I was still thinking about Ji Qianqian's last words when I got on the car.

Engagement banquet.

Ding Ning and Qi Jiabo?

Why did I never know?

Silence all the way.

When the car stopped, I realized that we had actually arrived at a noodle shop.

Ji Qianqian explained, "It wouldn't be right to let you go home on an empty stomach after bringing you out. Let me treat you to some noodles."

I looked at the dirty storefront of the shop, feeling a bit surprised.

Ji Qianqian seemed to read my mind and stuck out her tongue. "Please understand. After spending twenty million, even the landlord's family has no surplus food."

I don't believe her!

Until today, I always felt that girls with her background were completely out of place at a roadside stall.

Like Ding Ning.

She never liked these fly-infested shops since she was a child.

I brought her here once when she was young, and she had a stomachache for a week.

I still remember her pitiful appearance.

But now, Ji Qianqian casually took out two pieces of tissue paper, wiped the greasy table in front of me, and then called out to the owner who was stretching noodles, "Two bowls of beef noodles."

The owner poked his head out, "Do you have a boyfriend now?"

Ji Qianqian glanced at me and playfully replied, "Still working on it."

"Then I'll add two extra pieces of beef for you, wishing you success soon."

This back and forth almost made me choke.

I could only awkwardly change the topic, "Do you come here often?"

"Hmm, when I was young and didn't have good conditions, this was the cheapest place. The owner is kind-hearted and allows me to work in exchange for meals."

I couldn't believe it. Isn't Ji Qianqian a second-generation rich?

"I'm sorry to disappoint you." Ji Qianqian waved her slender fingers in front of me. "I started from scratch. I used to scavenge for a living when I was young."

When she said those words, her mouth curled up, and her expression was relaxed.

For a moment, I didn't know if she was joking or telling the truth.

But it's undeniable that people are just like that.

A steaming bowl of noodles dissolved the sense of distance and gave me a feeling... that we belong to the same category of people.

The driver from the Ji family brought me back to Chen Yi's house. He sounded reluctant, "I really don't want you to leave."

"Huh?"

"The joke hasn't finished yet, now I'm going to have insomnia again."

I really don't know why Ji Qianqian is so fixated on hearing me tell jokes.

She grinned, "Since I've done you a favor by paying two million, can I give you the extra benefit of telling jokes before bedtime?"

I looked into the girl's sparkling eyes.

Originally, I wanted to refuse.

But suddenly, something seemed to flash through my mind, and that inexplicable sense of familiarity made me respond, "Okay."

When I turned to go upstairs, I looked back at Ji Qianqian.

She was standing by the car, waiting for me to go up.

"Ji Qianqian, have we... met before?"

Ji Qianqian didn't directly answer my question. She said, "When you figure out the answer for yourself, then come and ask me."

During this period, Ji Qianqian would contact me almost every day.

Even when she was busy, she would call me late at night and pester me to provide jokes;

When she had free time, she would ask me to accompany her as we wandered around the streets and alleys, calling it "exploring shops."

Thanks to Ji Qianqian, I didn't have any spare time to think about Ding Ning or the Ding family.

It seemed like life was becoming normal.

I found a new place to live and planned to move out of Chen Yi's house, officially starting my independent life.

On theday of the move, as I was packing my belongings, my phone rang. It was Ji Qianqian.

"Hey, where are you?" she asked in an urgent tone.

"I'm at home, packing my stuff. Why? What's wrong?" I replied, sensing the urgency in her voice.

"I need your help. Can you come to the hospital right away?" she said, her voice trembling slightly.

Concerned, I quickly asked, "What happened? Are you okay?"

"It's not me. It's Ding Ning. She had an accident," Ji Qianqian said, her voice choked with emotion.

My heart skipped a beat. Ding Ning, the girl I had loved for so long, the one I hadn't been able to forget, was now in the hospital.

Without any hesitation, I grabbed my keys and rushed to the hospital where Ding Ning was admitted.

When I arrived, Ji Qianqian was waiting for me at the entrance. Tears were streaming down her face, and her usual lively and cheerful demeanor was replaced by worry and sadness.

"What happened to Ding Ning?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Ji Qianqian took a deep breath and said, "She was involved in a car accident. She's in critical condition. The doctors are doing their best to save her."

I felt a lump in my throat as I followed Ji Qianqian inside the hospital. We arrived at the intensive care unit, where Ding Ning was lying motionless on the bed, surrounded by medical equipment.

My heart ached at the sight of her pale face and the bandages covering her injuries.

Ji Qianqian and I sat in silence, waiting anxiously for any news from the doctors.

Hours passed like an eternity, and finally, a doctor approached us. He looked tired and somber.

"I'm sorry, but Ding Ning's injuries are severe. We did everything we could, but her condition is critical," the doctor said with a heavy voice.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Ding Ning, the girl I had loved deeply, was fighting for her life.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I clutched Ji Qianqian's hand for support.

Days turned into weeks, and we never left Ding Ning's side. We prayed for her recovery, hoping for a miracle.

During that time, Ji Qianqian and I grew closer. We found solace in each other's presence, supporting one another through the difficult moments.

Then, one day, as if by some miracle, Ding Ning regained consciousness. It was a moment of joy and relief for all of us.

As Ding Ning recovered, she learned about the accident and how Ji Qianqian and I had been there for her.

She looked at us with gratitude in her eyes and said, "Thank you for being by my side when I needed you the most."

I smiled at her and replied, "We'll always be here for you, Ding Ning."

From that day forward, our lives took a different turn. Ding Ning, Ji Qianqian, and I became inseparable.

We realized that life is fragile and unpredictable, and the bonds we formed during those difficult times were unbreakable.

Together, we faced the ups and downs of life, supporting and caring for each other every step of the way.

And as time went on, I couldn't help but wonder if Ji Qianqian's words were true.

Had we met before? Was there a connection between us that went beyond what we could comprehend?

Only time would reveal the answers to these questions, but for now, we focused on cherishing the present and the bond we had formed, grateful for the second chance life had given us.