38

The moment Cen Lingqiu saw Ning Jia, she was almost in a daze.

She couldn't comprehend how someone who should have fallen into the sea and died in the story could still appear in reality.

According to the plot, Ning Jia, as the male lead's first love, had died in an accident at sea and never had any conclusion. In truth, Ning Jia was an insignificant character that Cen Lingqiu had completely forgotten about.

Yet now, this person who shouldn't even exist was suddenly standing in front of her, which was utterly baffling.

Cen Lingqiu asked the system.

The system couldn't detect anything either.

"What's wrong?" Ning Jia sat across from Cen Lingqiu, resting her chin on her hand as she smiled. "Surprised to see me alive?"

Cen Lingqiu stared at her calmly without speaking.

Ning Jia's eyes bore a strong resemblance to Yu Mingjiao's, except Ning Jia was always smiling, her eyes perpetually curved in a cheerful manner. "I got lucky and was rescued, but I wasn't in good health and had to recuperate for a long time. It's only recently that I've been able to go out."

When Yu Mingjiao saw Ning Jia, she was immediately overwhelmed by a deep sense of crisis.

Her entanglements with Cen Lingqiu and Lin Dong all stemmed from this woman. Simply because she bore a slight resemblance to Ning Jia, she had suffered a series of painful experiences.

She didn't know Ning Jia personally, but a significant portion of her suffering indeed originated from this woman.

She knew how important Ning Jia was to Lin Dong and also that she was Cen Lingqiu's close friend. Ning Jia was important to Cen Lingqiu.

Now that this woman had reappeared before them, Yu Mingjiao couldn't help but feel anxious.

She feared that Cen Lingqiu would be drawn to Ning Jia. She didn't like having a second person in Cen Lingqiu's life. She was selfish and petty, and she had hoped many times that Cen Lingqiu would have no one else but her.

She thought she had finally gotten rid of He Hanzhou, that annoying dog, but why was there now another person?

Why were there always so many disgusting pests around her?

It was revolting.

It made her angry.

If she could walk now, if she could run like a normal person, she would certainly drag Cen Lingqiu away from this place swarming with pests.

But she was just a useless person in a wheelchair, unable to take Cen Lingqiu and flee.

Yu Mingjiao stared at Ning Jia, her fingers digging into her palm.

She loathed this woman.

This woman made her very uncomfortable. Yu Mingjiao didn't feel any warmth or friendship from her, only a deeply hidden sense of danger.

She instinctively rejected Ning Jia.

Right in front of Ning Jia, Yu Mingjiao took hold of Cen Lingqiu's hand and whispered, "I'm tired. I want to go back."

Ning Jia finally noticed her. "And you are—"

"Oh." Ning Jia seemed to recall something. "You're Yu Mingjiao, right? You're really pretty, and we don't look alike at all."

She spoke more bluntly than Yu Mingjiao, "I don't understand how anyone could have been so blind as to think you looked like me."

Yu Mingjiao's expression turned gloomy as she glared at Ning Jia without saying a word.

Her icy demeanor made even Yu Suian feel afraid, causing her to shrink back even more among the three older women.

Ning Jia covered her mouth, "Why are you looking at me like that? This is the first time we've met, right? Oh, did my words upset you? I'm sorry, I—"

"Ning Jia," Cen Lingqiu interrupted her with a calm tone. She didn't know why Ning Jia was still alive and had no interest in this character. As long as Ning Jia didn't interfere, it didn't matter to her. But she couldn't allow Ning Jia to speak to Yu Mingjiao that way.

"It's good that you're alive. Just live well from now on," Cen Lingqiu said as she stood up. She didn't want Yu Mingjiao and Ning Jia to stay together any longer. Pushing Yu Mingjiao's wheelchair, she spoke in a detached tone, "We'll be in touch later. I have something to do, so we're leaving. Goodbye."

"Alright." Ning Jia's smile was bright. "We'll see each other soon, Lin Qiu. It's been a long time since we had a drink together. Let's go next time, okay?"

Cen Lingqiu gave a perfunctory nod, acknowledging Ning Jia before pushing Yu Mingjiao away. Yu Suian followed closely behind.

Suddenly, Yu Mingjiao slightly turned her head and locked eyes with Ning Jia behind her.

Ning Jia's eyes curved as she playfully winked at her, looking the part of a bright and gentle older sister.

The brighter Ning Jia's smile became, the more fake it seemed to Yu Mingjiao. There was a strong sense of contradiction in her overall demeanor.

Yu Mingjiao particularly and deeply disliked this woman.

