Tomb raiding: A mere 20 is nothing!

The short distance we walked wasn't long.

During this short period, Xie Yuchen thought a lot. He wondered why Shen Mingchao had called him out alone, what Shen Mingchao wanted to talk to him about, and whether this matter was good or bad...

Until something familiar came into his view.

Xie Yuchen's breath hitched.

The last shred of hope in my heart shattered at that moment.

It turns out it was a bad thing.

Under the warm yellow light, the thousands of sharp edges reflect a shimmering luster, and the exquisite brooch unfolds quietly in the light and shadow, dazzling in its flow.

How could he not look familiar?

Each of the diamonds set in this piece had been repeatedly caressed by him in the quiet of countless nights.

Even when the seal was later embedded inside the brooch, he watched the entire process from the craftsman's side.

Shen Mingchao accepting the brooch was indeed unexpected for him; he had originally thought it meant their relationship had improved.

Xie Yuchen's gaze fell on the brooch, but he didn't reach out to take it. He only murmured, "Why?"

Before Shen Mingchao could speak, he preemptively asked, "You think the money here is dirty? No, I've already dealt with the ill-gotten gains, and this is—"

"I know all of that."

Shen Mingchao interrupted him softly.

She knew that the money in the brooch was money that Xie Yuchen had earned back after the Sand Sea Project.

That's why she had to make things clear.

Shen Mingchao chuckled softly, his tone softening unconsciously: "You've misunderstood. I'm not so clueless as to look down on RMB."

"So what's this...?"

A layer of confusion appeared in Xie Yuchen's eyes.

Shen Mingchao lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on the exquisite brooch in her palm. She slowed her speech, revealing her concerns.

"After much thought, I still feel this gift is too valuable. Besides, I know your intention in giving it to me, and the return gift you want is something I can't afford right now. So, if I pretend I don't know anything and just accept it without understanding why, I won't feel at ease."

She let out another long, soft sigh, her expression calm: "In the end, I shouldn't accept something for nothing. I feel ashamed to accept it. You should take this brooch back."

After the words were spoken, the air fell into a deathly silence.

Just as Shen Mingchao was about to shove the brooch directly into Xie Yuchen's palm, a deep voice entered his ear.

"This is the second time."

She paused slightly, subconsciously raising her eyes, only to meet Xie Yuchen's deep, dark eyes.

Those eyes held too many complex and unspeakable emotions.

Xie Yuchen parted his thin lips slightly, speaking slowly and deliberately: "This is the second time you've returned what I gave you."

He shook his head: "You've misunderstood too."

"What?" Shen Mingchao frowned and asked.

Xie Yuchen's expression turned serious, his gaze clear and firm.

"When I give gifts, I never have any complicated or profound meaning, nor do I expect anything in return. If you start calculating gains and losses and expecting an equal return when you give a gift, then it is not a gift at all, but just another kind of exchange of benefits."

He slowly shook his head, his voice gentle: "Mingchao, I'm not one to hold grudges. I'm giving this as a gift simply because I wanted to, and only because it's you, nothing more. So you don't need to feel guilty about accepting it."

"As for what you do with it after you accept it, that's entirely up to you and has nothing to do with me. Just don't return it to me, it's fine whatever you want, you can even throw it away."

Shen Mingchao stared blankly at Xie Yuchen, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly: What a big mouth... what a gluttonous spirit!

If someone else had said this, it might have sounded exaggerated, but coming from Xie Yuchen, it's highly credible.

After all, 30 billion yuan was thrown away just like that back then.

So what if it's 40 billion?

To him, it was nothing more than a string of cold numbers, something external that he could easily discard.

Shen Mingchao: I really want to live like Xie Yuchen, who doesn't care about money at all.

Suddenly, Wang Can's voice echoed in my mind.

[This guy talks a good game, but who knows if he's really serious? He says it's a gift now, but what if he changes his mind and demands money back with interest?]

Shen Mingchao chuckled silently: I also wish I could live as harshly as Wang Can just once.

Reason told her that Xie Yuchen was always open and honest, and wouldn't do something so petty. But the phrase "anything is fine" was ultimately too broad.

A mischievous thought suddenly popped into her head, and she took half a step closer, a sly glint flashing in her eyes.

"What if I invest this money and lose it all? You wouldn't care?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Yuchen's lips slowly curved into a faint smile, and he said calmly, "If we lose money, we can always earn it back."

"So, I can use it to support other men?"

"..."

Xie Yuchen's smile froze slightly.

However, he spoke through his actions.

"May I borrow your brooch?"

Xie Yuchen raised his hand and took the brooch from Shen Mingchao's hand. Then, he slowly and deliberately unfastened the invisible clasp on the back, leaned down slightly, and carefully pinned the brooch to Shen Mingchao's collar before fastening the clasp.

After doing all this, he stepped back a little, creating a suitable distance, and smiled faintly again.

That's my answer.

Shen Mingchao raised an eyebrow, then smiled suddenly, his tone becoming serious: "Don't worry, I wouldn't do something so tasteless. Consider this money an investment; I'll plan how to use it carefully, and I won't lose it."

Of course, we can't compensate.

She is someone who traveled from ten years in the future, so don't underestimate the information gap of those ten years.

"However, although you don't care about returning the favor, I would like to reciprocate."

Shen Mingchao shifted his gaze to Xie Yuchen's right hand and continued, "I noticed it from the moment we met. Whether you're picking things up or doing anything else, you always use your left hand, even though you're not left-handed. I also saw white cloth on your sleeve, so your right hand is injured, right?"

"Hmm." Xie Yuchen didn't expect Shen Mingchao to be so observant. He explained in a low voice, "I was out on business a while ago and had a little accident. I sprained my muscles and bones. It's not a serious injury, but I'm recovering a bit slowly."

"Stretch out your hand."

Xie Yuchen was taken aback, and although he had some guesses in his mind, he still subconsciously complied and extended his right hand.

The next moment, a warm sensation covered her.

When the delicate touch was clearly felt, Xie Yuchen's body instantly stiffened, and he dared not move.

He even slowed his breathing, afraid of disturbing the other person, with only one thought in his mind: this dream is so beautiful it feels unreal.