Rebirth to Save Myself

The bell rang for class, but none of them returned. Those observing realized the homeroom teacher wouldn't let them off easily this time. They decided it was best not to mess with the class monitor and vice-monitor in the future, as the teachers had their backers.

Chen Yuan stopped crying after the homeroom teacher arrived. After the teacher left with a few boys, she saw Su Xia walk into the classroom. She glanced at Su Xia and immediately realized that Su Xia had called the teacher. Then, she mentally boosted her impression of Su Xia. Sure enough, Su Xia was cold on the outside but warm on the inside; if you were good to her, she would definitely be good to you in return.

When the third period ended, Chen Yuan walked up to Su Xia, gently nudged her, and asked, "Want to go home together after school?"

“We don’t go the same way.” Su Xia looked puzzled. Their homes were in opposite directions from the school gate, so why would they arrange to walk home together?

"Anyway, just wait for me after school." Chen Yuan said and returned to her seat.

Su Xia glanced at her retreating figure, then lowered her head to continue reading. Her cousin, Chen Xin, was three grades older than her and was already in the first year of junior high. So, she collected all of Chen Xin's unwanted elementary school textbooks and started learning sixth-grade material ahead of time. She listened to the teacher in class, but mostly she was studying ahead of schedule. She planned to find a way to get junior high textbooks after she finished her sixth-grade textbooks.

After the fourth period ended, the morning classes were over. Most of the students here were from the same village, so everyone would go home for lunch. As soon as get out of class ended, Chen Yuan eagerly grabbed her bag and went to Su Xia's side, afraid she would run off alone again.

"Let's go down and line up," Chen Yuan said.

Their elementary school required students traveling the same route to form teams, led by older students, to escort everyone home safely. Chen Yuan was originally in charge of her team, but she had just asked Chen Wenwei, who was traveling the same route, to help her be a team leader while she went to join Su Xia's team. When Su Xia's team leader noticed there were too many people, she wanted to speak up, but upon seeing Chen Yuan, she remained silent.

Chen Yuan was considered a model student, just like Su Xia, and both of them received awards every year. Unlike Su Xia, Chen Yuan held various positions, including class monitor, host, head of the student council, and leader of the duty roster. Therefore, almost everyone at school knew Chen Yuan, and for such a small matter, they would do her a favor. If they were ever late, they could ask Chen Yuan to make an exception.

So Chen Yuan lined up behind Su Xia and excitedly talked to her.

"Did you finish the problem the teacher gave us yesterday? I thought about it for a long time, but I don't know if my answer is right." Chen Yuan thought for a moment and decided that it would be better to start the conversation with studying.

"Which teacher?" Su Xia didn't immediately realize what she was talking about, her mind preoccupied with what her grandmother would cook for lunch to appease her.

“Our math teacher gave us a problem to do at home yesterday, even though the last period wasn’t math class. He said he would check it in class this afternoon,” Chen Yuan replied immediately.

"Oh, that question, I finished it yesterday, the answer is 18." Su Xia didn't hesitate and gave the answer directly.

Chen Yuan knew she had guessed correctly and was happy for a moment. Then she remembered that her homeroom teacher had mentioned that Su Xia was looking for junior high school textbooks, so she asked, "Then I got it right. I heard you were looking for junior high school textbooks. Are you going to study on your own?"

"Yes, because I almost finished sixth grade." Su Xia wasn't surprised that she knew; she hadn't intentionally hidden it.

“My cousin is taking the high school entrance exam this year. She won’t need the books anymore after the exam, so I can give them to you,” Chen Yuan said happily. This way, she would have another reason to contact Su Xia.

"No need, I've already asked my homeroom teacher to help me find one." Su Xia didn't want to owe anyone a favor, so she decisively refused.

"Don't rush to refuse, I have conditions," Chen Yuan quickly explained, then added, "I want you to teach me along with me when you're learning, and help me answer any questions I don't understand."

Su Xia thought about it and figured that if the girl didn't agree, she would probably try to get closer to her. She didn't really want to make friends because she thought it was troublesome, but Chen Yuan seemed alright, so she nodded and said, "Okay."

Chen Yuan almost jumped up, then stopped, pretending to be calm, and said, "Then I'll bring the book to your house?"

"No need, let's go to your house." Su Xia didn't want to bring anyone home, otherwise her grandmother would nag her.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan could no longer remain calm and immediately asked, "Do you know where my house is? Do you want me to take you there now so you won't get lost?"

"Your home is at this intersection, so you should go back and eat." Su Xia pointed to the fork in the road, then waved to Chen Yuan and continued walking forward with the group.

Chen Yuan was left standing there, looking very happy. She thought to herself that Su Xia seemed to care about nothing on the surface, yet she knew where she lived. She secretly resolved to be friends with Su Xia. Su Xia was such a good person, she had to make the most of her.

Su Xia went home, ate the simple meal her grandmother had prepared, and then went upstairs to rest. She had gotten used to taking a half-hour nap every day at noon. At first, it was because she didn't eat enough, and sleeping would help her burn less energy. Gradually, she got used to taking a nap at the appointed time. This way, she would have more energy for class in the afternoon and wouldn't feel dizzy or lightheaded.

When Su Xia arrived at the classroom in the afternoon, she found a bottle of mineral water on her seat. Looking at Chen Yuan, she saw the girl looking at her shyly. Su Xia was a little suspicious. This girl hadn't spoken more than a few words to her in the past few years, except for a brief chat after school that morning. Why would she give her a bottle of water right away? She didn't have any money to pay her back right now.

So Su Xia walked to the desk, picked up the water, and placed it on Chen Yuan's desk, saying, "No need to give it to me, I don't want to drink it."

As soon as she finished speaking, Chen Yuan's eyes instantly reddened, and she said in a wronged tone, "Are you disgusted with me, so you won't drink the water I brought you?"

"No, girl, where did you think that bottle of water went?!" Su Xia thought to herself, "I don't dislike or dislike her, but I don't really like her either. I'm completely indifferent. Why is this girl acting all aggrieved? Her eyes look like they're about to burst into tears, making me feel like a complete jerk." Su Xia was speechless, unsure how to handle this unexpected situation.

"If you're not going to drink it, then throw it away and don't give it back to me." Chen Yuan shoved the bottle of water back into Su Xia's hand and turned away from her. Her defiant attitude, as if she wouldn't listen to anything Su Xia said, was giving her a headache.

She retracted her morning thought; this girl was a bit troublesome. But she'd already provoked her, and there was no turning back! She could only resign herself to her fate, take the water, and return to her seat, hoping to repay the favor later.