legal standing nowadays anyway.” As for taking his mother’s bracelet, Li Shize didn’t see it as a big deal. His parents’ belongings would eventually be passed down to him. Taking it a little early wouldn’t hurt.

He couldn’t bear the thought of Yage being forced to marry someone she didn’t love for such an archaic reason. Of course, when he asked his mother for it, he’d have to keep Yage out of it—otherwise, his mother might refuse outright.

Jiang Yage finally smiled through her tears. “Thank you. I’m so glad I have you.”

Li Shize’s lips curved slightly, his gaze softening considerably. With his naturally cold and handsome appearance, this rare smile was like the melting of ice and snow. Jiang Yage couldn’t help but stare, her cheeks flushing pink as she looked at him with tender affection, her eyes filled with trust and joy.