Starting Over

Despite sending out countless resumes, and attending many interviews, Feng Jiu and Ye Qingti still found themselves stuck without any job offers. The job market wasn't doing well right now, so it was hard for them to find a job.

They started working part-time in a courier service company while continuing to look for a full-time job, so they could earn some money to get by.

Feng Jiu's birthday was coming up in two weeks and her friends were planning to throw a mini-gathering to celebrate her birthday.

Ye Qingti wanted to get a beautiful bracelet for Feng Jiu.

Unbeknownst to Feng Jiu, Ye Qingti was secretly taking up extra delivery jobs so that he could afford a birthday gift for Feng Jiu.

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Feng Jiu's friends had reserved a private room that includes karaoke, at a famous and renowned all-you-can-eat Chinese Hot Pot Restaurant for her birthday. It was just a small gathering between close friends. Lian Song and Si Ming were invited too.

Feng Jiu donned a beautiful dress for her special day and eagerly left the house to meet her friends. She was excited to spend time with all her close friends, as it had been some time since they last hung out together.

Everyone arrived on time, and they quickly settled in before ordering some dishes. Feng Jiu was famished and couldn't wait to eat.

Although Feng Jiu wanted to know how Dong Hua was doing, she didn't want to be reminded of her sadness on her birthday, so she refrained from asking Lian Song about him.

Soon everyone was getting full from eating too much, and they started singing karaoke.

Everyone happily took their turns to sing. Feng Jiu then noticed that Ye Qingti was away for some time so she went out to look for him.

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Feng Jiu found Ye Qingti standing outside the room, murmuring to himself. His hands were holding on to something that resembles a small box, and it seems like he was trying to practice a speech.

Feng Jiu then sneaked behind him and said with a teasing tone, "Ye Qingti! Why are you out here, standing alone? I heard you murmuring to yourself. What were you doing?!"

Startled, Ye Qingti instantly turned back to look at her.

"Uhh... I.. I wasn't doing anything. I was just feeling a little bloated from all that eating and just came out to take a walk." Ye Qingti stuttered, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

"What are you holding on to in your hands? Let me take a look!" Feng Jiu said, as she playfully reached out to grab the small box from his hands.

"It's nothing! You don't have to see it." Ye Qingti immediately hid the box in his pocket, and playfully slapped Feng Jiu's hand away.

"Come on... Show it to me, Qingti" Feng Jiu dropped her head and sulked.

Upon seeing her sulking, Ye Qingti took out the box and presented it to Feng Jiu.

"This is just a small birthday gift that I bought for you. I was afraid to give it to you as it isn't anything expensive, and I wasn't sure if you would like it." Ye Qingti smiled shyly and nervously rubbed the back of his neck.

"It's beautiful! Thank you Qingti, I love it! I am going to wear it now!" Feng Jiu excitedly replied, with a gleam in her eyes.

Ye Qingti widens his eyes with shock and replied, "You do?! I'm glad that you love it!".

A huge smile instantaneous appeared on both of their faces and they headed back into the room to join the rest.

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Feng Jiu's friends sang a birthday song to her and urged her to make a birthday wish before cutting the cake. Feng Jiu made 3 wishes to herself.

On her first wish, she wished for happiness and health for herself, and for the people she cared about.

The second wish, she wished that she would find a job soon and hopefully everything will start going well for her.

And for the last wish, it was for Dong Hua.

Although Feng Jiu couldn't be together with Dong Hua, she wished that he will always be happy and safe. However, she secretly wished that Dong Hua would reciprocate her feelings even though she knew that was impossible. They were just two strangers who don't even see or talk to each other, at this point.

At this moment, Feng Jiu suddenly missed Dong Hua so badly.

How long do I have to take to forget you entirely, Dong Hua?