Chapter 31 - Saving yourself

When she saw the two embracing, Cassia raised a slender eyebrow without any surprise.

She’d heard more than once about the affair between Rege and Jian Qiao from Prince Andrew’s crowd. But she also knew that Rege was only toying with Jian Qiao.

From the day they were born, these great lords were different from other people. When they were created God forgot to give them a certain organ: a heart.

How could a group of heartless people know the meaning of the word “love”?

That was why Cassia never sought a benefactor. She didn’t want to be kept like a canary that couldn’t survive on its own, only to be thrown out of the comfort and safety of its cage and left to starve to death in the wilderness.

The gentleman Earl, however, didn’t seem to realize this. He obviously took it seriously. As he looked at Rege, his eyes overflowed with admiration, eagerness, and dependence. These were emotions that only arose when one person fell deeply for another. Such emotions were the floodwaters of disaster and the flames of hell, sooner or later he’d be drowned or burned to death!

Pitiful gentleman Earl! Don’t ever lose your heart to a great lord, this was Cassia’s warning!

But Cassia would never say these words of caution to another person.

As she thought about it, Cassia shook her head with derision and sympathy.

She walked over, ignoring the fact that Rege was still holding Jian Qiao in his arms. She wrapped her slender hands around Rege’s arm and dragged him towards the diamond counter. “Darling, how long are you going to leave me alone? Haven’t you noticed I’ve been waiting for you?”

After being forcibly pulled away, Rege’s face turned black. He furrowed his brow as he looked at this ignorant woman and really wanted to curse her. But only if the gentleman Earl weren’t present.

“Can’t you do anything without me?” He forced down the fire in his heart.

Cassia responded in a delicate voice, “Yes, you’re right. I can’t do anything without you. I need you like I need a warm fire in winter and a cool breeze in summer.”

This was the first time she’d acted like a spoiled little girl to a suitor.

She was really putting in a lot of work for those diamonds.

No matter how angry Rege was, she could pretend she didn’t notice. She just needed him to take out his pen and sign today’s receipt. The only thing she loved was money, what were men? What did their joys and sorrows have to do with her?

Faced with such a brazen person, Rege had no choice. He darted a glance at the gentleman Earl and patiently endured. “Let’s go, I’ll help you take a look.”

If he delayed any further, this woman would pile on even more sickening words he didn’t at all want Jian Qiao to hear. They’d contaminate his ears.

As these thoughts went through his mind, Rege didn’t have the slightest awareness that Jian Qiao’s words were a thousand times more sickening than Cassia’s, but they didn’t bore or disgust him at all. On the contrary, he was addicted, and he couldn’t extricate himself.

Jian Qiao followed behind them and the gentleness in his eyes slowly receded, unknowingly gaining a tinge of ruthlessness. To put it bluntly, he’d begun to hate this lady.

“How about this brooch?” Cassia pointed to the large blue diamond she was wearing, then to a hatpin sitting on a shelf.

That hatpin was made of an oval diamond with a crystal clear brilliance, bigger than the pigeon’s egg-sized stone on the brooch. It was surrounded by several ostrich feathers, dyed pink, about half as long as an arm. If the design was slightly over the top, its price was even more over the top.

There was no doubt the two pieces of jewelry selected by Cassia were the second and third most expensive in the store, just after the daisy necklace she’d chosen earlier.

This showed the accuracy of her vision.

Jian Qiao looked at the brooch, then at the hat pin, and finally at his friend, and his eyes grew more and more ruthless.

This was a scam! And it was a multi-person racket! This woman used every available means to lead the men around her to spend money on her, then left as lightly as a feather, leaving only broken hearts behind. The people who entrusted her with their money and honest affection were destined to have nothing!

And his best friend was now the target of her scam!

Even if Rege had no feelings at all about it, Jian Qiao was a little angry.

Seeing Rege nod and prepare to say, “sign the bill”, Jian Qiao took his wrist and whispered, “There’s one more thing I want to show you.”

He just pulled it lightly and Rege forgot everything and obediently went with him.

Cassia, who was left behind again: “…”

Well! She finally realized this Earl of Flowervale was doing it on purpose! He was jealous! That’s why he always inserted himself at the critical moment!

This pathetic and despicable man! He’d never get Rege’s love like this! One day Rege would throw him away!

Cassia kept cursing in her mind.

Jian Qiao, who was walking in front, suddenly sneezed twice.

Rege quickly took off his coat and draped it over him, complaining, “I told you to wear a few more layers! Why don’t you listen to me?”

“Sorry.” Jian Qiao covered his nose and apologized vaguely, then gathered up the jacket that still carried a bit of body heat.

