"The 4-Era Ring is named after the four generations. Some say it is named so because of the four precious jewels engraved on it- Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, and Diamond. Your great great great grandfather is the one who made this ring for your great great great grandmother" Sha Sha narrates, a smile on her face as she says. "Since then it has been passed on to generation after generation. It was a symbol of pure love and prosperity until..." she pauses, her smile fades as she glances at Shi Lian.

"Until?" Shi Lian presses, eagerly waiting for her to say.

"Until it was the reason of clashes and family fights. I don't know much about the story because I wasn't one of them yet, but according to what your father had told me, I can only say that" Sha Sha tells her.

Shi Lian nods, gesturing her to go on. The story is completely different from what she had thought.

Sha Sha continues, "Your great grandfather's brother, half brother to be exact was after the ring. He was greedy and planning with one of his friends, he thought of stealing the ring. He did steal the ring and escaped for days. Everyone tried to find him, they looked for him in the whole region of Beijing and later after two days your great grandfather found him" she pauses to catch her breath, "They got into a brutal fight. And unfortunately, his half-brother was dead. Your father said he deserved it, maybe he did as because he used to hate your great grandfather."

"Then? What happened to the ring?" Shi Lian asks.

Sha Sha says, "After the fight, your great grandfather decided to keep the ring in a safe place and do not pass it on to the next generation. It ended right there and your great grandfather especially warned us to not disclose it to anyone outside the Mo family."

Shi Lian cannot understand how it is related to her protection? What dangers will she face if she knew it earlier? "You both never told this story to me. Why? How will I get hurt if I know this?" she raises questions making her mother put herself in a difficult situation.

"I shouldn't tell you but I have no other choice" Sha Sha sighs. She then tells her, "Your third uncle, hired a man who was his secretary as he used to tell us. Earlier when you were little, your uncle and his family used to spend most of the time here as you can remember."

Shi Lian bobs her head, remembering those days where she used to get bullied by her cousin.

Sha Sha continues, "The man somehow knew about the existence of the ring and he tried to steal it at night. Luckily, we caught him red-handed and he was fired right away."

Shi Lian is speechless. Knowing that the ring is real, that there is also a reason behind the ring's existence is all too much for her to reciprocate.

The man, she thinks must be the same man who is calling her. He is still trying to get the ring and now through her. If she hasn't asked her mother she would have never known.

"What do you think?" her mother asks with concern.

Shi Lian sighs, "This is too much. But I still don't understand why you kept this from me? Wait, do Cai Li also knows about this?"

"No. Only the elders are aware of this. We decided not to tell you children about this" Sha Sha says, assuring her. Shi Lian heaves a sigh of relief.

After hearing what her mother says, she is sure of one thing that she will never give that ring to that man. Fuck those secrets. What she got to know now is already a big secret to her and she will be much better not knowing any secrets.

There's one thing she is hesitating about. She is debating internally whether to tell her mother about the man or not. If she tells her mother, she will get worried a d definitely tell her father about this. Then her father will ask her thousands of questions or will most probably send people to dig things out.

No, she cannot say anything. She decides to keep her mouth shut.

"We really didn't mean to feel you this way, Shi. We love you" Sha Sha expresses, getting emotional. Shi Lian feels guilty for raising her voice at her mother. She hugs her tightly and says, "Forgive me for being rude, mother. I was angry and I lost my cool."

Sha Sha rubs her back lightly saying, "You don't need to apologize."

After that, Shi Lian leaves her mother's room and goes to her room. What a dramatic night it was!

She drops to her bed and closes her eyes for a while. She is thinking of blocking that man's number but then suddenly an idea pops into her head and gets up.

Maybe she can get those secrets. She just needs to play smart and be very careful. She drops the idea of deleting his number and thinks of her plan to deal with him.

**

"I don't agree" JJ declines, "What if she knows?"

Mo Zheng Yo tries to assure him, more like manipulate him. "She won't. Trust me, if we work cautiously, she won't have any idea about our plan."

"Still...the plan is too risky and I am not sure," JJ says. Mo Zheng Yi's plan is too risky for him and if the plan failed somehow he would be the one who will be blamed. As fast he knows Mo Zheng Yi, he will try anything to away from the situation and put all the blame onto his partner making him the scapegoat.

"You should have thought about this before agreeing to work with me" Zheng Yi grits out, getting impatient.

JJ says with frustration, "You didn't tell me you would this far just to get the Chairman position."

"Now you know me. I can go to any limit to get what's supposed to be mine" he sneers.

"I am not working with you" JJ gives his answer. "I won't work with a man who is a murderer. How can you kill your own niece?" he accuses.

Mo Zheng Yi gives him a nonchalant look as if what he said has no worth. "Oh, now you are backing out?"

He takes a step towards him, trying to intimidate him. "Weren't you the one you told me that you dislike Shi Lian? Weren't you the one who told me that you will help me get rid of her? Why are backing out now, huh?" he accuses.

"I do despise her but that doesn't mean I want to kill her" he states right on his face.

Mo Zheng Yo scoffs, rolling his eyes. "You don't need to act like a saint here."

"I don't consider myself as a saint anyway. I am done here."

Giving him a look, JJ walks to the door but Mo Zheng Yi stops him. "I'll you make you regret, Mr. CEO." Those words did make him slightly anxious but he ignores them. He continues walking and opening the door, he exits.