1293 Bangle

Xia Yingluo turned away and said quietly, "So what?"

Just because she loved him didn't mean that he could do anything he wanted. Moreover, she had no idea how long this love could last. Would it end up like her relationship with Zhao Yixuan? She didn't even know if she really understood what love was.

Wei Lingnan bent over and hugged her. "Yingluo."

Xia Yingluo struggled for a bit. "Don't be like this, I'll only detest you even more."

But Wei Lingnan wouldn't release her. "Yingluo."

His embrace was warm but firm, and on him was a scent that she was familiar with.

She stopped moving and said, "I need some time, let me be alone for a while." She didn't know whether they were suitable for each other. Perhaps this was a mistake from the very beginning. True love should be what her parents had, one that was gentle and beautiful, free from hurt and pain.

Wei Lingnan knew that he couldn't push her too hard and simply left her with these words. "I'll be by your side forever."

This seemed like the best arrangement.

Just a few days later, someone came looking for Xia Yingluo again. This time, it was Xia Moyan.

Xia Yingluo saw him in a small meeting room. He was in his usual attire.

Xia Yingluo was happy to see him. "Uncle, what are you doing here?"

Xia Moyan said, "I'm here to see you, and also to bring you something."

It was a simple bangle that seemed to be made of titanium, given the way it glistened in the sun.

Xia Yingluo received it and put it on. It was just fitting for her, and the design and color suited her well too. "Was this tailor-made for me?" She was smart.

Xia Moyan said, "Yes."

Xia Yingluo looked closely at the bangle. She knew that her uncle wouldn't just give her something for no reason. "What does it do for me?"

Xia Moyan looked at his niece in approval. She was significantly smarter than the foolish little sister of his. "It's not an ordinary bangle," Xia Moyan said. "You've gotten into trouble a few times this year, and with someone so dangerous like Wei Lingnan hanging around you, you need something for protection. Religious scriptures are carved on the inside of the bangle, and it's been blessed. When you encounter danger in the future, just apply some pressure with your wrist thrice, and the blessings will be activated. It will protect you from danger and turn the bad into good."

"It's that powerful?"

"When has Uncle ever lied to you."

Wei Lingnan had his own dark technology, but the Xia family—Earth's protectors—had theirs too. Mysterious destinies, curses, reincarnation… they could use such means to protect those they needed to protect. There were many kinds of amulets in this world, but not all were made equal. Those that the Xia family came up with were undoubtedly the strongest.

Xia Yingluo knew how powerful her uncle was too. She smiled. "Thank you, Uncle."

Xia Moyan reminded her. "This amulet is extremely powerful, and the more powerful something is, the higher the price to pay. Each time you activate it, it uses up a lot of your blessings. I suggest you do more good deeds and accumulate more good karma. Also, don't use it unless necessary."

Xia Yingluo nodded.

With this bangle, she felt a lot more at ease now. Although she knew that she couldn't activate it as and when she wished to, it was comforting to know that if something strange happened again—like that at the casino or at the concert—she wouldn't be at a loss.

Xia Moyan looked at her. "How are things between you and Wei Lingnan recently?"

Xia Yingluo's expression darkened a little. "We're alright."

"Alright? That means it's not good." Xia Moyan acutely sensed something off.

"Uncle," Xia Yingluo couldn't help but feel sad for herself. "Why does love have to be so complicated? I always thought it was easy, like Mom and Dad's love, simple and blissful. Why is it so different for me?"

Xia Moyan said, "You should feel content. You've heard about your Mom's story—she had to go through way more suffering than you did. Nobody's life in this world is all easy and smooth going. Since the Heavens gave you such a perfect family, they've got to give you challenges elsewhere."

Xia Yingluo quietly said, "Wei Lingnan said that I'm his Ah Luo, my family was picked by him."

Not the Heavens.

But Xia Moyan said, "There is divine intervention somewhere. Yingluo, whether or not he was speaking the truth, you have to remember that you were born on this planet. You're a resident here, unlike him. Your destiny is influenced by Earth, and you are under the protection and control of Earth. When it comes to resisting Wei Lingnan, Earth is the only thing you can count on."

Xia Yingluo looked serious. "I understand."

She could guess that this had been Uncle's worry, as well as the rest of theirs. They were all worried that she'd be dissimilated because of Wei Lingnan, and choosing to leave Earth for good someday.

"I'll take good care of myself."

Xia Moyan nodded and took his leave.

The bangle she wore did not receive much attention. It was too simple and lowkey; even Jin Ling'er wasn't all that interested. Xia Yingluo had it on every single day and went for classes and rehearsals as per normal. Soon enough, the day of the play performance arrived.

The annual Imperial Entertainment performance was a highlight in the industry. Those who made it as performers were likely the newbies with the potential to do well in the entertainment circle, and Imperial Entertainment would only offer a subset of them a contract. At the same time, this would be an opportunity for networking. Besides those in Imperial Entertainment, parties from other firms and training camps would be attending the performance as well.

Xia Yingluo stood on stage, a completely different persona from the casual and playful girl offstage. She was undeniably the brightest star shining. Many of them were in awe. "This female lead is amazing, she has an impressive stage presence and perfect control of the stage. All she needs to do is stand there, and even without talking, she's managed to capture everyone's attention."

"She's Xia Yingluo? Wow, she's Ye Xingling's daughter, no less."

"It isn't just about her mother's talent, though. While Ye Xingling was a super diva in singing, her performance wasn't this solid. This girl is different, her performance is truly outstanding."

"I can already envision the future movie star," someone said.

Xia Yingluo performed extremely well—not only was she outstanding, but she was also good at building the plot and bringing out the best in the show. Rather than swelling with pride because of her good performance, she took the other performers into consideration and never stole their limelight.

"She has great poise on stage," yet another added.