Rebirth to Save Myself

Chen Yuan still wanted to keep it a secret, but looking at Su Xia's eyes, she suddenly felt there was nothing left to hide. Besides, it was better for Su Xia to know than for her parents to know. Although Chen Jianguo and Chen Chunqi seemed fashionable and outgoing, what if they couldn't accept their daughter's early romance? Telling Su Xia meant they could help each other if things came to light.

So Chen Yuan honestly said, "We confirmed our relationship when we went to the beach."

"So you two had been having ambiguous chats all along?"

"Well, yes and no." Chen Yuan hesitated for a moment, then continued, "It's just that Chen Wenwei keeps chatting with me and even helps me with my studies. You're too busy, and I was afraid it would affect your studies, so I asked him to tutor me."

Su Xia sighed, realizing she was partly to blame! She had mentioned that when Chen Wenwei came to their house, Chen Yuan's reaction seemed off, but seeing Chen Wenwei's natural expression, she suppressed her curiosity and continued observing. She thought for a moment and asked, "Was it on our way to the beach?"

"No, it was during the Blue Tears incident. He told me that he had liked me for a long time and was very sad to find out that I was going to study in the provincial capital," Chen Yuan said, twirling her fingers a little shyly.

"No wonder he told me to take good care of you and not let you get bullied. So that's what he was up to. Really." Su Xia then remembered that after the high school entrance exam, Chen Wenwei called to ask about Chen Yuan's grades and then said he wanted to see her. When she answered the phone, Chen Wenwei only said that Chen Yuan had always been carefree and that she shouldn't be bullied.

"Oh, that's all he told you. I asked him for a long time but he wouldn't say. That's all." Chen Yuan was also puzzled. What did he talk to Su Xia about back then?

"That's all? So that's what you were planning." Su Xia said angrily, as if her own cabbage had been eaten by a pig, which frightened Chen Yuan so much that she dared not say a word.

She secretly messaged Chen Wenwei, asking him what to do. Chen Wenwei immediately called her, telling her to give the phone to Su Xia. Chen Yuan had no choice but to hand over the phone and say, "Xia Xia, he's looking for you."

Su Xia glanced at her phone, then at Chen Yuan, and took it, saying, "Start your excuses."

To prevent Chen Yuan from eavesdropping, Su Xia took her phone directly into the room. Chen Yuan waited anxiously outside for a long time before Su Xia opened the door, handed the phone back to her, and closed the door without saying a word. Chen Yuan wanted to knock, but realizing the call wasn't disconnected, she quickly held the phone to her ear and asked, "What did you and Xia Xia talk about?"

"It's nothing, she just won't object to us dating anymore," Chen Wenwei said on the other end of the phone.

"I'm telling you, you can't bully Xiaxia, or I'll break up with you."

"Haha, silly girl, am I more important than Su Xia?"

"Of course it's Xiaxia. You can't compare to Xiaxia at all."

Chen Wenwei was stunned on the other end of the phone. Sure enough, Su Xia was right. This girl, Su Xia, ranked first, and he ranked second.

"So, if you make Xiaxia unhappy, then we're doomed."

"Okay, okay, I understand."

The two chatted for a while longer before ending the conversation, but Su Xia never came out. Chen Yuan was worried that she might be upset, so she kept sending her messages, but Su Xia only replied with one sentence: "I need to calm down."

Actually, Su Xia went to chat with Lu Jingnian. She realized she didn't know who to talk to about this, and Lu Jingnian seemed more mature, so she contacted him since he was online.

Coffee to keep me going: Are you free?

All the Way to Summer: Yes, what's wrong?

Coffee to keep me going: My cabbage has been eaten by a pig, I'm so upset.

All the Way to Summer: Oh no, what should we do? Did they catch the pig? If the cabbage is gone, does that mean we won't have any vegetables to eat? If they caught the pig, we should kill it.

Coffee for survival: Hahaha, it's not really cabbage and pig!

Coffee to keep you alive: It's Chen Wenwei, he tricked Chen Yuan into becoming his girlfriend.

All the Way to Summer: Oh, at least there's food available.

All the Way to Summer: Now that you mention it, I remember when they disappeared together for a while at the beach. I thought they went to the restroom.

Coffee for Life: That's when I confessed my feelings and we got together. How dare he do something under my nose! I'm so angry!

All the Way to Summer: Hahaha, it's just dating. If you're unhappy that Chen Yuan is dating, you can date someone else to spite her.

