"Your birthday gift?"
Hearing Ye Shishi's words, Shen Lang chuckled, "Since I prepared one for older sister, why would I slight you?"
With that, Shen Lang reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. Opening it, he revealed a delicate purple bracelet.
"That's it?"
Looking at the amethyst bracelet in the box, Ye Shishi frowned and said, "Langlang, you gave Gu Qinghan a priceless medicine that can save lives, and all you give me is a bracelet?"
Though exquisite and seemingly valuable, how could it compare to the "Spring Returns to the Earth" that was worth a fortune in Gu Qinghan's hand?
Envy, not scarcity, was the root of discontent, and Ye Shishi embodied this human failing even more strongly.
Ye Shishi was someone who always wanted to be ahead of others, and she couldn't stand losing, especially to Gu Qinghan.
"Shishi, let me tell you, this is no ordinary bracelet."
Shen Lang looked at Ye Shishi and said, "This amethyst bracelet has twelve beads, each meticulously polished from ten-thousand-year-old amethyst."
"Amethyst that is ten thousand years old not only shines with eternal brilliance, but also, having been buried deep in an extremely cold region, possesses the miraculous effect of warming the body and nurturing the spirit."
"When you wear it, it will be warm in winter and cool in summer, continuously replenishing your spirit and energy depleted by excessive worry, and it will also keep you safe from the invasion of evil spirits and diseases. Its value will absolutely not be inferior to 'Spring Returns to the Earth'."
Shen Lang continued, "Every year, I would go to the extremely cold north to find a piece of amethyst and polish it into a bead. It took me twelve years to polish all twelve beads and string them together. During this time, I was countless times almost swallowed by arctic blizzards, and countless times I nearly died in the jaws of polar bear packs."
"I originally intended to find an auction house and sell this amethyst bracelet for a good price, but since today is your birthday, I'm giving it to you."
Shen Lang smiled, "In this world, money cannot warm the human heart; only the most sincere feelings can."
"What?"
Upon hearing Shen Lang's words, not only Ye Shishi was stunned, but even Gu Qinghan and Wang Yuyan were taken aback.
No one had ever imagined that the amethyst bracelet Shen Lang presented had such an origin, nor that it was a gift obtained at the cost of Shen Lang's life.
Yang Ce and the others nearby were even more dumbfounded.
You see, why could he enjoy the favor of multiple women? Because he had the means.
The gifts he casually bestowed were treasures, priceless and unobtainable with money alone.
For anyone else, it would take ten lifetimes to even gather one of these treasures.
Sometimes, you shouldn't just envy others; you must also examine yourself and ask if you have the capital to enjoy such blessings.
Amidst the envious and shocked gazes of the crowd, Ye Shishi picked up the amethyst bracelet and put it on her wrist.
The moment she put it on, Ye Shishi felt a wave of coolness wash over her body, an indescribable comfort, despite the scorching heat of June.
What shocked Ye Shishi even more was that after putting on the amethyst bracelet, she immediately felt her mind clear, her thoughts unhindered. Problems that she had previously been unable to solve or understand suddenly seemed to fall into place, clearly and distinctly.
"Thank you—"
Ye Shishi knew Shen Lang hadn't lied to her, and her gaze towards him was filled with an inexpressible tenderness.
"You're welcome."
Shen Lang replied with a smile, then turned to Wang Yuyan and said, "Let's go."
"Okay—"
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Wang Yuyan nodded with a smile and left the Baima Club with him.
Watching their retreating figures, Ye Shishi sighed, "Damn, they look so compatible. It's a shame, if it were me, we'd be even more so."
"You b*stard."
Gu Qinghan heard this and said to Ye Shishi, "After so many years, Ye Shishi, haven't you changed your competitive and boastful nature at all?"
"What's wrong with being competitive and boastful?"
Ye Shishi replied with a smile, "If I weren't competitive and boastful, would there be today's Zhongzhou Bank?"
"Yes, your Zhongzhou Bank is flourishing, and you'll likely be number one on the Southern Ling Rich Women's list this year."
Saying this, Ye Shishi smiled and continued, "Sometimes, I'm very curious, how could a student who just graduated take charge of the then struggling Heilong Bank, and how did you revive the defunct Heilong Bank and transform it into today's Zhongzhou Bank?"
"Ye Shishi, I know you are very capable, bold, and resourceful, but I also know that by yourself, you couldn't have achieved all this in such a short time."
Gu Qinghan probed, "I've heard you have a powerful figure behind you. As best friends, can you tell me who that person is?"
"Gu Qinghan, you want to pry into my secrets?"
Ye Shishi looked at Gu Qinghan with a wary expression and said, "Even though we are best friends, you'd better not pry too much into my secrets, because they are not for you to pry into."
It was true that Ye Shishi had a powerful figure behind her, but apart from Ye Shishi herself, no one knew who that figure was.
It was with the full support of this powerful figure that Ye Shishi had achieved her current success.
Many people had tried to find out who the powerful figure behind Ye Shishi was, but they couldn't find any clues.
That person was Ye Shishi's greatest backing, and the more secretive their identity, the more beneficial it was for Ye Shishi.
Therefore, prying into that person's identity, even if it was her best friend, made Ye Shishi feel a hint of displeasure.
"I was just casually asking, is there any need for you to get so worked up?"
Seeing Ye Shishi's reaction, Gu Qinghan spoke.
"Yes, very much so."
Ye Shishi looked at Gu Qinghan and said very seriously, "Gu Qinghan, we are best friends, but regarding my secrets, especially those related to business, it's best for you, as the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Martial Guard Bureau, not to inquire."
"Although I am not a criminal, you are law enforcement. If you know my secrets, it will make me feel insecure, do you understand?"
"Alright, I won't pry, I was just asking."
Gu Qinghan put away "Spring Returns to the Earth" and then said to Ye Shishi, "As long as you don't commit any crimes, we will be best friends forever. I will never pry into your secrets, but if you commit a crime in the future, then even as friends, I can only handle it officially."
"I can't be bothered to talk to you."
Hearing Gu Qinghan's last sentence, Ye Shishi frowned and said, "Gu Qinghan, perhaps we've reached a point where we only have friendship, no common topics. Let's talk less in the future, so as not to annoy each other."
Hearing Ye Shishi's words, Gu Qinghan was struck, and she sighed inwardly, it seemed some rumors were not unfounded.