Rebirth to Save Myself

When Chen Yuan opened the door, she found Su Xia had brought her dinner. She said awkwardly, "I want to lose weight."

Su Xia pushed her aside, brought dinner to the desk in the room, and then said, "Losing weight is fine, but you can't skip dinner. If you really want to lose weight, I can set up a diet plan and an exercise routine, and you can lose weight if you follow it."

"Xiaxia is the best, she cares about me the most." Chen Yuan hugged Su Xia and rubbed her neck.

"Losing weight is fine as long as you eat less oily and sweet foods. But you can't skip dinner, it's bad for your stomach, and if you develop stomach problems, you won't be able to eat many things."

"Okay, I understand. I believe everything Xiaxia says."

Seeing Su Xia bring out the empty bowl, Chen Chunqi couldn't help but sigh, "Xia Xia's words still carry weight!"

"I just touched a nerve with her, Yuanyuan can coax her a bit and she'll be fine." Su Xia smiled, put the bowl in the kitchen and came out.

"Xiaxia, is Yuanyuan dating someone?" Chen Chunqi's question left Su Xia momentarily confused.

"Why are you suddenly asking this?" Su Xia asked, feigning composure.

"So they're talking? With whom?" Seeing Su Xia's reaction, Chen Chunqi knew that she must know the inside story.

"Mom, what are you saying? I don't understand." Su Xia still denied it, afraid that Chen Chunqi was bluffing her.

"I've caught her holding her phone and smiling several times, looking all lovestruck. Everyone knows she's in a relationship. She stays up at night, chatting on the phone in bed, and those dark circles under her eyes are solid proof." Chen Chunqi looked at Su Xia, signaling her not to hide it anymore, that honesty would be the best policy, and resistance would be the worst.

"Hehe, you should ask Yuanyuan about this yourself. I'm going to study now." Su Xia said and then slipped away.

Seeing this, Chen Jianguo asked Chen Chunqi, "Is Yuanyuan really in a relationship?"

"It's definitely settled. Xiaxia also has issues. I'll see Lu Jingnian and her come back together on her birthday." Chen Chunqi confidently stated that everything was within my expectations.

"We're on the 26th floor, how did you see us?" Chen Jianguo asked, puzzled. How could you see a face clearly from looking down like that?

"A telescope? Are you stupid?" Chen Chunqi patted Chen Jianguo's head and took out a telescope, gesturing for him to take a look.

Chen Jianguo took it and looked down through the French windows. Hey, he could really see everything clearly, even the expressions on people's faces. He couldn't help but give her a thumbs up.

"My binoculars even have night vision, so I can see clearly even in complete darkness at night." Chen Chunqi was very satisfied with the binoculars he had bought.

"So, you don't object to them dating early?" Chen Jianguo was somewhat surprised. Many parents go to great lengths to prevent their children from dating too early. They pick them up from school, forbid them from using cell phones, and even don't allow them to lock the door at home—there's absolutely no privacy.

"Why should we object? As long as they don't date hooligans and take good care of themselves, and understand what's acceptable and unacceptable, that's fine. Besides, look how obedient Yuanyuan is to Xiaxia. Xiaxia told Yuanyuan everything before we even knew about it." Chen Chunqi was unconvinced; she didn't think it was right to object to children dating.

It's normal for young people to have feelings for each other, especially during their youthful and energetic years. As long as being in a relationship doesn't cause them to neglect their studies, it's not a big deal at all. When Chen Yuan had her first period, she gave Chen Yuan and Su Xia some sex education and taught them how to protect themselves.

For example, what impact would it have if Su Xia dated Lu Jingnian? They've known each other since the first year of high school, and their grades haven't dropped because of their relationship, nor has it caused any trouble. Su Xia is someone who knows what she wants, doesn't need to worry about anything, and can even keep Chen Yuan in check.

Chen Yuan listens to Su Xia very much, and she thinks that whatever Su Xia says is right. Chen Chunqi trusts Su Xia a lot, so why bother to care so much and make the child dislike you?

"Dating is fine, but they shouldn't get married so early," Chen Jianguo said.

"Hahaha, are you afraid of crying at your daughter's wedding?" Chen Chunqi mocked mercilessly.

"How about I find a son-in-law who will live with my wife's family?" Chen Jianguo said earnestly to Chen Chunqi.

"I really can't bear to part with them. Whether or not you find sons-in-law to live with you depends on whether your daughters want to stay at home." Chen Chunqi smiled. There's an old saying that daughters shouldn't stay at home, or they'll become enemies. Although she didn't agree with that saying, it meant that her two daughters wanted to stay at home.

