Jiang Cheng's words meant that the value of the necklace lay not in its brand, diamonds, or design, but in the fact that it was given to "Xia Li."
Because it is for you, it is imbued with meaning; you are not special simply because it is expensive.
An unprecedented, intense tremor slammed into her chest, even stronger than before!
The 88 points of emotional value shot up a small notch, like a thermometer plunged into hot water.
But her powerful willpower firmly suppressed it, only allowing violent, churning undercurrents to surge in the depths of her heart.
Jiang Cheng did not reply. He reached out directly to pick up the platinum chain from the box.
Hooking the platinum chain with his fingertips, he swung it slightly, speaking in a casual tone, "Turn around."
Xia Li's heart skipped a beat, and all her muscles instantly tensed up.
Yet, she instinctively turned around, her back straight and rigid, obediently facing away from him.
The moment the cold chain touched the skin on the back of her neck, she couldn't help but shiver slightly.
Jiang Cheng's fingers were not delicate, bearing slight calluses.
They accidentally brushed against the most sensitive skin on the side of her neck, causing the tips of her ears to suddenly burn.
Jiang Cheng had originally just intended to help her put on the necklace, but his gaze involuntarily paused when it fell upon her fair, slender neck.
Mm, fair and smooth, and there was a faint, subtle fragrance when he leaned closer.
In an instant, Jiang Cheng couldn't help but lean in closer.
The clasp, which was supposed to be fastened from the back, was pulled by Jiang Cheng to the front of her chest.
He wrapped both arms around Xia Li's shoulders, rested his neck slightly near her shoulder, and slowly fiddled with the clasp.
This sudden intimate gesture instantly caused Xia Li's legs to slowly clamp together slightly.
She could feel that the person behind her was not very practiced.
But that slight touch felt like an electric current, shooting straight into her heart, making her pulse pound like a drum against her eardrums.
As Jiang Cheng's personal maid, she had heard plenty of rumors and gossip.
Although her identity was very unique, setting aside her background and experiences, she was still a normal woman.
Even if she was highly restrained normally, being constantly stimulated by this environment made it easy for her imagination to run wild.
Especially since Jiang Cheng was a man who was young, powerful, and had a good physique.
Now, being embraced by Jiang Cheng like this, she felt that the various DIY poses she occasionally thought about at night while thinking of him were beginning to materialize.
Xia Li silently closed her eyes.
Unfortunately, the time was too short. Before she could even begin imagining, *click*, Jiang Cheng had already fastened the clasp.
Unaware of Xia Li's abnormality, Jiang Cheng leisurely withdrew his hand.
He walked around her body to stand in front of her, his gaze unapologetic as it landed directly on the pendant below her collarbone.
Following the exquisite curve, his eyes slowly swept over her neckline, carrying undisguised admiration.
After a moment, he spoke lazily, his tone carrying a hint of roguishness: "Tsk, I have to say, it suits you quite well."
It wasn't until Jiang Cheng's figure walked out of the hall and disappeared into the corridor that Xia Li felt as if all her supporting strength had been drained away.
She took a deep, extremely slow breath, and then slowly exhaled.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting bright spots of light on the carpet.
It also fell upon the dark blue gift box in her hand, where the silver ribbon shimmered with fragmented light.
She raised her hand, her fingertips trembling slightly, and gently touched the pendant on her chest.
The cold metallic touch truly reminded her that everything that had just happened was not an illusion.
She walked over to the glass window on one side of the living room, which was as smooth as a mirror, and looked at her reflection.
The striking, delicate adornment on her neck shimmered with fragmented light.
It felt out of place, yet... it was strangely worn on her body.
She stared at the necklace in the reflection for a long, long time.
Warmth? A foreign warmth that she didn't know how to handle.
It was attempting to penetrate her senses, which were constantly on guard.
And a trace of... secret excitement and sweetness that she herself did not dare to examine too closely.
It was firmly suppressed beneath the iceberg, only leaking a nearly imperceptible trace of feeling.
The expression on her face finally settled into silent coolness.
As if all the previous inner turmoil had been mere illusion.
But only she knew that beneath the frozen surface of the lake in her heart.
Something had silently melted a corner, revealing the soft lakebed beneath that had never been shown to anyone.
She ultimately did not take off the necklace.
She lowered her head and gazed at this sudden gift.
A birthday... gift?
So, this is what it feels like to be remembered... Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng was already sitting in the red flag car and had arrived at a private dining restaurant near the Rear Sea area.
It wasn't long before Jiang Xin's car pulled up by the side of the road.
He quickly got out and strode rapidly toward the entrance of the private dining restaurant, which bore a wooden plaque reading "Xishan Xiaoguan."
He was soon led by the Waitress to the private room Jiang Cheng had booked.
The moment he saw Jiang Cheng, his tone carried appropriate respect: "Brother Cheng, this place is nice, it looks quite elegant."
Jiang Cheng leaned back in a bamboo chair, turning a teacup between his fingers, and nodded faintly: "Just a random spot I found. It's quiet."
The two sat down. The Waitress refilled their hot tea and withdrew, leaving only the faint sound of water pouring over tea in the private room.
Jiang Xin spoke first, a proper smile on his face: "Brother Cheng, I heard from An-zi that your operation over at Facebook went smoothly."