Can't Possibly Fall for My Wife Again After Rebirth, Right? - Chapter 17

As soon as the old Principal appeared, the entire office turned to look.

Chen Yu’s mother was still causing a scene, looking as though she might pounce on the first person in charge she saw. However, the quiet man who had been standing silently by her side suddenly grabbed her. With a swift backhand slap, he sent her reeling in shock.

“Oh my,” Li Yuwen remarked, “Why have you resorted to violence all of a sudden?”

Though she said this, she made absolutely no move to get up from her chair. Xu Yingran, meanwhile, stood to the side watching the drama unfold as if it had nothing to do with her.

Stunned, Chen Yu’s mother clutched her face and ran out crying. No one in the office tried to stop her, and a rare silence finally descended upon the room.

The old Principal pulled up a chair and sat down. He said to Chen Yu’s father, “It’s just as well that the noisy one left. Sit down, everyone. Student Xu Yingran, find a place to sit as well. Let’s discuss this matter properly.”

Seeing the situation, the others in the office quickly returned to their business. Some went out to supervise morning study, while others grabbed their lesson plans and moved elsewhere, clearing the space for Xu Yingran and the others.

Chen Yu’s father looked at everyone with great embarrassment. He sat down timidly, rubbing his hands together anxiously.

“Student Xu Yingran, regarding my Chen Yu… please, try not to take it to heart.” Chen Yu’s father spoke in a low voice—it was no wonder Chen Yu’s mother was so hysterical if she dealt with this lack of energy every day.

Xu Yingran sat in her chair and looked at him calmly before speaking. “Chen Yu has always been like this at school. If I let her off today, she will only bully other students another day.”

Chen Yu’s father anxiously tried to say something, but the Principal interrupted him. “I am already aware of the situation. Since Chen Yu herself said she should receive the proper punishment, we have considered it and feel that is exactly what should happen. If we don’t handle the small things, we won’t be able to control her when she truly grows up and does something worse. Wouldn’t you agree, parent?”

Stared down by the Principal, Chen Yu’s father couldn’t utter a single word, though his face bore an expression of extreme difficulty.

“Writing the self-reflection was also Chen Yu’s own request. Student Xu Yingran has done nothing wrong, so do not pressure her.” The Principal turned to Xu Yingran. “However, Chen Yu’s family also wishes to ask for your forgiveness. What are your thoughts?”

Xu Yingran thought for a moment before saying seriously, “I don’t have any other requirements. We should just follow the punishment Chen Yu mentioned herself: the demerit and reading the self-reflection.”

“And what about compensation?”

“I don’t need money.”

The old Principal looked at Xu Yingran with admiration and remarked, “You really are a good child.” He then turned back to Chen Yu’s father and asked, “And your stance, parent?”

Chen Yu’s father had no choice. Ultimately, he nodded and agreed.

Afterward, the Principal and Chen Yu’s father negotiated a few more details, and the matter was settled. As for whether Chen Yu was actually sick or just faking it, no one cared.

The ordeal had lasted the entire morning study period. After everyone had left, Li Yuwen said to Xu Yingran, “Regarding this matter, do you want me to inform your parents?”

Xu Yingran shook her head. “Since it’s been resolved, let’s not tell them.”

Even if Chen Yu didn’t come looking for trouble again, this was still a case of school bullying. If her parents found out, they would only worry more. Xu Yingran was now an adult in spirit and could handle her own affairs; she didn’t want her parents to face even the slightest unnecessary stress.

Leaving the office, Xu Yingran saw Fu Qiao waiting anxiously in the hallway.

As soon as she saw Xu Yingran come out, Fu Qiao hurried over, grabbing her sleeve and asking urgently, “What did the teacher say to you? Why did you just come out now?”

“It’s nothing.”

Looking at Fu Qiao’s worried face, Xu Yingran smiled. “It was just about Chen Yu. I went in to explain the situation. It’s no big deal.”

Fu Qiao frowned. “Chen Yu didn’t come to school today. During morning study, I heard someone ran away crying—apparently it was Chen Yu’s mother. Is that true?”

Xu Yingran saw no reason to hide it from her and gave a small nod.

Even though Fu Qiao had ignored her all morning because of the drunken incident last night, she was still the first one to rush over the moment she thought Xu Yingran was in trouble.

Looking at the concern in Fu Qiao’s eyes, Xu Yingran felt a sudden pang in her heart.

Where else would I ever find such a good wife in the future?

But at the thought of the hardships of her previous life, Xu Yingran’s heart skipped a beat with a cold realization.

After learning the details about Chen Yu, Fu Qiao’s brow remained tightly furrowed, her fair little face looking deeply troubled. Xu Yingran reached out and helplessly tapped her forehead.

“Alright, look, nothing bad happened,” Xu Yingran comforted her. “Let’s get back to the classroom. First period is about to start.”

Fu Qiao nodded, and as the two walked toward the classroom, they spotted Yao Jin arriving late with her backpack.

Yao Jin had clearly just arrived. It was rare for her to be late, and she looked quite flustered, panting for breath after running all the way from the school gate. She was just about to enter the classroom when she saw the two of them coming from the teacher’s office.

“Ah Jin?”

Seeing her like this, Xu Yingran teased her mischievously, “Don’t tell me you just got here?”

Yao Jin looked at them awkwardly, her face flushing. “I had something at home. I already asked the head teacher for leave for morning study, so it doesn’t count as being late.”

“Fine, fine. If you drank too much, you drank too much. We won’t tell anyone.” Xu Yingran walked over and draped an arm over her shoulder. “Since you’re here, let me tell you something…”

Watching their intimate interaction, Fu Qiao felt a sudden sense of loss.

She looked at the carefree, smiling Xu Yingran and thought back to the words she had said that morning. Last night on the road, Xu Yingran had held her and tried to kiss her, calling her “wife” over and over again—yet when she woke up the next day, she claimed she had simply mistaken her for someone else.

Who is the person Xu Yingran is actually thinking of?

Fu Qiao wondered: Is it someone I know, or someone I don’t?

What is that person like?

Judging by Xu Yingran’s drunken tone, the other person seemed very strict, yet Xu Yingran didn’t seem to dislike that at all.

So… did Xu Yingran really like someone else?

Fu Qiao’s steps grew slower and slower. She watched Xu Yingran walking ahead with her arm around Yao Jin’s shoulder and suddenly felt that although they were together every day, she didn’t seem to understand her at all. She didn’t even know when Xu Yingran had started liking someone else.

While talking to Yao Jin, Xu Yingran noticed a presence was missing by her side. She turned her head and saw Fu Qiao following behind her, lost in thought. Her fair little face had grown increasingly pale.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Yingran stopped and turned back to look at her, asking in bewilderment.

Fu Qiao snapped out of it slightly, shook her head, and hurried to catch up. “Nothing. Let’s get to the classroom quickly.”