Coffee to keep me going: No way! I'm not interested in dating; focusing on my career is the only way forward.

All the Way to Summer: What kind of business are you planning to pursue?

Coffee for survival: Secret, do you guys really have to date in high school? If you don't study hard during this time, what if you don't get into university? That would be so embarrassing!

All the Way to Summer: I Can Balance Love and Studies

Coffee keeps you going: But you can't represent the majority of people.

Coffee for Life: Wait, does that mean you have someone you like? Who is it? Which class is she in? Is she pretty?

All the Way to Summer: Confidential

Coffee for Life: Lao Lu, that's not very kind of you. We're all friends, you can't even talk about this publicly!

All the Way to Summer: I'll go public once she's willing to be with me.

Coffee for survival: Wow, Lao Lu is pretty good. You've already surpassed most guys in this respect.

Coffee to keep you going: Let me cheer you on! If you succeed, I'll take some credit too.

All the Way to Summer: It's definitely thanks to you.

After chatting with Lu Jingnian, Su Xia felt a little better. Thinking about it carefully, Chen Wenwei at least knew some of her background, which was better than those unfamiliar boys. Chen Yuan was probably frantic outside the door; if she didn't come out soon, she was going to bang on the door.

As soon as Su Xia opened the door, she saw Chen Yuan standing there. Chen Yuan immediately rushed over and said, "You've finally come out! You scared me to death!"

"It's you who's dating, why are you worried about me?" Su Xia glanced at Chen Yuan.

"That's because you're more important to me than Chen Wenwei. Just say the word, and I'll break up with him." Chen Yuan said confidently, making Su Xia want to tease her.

"Then let's break up. Call him now and tell him we're breaking up." Su Xia thoughtfully handed over her phone, gesturing for her to make the call.

"Oh, so fast! Which one is it? It's..." Su Xia's unpredictable actions left Chen Yuan momentarily at a loss, unsure whether to answer the phone.

"I knew you wouldn't part with it. Anyone can talk a good game!" Su Xia was exasperated and didn't want to say anything more to her, so she went straight to the coffee table to get a water glass.

"Oh, Xiaxia, although I can't break up with you, you're still number one in my heart, really, really." Chen Yuan quickly moved closer and coaxed Su Xia.

"What breakup? Chen Yuan, you're in a relationship?" Chen Chunqi's voice suddenly rang out, and the two of them saw her come out of the kitchen.

"Mom, when did you get back?" Chen Yuan was terrified. What if her mother heard what she just said?

"It's not about when I'll be back, it's about what you just said about breaking up. Are you dating someone too early?" Chen Chunqi looked at Chen Yuan very seriously, holding a fruit knife in his hand as if he might attack at any moment.

"No, how could I be in a relationship so early?" Chen Yuan replied guiltily.

"I asked Yuanyuan, if she were to date someone in the future, and her boyfriend and I both asked her out at the same time, who would she choose?" Su Xia calmly said to Chen Chunqi.

"If we have to choose, of course it's Xiaxia," Chen Chunqi said without hesitation.

“Yes, yes, that’s why I told Xiaxia that she’s number one in my heart.” Seeing Su Xia’s help, Chen Yuan quickly followed up.

"Yes, but you can't start dating too early. Mom doesn't forbid you from dating, but you at least need to keep your grades as stable as Xiaxia's." Chen Chunqi was still worried and added another sentence.

"Okay, I understand." Chen Yuan nodded obediently, which put Chen Chunqi at ease, and he stopped asking about her relationship.

Because Chen Yuan and Chen Wenwei are dating, she couldn't wait to suggest going back to her hometown for the Chinese New Year, reasoning that her grandparents and maternal grandparents all live there, and they would be too lonely if they didn't go back.

“Your maternal grandparents have more than just your mother and me as children. Every year, your uncles and aunts bring their own children back to visit them.” Chen Chunqi said dismissively, indicating that it didn’t matter whether they went back or not.

"Yeah, all your uncles and elders say as soon as they meet that our family line is dying out because we don't have any boys, so it's better not to go back." Chen Jianguo really hated these things. At first, they would even tell him to have another child or adopt a relative's child. Chen Jianguo refused outright, so they went to Chen Chunqi and said that, which made Chen Chunqi so angry that he left on the spot.

"Those people are just after your dad's money. They pretend to be doing what's best for your dad, but they're saying all sorts of hurtful things," Chen Chunqi said. She wasn't the type to compromise, and those people told her not to let Chen Jianguo die without an heir, to try her best to have a son so someone could take care of her in her old age.

