Pello, even without his glasses, still had pronounced features, but the gentleness in his eyes had vanished. It was as if the warm sun of winter had suddenly turned into the scorching sun of summer. Those scholarly-looking glasses had played their role well as a disguise. Women use various cosmetics to enhance and beautify themselves, while men often use various accessories to conceal their too-obvious sharpness.
"Tina was my father’s assistant," Pello’s voice sounded like autumn leaves, sinking downward. Su Ziceng was so shocked by the stark contrast in his temperament with and without glasses, that for a moment, she didn’t question why Pello didn’t refer to Tina as his mother.
"Do you know the tradition of Kelly Women’s College?" Pello folded the glasses he always wore and held them in his hand, "The final exam, in a little while, you will also have to participate in such a test."
At this moment, Su Ziceng’s mind wasn’t preoccupied with the final exam, so she didn’t ask any questions and let Pello continue.
"She and your mother Qiao Chu drew different locations for their final exams. Qiao Chu drew Mo City Sixth District, a place she had never set foot in before, while Tina went to Paris, France." Those who had seen Tina were always attracted by her vibrant zest and cheerfulness; she was like an indefatigable sprite, always searching for the source of excitement and joy.
"In Paris, she met my father," Mussen was already in his thirties by then; he had been devoted to managing the family business until he met Tina. Two individuals from different countries, with entirely different experiences, fell in love.
The sweetness of love made Tina miss her scheduled graduation exam, but she didn’t fuss over the academic failure. She immediately left behind everything in her home country, embarking on a journey of love to France to be with Mussen.
"And then?" Su Ziceng clung to that decades-old romance, intuition telling her the truth was getting closer. Just one more step, and she could uncover the truth behind "Mussen’s Blessing." She hesitated, wondering whether to share the miracle that had happened to her with Pello.
Watching Su Ziceng clasp her hands tightly, Pello’s lips curled into a meaningful smile. His palm enveloped Su Ziceng’s fingers, admiring her cheeks flushed with excitement. "Tina possessed a strange power, she was able to find the most perfect diamonds, so, after marrying Mussen, they spent a lot of time in Africa."
It’s widely known that Africa, a mystical and ancient continent, is rich in countless rare minerals and wealth. Yet at the same time, it’s also obscured by the shadows of hunger and conflict.
"There, they found the colorful diamonds to create ’Mussen’s Blessing.’" Pello said, moving his chair closer to Su Ziceng.
"Exactly which seven items make up Mussen’s Blessing?" Su Ziceng had only heard various rumors about Mussen’s Blessing, but even the most experienced appraisers couldn’t clearly state how many items there were.
"Unfortunately, I don’t know either. Perhaps, within our lifetimes, we will have the opportunity to witness such miracles again," Pello said, embracing Su Ziceng, the two becoming much closer through the story.
Su Ziceng was like a puppet swayed by him, lost in the story. By the time she realized she was in Pello’s arms, she was both panicked and embarrassed. Though they were confirmed to be in a relationship, such public displays of affection were still a little too brazen.
"How could you not know," Su Ziceng tried to break free from Pello, but he just smiled wryly, enjoying her impatience.
"When Tina abandoned us, I was only six years old. As a naive child, I’ve tried my best to remember," Pello put on his glasses again, but from his tone, Su Ziceng could still sense his displeasure.
Tina’s elopement with her lover directly led to Mussen’s breakdown and the loss of Mussen’s Blessing. From the sudden coldness in Pello’s voice, Su Ziceng could feel his resentment towards her own mother.
Sometimes, to have had and then to lose is much better than never having at all. Su Ziceng thought about how her mother Qiao Chu had died when she was born, so she could never truly understand the feeling of being abandoned.