Chapter 177: Young Mistress's Favor! The Truth About Qin Jiang Stealing His Mother's Jewelry

Zhao Xiong pushed himself up and stared incomprehensibly at the unremarkable small diamond ring on Yan Liang’s ring finger.

He felt as if Young Mistress Yan Liang’s noble and aloof status had been defiled.

Why should that be?

Someone of Young Mistress Yan Liang’s standing ought to shine high above, basking in the brilliance of the sun and moon — that’s what she deserves.

But being with Qin Jiang — a penniless pretty face — completely dragged down Young Mistress Yan Liang’s class.

Qin Jiang simply wasn’t worthy of the Young Mistress.

A man like that can’t give the Young Mistress the very best; he should be kicked out early and stop leeching off her!! That’s what he believed!

At that moment, Zhao Xiong remembered the so-called pigeon-blood red bracelet Qin Jiang had just produced. Given how stingy Qin Jiang was — only giving the Young Mistress such a tiny diamond ring —

That so-called pigeon-blood bracelet he claimed to have prepared for Young Mistress must have been stolen!!

Qin Xiangyun was right.

It’s entirely possible Qin Jiang really did steal his mother’s jewelry to court Young Mistress Yan Liang.

If such a man’s thieving ways were exposed, how could a manager with such vices possibly run a company well?

With that thought in mind, Zhao Xiong shifted his gaze back to Qin Xiangyun, who had been watching Qin Jiang the whole time.

Qin Xiangyun had long been resentful about Qin Jiang allegedly stealing their mother’s pigeon-blood bracelet. If not for Young Mistress Yan Liang’s presence, she would have demanded the whole truth.

Given the current situation, she also knew that since she’d already signed with the Zhao Group, now that the boss had a need, it was time for her to submit.

The Zhao Group was currently the largest internet tech conglomerate in the country and its influencer industry chain had long since surpassed its peers.

Moreover, with the influencer economy booming and profits beginning to outpace the star economy, from a long-term perspective this explained Qin Xiangyun’s choice to join the Zhao Group.

Cooperation between such a conglomerate and an individual was the result of mutual selection.

Thinking this, Qin Xiangyun turned and took out her phone to call Qin Yun.

“Yun, are you at home right now? Go check our family safe immediately and see whether the pigeon-blood red bracelet from our mother’s dowry is missing.”

“That pigeon-blood bracelet is almost the most expensive piece among her dowry jewels.”

“The last time, Qin Jiang stole a sapphire necklace from her that was worth five million.”

“Now he’s become brazen and bold, daring to touch her most precious jewelry worth tens of millions…“

Qin Xiangyun didn’t lower her voice. It was a fact they’re family and that she was indeed Qin Jiang’s elder sister.

She deliberately made the call to confirm, but inwardly she’d already decided Qin Jiang was a hopeless scoundrel who couldn’t change his ways!

He’d been dirty-handed at the bottom of society.

Even within their prominent Qin family he still couldn’t break his petty thieving habit.

No wonder everyone in the family looked down on him.

The key question: had Qin Jiang himself ever changed?

Wasn’t he despised because his conduct had always been improper?

Qin Xiangyun’s deliberate volume let both Qin Jiang and Yan Liang hear everything clearly.

A darker shade crossed Yan Liang’s eyes, but since Jiang gave no reaction, she could not either.
So Yan Liang simply stepped forward and, with the hand wearing the ring, firmly took Jiang’s hand.

“Jiang, I trust you.”

Even if the whole world doubted Qin Jiang’s character, Yan Liang would never stand against him.

By nature she was a “Qin Jiang-first” believer. Her principles, conduct, everything would yield to Qin Jiang.

Moreover, if you took a step back and looked at the situation.

Even if Qin Jiang truly stole from his mother to please her, wouldn’t that at least mean he cared about her enough to steal?

Then Jiang loves her so much.

He didn’t do anything wrong!!

The unconditional favor the Qin family showed Qin Yun had always been something Jiang struggled to obtain.

But with Yan Liang, she was always willing to give it.

As long as Jiang wanted it, she would always favor only him!!

Qin Jiang steadily clasped Yan Liang’s hand back and couldn’t help interlocking his fingers with hers.

In truth, he felt somewhat ashamed that the ring he’d bought for Yanyan before had been too small.

But that pink diamond ring had been lost.

That’s why this time he thought first to give Yanyan a pigeon-blood red bracelet.

When it came to gifts for Yanyan, Qin Jiang never wanted to be perfunctory.

He had planned and prepared to proceed step by step.

But in others’ eyes, Qin Jiang had indeed “wronged” Young Mistress Yan Liang.

“Hmm.”

“Yanyan, don’t worry, I don’t have that kind of stealing habit!”

On the contrary, Qin Yun was the one with the most stealing habits.

But this time, such an information gap…

Also made Qin Jiang realize the Qin family truly didn’t regard him as one of them at all.

