"Jian Dan, do you want me to come with you? I'm worried you'll get taken advantage of. He hasn't contacted you in years—why suddenly remember he has a daughter now? There's definitely something fishy going on!"
Du Yanran's analysis sounded perfectly logical.
And she wasn't wrong. It was exactly like the fox offering the chicken a gift—nothing but ill intentions.
"Yanran, don't worry. He's still my father, after all. I want to see him… if only to get some closure for myself."
"Fine. Just be careful, okay? Call me if anything happens!"
Du Yanran's voice came through the phone, tinged with feigned concern.
"Don't worry, when have I ever kept anything from you? I'll update you once I figure things out. Happy early birthday!"
"Alright, keep in touch. And remember—call me if you need anything!"
With one last thoughtful reminder, Du Yanran finally hung up.
The moment the call ended, Jian Dan immediately dialed the law office.
"Hello, is this Attorney Xu? This is Jian Dan. You called me this morning—I'd like to schedule an appointment for this afternoon to handle my mother's inheritance."
"Yes, understood. I'll bring all the necessary documents. See you this afternoon. Goodbye."
She exhaled sharply, quickly gathered her things, stuffed the required paperwork into her bag, and hailed a taxi to the law firm. The receptionist at the sleek, modern office greeted her warmly.
"Hello, how may I assist you? Do you have an appointment? Would you like me to recommend an attorney?"
"Yes, I'm here to see Attorney Xu Zhen."
"Right this way, please."
"Thank you."
In Attorney Xu's office, all the necessary documents were already laid out. The lawyer meticulously verified Jian Dan's ID, household registry, and other materials, made copies, and efficiently processed the paperwork before handing her an envelope and a bank deposit receipt.
Jian Dan opened the envelope. Inside was a key—just like in her past life. The items were stored in a bank safe deposit box, accessible only with her ID, the law firm's inheritance certificate, and the receipt.
After confirming everything was in order, she signed swiftly, packed the documents, and headed straight to the bank. At the bank, she approached the manager, submitted her materials, received a number, and was escorted to the vault. With the manager and a security guard present, the heavy vault door swung open, revealing rows of secure deposit boxes. They stopped at Box 77.
Jian Dan and the manager inserted their respective keys simultaneously, turning them in unison. The box opened without a hitch. The manager carefully retrieved the container and led her to a private viewing room.
When the lid was lifted, Jian Dan's breath caught.
"Exactly the same as before."
On top lay a red velvet jewelry box. Inside—the magnolia jade pendant and earrings. Beneath it was a carved wooden box containing a plain white-green jade tablet, unadorned, three centimeters wide and nine long. The third layer held ten small gold bars, each the length of a pinky finger.
"Ms. Jian, please verify the contents. If everything is in order, sign here, and you may take possession."
"No issues. Let me check the list first."
She skimmed the inventory, signed, and handed it back.
"One more thing, Ms. Jian. There's a letter your mother left for you. Please sign for it as well."
Jian Dan's brows lifted.
"A letter? This didn't happen last time."
The envelope read: "To My Daughter, Jian Dan"—in her mother's delicate, graceful handwriting, so like her gentle nature.
With slightly trembling hands, Jian Dan opened the envelope. Inside was a letter and another bank key—identical to the one from earlier, except with a different number. Confused, she quickly unfolded the letter and began to read every word carefully.