Uncle Rui followed Aunt Lan downstairs, and Li Yu and A Xiang happened to see this as they went out. Seeing Aunt Lan enter the house, Uncle Rui wanted to follow, but Li Yu stopped him. "Uncle Rui, what’s the rush?"
Uncle Rui said, "Your Aunt Lan borrowed that necklace from Mrs. Han for a million dollars. I'm afraid it's gone, so I wanted to ask her to return it. But she refused, so I’m in a hurry."
Li Yu comforted Uncle Rui, "All women love beauty. Just let her have her fun. Uncle Rui, can you ask Aunt Lan to let me take a look at the necklace?"
Uncle Rui said with a worried look, "You two come in with me. I’ll talk to her."
Li Yu and A Xiang followed Uncle Rui into the house. As soon as Li Yu entered, he saw Aunt Lan holding the necklace, trying it on her neck. Li Yu said, "Aunt Lan, I heard Uncle Rui say that you borrowed a necklace from Mrs. Han. Can I take a look?"
Aunt Lan, returning to her senses, said reluctantly, "You can. But be careful."
Li Yu took the necklace from Aunt Lan's hand, saying, "Aunt Lan, I'm just taking a look. Don't worry."
Li Yu carefully examined the necklace. He had confirmed that this glass necklace was the culprit behind this commotion. He then returned the necklace to Aunt Lan without telling her that it was glass. Given Aunt Lan’s personality, she would start cursing and hating Mrs. Han again.
Aunt Lan immediately took back the necklace, protecting it like a mother hen protecting her chick. Seeing this, Li Yu shook his head, said goodbye to Uncle Rui, and left with A Xiang.
At Eight Auntie’s house, Western Cai sat at the table. Seeing Eight Auntie pouring tea for him and a bunch of food on the table, he quickly interrupted her, "Okay, okay, Eight Auntie, I can do it myself. You sit down first. As the saying goes, ‘No good deed goes unpunished.’ You must have something to ask. Just come out with it!"
Eight Auntie pointed at Western Cai, "You are indeed clever! Do you want to sell the jade Buddha you bought today?"
Western Cai immediately became excited, "Yes, of course! This is a supreme, consecrated jade Buddha. It originally cost 30,000, but now it's 20,000. Since we’re all neighbors, I'm giving you a discount!" Western Cai said, taking out the jade Buddha.
Eight Auntie deliberately said, "As neighbors, I don't want you to lose money. I'll give you 50,000."
Western Cai, hearing Eight Auntie’s words, nearly choked on his tea. He couldn't believe his ears, "50,000? Did I hear correctly?"
Eight Auntie was startled by Western Cai, saying, "Yes, 50,000. You heard correctly."
Western Cai, upon receiving confirmation, burst into laughter, but then he noticed something was wrong. "Eight Auntie, there's no such thing as free lunch. You said this morning that I was selling fake goods. Now you're coming to buy it from me? Don't play me! Just tell me what you want."
Eight Auntie smiled and pointed at Western Cai, "You are truly clever. Then I'll come straight to the point. I want you to write me a receipt for this jade Buddha, showing that the New Da Fu bought it for a million dollars."
Western Cai pointed at Eight Auntie, "Wow! Eight Auntie, you're really smart! You buy it for 50,000, and then sell it for a million. You think of everything! You should be the one making a fortune! I can write the receipt, but you need to pay first."
Eight Auntie happily said, "Good! I'll give you the money, but you can’t tell anyone.” Then she handed Western Cai 50,000.
Western Cai received the money and left.
After leaving Uncle Rui's house, Li Yu and A Xiang went to a Western clothing store. As soon as they entered, a female salesperson greeted them, "Welcome. What can I help you with, sir and madam? Do you need me to introduce anything?"
Li Yu pulled A Xiang to the front and told the salesperson, "Please help this lady pick out two suitable outfits."
The salesperson politely extended her hand, "This way, madam." Then she led A Xiang to choose clothes. Li Yu followed them.
The salesperson picked out a pure white dress. A Xiang went into the fitting room and came out, making Li Yu’s eyes widen. Her clear eyes, beautiful face, and the white dress outlining her slender figure radiated a pure and elegant aura, charming and captivating.
A Xiang tried on several dresses, and Li Yu bought all the ones she tried. Then, with bags in hand, they left and returned to the courtyard.
The next day, at the tailor shop, Aunt Lan sat on a stool, looking at the diamond necklace and telling Uncle Rui, "I'm going to wear this necklace to my cousin's wedding tonight."
