He was a disabled military officer who doted on his research work in the Northwest.

There was a two-second silence in the main room.

Shen Yao's lips moved slightly, and her tears flowed even more fiercely.

"Sister... I know. We wronged you back then... but now... we really have nowhere else to turn..."

Her gaze drifted to Mu Qinghan—the man who sat silently beside Shen Tang.

His military uniform was impeccably tailored. His face was stern and cold. Even seated, his aura was so imposing that it made the entire room feel suffocating.

Shen Yao's gaze lingered on him for a moment, then quickly returned to him—

But what she said next was clearly meant for him.

"Sister..." Her voice was soft and gentle, carrying a hint of probing, "Actually... that marriage... was originally a destiny between our Shen family and the Mu family. The keepsake Grandpa left behind... that jade bracelet..."

Her gaze unconsciously drifted to Shen Tang's left wrist.

"It's been on my sister's wrist for so long... she must cherish it very much..."

She paused here, as if carefully choosing her words. But the subtext was already clearly conveyed in the air—

This marriage is arranged by the Shen family.

The bracelet was also a token of the Shen family. Shen Tang was merely a substitute bride.

The person truly qualified to discuss marriage is the daughter of the Shen family.

What right do you, a woman who has severed ties with the Shen family, have to marry Mu Qinghan?

Mu Qinghan's expression darkened the moment the words "jade bracelet" left her lips.

Shen Tang felt the air pressure around her drop sharply.

She turned to look at Mu Qinghan—his jaw was taut, and his gaze was as cold as a knife's edge in a winter night.

Mu Qinghan didn't look at Shen Yao, nor at anyone else in the Shen family; instead, she turned to Shen Tang.

"Hands out."

Shen Tang was stunned for a moment.

"Hands." He repeated, his voice low.

Shen Tang subconsciously reached out her left hand.

Mu Qinghan's fingers gripped her wrist—long, slender fingers with distinct knuckles and calloused fingertips.

His movements were light, but firm.

The other hand covered the bracelet—

It slowly faded away.

Everyone in the main room watched his movements.

Shen's mother stopped crying. Shen Guoping's mouth was slightly open. Shen Yao's eyes widened—

She watched in disbelief as Mu Qinghan took the bracelet off Shen Tang's wrist.

In an instant, a surge of joy welled up in Shen Yao's heart—

He heard himself speak!

He wants the bracelet back!

Under everyone's gaze, Mu Qinghan turned the bracelet over.

Shen Yao's expression froze.

Mu Qinghan's fingers held the mutton-fat jade bracelet, its warm white color shimmering slightly under the light. He lowered his head and carefully, inch by inch, pushed the bracelet back onto Shen Tang's wrist.

"bite."

A very soft, clear sound, like jade touching skin.

The bracelet is back in its place.

It clung firmly to her slender wrist.

Mu Qinghan's fingers lingered a second longer on the inside of her wrist. His thumb gently caressed the surface of the bracelet, as if confirming, or perhaps declaring.

Then he raised his head, his gaze fixed solely on Shen Tang.

"This bracelet," he said.

The voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, as if carved in stone, each character distinct.

"It was given to you by Mu Qinghan."

"It's not from the Shen family. It's not from a marriage agreement. It's not some kind of token."

"It's mine—I gave it to you."

He paused for a moment.

"From today onwards, we have nothing to do with the Shen family."

The main room was so quiet that you could hear the wind blowing through the bare branches outside the window.

Shen Tang looked down at the bracelet on her wrist; it was still the same bracelet. It was warm, smooth, and had a faint glow.

But it seems different now.

A warm sensation came from the inside of my wrist—as if something was awakening.

Consciousness sinks into space—

A system notification lit up in the center of the field of vision, the text in an unprecedented gold color:

[A formal transfer of ownership of the token has been detected.]

[Binding depth reset process started... Current progress: 5%]

Estimated completion time: 14 days.

[Before binding complete: Spirit Spring Water recovery speed ×0.3 / Geological exploration function locked / Space self-repair accelerated.]

[Note: During the binding period, if the token is forcibly destroyed by external force, a defensive backlash mechanism will be triggered.]

Shen Tang's breathing quickened slightly.

14 days.

It only takes 14 days.

The bracelet is safe – the space can be fully restored.

A few drops of water have begun to seep out from the spring, one drop, two drops... Although it is extremely slow, it is clearly recovering.

The leaves of that little seedling in the corner have unfurled a little more than yesterday.

She left the space.

She looked up at Mu Qinghan.

His ears were a little red, but his expression was very serious and focused.

It was as if they had done something perfectly natural.

"Yes," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I received it."

Mu Qinghan looked into her eyes.

There was a glint of tears in her eyes, but she held them back.

His lips curved slightly—very slightly, very restrained.

He turned his head and looked at Shen Yao.

Shen Yao trembled all over.

His gaze was so cold it could freeze you to death, as if he were looking at something insignificant, something not worth wasting any of his emotions on.

"Did you hear me?" he said.

Shen Yao's lips moved twice, but she couldn't speak.

Mu Qinghan did not look at her again.

He turned to Shen Guoping, his tone returning to its polite but distant indifference:

"Take the Shen family's matter to the police. The military region doesn't handle civil disputes."

Shen Guoping opened his mouth: "But—"

"As for security," Mu Qinghan interrupted him, "Since you live in the city, you can apply to the local police station to increase patrols. If the Zhao family does engage in harassment, the police will handle it. This has nothing to do with the military region."

Shen Guoping's face turned bright red.

"You signed the disassociation agreement yourselves." Mu Qinghan's voice was flat. "It bears a red handprint. Black and white on paper. Shen Tang has no legal relationship with you anymore."

He paused for a moment.

"see a visitor out."

Xiao Li immediately appeared at the entrance of the main room.

"The three of you, please."

Shen's mother wanted to say something more—"Tangtang...Mom really..."

Shen Tang didn't look at her, sitting there motionless. Her left hand rested on her right wrist, her fingers lightly touching the bracelet.

Shen Guoping stood up.

He glanced at Shen Tang—his lips moved, but he ultimately said nothing.

He pulled Shen's still-crying mother and walked outside.

Shen Yao was the last one to stand up.

Her face was very pale. When she reached the door, she paused and looked back at Shen Tang.

She glanced at Mu Qinghan again.

Then he turned around and walked into the morning light.

The courtyard gate closed behind her.

With a "click".

……

The main room fell silent.

Mu Qinghan sat there, without moving.

Shen Tang didn't move either.

A long time passed.

"Brother Qinghan." Her voice was very soft.

"Um?"

"Thank you."

Mu Qinghan turned to look at her.

She lowered her head, her fingers tracing the bracelet on her wrist. Her eyelashes were long, casting soft shadows in the morning light.

"You're welcome," he said softly. "It was yours to begin with."