C14 They Met Each Other!

"I understand. I want to go home and grab a few things," Nannan nodded, realizing she had forgotten to bring any of her clothes.

"Do you want me to go with you?" Yizhou asked, concerned. Nannan was having trouble moving around, and he was worried about her.

"No need, Elder Ji can take me," Nannan shook her head. She still had some important documents at her place, and in a few days, she planned to start looking for a job. "Mom, I promise I'll finish what you couldn't."

"Alright then, be careful," Yizhou relented, trusting Elder Ji, whom he had known for a long time and found reliable.

"Yizhou," Yu'er called out as she limped over to him.

"Is your foot okay?" Yizhou asked, eyeing her skeptically. Just because he hadn't confronted her earlier didn't mean he believed her story.

"It's fine, much better now. I can't believe Nannan dislikes me so much," Yu'er said, her voice quivering as if she might cry.

"Yizhou, that woman is truly malicious, treating our Yu'er like this. We can't let it slide. She may look decent, but she's rotten inside," Yizhou's mother chimed in.

"What exactly did she do on purpose? Tell me," Yizhou asked calmly, knowing Yu'er's temperament all too well.

"Well, I asked her to pour me some water, and she seemed reluctant, then deliberately knocked over the cup," Yu'er summarized, sensing Yizhou's disbelief.

"Then why did she burn her own hand too? Did she intentionally spill it on herself while trying to hurt you?" Yizhou countered, pressing for clarity.

"She probably wanted your sympathy," Yu'er mumbled, lowering her head, realizing her initial plan had backfired.

"What are you talking about? Do you really think Yu'er would hurt herself?" Mrs. Zheng defended.

"Alright, I'll talk to her. Is there anything else?" Zheng Yizhou sighed, realizing that peace at home might be a thing of the past. Still, it was better than having Deng Yu'er move in with her manipulative ways.

"Yu'er got hurt because of you. I want her to stay here for a while. After all, you have a responsibility to take care of her," Mrs. Zheng stated bluntly. She hadn't expected that woman, Xia Nannan, to already be living with Zheng Yizhou. There was no way she could just let that happen.

"I understand. I'll take good care of her," Zheng Yizhou agreed, though the thought of that anklet made him inexplicably uneasy. It must be important to Xia Nannan, considering how much she treasured it. The idea that Xia Nannan might have someone she cared about made him unexpectedly jealous.

"Then I'll head back. Yu'er, make yourself comfortable here. If that woman gives you any trouble, I'll stand up for you," Mrs. Zheng said with a smile. It seemed Xia Nannan had just gone out, so she wouldn't intrude on their time together.

"I saw she was the one who started it. Why didn't you explain?" Elder Ji suddenly interjected, feeling a strange sympathy for Xia Nannan, who seemed to endure everything in silence.

"You saw it?" Xia Nannan looked at him. She hadn't had much interaction with Elder Ji and was surprised he spoke to her.

"I just happened to see it."

"Do you think explaining would make a difference? He's on their side," Xia Nannan replied with a self-deprecating smile.

"He would believe you," Elder Ji stated confidently. He knew Zheng Yizhou well and was sure Yizhou cared about her; otherwise, he wouldn't have helped her with the medicine when everyone else was against her.

"I see," Xia Nannan said, gazing out the window. Was Zheng Yizhou really that good? Why couldn't she feel it?

"Wait here for a moment, I'll be right back." Nannan dashed upstairs. The old apartment complex seemed lifeless, but Nannan had been living independently for quite some time.

She packed her bags, making sure to include her most important portfolio—she needed it for her job interview. She was determined to fulfill her mother's wish of becoming a top jewelry designer.

"Nannan?" A man descended the stairs, looking surprised and delighted to see her. He had been waiting for days, hoping to run into her.

"Chen Jin?" Nannan was taken aback to see him here. After graduation, they had lost touch, and she never expected to meet him in such a place.

"Yeah, what brings you here?" Chen Jin approached, dressed in a sharp suit, his hair styled with a bit of a rebellious flair, yet still appealing.

"I'm just packing up some things, getting ready to move." Nannan gestured to her luggage.

"Are you moving in with him? Nannan, haven't you given up yet?" Chen Jin asked, his expression tinged with sadness. He knew about her situation and didn't want her to live a life consumed by resentment.

"Have you been investigating me?" Nannan questioned, surprised that Chen Jin knew something she hadn't shared with anyone.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. Please don't be mad." Chen Jin lowered his head, unable to keep it to himself any longer. He disliked seeing Nannan entangle herself in such matters.

"What gives you the right to investigate me? Chen Jin, what relationship do we have that makes my business any of yours?" Nannan glared at him. These were her personal affairs, and he had no right to interfere.

"Because we're... friends." Chen Jin hesitated before finally saying it. He was afraid to admit more, fearing she would cut him off completely.

"If we're friends, then stay out of my business. It's not going to do you any good." Nannan sighed, relieved that Chen Jin hadn't confessed any deeper feelings. She felt unworthy of anyone's affection, believing she wasn't that great.

"Nannan, let it go. Do you really want to live your whole life consumed by hatred? Do you really think you can take on someone like Yizhou?" Chen Jin urged, concerned about Nannan putting herself in danger. Yizhou was not someone to be trifled with; he had connections everywhere, far beyond what Nannan could handle.

"If you're my friend, just trust me. Someone's waiting for me, so I can't talk now." Nannan pushed her luggage and walked away. She didn't want to hear any more lectures. Why should someone guilty get to live happily and freely?

"Nannan, no matter what happens, remember you have me," Chen Jin called after her, determined to protect her at all costs.

Nannan paused for a moment but kept walking. She realized she did have friends after all. She had never taken the time to make any, and it surprised her that someone considered her a friend.