Can't Possibly Fall for My Wife Again After Rebirth, Right? - Chapter 12

Xu Yingran was just about to start a fight when she was interrupted. She was genuinely a bit confused. She turned back to look at the group of burly adult men standing before her. Most were in their prime—twenties or thirties—and looked like the type who could send someone to the hospital with a single punch.

Chen Yu was also clearly startled. She instinctively pointed at Xu Yingran and said, “It’s her.”

“So you’re Xu Yingran?” The leader with the buzz cut looked at her coldly. Only after noticing the hostility in her eyes did he clarify, “We were hired to help you handle some trouble.”

Having said that, he turned his head to look at Chen Yu and her little companions. He calmly cracked his knuckles. “Is it them?”

Xu Yingran had a vague idea of what was going on. She inquired, “Has the fee been paid?”

The buzz-cut man replied, “Of course. The contract is already signed.”

“Very well.” Xu Yingran’s mind was at ease. She turned to the terrified Chen Yu and said, “Then proceed according to the contract.”

Chen Yu’s face turned green as she watched the group of men squeeze into the narrow alleyway. Since the alley was a dead end, there was nowhere left to retreat. Seeing these broad-shouldered men—who looked like special forces soldiers—blocking her path, Chen Yu felt like she might faint on the spot.

“Xu Yingran! Xu Yingran, I was wrong! I promise I won’t cause you trouble anymore! Please, tell them not to do anything!”

Hearing the sob in Chen Yu’s voice, Xu Yingran maintained an air of indifference. However, Fu Qiao felt a flicker of compassion. Clutching their two backpacks, she said worriedly, “Xu Yingran, you…”

“Don’t worry.” Xu Yingran glanced back into the alley and said to Fu Qiao, “Evil people get what they deserve. You don’t need to feel bad for them.”

“I’m feeling bad for you,” Fu Qiao said, tugging at the hem of Xu Yingran’s school jacket. “What if they actually get injured or crippled? Chen Yu’s parents won’t let you off the hook.”

Xu Yingran let out a soft laugh. She curved her index finger and gently tapped Fu Qiao’s nose, her tone turning tender. “Don’t worry. Those men know exactly where to draw the line.”

After about ten minutes, the burly men walked out of the alley. Chen Yu’s “friends” vanished the moment they stepped out, running until they were out of sight. Chen Yu herself was shaking like a leaf. Looking at Xu Yingran and Fu Qiao, she lowered her head and whispered submissively, “I… I’m sorry. I promise I won’t bother you again. In the future, I’ll walk the long way around just to avoid you.”

Xu Yingran gave her a nonchalant glance. “Is that how you apologize to people?”

Chen Yu was terrified. She glanced at the hulking men around her, her eyes welling with tears. She took two steps forward and grabbed Xu Yingran’s sleeve. “I’ll explain everything to the teacher and the Principal tomorrow. I’ll write a formal apology and read it in front of the whole school. Xu Yingran, please just forgive me.”

It was unclear exactly how the men had “communicated” with Chen Yu, but her previous arrogance had vanished completely. She was like a wilted little hen, looking entirely dazed.

Xu Yingran stared at her, lost in thought for a long time. During this silence, Chen Yu’s anxiety was palpable. Once she had thought it through, Xu Yingran said, “This isn’t an easy thing to settle. I need to go home and think about it. Come find me again tomorrow morning.”

Upon hearing that the matter would be dragged out until tomorrow, Chen Yu’s heart trembled with fear. But looking at the giants behind her, she couldn’t find the words to refuse. She could only nod her head frantically like a chick pecking at grain.

The buzz-cut man realized Xu Yingran was giving Chen Yu a lesson—making her worry all night would be far more memorable than accepting her apology immediately.

He patted Chen Yu on the shoulder and said in a gruff voice, “Did you hear that? You’ll get your answer tomorrow. If you try any more tricks in the meantime, it won’t end with just a few stern words like today.”

Chen Yu nodded repeatedly until the man finally let her go.

The moment his grip loosened, Chen Yu ran faster than a rabbit, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

The leader, who had been wearing a cold mask, suddenly broke into a smile. He turned to Xu Yingran and said, “Student Xu Yingran, the matter is mostly settled. According to the contract, if anything like this happens again this week, you can contact us directly. Our security company is always on call.”

Xu Yingran took the business card he handed over. Looking at the words “Liqiang Security Services,” she raised an eyebrow and asked, “Who is your client?”

The man didn’t answer. Instead, Xu Yingran heard the sound of a car door closing behind her. She turned to see Yao Jin stepping out of the black Maybach. Wearing the same school uniform, Yao Jin stood with her hands in her pockets, looking cool and composed, her chin tilted slightly upward.

Xu Yingran wasn’t surprised at all. She simply turned to the still-dazed Fu Qiao and said, “Let’s go. It looks like we have a private car today.”

It was Fu Qiao’s first time in a luxury car, and she felt completely out of place. She looked at the spacious cabin; sitting in the back, she could even stretch her legs out fully—something unimaginable in a taxi or a van. The air conditioning was comfortable, and the leather seats were incredibly soft.

Xu Yingran sat in the front passenger seat, directing the driver toward the old street. Yao Jin sat in the back with her arms crossed, looking out at the unfamiliar scenery with an air of casual indifference.

The old street was too narrow. A car like a Maybach couldn’t even enter; even parking it on the curb risked it getting scratched. So, Xu Yingran had the driver stop in front of a hotel a short distance from the old street, and the three of them got out.

“A-Jin helped us out big time today. Let us treat you to dinner.” Xu Yingran noted that the sky was completely dark. She realized Yao Jin must have waited in the car for them since school let out. Combined with hiring the security company, it was only right to treat her friend to a meal.

It was Yao Jin’s first time visiting the old street. Seeing the street stalls spilling out onto the sidewalk, she couldn’t help but frown.

Her first impression was that it was dirty, chaotic, and unhygienic.

“The hygiene might look a bit rough, but some of the snacks here are truly delicious,” Xu Yingran told her.

Hearing this, Fu Qiao turned back to the two of them and said, “Come eat at my place. There should still be seats at this hour.”

“Sure!” Xu Yingran said with a smile. “But we won’t let your parents lose money. We’ll pay exactly what the meal costs.”

Fu Qiao glanced at her. “Fine, keep the profit in the family. But… do you even have money?”

“I have enough allowance for this.” Xu Yingran’s eyes crinkled with laughter as she fished her wallet out of her bag. She announced to the other two, “Today, this Young Lady is treating you to barbecue!”