Davin walked into the ballroom. His faded, worn-out leather jacket stood in stark contrast to the expensive suits of the other guests.
His hair was slightly messy from the wind. But his eyes, as always, were calm and held a confidence that Vania couldn't understand. In his hand, he carried a small package wrapped in simple brown paper.
He caught Vania's gaze and gave her a small smile.
That smile, as usual, made Vania's heart beat a little faster. A feeling she always fought. She hated their situation, hated this forced marriage, but for some reason, she couldn't hate the man himself.
Davin was always kind, always patient, and in silence, always attentive to her.
She remembered how Davin had quietly fixed the broken reading lamp in her room, or how he always saved her favorite food for her even though he himself might be hungry.
It was confusing. Her mother said it was all a scheme to take advantage of the Santosa family. But a small part of Vania doubted it.
The two of them walked towards the Santosa family table. All eyes seemed to bore into Davin, staring at his shabby jacket with scorn.
"Well, the prince has finally arrived!" Kevin sneered loudly, breaking the silence. "Ready to give Grandma a luxurious gift, Dan? A diamond the size of a fist, I presume?"
Snickers spread around the table. Aunt Laura covered her nose with a handkerchief, pretending she couldn't stand the smell of sweat. "Vania, can't you buy your husband a decent suit for a family event? He looks like he just parked the guests' cars."
Vania looked down, her cheeks flushed with shame and anger.
Davin, after all, was her husband. Insulting her husband in public was the same as insulting her.
Davin was completely unperturbed. He simply sat in his chair, carefully placing his gift package on the table. His gaze remained fixed on Grandma Heidi, who sat in the place of honor, smiling gently at all her grandchildren.
The gift-giving session began. One of the most anticipated—and most ego-driven—events in every Santosa family gathering.
One by one, family members came forward with their displays of wealth.
Kevin and his wife presented a masterpiece painting by a famous European artist, complete with a certificate of authenticity and a long story about the auction he had won.
Aunt Laura presented an antique vase from the Ming Dynasty, swearing it was a priceless collector's item.
The other children gave jewels, gold necklaces, even shares in a newly booming company.
Each gift was met with gasps of admiration and excessive praise. The atmosphere grew thick with competition and arrogance.
Then, it was Davin's turn.
The atmosphere immediately fell silent, followed by suppressed laughter. All eyes were fixed on the simple brown paper package, which looked so pitiful among the luxurious velvet-lined gift boxes.
"Davin, don't tell me you brought Grandma some fried snacks from your usual stall?" taunted Dennis, another cousin.
"Or maybe a discount voucher for a motorcycle wash?" added Kevin, making the whole table roar with laughter.
Vania wanted to disappear. Her hands clenched her dress tightly. She looked at Davin, her eyes tearful, wishing he wouldn't go up. It was better to give no gift at all than to be humiliated like this.
But Davin remained calm. He stood up, took the package, and walked confidently towards Grandma Heidi. He bowed respectfully and handed her his gift.
"Grandma Heidi, may you have a long life and always be blessed with good health," he said simply.
Grandma Heidi accepted it with a curious gaze. She did not join in the mockery. Something within her, perhaps a legacy from her late husband, always made her look at Davin differently.
With hands that trembled slightly—not from excitement, but from the stifling atmosphere—she began to unwrap the brown paper package.
Inside was a simple wooden box, without any carvings or decorations. More eyebrows were raised, more sneering smiles spread.
When the wooden box opened, a swatch of dark green velvet was visible. And lying on that velvet was a bracelet.
Not just any bracelet.
It was a jade bracelet. But not ordinary jade.
The jade was a deep, almost translucent green, emitting a soft, oily sheen that was deep and rich, a sign of the highest grade imperial jade. Every surface was perfectly polished, smooth as glass, gently reflecting the light from the crystal chandeliers above. Its design was elegant and timeless, made from a single, perfectly shaped piece of jade, showcasing extraordinary craftsmanship. A fine golden silk thread joined its two ends, adding to its luxurious and classic impression.
Silence.
The ballroom, previously filled with the clinking of plates and whispers, suddenly fell completely silent.
They were a wealthy family. They knew luxury goods. And they all, in an instant, realized that the object before them was not just a piece of jewelry. It was a masterpiece. A treasure.
Grandma Heidi was stunned. Her hands trembled as she held the bracelet. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "This... this..." she whispered, her voice hoarse. "This is the 'Green Dragon's Whisper'..."
Someone among the more knowledgeable guests gasped. "That's impossible! The legendary jade bracelet! It was said to have been lost for decades! Its value... it's... priceless!"
Kevin's face turned deathly pale. Aunt Laura dropped her handkerchief. Mother Sri froze, the soup spoon in her hand falling and staining the pristine white tablecloth.
Vania could only stare. From Davin's calm face, to the mesmerizing bracelet, and back to Davin.
Her mind raced. Davin. The ride-hailing driver. The shabby jacket. The priceless bracelet. Nothing made sense.
"Davin..." Grandma Heidi finally spoke, her voice full of restrained emotion. "Where did you get this?"
Davin smiled, a small, mysterious smile that made no attempt to explain anything. "What's important is that you like it, Grandma," he replied softly. "That's what matters most."
He didn't look around, didn't gaze at the faces that had turned from mockery to awe, from scorn to deep curiosity. He simply bowed again to Grandma Heidi, then turned and walked back to his seat, leaving behind a silence deeper and more bewildering than before.
He sat down, took a glass of water, and drank it calmly, as if he had just given the most ordinary gift in the world. Not an artifact that had stunned an entire wealthy family.
Vania looked at him, her heart pounding. For the first time, she truly questioned everything she knew—or thought she knew—about the man forced to be her husband. Who was Davin, really? And what secret was he hiding behind his shabby ride-hailing driver's jacket?