**"Hmm? Phoenix Fate Jewelry?"** Chen Baogang's eyebrows shot up in surprise when he spotted the gold-embossed logo on the blue box.

  **"Pfft. Probably some cheap gold ring worth a couple thousand at most,"** Fan Ruting sneered, though she was puzzled—how could this freeloader afford anything from Phoenix Fate?

  **"Ting, even a small gold ring would be a stretch for Jiarong. He must've saved every penny for years!"** Chen Baogang chuckled, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

  Ignoring them, Lin Yu handed the box to Jiang Yan, his voice soft. **"Sorry for making you wait so long."**

  Jiang Yan blinked, unsure what game he was playing or where he'd gotten the money. After a hesitant pause, she accepted the box.

  When she opened it, her eyes widened in shock.

  Even her usual composure couldn't shield her from the sight of the dazzling diamond ring—easily twice the size of Fan Ruting's.

  **"Yan, what's inside?"**

  Seeing her reaction, Chen Baogang and Fan Ruting crowded around, their faces instantly paling.

  **"No way! A diamond that big has to be fake!"**

  Jealousy flared in Fan Ruting's chest. There was no way this loser could afford such a ring—it had to be a glass knockoff.

  **"Definitely fake. I've seen these before—they sell for a couple hundred at accessory shops. Pretty convincing though!"** Chen Baogang chimed in.

  He wasn't entirely wrong. Plenty of shops sold glass replicas, but to call them "convincing" was laughable. Glass could never compare to diamond.

  Still, given Lin Yu's financial state, a real one was impossible.

  Even Jiang Yan had to admit—if this was a fake, it was an *exceptionally* well-made one.

  **"Sir, may I examine the ring? I can authenticate it for you,"** the saleswoman offered, her eyes widening at the stone's clarity and brilliance.

  Lin Yu handed it over without hesitation.

  The saleswoman carefully donned gloves, pulled out a loupe, and studied the ring intently.

  **"Waste of time. No way this deadbeat could afford the real thing,"** Fan Ruting muttered, though the saleswoman's focus made her uneasy.

  The moment she finished speaking, the saleswoman gasped. **"Sir, your love for your wife is as steadfast as gold, unyielding even in death!"**

  She turned to Jiang Yan, eyes shining. **"Miss, you're incredibly lucky to have such a husband!"**

  **"Wait—you're saying it's REAL?!"** Chen Baogang's voice cracked.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Jiang Yan looked equally stunned.

  **"Are you SURE?"** Fan Ruting's screech turned shrill.

  **"Absolutely. This is a three-carat D-color, FL-clarity diamond with 3EX cut—top-tier in every aspect. At Phoenix Fate, it would retail for at least 2.2 million yuan. Truly, your husband's devotion knows no bounds."**

  **"T-TWO MILLION?!"** Chen Baogang's jaw dropped.

  Fan Ruting's face drained of color. Her ring didn't even come close to covering the *tax* on that stone.

  Jiang Yan was equally floored—not just by the value, but by how Lin Yu had gotten it.

  **"Only your elegance could do it justice."**

  Lin Yu deliberately echoed the saleswoman's earlier flattery as he slid the ring onto Jiang Yan's slender finger. The room seemed to brighten instantly.

  Jiang Yan's hand trembled slightly. This was her first diamond ring—a moment she'd fantasized about since girlhood. She'd just never imagined *He Jiarong* would be the one putting it on her finger.

  **"Darling, I want one too!"** Fan Ruting whined, pinching Chen Baogang's arm while shooting Jiang Yan envious glares.

  Chen Baogang broke out in a cold sweat. Buying something like that would bankrupt him.

  **"Excuse me, sir, miss—might I take a closer look at that ring?"**

  A chubby man emerged from the back—the store manager. He smiled politely as Jiang Yan, snapping out of her daze, handed it over.

  After examining it under magnification and weighing it, his expression darkened. **"Sir, may I ask *which* Phoenix Fate location you purchased this from?"**

  **"Well... I didn't buy it—"**

  **"Just as I thought! You *stole* it!"** The manager smirked, locking the ring in the display case.

  The crowd gasped.

  **"What are you implying?"** Lin Yu's voice turned icy.

  **"This is Phoenix Fate's newest—and most expensive—'Supreme Diamond Ring.' It hasn't even hit shelves yet. It should be in our chairman's safe. So unless you're a thief, how else would you have it?"**

  The manager puffed out his chest, already imagining the promotion he'd get for this "heroic" catch.

  **"So it *was* stolen! Jiarong, tsk tsk... breaking the law now?"** Chen Baogang crowed, delighted.

  **"I *knew* it! This loser could never afford that. Disgusting!"** Fan Ruting sneered, relief washing over her.

  **"I didn't steal it. Your chairman, Shen Hanshan, gave it to me."**

  Lin Yu hadn't wanted to name-drop, but this left him no choice.

  **"Hah! Chairman Shen knows *you*? Don't make me laugh!"** The manager guffawed. A man of Shen's stature would never gift something so valuable to a nobody.

  Besides, just days ago, Shen had announced this very ring would be allocated to *this* branch for sale.

  Chen Baogang and Fan Ruting doubled over laughing. **"Still lying? If you know Shen Hanshan, I know Bill Gates!"**

  **"Call your chairman and ask."** Lin Yu clenched his fists.

  **"Oh, I will—so he can see the thief who stole his diamond!"** The manager gleefully dialed Shen's assistant, insisting the chairman come immediately.

  Hanging up, he jabbed a finger at Lin Yu. **"Don't even think about running—we've got cameras!"**

  **"He's not going anywhere!"** Chen Baogang lunged to grab Lin Yu's arm.

  **"I'm not leaving. I'd like to ask your chairman what kind of idiots he's hiring."**

  With a slight shake, Lin Yu sent Chen Baogang sprawling.

  **"What the hell?!"** Fan Ruting shrieked, helping him up.

  **"Call the police!"** Chen Baogang roared.

  The manager nodded to the saleswoman. **"Go ahead. The chairman will want them here anyway."**

  **"Sir, this gentleman doesn't seem like a thief. Maybe we should wait—"** the saleswoman ventured.

  **"Who's in charge here?!"** the manager bellowed.

  Reluctantly, she dialed 110.

  **"Jiang Yan, I didn't steal anything."** Lin Yu turned to her, ignoring the others.

  **"I know."**

  **"You believe me?"**

  **"Yes."**

  Of all people, Jiang Yan knew "He Jiarong" best. Useless he might be, but he'd never been dishonest—nor brave enough to steal something so valuable.

  Though her trust was for "He Jiarong," warmth still flooded Lin Yu's chest. This was the first time Jiang Yan had ever defended him.

  ---

  **"Why the hell did Dad drag me here?!"**

  An irritated voice rang out as Shen Yuxuan stormed in. He'd been nearby when summoned and had dropped everything to come.

  **"Young Master Shen!"** The manager scurried over, chest puffed. **"We've caught the thief who stole our diamond! He's right here!"**