Chapter 71.2: Grand Finale (Part 1)

　　As for the relatively smaller box, Jiang Dai found a velvet jewelry box with a jade pendant.

　　For someone her age, Jiang Dai rarely wore jade jewelry. However, she only wore them occasionally when she attended a dinner party.

　　Habitually, she flipped over the box but could not find a logo anywhere on the box, pendant, or even the chain.

　　With just one glance, the jade pendant had no outstandingly splendor design and looked like an ordinary middle-sized piece of jade. Yet, it somehow seemed particularly pleasing to the eye. Perhaps, it was a priceless antique?

　　Jiang Dai had never been proficient in antiques, but regardless of how expensive a cheongsam was, they were still peanuts to her.

　　If this piece of jade were truly an antique, it would not be easy to gauge its price.

　　With that in mind, Jiang Dai took a picture of it before sending it to an authenticator she knew. At that juncture, she could not help thinking that she would only keep it if it were not an antique. However, if her friend had truly authenticated it as an antique, she would definitely have it returned.

　　On the morning of the next day, the authenticator got back to her. “This piece of jade is beautifully wrought, so there is no doubt that it carries a hefty price tag. However, it is of a classic style and doesn’t seem like the recent designs. At least, it is nothing like what I’ve ever seen before, so I’ve turned to an old professor I know. He told me this might be a family heirloom from the past, but he can’t be too sure since it is only a picture. Anyway, where did you get this from? That way, we can have something as a reference.”

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　　Gqvla y caklq rywpl, Kkydt Pyk alprsdele, “……Rv’p y tkqv qasx Xze Yyeyxl Tws.”

　　Mbl ywvbldvknyvsa pwttlpvle, “Rd vbyv nypl, kv kp bktbzu zkjlzu vs cl vbl Tws qyxkzu’p blkazssx. Zsw nyd xyjl psxl kdiwkaklp ycswv vbyv.”

　　Brsd blyakdt vbyv, Kkydt Pyk’p qkdtlap ralpple ytykdpv bla vlxrzl. “…………” Gv vbyv xsxldv, vbl pbsnj pbl alnlkhle zlqv bla pvawttzkdt vs calyvbl.

……

　　Wsa vbyv alypsd, vblal oyp ds dlle qsa Kkydt Pyk vs nsdvkdwl xyjkdt kdiwkaklp sd vbkp xyvvla. Ekvbswv qwavbla yes, pbl bye psxlsdl plde vbkp tkqv cynj vs Tws Ssdtpbld.

　　Fbl jdlo vblal oyp ds oyu vbyv Xze Yyeyxl Tws oswze vyjl vbl tkqv cynj kq Kkydt Pyk olal vs plde kv vs bla. Tldnl, pbl elnkele vs alvwad kv vs Tws Ssdtpbld yde byhl bkx elyz okvb kv bkxplzq.

　　Tsolhla, Tws Ssdtpbld bye ds nzwl vbyv Xze Yyeyxl Tws tyhl vbkp rklnl sq fyel vs Kkydt Pyk.

　　Ebld vbl kvlx sdnl ytykd xyel kvp alvwad vs bla rspplppksd, Tws Fbldzk yde Vlk Kwd tyvblale yaswde bla.

　　Although Pei Jun knew not of the whys and wherefores, the sharp-eyed Huo Shenli could recognize it at one glance. “Isn’t this the family heirloom that our great-grandmother gave mum back then? Oh my god! If this piece of jade were to be appraised, it’d carry a price tag of several hundred million, at least.”

　　As soon as he heard how expensive it was, Pei Jun could not help but step forward to cast curious glances at it. Before long, he asked, “Great-grandmother? Shouldn’t it be your grandmother passing it on to Old Madame Huo?”

　　Huo Shenli answered, “I guess this is an unwritten tradition of my family, whereby this piece of jade is passed on to the wife of the family head. However, it usually skips a generation. For instance, my great-grandmother had passed the heirloom on to my mother. According to tradition, it should be passed on to the wife of my brother’s son. I’ve no idea why it is like this, but as far as I know, my family has been doing this for centuries.”

　　In the spur of a moment, Pei Jun asked a question without thinking. “This tradition of yours does seem pretty interesting. If your great-grandmother had already passed away, wouldn’t your heirloom be lost?”

　　As he said so, Huo Shenli was rendered speechless while Huo Rongshen favored Pei Jun with a hard stare.

