Chapter 3: An Unexpected Discovery

Golden sunlight streamed into the room like fine silk, casting a gentle warmth across the tranquil bedroom. Yun Qiuyas slowly awakened from her slumber; the afternoon sun had already flooded the entire space. She rubbed her heavy head, the lingering scent of last night's wine still hovering in the air.

On the bed, He Lingfeng was nowhere to be seen, leaving her alone in this spacious, somewhat empty room. She smiled faintly, her gaze tinged with a hint of languor and confusion.

Lowering her eyes, she saw that the neckline of her lace nightgown had slipped down to her chest, revealing fair skin and a delicate collarbone. She rose quietly, footsteps light as she descended the stairs. Aunt Liu was already waiting at the foot of the staircase, looking at her with kindness.

“Lunch is ready, miss. You may eat now,” Aunt Liu said warmly, her voice filled with affection.

Yun Qiuyas shook her head, a trace of apology flickering across her face. “I have no appetite, just want some milk,” she replied, heading straight for the refrigerator. She pulled out a glass of cold milk, intent on downing it in one go.

Aunt Liu hurried forward to dissuade her. “Cold milk is too harsh on the stomach, miss.”

But it was too late.

Yun Qiuyas smiled nonchalantly, a faint sorrow flickering in her eyes. “Ever since my parents left, I've grown used to drinking cold milk. It clears my mind,” she said with a helpless shrug, flashing Aunt Liu a gentle smile.

Turning away, her gaze fell upon a family portrait hanging on the dining room wall. The three of them in the photograph were beaming, radiating happiness.

Her eyes grew misty as she murmured softly, “Mom, Dad, I’ll be getting married soon. I’ve listened to your advice and chosen the man you picked for me. You’ll be happy for me, won’t you?”

Aunt Liu stood behind her, sadness etched in her features, her eyes brimming with endless compassion and pity.

Just then, the shrill ringing of the phone shattered the silence.

Aunt Liu quickly walked over to answer it. After a brief conversation, she turned and said, “One of the housekeepers at Yunmeng Residence found your engagement diamond earrings while cleaning; they’re being kept at the reception desk now.”

Hearing this, Yun Qiuyas’s heart skipped a beat, and the hazy memory of taking off her earrings and slipping them under her pillow the previous night resurfaced. Her expression changed; she hurried upstairs, rushed into the bedroom, and carefully searched beneath her pillow.

When she opened her hand, two sparkling diamond earrings lay quietly in her palm. Bathed in sunlight, they shone brilliantly—but now, their brilliance felt piercing.

Yun Qiuyas gazed at the earrings, doubt welling up inside her as she gently stroked them. These diamond earrings were He Lingfeng’s engagement gift; they weren’t missing. Had the housekeeper made a mistake? Suspicion crept through her mind.

After a moment’s thought, Yun Qiuyas changed into a charcoal-gray athletic suit, crisp and efficient. A baseball cap shielded her fine features, leaving only her bright eyes visible beneath the brim.

She hurried downstairs and started the only pink sports car in town. With a roar, the engine sprang to life, and the car shot out of the gates like an arrow loosed from a bow.

Aunt Liu, startled by the noise, rushed to the door with a carefully prepared sandwich in hand, only to catch a fleeting glimpse of the car’s taillights disappearing down the road. She shook her head in resignation, a wry smile tugging at her lips. “No wonder she’s anxious—the diamond earrings are from the son-in-law-to-be, after all. Of course they’re precious.”

Yun Qiuyas sped through the city, arriving swiftly at Yunmeng Residence.

She made straight for the front desk. The receptionist immediately recognized her and, before she could speak, offered the earrings with a cheerful smile.

“Miss, your earrings—one of the housekeepers found them while cleaning and handed them in right away. Such valuable pieces, you must have been worried!” The receptionist’s voice was sweet and respectful, her face lit with pride, as though honored to have returned such treasures.

Yun Qiuyas took the earrings and examined them closely.

Under the lights, each diamond shimmered with brilliance, as if containing endless love and promises.

Yet her face showed no joy at their recovery; instead, her expression remained calm. She asked quietly, “Where did you find them?”

The receptionist seemed taken aback by Yun Qiuyas’s composure, hesitated, and replied in a subdued voice, “In an upstairs guest room.”

Hearing this, Yun Qiuyas said nothing more and turned upstairs.

The receptionist stood in place, bewildered, murmuring to herself, “How odd… With such a precious gift, she shows no sign of relief or happiness.”

Yun Qiuyas entered the room, greeted by its familiar decor. Every guest room at Yunmeng Residence had been designed by her with meticulous care; each object meticulously arranged by her own hands.

She approached the bed. The snow-white sheets gleamed harshly beneath the sunlight. She looked around, her gaze finally settling on the pillow.

On the silken, white pillowcase, a flash of brown caught her eye. She bent down and pinched up a single, fine strand of hair—under the light, it shone with a striking chestnut hue, utterly unlike her own cascading raven locks.

For a moment, she seemed frozen in place, her eyes burning with rage.

Even her ebony hair seemed to mock her now. Her body trembled uncontrollably, and a guttural cry burst from her throat. “He Lingfeng, how dare you betray me!”

Fury and disappointment surged through her. She could not believe that the man who once pledged eternal love would betray her so easily.

She clenched the strand of hair tightly, her knuckles growing white from the force.