Rebirth to Save Myself

University life can be described as enjoyable, but you still have to attend classes and do assignments. On the other hand, when you don't have classes, you can participate in various club activities and freely enter and leave the campus to go shopping or watch movies.

Students at the start of the semester enjoyed a freedom they hadn't experienced before high school. They could play games until late at night without anyone caring whether they slept or not. They could shower whenever and however many times a day they wanted, and no one would scold them for wasting water. They could even party outside until late at night without the dorm doors being locked, and they could order takeout and eat it in bed without anyone scolding them for soiling their sheets.

Many people become overly lazy due to sudden freedom. However, after observing Lu Lu for a month, Su Xia discovered that Lu Lu was truly a person with strong willpower. She went to bed and woke up on time every day, and apart from attending classes, she went to the library to study and do homework. She could manage everything on her own, without eating or attending classes with her roommates.

At first, Ye Zhenzhen invited Lu Lu to get along with the other girls and boys in their class many times because she was her roommate, but Lu Lu refused. Over time, Ye Zhenzhen stopped trying to be friendly with her, so Su Xia would occasionally run into Lu Lu alone on the street.

She actually envied Lu Lu quite a bit. Everything Lu Lu was doing required immense inner strength to fearlessly pursue her own path without fear of others' opinions. While everyone else was still traveling in groups, she seemed to clearly understand that forgoing companionship could lead to a wealth of unique experiences.

Chen Wanying's boyfriend, Ye Zhe, kept a close eye on her. Right after the start of the semester, someone confessed their feelings to Chen Wanying, and Ye Zhe, consumed by jealousy, directly challenged the person's club. Therefore, Su Xia and Chen Wanying actually spent relatively little time together. Furthermore, Ye Zhe, worried that Chen Wanying would be bullied, was practically inseparable from her every day.

That day, as soon as Su Xia returned to the dormitory, she saw Lu Lu sitting in her seat doing her homework. She greeted her, "I didn't expect to see you in the dormitory too."

"I'll be right back after class," Lu Lu said without turning her head.

Su Xia was used to her tone and returned to her seat without saying anything. Just then, Lu Jingnian made a video call:

"What are you doing? Have you gone back to the dorm yet?"

"I just sat down."

"Looks like I was pretty accurate in my timing."

"I'll send you a banner another day, with 'Master Calculator Lu' written on it."

"I'm really looking forward to it. Make sure you're ready before you go back to China next time."

"Aren't you asleep yet? It's already 10 p.m.

"It's still early, there's one subject I haven't finished yet, will you help me with it?"

"Sure, I just got back from get out of class to do my homework."

So the two of them video-chatted, each doing their homework with their heads down. They often did this; they didn't say a word, but they could feel each other's presence.

Are there any guys pursuing you at your school?

"No."

"That doesn't make sense. You're so beautiful, how come no one is pursuing you?"

"There are people prettier than me! All the broadcasting and hosting majors are stunning beauties with great figures."

"Hmm, I didn't see it, but I think you're the prettiest."

"And what about you? You're tall and strong, yet no one pursues you? Especially foreign beauties, all of them blonde and blue-eyed."

"No, they were just a little curious at first, and then I told them I have a girlfriend!"

"This tactic works; it eliminates everyone directly."

"That's because I do have a girlfriend, but she insists on waiting four years before she'll be with me!"

"Old Lu, you're being silly again! Focus on your homework, why are you chatting again?"

"Sigh, I miss you! We're in such a big time difference, it always takes so long for you to reply to my messages, and I have to look at your photos on social media every day. Could you send me some more of your selfies to ease my longing?"

"There's no such thing."

"Then I can only silently endure it."

"It's eleven o'clock, go to sleep."

"Okay, my dear girlfriend."

Lu Jingnian hung up the phone without waiting for Su Xia's response. Su Xia shook her head helplessly and then began editing the footage she had filmed. She had started documenting her life as soon as she entered university, filming herself without showing her face but uploading the videos online in vlog format, which had attracted some attention.

