Chapter 67: Setting the Trap—The Necklace

“Why are you running? Just stay put.”
The sudden embrace left the girl completely flustered. She could only stiffen her delicate frame, her cheeks flushing red.
Brother Ziyuan, why is he acting like this? Did he already recognize me? But it doesn’t seem like it… Hmph, what a scoundrel, hugging a girl he’s only met for the second time so rudely.
She puffed her cheeks and began to struggle. “W-what are you doing? Let me go! There are so many people watching. Don’t do anything reckless!”
“Scoundrel…”
“Let me go!”
Listening to the soft, feeble protests from the person in his arms, Mo Ziyuan raised his handsome, rebellious brows and let out a wild laugh.
He had become the master of the Xi Cang Sect, and apart from lechery, there was no bloody deed he hadn’t committed. Now, just holding her made him a scoundrel? What if he did something even more outrageous? The thought intrigued him.
Suddenly, his tall figure leaned down and he pressed a kiss to the incessantly chattering girl’s face. Seeing her eyes widen in shock, he deliberately licked his wicked lips with satisfaction right in front of her, simply to tease her.
Her cheek was so smooth and tender; it truly tasted delightful.
“Mmm, scoundrel, you even kissed me!”
Her fair, rosy face turned crimson in an instant; her pink lips pouted slightly, her beautiful brows drooped as she looked up at the much taller man, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, looking so pitiful it would melt anyone’s heart.
“There there, don’t cry.” Mo Ziyuan frowned slightly. How had he managed to make her cry with just a kiss?
His large hand reached out unconsciously, carefully wiping away the tears welling up at the corners of her eyes.
“You really are a scoundrel. The f-first time, I only kissed you because I saved you. But now you kiss me again without my permission, wuwu…”
Being accused so earnestly, Mo Ziyuan also felt he might have gone a bit too far. But he simply couldn’t help himself. It felt as if she belonged to him, and what was so wrong about a kiss? There were plenty of women eager to climb into his bed; he just wasn’t interested in them.
Seeing how truly aggrieved she looked, he could only sigh and comfort her, “Alright, if I want to kiss you, I’ll ask you first from now on. Can you stop crying now?”

What kind of promise was that?
So, this is the real Mo Ziyuan…
Seeing her stare at him, dazed and unblinking, the smile on Mo Ziyuan’s lips grew more pronounced.
“I’ve met you twice now, but I still don’t know your name.”
The girl looked up at him, her lips curving in a faint smile, her round, sparkling eyes full of life as if holding countless stars. Mo Ziyuan’s heart pounded uncontrollably.
“My name is Jiu Bao,” she replied in a clear, melodious voice.
Jiu Bao? That was obviously not her real name. Clearly, she didn’t want to tell him.
“Hmph, I’m going home. Goodbye.” The girl huffed angrily, then began pushing hard against his solid chest.
If he hadn’t known he’d really upset her, Mo Ziyuan might have thought she was acting coquettish—the tone was soft, sweet, and alluring, making his heart race.
Frustrated by her failed attempts to break free, the girl, in a fit of anger, bit down hard on his chest. Her pearly white teeth were neat and bright, but her bite was not at all painful.
Mo Ziyuan only felt as if a kitten had nipped at him—no strength at all. Still, a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes. In all his years, no one had ever dared to bite him before. Was she naively pure or exceptionally bold?
Seeing that she was truly upset, he let go of her. The girl slipped away without looking back.
Heh, that’s the second time she’s run off in front of me. How disobedient.
Mo Ziyuan’s gaze lingered with a glimmer of amusement. His low, husky voice carried a lazy, wicked allure—so pleasant it was a shame the girl had already fled and couldn’t hear it.
...
Back in her dormitory, the girl happily took out a necklace she’d never worn before. It was old, but its vintage charm spoke of great value.
As she played with it, her thoughts drifted far away. Back at the orphanage, Mo Ziyuan had given it to her, saying she could use it to recognize him in the future. After meeting him twice, she realized he hadn’t recognized her at all. Did she really need to use this necklace to reveal her identity?

Lost in her thoughts, the girl didn’t notice Lin Yuexin’s approach until—
“Jiujiu, what are you looking at?”
Snapped from her reverie, she glanced at the newcomer in surprise. Wasn’t she at the library?
Reading the confusion in her eyes, Lin Yuexin explained, “I came back to grab a book and saw you staring at your necklace in a daze. Does it have some special meaning?”
Hearing her curious question, the girl’s eyes flickered. An idea sprouted in her mind—a plan to send Lin Yuexin soaring to the clouds, only to plummet into the abyss.
“Oh, this? It was given to me by a brother at the orphanage. He told me to use it to find him one day. I actually saw him today, but maybe because I didn’t have the necklace with me, he didn’t recognize me…”
She spoke, her head drooping in apparent disappointment.
Recognizing someone through a necklace? That sounded just like a plot from a novel.
Lin Yuexin’s eyes lit up, and she asked excitedly, “And then? Did you take the necklace to find him?”
To lure her into stealing the necklace and seeking out Mo Ziyuan, the girl answered every question, only leaving herself a small way to recognize him personally.
Watching Lin Yuexin’s trembling hands and fluttering lashes, the girl knew she’d taken the bait, a sly smile curving her lips.
Go ahead, steal it. Don’t let me down, my good ‘sister.’
And Brother Ziyuan, don’t disappoint me either. Will you really believe her and hurt me?
Noticing Lin Yuexin’s gaze lingering on the necklace, the girl deliberately slowed her movements, making sure she saw exactly where the necklace was placed. Then she turned and left, confidently leaving Lin Yuexin alone in the dorm.
As soon as the girl left, Lin Yuexin eagerly powered on her laptop and searched for Mo Ziyuan’s name. Instantly, photos of him in an immaculate suit appeared, standing at the gates of a lavish mansion, exuding an imposing charisma that was utterly captivating. Heart pounding with excitement, she scrolled on, discovering that he had amassed vast power and influence at a young age, his businesses spanning the nation’s underground world. Lin Yuexin’s heart raced uncontrollably, her mind already picturing herself approaching him with the necklace, and him, like a novel’s hero, falling deeply in love and placing her on a pedestal. She would no longer have nothing—wealth, jewels, and the man himself would all be hers. She would rise to the very peak of life.