Rebirth to Save Myself

On the last day of the National Day holiday, the morning sunlight streamed into the room through the curtains. Su Xia sat on the edge of the bed and began packing her luggage. Her room was filled with things she had brought back from the holiday: books, clothes, and gifts from Lu Jingnian. As Su Xia packed, she thought about returning to life in Xiamen, feeling a mix of anticipation and reluctance.

Chen Chunqi pushed open the door, holding a glass of freshly squeezed juice, and walked in with a smile: "Xiaxia, how's the packing going? Don't forget anything."

Su Xia took the juice and said with a smile, "Mom, I've almost finished packing, don't worry."

Chen Chunqi glanced at her suitcase and asked with concern, "The weather is going to get colder soon, have you packed enough warm clothes? Don't catch a cold."

Su Xia nodded and said playfully, "I've brought enough, Mom, don't worry. Besides, Xiamen and the provincial capital are so close, I can come back to get it anytime."

Chen Chunqi smiled helplessly and reached out to touch her hair: "You're always so independent. But Mom still hopes you take good care of yourself over there and don't overwork yourself."

Su Xia felt a warmth in her heart and said softly, "I know, Mom. You and Dad take good care of yourselves too. I'll come back to visit you when I have time."

Meanwhile, in another building in the same residential complex, Lu Jingnian was also packing his luggage at home. His suitcase was filled with work documents, a few changes of clothes, and some snacks he had specially prepared for Su Xia. He checked the time and sent Su Xia a message: "How's packing going? I'm almost done here, I'll come pick you up in a bit."

Xie Yuezhi pushed open the door, holding a plate of fruit, and walked in with a smile: "Jingnian, are you all packed? Don't forget anything."

Lu Jingnian took the fruit and said with a smile, "Mom, I've packed everything up, don't worry."

Xie Yuezhi looked at his suitcase and asked with concern, "How's work in Xiamen? Are you settling in? Have you won over your girlfriend yet? You should also take care of yourself and not overwork yourself."

Lu Jingnian said helplessly, "Mom, work is alright, I'm getting used to it. I've won over my girlfriend. But she can't come back to Xiamen right now for some reasons. I'll bring her to meet you later."

Xie Yuezhi pressed on, "Can't you just give Mom a heads-up? Who is your girlfriend? What does she look like? Do you have a picture?"

Lu Jingnian shook his head and said, "She doesn't want to go public yet. I'll wait until she's willing before I tell you."

Xie Yuezhi looked at Lu Jingnian speechlessly: "Your Lu family are all devoted lovers, once you've set your mind on someone, you won't give up. Your dad is one, your grandpa is one, one after another."

Lu Jingnian looked at Xie Yuezhi with amusement and said, "That's exactly why Dad was able to win you over! If Dad hadn't pursued you all that way, I wouldn't be here today."

"You're such a chatterbox. Take care of yourself over there." Xie Yuezhi playfully slapped Lu Jingnian's shoulder, then stopped pressing him about his girlfriend. She had been worried that Lu Jingnian was being too forward, and since the girl hadn't gone public, she might think he was being deceived or being used as a backup option.

She had talked to Lu Jingnian and found that he had his own considerations and ideas, so she felt relieved. The children are older now, and as parents, they don't need to keep making decisions for them. She and Lu Jingnian giving him enough support is enough; the rest is up to the children to decide.

Lu Jingnian nodded and said earnestly, "I understand, Mom. You and Dad should take good care of yourselves too. I'll come back to visit you when I have time."

Xie Yuezhi smiled with relief and said softly, "Okay..."

Not long after, Lu Jingnian appeared downstairs with his suitcase. Su Xia was already waiting at the door, carrying a small bag and with her suitcase beside her. Seeing Lu Jingnian, she smiled and waved, "Lu Jingnian, over here!"

Lu Jingnian walked over quickly, took her suitcase, and said with a smile, "Why didn't you ask me to go upstairs and help you with it?"

Su Xia winked playfully: "I can do it myself, I don't want to trouble you."

Lu Jingnian smiled helplessly and reached out to ruffle her hair: "You, you're always so stubborn."

The two loaded their luggage into the car, and Lu Jingnian started the engine, slowly driving out of the residential area. Su Xia sat in the passenger seat, looking at the familiar scenery outside the window, and said softly, "Time flies, the holiday is over just like that."