"But they are, after all, our elders," Chen Yuan tried to argue.

“Yuanyuan, not all elders deserve respect. Your parents have their reasons and concerns for not wanting to go back, so don’t force them.” Su Xia couldn’t stand it anymore and directly told Chen Yuan to shut up.

“Yes, those people just because they’re elders they boss you around, as if you could live a good life if you listened to them. Most of the time they just can’t stand to see you doing well, can’t stand to see you doing better than them.” Chen Chunqi got angrier and angrier as she spoke, and Chen Jianguo quickly pulled her inside to coax her.

Chen Yuan and Su Xia were left in the living room. Chen Yuan felt a little wronged. She felt that she had grown up in her hometown and there was nothing wrong with missing it and wanting to go back for the New Year. Why were they both contradicting her, making it seem like she had committed a serious crime?

Upon seeing Chen Yuan, Su Xia understood her thoughts and said, "Yuanyuan, you know my family situation. My grandmother wants me to go back home for the New Year, saying she's getting old and wants to be surrounded by children and grandchildren. Should I go back or not?"

“Of course I’m not going back. Your grandma treats you badly, she always skimps on your food and clothing, and she even tries to take away the things our family gave you,” Chen Yuan said immediately.

"Yes, why do you think that way? It's because you've seen my situation and feel indignant on my behalf. But have you seen my parents' situation, their situation in front of the elderly? Have they ever told you about it?"

Chen Yuan thought for a moment, then shook her head. Her parents had never told her about having too many relatives on her grandparents' side.

“Your parents don’t want you to experience the dirty dealings between adults, so you don’t understand. But you can’t push them back into the fire for Chen Wenwei’s sake. To put it another way, if you wanted to go back to Chen Wenwei for the New Year, which meant I had to go back to my grandma’s, how would you feel?” Su Xia continued to patiently teach Chen Yuan. If it were anyone else, they would definitely say, “What does your going to your grandma’s have to do with me?”

But Chen Yuan wouldn't, because deep down she already considered Su Xia as family. Although they weren't related by blood, their bond was stronger than that of blood relatives, something that had been cultivated slowly over time. So Chen Yuan thought for a moment and said to Su Xia, "I think I understand now. I was wrong in this matter."

"Yes, I'm glad you understand. Everyone makes mistakes, but as long as you correct them in time, there's always a chance to redeem yourself."

"Thank you, Xiaxia." Chen Yuan got up and walked to the door of Chen Jianguo's room, then knocked.

"Who is it?" Chen Jianguo asked from inside.

“It’s me,” Chen Yuan said quickly.

"Yuanyuan? Don't worry, Mom will calm down soon." Chen Jianguo wasn't angry and spoke gently to Chen Yuanyuan.

"Dad, let me go in and apologize to Mom," Chen Yuan said to Chen Jianguo.

There was a moment of silence inside, then Chen Jianguo opened the door, let Chen Yuan in, and then came out and closed the door. He walked to the living room and said to Su Xia, "Xiaxia, this was your idea, wasn't it?"

"Dad, I only gave a suggestion. It depends on what Yuanyuan does." Su Xia didn't intend to use this to ask Chen Jianguo for credit.

"Sigh, sometimes I feel that Chen Yuan is spoiled by us. I wish she were like you." Chen Jianguo sat on the sofa and sighed. Su Xia's sensible and well-behaved nature highlighted Chen Yuan's childishness.

"No thanks then, I'm actually envious of Chen Yuan." Su Xia teased, genuinely envious of Chen Yuan.

“What are you envious of? You’re my daughter too,” Chen Jianguo said directly to Su Xia.

"Thank you, Dad." Su Xia was touched, then nodded.

On the other side, Chen Yuan went inside and saw that Chen Chunqi's eyes were red, realizing how much her words had hurt Chen Chunqi. Sometimes, the same words hurt twice as much when said by someone close to you. She carefully walked over to Chen Chunqi and said, "Mom, I'm sorry."

Chen Chunqi looked up, sighed, and said, "It's not your fault; we just didn't explain things to you in detail."

Chen Yuan said, "I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have spoken recklessly without understanding the situation. I didn't know why you were unhappy at first, but I understood after Xiaxia told me. If someone asked Xiaxia to be filial to her grandmother in her situation, I would definitely be the first to stand up and object."

“Xiaxia is a good person; she’s willing to talk to you about these things. This child is so mature for her age; sometimes I worry that she’s too dull.”

"Mom, can you tell me about things I don't know?"