As they walked towards the car, Yu Mingjiao noticed Yu Suian still following them. Irritated, she said, "Go back."

Yu Suian tried to resist, "Sis, can't I stay with you for a bit longer?"

Yu Mingjiao was deeply unsettled by Ning Jia's appearance and wasn't in the mood to deal with Yu Suian. "I don't want to repeat myself."

"Sis…"

"You should go back," Cen Lingqiu said, breaking the tense atmosphere. "Your sister is tired. I'll take her back to rest."

Yu Suian pouted, "Alright then. But, Sister Lin Qiu, please take good care of her. Don't… treat her like you used to."

Cen Lingqiu smiled, "We're leaving now."

She helped Yu Mingjiao into the car, waved to Yu Suian, and drove away.

Yu Mingjiao remained silent during the entire ride. Although she was always quiet and not fond of talking, this time her silence was cold and tense, tinged with a sense of oppression.

Cen Lingqiu couldn't fully grasp the reason behind her moodiness. It wasn't convenient to talk while driving, so she decided to wait until they returned to the inn.

Once they were back in their room, the little cat immediately clung to Cen Lingqiu. She petted it for a while before putting it down.

The room was heated and warm. Cen Lingqiu took off her coat and drank some water. Just as she was about to turn and ask if Yu Mingjiao wanted some water, the next moment, she felt Yu Mingjiao's arms wrap around her waist.

Cen Lingqiu paused in surprise before turning around to gently stroke Yu Mingjiao's long hair. She finally asked the question she hadn't been able to ask in the car, "Alright, tell me, what's bothering you this time?"

Yu Mingjiao buried her face in Cen Lingqiu's waist, remaining silent.

Just when Cen Lingqiu thought she might stay silent forever, Yu Mingjiao finally spoke.

"Will you abandon me?"

Cen Lingqiu frowned slightly. "Why would you say that?"

"She's back. Your most important friend is back. You're going to leave me, aren't you?" Yu Mingjiao's voice was both awkward and aggrieved. "At first, you hated me because of her. Now, do you still hate me?"

Cen Lingqiu sighed helplessly. "There's no reason for that, Jiao Jiao. It's completely illogical. I won't hate you."

Yu Mingjiao lifted her head and stared directly at her. "I'm someone important to you, right?"

"I'm different from Ning Jia."

Yu Mingjiao didn't dare blink, afraid she might miss any reaction from Cen Lingqiu.

Say that I'm important to you.

Say that you don't hate me.

Say that you won't abandon me.

Say that you won't leave me, won't ignore me, won't overlook me.

Say that no matter who comes along, you'll always care about me.

No matter who it is.

I have to be the most important person to you.

Yu Mingjiao silently pleaded with her.

Cen Lingqiu smiled and pinched her cheek. "So you were upset all the way here because of this?"

Yu Mingjiao clung tightly to her, her tone filled with deep anxiety. "Answer me."

"Mm."

"You're important to me."

Cen Lingqiu responded earnestly, her tone calm and sincere, easing Yu Mingjiao's unease.

Having received the answer she wanted, Yu Mingjiao's emotions finally calmed down a bit.

She then asked, "Why is Ning Jia here?"

In her memory, Ning Jia had long since fallen into the sea and died. Back then, Lin Dong had searched for her body for a long time but never found it. The young master of the Lin family went to great lengths for this woman. When he couldn't find her, he finally accepted her death and erected an empty tomb with her belongings, mourning her every day. This incident had almost become common knowledge.

Cen Lingqiu couldn't answer this question either.

In the story, Ning Jia and the male lead had boarded the same yacht. The male lead, drunk, had proposed to her, but Ning Jia refused. During their argument, Ning Jia accidentally fell into the sea. The male lead had tried to jump in to save her but was held back, and Ning Jia had died, her body never found.

Even the system couldn't explain her reappearance.

Cen Lingqiu wondered if perhaps it was a bug. Each world sometimes had elements that deviated from the plot—people or things—that would occasionally pop up. It was rare, but Cen Lingqiu had encountered such situations during her long experience.

The only question was whether this Ning Jia bug would affect the plot.

Cen Lingqiu's thoughts wandered, and she couldn't help but inwardly laugh at herself.

She had forgotten that the story had long since lost its course, and the heroine's feelings for the male lead seemed to have shifted onto her.

If the system knew, it might kill her.

But emotions weren't something anyone could control. If she could, Cen Lingqiu would have liked to be more heartless towards Yu Mingjiao. That way, she could leave this world at any time without the hesitation and indecision she now faced in dealing with the hidden, distorted feelings between her and Yu Mingjiao.

