As Feng Suyin stepped into the familiar comfort of Xia Lingling's home, she knew she could confide in her friend. The weight of betrayal was heavy on her shoulders. She told Xia Lingling about the affair between her fiancé Ji Hanjun and her own sister Feng Yilan, but she didn't dare tell her friend about her rebirth. No one in their right mind would believe her anyway.
Xia Lingling listened with a quiet intensity. Feng Suyin could see the simmering anger brewing in her friend's usually gentle eyes. It was as if the walls of the room were closing in, fueled by every revelation of Ji Hanjun's infidelity.
"How could they do this to you, Suyin?" Xia Lingling's arms wrapped around Feng Suyin as she cried. A rare vulnerability shining through. "I've never seen you like this before."
Finally calming down, Feng Suyin pulled away from Xia Lingling's embrace to wipe away her tears. But with determination in her eyes, Xia Lingling declared, "We can't let them get away with this. They need to be held accountable for their actions."
Feng Suyin looked up at her friend with uncertainty.
"But Lingling, what can we do? Confronting them might just make things worse."
"Do you still want to marry that bastard after what he did with your sister?" Xia Lingling countered, reminding Feng Suyin of the warning she had given her about Ji Hanjun. "I already knew he wasn't good enough for you."
Feng Suyin fell silent, knowing Xia Lingling was right but unable to tell her the full extent of the situation. She had returned in time and witnessed her own death at the hands of her sister and fiancé.
"Of course not," she finally muttered after a tense silence. "But I'm worried about how Feng Yilan will react. And our parents... they won't take my side again."
Feng Suyin knew better than to expect support from her adoptive parents. Ever since Feng Yilan entered their lives, they had pushed Feng Suyin aside in favor of their new daughter. In their eyes, Feng Yilan was a treasure. They would do anything to make her happy.
But Xia Lingling was different. She had been there for Feng Suyin through thick and thin. Feng Suyin knew Xia Lingling would stand by her side no matter what.
"I need to find a way to break off this engagement, Lingling. But I don't know how."
She knew it wouldn't be easy to convince Ji Hanjun to call off the wedding. He still needed her for the research they were working on together, and his influential family had invested a lot in it. Ji Hanjun, like Feng Suyin, was a doctor and surgeon. They had attended the same university and medical school, along with his half-brother, Ji Yuzhe.
Xia Lingling's eyes narrowed with determination. She understood that Feng Suyin was in a tight spot.
"We'll find a way, Suyin. We always do." She paused, lost in thought. Her expression softened. "But first, you need some time away from all of this. A chance to clear your head and gain some perspective."
Xia Lingling fell silent again, knowing how difficult it would be for Feng Suyin to end the engagement under normal circumstances. They would have to tread carefully and strategically if they were going to free Feng Suyin from Ji Hanjun's grasp.
"Suyin," Xia Lingling began with firm resolve, "we need to be smart about this. We need evidence—proof of Ji Hanjun's betrayal. That way, we can expose him for the fraud he truly is. No one will dare question you or doubt your decision to end the engagement."
Feng Suyin almost smiled. Evidence. She already had it. The recording sat in her phone, every word of their affair captured. But she couldn't tell Lingling how she got it—not without explaining the rebirth. So she simply nodded.
"I know," she said quietly.
Xia Lingling's eyes glinted with mischief as she shared her idea.
"Perhaps we should hire a private investigator," she suggested, a sly smile playing on her lips. Feng Suyin's eyebrows shot up in surprise. It seemed like a drastic measure, but one that could potentially uncover the truth about their cheating couple.
"But how do we find a trustworthy investigator?" Feng Suyin questioned, her skepticism clear.
Xia Lingling's grin widened as she pulled out her phone. "Remember my cousin? He runs a reputable private investigation agency in the city. I'm sure he'd be more than willing to help us."
A sense of relief washed over Feng Suyin as she realized it wasn't too late to change her fate.
"We'll need to gather as much evidence as possible," Xia Lingling stated as she dialed Alex's number. "Dates, times, locations—anything that proves their infidelity beyond a shadow of a doubt."
Alex was Xia Lingling's cousin, raised abroad, and recently started his agency. Feng Suyin had met him once. He was a decent and straightforward person. As Xia Lingling spoke to Alex on the phone, Feng Suyin couldn't help but feel hopeful for the first time since discovering the betrayal.
But the hope tangled with guilt.
She didn't want to involve Xia Lingling any further in her problems. Xia Lingling was a single mother raising her young daughter alone. If the Feng family or Ji Hanjun retaliated against her for helping, she could lose everything.
Feng Suyin made up her mind then and there. She couldn't let her best friend suffer any consequences.
As Xia Lingling finished her call with her cousin, Feng Suyin took a deep breath and gently held Xia Lingling's arm.
"Ling," she began with determination, "I appreciate everything you're doing for me. But I can't let you put yourself in harm's way. You have your daughter to think about. I won't let my issues jeopardize your safety."
Xia Lingling looked at Feng Suyin with concern etched in her eyes.
"But Suyin, you're my best friend. I can't just stand by and watch you suffer."
Feng Suyin shook her head firmly.
"I know you care about me, Ling. But this is something I need to handle on my own. I'll find a way to end the engagement without putting you or your daughter at risk. This is my battle to fight." She paused. "You've already done so much by being here for me. Let me take care of this."
After a moment of hesitation, Xia Lingling finally nodded.
"Alright," she acquiesced reluctantly. "Just promise me that you'll be careful. If things get too dangerous, or if you need any help, don't hesitate to reach out to me."
Feng Suyin pulled her into one last hug.
She didn't tell Lingling about the recording. Not yet. Some secrets were too dangerous to share—not because she didn't trust her friend, but because the less Lingling knew, the safer she would be.
The recording was her insurance. Her sword, still sheathed. When the time came, she would strike. But not tonight.
Tonight, she would let herself breathe.