Thus, the conversation took a turn, "You've been waiting here for a long time, haven't you?"

Shi Chun: "Not long, not long, I came over after dinner; I'm still full." He patted his round, bulging belly.

Wu Jinliang also touched his round, bulging belly, resembling someone who had just stuffed himself.

Lan Qiaoyan didn't think much of it, "Since you've come all this way, come and sit at my house."

She turned and waved, signaling her daughter to get in the car.

But unexpectedly, Shi Chun called out softly, "Madam, I have a question to ask."

Lan Qiaoyan stopped, turned to look at him, and Shi Chun leaned in a bit, subtly pointing in a certain direction as he whispered, "Over there on the hillside, I accidentally discovered a group of people hiding; we don't know the situation here and it's not good for us to investigate. Could they be guards for this place or something?"

Lan Qiaoyan heard this and didn't even turn her head to look; only her eyebrows twitched slightly, "There is a large protective array here; no need for guards on the periphery. If the array can't stop them, mere guards are useless. It's alright, there's no need for you to worry; I'll contact someone to take care of it. Get in the car; stay close behind."

She turned and led her daughter into the car.

Soon after, a streak of light burst from the carriage where Lan Qiaoyan was seated, landing on the impeding ripples of illusion, swiftly melting a hole through it.

The two carriages passed through one after another, and the melted hole swiftly closed up, disappearing into the void.

After racing through the mountains for a while, they saw various colorful courtyards appear scattered throughout.

Finally, they stopped outside a courtyard, where the host and guests disembarked, and the servants took the vehicles to one side.

Watching the departing servants, Shi Chun commented in surprise, "So there are people living here. I didn't see a soul on the way and thought it was deserted."

Lan Qiaoyan smiled without speaking; there were some things better left unexplained. Not everyone with a house here necessarily lived in it, much like their own home. If it wasn't for the Sky Rain Meteor Conference, they wouldn't know when they'd visit this place again, and even then, it might not mean returning here.

There are also some who live here in seclusion, so it's normal not to see anyone on these roads for long periods; it's just not a bustling residential area.

The understated luxury of the Miao family estate went without saying, but it was enough to make first-time visitors like Shi Chun and his companion realize the difference in status as they looked around nonstop.

Shi Chun even began to admire his own courage, wondering how he had dared to pursue Miao Yilan; it must have been the fearlessness of the ignorant.

He had heard that Miao Dingyi was also present, but hadn't seen him. Shi Chun was curious, but he didn't touch the topic of Miao Dingyi, knowing he was an important figure.

In the presence of the servants, the dialogue between Shi Chun and his companion was somewhat cryptic, filled with polite small talk. Thus, after the servants served the tea, Lan Qiaoyan waved them away.

Once they were alone, Shi Chun took a folded black cloth bag from his pocket and handed it to Miao Yilan, "Yilan, I brought this back from the West Pole; see if you like it."

He didn't let others see because he wasn't sure if it was appropriate to bring the Insect Extreme Crystal back privately.

Regarding this, not to mention Miao Yilan, even Lan Qiaoyan was accustomed to it, knowing that this man always brought gifts for her daughter every time they met. She had seen almost every gift, and although they were all trifles, she had to admit that, given the circumstances, they were all thoughtfully chosen.

Didn't they say that after going out, he had given up on pursuing her daughter? That was what she had heard from Miao Yilan.

Why are there still gifts being given?

She felt a bit relieved that Gong Shaoci didn't come back with them this time; otherwise, seeing this scene might have been inappropriate.

Miao Yilan had gotten used to accepting gifts from Shi Chun, used to not being able to refuse, so she didn't stand on ceremony and casually accepted it.

And since the gifts were different every time, they also made her curious every time, looking forward to opening the gift.

She pinched it a bit; it seemed to be something very small this time. What could it be? Her lips curved into a smile as she unfolded the black cloth bag in front of everyone.

Seeing the familiar black cloth bag, Lan Qiaoyan's brows twitched, probably already guessing what it was.

The Insect Extreme Crystal, though not common, what place is Bowan Building? It's where all manner of things from all over the world gather; to her, it wasn't anything rare.

But what she didn't expect was the moment the bag opened, a red light emerged. Right after, a streak of red light flashed out, nearly giving Miao Yilan a scare, catching her off guard. Instead of trying to catch it, she instinctively dodged backward.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang wanted to see her reaction to this "surprise."

Of course, they couldn't let the red light escape. Shi Chun was prepared to move and grab it, but he saw Lan Qiaoyan flip her sleeve and catch it from afar, instantly freezing the fleeing red light, then pulling it back through the air.

In the end, a multi-faceted, thoroughly red crystal spun in mid-air in Lan Qiaoyan's palm, matched with that delicate but not flirtatious faint red light. It was incredibly beautiful, like a dazzling ruby, shockingly beautiful, stunningly gorgeous.

It was so much more beautiful than the blue Insect Extreme Crystal, possessing a strange sense of astonishment; rather, it had a different kind of charm. This was a gift with temperament.

Perhaps it's that women have a natural preference for gemstones, both mother and daughter's eyes lit up instantly, captivated and full of surprise as they stared in admiration.

Shi Chun and the other exchanged a glance subconsciously, winked at each other, happy to have given a gift that was so well-liked.

After a while, Lan Qiaoyan looked up and asked the two, "What is this?"

Shi Chun smiled, "Brought from the West Pole, what else could it be but an Insect Extreme Crystal?"

Lan Qiaoyan asked in surprise, "How can there be a red Insect Extreme Crystal? Moreover, it feels different from the regular ones, as if there's a distinct sense of nobility."

Shi Chun shook his head, "I don't know either. I found it unintentionally when I was forced into the Moon Sea. Thinking that it was different from other Insect Extreme Crystals because of its color, I brought it back as a gift for Yilan. Anyway, I've gathered tens of thousands of Insect Extreme Crystals to fulfill my quota, so this one doesn't matter."

Lan Qiaoyan, looking at the object in her palm, shook her head in wonder, "The world is so vast; truly, nothing is impossible. I've never heard or seen a red one before. Shi Chun, rarity makes a thing precious. If you auctioned this off, it would likely fetch a high price. Are you really giving it to Lan Lan as a gift?"

Shi Chun laughed, "It was specifically brought out as a gift for Yilan; it has already been given to Yilan, so it belongs to Yilan."

After pondering for a moment, Lan Qiaoyan didn't insist too much, knowing it was too late to refuse it now. She planned to wait for her husband to return and have him, with his extensive knowledge and experience, appraise it.

If it was too valuable, then it couldn't be accepted; these two were still struggling financially, and she couldn't exploit them. Even if she took it, she would have to think of a way to repay them.

She estimated its value, guessing it might be around ten million Sandalwood Gold, an amount her family could afford.

With this thought in mind, she accepted it; after all, the gift was indeed captivating, and even she liked it. She didn't want this gem to fall into another woman's hands, so she held it out in her palm to her daughter, whose eyes were shining brightly.

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