Chapter 7: This Very Day!

Chapter 7: This Very Day!

These days, Xiao Tuanzi's dreams had been coming in bits and pieces, but each time they picked up where they left off, always following the plot of that old-fashioned tear-jerker.

If an adult had such dreams, they might sense something was off, but Zhu Zhu was too clueless. Even in her dreams, she was just a baby watching the drama unfold.

In the previous dream, "Ball" was born, and "Ball's Mother" was so happy she buzzed around like a chatterbox. This time, the dream continued with the plot after "Ball" went missing.

In the original storyline, the original female lead, Ji Ning, was involved in a horrific car accident. On the brink of death, chaos erupted in her household, giving villains the opportunity to take her daughter away. Her family did search, but finding the child was like searching for a needle in a haystack. By the time the original female lead woke up, Zai Zai had been missing for a full two months. Her family was about to tell her everything when they discovered she had lost her memory and decided to hide the truth.

The original story, narrated from Ji Ning’s point of view, only briefly touched on Zai Zai’s disappearance in the following years.

Ji Ning's own life wasn't easy either. Once free-spirited, an accident led her elders to push her back onto what they deemed the ‘right path.’ However, it's hard to change one's nature. In those days and nights, the original female lead lived like a puppet on strings. At first, due to her health, she focused only on survival, unable to think of much else.

Gradually, she realized she had lost herself and began to resist, but her efforts were futile.

This was an ancient melodramatic story, and the original author had long decided Zai Zai's fate. Kidnapped and exploited as a cash cow, she was forced to appear on a reality TV show. In the show's pilot episode, an accident occurred. In a picturesque countryside setting, she wandered off and fell into a reservoir, ending her short life.

When Ji Ning finally learned of Zai Zai’s existence, it was only to discover that she had already died. From then on, the once carefree Ji Ning lived with heartache and regret, becoming depressed and passing away two years later.

In the latter part of the original storyline, the dreams were shrouded in sadness.

The plot shifted to the original male lead's side, equally tragic—

"Tsk, your aunt is really stingy. The kid helped her daughter lift the dress, yet she didn’t even give any gift money."

The creak of the door interrupted the silence as Grandma entered the room, complaining. Qin Meilan couldn’t talk back, but she was upset that her own family was being criticized, so she slammed the door hard.

Xiao Tuanzi jolted awake from her sleep.

Cold sweat beaded on her forehead.

Zhu Zhu, still groggy, rubbed her little eyes with her chubby hand.

They were wet.

……

The marriage between the second daughter of the Bai family and the only son of Yuanhang Group was a grand event.

Ji Ning arrived at the venue and entered the banquet hall, spotting Fu Mingya from afar. As Fu Mingya stood up, a lady holding a wine glass next to her blocked the way, engaging in small talk. By the time Fu Mingya had finished with the conversation, her daughter’s figure had already vanished from sight.

Though she had lost her memory, Ji Ning felt oddly familiar with these events, as if some memories were still etched in her mind.

She felt no discomfort and moved gracefully through the crowd. Occasionally, when she noticed someone staring at her, she would raise her gaze until the other person smiled politely. She would then return the gesture with a courteous smile.

"Who is that?"

"She should be Mingya's daughter. The last time I saw her was during a high school summer break when she returned to the country."

The speaker was half-in-the-know.

Vaguely remembering, that day, Ji Ning wore a lake-green haute couture gown, its skirt swaying as her chestnut hair fell over her slender shoulders, dazzling and radiant.

Fu Mingya had instructed her to be elegant, and Ji Ning obediently made a curtsy. Fu Mingya's expression changed slightly, and then she saw Ji Ning mischievously make a funny face.

A seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl, rebellious.

It wasn’t a pretty face—it was more like a defiant smirk saying, "What are you gonna do about it?" Lively and mischievous.

Unlike now.

You can tell it's the same person, but they are not alike at all.

In this circle, there aren't many people who are familiar with Ji Ning.

When she was in her teens, still in middle school, she was sent abroad for studies. After returning years later, it was well known that Fu Mingya didn’t like to bring her daughter to such occasions. Rumor had it that it was because Fu Mingya’s daughter was naive, and the social circles of so-called socialites were complicated. But some said that Fu Mingya’s daughter was willful and unruly, and since she herself was strong-willed, mother and daughter together would be like oil and water, which was why they never appeared at the same events.

The founders of Yating Group were the couple Fu Mingya and Ji Guoting. Over the years, Fu Mingya had been the one managing everything single-handedly, while Ji Guoting remained a man of leisure. It was assumed that their daughter would follow her father and stay away from this circle. Unexpectedly, four years ago, Fu Mingya pushed her only daughter to arrange a marriage with the Ao family.

It had been nearly finalized, but no one knows why it was called off. It was only heard that the two families had no more contact after that.

Fu Mingya never spoke about her family matters.

Her daughter was very mysterious. Even Bai Hui, who had been her childhood friend, knew nothing about her recent situation.

However, such was the influence of Bai Hui that she could actually invite her to attend this wedding.