She remembered that in less than two years, the era of short videos would rise, and many bloggers would switch to short video platforms. There would be all sorts of things, but only by establishing a consistent style in the early stages could she attract a specific audience and achieve monetization. She needed to make money, and she didn't care what method she used, as long as she could earn money.

Su Xia didn't know when her parents would suddenly reappear, and she needed a foolproof plan to resolve this predicament. Throughout history, countless people have been crushed by the burden of filial piety. Parents, in their youth, are often immature and don't cherish their children, only to have them dismissed with a single sentence in their old age, yet still expect their children to support them in their old age. Recalling her previous life, Su Xia remembered how her parents, upon discovering they had cancer, immediately severed ties while simultaneously demanding all their money, arguing that a dying person shouldn't have so much money.

Su Xia was weak and incompetent, so she couldn't treat her parents the way Su Yue did. She longed for their love, so she sacrificed money, time, and labor, hoping to earn a word of praise or compliment. She also couldn't bring herself to be a boy like Su Yaoche, so her parents might pay her even a second glance.

From a young age, Su Xia's mother taught her that as the eldest sister, she should set a good example for her younger siblings. She emphasized that her younger siblings were still small and didn't understand things, so she should be more tolerant and understanding, as they also considered her a parent.

This sentence ended Su Xia's chance to whine and complain, because if she did, they would criticize her for not acting like a proper older sister. When she grew up, they would demand that she help them take care of her younger siblings, and more importantly, that she contribute both money and effort. Su's mother told Su Xia, "An older sister is like a mother; you have to help your younger brother."

To be honest, it's truly admirable that siblings help each other, but this only works if they have impartial parents. If parents always favor the younger son and then expect the daughter to help the son when they grow up, that's what's called "brother-supporting demon" online.

How many girls are taught from a young age to dedicate everything to their family, to help with housework, and to take care of their younger siblings? When they grow up, they don't even need to go to school; they go to work in factories to earn money, which they then save for their families, supposedly as part of their dowry. You see, they can't even afford a dowry, because everything in their family will eventually belong to the male heirs.

When you get married, they'll use your remaining salary to buy you a gold necklace as a reward from your parents. Forget about the bride price; you'll just take a few quilts and head to your husband's house. From then on, you'll belong to your husband's family, and you'll have no place in your own family. They'll even pretend to tell you, "We'll keep the bride price for you; when you have children, at least we'll have money to buy clothes and bracelets for the kids."

If your younger brother wants to get married and buy a house, you'll still have to contribute money and effort unconditionally, and you can even use your dowry as money for his wedding. If your child is born, they'll outwardly treat your child well, but once your brother's child is born, you'll see a big difference. One is someone else's grandchild, the other is your own grandchild—of course there's a difference.

When your parents grow old and need care, you'll be the first person they think of. They'll appeal to your emotions, telling you how hard it was for them to raise you. Now that they need care, you have to lend a helping hand!

But when it comes time to divide the inheritance, they'll tell you, "You're an outsider, you have no share."

What a ridiculous situation! When you're doing the work, you're treated like family, but when it comes to splitting the profits, you're treated like someone else's family. You don't get any benefit at all, and you're even accused by your husband's family of subsidizing your own family every day.

Su Xia was living her university life in an orderly fashion, attending classes and doing homework every day according to a set schedule. In her spare time, she would go to the library to read and research, shoot videos and upload them online. In addition, she had always maintained the habit of writing novels, so the royalties, traffic sharing, and prize money from previous competitions all amounted to a considerable sum.

On the other hand, after Su Xia blocked their contact information, Su's parents couldn't reach her anymore. Even after they changed their numbers, Su Xia would immediately hang up and block them as soon as she heard their voices. They used to know that Su Xia attended the provincial top high school, but now that she had graduated and gone to university, with so many universities across the country, how could they possibly know which school she attended?

As for their hometown, Chen Yuan's family moved away a long time ago, and there's absolutely no way of knowing where they live in the provincial capital. When Chen Jianguo left, he didn't seem to care at all, and during the years he lived in the provincial capital, he never invited his parents or relatives to his house there. So, Chen Jianguo's relatives only know that he lives in the provincial capital, but they don't know exactly where he is, what he does, or how he ended up staying with them.