“As long as they stay at home, each of them will get an apartment, the shops will be split equally, and if they want to buy a car, I'll pay for it in full.” Chen Jianguo listed a bunch of conditions directly.

"Alright, alright, the children are still young, it's a long time." Chen Chunqi saw that Chen Jianguo had already gotten carried away, so she quickly tried to appease this doting father.

"I mean it."

"I know."

Su Xia didn't tell Chen Yuan about her exposure immediately. Instead, she observed Chen Chunqi for a few days and found that Chen Chunqi had no intention of exposing Chen Yuan. Therefore, she saw no need to tell Chen Yuan, lest she become anxious and cause unnecessary trouble.

Su Xia went to the capital again to participate in the chemistry competition, but she declined Chen Jianguo and the others' suggestion to go to the capital to cheer her on again. Last time, it was during summer vacation, so everyone went together, and they could even travel around afterwards. But this time, the competition was during regular school hours, and she couldn't let Chen Yuan take so much time off to cheer her on. Besides, Chen Jianguo's business was growing bigger and bigger, and he was very busy every day.

“But it wouldn’t be good if I didn’t cheer you on!” Chen Yuan said.

“I’ve been to the capital before, I know it very well. Besides, I didn’t stay long for this competition, I was back in just a few days.” Su Xia shook her head, indicating that she was already an adult and didn’t need it.

"Why don't you let your mother go with you? Chen Yuan and I will wait for news at home," Chen Jianguo suggested.

“Yes, your dad has business to attend to and can’t go, and Yuanyuan has to go to class, so Mom will go with you.” Chen Chunqi nodded in agreement, saying that she could go too, otherwise it would be boring at home.

"Dad, Mom, I'm already sixteen. I'll be an adult in two more years. Besides, there are teachers leading the group this time, so it'll be fine," Su Xia patiently explained.

"But"

“I feel pressured if you guys go. I was just there to make up the numbers this time. But if you guys go, I feel like I’ll let you down if I don’t win a prize.” Su Xia interrupted Chen Chunqi and spoke her mind directly.

"Then let's wait for Xiaxia to come back at home, okay?" Chen Jianguo said to Chen Chunqi and Chen Yuan.

"Yeah, don't put too much pressure on yourself. It's good to broaden your horizons, you know?" Chen Chunqi said to Su Xia, holding her hand.

"Oh, I see."

Although everyone agreed not to go together, a farewell was still inevitable. Even Lu Jingnian was there, and when asked, he said he was there to see Shen Zhiheng off. Shen Zhiheng remarked, "Brother, this is the first time you've seen me off in all these years."

"Su Xia, don't put too much pressure on yourself, keep going!" Lu Jingnian couldn't help but say to Su Xia.

"Okay, Lao Lu, just stay home and wait for Shen Zhiheng and me to come back."

"Yes, I will definitely bring Su Xia back to you unharmed," Shen Zhiheng said, patting Lu Jingnian on the shoulder.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Her parents are still here." Lu Jingnian nudged Shen Zhiheng, who seemed to have no sense of propriety when it came to his words.

"Hello, uncles and aunts, my name is Shen Zhiheng. I've been Lu Jingnian's friend since childhood. I will take good care of Su Xia." Shen Zhiheng ran up to Chen Jianguo and the others and introduced himself.

"Thank you for your help, Xiao Shen," Chen Chunqi said to Shen Zhiheng with a smile.

"Of course, Auntie."

And so, Su Xia and Shen Zhiheng boarded the high-speed train to the capital. With the widespread use of high-speed rail now, traveling to the capital no longer takes so long; they can arrive on the same day they depart. There was food on board; Chen Chunqi and the others had packed a bunch of instant noodles, so they weren't worried about getting hungry or thirsty. Chen Jianguo transferred a large sum of money to Su Xia's Alipay account, telling her not to be stingy, to buy whatever she wanted to eat, and to take good care of herself.

When Su's mother learned that she was going to the capital for the competition, she only said "be careful" and offered no further comment. Su Xia was used to it; in two more years, she would be an adult and could finally leave this family. Su Xia secretly made up her mind that once she was an adult, there would be no custody issue. When she went to university, she would transfer her household registration out of the family, and then she could sever all ties with the Su family.

When Su Xia returned, she didn't tell Chen Jianguo and the others the specific time, thinking she could just go home. But as soon as she stepped out of the station exit, she saw Lu Jingnian holding flowers not far away.

Shen Zhiheng whispered to Su Xia, "Old Lu kept pestering me to tell him the time, so hurry up and go."

Su Xia glanced at Shen Zhiheng, walked towards Lu Jingnian, and then said casually, "Old Lu, is this for Shen Zhiheng?"

“He doesn’t deserve this.” Lu Jingnian said, handing over the flowers in his hand. When Su Xia didn’t take them, he added, “If you don’t take them, it makes me feel awkward.”