Uncle Rui chimed in, "And you'll be wearing that new dress you made here."
Aunt Lan said with a smile, "Yes! I’ve never experienced such a grand occasion in my life. It feels like a dream. You know, the groom’s family treated me like a VIP." She stood up and patted Uncle Rui happily.
Uncle Rui also laughed and said, "Then you'll have a good time. Wife, this necklace is very expensive. We are just keeping it safe for Mrs. Han for a few days. Don’t lose it. If we lose it, we’ll have to work our lives off and still not be able to afford it. Put it away quickly. Put it away and then go work, okay?" He reminded Aunt Lan to be careful despite his joy.
Aunt Lan was about to put away the necklace when Eight Auntie walked in, "Good morning! Why haven’t you two started work yet?"
Uncle Rui responded with a smile, "We’re about to start. Eight Auntie, are you here to make a dress or a skirt?" Then, he took out a measuring tape to help Eight Auntie with her measurements.
Eight Auntie saw Uncle Rui grabbing the tape to measure her. She quickly waved her hands, "I'm not here to make clothes. I just wanted to ask a favor of you two."
Uncle Rui thought Eight Auntie was joking. He laughed and said, "Eight Auntie, you shouldn't be joking. What favor could you possibly ask of us?"
Eight Auntie pretended to be embarrassed. "It's like this. Brother Bing's godfather’s birthday is coming up, and he invited us to dinner. I don't have a necklace, and I’m missing a diamond necklace. I know Mrs. Han’s necklace is with you. I'd like to borrow it."
Uncle Rui quickly replied, "That necklace is entrusted to us by Mrs. Han. It’s very expensive. Plus, we don’t have the authority to decide to lend it to you on behalf of Mrs. Han."
Seeing that Uncle Rui was refusing, Eight Auntie sat down. "Tailor man, I know that necklace is very valuable. I won't damage it. I'll only borrow it for one night. You won't say anything, I won't say anything, and Mrs. Han will never know that you lent it to me."
Aunt Lan pulled Uncle Rui aside and said to Eight Auntie, "No, we won't lend it. If you want to borrow it, wait until Mrs. Han comes back and ask her."
Eight Auntie, furious, stood up and said, "Don't push your luck. I'm telling you, I'm going to take back this house next month. Find another place to move."
Li Yu and A Xiang were going to have tea at Da San Yuan. As they approached the tailor shop, they heard Eight Auntie’s voice from inside. Li Yu went in.
"Eight Auntie, do you have to be so ruthless? Just because they won’t lend you the necklace, you want to kick them out? Aren't you being too heartless?" Hearing the sudden voice from behind, Eight Auntie jumped in fright. She turned around and cursed, "Which bastard is scaring me from behind!" Then she saw Li Yu standing behind her. Her anger subsided somewhat, but she still said with an unpleasant tone, "Li Yu, aren't you busy? Why are you scaring me from behind?"
Li Yu smiled and replied, "How could I scare you? You’re the one with a guilty conscience! Aunt Lan and Uncle Rui just won’t lend you the necklace, and you’re going to kick them out? Aren’t you being too heartless!"
At this moment, A Xiang walked in and said, "Good morning, Eight Auntie, Aunt Lan, Uncle Rui!" A Xiang was wearing a white long dress with her hair tied in a high ponytail. A pink diamond necklace adorned her neck. A Xiang looked like a celestial being. Eight Auntie, Aunt Lan, and Uncle Rui were stunned by A Xiang’s beauty.
Aunt Lan was the first to react. She walked over and grabbed A Xiang, saying, "A Xiang, you are so beautiful today! Dressed like this, you really look like a fairy descended from heaven!"
Uncle Rui echoed, "Yes! A Xiang, you are so beautiful today. I can't even describe it."
Eight Auntie noticed the necklace around A Xiang's neck and said, "A Xiang, is that necklace made of gemstones?" Hearing Eight Auntie’s words, Aunt Lan and Uncle Rui also noticed the Pink Star necklace around A Xiang’s neck.
A Xiang looked at Li Yu and said, "It’s not a gemstone. Brother Yu said it’s a diamond, and it’s called Pink Star, I think."
Three gasps echoed through the small room. Uncle Rui, trembling, said, "Mrs. Han's diamond necklace was only so big, and it cost a million. A Xiang, how much did this one cost, with such a large diamond?"
A Xiang shook her head. "I don’t know. Brother Yu didn’t tell me."