Chen Chunqi's parents have been living with her brother since he had his child, and they no longer live in their hometown. Later, when her brother's child grew up, her younger brother went to take care of him, so Chen Chunqi's relatives didn't know where she was in the provincial capital.

So, Mr. and Mrs. Su completely cut off all contact with Su Xia, having no idea where she was now. Since Su Xia had received financial support from the Chen family, she didn't need to worry about tuition fees, so they thought it was just wishful thinking on their part that she would come back to them for money. Mr. Su, annoyed, scolded Mrs. Su: "Why did you have to insist on introducing her to potential partners? Now look what's happened, she's ignoring us! Where are we supposed to find her now?!"

"Wasn't it you who told me to control her? I did as you said, so why are you blaming me now?"

"I told you to control her, not to find her a boyfriend, you clever but stupid thing."

"I bore you children, and this is how you treat me?"

"Alright, the child is so grown up, what are you still making a fuss about? The most important thing now is to get Su Xia back. Whether she's going to make money or get married, we need to have that money in our hands."

"You don't need to tell me. She's still angry. Let's try again after a while."

"Okay, it's up to you."

Su Yue overheard her parents' conversation from her room. She couldn't understand why her parents were so hostile towards her older sister. She hadn't had much contact with her sister growing up; when her sister came over during winter and summer vacations, she would stay in her room reading. Su Yue didn't like reading, so she and her sister didn't have much to talk about. Later, her sister even stopped coming over during winter and summer vacations, so she had very few memories of her sister.

From a young age, her mother required her to take good care of her younger brother, Su Yaoche. When she was little, she washed dishes and vegetables, and as she got older, she started cooking and washing clothes. During winter and summer vacations, her mother would ask her to help with chores. At first, her mother stayed at home, but later, when Su Yaoche grew up, her mother started looking for work outside, saying that raising them was very expensive.

Su Yue didn't understand. Her sister was clearly easy to take care of; she couldn't eat snacks, couldn't play games, and wore hand-me-downs. How could she be spending money recklessly? Her older sister had always been an excellent student, receiving scholarships and having her high school tuition waived for all three years. Where did her sister spend money? It was Su Yaoche who was spending money. He dressed her in nice clothes, fed her what she liked, and even sent her to a private kindergarten that cost several thousand yuan per semester.

As Su Yaoche grew older, his father took him to learn Taekwondo and swimming, and was responsible for picking him up and dropping him off every day, rain or shine. His mother would prepare meals and wait for Su Yaoche to come home. Su Yue thought to herself that when she grew up, she would leave this family and never come back.

Some might ask, why is Su Yue different in this life compared to the previous one? That's because Su Xia changed her life trajectory. She didn't go to Pucheng to study anymore, so her mother couldn't control her, and instead controlled Su Yue, making her do chores. In the previous life, Su Xia bore all of this. With Su Xia protecting her, Su Yue could do what she liked and didn't need to waste time at home doing housework.

Therefore, Su Yue's life trajectory was also changed because of Su Xia, just like the butterfly effect! But at this moment, Su Xia herself couldn't completely break away from the Su family, so how could she talk about saving Su Yue? She also couldn't bring Su Yue to the Chen family, tell Chen Jianguo and Chen Chunqi that she was their sister, and ask them to pay for her upbringing.

If Su Xia were to act like this, it would be utterly shameful! Su Xia has her own dignity, and she wouldn't allow herself to do such a thing. Therefore, what she needs to do now is to become independent as soon as possible, then break free from the Su family. When Su Yue needs her help at that time, she will lend a hand.

As for the cancer, Su Xia had a vague feeling that it hadn't disappeared and would definitely appear in her body at some point. All she could do now was have regular checkups every year, hoping to detect it early and change the fate of her late-life tragedy.

This is why she agreed to Lu Jingnian's four-year promise—she wanted to resolve the cancer and the Su family's issues before then. Then, with a completely new Su Xia, she would keep the promise!