Su Xia had no choice but to accept the flowers and then said to Lu Jingnian, "Thank you!"

"Are you all done? We're going home." Shen Zhiheng ran over as soon as Su Xia took the flowers.

"go home."

Su Xia walked into the subway station carrying flowers, attracting the attention of many people. Everyone looked at her and then at Lu Jingnian beside her, clearly assuming they were a couple. Shen Zhiheng tactfully kept a distance from them, and Lu Jingnian didn't object. Having gone through that period of heartbreak, he had picked himself up again.

He thought that even though Su Xia rejected him now, as long as he stayed by her side, he would be her first choice when she wanted to date someday. He wanted to treat Su Xia well, to make her get used to this kindness, so that she wouldn't be able to leave him. What he wanted most was to be with Su Xia for a very, very long time.

"Old Lu, everyone's looking at us. Should we move away a bit?" Su Xia said to Lu Jingnian, leaning closer.

As soon as Lu Jingnian looked down, he smelled a faint fragrance emanating from her—the scent of green tea, not overpowering, yet irresistible. He then said, "It was my oversight. Let me take the flowers first."

Su Xia thought to herself that this wasn't what she meant, but the moment Hua was taken away, her arm felt lighter, so she let it go. She tried to distance herself from Lu Jingnian, but before she could make a move, he grabbed her arm.

"Could you carry my bag for me?"

"Oh, okay." Su Xia naturally took Lu Jingnian's schoolbag and carried it on her back, not wanting to leave any longer.

"Look, that young couple is so sweet!"

"Where is it sweet?"

"The guy bought flowers for the girl, but then, worried she'd get tired carrying them, he took them instead. And the girl then helped carry his bag—how sweet!"

"Why do you care about others? We're happy too."

Su Xia overheard the couple's conversation and felt awkward. She quickly winked at Shen Zhiheng, signaling him to come over. Shen Zhiheng simply waved his phone at her. Su Xia opened her phone and saw a photo Shen Zhiheng had taken of them. In the photo, Lu Jingnian was looking down at her, her hand resting on his shoulder holding her backpack; everyone around them was blurred.

"The photo is good. Send me a copy too." Lu Jingnian glanced at Su Xia's phone and said to her casually.

"Huh? What?" Su Xia looked up and asked Lu Jingnian.

“It’s okay, I can ask Shen Zhiheng for it.” Lu Jingnian didn’t seem to care. Just then, the subway arrived at the station, and he said to Su Xia, “Let’s go! We’re here, let’s go see if there are any seats available.”

"okay."

Su Xia followed Lu Jingnian onto the subway. There happened to be a seat available, so Lu Jingnian let Su Xia sit down while he held the flowers. He stood right in front of her. Shen Zhiheng said he understood the joy of shipping a couple and immediately sent the photo to Chen Yuan.

Henghengheng: [Photos] [Photos] [Photos]

Chen Yuan (White Tea, Pure Joy, Nothing to Do): Wow, this is so sweet! Why aren't they together?!

Henghengheng: Yeah, Lu Jingnian isn't putting in any more effort either.

Chen Yuan (White Tea, Pure Joy, Nothing to Do): Xia Xia is partly to blame too; even after all this, they still haven't given her a proper status.

Henghengheng: Anyone who looks at them would think they are a couple.

Chen Yuan (White Tea, Pure Joy, Nothing to Do): That's right.

Chen Yuan immediately sent the photos to Chen Wenwei and told him what had happened.

"White Tea, Pure Joy, Nothing to Happen": This is way too sweet! [Photo]

Chen Wenwei (Waiting for the Wind and Waiting for You): He even sent flowers! This kid's something else!

White Tea, Pure Joy, Nothing Else: Yes, I went to the train station specifically to pick up Xiaxia.

Chen Wenwei (I'm waiting for the wind and I'm waiting for you): Okay, okay, this kid has passed your test?

White tea, pure joy, nothing else matters: It's not that easy, maybe 50%?

Chen Wenwei (I'm waiting for the wind and I'm waiting for you): So, how much do I mean to you?

White tea, pure joy, and nothing else matters: 60% [Arrogant]

Chen Wenwei (I'm waiting for the wind, and I'm waiting for you): Then I'll keep working hard and strive for 100% [effort].

Lu Jingnian escorted Su Xia all the way to the elevator; if Su Xia hadn't strongly refused, he would have taken her directly to her doorstep. Su Xia simply accepted the flowers and pressed the close button.

"Let's chat on QQ tonight." Lu Jingnian didn't press the issue; there was plenty of time. If he improved a little bit every day, Su Xia would eventually acknowledge him.