Feng Yan arrived at Ning Jue's house, her heart still heavy with the weight of the day's events. The house was a modest, cozy space, filled with warmth and comfort that Feng Yan hadn't felt in years. Ning Jue led her inside, making sure she was comfortable before speaking.
"Are you okay, Feng Yan?" Ning Jue asked, concern lacing her voice as she guided her friend to the living room sofa. "I'm so sorry for what you've been through. You don't have to go through this alone anymore."
Feng Yan nodded, her eyes distant as she tried to process everything that had happened. "I don't know where to start, Ning Jue," she began, her voice quiet but steady. "They've never really loved me. From the moment I was adopted, I was just a tool to them. They only took me in to ward off bad luck for their real daughter, Feng Yue."
Ning Jue's eyes widened in shock. "What? That's terrible, Feng Yan. I had no idea it was this bad."
Feng Yan continued, her tone growing more resolute with each word. "They never treated me like a daughter. They forced me to work like a servant, never allowed me to have anything of my own, and constantly belittled me. And now, they've decided to send me away to some remote mountains, as if I'm just a piece of trash to be discarded."
As Feng Yan spoke, Ning Jue noticed something different about her friend. Feng Yan, who had always been timid and soft-spoken, now spoke with a boldness and determination that Ning Jue had never seen before. Her eyes, once filled with fear and uncertainty, now held a mysterious power, a quiet strength that was almost unsettling.
Ning Jue couldn't help but wonder, Is this really Feng Yan? How did she change so suddenly?
But despite her surprise, Ning Jue felt a surge of happiness for her friend. This new attitude, this newfound strength, was something Feng Yan had always needed. "You've really changed, Feng Yan," Ning Jue said with a small smile. "You're stronger now, and I'm glad to see it. Whatever happened, it's made you better, and I'm here to support you."
Feng Yan met Ning Jue's gaze, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you, Ning Jue. I've realized a lot of things recently, and I'm not going to let them walk all over me anymore. I'm done being their puppet."
Ning Jue nodded, relieved to see Feng Yan's resolve. "That's the spirit. For now, just focus on settling in. You're safe here, and you don't need to worry about anything else tonight. I live alone, so you'll have plenty of space. There's a spare bedroom upstairs where you can rest."
Ning Jue stood up, gently guiding Feng Yan to the stairs. "Come on, I'll show you to the guest room. Make yourself comfortable, and if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. You're not alone anymore, Feng Yan."
As they reached the guest room, Ning Jue opened the door, revealing a cozy, well-kept space with soft lighting and a comfortable bed. "This is your room for as long as you need it," Ning Jue said softly. "Get some rest, okay? We'll talk more in the morning."
"Thank you, Ning Jue," Feng Yan replied, her voice filled with gratitude. "I don't know what I would have done without you."
Ning Jue gave her a reassuring smile before leaving the room, closing the door behind her.
As Feng Yan sat on the edge of the bed, she let out a deep breath, her mind racing with thoughts. The events of the day felt like a whirlwind, and now that she was alone, the reality of her situation began to sink in.
How did it all come to this? she wondered. What did I miss in my past life at this point in time?
She leaned back against the pillows, her thoughts drifting back to the timeline she remembered. In her past life, she had been so desperate for her adopted family's love and approval that she had ignored the truth, blinded by her longing for acceptance. She had avoided Ning Jue, the one person who had genuinely cared for her, and had ultimately paid the price for her ignorance.
She closed her eyes, replaying the key events from her past life in her mind, trying to piece together what had happened around this time.