Shi Lian sits on her study table, wondering if she should call that man or not. He hasn't called in three days and she assumes he must be waiting for her call.

After debating for almost twenty minutes, she dials his number. Finding his number in her call logs, she calls him. The most unusual thing here is that there is no ringing sound on the other line.

Normally, when she calls anyone, there's always a ringing sound but when she called him last time and this time as well, there's no sound.

He finally picks the call after sixteen seconds of her waiting. "How nice to get a call from you, Shi Lian."

Shi Lian rolls her eyes saying, "I want answers to some of my questions from you."

"What do you want to know?" he asks with a mocking tone. She can't help but get shiver hearing his creepy voice. It's as if he speaks with his nose, not his mouth.

"How did you know my mother will tell me about the ring?"

He sneers and that annoys her. "So she told you about everything. Am I correct?"

"Answer my question first" she demands, getting impatient.

"So stubborn" he taunts her, "Well, I wasn't hundred percent sure she would tell you but judging by how demanding you are, Sha Sha must have no choice but to answer all your questions."

Is this man a psychic? How can he predict things well? She wonders if he is outside her house, spying on her.

"Now that you know about the 4-Era Ring. Have you made your mind?" he asks.

"About what?"

"How and when will you give me the ring."

Shi Lian scoffs. How can he even think of that? He knows her mother told her everything yet he is so sure of himself. "What makes you think I will be giving you the ring? Since you know what my mother told me, how can you be sure of yourself?

He laughs a horrendous laugh. "Because you want to know secrets and I have them, Shi Lian. "

Secrets are sure tempting to her and he knows her. Fuck, he knows what she wants. But Shi Lian has a plan. All she needs is to execute it well.

"Fine. You know me" she says, trying to pretend nonchalantly. "For the exchange of the ring, you have to provide me all the secrets. Each and everything you have."

He is quiet. Maybe he is thinking about whether to believe what she is saying. After all, that man isn't dumb. Clearing his throat, he speaks, "Well, you are more sincere than I thought."

Shi Lian smiles to herself. He believes her. Her plan is working.

"Have you seen the ring? If you already have, click the picture of the ring and send it to me" he tells her, his tone serious.

"I haven't seen the ring."

She hears him sighing in frustration. "Well then, find the ring."

"I don't even know where the ring is," she says, looking at her door, checking if anyone's there or not.

"Find it. Then send it. You have only four days with you" the man grumbles in irritation and ends the call. Shi Lian finds it odd because she thought the man is extremely patient, like a snake.

She sighs and keeping her phone beside her, she puts her head down, supported by her hands. She now needs to find the ring's location but how? She cannot her mother about it or else she will definitely guess Shi Lian is up to something and it won't be soon her father will know too.

How can she find the ring? The creepy won't tell her even. Ugh!

Knowing that the ring is an heirloom, it must be kept in a safe and secret place. She needs to search her whole house and get the ring's location anyhow.

**

Since it's Sunday today, she has the time to search for the ring. Now, she needs to think of something to make her mother leave the house for a while.

She reaches downstairs for breakfast, still thinking of an excuse.

Upon her reaching the dining table, she notices her mother talking with someone on the phone. She wonders who that is.

Noticing Shi Lian taking a seat at the dining table, Sha Sha ends the call and looks at her. Sha Sha is always smiling. Whenever Shi Lian feels low, she will look at her mother's smiling face and she would instantly forget about the reason for her sadness.

Shi Lian isn't aware of how long she is staring at her mother. She comes back to reality when her mother asks, "What are you thinking?"

Shi Lian shakes her head, smiling, "Nothing. You look beautiful, mother. "

Sha Sha chuckles and passes her the dishes. When she is done serving, Shi Lian asks, "Who were you talking with on the phone? "

Shi Lian finds her mother hesitating a little as if she is not sure whether to tell her or not. She says anyway. "Hui Yin invited me to come over."

Hearing that woman's name, Shi Lian stops smiling. No matter what, she is still holding grudges against her. Noticing her daughter's changed expression, Sha Sha says, "If you don't like it, I won't go."

Shi Lian looks at her mother, she is smiling now too. She hates herself when she acts like this. She does not want her to go meet that woman but it's also a good thing for her. The house will be empty and she can find the ring at ease.

"No, mother. You don't need to do that. You should go" Shi Lian insists, putting the smile back on her face.

Sha Sha wasn't expecting she will agree but she was happy she did. "You don't have any problem, Shi? she asks for confirmation.

"No, mother. If you want to go, you can. I am not a bad daughter who stops her mother from doing what she wants" she says with humor.

Sha Sha smiles widely, "You are my princess, Shi. The very best daughter any mother can have."

It went smoothly than she expected. They eat their breakfast in serenity and Shi Lian can only think of where the ring is.