After reflection, Zhao Zhenzhen decided to start anew.
In this world, no one couldn't live without someone else. She needed to look forward, and better things awaited her.
She was the one who didn't want them anymore; she deserved better.
Though she consoled herself this way, she couldn't help but feel sad. She took out her phone and contacted her supervisor, stating she would return to work the next day.
She, Zhao Zhenzhen, was not a girl who couldn't live after being dumped. She still had her job and would continue to shine brightly in the future.
The next day, when Zhao Zhenzhen arrived at her workplace, she found that everyone was avoiding her.
She suppressed her panic and forced herself to work with a calm demeanor. Several times during document handovers, her colleagues avoided her gaze and their eyes darted away.
When noon arrived, she bought two cups of coffee and walked into her supervisor Sister Li's office.
Placing the coffee on Sister Li's desk, she intimately pulled a chair over and sat down opposite her.
"Sister Li, what's going on with everyone? Why does everyone seem so strange? Did something major happen at the company while I was away?"
"Ahem, nothing major. It's just that while you were unconscious, several colleagues visited you and heard some unpleasant things."
Zhao Zhenzhen felt a chill run through her body, her hands gripping her coffee cup tightly. After a moment, she lowered her head.
"Sister Li, I have something to attend to. I'm leaving now."
She then retreated from the office in a flustered and hurried manner. Back at her desk, she felt completely unsettled.
Whenever people started whispering, she felt they were talking about her, even imagining they might have created a group chat without her to badmouth her.
She felt as though thorns were pricking her back, wishing everyone would just pretend she didn't exist. Her work efficiency plummeted throughout the afternoon, and as soon as six o'clock struck, she rushed out.
She thought about it for a long time and finally decided to resign, to leave the place she had called home for six years.
She was a person who valued her reputation and didn't want to be the focus of gossip. Under the current circumstances, she couldn't stay.
After contacting her landlord, she began packing. Once everything was taken care of, she didn't know who to say goodbye to.
Fearing ridicule from acquaintances, she ended up going to Xu Ying. She bowed deeply to Xu Ying.
"Aunt Ying, I'm sorry. I've caused you too much trouble. I hope you won't hold it against me."
At this moment, Jun Jiuli had already returned her body to Xu Ying. Xu Ying, whenever she had free time, practiced according to the methods Jun Jiuli had left behind.
A shrine had even been set up at home. A statue sculpted in her likeness was called Xu Xiangu. From her generation onward, their Xu family had something to pass down.
"I don't blame you. That was a deal between me and the Xie family. But don't think I'm being preachy, you still need to be cautious in the future.
When something is outside your area of expertise, you must learn to take advice. I hope you can live well in the future."
Zhao Zhenzhen's tears began to fall. She hadn't expected Xu Ying to be so forgiving.
Her previous actions were truly childish. She always thought everyone in the world revolved around her.
She was the most capable and wouldn't make wrong judgments. She truly didn't intend to harm anyone, but her stubbornness had caused a lot of pain to others.
She suddenly hugged Xu Ying, crying uncontrollably. Xu Ying was startled by her.
Realizing what was happening, she patted Zhao Zhenzhen's back. "Alright, stop crying. You're all grown up, it's a bit embarrassing."
"Mom, who's here?"
Qiuqiu came running over, adorable as ever. Zhao Zhenzhen sniffled, her face red, and crouched down.
She reached out and ruffled Qiuqiu's small pigtails. "I'm sorry, little sister. I'm here to apologize to you too.
Sister shouldn't have had bad intentions towards you. Sister is leaving now. Can you forgive me?"
"I can forgive you, but... but you have to be a good person from now on, okay? Bullying is wrong."
Qiuqiu's innocent face was filled with seriousness. She spoke clearly and earnestly.
"Sister understands. Thank you, Qiuqiu, for being willing to forgive me."
After speaking, she bowed again and turned to leave. While waiting for the elevator, she suddenly heard Qiuqiu's voice.
"Sister, I hope you'll be happier in the future."
"Yes, I will, Qiuqiu. Go back inside quickly."
"Okay."
As the words fell, she heard the sound of a door closing. Zhao Zhenzhen really wanted to apologize to her best friend.
But she couldn't bring herself to say it; she was afraid to face the fact that she was still a petty person. She took out her phone and sent her best friend a very, very long apology letter.
She returned to her old hometown. Her new job wasn't as satisfying as the previous one, but it was enough to support herself.
She didn't live at home; she rented her own place outside. Occasionally, she would visit home, and this way, she lived quite freely.
She hated her own unreality, hated her selfishness, and had completely negated herself internally.
Therefore, in her new environment, she dared not actively make friends. She only did her assigned work diligently, and spent the rest of her time at home.
She was afraid that making friends would end up like it did with Qi Qi. She had wronged Qi Qi.
But her subconscious thought was like that. She was too awful, not worthy of such sincere friends.
She was no longer smooth or sociable; being out of step became her moniker. When her parents grew old, apart from financial support, they wouldn't interfere much in her affairs.
After breaking up with Zhao Zhenzhen, Xie Jiucheng matured and became much more steady. He didn't rush to find a girlfriend.
It wasn't that he couldn't forget Zhao Zhenzhen, but that he dared not start a relationship easily. He didn't want to hurt others, nor himself.
He eventually chose to study abroad, wanting to take his time and become more stable and accomplished. Only then would he feel worthy of talking about love.
This phase lasted until he was thirty. He finally found a girl from a scholarly family, and they had endless topics to discuss.
He had his own career. He was no longer the Xie Jiucheng who relied on his parents' wealth to attract girls.
The girl was a well-known painter. She had an innocent appearance and a charming personality. Both families were very satisfied.
All the customary rites were observed, and the wedding was grand. Zhao Zhenzhen, upon hearing the news, silently offered her blessings.
Qi Qi's boyfriend was also very shocked when he learned about what had happened. He took time off work to accompany her on a trip and offered her a lot of guidance.
Initially, Qi Qi deeply resented Zhao Zhenzhen. She had treated Zhao Zhenzhen with her whole heart, only to find that Zhao Zhenzhen was an ungrateful wretch.
She had involved Qi Qi in matters that had nothing to do with her and pushed her out to take a knife for her in times of crisis.
However, after Zhao Zhenzhen left, Qi Qi gradually let go. Life was too short to spend time hating someone.
She had simply lost a friend who wasn't worth it. She still had many meaningful things to do.
Zhao Zhenzhen's absence did not affect her life. She had a loving family and a doting boyfriend who spoiled her.
She also had many friends. Such an unworthy person didn't deserve Qi Qi's concern. From now on, they would go their separate ways, never to disturb each other again.