Jian Jian frowned slightly, then ruffled her hair and rubbed her eyes until they turned red, making it look as though she had been crying. After that, she opened the door.
Du Yanran’s hand was still suspended in mid-air from knocking, a flash of impatience in her eyes that instantly transformed into a look of worry the moment she saw Jian Jian:
"Jian Jian, are you alright? I was worried about you, so I came over to check."
Jian Jian only nodded with a dejected expression and let Du Yanran inside.
Once inside, Du Yanran scanned the room and, seeing no one else, let out a sigh of relief. She then pulled Jian Jian down to sit on the sofa and asked eagerly:
"Did you see your father? What's the situation?"
Jian Jian lowered her head. After gathering her emotions, she sniffed, raised her head, and revealed already-reddened eyes:
"He didn't come. I only saw his butler and an assistant, and they're taking me to Jingdu today."
"Ah? In such a rush? Why? Then are you coming back? You still have the house your mother left you here..."
A trace of anxiety flashed in Du Yanran's eyes, which was just caught by Jian Jian looking over. Jian Jian merely shook her head and said:
"They said I'll understand once I see my father, and told me to pack my things; they booked flight tickets and are coming to pick me up."
"So rushed?"
Du Yanran's grip on the other girl's hand unconsciously tightened.
Jian Jian let out a soft cry: "Ow!"
Only then did Du Yanran let go, saying apologetically:
"Sorry, I just got anxious..."
Jian Jian shook her head understandingly and said:
"I know you're worried about me."
After that, the two fell into silence. Eventually, Du Yanran managed to speak up with some difficulty:
"Then what about the house and other things you have here? If you trust me, I can help you look after the house."
Hearing that her focus was on "other things," Jian Jian paused inwardly as a strange feeling swept through the bottom of her heart. A hazy idea sprouted in her mind. She shook her head and said:
"They said they'll handle everything here for me. They seem in a real rush to get me over there. They didn't say much when I asked, but I confirmed they are people from Jingdu."
Du Yanran's voice carried a distinct trace of anxiety and irrepressible anger:
"How could you be so foolish to just agree like that without asking clearly? You'll be going to a place where you don't know anyone, and there won't be even a soul to help you. What if... No, I'm not at ease. I'm going with you."
Her words were deeply earnest, painting a picture of exasperation at Jian Jian's lack of worldly wisdom.
Jian Jian remembered that in her past life, Du Yanran had also worried for a while, but had never insisted on following her—after all, she was just an inexperienced young girl herself.
It was just that they had kept in touch by phone all the way from Jian Jian's departure to Jingdu and back. The Zhao Family in Jingdu hadn't stopped this either, as what waves could a friend of a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old girl possibly stir up?
This time, a thought suddenly flashed through her mind. She raised her head and looked at Du Yanran, saying:
"Yanran, thank you! I know this trip might be ill-intentioned, but after all, he's my only relative—I have to make this trip. There are some things regarding my mother that I want to ask him in person..."
Du Yanran interrupted: "But—"
"Yanran, say no more. I know you only have my best interests at heart. There's one more thing: yesterday, along with the people who came, I also received a call from a law firm, and I went with them to retrieve my mother's legacy."
"Ah?"
Du Yanran wore a look of surprise, but the joy deep within her eyes was impossible to conceal. Jian Jian lowered her gaze, a dark glimmer flashing across her eyes, and stood up to walk toward the bedroom.
"Wait here for a moment."
Jian Jian entered the bedroom, stood by the desk, pulled open the drawer, and took out the set of White Magnolia Jewelry replicas she had just retrieved from the Space antique display rack. She then turned and returned to the living room.
Du Yanran, who had been sitting on the sofa, immediately stood up, her eyes glued tightly to the rustic box, the corners of her mouth curling up with an expression of absolute certainty.
By this point, Jian Jian understood completely—she had returned as well.
She sighed slightly in her heart, yet felt no fear. After all, that was the past; in this life, she had already gained the advantage.
There was no need to burn bridges right now. Neither of them had yet begun their Cultivation, and both were familiar with the future trajectory and shared similar experiences. She no longer wanted to become anyone's stepping stone, nor did she want Du Yanran to keep entangling herself with her.
Du Yanran stepped forward and looped her arm through Jian Jian's, asking as if quite casually:
"What is this?"
Jian Jian pulled her down to sit, then opened the box to reveal the set of White Magnolia Jewelry inside.
She distinctly felt Du Yanran's breath hitch, followed by an eager look prompting her to explain quickly.
Jian Jian stroked the jewelry with her fingers, a deep sense of nostalgia in her eyes:
"This is a legacy left to me by my mother, along with some other things. This set of jewelry was placed separately, so it must be very important. I don't know what will happen during this trip, and you are my only trusted friend, so I want to ask you to keep it safe for me."
Upon hearing these words, Du Yanran visibly relaxed and said with a sincere attitude:
"Jian Jian, thank you for trusting me! I will keep these things safe for you temporarily, but you must come back! If you don't come back, I won't return these things to you."
Her tone was forceful, demanding a promise from Jian Jian.