“Star Tear” truly lives up to its name.
As soon as Aier stepped into the shop, she was dazzled by the overwhelming display of jewels—the crystal chandeliers refracted shimmering lights, and it felt as if golden dust floated in the air.
Inside the display window, a one-of-a-kind Blue Sapphire Necklace flowed with a starlit brilliance atop black velvet.
When the shop owner saw the seal Ailei handed over, his expression changed instantly, and he quickly presented a black velvet tray. “These are newly arrived South Sea Pearls, each one—”
“Not suitable.” Ailei interrupted directly. “Bring out some styles that suit a young girl.”
When the second tray of jewelry was laid out, Aier drew a sharp breath.
Those Rose Gold Ruby Bracelets alone probably cost more than she and her sister could spend in decades.
Even when she was a noble, the most expensive jewelry she’d ever seen couldn’t compare to what lay before her now.
Aier said, “Let’s forget it. Honestly, I’m not that interested in jewelry. It would just be a waste on me.”
Besides, it would only increase my chances of getting robbed on the street…
Aier’s petite frame made her look easy to bully. Last time, she’d been cornered in an alley by a gang of delinquent girls without much effort.
She truly felt these things were unnecessary, especially since she instinctively didn’t want to spend too much of Xie Yier’s money.
Spending a woman’s money—sooner or later, she’ll come to collect it back from you.
At that thought, Aier couldn’t help but shiver slightly. Memories of last night’s tangled embraces, panting breaths, and friction… all floated back to the surface…
Ahhh!!! Stop it, I don’t want to remember anymore ( >﹏<。)
Ailei watched her flustered expression, and a faint trace of amusement passed over her usually cool face. “Why bother saving money for the Duke? It’s the Empire’s money anyway. If you don’t spend it, it’s wasted.”
Ailei truly felt different now compared to how she was in the castle—almost stubborn, in fact.
The more you refuse, the more I want to give you.
Maybe she’d picked up some habits from being around Lady Xie Yier for so long.
Aier stammered, “If I buy something this expensive, I’ll get scolded…”
Ailei laughed. “It’s fine. You’re too timid. Just a single banquet she hosts costs far more than this. This bit of spending doesn’t even register to her.”
“Gulp~” Aier swallowed nervously.
Just a random banquet costs as much as tens of thousands of Black Bread?! Her little world was hit with a nuclear-level shock; her mind went completely blank.
Ailei ignored the dazed Aier and picked up a pair of Teardrop Gem Earrings. “Try these.”
The cold metal touched her earlobe, and in the mirror, the girl’s golden hair shimmered, the gems making her blue eyes even clearer.
She looked just like a pampered little noble.
Was this really the same girl who used to hide in the slums gnawing on Black Bread?
“Try the necklace too.”
The gemstone necklace suddenly pressed against her neck, making Aier shudder.
It was too similar… too much like Xie Yier’s fingertips entwined around her neck last night, carrying an inescapable chill—just like having a Neck Collar put on.
Aier felt no joy at wearing such a luxurious necklace. On the contrary, she could only pray that this gorgeous piece would never actually become a Neck Collar or a Lock Chain one day.
In the end, Ailei bought all three items she’d just picked out.
“We’ll take them all,” Ailei nodded to the owner, then turned to see Aier secretly inspecting the price tag on the necklace. “Stop counting. There are at least three more zeroes after that.”
And those are all in gold coins.
Aier’s hand froze midair.
“Do you need anything else for yourself? Or any miscellaneous daily necessities and the like?”
“No… I don’t need anything.”
Aier hurriedly waved her hands. She was too used to being poor; suddenly coming into wealth, her mindset just couldn’t change overnight.
“If you want anything, just buy it all at once. You’ll use it eventually.”
“No, no, I’m really fine.”
Seeing Aier’s timid look and her attempt to pull her wrist away, Ailei finally stopped insisting.
“Alright. I really don’t get why you’re so timid. How will you ever win a lady’s favor like this?”
As they passed a Civilian Tea Restaurant wafting with a sweet aroma, Aier’s steps froze in place, her eyes fixed on the orange-yellow iced drinks in the window.
She hesitated for a long time, then gently tugged at Ailei’s sleeve.
“Um…” Her cheeks flushed, her voice was laced with cautious hope, and her eyes brimmed with longing as she looked up. “Can I get a Sweet Iced Tea? …Just the kind that’s two copper coins…”
Her voice grew softer and softer.
Ailei was momentarily taken aback.
The girl who had just tried on jewelry worth a million gold coins now had eyes shining with desire for a cheap drink.
Ailei suddenly found it funny, but also thought this girl was a little cute.
“Wait here then.” As Ailei walked over, she could still hear the tiny, excited squeal from behind her.
Millions in gold coins couldn’t move her, but a single cup of Sweet Iced Tea was enough to make her so happy.
After Ailei left, Aier stood alone by the wall, lost in thought.
Just then, a heavy wave of perfume swept over her.
Aier looked up to see a woman with heavy makeup leaning close, her low-cut dress nearly brushing against Aier’s face.
Aier: ?
She blinked her wide, innocent eyes, full of question marks. She didn’t know this woman, nor why she’d suddenly approached her.
“Hey there, cutie, all alone~” The woman’s deliberately drawn-out tone was sticky-sweet, and she subconsciously licked her lips.
That predatory gaze, like a venomous snake, looked as if it wanted to devour Aier whole.
Oh no, did I just run into a female delinquent?!
Aier instinctively took a half-step back. “I-I’m waiting for someone… Is there something you want?”
The woman’s eyes, like a serpent’s tongue, swept over Aier from head to toe—the Teardrop Gem Earrings alone were worth at least fifty gold coins, and the Blue Sapphire Necklace was priceless.
This was definitely the precious darling of some high-ranking noble!
And she looked inexperienced, naive, wealthy, and easy to fool.
In just a moment, the woman had run all the calculations in her mind.
“I’m from the Opera House…” The woman, her nails painted red, was about to reach for Aier’s shoulder.
“Get lost.”
Ailei’s voice sliced through the air like a blade. No one knew when she’d appeared between them, her silver hair glinting coldly in the sunlight.
NICE! It’s Ailei! I’m saved!
Aier immediately relaxed.
“I-I was just asking for directions…” The woman’s face turned pale, her lie full of holes.
Ailei let out a short snort from her nose, and under her icy gaze, the woman wilted like a boneless snake, stumbling away in her high heels.
Aier: The two of us are absolutely crushing it.jpg
“You,” Ailei turned and poked Aier’s forehead, “the Duke hates it when others touch her things. Don’t you know? If other women come up to get close, you dare talk to them?”
Aier quickly waved her hands in protest. “I didn’t! She came up to talk to me on her own—I didn’t even know what she wanted.”
Her patron was Lady Xie Yier; how could she dare talk to other women?
Xie Yier wasn’t just any woman—she was the kind of woman who could make her disappear without a trace with just a word.
“Then why didn’t you refuse? Standing there all dumb…”
“Ugh… I promise I’ll remember next time.” Aier replied pitifully.