Chapter 2

“Si Ning, I picked out another ring today. Don’t be mad at me anymore.”

He took a new diamond ring from its box and pulled my hand toward him.

I stared at the ring, which fit my left ring finger perfectly.

He could get my size right. He’d simply needed to give the other one to Xia Weiyuan first.

I was about to take it off, my face cold.

Xia Weiyuan linked her arm through mine and pulled me inside.

“Shiyan was in such a hurry to pick out a new ring to make it up to you. He’s really sincere this time.”

I gave a scornful smile. “In such a hurry, yet he still had time to ride bikes with you before he got here?”

Zhou Shiyan’s expression changed.

“What are you making a fuss about now? Just because you can’t ride a bike, does that mean nobody else can?”

I instinctively hid my right hand behind my back.

An ugly, crooked scar ran from my wrist to my forearm.

That year, the day before I was to compete in the glass-art design finals, Zhou Shiyan had gotten into an argument with a contractor at a construction site.

His company was just starting out then, and he had to handle everything himself.

I’d tried to shield him from a brick the other man hurled at his head. My right hand was smashed so badly that the bones were crushed.

I’d cried from the pain, and Zhou Shiyan had wiped the tears from my face, holding back his own.

“Si Ning, I’ll never let you suffer again.”

Seeing me bite my lower lip, Zhou Shiyan softened his tone.

“I didn’t mean it like that…”

Xia Weiyuan’s excited squeal cut us off.

“Si Ning, you have so many beautiful glass ornaments here. Can I have one?”

I looked over. She was on tiptoe, reaching for the highest shelf. My heart missed a beat.

“Don’t touch it!”

The instant the words left my mouth, the sharp crash of breaking glass echoed through the room.

Xia Weiyuan’s voice trembled as she recoiled two steps.

“I-I’m sorry. I only wanted to take a look…”

“I told you not to touch it!”

My eyes reddened as I tried to pick up the deep-blue glass shards from the floor.

It was the piece that had won first prize in the preliminary round of that year’s glass-art competition.

It was also the last work I’d completed before injuring my hand.

The shards pierced both my hands. Zhou Shiyan’s expression darkened.

The next second, Xia Weiyuan cried out in pain.

“Ah! There’s a piece in my foot.”

Zhou Shiyan spun around and scooped her up.

“Don’t be scared. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

I took a deep breath.

“Zhou Shiyan, she just smashed the most important piece of work I’ve ever made.”

He stopped, finally noticing the shards on the ground.

But Xia Weiyuan whimpered in pain against his chest. He murmured a few soothing words to her, then turned to me, his expression suddenly icy.

“It’s just a piece of glass. Don’t be so petty.”

Just a piece of glass…

The dream I’d once given up for him had become nothing more than “just” something in his mouth.

I picked up every shard on the floor and put them in a glass jar.

Then I took out my phone and replied to my teacher, who was all the way in Italy.

【Professor Rossi, I accept your offer to teach.】

Chapter 4

My assistant bandaged the cuts on my hands, looking heartbroken.

“Miss Lu, you really got caught in the crossfire.”

I looked around the studio I’d spent five years building and made a painful decision.

“Su Su, I’ve contacted friends who can store these pieces for me. I’m leaving the packing to you for the next few days.”

Su Su hugged me tightly.

“Leave it to me. Have a good trip to Italy.”

But two days later, Su Su called, sobbing.

“Miss Lu, some man barged into the studio. He insists on seeing you.”

“I tried to stop him, but he went crazy and smashed everything. He destroyed all the glass artworks I was packing.”

Fuming, I rushed to the studio. Inside was a complete mess, and a muscular man reeking of alcohol.

When he saw me, he staggered closer, brandishing a club.

“Lu Sining, you made my sister end up in the hospital. I’ll beat you to death!”

Not a single piece of work in the room was intact. I was shaking with rage.

“Su Su, call the police.”

Only after the police arrived did Su Su and I emerge from the upstairs break room where we’d been hiding.

“I want to sue him for trespassing and damaging property, and attempted murder.”

I angrily pointed at Xia Sheng, who was handcuffed and held aside by the police.

“No, you can’t sue him.”

The speaker was Zhou Shiyan, who had just rushed in.

Xia Weiyuan came right behind him and threw herself in front of me.

“Si Ning, please don’t sue my brother. I’m begging you.”

I ground my teeth and stared at them.

“He came in with a club and smashed every piece I’ve made over the past five years. He tried to hit Su Su and me, too.”

“Why shouldn’t I sue him?”

Zhou Shiyan said coldly,

“Because you’re fine, aren’t you?”