Two years ago when he was framed for stealing Mrs. Qin’s five-million jewelry, he didn’t even know the safe’s password or what was inside.

Just because Qin Yun told him the password once, he became the prime suspect.

And he was successfully labeled “Qin Jiang, a thief everyone must guard against”!

But Qin Yun neatly vanished under the family’s complete trust.

After that, he was even more cut off from accessing the Qin family’s safes and other storage places.

What jewels did Mrs. Qin actually have, what was in the dowry?

He knew nothing.

Otherwise he wouldn’t have bought a pigeon-blood bracelet identical to one Mrs. Qin owned and gotten accused!!

Besides, there was more than one pigeon-blood bracelet in the world.

Qin Jiang didn’t think the bracelet in his hand had any real connection to Mrs. Qin.

On the other end of the call, Qin Yun seemed surprised that Qin Jiang had allegedly “stolen” Mrs. Qin’s pigeon-blood bracelet.

“Third… Third… Third Sister, what did you say?”

“How could Brother Qin Jiang be that kind of person? There must be some misunderstanding. I’m just going home to grab clothes and then head to the hospital to care for Mom. To clear Brother Qin Jiang’s name I’ll go check the safe now.”

Qin Yun spoke with some reluctance. His words made him sound like he trusted Qin Jiang, but the hesitancy and lack of conviction betrayed his true feelings.

Those sharp people present seemed to anticipate Qin Yun’s difficulty.

They thought: Qin Jiang must really have a record, that’s why the whole family is so wary of him…

Tsk tsk, how could Young Mistress Yan Liang take a liking to such a man!

It lowers her value too much!!

It drags down Young Mistress Yan Liang’s worth!

“Hmm, you go check first.”

Qin Xiangyun frowned and demanded it, though inwardly she already had her conclusion.

Qin Yun went upstairs and seemed to be fiddling with things. A few minutes later the sound of him gasping came through.

“Oh my god… Th… Third sister!!”

“Mother’s pigeon-blood bracelet is indeed missing, and… an entire set of Dongzhu necklaces and jewels are gone too. …Have we been robbed?”

As soon as Qin Yun said that, it all but pinned the crime on Qin Jiang.

Everyone’s eyes turned toward Qin Jiang with suspicion and disgust.

Even their glances at Young Mistress Yan Liang began to be doubtful.

From the other end of the call, suddenly a low, hoarse, magnetic female voice came, “Qin Yun!”

“What are you sneaking around at mother’s bedroom safe for again?”

The newcomer’s voice abruptly cut off the conversation on the phone. Qin Yun seemed clearly stunned.

He turned his head, and just then something seemed to fall. Shortly after, the call was cut off and all anyone could hear was the beeping sound of a disconnected call.

Qin Xiangyun, who had been on the call, was clearly thrown off by the sudden voice. She had thought she could definitively ruin Qin Jiang’s reputation in front of everyone.

Even if it didn’t reach that extent, it would at least tarnish his name.

But this sudden turn of events was like someone slapping her in the face and left her embarrassed.

Qin Yun… her little brother?

How could that be?

Yun had known their mother’s safe password since he was a child, and over the years there had never been a report of a single jewel missing.

Being family, she gave Qin Yun absolute trust.

After the call was cut off, everyone gradually grew more suspicious.

Qin Xiangyun hurriedly explained, saying, “Everyone, don’t misunderstand. Our Yun sometimes does occasionally check our mother’s safe and the condition of her jewels.”

“This is entirely thanks to Qin Jiang. If he hadn’t stolen my mother’s jewels three years ago to sell and pay his gambling debts… would our family be in this state?”

“Qin Jiang, you’re my brother. Don’t I know what kind of character you have?”

“Hand over the pigeon-blood bracelet now, then come with me back to the Qin house to kowtow to mother and apologize, admit your mistake… otherwise I’ll have you nailed to the pillar of shame for life! I won’t hide your thieving habits from three years ago for even a fraction of a degree.”

Qin Xiangyun spoke righteously, like an embodiment of justice, coldly poised to mete out punishment to Qin Jiang.

“Qin Xiangyun, are you so sure that the pigeon-blood bracelet in my hand belongs to Jiang Yuyao?”

This time, Qin Jiang didn’t even bother to politely say “Mrs. Qin.”

He had long since given up expecting anything from the Qin family.

“Qin Jiang, you know how rare pigeon-blood rubies are in this world. This bracelet’s color is vivid and pure — it’s practically the most precious piece in mother’s dowry.

You certainly have an eye for value, taking the most treasured item from our mother! What are you trying to deny?“

“Her pigeon-blood bracelet is among the purest in color on the market. The one I’ve seen is exactly identical to the bracelet in your hand!”

Qin Xiangyun sternly stepped forward. She knew Qin Jiang too well — his nasty, lower-class habits were ingrained into his very bones.

For someone like him, stealing was the fastest way to curry favor with Young Mistress Yan Liang.

“Alright then, why not bring in a gem appraiser.”

