Chapter 1

The sun lazily scattered its rays over Mykonos, a pearl seemingly dropped into the Aegean Sea. The sea and sky were one, a blue so intense it was like a gemstone radiating a dazzling light, making one unable to resist lingering and never leaving.

Unfortunately, Shen Bingxin had not come to this vacation paradise just to sunbathe and sleep; she had a more important mission to carry out.

Carrying light luggage, she walked with nimble steps, squinting slightly as she looked at the beautiful little hotel before her, with its white exterior and blue window frames.

This was the place!

As soon as she stepped into the hotel, she saw the person lost in thought by the poolside. Ha! Success came without any effort. She waved off the waiter who was preparing to greet her and walked straight toward the pool.

"Sister—I've finally found you," Shen Bingxin said with a light, cheerful laugh.

"Bingxin? Why are you here?" The familiar language and familiar voice made Shen Qingxin turn around abruptly, staring at her twin sister, who possessed an identical face but a completely different personality.

Shen Bingxin's beauty was wild and free; she was bright, passionate, and completely unpretentious—the kind of girl who could attract everyone's attention the moment she appeared. Shen Qingxin was different; she was gentle and introverted. If she had worries, she often kept them buried in her heart, never letting others know. She was as comforting as a spring breeze.

If Shen Bingxin was the passionate sun, then Shen Qingxin was the gentle moon. Though they possessed different traits, they were equally captivating.

"I came to find you, of course. You've been wandering abroad for so long without coming home to see me," Shen Bingxin pouted, tossing her luggage onto the ground.

"I've been staying abroad because of work, not because I don't want to go home. You should understand that." She raised the pen and paper in her hand, which had simple sketches on them, to prove she wasn't lying.

Shen Qingxin worked in jewelry design. The public reason for her long stay abroad was to seek inspiration, but smart people knew this was a lie. They just didn't want to expose her, fearing it would hurt her feelings.

"Yes, yes, yes." Shen Bingxin rolled her eyes and helplessly ran her fingers through her chic short hair. Aside from their personalities, the best way to tell her and Shen Qingxin apart was their hairstyles. Qingxin had always worn her hair long, while she wore hers in a chic short cut to suit her active personality.

"Dad wouldn't dare keep you from coming home just because you turned in a few less design drafts," Shen Bingxin muttered.

Qingxin constantly designed various styles of jewelry, and the biggest beneficiary was their father, who ran a jewelry company. Every time she launched a new design, it earned their father a lot of money. If it were any other designer, they would have been arrogant and acting like a boss, unlike Qingxin, who remained as desireless as ever. It was simply foolish! If it were her, she would have squeezed their father for a fortune and lived a carefree life!

"Heh, Dad is dying for me to come home early! But don't you think this place is great? The sunshine, the air, and the water here all make me feel very comfortable. I'm very happy here, and it allows me to focus on the limited-edition styles I'm planning to launch next year."

The clear blue sky and the bright blue sea—everything here cleansed her soul, making her reluctant to leave.

"Wrong! I don't think this place is good at all. A bunch of tourists—I really don't understand how you can stand it," Shen Bingxin retorted, disagreeing.

She had come today with a heavy responsibility. If she didn't complete her mission, how could she have the face to go home?

"You, oh you." Shen Qingxin shook her head and laughed softly. She understood her sister's personality; if she stayed here for a few days, she could endure it, but if she had to live here for a long time, she would probably go crazy.

"By the way, Sister, to tell you the truth, this is the first time I've felt your decision was right." Shen Bingxin suddenly said this out of the blue.

"What do you mean?" Shen Qingxin was puzzled.

"It's about that Sima Langri!" She mentioned him as if she didn't care, but her eyes were observing sharply!

"Why... why bring him up suddenly?" Shen Qingxin's heart gave a sudden jolt. The pain made her almost unable to breathe, but she didn't want to show it and let Bingxin find out, so she could only pretend to be indifferent.

"Him, heh! Heh!" Caught! Caught! She had confirmed once again that Qingxin could not forget Sima Langri. She laughed slyly.

Looking at Bingxin's sly smile, Shen Qingxin couldn't tell for a moment whether this smile was directed at her or at Sima Langri. She hoped it was directed at her and not Sima Langri; she knew all too well what this smile represented—ill intent.

"Let me tell you, I don't know what kind of dog-shit luck Sima Langri has been having lately. Previously, although the Sima Family and the Feng Family didn't interact, they at least maintained a peaceful stance on the surface, right? But it's different now. Feng Jue is going all out to deal with him, and on top of that, Feng Jue's cousin married into the Hua family! Hey, hey! With the Feng and Hua families joining forces, I think it will be very hard for Sima Langri to make a comeback! Fortunately, you were smart and had the foresight to resolve the engagement with him early, otherwise, you'd be in trouble too." She recounted Sima Langri's situation with the attitude of someone watching a show.