"Is it Ningning?" A clear voice sounded.

Ji Ning turned around and saw an outstanding and beautiful girl.

For the Ji family, amnesia was a closely guarded secret. Before attending this wedding, Fu Mingya had instructed her that this should not be mentioned to outsiders.

Ji Ning figured that outsiders weren’t stupid. Seeing her confused look, wouldn’t they be able to guess?

"It really is you! I didn’t recognize you after so many years," the beautiful girl said in surprise.

Ji Ning: "Me too!"

The beautiful girl happily linked her arm with Ji Ning’s and led her to sit at their table.

Ji Ning: ...

Did she manage to pull it off?

At the wine table, there were unfamiliar faces. Their conversations were lively, but the topics were insincere and superficial. Anyone could tell they were just fair-weather friends.

Even someone with amnesia could see that.

However, when it came to topics like limited edition bags, around-the-world trips, and art exhibitions, even someone with amnesia could join in.

Fu Mingya’s discreet gaze always followed Ji Ning.

Ji Ning’s expression didn’t change, but she couldn’t let her guard down. Her eyes fell on her wristwatch, preparing to take her daughter away before the ceremony ended.

Time passed minute by minute.

The melodious music began to play, and the bride in her white wedding dress slowly appeared. She walked up the steps lined with sparkling crystals, her hand resting on her father’s arm. Her mother went ahead to adjust her veil.

For an arranged marriage without any emotional foundation, getting emotional would be overly dramatic, so Bai Hui had no expression on her face.

Until the parents stopped walking, as arranged by the wedding host from the beginning, watching her figure leave... Finally, her eyes moistened.

After Ji Ning lost her memory, she didn’t remember her past acquaintances. Fu Mingya thought it was fine; starting over in a new environment would be just as good.

But she still held a glimmer of hope. That day, looking at Bai Hui’s face on the electronic wedding invitation, she felt a surge of frustration, always feeling that maybe she could find the answer.

At this moment, Ji Ning watched the bride and groom.

The bride was beautiful, and the groom was handsome, but there was no eye contact between them as they exchanged rings.

Even when the host said, "The bride and groom may now kiss..."

The groom leaned forward, but Bai Hui turned her face away.

"This is an arranged marriage. They hadn't met many times before."

"The Bai family is in decline. Initially, they wanted Bai Hui's older sister to marry, but she refused, so Bai Hui took her place."

"In this day and age, is there really such a thing as marrying in place of your sister? This is so dramatic..."

There was a soft murmur of conversation nearby.

Ji Ning found herself getting more absorbed in the gossip.

After the ceremony ended, as Bai Hui passed by their table, her friends cheered loudly, praising how beautiful the bride looked.

Wearing her wedding dress, Bai Hui lightly smiled, but her eyes suddenly stopped when they landed on Ji Ning.

Their eyes met, and Ji Ning looked into her eyes.

Bai Hui's gaze wasn't gentle or warm; instead, it felt scrutinizing.

Ji Ning's eyes lit up for a moment.

Bai Hui then raised her right hand.

The five-carat diamond on her ring finger shone brightly, and she lifted her chin slightly, almost as if challenging Ji Ning.

It felt like a direct challenge.

"Are they not on good terms?"

"If anything, they're enemies. Have you ever seen female celebs fight over a guy? Their rivalry is like a real-life version of that."

"What exactly happened between them before?"

"Shh, lower your voice—she’s looking this way."

Ji Ning pricked up her ears to eavesdrop.

She used to get into catfights too!

That was definitely not ladylike.

Before long, Fu Mingya came over to remind Ji Ning to leave.

But her daughter shook her head resolutely, like a determined soldier.

"I'm not leaving."

Maybe Bai Hui would be the only one who'd tell her the truth.

...

The show *Switching Lives* had undergone a revamp but kept its name. Netizens joked that the production team was capitalizing on its own hype.

It was said that the new version of the show would be even more exciting, with the official invitation of celebrity guests whose star power and national fame would definitely satisfy the audience.

Little Zhu Zhu hadn't had any weird dreams for days.

She was a kid who knew how to pick up on vibes. At first, she didn’t dare to talk to Qin Meilan because she looked upset every day, but this morning, Qin Meilan's face lit up with a huge grin.

Zhu Zhu peeked around, patting her tiny chest to pump herself up.

After psyching herself up, she finally mustered the courage to ask.

"Do you know what a teaser episode is?"

In the original storyline, the original main character’s daughter died while filming a teaser for a variety show, turning into a tragic accident.

From that point on, the story turned into a tear-jerker, full of old-school drama and sorrow.

"You know about it?" Qin Meilan gave her one of her rare smiles. "The TV station wants you to come along and film the teaser episode. They'll be here soon to get you all dolled up."

Seeing Zhu Zhu frozen, she pouted and nudged the little one’s arm.

"With that gloomy look, can’t you at least crack a smile?"

"I haven’t even met Xiao Jie yet—what rotten luck!"

The little sourpuss’s mouth dropped open in an "o."

This day was the big turning point in the story!