Lu Jingnian glanced at her and said gently, "Yes, but my rented apartment is so close to your school, you can come over anytime you have time."

Su Xia turned her head and looked at him with a smile: "Aren't you afraid I'll bother you every day?"

Lu Jingnian smiled, his eyes full of doting: "I couldn't be happier. Now that you're here, I can cook for you, help you with your studies, or we can go for a walk together."

Su Xia felt a warmth in her heart and said softly, "Lu Jingnian, you are so kind."

On the way back, Su Xia and Lu Jingnian chatted about some things that happened during the National Day holiday, as well as some interesting things that happened in their lives.

"Lu Jingnian, have your parents asked why you didn't bring your girlfriend home?" Su Xia asked with a smile.

Lu Jingnian said with a smile, "Yes, my mom even asked me what my girlfriend looks like before I left."

Su Xia asked nervously, "Did you show it to her?"

Lu Jingnian smiled and said, "No, how could I dare if you didn't agree?"

Su Xia relaxed a little, then nervously asked Lu Jingnian, "Don't you think I'm playing with you by not going public?"

"Hmm? So you're planning to go public?" Lu Jingnian asked curiously.

Su Xia said with a hint of annoyance, "I wanted to, but my dad was angry about Chen Yuan's matter during the holiday, right on the day we went to the studio."

Lu Jingnian was a little shocked when he heard this: "Your father still hasn't accepted her and Chen Wenwei?"

"We're okay with her dating right now, but Chen Wenwei's parents feel that the two of them have been dating for quite a while, and now that they've graduated from university, they're thinking about getting engaged first to settle things. My dad said he wants a dowry of one million yuan, and if they can't come up with that, there's no point in talking." Su Xia was also helpless; she and Chen Chunqi had tried to persuade Chen Jianguo so much last time, but he wouldn't budge an inch.

“It’s a bit high, but I can afford it.” Lu Jingnian nodded, then added, “However, I can understand your feelings, Uncle. If I had a daughter in the future, I wouldn’t want her to marry like that.”

"What? We were talking about Chen Yuan. What are you talking about, saying you can afford it, or your daughter?" Su Xia turned her head to the window shyly. Although her words were a little complaining, her tone sounded like she was being coquettish.

"I want to marry you, Su Xia," Lu Jingnian said earnestly. If he weren't driving, he would have turned Su Xia's head to look into her eyes and said it already.

"I, I, I understand," Su Xia replied softly.

Seeing that Su Xia didn't intend to continue, Lu Jingnian asked, "But what does Chen Yuan think? Besides her uncle's disapproval, what are her thoughts on the engagement?"

“She didn’t mention getting engaged either.” Su Xia shook her head. She had communicated with Chen Yuan on WeChat before. Chen Yuan felt that Chen Wenwei’s career was still in progress, and there was no need to get engaged so early. Besides, she didn’t think that a long-term relationship couldn’t continue without marriage.

She specifically discussed this with Chen Wenwei, and after Chen Wenwei went back and told his parents, he didn't mention the engagement again. Chen Wenwei initially wanted to start his own business to gain Chen Jianguo's approval, so he agreed with Chen Yuan's suggestion to postpone discussing marriage.

He didn't know at first, but Chen Yuan told him, and he found out by asking his mother. His mother had privately spoken to Chen Chunqi about it. Chen Jianguo overheard this and got very angry, so Chen Wenwei could only try to appease his mother.

Lu Jingnian felt that parents were always worried about their children getting married and having kids, thinking that their task was completed and they could enjoy their grandchildren. But they completely ignored the children's own thoughts, so he said, "Then let's not mention it. When Chen Wenwei makes a name for himself, Uncle won't be so opposed to it."

"Yes, that's what she thinks too." Su Xia nodded. They're only a few years old, why are they in such a hurry to get married?

Chen Yuan felt that she had just graduated and had plenty of time to develop her career, so why should she rush into marriage so early? Besides, these days parents always urge you to date first, then get married if you're dating. After marriage, they pressure you to have children, then a second child—it's endless! Once you agree to the first step, the second and third steps are out of your control.

The car drove on and soon arrived in Xiamen. Lu Jingnian first dropped Su Xia off at the school dormitory. After parking the car, the two stood by the car, looking at each other with reluctance in their eyes.

"We're here, you can go up now," Lu Jingnian said softly.

Su Xia nodded, but didn't move. She suddenly threw herself into Lu Jingnian's arms, hugged him tightly, and said in a choked voice, "Lu Jingnian, I'm already starting to miss you."

