West Hill Peninsula.
It was a mansion, seemingly the private property of the Ji family. The Audi A8 parked outside, and Sang Ning stepped out of the car.
"Miss Nan," a servant greeted her politely as they came forward.
Sang Ning gave a slight nod, and the servant led the way, ushering her inside.
The moment the door was pulled open, a wave of deafening music crashed over her. Sang Ning froze in place for a couple of seconds, stunned by the noise.
"Sang Ning, you're here!" Ji Yan cheerfully bounded over to her.
She looped her arm through Sang Ning's and tugged her inside. "I've been waiting forever! Your class ended so late today!"
The mansion stood three stories tall, with a grand spiral staircase winding upward. The outer hall was alive with a live rock band, the music so loud it made the floor vibrate. A crowd of people danced wildly to the beat. Moving further inside, the noise softened slightly—this was the game room.
Sang Ning took a moment to adjust to the overwhelming sound before asking Ji Yan, "Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I didn’t have time to get you a birthday gift."
"You’ve been so busy—when would you have had time to pick one out? Ugh, I’ve gotten so many gifts already, and they’re all the same. Just you being here is enough. What’s our relationship for, anyway?"
Ji Yan grinned and pulled her toward the game room. "Come on, let me introduce you to my friends."
The game room was just as lively, with about a dozen people inside. To the left was a card table, while a pool table stood to the right, surrounded by laughter and chatter.
"Hey, everyone, this is Sang Ning, my friend," Ji Yan announced.
The noise in the room quieted slightly. Gu Xingchen, seated at the card table, called out, "Oh? Nan Sang Ning? I never thought you two would be friends."
Ji Yan shot back, "What do you know?"
She then guided Sang Ning to the card table, introducing her one by one. "This is Li Rui, Meng Lai, and Ruan Xiaotang—she’s Gu Xingchen’s sister."
Sang Ning smiled and greeted each of them in turn, receiving warm responses from the group.
Ji Yan then tugged her toward the pool table.
Ruan Xiaotang, shuffling cards, murmured under her breath, "She seems so sweet. How did Ji Yan, the wild one, end up friends with her?"
After all, Ji Yan had always despised prim and proper socialites.
Gu Xingchen clicked his tongue. "Then you should consider—anyone who can keep up with Ji Yan definitely isn’t as innocent as they look."
Ruan Xiaotang glanced back at Sang Ning. "No way. She seems genuinely well-mannered."
Meanwhile, Ji Yan led Sang Ning to the pool table, introducing her to the four people there—two watching and two taking turns with the cue sticks. They paused their game as the girls approached.
Sang Ning’s gaze swept across the room before landing on a man in a white shirt standing at the front right side of the pool table. He had just taken a shot and now stood upright, casually holding the cue stick. When he lifted his head, his eyes met hers.
Sang Ning didn’t look away. Instead, she held his gaze, as if searching for something.
His expression was mild, but she detected nothing beyond polite interest.
Ji Yan reached him in her introductions and pointed. "This is Pei Songhan. You haven’t met him—he just returned from South Australia. His family’s in international trade."
Pei Songhan greeted her courteously. "Miss Nan, nice to meet you."
Sang Ning withdrew her assessing gaze and smiled. "Hello, Mr. Pei."
She seized the moment to make small talk. "Were you studying in South Australia, Mr. Pei?"
Pei Songhan chuckled. "No, just handling some family business. I stayed for three months and just got back a couple of days ago."
Sang Ning nodded. "I see."
Pei Songhan remained amiable. "Ji Yan’s been talking about you. We’ve all grown up together—if you ever need anything, feel free to reach out."
Sang Ning smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Pei."
"Ugh, no need to be so formal. Just call him Pei the Second—he’s the second son in his family," Ji Yan interjected bluntly.
Sang Ning glanced at Pei Songhan, who simply smiled. "We’re all friends here. No need for formalities."
She gave a slight nod.
Ji Yan then pulled her toward the sofa, introducing her to the remaining guests before settling down together.
Handing Sang Ning a cocktail, Ji Yan asked eagerly, "So, what do you want to do? I’ll show you around!"
Ji Yan was in high spirits—after all, this was her party, filled with her closest friends.
Sang Ning lowered her voice. "That Pei Songhan… how well do you know him?"
"Pretty well. We’ve known each other since elementary school. Our families are close."
"Since he came back this time, have you noticed any changes in him?"
Ji Yan blinked. "Changes? Like what?"
"Nothing at all?"
"Nope. Pei Songhan’s always steady. Not like Gu Xingchen, who’s all over the place."
Gu Xingchen, still at the card table, suddenly turned and glared. "Ji Yan, are you bad-mouthing me again?"
"I said you’re handsome."
"Bull."
"Believe what you want."
Sang Ning turned her attention back to Pei Songhan, who was now chatting and laughing with others, completely at ease.
Once Ji Yan finished her childish squabble with Gu Xingchen, she noticed Sang Ning’s lingering gaze and leaned in. "What’s going on? Why are you so interested in him?"
Sang Ning looked away, her expression calm.
Why, indeed?
If she were still in the Zhou Dynasty, she and Pei Songhan would already be married.
Pei Songhan, heir to the Duke of Ning’s estate, had been betrothed to her when she turned fifteen. Their wedding was set for the twelfth of August this year—one month after her eighteenth birthday.
When she first saw the photo Ji Yan posted, she wasn’t entirely sure. But now, face-to-face, she confirmed it: same name, same face.
She had wondered if he, too, had been reborn into this world. But after observing him closely, she saw no recognition in his eyes.
During their three-year engagement in their past lives, Pei Songhan had visited the Xie residence every festival to deliver gifts. She had interacted with him enough to know his tells.
When lying, he would unconsciously rub his thumb against his index finger, and his gaze would become deliberately composed.
But just now, he had been completely natural—no tells, no hesitation. Pei Songhan wasn’t skilled enough to hide such things from her.
He truly had no memory of her.
A quiet relief settled over Sang Ning, her expression smoothing.
She didn’t want anyone who knew her past to cross her path—it would only bring complications. Even if that person was Pei Songhan, her once-fiancé.
Ji Yan nudged her, whispering, "You’re not into him, are you?"
Sang Ning turned. "Hm?"
"He’s off-limits. He’s already engaged—wedding’s in three months."
Sang Ning blinked. "Is that so?"
She glanced at Pei Songhan again, her face unreadable. "What a shame."
Ji Yan studied her skeptically. "Do you actually mean that?"
"A little."
But not much.
Pei Songhan had been a good match—noble, learned, gentle-mannered.
Back then, her parents had agreed to the marriage for the prestige of the Duke of Ning’s household.
As for her?
She had agreed because of the man himself.
For a woman, marriage is like a second chance at life—so of course, she must choose with utmost care, picking the safest man possible.
But in this day and age, whether one marries or not hardly matters.
So, naturally, she didn’t mind either.
She turned to Ji Yan and asked, "Didn’t you say you had a surprise for me?"
Ji Yan immediately lit up, snapping her fingers. "I was waiting for you to ask!"
Sang Ning blinked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Let’s go!" Ji Yan grabbed her hand and pulled her outside.
Just then, the rock band outside finished their last song.
Ji Yan waved at them. "Next one! My girl’s here—skip the warm-up and go straight to the main event!"
