Chapter 21: Losing Money

“Money can’t buy my happiness. This bracelet has a special connection to me. What’s wrong with me spending money to buy it? It’s not like I’m spending your money, Qin Yu. Stop preaching to me.” Lu Qiqi’s words brimmed with stubborn pride, making Qin Yu’s brow furrow even tighter.

Lu Qiqi shook off Qin Yu and went home early. The first thing she did upon arriving was head to the study and open her safe. Sure enough, the bracelet was missing. Her expression instantly darkened.

She waited a moment, and as expected, Qin Yu and Shen Manli soon came through the door. She stormed out angrily, grabbed Qin Yu’s arm, and looked utterly upset. “Husband, help me call the police! The bracelet my mother gave me has been stolen!”

“What bracelet?” Qin Yu asked, still trying to process the situation. Shen Manli, however, immediately realized what was happening and started trembling all over.

“It’s the bracelet my mother gave me for my coming-of-age ceremony. I always kept it in the safe, but today I saw it at the auction, so I spent a fortune to buy it back. Looks like we have a thief in the house. I’m definitely calling the police!” Lu Qiqi’s eyes fixed sharply on Shen Manli, almost accusing her outright.

Qin Yu wasn’t a fool. He instantly understood. Although he was annoyed by Shen Manli’s careless hands, seeing her trembling and looking pitiful, compared to Lu Qiqi’s aggressive stance, he felt a surge of sympathy for Shen Manli.

“No, we can’t call the police!” Qin Yu stopped her. “In a family like ours, what would it look like if this got out?”

“It’s my property that’s been stolen. Why shouldn’t I call the police?” Lu Qiqi sneered.

The room fell silent for a moment, especially Shen Manli, whose face grew particularly unpleasant. She wanted to explain but saw Lu Qiqi advancing on her relentlessly.

“Very few people know my safe’s combination. The police will clearly figure it out at first glance. I’d have to make things worse before they’d admit it!” Lu Qiqi pressed on.

“Qiqi, it’s really a misunderstanding. I never meant to steal. You had a rough patch before, and I heard the Guanghua Temple could bless the bracelet. So, I took it out without telling you. I didn’t expect it to be lost, and I didn’t dare tell you... but it wasn’t intentional...” Shen Manli scrambled to concoct an excuse, tears streaming down as she hurriedly explained.

Qin Yu stepped forward, hastily backing her up. “That’s right. Manli only wanted to do something kind for you. Since the bracelet’s been found, why make such a fuss? Qiqi, you weren’t always so petty.”

Lu Qiqi sneered inwardly. These two were shameless—refusing to admit anything and even trying to shift the blame onto her.

Did they really think she was a pushover? A cornered rabbit knows how to bite back, and she was no rabbit!

“Is that so? So you admit you took the bracelet without my permission and didn’t tell me when you lost it, right?” Lu Qiqi wasn’t swayed by their words but zeroed in on the key point.

Shen Manli cursed silently but had no choice but to nod reluctantly. “I did take it, but it was with good intentions. I meant no harm.”

“Manli did mean well, but it’s just a cheap bracelet. Don’t make such a fuss or call the police. If Mom finds out, she’ll be on your case again.” Qin Yu stood protectively in front of Shen Manli, afraid Lu Qiqi would give her a hard time.

Watching their collusion, Lu Qiqi felt even colder inside.

She lifted her eyelids slightly, a faint smile curling her lips. “Husband, I didn’t say I want to make things difficult for Manli. She’s my friend. Since the matter’s cleared up, why escalate it? The embarrassment is mine after all.”

Hearing Lu Qiqi wasn’t pressing charges, Shen Manli breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “Really? Qiqi, I’m so glad you’re not pursuing this. I always knew you were the best.”

“But,” Lu Qiqi sighed softly, “you did lose my bracelet. If I hadn’t found out in time, my coming-of-age gift would’ve been gone forever. And today, I spent so much at the auction. You owe me for that loss, don’t you?”

Shen Manli’s mouth dropped open. “What? You were the one who chose to spend so much. Why should I pay for it?”

She was panicking. At the auction, she had mocked Lu Qiqi for being a sucker. Now, Lu Qiqi wanted her to compensate? She didn’t have that kind of money. Even selling herself wasn’t worth that much.

She tugged lightly at Qin Yu’s sleeve, casting him a pleading, pitiful look.

Qin Yu’s face twisted angrily. “Lu Qiqi, don’t be unreasonable. You chose to spend the money at the auction. What does Shen Manli have to do with it?”

Lu Qiqi raised an eyebrow at Qin Yu’s surprised expression, feigning shock as she appraised him. “Oh, I just want Manli to pay me back, not you. Why are you so nervous? Someone who doesn’t know might think you two have something going on.”

Those words sent both into a panic. Their relationship was a secret. If Lu Qiqi found out and spread it around, their reputations would be ruined.

Where would they save face?

Although Shen Manli had long yearned to join the family, she wasn’t a fool. She knew she had to wait until Qin Yu and Lu Qiqi divorced before she could openly appear in public. Coming out too soon would only earn her the label of homewrecker.

Qin Yu’s face stiffened for a moment, then a cold glint flashed through his narrow eyes before turning into a look of grievance. “Wife, how can you think that of me? I was just feeling sorry for Manli and spoke up for her. You’re accusing me unfairly!”

Realizing he’d overreacted, he quickly added, “You’re not short of money, and Manli isn’t some wealthy heiress. If you pressure her for money, will you still be friends? I didn’t want you to lose a good friend. I said a few words and you got jealous. I don’t know what to do.”

Looking at the face before her—the one she had loved for so many years—Lu Qiqi felt pain she couldn’t deny. But now she was more rational and had long seen the truth.

She raised her beautiful eyes, feigning hurt as her lips trembled and her voice choked.

“You blame me for being jealous, but it’s because you always side with others against me. I spent real money just to buy my own things, and you called me a sucker. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have bothered. Even if we end our friendship, you have to pay for your mistakes first!”