Cen Lingqiu didn't care much about this unexpected encounter with Ning Jia. Her heart had already been thrown into chaos by Yu Mingjiao alone, leaving no room to worry about irrelevant people.

"If you don't like her, just stay away from her in the future," Cen Lingqiu said. "She's irrelevant. You don't need to worry about her."

Yu Mingjiao pressed her cheek against Cen Lingqiu's waist, inhaling her familiar scent. Her expression turned sinister as she said firmly, "You stay away from her too. I don't like her."

Cen Lingqiu, accustomed to indulging Yu Mingjiao's childlike possessiveness, nodded and played along, "Mm-hmm, I will."

"I mean it."

"Mm, I mean it."

That night, Wen Zhi had to leave because of something that came up, so she left with the two people she came with. Cen Lingqiu, on the other hand, decided to stay another day since Yu Mingjiao wasn't feeling well and wasn't in any condition to travel.

Yu Mingjiao was suffering from menstrual cramps. Her health was poor, and years of malnutrition and self-abuse had left her with many physical problems, including severe menstrual pain.

She was in such pain that cold sweat constantly dripped down her face. She kept dry heaving, unable to keep anything down, her face growing paler and paler.

Seeing how much pain she was in, Cen Lingqiu decided to go out and buy her some painkillers. As she passed through the back garden, she saw that middle-aged woman again, but this time a woman with pink curls was standing beside her, and the two were deep in conversation.

The pink-haired woman heard a sound behind her and turned around, seeing Cen Lingqiu. She waved and said something to the middle-aged woman before running over to her.

"Lin Qiu." Ning Jia, hands behind her back, smiled and said, "I told you we'd see each other again, didn't I?"

Cen Lingqiu was anxious and didn't have time for pleasantries. She nodded and tried to walk away.

"Hey—" Ning Jia grabbed her. "Where are you going?"

Cen Lingqiu suppressed her impatience. "I have something to do. I need to go."

Ning Jia didn't let her go. "Come on, tell me. We're friends, aren't we? Maybe I can help."

Cen Lingqiu didn't want to waste time and, to avoid further delay, said, "I'm buying painkillers."

"Where does it hurt?"

"It's not me, it's Jiao Jiao."

"Jiao Jiao?"

"Yu Mingjiao." Cen Lingqiu pulled her hand away, ending the conversation. "I have to go."

Ning Jia grabbed her again. "There's no pharmacy nearby. The only one around here is closed because the owner went home for the New Year."

Cen Lingqiu frowned.

"The innkeeper has a lot of medicine stocked up. He should have some painkillers," Ning Jia said. "I know him well. I'll take you."

Cen Lingqiu was focused solely on relieving Yu Mingjiao's pain, so she didn't refuse.

"Uncle Yuan." Ning Jia led her to a room where a man was reading at a desk. He looked up at the sound of their arrival and smiled. "Little Ning, what's up?"

"My friend needs some medicine," Ning Jia said with a smile.

"It's in the next room. Take her there," he replied.

"Alright."

Ning Jia led Cen Lingqiu to the adjacent room, which was small and had walls covered with photos of a young girl.

"That's Uncle Yuan's daughter," Ning Jia said with a neutral tone. "She was a fairly famous game illustrator online. Unfortunately, she jumped into a river and died."

She turned around and casually asked, "Do you know her?"

Cen Lingqiu didn't recall anything about the girl and shook her head. "No."

"Where's the medicine?" she asked, focusing on the matter at hand.

Ning Jia stared at her for a few seconds, her gaze darkening, before she blinked and smiled, handing her a box of medicine. "Here it is."

"Take it."

"Thanks," Cen Lingqiu said. "I'll thank you properly another day."

Ning Jia playfully winked, "Do we really need to be so formal?"

Cen Lingqiu left as soon as she got the medicine. Ning Jia stayed behind, lingering in the room for a long time.

After taking the medicine, Yu Mingjiao's pain subsided a bit. She lay on Cen Lingqiu's lap, her face pale, her eyes red-rimmed, looking weak and listless. She was covered with a thick blanket and couldn't even speak.

Cen Lingqiu looked at her with concern, gently poking her cheek. "You've got so many health issues."

Yu Mingjiao was too weak to say anything and just curled up into a ball, her eyelids drooping wearily.

Cen Lingqiu, almost talking to herself, murmured, "What am I going to do with you being so fragile?"

She had no legs and couldn't walk like a normal person. Her body was riddled with ailments, like a delicate mermaid princess who was always on the brink of collapse.

Yu Mingjiao was a pitiful kitten that needed constant care.

If Cen Lingqiu left, who would be able to take care of her properly?

