Chapter 19: Purple Night Star

"Oh, you say this ring belongs to you? Then let me ask you—does it have a symbol or perhaps some words engraved inside?" Ethan Yang shook the jade ring in his hand, his voice calm but sharp, with a hint of challenge.

"Of course! It says... uh..." Leo stammered, his face reddening. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he scrambled for words. "It says… 'I Love You!' Wait—no, I mean... I drank too much earlier, and now I can't quite remember! It's something else!" Realizing his mistake, he quickly backpedaled.

Ethan gave a low chuckle, his expression unreadable. "No matter how much you argue, you'll never guess what's engraved on my ring. Emcee, would you mind taking a look?" He passed the ring to the emcee standing nearby, his gaze never leaving Leo's fidgeting face.

The emcee took the ring, inspecting it under the light. His eyes widened as he read aloud, "Zoe…Ethan ?" He paused, then shook his head. "Young man, you've wasted a fine treasure. This is imperial green jade, top-quality glass. But to carve such words yourself? You should've asked a true craftsman. Look at this—it's practically vandalism!" The emcee handed the ring back with an expression of pity.

Ethan's cheeks flushed slightly, but he didn't respond. His calligraphy skills weren't the best, and this was the first time he had used his mind to carve into the jade ring. The result, naturally, wasn't perfect.

"Let me see!" Yuyu snatched the ring from Ethan, squinting at the carved characters. "Zoe… Ethan? Wow! That's so romantic!" she exclaimed. "Zoe, he carved both of your names into it. Sure, it's a little rough, but that makes it even more heartfelt! He really likes you!"

Yuyu raised the ring high for the crowd to see. "If Ethan hadn't been dragged here today, I bet he'd have found a quiet moment to slip this ring onto Zoe's finger. What do you have to say now, Mr. Li? You're telling me that the ring your son bought has Ethan's name engraved on it too?"

"I… I..." Li's face turned an angry red before paling, fumbling for a response.

Suddenly, his expression darkened. "Hmph, carving a name doesn't prove it's his. Maybe he secretly carved it later. Whether it's black or white, let's take this to the police station. We'll settle it there!"

"Uncle Li, you've gone too far!" Zara stormed up to the stage, her eyes blazing with fury. "Leo kept bragging about buying an ice-type ring, but anyone with eyes can tell Ethan's ring is top-grade glass jade. You're bullying him in front of everyone. Do you have no shame?"

"Exactly!" Yuyu chimed in, puffing her chest out in defiance. "If the ring truly belongs to Leo, then show us the invoice! Otherwise, you're not just falsely accusing Ethan, you're framing him. That's a crime!"

Li's face twisted with rage. However, after glancing at the crowd and realizing the tide was turning against him, he quickly shifted tactics. "Fine, fine! Let's drop it. After all, my son is good friends with Zoe. It's not worth causing a scene over a countryside kid."

Li waved his hand dramatically. "We don't want the ring anymore. But that boy has no place here today. This is Leo's proposal to Zoe—what's a bumpkin like him doing in the middle of this? What do you say, Han?"

Han's face tightened as he looked at Zoe. With a heavy sigh, he turned to Ethan. "Ethan, I understand your feelings for my daughter, but I've already promised her hand to Leo. Please don't make things harder for our family. If you truly care for Zoe, then let her go."

"Dad! How can you say that?!" Zoe's voice trembled with disbelief. "Am I just a bargaining chip to you? Don't I deserve to be happy?"

Before her father could respond, the door to the hall burst open. Zoe's mother rushed in, her face pale and frantic. "Husband, Zoe—quick! Grandfather is in critical condition!"

Everyone gasped. Panic rippled through the room as they hurried after her into another part of the hotel.

In a large suite, two doctors were frantically working on Zoe's grandfather. Minutes passed before one of the doctors shook his head, stepping back with a grim expression. "We've done everything we can. The old man has maybe five minutes left. Say your goodbyes."

"No… Grandfather!" Zoe collapsed beside the bed, clutching the old man's frail hand. Zara knelt beside her, tears streaming down her face. Yuyu stood silently behind them, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Ethan hesitated, then took a step forward. "Zoe, let me try."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Ethan… you can save him?"

"I'll do my best," Ethan said quietly. "But I need space."

One of the doctors scoffed. "Young man, even the best doctors can't save him now. Let the old man go peacefully."

Ethan met the doctor's gaze. "If there's even a sliver of hope, shouldn't we try? Please, just give me a chance."

Han stared at him for a long moment, his face conflicted, but he finally nodded. "Do what you can."

Ethan knelt beside the bed and gently took the old man's wrist. He could feel the life force fading rapidly. Closing his eyes, he reached into his pocket and pulled out seven silver needles.

"Wait… you carry acupuncture needles with you?" one of the guests whispered in shock.

"What is he, a vegetable seller or a secret doctor?" another murmured.

Ignoring the whispers, Ethan focused all his energy into his fingers. With a deep breath, he activated the jade ring's power. "Hidden Meridian Seven Needles!"

His hands moved like lightning. In the blink of an eye, all seven needles plunged into the old man's body, each one targeting a vital acupoint with precision.

The room fell silent. Even the doctors, who had initially doubted him, were now watching in awe, their skepticism melting away. Sweat formed on Ethan's brow as he poured his energy into the needles, guiding the old man's life force back into balance.

The old man's chest rose faintly. His breathing steadied. Then, slowly, his eyes fluttered open.

"Grandfather!" Zoe cried out, her voice filled with disbelief and joy as she hugged him tightly. The room erupted into gasps and whispers of awe.

Ethan sagged to the floor, exhausted. Zoe rushed to his side, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you… thank you, Ethan."

Ethan smiled weakly. "I told you… I'd do my best."

As Zoe held his hand, Ethan glanced at the jade ring on his finger, its soft green glow now fading into darkness.

The night was far from over—but for now, Ethan had won a small victory.