“This… this is…”

“Naturally formed, flawless (IF) clarity, nearly 500 carats, and the cut…”

Xu Boyuan stared in stunned disbelief at the sapphire set in the necklace, a magnifying glass in hand.

It was perfect.

The sapphire set in the necklace before him was naturally flawless!

Even under 15x magnification, there wasn't a single flaw inside or out.

It was a single, solid piece, weighing nearly 500 carats.

He'd only ever seen a cut sapphire this large in a museum…

It was a sapphire called the [Star of Europe]. (Fictional.)

Only royalty could possibly own something like that.

And the cut was even more remarkable—so natural it looked as if it had formed that way.

…

“Master Xu, please tell us—is this sapphire fake or not?”

“Yeah. If it really is fake, this is beyond embarrassing.”

“Look at Master Xu's expression. He seems surprised. Could it really be fake?”

…

A moment later.

Xu Boyuan lowered the specially made high-powered magnifying glass, still looking like he hadn't quite had his fill.

“First, I'd like to thank this young lady for letting me examine such a valuable treasure.”

“I can say with certainty that this sapphire is a natural, flawless-grade stone, crafted with extraordinary skill.”

“You could call it…”

“One of a kind!”

“Even the [Stone of the Sea], another flawless-grade sapphire, can't compare to this one in any respect.”

After first thanking Su Yun, Xu Boyuan made his announcement to the crowd.

“Hiss—” The crowd drew in a sharp breath, utterly shocked.

“How is that possible? It's even better than the Stone of the Sea?”

“I remember the Stone of the Sea sold for fifty million yuan at auction. And this woman is wearing a gem that's even more valuable?”

“No wonder she's the woman by Young Master Chu's side.”

“Jewelry worth at least fifty million yuan—talk about extravagant.”

“Honey, you see these pieces I'm wearing? They only cost a hundred-odd thousand. I think it's time for an upgrade.”

…

Xu Boyuan was a leading figure in the jewelry world, so naturally, everyone took his word for it.

The suspicion in everyone's eyes as they looked at Su Yun faded away.

Some of the men even started getting restless, eager to find a way to win Su Yun's favor.

Come on, if she could wear jewelry worth over fifty million, she had to be loaded.

If they could win Su Yun's favor, they could probably cut half a lifetime of hard work off their path.

…

Su Yun took the sapphire necklace Xu Boyuan handed back to her and gave him a slight nod.

At least for now, he'd helped clear things up for her.

As the Divine Maiden, she technically shouldn't care about things like this. So what if people thought she was wearing a fake?

But deep down, she still didn't want anyone to misunderstand her.

And she didn't like being looked down on, either.

What she wanted even less was for… Chu Feng, standing beside her, to think the same.

If Chu Feng looked down on her because of this… it would hurt too much.

She needed the main quest to continue, so she absolutely couldn't embarrass herself in front of Chu Feng.

After the brief commotion,

the ball continued.

“Welcome to Miss Xu Xia's coming-of-age ball! Next, Miss Xu Xia will invite a gentleman to perform the opening dance with her.”

The ball's music began to play as the host stepped forward and made the announcement.

When Su Yun heard that Xu Xia would be choosing a gentleman, she couldn't help feeling a little nervous.

What if Xu Xia chose Chu Feng?

Since the ball was being held in Xu Xia's honor, whoever she invited would normally accept.

Besides, Xu Xia was the daughter of one of Su Yun's followers. It wouldn't do to make an enemy of her.

…

Thankfully, Xu Xia stepped forward and chose a gentleman farther away instead of Chu Feng. Su Yun let out a sigh of relief.

Why had she been so nervous about Chu Feng getting chosen?

It must've been because of the mission…

Su Yun reassured herself.

The opening dance came to an end.

The host stepped forward again and announced that the group dance was about to begin.

Men and women eagerly took their places in the center of the dance floor.

“Let's go, too.”

Chu Feng wasn't about to let this chance pass him by. He held out his hand and invited Su Yun to dance.

She held out her hand almost without hesitation.

After all, tonight's mission was to attend the ball and dance at least one complete song.

Their hands clasped.

A rush of humiliation surged through Su Yun. She'd actually taken the hand of her romantic rival from her previous life…

Su Yun felt her smooth, jade-white hand held tightly in Chu Feng's.

His hand was warm against hers. As Chu Feng led her by the hand, she felt as if he were taking control—and a suspicious blush crept across her face.

Once most of the couples had taken their places on the dance floor,

the lights began to flash, and the music's intro started.

Su Yun's right hand was still clasped firmly in Chu Feng's, while his other hand rested on her waist.

Since they were dancing,

her left hand naturally came to rest on Chu Feng's shoulder.

As the first beat sounded,

the people on the dance floor began to move.

And the most dazzling pair there

was naturally Su Yun and Chu Feng.

Their figures were already tall and alluring, and the dance made them look even more graceful and light on their feet.

“I didn't know you were such a good dancer.”

“Did you learn especially for me?”

As they danced, Chu Feng turned his head and whispered to Su Yun.

“N-no, I didn't!”

Su Yun denied it instinctively.

But this time, she'd actually learned for Chu Feng.

She'd just done it by buying a book on D-rank Dance Mastery from the [Shop]…

“Oh? Then why are you blushing?” Chu Feng teased.

“Don't be ridiculous. I'm not.” Su Yun stubbornly denied it.

“Xiao Yun'er, you even dressed up for the ball with me. You really do like me, don't you?” Chu Feng continued to tease her.

“No, I don't. I don't like you.” Su Yun denied it without hesitation.

Who'd like a jerk like you? Even if I liked pigs, I still wouldn't like you, you jerk.

Su Yun silently swore to herself.

As the song neared its end, Chu Feng guided Su Yun through a difficult move.

The final note rang out and faded.

Chu Feng held her firmly in his arms, dipping her to one side.

“Clap, clap, clap!”

Thunderous applause filled the room. Most of it was for the handsome man and beautiful woman who had just performed.

…

Down below, Ding Kai gazed excitedly at Su Yun in the middle of the dance floor.

That woman had a slender figure and a breathtakingly beautiful face. She was simply too tempting.

He wanted her.

No. He had to have her! He would have her!

“Beep, beep, beep—”

“Have Yin Xi make a move. Kidnap that woman and bring her to my bed!”

“Understood.”

…

The ball came to an end.

Su Yun had naturally completed the mission, and her humiliation score went up by 400,000!

She had Chu Feng drive her home.

In the car,

Chu Feng held her hand the whole way and refused to let go.

After struggling a few times for show, she gave up and let Chu Feng hold her soft, fair hand.

At least once he was holding her hand, Chu Feng didn't try anything else.

That was fine, too.

When they reached her building, Chu Feng finally let go of the young woman's hand, reluctantly.

After being led around by the hand for so long, the moment she was free to move it again, Su Yun felt an unexpected emptiness.

After returning home, Su Yun hadn't even had time to calm down when she heard the system prompt.

“Ding-dong. The host is about to be kidnapped. Emergency mission triggered…”