Now he felt much more comfortable.

“Do you like this ring? I don’t think anyone can handle this style except you.” Jian Qiao took a gold ring cast in the shape of a lion’s head from out of the safe.

The lion shook its thick mane, opened its mouth filled with sharp teeth, and let out a silent roar. And between its impressive teeth was a diamond the color of blood.

The craftsman must have spent all his heart and soul to create it, because every lock of its mane was detailed and animated, and its lifelike face was so full of fury and intimidation it was daunting.

The diamond bitten by the lion’s mouth was like the blood of an enemy or the fires of hell.

Diamonds came in white, blue, yellow, pink, and various other colors. But red, and such a deep red at that, was extremely rare in nature. Its value far exceeded the previous daisy necklace, brooch, and hat pin.

This was the true not-for-sale item. And this not-for-sale item was a gift that Jian Qiao had intended to give Rege at the time of his farewell.

But now, forced by special circumstances, he had to take this gift out in advance.

The lion was the symbol of Grande, and the lion’s mouth held a blood diamond, signifying that the lion of Grande would kill all his opponents. This ring, whether in terms of cost, style, or symbolism, was only worthy of Rege.

With just one glance, Rege fell in love with it.

“Dear Jian, you know me too well. Every piece of jewelry you show me is my favorite.” Rege stretched out his hand, ready to take the ring.

But Jian Qiao took the lead to hold his hand, gently pinching his thumb and slowly easing the ring upwards.

Rege’s hand was quite large, and this huge lion’s head ring could only be worn by such a hand without looking out of proportion.

“It’s very beautiful.” Jian Qiao held Rege’s hand, turning it over to appreciate it again and again, sighing, “It really is majestic.”

“It’s mainly because I’m so majestic, it draws on my strength to produce that feeling,” Rege said without modesty.

Jian Qiao’s eyes shone slightly and he gave a gentle nod. “Yes, you’re the most powerful.”

Rege grinned and laughed happily.

“If you like it, sign the bill.” Jian Qiao immediately took out the order slip and quill.

Rege wrote down his name in a flowing manner and never looked at the amount column at all.

When they were done, the two returned to Cassia, who held the brooch in one hand and the hat pin in the other. In a delicate voice she asked, “Darling, which of these is better? I love them both but I can’t make up my mind. They’re so beautiful! If I gave up either one of them I’d cry.”

After saying these words, a shimmer of tears naturally appeared in her eyes, and her face took on a weepy expression.

No man could maintain a heart of stone in front of such a frail and beautiful woman.

Except for Rege.

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He didn’t feel any tenderness for Cassia at all, only bored and fed up. If he’d known, he never would have participated in that stupid game. It was really boring to hang out with a woman.

But the good education he’d received from an early age made him say out of habit, “Then buy both, I’ll sign the bill.”

Jian Qiao, who was waiting for this, didn’t panic. He took out the order slip and refused, saying, “Sorry, you can’t sign anymore. Your purchase today has reached five thousand gold coins, and the shop has a rule that each customer can only sign for up to five thousand gold coins per month. Any more than that and we can’t extend credit, because we’re worried we won’t be able to collect the money.

“Of course, you’re my good friend, I trust your character and financial resources, but rules are rules. If even I don’t abide by it, the rule will exist in name only. And if someday our shop really doesn’t get paid the loss would be catastrophic.”

He leaned forward slightly and asked, “Ray, you should be able to understand me, right?” After saying this he bowed to Cassia. “The beautiful miss should understand me too, right?”

Cassia: “…”

Her lips were trembling slightly, a facial expression that came from forcibly suppressing anger but being unable to fully do so. This damned Earl of Flowervale, he must have done it deliberately!

But in the next instant, she saw a notice board hanging in the store, which really did state that each customer could only sign for five thousand gold coins per month.

Which meant Jian Qiao wasn’t lying.

For a while, Cassia fell silent. She thought quickly about how to get her hands on the two pieces of jewelry.

If Rege insisted, he should be able to force Jian Qiao to agree. But the question was how to make him insist? Who was more important to him, the Earl of Flowervale or herself?

Before Cassia could think about it clearly, Rege waved his hand. “Of course I understand. Just forget it, we’ll come back next month to buy it.” As for whether he’d remember this woman next month, who knew?

There was no doubt that for him, Jian Qiao was the most important.

Cassia: “…” Next month? The fish would slip the net by then!

She wanted to yell! She wanted to curse! She wanted to climb over the counter, grab Jian Qiao by the collar, and punch him hard in his pale but cunning face.

But she was the elegant, noble, and indifferent Cassia. In such a situation she should carelessly nod her head and leave without a second glance.

