Chapter 89 — Lies
"Bai Xia, what did you say?"
Bai Xuan's voice trembled with disbelief, as if she was sure she had misheard.
"I said," Bai Xia repeated calmly, "I like someone. He's the one I like, and he's my boyfriend."
As she spoke, she moved closer to Fu Jian, looping her arm through his with a soft but confident gesture. Fu Jian caught her signal immediately. He stepped forward, his posture straight, his expression solemn.
"Hello," he said respectfully, bowing slightly. "My name is Fu Jian. I'll definitely take care of your sister… she means everything to me."
Bai Xuan blinked.
She hadn't expected that.
Her gaze went from Bai Xia to Fu Jian again. Well… at least her sister had good taste.
"I thought you were joking," Bai Xuan muttered, her tone far less sharp now.
"How could I be joking?" Bai Xia raised an eyebrow. "He's right here."
Bai Xuan turned her attention fully to Fu Jian, her expression becoming serious again.
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-four," Fu Jian replied simply.
Bai Xuan had wanted to intimidate him, but the depth of his gaze threw her off balance. It was too quiet, too steady, too unreadable. She ended up looking away first, feeling strangely threatened.
Where in the world did Bai Xia find this kind of man?
She cleared her throat, pretending to be unaffected.
"Well… a six–year difference isn't much. And Xiao Xia has good judgment. But if you dare hurt her, Bai Yan won't let you off lightly. He'll hunt you to the ends of the earth."
Bai Xia's body stiffened.
"Bai Xuan, don't tell Bai Yan. In fact, don't tell anyone."
"Relax," Bai Xuan waved her hand. "This isn't my first rodeo."
Bai Xia frowned. "What do you mean it's not your first—"
"Okay!" Bai Xuan interrupted abruptly. "Let's get going."
And with that, she marched out of the room as if the topic had already ended.
Fu Jian let out a small laugh. "Your sister is quite interesting."
"Yes," Bai Xia sighed dramatically. "Sometimes she's like this, and sometimes she acts like a hundred-year-old grandpa."
Fu Jian chuckled. "My sister-in-law is a bit strange."
"Who's your sister-in-law? I never agreed to marry you."
"If you don't marry me, I'll die."
"What's going to kill you?"
"Well, if my grandfather and mother don't get to me first," he said seriously, "my heart will just slowly stop when you're not near."
"You're so thick-skinned."
---
Arriving at the Gambling Market
The three of them left the company together. They hailed a taxi, while Stella followed behind in the car. After about twenty-five minutes, they stopped in front of the familiar stone-gambling market.
The place was lively and chaotic, buzzing with the rough energy of countless traders, buyers, and hopeful fortune-seekers. Rows of stalls were crammed side by side beneath faded awnings. Large raw stones—rough, dusty, and mysterious—were piled like small mountains. Some men sat on wooden stools, smoking cigarettes while rolling jade stones between their palms. Others shouted out prices, striking deals with quick hand gestures. The air smelled of dust, sweat, and the sharp scent of cut stone. Green flakes from freshly sliced roughs glimmered faintly on the ground, catching the light like scattered shards of hope.
Most of the buildings around were old, their walls stained with age, but the crowd's excitement made the entire place feel alive—noisy, unpredictable, and full of hidden treasure.
As they entered, the three strolled through the aisles, scanning stones, watching cutters work, listening to bargaining voices rise and fall.
They had only been browsing for a few minutes when a cheerful voice suddenly rang out behind them.
"Brother Fu Jian!"
All three of them turned instantly.
A young woman hurried toward them, smiling brightly. Fu Jian looked genuinely surprised.
"Mei Mei? Why are you here?"
Bai Xuan stiffened.
Brother Fu Jian?
Why did she sound so familiar?
And why was she standing so close to him?
Bai Xia's first reaction was worse—she almost wanted to grab the girl by the collar and throw her aside. Why was she sticking so close to her man?
She tugged lightly on Fu Jian's sleeve, her eyes asking a silent question.
Fu Jian panicked, realizing how this must look. He quickly reached for Bai Xia's hand to reassure her.
Mei Mei noticed immediately. Her smile faded.
Her face turned dark.
"Brother Fu Jian, you shouldn't be getting so close to wild girls."
Bai Xuan snapped instantly.
"What do you mean by that? They're dating. Why can't they hold hands?"
When Mei Mei heard that, her eyes widened dramatically.
"Brother Fu Jian—you're cheating on sister-in-law?!"
Bai Xia's expression didn't change, but her heart skipped.
Sister-in-law?
Mei Mei continued, voice rising in outrage.
"Just a few days ago, you told me and Mom how much you love her—and now you let this wild woman deceive you?"
Bai Xia felt something cold grip her chest.
Fiancée? Girlfriend? Another woman?
Had he been lying to her all this time?
She stared at Fu Jian again, but his expression was pitch black. Before she could speak, Bai Xuan grabbed her hand strongly—
"Bai Xia, let's go—"