"How could it be like this?" After hearing this, Shen Qingxin's heart went cold on the spot. Even though she had broken off the engagement with Sima Langri, she didn't want him to have a bad life.

"That She, he also swore to take down Sima Langri, oh! Heh! Sima Langri is now facing enemies on all sides, serves him right!" Heh! Heh! She didn't believe Qingxin could still remain indifferent.

"Why does She still want to go against Lang... Sima Langri?" Shen Qingxin frowned, thinking of the situation Sima Langri was facing, wishing she could share his burdens. But who was she? To Sima Langri, she was nothing! What right did she have to jump out and say she wanted to share his burdens!

"Sister, it's not like you don't know. Although we all played together when we were young, She and Sima Langri just don't get along! Their mothers fought fiercely, and after they grew up, the interests involved became even broader. You tell me, how could they not fight? The Chilong Jade Lock, which represents power and status, is the biggest temptation!" Being childhood sweethearts had this advantage: one could clearly understand the grudges and entanglements of the other's family.

"I hate the Chilong Jade Lock." Shen Qingxin spoke softly, expressing her view on the Chilong Jade Lock for the first time.

Because of the existence of the Chilong Jade Lock, she would never be able to make Sima Langri turn back and look at her properly. He only charged forward blindly, never knowing that there was a woman behind him praying day and night, just for him to occasionally look back and give her a caring smile.

She didn't want much, really not much, but he was never willing to give it, never.

"I feel the same way. Let them fight to the death over that boring thing. Sister, all in all, I still think you are the smartest. After I took a careful look, Mykonos is indeed a good place!" Bingxin began to praise Mykonos Island in a rambling way, completely ignoring what Qingxin might be feeling in her heart after her detailed explanation of Sima Langri's situation.

Hee! Hee! She didn't believe Qingxin could still stay out of it.

No matter how much Bingxin talked about the beautiful scenery in her ear, at this moment, Shen Qingxin couldn't hear a word. Her mind was filled only with Sima Langri. Just thinking about how he had made so many enemies because of the Chilong Jade Lock made her heart ache.

No! She shouldn't think about it anymore. They had nothing to do with each other anymore. It was useless to think about it. She should focus on her work. Yes, she had to focus.

But she just couldn't. The hand holding the pen trembled uncontrollably. Let alone designing jewelry, she couldn't even draw a straight line now.

"Sister, do you want to meet my 101st boyfriend?"

"..." How is Sima Langri doing now? Although she learned of his situation from Bingxin, she still wanted to see him with her own eyes. As long as it was an occasion where he wouldn't discover her, she was willing to sneak a look to see if he was safe.

"Sister, my boyfriend really wants to meet you. You should just come back with me and let my boyfriend get to know you properly!" She had known for a long time that Qingxin wasn't listening to what she was saying, but she still had a way of talking to herself.

"Okay." Shen Qingxin didn't care what the reason for going home was. Since Bingxin provided her with a good excuse, she had nothing to fear. No one would know that she was thinking of him in her heart.

Shen Qingxin was completely unaware that everyone already knew her thoughts. Her parents saw her lingering abroad and refusing to return, so they had no choice but to send Bingxin to trick her back.

She was even more unaware that Bingxin had already reached an agreement with Sima She in private to find a way to bring her back.

Seeing that Qingxin did not object and agreed to go home, Shen Bingxin smiled even more slyly.

Heh! Heh! She had known for a long time that as long as she stepped in, there was nothing she couldn't do. Sima She should wait to thank her properly!

◎◇◎

Slumped in the sofa, closing his sore eyes, the images that surfaced in Sima Langri's mind were those of power struggles over the years. How long had it been? How long had it been since he last felt happy?

Happiness seemed like the most ordinary and easily accessible thing to others, but to him, it was so far out of reach.

He knew he was tired, but he couldn't order himself to stop the pursuit of power and fame. He kept charging forward as if he were bewitched, until he grasped the power that belonged to him.

Heh! He was just an ordinary person, too!

"Ordinary people pursue ordinary things—it couldn't be more appropriate." He shook his head and laughed at himself.

With a self-deprecating smile, he took out the Chilong Jade Lock he had managed to snatch from his pocket. It was only half, and it was the half that didn't belong to the Sima Family. It was truly pathetic.

Thinking about his inability to take back the other half of the Chilong Jade Lock from Feng Jue made his face sink. The dim light couldn't reach his gloomy face, making him sink deeper into darkness, unable to feel a shred of light.

