Chapter 173 - Fake Ring

He smiles, looking at her, "I still am in love with you, Shi."

His reply makes Shi Lian uncomfortable. The sunlight making her eyes narrow. 

She gives him a nervous laugh, "Oh god, that line did make me sweat."

He chuckles, "Don't worry, I am not going to propose to you or force you to love me. It's just, my love for you has never faded."

She feels a little guilty remembering when she said that her feelings for him have faded. When Atian sees Shi Lian getting upset, he quickly changes the topic, making a joke. "If in case, that Fu Zichen breaks your heart, you can always come to me." He passes her a wink which makes her laugh. 

"Then I'll probably prefer to be single after then," she says with humor-filled in her tone. 

Shi Lian do not realize when she reached home. It was fun to jog with Atian and she is wondering to go again if she gets time. 

It's seven-thirty when she reaches home. Her mother is ordering something from the maid when she notices Shi Lian coming in. 

"Where have you been?" she asks, approaching towards her. 

Huffing, Shi Lian removes the speakers from her ears and says, "went for a jog."

"Nanny Zhang told me but why all of a sudden?"

"I couldn't sleep so I thought of going for a run," she tells. She does not tell her about Atian because her mother will then start asking questions about what did they talked about. 

She goes to her room, her legs aching as she takes the steps. Closing the door, she goes straight to the bathroom and takes a cold shower. 

After she is done freshen up, she changes into her work clothes— a shirt and fitted black pants that are loose at the end with a black jacket. It's very formal but Shi Lian likes how she looks. 

Strapping on her black pump heels, she steps outside the room and goes to the dressing room to do her makeup. She dries her hair first and decides to keep it free. She went to the salon a few days ago and did her hair. Her hair is now to her shoulder-length, a little longer and more smooth and shiny. The loose curls at the end are what she loves the most. 

Now that she is all ready, she glances at the clock finding that she has forty-five minutes left with her. Finding her phone, she dials Moxing number, anxiety at her peak. 

He picks the call and Shi Lian croaks, "Hello, Uncle."

"Oh, Shi Lian! Great you called. About the ring, it's 92% completed. Just some finishing touches and it will be already" he informs. 

Shi Lian, after hearing, wants to squeal and jump because the ring is done! Oh god, she can finally breathe now. 

"Uncle, you don't know what great news you told me!" she exclaims with joy. 

"The ring will be ready in few hours. When it's done, I'll ring you" he says. 

"That will be perfect. I'll be waiting for your call" she tells him, smiling as she talks. 

Ending the call, she wants to squeal and she did. Everything is going according to her plan and she only wishes it goes till the end. 

**

"Miss Shi Lian, there's a rumor circulating in the office" Fang Xiao informs like a reporter. 

Smiling to herself, Shi Lian asks, "And what is that?"

"Something is going on between you and Mr. CEO," she says, "I heard the staff talking about this yesterday." 

Shi Lian laughs, shaking her head. "People likes to gossip and assume things whatever and in whichever angle they see things."

"So the rumors are false right?"

"Rumours are never true. They are only assumptions of people which they forcefully want to be true" Shi Lian states with a sigh. 

"True" Fang Xiao agrees and passes the tabloid to her. Taking the tablet from her hold, Shi Lian asks her as if remembering it recently. 

"Please inform JJ's secretary that I'll be making his schedule from now on," she tells Fang Xiao, looking at the tablet, her fingers sliding on the screen. 

Confused and curious, Fang Xiao asks, "But why Miss Shi Lian?"

"It's between us. A kind of a deal" she says with a wink. Shi Lian does not want to tell anyone what is the matter between her and JJ. 

Fang Xiao does not ask any further questions and leaves the room to pass the order to his secretary. 

Shi Lian glances at her watch, again after five minutes. She cannot keep her heart at rest after knowing that the Ring is prepared and can be here any moment. 

While she checks the stats on the laptop, her phone rings, and turning her head she sees the name of the caller. It's Moxing. Wasting no time, she receives his call and says a cheerful hello. 

"Shi Lian, I am at the reception area. Shall I come up?" he asks. Sometimes Shi Lian feels embarrassed when elders like him ask her permission. 

"Of course. I'll let Zila know" she says, ending the call. Bringing the desk phone close to her ear, she tells Zila, the receptionist to let Moxing come.

She waits until he arrives and the nervous feeling grows more and more. 

Minutes later, a knock on the door and Shi Lian is already on her feet. Pushing the door, Moxing enters in and smiles seeing Shi Lian. 

"Hello, again Uncle Huan" she welcomes and gestures him to take a seat on the couch. 

He is holding a small bag and she assumes the ring is inside. She cannot wait at all now. "The ring is already?" she asks. 

"I couldn't believe that it was possible but it finally is done," he says, taking out the small white box and places it on the glass table. "Have a look and tell me if it's alright."

Shi Lian, wasting no second, grabs the box and pushes open the lid. There it is. The beautiful ring sitting between the velvety white casket. She observes the ring. According to what her memory serves, the ring looks exactly like the original one. Let it be the size, placing of stones, and everything. To confirm it, she opens her gallery and opens the picture of the ring. She glances at the screen and then at the ring in her hand, matching their details. 

"This is the same as the original one. You did a great work Uncle Huan!" she compliments, feeling extremely pleased. 

"I am glad you like it, Shi Lian" he smiles, the wrinkles around the corner of his eyes visible. 

She puts the ring back into the box and closes the lid. The fake ring is ready and it's time for the execution. Everything will go smoothly if the creepy man does not get suspicious. She hopes he doesn't. 

After chatting with him for some time, Moxing finally takes his leave, exiting from her office. 

Shi Lian puts the small box inside her jacket pocket safely and returns to her seat. The creepy hasn't called her yet and she has no idea how much she has with herself. 

Just as she is thinking about him, his number appears on her phone screen. Grimacing, she picks the call and says in a rude tone, "You called to remind me?"

The man laughs, "How attentive and smart, Shi Lian. Yes, I called you to remind you."

She gulps hating his voice.

"In about thirty minutes, you will meet me at the Declan roadside. I'll call you when I see you there. You understand?" he informs, his tone serious. "And I hope you won't try to use any kinds of tricks Shi Lian" he adds, his tone threatening. 

She has already taken the risk. The biggest trick she is going to play on him. Keeping her voice even, she replies, "I expect the same from you too."

"I am a man of my words. Rest assured."

"Fine, I'll be there in thirty minutes. Hang up" she tells him and ends the call. Shoving her phone inside her pant pocket she leaves her office. 

Walking to Fang Xiao's desk, she informs her, "I am going for important work. If I have any meetings, cancel them."

"Okay, Miss Shi Lian" Fang Xiao nods. She is curious about where she goes. For almost a week or so, Shi Lian is running around and is hardly in the company. Sighing, she returns her attention to work. 

Outside the company, Shi Lian goes to where her car is parked. The driver is standing right beside the car, doing something on his phone. When he notices Shi Lian approaching, he hastily turns off his phone and stands straight, bowing his head. 

"Pass me the keys" she demands, stretching her palm forward. 

The driver hesitates again. But this time, he does not ask her questions and gives the key to her. 

"I am going for important work, I'll be back in an hour," she tells and gets inside the car, shutting the door. 

Inserting the key, she starts the car, and soon, the car is out of the driver's sight.