Lu Jingnian hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear, "I miss you too. Take good care of yourself, and call me anytime if anything happens."

Su Xia nodded in his arms, tears welling up in her eyes. Lu Jingnian reached out and wiped away her tears, saying gently, "Don't cry, we'll see each other again soon."

Su Xia took a deep breath and forced a smile: "Okay, I won't cry. You should take good care of yourself too, don't overwork yourself."

Lu Jingnian nodded and gently kissed her forehead: "Okay, I promise you."

The two parted reluctantly. Su Xia, dragging her suitcase, walked into the dormitory building, turning back every few steps. Lu Jingnian stood by the car, watching her figure disappear from sight. Back in the car, Lu Jingnian took a deep breath, started the engine, and drove towards his rented apartment.

After returning to her dormitory, Su Xia put down her luggage, stood by the window, looked at the street below, and silently thought, "Lu Jingnian, things will definitely get better and better for us."

The sunlight shone on her face, warm and bright. She believed that as long as they trusted and supported each other, the future would be even brighter.

After returning home, Su Xia and Lu Jingnian each called their parents to let them know they were safe.

"Mom, I've arrived. Don't worry," Su Xia said with a smile.

On the other end of the phone, Chen Chunqi asked with concern, "Was the journey smooth? Did Lu Jingnian take you to your dorm?"

Su Xia nodded, feeling a warmth in her heart: "Yes, he took me to my dorm and even helped me with my luggage. Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself."

Chen Chunqi said with relief, "That's good. This kid knows what's good for him."

Su Xia smiled and agreed, "Mom, you two take good care of yourselves too. I'll come back to see you when I have time."

Meanwhile, Lu Jingnian also dialed his home phone:

"Dad, I've arrived. Don't worry," Lu Jingnian said.

Lu Zhongqing reminded him over the phone, "Don't work too hard, take care of your health."

Lu Jingnian nodded and said with a smile, "I know, Dad. You all take care of yourselves too."

"Ah."

After hanging up the phone, Lu Jingnian called Xie Yuezhi again:

"Hey, Mom, I've arrived."

"We've arrived! You must be tired from the journey. Did Auntie clean your room?"

"I've cleaned up and just put my luggage away. Now I'll take a break."

Did you call Dad?

"I did it, I just finished and then I called you."

"Okay, treat your girlfriend well. Girls are meant to be pampered. Buy her lots of gifts, little things, flowers, and surprises—every girl loves that."

"Yes, I know. I've been influenced by my dad since I was little, and now it's coming in handy."

"Haha, then you'd better make the most of it. Mom is waiting for you to bring your girlfriend home to meet me, so don't break your promise."

"Don't worry, she's definitely my future wife."

"Oh my, then Mom and Dad can prepare a dowry for you."

"Okay, Mom, let's prepare for the best."

"Okay, okay, we'll do it your way."

Xie Yuezhi hung up the phone, a smile still on her face. Just then, Lu Zhongqing came home from get off work, carrying a briefcase. Seeing his wife smiling so happily, he couldn't help but ask, "What's making you so happy?"

Xie Yuezhi looked up at her husband, her smile deepening: "Your son just called to say that we can start preparing the betrothal gifts. He even specifically told us to prepare something good!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhongqing immediately laughed, walked to the sofa, sat down, put down his briefcase, and teased, "This kid is quite serious. Looks like he's decided on this girlfriend."

Xie Yuezhi nodded, her tone tinged with emotion: "That's right, everyone in your Lu family is a hopeless romantic. Weren't you the same back then? You wanted to give the person you liked the best of everything in the world."

Lu Zhongqing smiled and shook his head, his eyes full of tenderness: "Of course, you should try your best to win over the person you like."

Xie Yuezhi nodded. Lu Zhongqing had pursued her for a long time, working hard to gain his father's approval. After their marriage, he kept his promise, spoiling Xie Yuezhi for over a decade. After giving birth to Lu Jingnian, he went to get a tubal ligation. When asked, he would say he was worried about Xie Yuezhi suffering, and that he had only undergone a minor surgery.

Xie Yuezhi had stayed at home since getting married. Lu Zhongqing told her to do what she liked, and that making a living was not something she needed to worry about. Xie Yuezhi's family all said she had married the right person; they couldn't find someone as good as Lu Zhongqing even with a lantern.