"An ancient treasure of Luoshen? A mystical relic?" Lin Zhiming laughed. To him, stories like these were just elaborate legends crafted by jewelers to inflate the worth of jewelry pieces. A jewel’s value is based on two things: the quality of the material and the story behind it. The same gemstone ring, when worn by an ordinary person, might be worth a million dollars, but if it was worn by a queen, its value could be five million. Adding myths to jewelry has always been a jeweler’s tactic to drive up prices, and Lin Zhiming was skeptical of it.

Seeing his expression, Zhou Wenwei continued, "Mr. Lin, this legend wasn’t created by a jeweler but is recorded in the Chronicles of the Celestial Gods."

"Oh? The Chronicles of the Celestial Gods?" Lin Zhiming raised an eyebrow with interest. This book was known to contain records of ancient myths and legends.

"Yes, the Chronicles of the Celestial Gods!" Zhou Wenwei nodded, "The legend goes that the Luoshen three-piece set was crafted by Emperor Wu for his beloved concubine, Luo Ying. But Luo Ying, being of a delicate beauty, passed away early. Emperor Wu built a grand tomb for her, filling it with countless treasures. He crafted a door to this palace for their eternal rest, and the Luoshen three-piece set is said to be the key. When Emperor Wu passed, he was buried with Luo Ying, alongside all the treasures he’d amassed."

"If that’s true, then why is this necklace only worth about $4.5 million?" Lin Zhiming questioned.

“Only $4.5 million?” thought everyone around, amazed at his casual remark.

"Because the other two pieces have been lost for centuries and have never resurfaced. So, no one believes the set can be completed, which is why the Luoshen’s Tears sold for only $4.5 million." Zhou Wenwei explained.

"Still sounds far-fetched to me," Lin Zhiming shook his head, clapping his hands as he added, "Alright, I’ve given my token of affection, so let's get back to the reason we're here tonight—your class reunion. Eat, drink, and make it a night to remember!"

Lin Zhiming’s words reminded everyone that the gathering was supposed to be a class reunion. Many blushed, realizing that it had turned into a comparison of who had done well or married well, straying from the essence of reuniting with old friends.

Yao Jing, now surrounded by admirers, had become the center of attention. No one dared to belittle or laugh at her now. No one would say that Yao Jing had married poorly, with a husband who could casually present a multi-million-dollar gift and even owned a private jet.

Lin Zhiming stood to the side, holding his glass of red wine. Tonight was Yao Jing’s night, and everything he did was to ensure she experienced the respect she hadn’t felt in years. If he stood by her side, she might feel uncomfortable.

At that moment, Song Siqing approached him, holding a plate. "How did you suddenly get so wealthy?" she asked curiously.

"I’m a kept man," Lin Zhiming replied nonchalantly.

Her eyes widened. "Seriously? I thought that was just a rumor!"

Lin Zhiming chuckled; the rumor had indeed spread widely. If she wanted to believe it, he didn’t mind.

"So, the necklace and the jet are gifts from this wealthy woman?" Song Siqing inquired.

"The necklace was a gift from her, and the jet is hers," Lin Zhiming answered.

Song Siqing seemed enlightened, then leaned in, "Does Jingjing know about this?"

"She doesn’t," he replied.

She sighed, giving him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "I understand. After years of feeling undervalued, it’s only natural that you'd be tempted by someone finally paying attention. But as Jingjing’s best friend, I hope you'll let her go. Despite what you've done for her tonight, she needs a man who loves, protects, and is loyal to her."

"You don’t think I’m that man?"

"How could you be, when you’re entangled with a rich woman?” she retorted.

“It’s just a physical affair. I’m loyal in spirit," he joked.

"Physical or emotional, betrayal is betrayal! If you don’t leave Jingjing, I’ll tell her everything,” she warned.

“Would she believe you?” he asked, a playful expression on his face.

“She would! I’m her best friend,” Song Siqing said firmly.

Lin Zhiming’s smile faded. "Siqing, I understand that you're doing this for Yao Jing. But I’m warning you: if you try to demean or slander me, as you did today, in an attempt to drive her away from me, I...won't hold back."