“But Qin Xiangyun, what will you do if you’ve really misunderstood me?”

Qin Jiang stood where he was, relaxed and tall, his slender frame standing straight. Just being beside Young Mistress Yan Liang he felt no sense of being overpowered, only a strong sense of being a perfect match for her.

He wasn’t angry. Instead he smiled and stared at Qin Xiangyun.

Qin Xiangyun was made uneasy by his gaze.

Yet she still wouldn’t give up. She was convinced Qin Jiang was deliberately tricking her, and at such moments she couldn’t afford to relent.

Besides, she loathed Qin Jiang’s repeated habit of “stealing jewels from the family!”

Whether to strike at Qin Jiang or to punish and teach an unruly “younger brother.”

She had to personally break Qin Jiang’s stubborn spirit before everyone.

Bend his legs, make him kneel! Make him crawl!!

Make him fully admit his wrongs.

In Qin Xiangyun’s view… only when Qin Jiang’s dignity and character were trampled into the dust would he have a chance to repent!

She was doing it to pull back Qin Jiang’s conduct.

In the end, this brother would have to thank her for her harsh, suppressive education.

“Qin Jiang, I will not be mistaken.”

“You domestic thief!”

“Better think about how to find out the truth of your theft and how you’ll be punished with kneeling at the Qin ancestral hall and family discipline!!”

Qin Xiangyun’s stubborn eyes were clear and firm. She had no trust left in Qin Jiang.

“Tsk, if I truly stole Jiang Yuyao’s pigeon-blood bracelet, deal with me as you please.”

“I currently hold a large share of Jiang Yan Group’s emerging industries, a valuation of several hundred million isn’t out of the question. I’ll give you half of my shares — how about that?“

When Qin Jiang said this, the whole room was stunned.

Yan Liang’s gaze was calm and unchanged. She effectively handed the center stage of this round to Qin Jiang and retreated to a behind-the-scenes position.

But no one dared to ignore her presence.

At this birthday banquet, who wasn’t a man-eating “wolf, tiger, or leopard”?

If Qin Jiang had come alone, hoping to win or secure footing would have been hellishly difficult!!

Yet now, under Young Mistress Yan Liang’s authority, those “wolves and tigers” had to obediently play the role of little lambs, acting as practice NPCs for Qin Jiang!

Even so, when Qin Jiang launched this sensational “bet”, the group of “wolves and tigers” still revealed greedy expressions.

Joking aside, Jiang Yan Group’s current market value wasn’t a huge chunk yet, but any savvy big-shot could see… the future of Jiang Yan Group was boundless!

A valuation of several hundred million?

That’s only the beginning.

Moreover, with Young Mistress Yan Liang’s “behind-the-scenes maneuvering”, Jiang Yan Group will only become the precursor to an industry giant.

This group of investors would claw their way to get a sliver of Jiang Yan Group’s original shares.

For a moment, people’s gazes toward Qin Jiang took on more predatory hunger and covetousness.

If Young Mistress Yan Liang weren’t controlling the scene, they’d all want to pounce and “rip Qin Jiang apart” and “divide him up”.

Although Qin Xiangyun had just returned to the country, she was indeed a well-known behind-the-scenes entrepreneur in foreign investment circles.

Her vision was exceptionally sharp and unique.

The AI industry track she favored wasn’t fully formed yet, but she had already been involved in overseas tech development.

This AI technology would in the future directly interface with the internet.

In terms of development prospects, it’s absolutely one of the most promising in the industry.

And domestically, there were very few companies dabbling in AI development.

Coincidentally, the Jiang Yan Group newly founded by Qin Jiang was one of them.

Not only that, Qin Jiang initially recruited talent at nearly any cost and equipped top-tier gear to prepare for AI R&D.

This mindset already surpassed that of many domestic enterprises.

Furthermore, Jiang Yan Group was still just a new company!

But Qin Xiangyun never believed Qin Jiang had come up with these ideas himself.

To her, he was merely a country bumpkin coming to the city. Could he understand so much?

He was probably just a pawn in Young Mistress Yan Liang’s business maneuvers.

He really thinks he’s something, huh?

“So Qin Jiang, what do you want from me?”

“First, don’t expect me to agree to take you back to the Qin family so you can beg for everyone’s forgiveness…”

Qin Xiangyun frowned, her tone rising again.

Hah, what could Qin Jiang possibly ask for?

His lifelong pursuit was probably just pitifully wanting the Qin family’s approval.

But that pitiful tiny bit of recognition was something the Qin family would never give Qin Jiang.

Everything depended on his performance!!

For a moment Qin Jiang was about to laugh from being so exasperated at Qin Xiangyun.

When utterly speechless, a person really can be driven to laughing with anger!!

“Qin Xiangyun, you really are like an old lady crawling into the quilt… you’ve made me laugh!”

“Why hasn’t the state studied your face to make bulletproof vests? When a dog digs at my leg, I know it’s hungry. But your shriek here has left me at a loss…”