She couldn't shake the feeling that no one but her could take care of Yu Mingjiao as she did.

The short trip ended, and Cen Lingqiu and Yu Mingjiao returned to their usual routine. But Ning Jia's reappearance brought subtle changes to their ordinary life.

Ning Jia frequently invited Cen Lingqiu out, sometimes for a meal or to a bar. Cen Lingqiu didn't enjoy interacting with people she wasn't close to. Just because the original owner had been friends with Ning Jia didn't mean she felt the same.

She didn't want to form any more relationships in this world. Yu Mingjiao alone was already more than enough to worry about.

Especially since the system had recently told her that the mission was almost complete. She had spent too much time in this world and couldn't afford to stay any longer. The system urged her to prepare to finish the task.

Cen Lingqiu felt an indescribable sense of despair.

She didn't even have the courage to bring up the topic with Yu Mingjiao.

Her mind was a mess, and she had no desire to accept Ning Jia's invitations, so she declined them all.

Ning Jia seemed to have noticed.

One day, as Cen Lingqiu was driving home from work, a car suddenly stopped in front of her. It was the rainy season in Lan City, and it had been raining continuously for several days.

In the downpour, the sudden appearance of a car blocking her way reminded Cen Lingqiu of the car accident six months ago, making her heart skip a beat.

In the next moment, Ning Jia stepped out of the car, holding an umbrella, and knocked on her window, smiling with her eyes. "I recognized the license plate and wondered if it was you. And it is!"

Cen Lingqiu was displeased with Ning Jia's sudden appearance, and her tone turned cold. "What do you want?"

"I've been inviting you out for a long time, and you haven't accepted even once," Ning Jia said, sounding a bit upset. "Didn't you say you owed me? How about we have dinner tonight?"

Cen Lingqiu had argued with Yu Mingjiao that morning. The issue had started when a male client suddenly called her, inviting her to join a group of industry elites for dinner.

Upon hearing this, Yu Mingjiao had gone into a frenzy, questioning whether Cen Lingqiu's recent distraction was because she had found someone else. Cen Lingqiu had explained that the male client was just repaying a favor and that he was a married man who loved his wife dearly. He had also invited other women, and it was simply a casual networking dinner.

But Yu Mingjiao was overly sensitive and kept pressing for details, accusing Cen Lingqiu of neglecting her recently.

Cen Lingqiu felt wronged. She was just too overwhelmed, unable to think of a solution, so her mind had been preoccupied.

No matter how much she explained, Yu Mingjiao wouldn't believe her.

Lacking a sense of security and with an overly possessive nature, Yu Mingjiao behaved as if they were in a romantic relationship, engaging in the kind of arguments only couples would have.

They had both kept their feelings hidden, yet here they were.

Cen Lingqiu felt exhausted. In the end, she didn't go to the dinner, but it felt as if they had had a fight. They hadn't exchanged any messages since then.

She didn't know how to face Yu Mingjiao when she got home. Since Yu Mingjiao was working late that day, she figured she could have dinner first and then pick her up afterward.

Plus, Ning Jia was blocking the road, and it seemed she wouldn't move until she agreed.

The rain was heavy, and Ning Jia's clothes were nearly soaked.

Cen Lingqiu had no choice but to agree.

They went to a nearby Cantonese restaurant. As Ning Jia sipped water, she slowly began to chat.

"You seem to be doing well, Lin Qiu," Ning Jia said with a smile.

"Really?"

Cen Lingqiu responded absentmindedly. She still disliked eating at a table with others, except when Yu Mingjiao was there. With anyone else, she wouldn't touch her food. Only Yu Mingjiao could break this strange habit.

"Of course," Ning Jia said, her eyes deep. "You seem to be doing better than anyone. Even after that car accident, you're still healthy."

For some reason, Cen Lingqiu found Ning Jia's tone odd.

They had booked a private room with ample heating. Ning Jia, feeling warm, removed her coat, revealing a loose sweater underneath. As she moved, the sleeves of her sweater rolled up, revealing several deep needle marks on her arm, some of which were still bruised.

"You seem to be doing well too," Cen Lingqiu replied, averting her gaze.

"Me?" Ning Jia suddenly burst into laughter. "Lin Qiu, you've changed a lot."

Cen Lingqiu responded with a noncommittal hum.

"How nice, Lin Qiu," Ning Jia said with a long sigh. "You're really lucky. You have a family, you're healthy, and there's even a girl who likes you."

Cen Lingqiu's eyes flickered as she looked at her.

Ning Jia smiled. "Did I say something wrong? Doesn't Yu Mingjiao like you? She seems very dependent on you."

