After Being Reborn, My Ex-Girlfriend Became Obsessed - Chapter 17

When An Yu returned with the last of the barbecue on a plate, the conversation by the bonfire was already winding down. She sat a little distance away from the others, eating leisurely.

The chatting was done, leaving only the crackling of the fire. Everyone sat in the night breeze, seemingly relaxed but each lost in their own thoughts.

Lin Duxi propped her chin with one hand, turning to watch An Yu. The breeze stirred her hair—light, restless, stirring feelings.

She had drunk a little and was tipsy, her eyes misty with affection, her cheeks flushed. Her gaze was so burning that An Yu shifted uneasily, and Lin Duxi couldn’t help but laugh softly. Every movement, every smile radiated allure.

An Yu brushed her hair over one side of her face to block those scorching eyes. Only then did she feel a little more at ease.

The silent exchange of glances and gestures did not escape the others. Gossiping looks flitted between the two of them. Most conspicuous were Xie An’an, trying hard not to burst out laughing yet still curling her lips, and Pei Lu, whose expression was as cold as an ice cellar.

During this seemingly idle time, the livestream’s viewer count rose instead of falling. The barrage of comments about Lin Duxi and An Yu remained hot. Sitting behind the monitor, Qiao Qingzhou was grinning from ear to ear.

She had thought An Yu would be insignificant—but who knew she paired up so well for CPs? Jackpot!

The group’s earlier chatter—whether revealing their ideal types, or Lin Duxi’s unusual attention to An Yu—had already given the show a surge of popularity. Several of them were still trending on social media.

Though it was a pity, the program flow required the group to rest. Tomorrow would bring new trending topics anyway. Thinking this, Qiao Qingzhou adjusted her expression and stepped out from behind the monitor.

“Everyone must be tired after such a busy day. I’ll now announce the hidden bonus. Please rest soon afterward.”

Her words immediately pulled everyone’s thoughts back, and also reactivated the scrolling comments.

【Quickly, I’ve been waiting all day.】
【I can’t wait to see what my CP will do tomorrow!】
【Must be some kind of reward… but why does the director look so ‘sly’?】
【Suddenly I have a bad feeling.】

Qiao Qingzhou flipped through the script with a sly smile. Under everyone’s expectant gaze, she slowly announced:

“The two who received the hidden bonus will cook dinner together for all six tomorrow night—without any help from others.”

An Yu froze, skewer still in her hand. Looking up, she caught the director’s mischievous smile aimed at her and Lin Duxi, and realized they’d been tricked.

“Is this really a bonus? Haha, you’re so unlucky,” Xie An’an exclaimed, both shocked and gleeful. “What a ‘reward’! Good luck tomorrow, you two teachers.”

Knowing this so-called bonus was a little cruel, Qiao quickly announced the end of filming, shutting down the equipment and cutting off the flood of heated discussion online.

An Yu withdrew her gaze, only to catch Lin Duxi’s faint smile. Her eyes lingered.

She always seemed to wear that same gentle expression, calm and unruffled. Even when faced with such an absurd task, she simply smiled softly, accepting it with grace.

Perhaps because An Yu stared too long, Lin Duxi turned her head. Their eyes met. An Yu clearly saw the light flicker in Lin Duxi’s gaze, a faint gleam stirring like currents in the deep sea—swirling, surging.

And it wasn’t the first time she had seen such a look in Lin Duxi’s eyes. Past or present, she had always shown it openly, without reservation.

“Good luck tomorrow, you two teachers!” The director’s voice-over interrupted An Yu’s thoughts. She subtly withdrew her gaze and nodded slightly.

But Lin Duxi held her posture, her eyes still filled with affection tinged with weariness.

Watching them, Qiao Qingzhou regretted cutting the livestream too soon. If that look had been captured, it would have guaranteed another round of hot searches.

“Time to rest now. Today’s broadcast has ended. Get some sleep, tomorrow’s filming awaits.”

An Yu rose to help clean up. Just as she was about to leave, someone caught her wrist.

She turned and saw Lin Duxi.

“Teacher An, let’s go together,” Lin Duxi said with a smile, then tactfully released her hand, keeping a polite distance.

An Yu tilted her head at the gesture, then looked away. She didn’t refuse. The two of them walked back into the villa under the night sky.

There were four rooms inside—two for the men, two for the women. Which meant one person had to sleep alone.

Quick as lightning, Xie An’an claimed she couldn’t get used to sharing, then zipped into a room with her suitcase, locking the door before anyone could object.

An Yu: “…”

Opening another door, Lin Duxi laughed lightly. “Looks like Teacher An will have to share with me…” She trailed off mid-sentence.

An Yu stepped up beside her and looked inside.

There was only one bed.

Her pupils shrank in shock. Feeling awkward, she rubbed her nose. Just as she was thinking how stingy the production team must be, she noticed there were at least two quilts.

Relieved, she said casually, “So what? It’s not like we haven’t shared before.”

Her words carried the weight of “a guilty conscience admits itself.”

The moment they slipped out, she regretted them. She quickly shut her mouth. But beside her, Lin Duxi stiffened—and An Yu could feel it.

With a silent sigh, An Yu pulled her suitcase past her, pretending nothing had happened.

But Lin Duxi spoke.

“Yes, you’re right. We’ve shared before.” Her tone was flat, unreadable.

In the few seconds An Yu spent pondering, Lin Duxi had already come up behind her. She crouched, leaning close, her voice low and velvety, carrying the allure of a grown woman—half teasing, half enticing.

“But… doesn’t Ah Yu want to try again? I’ll make sure you’re satisfied…”

Her sultry words were cut off as An Yu pushed her back firmly.

With one finger pressed against Lin Duxi’s forehead, An Yu held her away, eyes sweeping calmly across her face. In Lin Duxi’s stunned expression, she spoke faintly:

“Teacher Lin.”

Her voice was distant—neither angry at the transgression, nor shy at being provoked. Detached, as if it had nothing to do with her. Watching Lin Duxi’s fervent display like an outsider.

Lin Duxi’s eyes widened, trembling. In An Yu’s clear gaze, she saw herself reduced to a pitiful clown.

The light in her eyes shattered. Her chest ached as if crushed, pain so sharp she could hardly keep her composure. Forcing a smile, she quickly stood. “I’ll go wash up first.” She fled the room in a hurry, leaving only embarrassment behind.

Watching her retreating figure, An Yu touched her burning ears hidden beneath her hair. Patting her stiff cheeks, she stood.

“Happy now?” she said softly.

“Not bad, you did very well,” the system praised her lavishly in her mind. “Who would’ve thought? In just half a day, you’ve grasped both the task and the right attitude. Host, I’m impressed.”

An Yu only smiled faintly. Her eyes revealed nothing, calm as stagnant water.

“Thank you.”

“Keep it up. You’re not far from success,” the system encouraged, oddly energetic tonight.

“But, host,” it added more seriously, “I reviewed today’s events. After your conversation with Lin Duxi tonight, her emotions changed significantly. What exactly did you say to her?”

An Yu thought for a moment, then let out a self-mocking laugh.

“Nothing. I just suddenly remembered something… and couldn’t help saying it aloud.”

As she recalled the scene, memories she dreaded flooded back. She remembered the words she had murmured in that moment:

Lin Duxi, I stopped being angry with you six years ago.

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