Chapter 274: The Necklace Was Originally Yours

Since Li Beijue had already spoken to this extent, Jiang Baobao naturally found it difficult to decline any further.

She hesitated for two seconds, finally nodded, and could not help but look at the small box in her hand with some curiosity.

What kind of thing had Li Beijue prepared?

And he insisted that she see it for herself...

Thinking this, Jiang Baobao carefully opened the clasp on the box.

With a "click," the small metal piece sprang open to both sides.

Jiang Baobao subconsciously held her breath and gently opened the lid.

Immediately, her gaze froze, and an expression of disbelief instantly appeared on her face.

"This... where did you get this necklace?"

Jiang Baobao's tone was uncontrollably excited; as she spoke, she took the necklace out of the box, her fingertips trembling slightly.

Under the moonlight, a thin silver chain held a magnolia flower carved from jade, its entire body flowing with a warm luster, appearing quiet and beautiful.

Looking at the necklace before her, Jiang Baobao even subconsciously softened her breathing.

"This necklace has always been with me; it was left behind by a girl who saved me... back then." Li Beijue suddenly spoke in a low voice, slowly recounting the events of that year.

It felt as if a heavy stone had suddenly been lifted from his heart, leaving him feeling incredibly relieved.

Shock filled Jiang Baobao's eyes once more, and she looked at the person before her in disbelief, her mind suddenly becoming a bit chaotic.

Is Li Beijue... finally willing to face what happened back then?

Didn't he never mention the fact that she had saved him?

Just as Jiang Baobao was thinking this, she suddenly heard Li Beijue continue: "The necklace should have been returned to its owner long ago. I hope it's not too late. Back then... thank you."

Li Beijue's tone was heavy, yet filled with complete relief, as he finally spoke the long-overdue thanks.

Jiang Baobao listened to his words in a daze, then looked down at the necklace in her hand, her heart suddenly filled with mixed emotions.

She had never dreamed that there would be a day when this necklace would return to her hands...

And she had never imagined that it had been with Li Beijue all along; heaven really is...

The two stood facing each other, neither speaking first; there was only the sound of the waves gently lapping against the beach.

Jiang Baobao's mind was still in a whirl, feeling that something about this matter seemed wrong.

When Li Beijue was drunk that time, he had once asked her if she had such a necklace...

And after that...

Jiang Baobao suddenly remembered that inexplicable kiss from last time, and her expression changed abruptly.

Could it be that he only confirmed her identity through this necklace?

A flash of insight suddenly struck Jiang Baobao's mind, and she blurted out: "Li Beijue, did you not know before that the person who saved you was me?"

"I..." Li Beijue opened his mouth, his expression suddenly becoming somewhat subtle.

Seeing his expression, Jiang Baobao knew roughly what had happened, and she stood frozen on the spot, not knowing whether to laugh or be angry for a moment.

So, after being by his side for so many years, he never knew from beginning to end that the girl who saved him back then was her?

Yet he kept her necklace for so long, and only recently realized what was going on?

Jiang Baobao took a deep breath, suddenly feeling as if the time they had spent together during that period was like a dream.

But it was just a simple matter of a single sentence; if she had taken the initiative to explain it to him later, could everything have been different?

Yet the two of them had lived with this misunderstanding for so many years...

Perhaps they really weren't meant to be.

Now they were truly back to square one; in the future, besides the three children, she and Li Beijue could probably just be considered ordinary friends, right?

Jiang Baobao sighed in her heart, looking at the necklace in her hand, and suddenly felt much more at ease.

Watching Jiang Baobao's expression, Li Beijue also felt hesitant for a moment, even feeling uncharacteristically nervous.

If he confessed now... would he scare her?

But if he missed this opportunity...

Just as Li Beijue was thinking this, he suddenly heard Jiang Baobao say softly: "Could you please help me put it on?"

"Okay." He agreed without a second thought, stepped forward two paces, took the thin silver chain from Jiang Baobao's hand, and gently hung it around her fair, slender neck.

The jade used for the carving was made of a special material, and it always carried a hint of warmth to the touch.

Jiang Baobao reached out and gently touched the Magnolia Pendant on her chest, her mind involuntarily filled with the memory of her mother's gentleness and care while she was alive.

Her gaze flickered for a moment, and she suddenly felt a stinging sensation in her nose.

"Li Beijue... thank you."

Jiang Baobao suddenly spoke to thank him.

"Hmm?" Li Beijue responded subconsciously, his tone somewhat puzzled.

Jiang Baobao took a deep breath, then forced a smile and replied: "Thank you for keeping this necklace so well for me. I thought I would never see it again in my life... It is really important to me."

Hearing this, Li Beijue paused slightly, his gaze flickering for a moment as he fastened the clasp of the necklace for her, the words he wanted to use to express his feelings reaching his lips.

"I..."

"Do you want to go have a couple of drinks?"

The two spoke almost simultaneously, and then looked at each other at the same time.

Seeing that he seemed to have something to say, Jiang Baobao asked casually: "What did you want to say just now?"

"Nothing, if you want to drink, I'm always available." Li Beijue shook his head gently with complex emotions, unable to help but look at the person before him with amusement.

Jiang Baobao nodded, then turned and walked back toward the direction of the castle.

The two did not return to the garden, but instead took two bottles of red wine separately and went to the terrace on the second floor of the garden.

This place offered a view of the scenery below while being very quiet, making it a good place to talk.

Jiang Baobao leaned against the edge of the balcony and was the first to pour herself a large glass of red wine.

"Don't drink too much." Seeing this, Li Beijue couldn't help but frown and offer a reminder.

No sooner had the words left his lips than he heard the person beside him let out a soft chuckle.

"Shouldn't you be the one who knows my alcohol tolerance best?"

Jiang Baobao smiled, gently swirled her wine glass, and drank half of it in one go.

Li Beijue's gaze flickered for a moment; knowing she was referring to the time he had made her drink over thirty glasses of champagne in one sitting, he wisely chose not to respond.

Immediately after, he heard Jiang Baobao say in a low voice, "The reason this necklace is so important is because... it was a gift from my mother..."

Li Beijue's hand holding his wine glass tightened slightly; he didn't speak, but simply looked at the person before him with a calm expression.

She wasn't looking to have a conversation with anyone.

It was just that some things had been weighing on her heart for too long and needed to be said aloud.

He was more than happy to be her listener.