Chapter 161: Chapter 161

His hand remained on her waist, poised to take further liberties.

To ensure her own safety, An Yan felt she could keep chatting until Li Tianyao’s treatment was finished.

But Wen Ya was uncomfortable. Under the Ninth Master’s piercing gaze, making small talk with the young lady always filled Wen Ya with the terrifying fear that her life might end at any moment.

Fortunately, she remembered something. "Oh, right! Miss, Qin Yaya sent you a gift. I brought it back for you."

An Yan reached out to take the bag Wen Ya handed her. Upon opening it, she found a small bronze Bell inside. It was about the size of a child’s thumb and featured rough, ancient-looking patterns that made it resemble an antique.

"She gave this to me, does Qin Song know?" An Yan asked.

"I’m not sure," Wen Ya replied. "When she gave it to me, she didn’t say whether Mr. Qin Song was aware or not."

An Yan examined the Bell for a while, turning it over and over in her hands.

Qin Song was an appraiser of antiques, she mused. It made sense that the Qin Family would possess such an item. The little girl probably didn’t realize its value and had given it away so casually as a gift.

"It’s too valuable. We should return it..."

"It’s just a replica!" Li Tianyao interjected.

An Yan paused. "How do you know it’s a replica?"

Li Tianyao didn’t answer her, turning instead to Wen Ya. "You may leave. You’re not needed here anymore."

Greatly relieved, Wen Ya quickly exited.

Once the door was closed again, Li Tianyao wrapped an arm around An Yan’s waist and picked up the Bell. "It’s quite intricate. When I say intricate, I’m not referring to the Bell’s craftsmanship, but to how meticulously it’s been faked. Non-experts would find it genuinely difficult to distinguish its authenticity."

An Yan had deliberately kept Wen Ya talking earlier, which had displeased him. So, as soon as Wen Ya left, his hand snaked around her waist, pulling her closer. At this moment, his mouth was almost against her ear. His low, magnetic voice, carrying his unique scent, brushed against An Yan’s earlobe and cheek, sending an uncomfortable tickle across her skin.

An Yan tilted her head away, feeling uneasy. "So, how can you tell it’s a replica?"

"Here." The man flipped the Bell over. "There’s something stuffed inside."

An Yan peered inside and indeed saw a dark, clumped mass.

"This must be to prevent it from making noise." Li Tianyao said, picking up a pen from the desk. He poked inside the Bell and extracted a wad of cotton. A musty, earthy odor emanated from it. "It’s precisely this detail that exposes it as a replica."

"How so?" An Yan asked.

"A genuine ancient Bell, being so old, would have its internal bronze clapper completely oxidized. But this one still has its clapper." Seeing her listening intently, Li Tianyao elaborated, "Secondly, to silence it, the forger employed an ancient method of stuffing material inside. However, it’s precisely this stuffing that exposes it as a replica." Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on NoveIꜰire.net

"Why do you say that?" An Yan inquired curiously.

"Because this is cotton. Cotton was a crop introduced during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. This Bell, however, purports to be from the Qin Dynasty. The patterns on it depict a stylized Dark Bird, which was a totem of the Qin Dynasty. Later, this particular style of Dark Bird totem was no longer used."

"So that’s how it is!" An Yan nodded, impressed by Li Tianyao’s extensive knowledge. "You even know all this?"

Li Tianyao lowered his head and kissed her forehead. "The Li Corporation has an antiques division. This is just basic knowledge for appraising antiques."

"But what’s the use of forging something ?" An Yan examined the small Bell again. "It’s only about finger-sized, and it’s made of bronze."

"Antiques are valued in times of peace, gold in times of turmoil. In this current era of peace and prosperity, the antiques market is booming. Ordinary people who can’t afford expensive pieces often look for smaller items . These small Bells are very popular in the antiques market!" Seeing her eagerness to learn, Li Tianyao explained further.

Listening to his voice, a thought involuntarily surfaced in An Yan’s mind: He knows so much! He’s so handsome! He has such a great physique! Even his voice is perfect, hitting all the right notes for her. Every time she listened, it felt like her ears could get pregnant. All in all, this man is an incredibly desirable catch, no matter where he goes! And now, he’s hers. They’re legally married! Since they’re married, anything they do together is legal!

As these thoughts raced through her mind, her ears turned red, and then her cheeks flushed. The points where their bodies touched felt as if they were on fire, the heat terrifyingly intense, searing her with the urge to take a gamble! To gamble that she could change him! To gamble that even with him, she could still have the future she desired! A future of freedom!

As her thoughts swirled, his palm settled on the curve of her waist. Its scorching heat conveyed his desire!

An Yan wasn’t entirely sure how it happened, but suddenly he lifted her and set her down on the desk. She was wearing a light blue lounge dress. Against her flawless, jade-like skin, it created an image so captivating he couldn’t tear his eyes away.

The desk surface was cool, and the young woman let out a soft, uncomfortable whimper as she was seated. Her beautiful eyes were hazy, her red lips soft and alluring.

He knew something was amiss with her, just as he knew something was amiss with himself. But right then, he didn’t want to question why. Only one thought consumed him: to make her truly his! If she truly belonged to him, perhaps she would stop thinking of leaving.

His lips pressed against her collarbone, releasing an unexpectedly sweet and rich fragrance...

The temperature in the room soared.

The study door was violently flung open. Li Qingqing rushed in, thrusting a needle toward An Yan. As An Yan slumped onto the desk, Li Qingqing produced another needle, aiming it at Li Tianyao.

However, Li Tianyao caught her hand. "I’m not poisoned!"

Li Qingqing was dumbfounded. How could he not be poisoned? If he wasn’t poisoned, why was he hugging and kissing that woman?

Even as these thoughts raced through her mind, Li Tianyao had already straightened An Yan’s clothes. His long, strong fingers lingered on An Yan’s neck, trying to rub away the kiss marks. However, not only did the marks fail to disappear, they actually seemed to deepen in color. Against her jade-like skin, the marks were so alluring they made one want to taste them again.

This sight made Li Qingqing’s eyes narrow sharply. Her lips trembled. Tianyao had fallen. And it was all because of this woman, An Yan! She couldn’t understand what charm An Yan possessed to drag the lofty Tianyao into such disgusting, worldly desires.

"Tianyao, this is poison! Even though you seem clear-headed now, it might take effect later. You should still get the antidote injection!"

"I said I’m fine! Get lost!" Li Tianyao waved his hand, flinging her aside.

Li Qingqing was flung to the ground, a piercing pain shooting through her ankle. She clenched her fists, forcing her tears back.

On the desk, An Yan slowly regained consciousness.