His cold, handsome face was filled with the unwillingness of not being able to succeed. Just a little bit more, and he could have obtained the complete Chilong Jade Lock, replaced his deceased mother to make a name for himself in the Sima Family, and officially lead everyone in the Sima Family.

But fate maliciously played tricks on people, making him always fall short at the final step. Could it be that he would never be able to fully control the power of the Sima Family? Could it be that the Sima Family would really be headed by Sima She?

No! No matter what, he would not be willing to submit to Sima She. He thought his deceased mother would not want to see the son she gave birth to be inferior to others.

So he could not lose no matter what. The word "lose" must never appear in his life. He could only win! And he was only allowed to win.

He would find a way to take back the other half of the Chilong Jade Lock. There was no reason he would be inferior to Sima She, right?

His deep eyes were full of determination, no longer frustrated.

Ring—Ring—The harsh sound of the phone rang suddenly, interrupting his deep thoughts. He looked at the antique clock on the wall in confusion; it was midnight. Who would have the interest to call him so late?

"Hello." Although he had doubts in his heart, he still picked up the phone.

"I have a very special gift to give you." Sima She's unique, triumphant tone came from the other end.

"I don't think you would have anything good to give me." Sima Langri didn't believe his words at all. Sima She was his half-brother and also his competitor. Sima She was dying for him to collapse; how could he kindly send him something?

"Hey! Today is your birthday. Putting aside the hostility between you and me in the past, as your younger brother, I naturally have to celebrate for you properly! As for whether the gift I sent you is good or bad, you decide for yourself. Ha! Ha! Ha!" After laughing loudly a few times, Sima She hung up the phone arrogantly.

Sima Langri glared at the phone that only had a busy signal, frowned, and hung up. He didn't know what kind of trick Sima She was playing, but he would absolutely not let Sima She have a chance to succeed.

No matter what Sima She sent, he would return it without accepting it.

Knock! Knock! "Young Master, are you asleep?" The loyal servant A Xiang asked, knocking on the door.

"I'm not asleep yet. Come in."

"Young Master, outside... someone sent a gift. It was sent by Sima She." A Xiang scratched his head, looking like he didn't know what to do.

"Send it back!" Sima Langri didn't even think about it, telling A Xiang to send the gift back directly.

"But... that gift..." Send it back?! A Xiang felt that such a decision didn't seem quite right.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?" Sima Langri frowned, not understanding why A Xiang didn't follow his instructions quickly and was still hesitating.

"That gift... is Miss Shen." A Xiang whispered, stuttering.

"What?! Which Miss Shen?!" Sima Langri sat up straight abruptly, staring at A Xiang.

"It's Miss Shen Qingxin. She seems to have been drugged and was sent over by Sima She as a gift." A Xiang shrank his shoulders and answered honestly.

It was precisely because the gift sent was Miss Shen Qingxin, and she was the Young Master's former fiancée, that he didn't know what to do with this gift and had specifically come to ask for instructions. Otherwise, he would have already had people deal with the gift.

"Damn it! Where is she?" Sima Langri stood up abruptly and questioned.

"I had people carry her inside." When A Xiang first received the gift sent by Sima She, he was shocked. He never dreamed that Shen Qingxin would be sent over as a gift.

Originally, due to his status, he shouldn't have acted on his own, but the other party was Shen Qingxin! She was not only the Young Master's childhood playmate but also his former fiancée. Just based on her significance to the Young Master, it was completely different from previous women, so he immediately dared to have people carry her out of the car, lest she be contaminated by Sima She's evil energy.

A Xiang stepped aside so that Sima Langri could see the person being carried by the person behind him.

The person behind stepped forward so that Sima Langri could see more clearly. He kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart. Although he was holding a beauty, he didn't dare to have any improper thoughts.

Looking at the sleeping person, Sima Langri's heartbeat gradually accelerated. The cells that had once died came to life in an instant. Reuniting with her felt like a dream. He had thought it was impossible to see her again in this life, but he didn't expect that she would return to his side through Sima She's hands.

He watched her quietly, his emotions so stirred that he couldn't move for a moment.

"Young Master..." A Xiang saw that he didn't make any move and couldn't help but call him.

That call made Sima Langri no longer look like he had been frozen. He quickly came to the person holding Shen Qingxin, took her into his arms, and made the two hearts that had been separated for so long stick together tightly again.

"You all go down!"

"Yes."

After A Xiang and the other person quietly retreated, Sima Langri carefully placed the person in his arms on the bed. His fingers lingered over her face, reliving the memories.