Li Yu smiled, "I’m not going to tell you how much it costs, so as not to scare you. We have to go to Da San Yuan for tea. We’ll be leaving now." He left the house with A Xiang.
Eight Auntie stood there, thinking. She had already set her sights on A Xiang, because A Xiang’s diamond necklace was even better than Mrs. Han’s.
At this time, Aunt Lan called out, "Eight Auntie, please leave. We have to work."
Eight Auntie snorted and left.
After drinking tea, Li Yu and A Xiang were walking back to the courtyard when a police officer came to inform Li Yu that his appointment letter had arrived and asked him to go back for the appointment ceremony.
Li Yu sent A Xiang back to the courtyard and went to the police station. He saw Niu Da Chun at the entrance greeting him.
Niu Da Chun, seeing Li Yu, shouted, "A Yu, hurry up! We're waiting for you!"
Li Yu responded, "I’m here" and walked quickly over. When Li Yu reached the steps of the police station, the officers below quickly lined up. Niu Da Chun stood on the steps, holding an appointment letter, and began to speak. "Officer Li, since you took office, you have solved several major cases and made significant contributions to the police department, increasing the case closure rate significantly. To thank you for your contributions, I hereby appoint Li Yu as the deputy director of our department. Let's all applaud and welcome Deputy Director Li to come forward to receive his appointment."
The officers below applauded. Li Yu walked up to Niu Da Chun. Niu Da Chun picked up the police uniform and cap held by an officer nearby and handed them to Li Yu. Li Yu took the uniform and cap and said, "Thank you, Director."
Then, Li Yu turned to the officers below and said, "It's all thanks to your trust that I can be appointed as the deputy director. Thank you all for your support." Li Yu finished speaking, and another round of applause erupted below.
On this side, Li Yu was at the police station for his promotion ceremony. On the other side, Eight Auntie was at home, setting up a trap. She stared out the window, watching the entrance to the courtyard below. After a long time, she saw A Xiang coming back and ran downstairs.
Eight Auntie went downstairs but didn't see A Xiang. Instead, she saw Western Cai returning. She said to Western Cai, "Have you prepared the jade Buddha receipt?"
Western Cai, hearing Eight Auntie’s words, took out the receipt from his bag and handed it to Eight Auntie, saying, "Eight Auntie, you can rest assured that I'll get things done."
Eight Auntie took the receipt from Western Cai, glanced at it, and saw that it was a receipt without an amount. She quickly put it away and said to Western Cai, "Alright, I trust you to get things done." Then she turned and went upstairs.
Back upstairs, Eight Auntie took out the receipt without an amount. Looking at it, she felt bolder. She wrote “ten million” on the receipt, put it away, and went downstairs again to find A Xiang.
A Xiang was back home reading a picture book Li Yu had bought for her. These days, Li Yu had been teaching A Xiang a few characters every day, so now A Xiang could understand the general meaning of the picture books based on the images and the few characters she knew.
A Xiang was engrossed in the book when she heard a knock on the door. She got up to open it.
Eight Auntie knocked on Li Yu’s door. After a while, the door opened, revealing A Xiang. Eight Auntie said, "A Xiang! I’d like to invite you up to my house for a visit. I was wrong before. I shouldn’t have treated you like that. To apologize, I've prepared many things." Then she pulled A Xiang upstairs. A Xiang was a little hesitant to refuse Eight Auntie, as she still had a shadow of fear from her past.
A Xiang followed Eight Auntie upstairs and saw a table filled with fruits and snacks. Eight Auntie pulled out a chair and said, "A Xiang, come sit here." A Xiang, seeing Eight Auntie’s gesture, felt awkward refusing and sat down. Eight Auntie, seeing A Xiang sit down, began to offer her fruits and snacks, saying how she had been terrible and shouldn’t have done such things.
A Xiang, seeing Eight Auntie acting this way, felt soft-hearted and stood up to comfort her.
Eight Auntie, seeing A Xiang stand up to comfort her, started moving towards the window. She walked to the window and said, "A Xiang, to atone for my wrongdoings towards you, I went to New Da Fu Jewelry Store and asked for a jade Buddha to worship."
A Xiang, seeing Eight Auntie like this, said with a soft heart, "Eight Auntie, you don't have to do this. I forgive you for what happened before."
Eight Auntie pointed to the jade Buddha and said, "A Xiang, you forgive me. Then, go and wipe the jade Buddha for me to show that you have forgiven me."