Song Siqing looked at him in shock. She hadn’t realized he’d seen through her small schemes, designed to shame and push him away from Yao Jing.

"But… Yao Jing doesn’t love you," Song Siqing said.

"I don’t love her either," Lin Zhiming replied.

Song Siqing was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "Then why stay together if you don’t love each other?"

"Because both of us are strong-willed," Lin Zhiming replied with a smile.

"Strong-willed? What does that have to do with it?" she asked, puzzled.

"When you’re forced into a marriage with someone you don’t love, you’ll understand," Lin Zhiming said, glancing over at Yao Jing in the distance. She was looking back at him. Lin Zhiming smiled, lifted his glass in her direction, and downed his drink.

Yao Jing, caught off guard, smiled back and took a sip from her glass. Watching this silent interaction between the two, Song Siqing felt utterly confused. She couldn't understand them; they didn’t love each other, yet they wouldn’t part. Could they truly be happy this way?

"I’m going to get some food." Lin Zhiming said, leaving her with that thought as he headed toward the barbecue area.

As she watched him walk away, Song Siqing suddenly realized that the Lin family’s supposedly weak and useless second young master had become surprisingly inscrutable. It wasn’t simply his wealth; it was a whole different level of composure.

"But I still won’t let you waste Jingjing’s time. Seems like I’ll need a different approach," she muttered to herself.

At the barbecue area, sausages, chicken wings, and steaks sizzled on the grill. Feeling interested, Lin Zhiming took over for the chef and started grilling.

At that moment, Zhou Wenwei approached with two glasses of wine. "Mr. Lin, I apologize for what my wife said earlier," he said, offering Lin Zhiming a glass.

Lin Zhiming took it and replied, "You’re more interesting than your wife."

"Well, I’m in my forties; I’ve seen and experienced a lot. Cheers." Zhou raised his glass.

Lin Zhiming clinked glasses with him and took a sip.

"I had heard certain rumors about you, Mr. Lin, but now I see they weren’t true," Zhou Wenwei said.

"They’re not all false," Lin Zhiming chuckled.

"Mr. Lin, I’m a straightforward man, so I’ll get to the point. What do you think about Luoshen’s treasure?" Zhou Wenwei asked.

"Not much to think about. We haven’t seen the other two pieces for centuries; what could we possibly do?" Lin Zhiming replied.

"But what if I had a lead on one of the other pieces?" Zhou Wenwei whispered.

"A lead on another piece?" Lin Zhiming raised an eyebrow.

"There’s a rumor that after Emperor Wu’s death, the Luoshen three-piece set was inherited by his son, Emperor Wen. He gave each piece to his three favorite concubines. One concubine named Yue, who received Luoshen’s earring, was from Haixia City," Zhou Wenwei explained.

"And then?" Lin Zhiming asked.

"Historical records state that Yue returned to Haixia to visit her family, fell ill, and eventually died at her family’s home. Since it was summer, her body couldn’t be transported back to the capital, so Emperor Wen ordered her to be buried in Haixia. The earring likely stayed with her family!" Zhou Wenwei said seriously.

"If it truly remained with her family, it would have resurfaced by now," Lin Zhiming replied.

"Originally, it did stay with her family, but three years after her death, bandits raided the family estate, taking everything! That’s why the earring vanished without a trace!" Zhou Wenwei explained.

"So what’s your lead?" Lin Zhiming asked.

"I found a descendant of the bandit leader!" Zhou Wenwei said, narrowing his eyes.

"The bandit leader’s descendant?" Lin Zhiming laughed. "Is that why you came to Haixia?"

"Mr. Lin, you’re sharp!" Zhou Wenwei raised his thumb in admiration. "The bandit leader’s descendants still live in Haixia and have become significant figures in the city. There might be clues about Luoshen’s earring with them. I originally intended to approach them myself, but now I realize you might be the better choice. After all, you’re from Haixia, and frankly, you’re more capable than I am!"

"Who is this prominent figure?" Lin Zhiming asked.

"Smile-faced Tiger: Yang Sandao."