"We're close friends. Liking each other is normal." Cen Lingqiu was well aware of how distorted and abnormal Yu Mingjiao's feelings were, and she didn't want Yu Mingjiao to be burdened by others' judgments, so she tried to downplay it.

Ning Jia smiled meaningfully. "Is that so?"

"You seem to like her quite a bit too," Ning Jia said.

Cen Lingqiu didn't deny it. "Yes."

"How straightforward," Ning Jia said with a few clicks of her tongue. "I used to think no one could catch your eye. I thought you'd never like anyone."

"Things change."

At that moment, a waiter brought in a bowl of pigeon soup. Just as she was about to place it on the table, she tripped on something, and the entire bowl spilled all over Cen Lingqiu.

She was wearing a white turtleneck sweater under her coat, which was instantly stained and soaked through to her skin.

She looked utterly disheveled.

The waiter apologized profusely.

Ning Jia said, "Your clothes are ruined. My place is nearby, just a few minutes' walk away. You can come over and change."

Cen Lingqiu looked at her clothes. She was drenched, and her hair was soaked with soup. There was no way she could go pick up Yu Mingjiao like this.

Her clothes felt sticky and uncomfortable.

So she agreed.

Ning Jia's place was indeed close, just a few minutes away. As they reached the apartment, Cen Lingqiu received a message from Yu Mingjiao.

—Where are you?

Cen Lingqiu replied.

—At a friend's place.

—Which friend?

—A woman.

—Who?

Cen Lingqiu didn't hide anything.

—Ning Jia.

There was a long pause.

—You're lying.

Cen Lingqiu sighed. She was probably thinking she had gone to that dinner. So she sent her location.

—I'm not lying.

"Lin Qiu," Ning Jia said, handing her some clothes. "Go take a shower."

"Thanks."

Cen Lingqiu put down her phone and headed to the bathroom.

The smell was strong, and Cen Lingqiu spent over half an hour in the shower. She was drying her hair as she walked into the living room.

Ning Jia was sitting on the sofa, looking through a photo album. When she saw Cen Lingqiu, she stood up.

She seemed to have removed her makeup, her face looking sickly and pale, with dark circles under her eyes. She appeared completely different from the bright and cheerful person she had been during the day.

"All done?" Ning Jia's tone was distant. "The hairdryer is in the other room. Come with me, I'll get it for you."

Thunder suddenly rumbled outside.

Cen Lingqiu followed her into the room to get the hairdryer. Ning Jia handed it to her. "Dry your hair before you leave."

After drying her hair, Cen Lingqiu placed the hairdryer on the table, glancing at a large photo frame.

Inside the frame was a young boy, who looked about seven or eight years old.

"He's my brother."

Ning Jia suddenly appeared behind her, her gaze deep and still.

Cen Lingqiu turned around and casually responded, "You have a brother?"

The story hadn't delved much into Ning Jia's background.

"Yes."

Ning Jia wore a loose nightgown. She looked as frail as when Cen Lingqiu had first seen Yu Mingjiao, exuding the same aura of death. But Ning Jia's sickness seemed even more pronounced.

"He's cute."

Thunder boomed outside, but Ning Jia's gaze remained dark and eerie. "Isn't he? But he's dead."

"Lin Qiu."

Ning Jia's voice was soft as she asked.

"Why do the people I care about always leave me? I really envy you. You haven't lost anything."

"Why is that?"

Ning Jia's hand moved, and a faint glint of silver flashed, perhaps a reflection of the lightning outside the window.

Cen Lingqiu felt a sense of oppressive dampness and furrowed her brows. It seemed like she had caught a glimpse of something in Ning Jia's hand.

Just as she tried to look more closely, her phone suddenly rang. It was Yu Mingjiao.

"Jiao Jiao?"

Cen Lingqiu stepped out of the room. "What's wrong?"

"I'm downstairs at Lotus Apartment."

Lotus Apartment was where Ning Jia was currently living.

Cen Lingqiu's frown deepened. "You're outside?"

She glanced at the thunderstorm outside. "Did you bring an umbrella?"

"I did, but it's small."

Yu Mingjiao's voice was low.

"I'm coming right now!" Cen Lingqiu said urgently. "Don't move."

"What's wrong?" Ning Jia came out.

"Jiao Jiao is downstairs. She might have gotten wet," Cen Lingqiu said quickly as she put on her clothes. "She's not in good health. If she gets wet, she'll get sick."

With that, she grabbed an umbrella and rushed out of the room.

Ning Jia, irritated, ran her fingers through her hair and bit her lip before following her down.