　　Hurriedly, Pei Jun corrected, “No, what I meant was why is it so special this time?”

　　Holding the jewelry box in one hand, a complicated emotion swam in Huo Rongshen’s eyes as they trained on that beautifully wrought piece of top-quality jade.

　　Huo Shenli stared at Pei Jun speechlessly. “Are you daft, Brother Pei Jun? You know how astute my mum is. Even though the heirloom is priceless and important, don’t you think the issue now lies with my brother? If he doesn’t get back together with Sister Dai, I’m afraid there won’t be a next granddaughter-in-law in our family to continue the family tradition?”

　　Thinking over his words, a touch of befuddlement flashed across his eyes before wrapping his head around the facts.

　　It was evident that this fellow would take no one but Jiang Dai. 

　　If he could not get back together with Jiang Dai, the future that awaited the Huo family would be the eldest son growing old on his lonesome. It was impossible for him to have a son by his side, not to mention a wife. All he could ever have with him was a picture of his ex-wife as he struggled to pass his days. 

　　“…………” Pei Jun was astounded by the “future” that his wild imagination had conjured, only to come face to face with the man’s handsome face when he raised his head……

　　It was by no means an exaggeration, but the grim future was undoubtedly something that Huo Rongshen was capable of!

　　Pursing his lips, Pei Jun muttered, “How awful, that poor thing. That was simply awful.” 

　　The moment the words left his mouth, Huo Shenli was at a loss for words. “What’s awful?”

　　Pei Jun answered, “It’s nothing. What I was trying to say is that…… Since Auntie likes Jiang Dai so much, it goes to show that everyone would think your brother is still the best fit for Jiang Dai. Her birthday party will be held this weekend at Nangang Palace, so have you prepared a birthday present yet?”

　　Only then did Huo Rongshen retract his gaze from that piece of jade. Closing the jewelry box, he rose to his feet and made his way to the safe. After placing the box in the safe, he made sure to lock it well.

　　Since this piece of jade was intended for the future mistress of the Huo family, there was no need to return it to his mother.

　　It was true that Jiang Dai wanted to have nothing to do with it, but he believed that there would come a day when Jiang Dai was willing to put it on.

　　Not a single fluctuation in tone could be detected in his voice as he replied, “Yes, I have.” 

　　Yet, worry welled up inside Pei Jun. “Hey, are you sure? I mean, this is the first birthday she will be celebrating since your divorce. It’s best not to give her a present that’s too common. In any case, the main point is to never lose out to Qiao Jinye and Liang Jingche! However, I really can’t think of anything that can be considered special. After all, your ex-wife is far too wealthy. Is there anything that she lacks? Hmm…. Boy, is this a tough one…”

　　As for Huo Rongshen, his face was also contorted with such bitterness. “This is indeed a difficult question to answer. I’m out of ideas as well, so I guess you’ll have to rely on yourself, Brother.”

　　Be that as it might, Huo Rongshen remained noncommittal as he could not be bothered to talk to them.

*****

　　Jiang Dai’s twenty-third birthday party would be held at her private super-mansion, Nangang Palace, on Sunday.

　　Since this was a private birthday party, no media was invited to the event. As soon as the filming and airing of ‘Youth Camp’ ended, Jiang Dai went out of her way to avoid appearing in public.

　　However, there were far too many guests who appeared at the event. Some were from friends she had known during her childhood and business friends with whom she had acquainted a couple of months back, while others were influencers, artistes, and self-media influencers she got to know at various social events. In short, people from all walks of life were present at her party, as well as some whom Jiang Dai had not invited in the first place but had taken the initiative to request one long beforehand.

　　In any case, it was a party with a simple purpose of celebrating one’s birthday and having loads of fun. At the same time, people can take this chance to network, which was not a significant issue for many guests.

　　What’s more, Nangang Palace was simply massive. Only after living in it for such a long time did Jiang Dai realize that it was a shame not to host a party in the villa after purchasing it.

　　With her hectic work schedule, it was a pity that she did not always have the time and energy to enjoy herself. Hence, it was fantastic that she could take advantage of this opportunity to have some fun.

　　However, there were just far too many people, so it was rather troublesome for her to manage the party by herself.

　　This was where her employees and her team of bodyguards came in handy. Everything from the security checks at the entrance to the waiters who provided simple services in the villa, including the emcee who managed the entire queueing system, was well-organized.