Chapter 331: This necklace, I forbid you from wearing it again

Qin Yiyan gave a cold snort, his gaze slowly falling upon the necklace on Liu Xin'ai's chest.

Then, he suddenly asked in a low voice, "This ring... it was given to you by that man named Jiang Chenghao, wasn't it?"

"You!" Upon hearing this, Liu Xin'ai's heart skipped a beat; she recoiled sharply and instinctively reached up to cover her chest.

Qin Yiyan, however, raised an eyebrow dismissively and took a step forward.

"Don't be so surprised. I told you, I investigated you before, so naturally, I know you previously had a fiancé. It's just unfortunate that he met with an accident. I didn't expect you to actually keep the ring he gave you; you really are deeply devoted."

His tone was inexplicably sarcastic, making Liu Xin'ai knit her brows tightly, feeling rather uncomfortable.

Then she heard Qin Yiyan continue, "Although your feelings for him are touching, you are my fiancée now. I don't want to see this ring appear on your neck ever again."

As Qin Yiyan reached the end of his sentence, his tone turned somewhat icy.

Liu Xin'ai immediately widened her eyes and retorted unhappily, "By what right?"

"By the right that you are my fiancée now! Wearing a ring given to you by another man—are you trying to provoke me on purpose, hmm?"

As Qin Yiyan spoke, he suddenly lunged forward and grabbed Liu Xin'ai's hand!

"Wearing the ring he gave you is one thing, but you even took off the engagement ring I gave you today. What are you trying to tell me? That even though we are engaged, your heart is still his? Still holding onto some ridiculous sentiment for him?"

"Shut up!" Liu Xin'ai could bear it no longer and suddenly shouted at Qin Yiyan.

Qin Yiyan did not stop; instead, he continued, "Am I wrong? Liu Xin'ai, I thought I had made myself very clear to you. I am a fair person; how you treat me is how I will treat you. If you continue to wear this ring and someone else discovers something, leading to gossip, then don't blame me for paying you back in kind. When that happens, in the eyes of outsiders, the infinitely glamorous Young Mistress of the Qin Family can't even keep her own man in check—who do you think will lose the most face? Not me, and not the Qin Family, but your father."

"Qin Yiyan! Are you a madman!"

Liu Xin'ai was deeply stung by his words; she widened her eyes and looked at the person in front of her in disbelief.

"What do you think?" Qin Yiyan raised an eyebrow noncommittally, his face returning to its usual smile, and he asked unhurriedly, "Didn't you just say that you already know my true colors?"

As he spoke, he reached out a finger and lightly toyed with the ring on Liu Xin'ai's chest.

Liu Xin'ai immediately slapped his hand away, her face showing undisguised disgust and dissatisfaction.

This time, Qin Yiyan did not get angry; he only gave a scoff.

"What? Do you feel I'm unworthy of touching the ring that represents your pure love? Liu Xin'ai, you really are too naive."

Qin Yiyan looked at the woman before him, whose cheeks were growing redder from the alcohol and emotional agitation, and reached out to pinch her chin.

"The one who betrayed your love is none other than yourself, isn't it? I heard your former fiancé had some brain damage because of a car accident. Even if Father Qin didn't allow the two of you to be together, if you truly cared for him that much, I would respect you for choosing to remain unmarried for life. But since you have already made your choice, who are you wearing this ring for now? Is it to disgust me, or to give yourself some insignificant psychological comfort... to make your guilt feel less heavy? Hmm?"

Qin Yiyan's words were extremely frank and explicit, without any concealment; every word was like a sharp little knife, stabbing fiercely into Liu Xin'ai's heart.

Liu Xin'ai's gaze froze, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

She opened her mouth, wanting to retort, but her mind went somewhat blank.

Qin Yiyan loosened his grip slightly and took a step back.

"Once you've understood, take off the necklace. I don't want to see it again!"

He dropped this sentence and turned to walk toward the stairs.

Liu Xin'ai stood where she was, her fingers trembling slightly.

It wasn't like that... it wasn't the way Qin Yiyan said!

She wore this ring because she had never forgotten Cheng Hao!

She remembered all his kindness, and she remembered how sweet the relationship between the two of them had been!

None of this should be forgotten!

That was the only memory that could make her feel happy and at peace...

Even if she was currently unable to follow her own will...

Liu Xin'ai's eyes flickered for a moment, then she suddenly thought of something and strode toward the stairs, quickly overtaking Qin Yiyan, who was already heading up.

She then turned around abruptly and said with a firm tone, "I will not take off the necklace!"

Qin Yiyan paused in his steps and looked at her expressionlessly.

Liu Xin'ai continued loudly, "I talked to you about this back then; the one who insisted on getting engaged was you, not me! Yes, I am cowardly, and I have no way to resist my family's wishes, but you clearly had a choice..."

As Liu Xin'ai spoke, a bitter smile could not help but appear on her face.

"You are also one of the accomplices who caused this current situation; by what right do you blame me? Someone like you, who has never had a sincere heart, simply doesn't understand, and you have no qualifications to judge my feelings! This ring and necklace are my private property; how I handle them is my own business, and it has nothing to do with you!"

Liu Xin'ai said everything that was on her mind.

After speaking, she immediately turned and strode back to her room, fearing that Qin Yiyan would chase after her.

With a "bang," the room door was slammed shut.

Liu Xin'ai leaned against the door, gasping for air again and again.

Not until she heard another violent door-slamming sound from not far away did she finally let out a long breath.

Qin Yiyan... has he returned to his room too?

Then he shouldn't come over again...

Liu Xin'ai's body felt inexplicably weak, and her cheeks were still burning hot.

She walked slowly toward the bed and collapsed onto it.

Her handbag was still lying to one side.

Liu Xin'ai stared at it for a few seconds, then suddenly thought of something; she moved sluggishly to take out her phone and pressed the power button.

A flash of light crossed the screen, and a few seconds later, the screen lit up completely.

At the same time, an unread message popped up.

Liu Xin'ai saw the three characters "Jiang Baobao" displayed on it and hurriedly tapped it open.

After seeing the content of the message, a look of sudden realization appeared on her face, followed by a trace of bitterness.

No wonder Baobao didn't come today...

But it's better that she didn't come... her own state today was truly too poor.

If she saw it, she would definitely be worried...

Liu Xin'ai thought, and quickly edited a reply on her phone.

【I am fine, everything is very good. I am on vacation abroad these few days, no need to worry.】

She briefly explained her situation, casually pressed the send button, and only then tossed the phone to one side.

Yet her fingers could not help but gently stroke the small ring on her chest, a trace of determination flashing in her eyes.

No matter what, she would definitely protect this ring well!