"Huanhuan, do you need anything?" Fu Yuan, though quiet by nature, still found shopping irresistible. The mall's dazzling displays had already overwhelmed her senses; she was pulling Ning Yunhuan around the store while turning her head back to ask without a glance.

"I want to pick out a necklace for my mom's birthday next month." As Ning Yunhuan spoke, her eyes scanned the counter displays across from them.

The mention of Madam Ning's birthday immediately lit up Fu Yuan's eyes: "Auntie Ning? I'll get her a gift too!" This quiet, well-mannered girl was exactly what wealthy young men craved - pure and sincere. The Fu family had raised her this way deliberately. In their previous life, Ning Yunhuan had consciously transformed herself into such an angelic figure to escape the tragic fate of the book's female lead character, which explained why they'd become close friends. Now that Fu Yuan wanted to buy a gift for Auntie Ning's birthday, it was no surprise to her.

After circling around, Ning Yunhuan found what she wanted at a counter directly opposite the mall's right entrance. A silver necklace lay in a display mold - its pendant shaped like dewdrops on lotus leaves with a two-to-three-carat diamond as the centerpiece and additional smaller diamonds for accent. The design was simple yet elegant, exuding both nobility and grace through the substantial diamond.

Ning Yunhuan's hand reached out instinctively to trace the glass display case where the necklace rested.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Fu Yuan leaned in with her as well. Even through the glass, the diamonds' brilliance remained undiminished, their light turning the silver chain into a mere accessory that accentuated its extraordinary quality.

"Ma'am, this is one of our store's most prized pieces," The shop assistant appeared quickly from behind the counter, "The pendant design combines simplicity with sophistication. That central diamond alone has..." Her eyes flicked between Ning Yunhuan and Fu Yuan, noting their understated yet luxurious attire before her expression warmed further.

Ning Yunhuan had already been captivated, but the saleswoman's explanation only deepened her interest. Nodding to Fu Yuan, she stepped into the store with her friend.

Without the outside light reflecting through the glass, Ning Yunhuan could now fully appreciate the pendant's beauty. The shop assistant retrieved a key and carefully unlocked the display case, lifting out both the mold and necklace with meticulous care.

These high-value items remained locked away unless potential buyers showed serious interest - which they clearly were doing. The saleswoman handled them solemnly as she spoke, her voice trembling slightly: "The diamond's total weight is..." Each word carried calculated precision, given the necklace likely priced over one million yuan. A successful sale would mean substantial commission.

Ning Yunhuan had already fallen in love with it, but hearing these numbers made her regret rejecting Ning Yuncheng's wallet back home. As the eldest son of a wealthy family, he undoubtedly possessed cards with millions at his disposal. She cursed her pride silently - this was just interest on what she owed him.

As she straightened up from examining the necklace, her gaze through the glass window froze. Outside stood an imposing figure that felt disturbingly familiar. Ning Yunhuan narrowed her eyes as she leaned closer to the display case.

In a previous life, she'd been so focused on escaping her tragic fate that she'd remained innocent of all men's affairs. Yet this man's commanding presence stirred some buried memory. Just then he turned his head, revealing a sharp-jawed face etched like marble beneath long bangs and glasses.

The spectacles softened his otherwise formidable aura into refined elegance. His tightly pressed lips contrasted with the chiseled chin below - an undeniably handsome man radiating sophistication.

Some people's presence could command attention without uttering a word. Ning Yunhuan felt her breath catch as she stared, suddenly drenched in cold sweat from head to back. Her slender legs began trembling uncontrollably...

**Her delicate calves beneath the skirt spasmed violently, face turning deathly pale.

"I think this necklace is beautiful," Fu Yuan murmured, herself drawn to the diamond's allure. But Ning Yunhuan had initially said it was for Auntie Ning's birthday - now that Fu Yuan wanted it too, she began calculating how to persuade her friend otherwise.

But Ning Yunhuan gave no reaction at all. Raising an eyebrow curiously, Fu Yuan followed her gaze to the window and gently jostled her: "Yunhuan, what's wrong?"

The man outside must have sensed her distress through his own indifferent eyes - a smirk played across his lips before he strode into the mall.

As the automatic doors opened, he stepped inside with languid grace. His striking face emerged from the frame - wearing a forest-green checkered shirt that accentuated his long legs in black slacks.

Fu Yuan's breath hitched at sight of him, her cheeks flushing with colorless heat.

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