Chapter 61—Encountering Sinan Again

Nestled at the corner of the pedestrian street, the boutique was not affiliated with any major brands, yet its wares were far from inexpensive. What it lacked in fame, it made up for in exquisite craftsmanship and an emphasis on Chinese aesthetics, so those who stepped through its doors to browse or purchase were never of low standing.

Inside the glass display cabinets, a dazzling array awaited: brooches inlaid with rubies and sapphires, bracelets woven from tiny red coral beads, and fan-shaped pendants carved from jade of remarkable translucency… So many items, seemingly scattered at random, yet each one was meticulously crafted and of the highest quality.

“This piece of lapis has too much white, and far too much gold… It won’t do.”

A tall, slender man, clad in the perennial black business suit tailored to fit, stood before the counter, scrutinizing a lapis lazuli seal in his hand before placing it back onto the display tray and looking up at the shop owner across the counter.

“Do you have anything of finer quality?”

Judging by the man's attire, demeanor, and refined manners, the owner was certain this transaction would be lucrative, which was why he had already brought out the best lapis lazuli seal from the shop. He hadn't expected it to be dismissed so easily, already having planned how to raise the price.

“This is already a top-grade specimen, and I guarantee it’s completely natural, no artificial enhancements!” the owner declared, thumping his chest with conviction.

The man’s chiseled jaw lifted slightly, and his eyes, deep as a tranquil lake, fixed on the owner. Though a faint smile touched his lips, the owner felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine.

“If nothing suitable is available, then I’ll leave it. Thank you.”

Small businessmen always assume their customers haven’t seen finer things...

“Boss, have the tie clips I ordered arrived?”

Lin Xiaowen entered, a backpack slung over her shoulders, carrying a sizeable cake box in her hand. She pushed the door open with enthusiasm, smiling as she called out to the owner.

“Oh yes, I’ve got them all packed up for you—black velvet luxury boxes, packaged separately as you requested.”

The owner immediately turned away from the picky man and fetched two identical sapphire-blue brocade boxes from the counter.

“Thank you…”

Lin Xiaowen set the cake atop the glass display, thanking him as she gently opened the boxes. Two tie clips of completely different styles lay quietly on the black velvet, lending an air of sophistication.

“I’ll pay with WeChat!”

Satisfied that these were the two designs she had ordered, Lin Xiaowen wasted no words. Anxious to leave before the cake melted, she hurried.

Yet a pair of large hands reached over from the side, taking the boxes from her grasp and remarking,

“Fully Chinese-inspired design—it’s quite rare nowadays.”

Lin Xiaowen’s hands suddenly empty, she felt a surge of displeasure and turned to reclaim her things, only to meet Si Nan’s eyes—their expression somewhere between a smile and a smirk, fixed upon her…

“To bump into you here—Miss Lin, we truly are fated!” Si Nan joked amiably, then added, “Where’s the little one? Don’t tell me he’s wandered off again and you haven’t noticed?”

Her heart raced with inexplicable panic. Just ten minutes ago, Lin Xiaowen had assured Xu Ningning they wouldn’t coincidentally run into Si Nan—but…

It seemed the heavens were playing a prank, for Lin Xiaowen was momentarily dazed at the sight of him.

She forced a brief smile, eager only to make her exit.

“He’s at kindergarten—not with me today.”

Her complexion was poor, even a touch pale.

Si Nan noticed and assumed his joke had reminded her of the previous incident when the child went missing, so he apologized,

“Forgive me, I may have said the wrong thing. Please don’t mind it, Miss Lin.”

“It’s fine.”

Lin Xiaowen managed a strained smile, unable to say anything more, not even polite platitudes or evasions.

Si Nan’s curiosity only deepened—why did this woman grow nervous in his presence?

He softened his tone as much as possible, returning the jewelry boxes to her and said,

“The two tie clips you chose are quite distinctive, but aren’t the designs a bit old-fashioned? If you’re giving them to your husband, brighter colors might be better, don’t you think?”

Si Nan watched her every reaction, not wanting to miss a single nuance.

“Thank you for your advice, Mr. Si, but these are for an elder in my family.”

Lin Xiaowen steadied herself, offered him a courteous smile, then said, “Please continue browsing, Mr. Si. I’ll take my leave.”

She slipped the jewelry boxes into her backpack, shouldered it, picked up the cake box, and gave Si Nan a polite yet distant smile before heading for the door.

“Where are you headed, Miss Lin? Allow me to accompany you for a bit.”

Lin Xiaowen halted abruptly, her heartbeat skipping a beat. Without turning, she responded,

“There’s no need. Goodbye.”

With those words, she fled through the door, so swiftly that even if Si Nan tried to chase after her, he wouldn’t have caught up.

“Heh… Interesting!”

Si Nan stared at Lin Xiaowen’s retreating figure, lost in thought, when the owner behind him chuckled and muttered.

Si Nan turned to him, his voice now stripped of the gentleness he’d used with Lin Xiaowen—cool and reserved as ever.

“Interesting? What do you mean by that?”

“I mean that young lady—she’s interesting!” the owner continued, still chuckling.

“I was watching from the side. If I hadn’t overheard your polite conversation, judging by the way she looked at you and her expression, I’d have thought you two were a couple… Or maybe she’s interested in you!”

Si Nan’s gaze froze, then suddenly brightened, his lips curving upward as he replied,

“You could tell?”

“Absolutely!” The owner stepped out from behind the counter, sounding utterly confident.

“Most customers here come with their girlfriends or boyfriends to pick out gifts. I can tell at a glance who’s courting whom, and their relationship… That young lady—” He gestured toward the door, “Just from her shy, nervous demeanor when looking at you… Eight out of ten chances she’s interested in you!”

“Besides, with your charm and bearing, how many young women could resist? Who wouldn’t secretly admire you… haha!”

Though the owner’s flattery was extravagant, Si Nan took it in stride. The stiff-faced colleagues in his office occasionally complimented him, but always in a roundabout way, never as straightforward as this shopkeeper, whose candor was refreshing rather than off-putting.

In high spirits, Si Nan adjusted his shirt cuffs, eyes glowing with concealed delight, and said,

“Wrap up that lapis lazuli seal for me. And if you come across any more of good quality, let me know.”

The owner paused, thinking, ‘This rich man’s mood shifts quickly—just now he turned it down, and now he wants it… without even asking the price!’ But he readily agreed and ducked behind the counter to find a box and pack it up.

“By the way,” Si Nan smiled faintly at the owner, “there’s one more thing I’d like your help with…”