Virginia took the handkerchief and wiped away the tears that fell down her face. When she looked at the source of the warm voice, a smile had climbed on her face.

"I'm not a crybaby anymore. I'm not crying."

Unconsciously, she pouted her lips and became girly in front of her childhood friend.

"Really?" Liam Grayson stretched out his slender finger and brushed her tender cheek softly.

When she blushed, he drew back his hand and blinked. Humorously, he said, "No tears. Seems I misunderstood you. What should I do to make you forgive me?"

"I..."

When she wanted to ask for some dessert, she noticed something on his left.

A black spot approached from the distance. Before the figure came near, a lively voice was heard.

"Liam is going too far! He left me waiting outside his classroom and met you alone! Are we a trio or not?"

The woman thumped Liam's chest with her small fist and got a helpless look from him.

The delicate atmosphere was interrupted and replaced by great joyfulness.

Liam didn't say anything.

Crystal Taylor was just like a little sparrow chattering happily.

Suddenly, she had a look at her watch and exclaimed, "Oh no! I'm going to be late for work!"

She walked over and made a smacker on Virginia's cheek.

"You have not only Liam when you meet trouble. Do you hear me? Don't keep everything all to yourself." She stroked Virginia's hair and then ran fast away.

Virginia shook her head as she watched Crystal leave and entered the campus with Liam.

"Her fiery temper is really a headache." Seeing her helpless expression, Liam also revealed a wry smile.

She blinked, tilted her head, and nudged him. "She's a perfect match for you, isn't she? She's lively and you're quiet, so you won't feel bored being together."

The three of them had been a trio since they were little, and Crystal was always the one to enliven the atmosphere. Where she was, where there was laughter. It was as if her laughter could defend against all the pain.

"Alas!" Liam sighed and had a glance at Virginia. "That's impossible. We're just ordinary friends. Besides..."

He paused and gazed at her with his bright eyes. "I've found someone I like."

She was more than surprised. "Who is she? Why don't I know?"

Puzzled, she said, "That's strange. We're always together. Except for Crystal, you're not close to any other girls."

He stroked her hair, and his laughter was as bright as sunshine. "Haha, you won't guess it right. I'll tell you one day."

Being held in suspense, she felt itching to know more. Eyes flickering with curiosity, she asked, "Do you like her very much?"

As he looked at her, she stretched out three fingers to her head. "I promise, this is the last question?"

"Yes." He nodded firmly, and his eyes locked with hers. "I like her very much."

"Oh..." Meeting his serious eyes, she suddenly became nervous and looked away with a slight blush.

As they walked forward, their shoulders touched from time to time. A sense of intimacy welled up in their hearts.

Virginia was not used to such an atmosphere and changed the topic hurriedly. "Do you know any part-time job that I can do? I have some spare time to do one more."

Liam looked at her with worry.

Since she was 18, she had never used a cent of that family. However rich her adoptive parents were, she had to earn her tuition and daily expenses by doing part-time jobs. That made him feel very sympathetic.

"Yes. Crystal is working at an auction house. Several days ago, she told me her boss was still hiring people. If you want to go there, I can call her now."

Then, he called Crystal right away. After asking a few questions, he hung up the phone. "It's okay. I'll take you there this afternoon."

"Great. This way, I can have a new sum of income and be closer to my goal." When Virginia jumped up to cheer, the pain on her thighs made her face pucker. But soon, she resumed calmness on her face.

Liam frowned in confusion. "I've been wondering why you want to save money to go to City E?"

There was a long distance between City E and City A. It would cost a lot of money for the round-trip air ticket as well as some extra expenses.

He didn't believe that she merely wanted to travel but had a certain purpose.

She lowered her head silently to evade his gaze. Feeling his hand on her head, she nerved herself to look up at him.

Meeting his caring eyes, she hemmed and hawed and couldn't say anything definite. "It's nothing particular. I, I just feel a little depressed in this city and want to leave here. It's said City E is very beautiful, so I think I may like it."

Liam knew that was not the truth, but he didn't keep asking. He held her hand firmly and said, "I see. But remember, no matter where you go, you're not alone. You have me... and Crystal."

"I know."

She smiled brightly at him. They chatted as they headed for the dormitories.

Embarrassment dissipated, but warmth remained.

Back in the dorm, Virginia found no one there.

After she closed the door, exhaustion replaced joy on her face.

With a whine, she collapsed on the bed and covered her eyes with an arm. Then, she put her hand into a pocket and took out the blue velvet box.

"You stole my wallet and tore off my check! If you don't return them to me next time, I'll sell your ring!"

The box was slowly opened, showing a delicate diamond ring.

The ring was silvery white with a little blue, looking gorgeous.

She couldn't help putting the ring on her finger and appreciated it. Suddenly, she thought of the weeping woman. "Is the ring actually prepared for that woman?"

She gazed at the ring for a long while before she shook her head and put the thought behind. Then, she rose and wanted to pull the ring out.

"Emmm..."

After a dozen seconds, a wail resounded through the female dormitory.

"Oh my god, it's stuck! Have I become fatter?"

Virginia was so anxious that she stamped her foot, holding a weird posture. She gritted her teeth and tried hard to pull out the ring, but in vain.

"Why did I wear the ring? What should I do? My pawn! My one million yuan! My lovely wallet!"

She had never thought about taking the ring. She just wanted to threaten that man with it and get her money and wallet back. She was not a greedy person, but now...

Having tried all possible ways, she finally slumped onto the bed. The ring was still on her finger, which drove her so crazy that she thumped the bed.

"Boohoo..."

Desperately, she wanted her one million yuan and wallet back. The physical and mental exhaustion slowly made her close her eyes and fall dead asleep.

It was then four o'clock in the afternoon.

Virginia and Liam went to the auction house where Crystal worked. When entering inside, she was dragged by Crystal somewhat anxiously.

"Hurry up to change your clothes. Today's auction is very important, because quite a few big shots will come here. You must follow me after a while. Understand?"

Seeing Crystal's serious face, Virginia nodded immediately. She looked back at the door for Liam and wanted to ask him to go back first.

But just then, she saw a familiar tall figure.

The man was escorted in by a panoply of people. His assistant was holding an auction brochure and saying something to him.

Feeling a gaze, the man looked up with a frown and met her surprised and angry eyes.

It was her?

After he seated himself on a front seat, his assistant John pointed at an item on the brochure and said, "Mr. Lopez, I think this bracelet is very suitable as your mother's present gift."

The man looked at the bracelet on the brochure. "It looks nice. Bid for it after a while."