Several other male customers were still in the store. They really wanted to buy the two items to please this beautiful woman, but they didn’t have the financial capacity.

So Cassia pretended to be indifferent and said, “Well, that’s a pity.”

Jian Qiao looked at the two pieces of jewelry on the counter and suddenly asked, “Have you never bought anything for yourself? All the things you’re wearing, everything from head to toe, were gifts from someone else, right?”

It was true.

Cassia, who’d tricked Rege into going shopping on the grounds that she “wanted to buy a necklace”, was embarrassed.

Given the situation, she ought to buy the jewelry herself to fit the persona she had built. Independent and self-reliant, indifferent to fame and fortune, not clinging to the powerful. But she didn’t. She was reluctant to spend the money. Ever since entering the brothel, her expenses had been paid by her clients or the madam.

Any person with intelligence, who heard both conversations and saw her performance just now, would recognize her true nature.

Rege snorted. A deep look of mockery appeared on his face. Of course he knew Cassia was no good, but he had a lot of money, so he didn’t care.

Several male customers turned their heads and looked away. This woman seemed no different from any other greedy courtesan.

Cassia racked her brain to find a retort, and a layer of fine sweat broke out on her forehead.

This was the first time she’d been pushed so far by a man. This was why she hated gays the most! They felt no tenderness towards the fairer sex!

But at that point, Jian Qiao reined in his aggressive manner, closed the account book, and said meaningfully, “If you can’t take care of yourself and you can’t please yourself, then no matter how much others take care of you and please you, you won’t experience true satisfaction and happiness. Your heart will become a black hole.”

He was talking about Cassia, but at the same time he was talking about himself. He couldn’t save his drowning heart except by staying strong and living.

Why was it that the shadows of childhood took a lifetime to heal? Because from the day of the injury, that weak child was left in the dark and never grew up.

How could a mere child withstand the rain, snow, and wind from the outside world? From then on they’d become extremely vulnerable.

He hoped that Cassia could save herself, just as he struggled to find the right way to save himself, even though he’d spent two lifetimes searching and still hadn’t found it.

Jian Qiao heaved a sigh. “Try to buy yourself something you’ve longed for. Get a good taste of how it feels.” He raised his eyes to look at Rege and asked softly, “My dear customer, would you like me to escort you to your carriage?”

Cassia was still in a daze. Somehow her heart was trembling at Jian Qiao’s suggestion.

Rege spread his arms with delight. “Come on, come and send me off. Give me a farewell hug, or better yet go back with me.”

Jian Qiao’s dark eyes lit up at his genial words, and his voice became much lighter. “Wait a moment, I’ll come after I collect the accounts.”

“I’ll wait for you outside.” Rege pointed to the door.

The carriage of the ducal palace was already at the door, but Rege waved to call another hired carriage, ready to send Cassia back on her own. He’d had enough of this woman and didn’t want to stay with her another second.

“You can go up.” Rege pulled open the carriage door.

But Cassia suddenly ran to a confectionary shop at the end of the street. A few moments later she came out clutching a jar of colorful candies, one in her mouth as well, bulging out her cheeks.

When she walked to the carriage, she patted the candy jar in her arms and said in an icy tone, “I always wanted to eat this kind of rainbow candy when I was a child, but my parents didn’t want to buy them for me because they were too expensive. When I begged them to buy me one, they slapped me twice on the cheek to shut me up. But when their son begged for candy, they sold me for ten silver coins. They bought their son lots and lots of candy with those silver coins. That’s why I hate sweets!”

In front of Rege, Cassia was not at all ladylike. She chomped the candy in her mouth to pieces.

This woman always wore a calm expression, but just now she revealed a look of hatred.

Yet only a moment later, her cheeks pulled back in a smile. And she said sincerely, “Now I can buy my own candy. No one can sell me for ten silver coins! I don’t need a damn benefactor, I am my own master! I had a great time shopping today. Goodbye, Lord Rege!”

She flounced her skirt, marched into the carriage, and poked her head out of the carriage window, throwing a kiss at Jian Qiao, who was slowly walking out of the shop.

The dazzling look on her face was more full of life than a field full of wildflowers blooming in the spring.

Passersby looked dumbfounded, and several men chased her carriage a long way.

She was so beautiful with that brilliant smile.

TL Notes:

Well! – This was in English in the raw text

行云流水 – in a flowing manner – floating clouds and flowing water – freely flowing style of writing, natural and smooth

the fish would slip the net – 煮熟的鸭子都能飞了 – the cooked goose would fly – the accidental loss of something you are sure of, an opportunity that is lost, to lose a sure thing