Chapter 8: A Friend's Embrace

Feng Yan took a deep breath and gathered her resolve. She needed to reach out to Ning Jue, her friend who had always been there for her, despite the way she had pushed her away in the past. Her fingers trembling slightly as she dialed Ning Jue's number.

The phone rang a few times before Ning Jue's familiar voice answered.

"Hello, Feng Yan? " Ning Jue's voice was warm and welcoming.

"Hello, Ning Jue," Feng Yan began, her voice unsteady. "It's me, Feng Yan. I... I need your help."

There was a brief pause, followed by Ning Jue's concerned tone. "Feng Yan? What's wrong? You sound upset."

Feng Yan swallowed hard, trying to steady her voice. "My adopted parents— they've decided to send me away to the mountains. I... I begged them to let me stay, but they won't listen. I couldn't stay there any longer, so I left. I need a place to stay tonight. Can you help me?"

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before Ning Jue's voice filled with concern and anger.

"Those heartless monsters!" Ning Jue exclaimed. "I can't believe they would treat you like that. Don't worry, Feng Yan. I'll come and get you right away. Just tell me where you are."

Feng Yan quickly gave her location, relieved by the urgency in her friend's response. "Thank you, Ning Jue. I'm just outside the mansion, near the main gate."

"Hold tight," Ning Jue said. "I'll be there soon."

The minutes felt like hours as Feng Yan waited. The cold night air nipped at her skin, and the exhaustion from the day's events began to weigh heavily on her. She glanced around, feeling the sting of regret for not appreciating Ning Jue more in her past life.

"I was so blind," Feng Yan muttered to herself, her voice barely above a whisper. "How could I have lost such a friend?"

After Feng Yan provided her location, and within minutes, Ning Jue arrived in her car. Feng Yan waited anxiously, her heart pounding with a mixture of hope and apprehension. When Ning Jue pulled up, she jumped out of the car before it even came to a complete stop.

Ning Jue rushed toward Feng Yan, her expression filled with empathy and determination. Without hesitation, she enveloped Feng Yan in a tight hug.

"Oh, Feng Yan," Ning Jue murmured, her voice breaking slightly. "I'm so sorry you're going through this. You don't have to worry about anything right now. I'm here for you."

The sudden warmth of Ning Jue's embrace caught Feng Yan off guard. The warmth of Ning Jue's hug was a stark contrast to the cold night, and Feng Yan stood momentarily stunned. The gesture of kindness, so simple yet so profound, brought tears to her eyes. She had been so wrapped up in her own pain that she had failed to see the value of the friendship she'd once had.

Ning Jue pulled back slightly, her eyes meeting Feng Yan's with a look of understanding and resolve. "Let's get you out of here. You can stay at my place tonight. We'll figure everything out, I promise."

Feng Yan nodded, her emotions raw and mixed. She felt a wave of relief wash over her, knowing that she wasn't alone and that she had a friend who truly cared.

"Thank you, Ning Jue," Feng Yan said softly. "I don't know how to repay you for this."

Ning Jue smiled reassuringly. "You don't have to repay me, Feng Yan. We're friends. That's what friends are for."

As they climbed into the car, Feng Yan felt a wave of relief and gratitude wash over her. The comfort of having a friend who cared for her was a balm to her wounded spirit. She realized that this friendship, lost in her previous life, was a treasure she was fortunate to reclaim.

As the car drove away from the mansion, Feng Yan glanced back at the place she had once called home. The darkness of the night seemed less daunting with Ning Jue by her side.

"I'll make things right," Feng Yan vowed silently. "I'll use this chance to change everything. And I'll never take my friends for granted again."