After so many years of separation, she was still as sweet and lovely as in his memory; looking at himself, his thoughts were uglier day by day. Fame and power had completely corroded him. A few years ago, he was still qualified to stand with her, but now, no! Just standing with her made him feel like he was desecrating her.

Heh! She didn't know that his heart had always been hers, that he loved her, but he had never said it out loud.

He sighed deeply. He knew that his life would always be in pursuit of the Chilong Jade Lock. For the Chilong Jade Lock, he had to give up many people, things, and objects, whether he was willing to or not. He could no longer turn back, he couldn't...

Looking at her attire, he didn't need to think to know that she had been deliberately dressed up by "someone with intent." That "someone with intent" had specially adorned her to look as beautiful as an Indian princess. The exquisite red clothing embroidered with gorgeous patterns wrapped around her delicate body, making her look so beautiful it was almost unreal, making him think for a moment that he was in a dream.

But what followed was more jealousy. Who?! Who exactly was it that changed her into this outfit? Was it herself, or was it Sima She?

No! That couldn't be. She wouldn't make a move on Qingxin. He should understand that very well. He shouldn't make groundless suspicions again, but he just couldn't help it. He kept guessing, letting jealousy gnaw at his heart.

Sima She's intention in sending her here couldn't be more obvious. He must have hoped that he would give up the pursuit of the Chilong Jade Lock because of his infatuation with Qingxin.

Sima She didn't understand him at all. A few years ago, he didn't give up the Chilong Jade Lock because of Qingxin, so how could he change because of her many years later?

Impossible. He could never change. I'm afraid Sima She's wishful thinking was wrong this time.

After seeing her this time, he would lock her into the deepest part of his heart again, and then continue to charge forward as if nothing had happened.

Sima She would not win against him. He had said it: he would absolutely stand on the winning side.

So the most important question now was what to do with Shen Qingxin. Send her back to the Shen Family!

Although he thought so in his heart, he couldn't take action for a long time. His eyes were practically glued to her face. Perhaps it was also because she was already in his heart, so no matter how beautiful or charming other women were, they couldn't enter his eyes.

He sighed silently. She had become much thinner. In these years of chasing fame and fortune, he knew she hadn't had it easy either. After all, he had completely broken her heart. It was his coldness that forced her to propose breaking off the engagement. Could he blame her for this?

Of course not. The one who was wrong had always been him.

Fortunately, she had family who loved and cared for her, otherwise, his guilt would be even stronger.

Look at her one more time, just one more time, and he would personally send her back to the Shen Family, no longer giving Sima She's demonic claws a chance to reach her.

One look, just one look...

But this look lasted for a long, long time, so long that he felt he could gaze at her like this for a lifetime, forgetting power, forgetting fame, forgetting the promise he once made to his mother.

As soon as the unwilling expression on his mother's face before she died surfaced in his mind, all his passion and infatuation disappeared without a trace on the spot.

Damn it! How could he let emotions sway his thoughts? He should have more reason.

Reason! Reason!

He couldn't look at her anymore, he couldn't!

Sima Langri pursed his lips, forcing himself to look away, and walked to the window, gazing at the bright moon. The soft moonlight seemed to be mocking his struggle, secretly transforming into one after another of Sima She's arrogant, smiling faces.

He wanted to vent the anger in his heart painfully. He wanted to scream! He wanted to destroy! He wanted to annihilate! But he did nothing, because he didn't want to wake the sleeping person on the bed, and more importantly, he was afraid his true emotions would scare her.

He didn't want her to be afraid of him. Even if she didn't love him anymore, he didn't want the only feeling she had for him in her heart to be fear.

So he secretly suppressed all his emotions, as usual, stiffening his body and staring at the dark scenery outside; sure enough, darkness was what suited him best. Light could never get close to him.

It was right for them to separate, it always had been.

From the moment he was born destined to be a member of the Sima Family, his fate had no room for any defiance. He had to walk according to his mother's wishes. His future had already been planned, and he couldn't resist even a little bit.

He looked very majestic on the outside, able to summon wind and rain, as if there was nothing in the world that he, Sima Langri, couldn't get; in fact, he felt very sad. This was not the life he wanted. He didn't want to live like this for a lifetime at all, but he was powerless.

What exactly did he want?

The image that surfaced in his heart was the most ordinary one: in a small house, there were him, his beloved wife, and children. They didn't have to be rich, didn't need to be high and mighty; the most important thing was that they could live very happily.

For the facts that ordinary people easily possessed, to him, they were so far out of reach. He knew his dream would never be realized; the burden placed on him was truly too heavy.

Perhaps, he was more suited to be a greedy, despicable man who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals! ===== CHAPTER 2 =====