Can't Possibly Fall for My Wife Again After Rebirth, Right? - Chapter 27

When Xu Yingran woke up the next day, she was a full half-hour ahead of her alarm.

High school students already suffer from a lack of sleep, and waking up thirty minutes early truly pained her. However, thinking back on the dreams she’d had all night, she felt it was better to just get out of bed.

While brushing her teeth, Xu Yingran recalled the nightmare.

It wasn’t much, really—just a dream where she was back to being twenty-eight years old. She had walked home only to find Fu Qiao and another person with a blurry face standing in her house, holding hands. Fu Qiao had enthusiastically introduced the stranger as her “lover” and asked Xu Yingran what business she had coming to their home.

In the dream, Xu Yingran was frantic. She was sweating profusely but couldn’t utter a single word. She could only watch helplessly as the faceless person—she couldn’t even tell if it was a man or a woman—led Fu Qiao by the hand up the stairs. Xu Yingran tried to give chase, but the stairs leading to the second-floor bedroom were impossibly long. No matter how much she climbed, she couldn’t reach them. She woke up in a state of sheer panic.

Spitting out the toothpaste foam, Xu Yingran felt a wave of gloom. Truly, one dreams at night what one thinks of during the day. She had spent yesterday so tangled in her thoughts that she couldn’t sleep, and it had manifested into a nightmare.

Zhao Yu got up when she heard the noise. Seeing her daughter awake so early, she asked in confusion, “Why are you up so early today?”

“I woke up, so I figured I might as well stay up,” Xu Yingran said, splashing water on her face. “What are we having for breakfast? Should I go downstairs and buy some buns?”

“No need, your dad can go,” Zhao Yu said, toothbrush in hand. “Go change your clothes. Once your father is up, he’ll get the breakfast.”

Xu Yingran returned to her room, changed into her school uniform, and began pacing around restlessly.

After Xu Chunjian woke up and was dispatched to get food, Zhao Yu started a pot of congee. Xu Yingran proactively went over to watch the stove, using the time to space out.

One benefit of waking up early was seeing scenery one usually missed. The sunlight today was exceptionally beautiful; the morning sun rose slanted from the horizon, casting shadows of the trees in the courtyard many times longer than usual. At 6:00 AM, the streets were still very clean. Aside from a few scattered pedestrians, there wasn’t a car in sight—everything felt quiet and gentle.

The breakfast stalls on the old street had just set out freshly steamed buns. White steam billowed out from the bamboo steamers, and even from half a street away, Xu Yingran felt she could smell the savory sweetness of the meat buns.

Xu Chunjian returned with buns and deep-fried dough sticks (youtiao), and Zhao Yu took out some homemade pickled vegetables from the fridge. The three of them enjoyed a warm, hearty breakfast together.

“The temperature is going to drop in a couple of days. We need to air out the winter clothes and quilts,” Zhao Yu said while eating. “Ran-ran, take out the autumn clothes you want to wear from your wardrobe. I’ll wash them for you this weekend.”

Mentioning the weekend reminded Xu Yingran of Fu Qiao. They had ended school yesterday on a sour note, and she wondered if Fu Qiao would still come over to find her today.

Seeing that Xu Yingran wasn’t responding, Zhao Yu called out again: “Ran-ran, did you hear me?”

“Ah?” Xu Yingran blinked, snapping back to reality. “I know, Mom. I’ll take out the laundry after school.”

It was still early for their usual departure time. Xu Yingran sat at home like she had pins in her seat, constantly glancing toward the door. Finally, Zhao Yu couldn’t take it anymore and shooed her out.

“Qiao-qiao usually comes for you. Since you’re up early for once, go find her and go to school together,” Zhao Yu said.

Xu Yingran grabbed her backpack and jacket and scurried over to Fu Qiao’s front door.

Fu Qiao’s home was silent. Checking the milk box, Xu Yingran saw the milk was still there, which meant Fu Qiao hadn’t left yet. She leaned against the hallway railing, watching the residents leave for work or school. Occasionally, a passing neighbor would see her and smile. “Waiting for Qiao-qiao to go to school?”

“Yes, Grandma Wang,” Xu Yingran replied.

“Good, good. You two really have a wonderful relationship.”

Once the neighbor had gone downstairs, Xu Yingran turned back to look at Fu Qiao’s door. She had the distinct feeling that someone was standing right behind it; she could almost sense a gaze through the peephole.

“Fu Qiao,” Xu Yingran called out to the security door. “I know you’re at the door. We’re going to be late, let’s head to school.”

The green security door made a soft click. Fu Qiao pushed the door open, dressed neatly in her uniform, and looked at her. She didn’t say a word, she just stepped out, closed the door, retrieved her milk from the box, and began walking silently toward the stairs.

“Fu Qiao,” Xu Yingran followed behind her. “I had a bad temper yesterday after school and snapped at you. Are you angry?”

Fu Qiao shook her head. “No.”

Xu Yingran quickly grabbed her hand, bringing them both to a halt in the hallway.

Fu Qiao turned back, looking uncomfortable. “I didn’t know why you were snapping at me yesterday. I’m not angry, I was just… a little sad.”

They had grown up together, and aside from their kindergarten days, they had almost never argued. Fu Qiao didn’t know how she had offended Xu Yingran, but the sudden outburst and the cold shoulder on the way home had kept her from sleeping well. She had originally thought that if Xu Yingran was still angry today, she wouldn’t bother her for a few days.

But seeing Xu Yingran waiting at her door so early in the morning stirred a faint, indefinable feeling of grievance in her heart. You snap at me yesterday and come to apologize today—do you think I’m that easy to coax?

As soon as she saw Fu Qiao’s expression, Xu Yingran knew exactly what she was thinking. They had slept in the same bed for so long that even if she wasn’t the “roundworm in her stomach,” there was a mutual understanding. She knew how to soothe her.

“Alright, Student Fu Qiao, don’t be mad at me anymore,” Xu Yingran said, shamelessly coaxing her. “I was wrong for not controlling my emotions. I promise I won’t yell at you over things like that again.”

Though Fu Qiao didn’t turn to look at her, her small ears twitched. Xu Yingran knew that whenever Fu Qiao was listening intently to someone, her pale, almost translucent ears would twitch like a little rabbit eavesdropping.

“Fu Qiao, please don’t be mad,” Xu Yingran struck while the iron was hot, holding Fu Qiao’s hand and whispering, “Didn’t you want to go to that broadcasting class on Saturday? I’ll go with you.”

Because they were close, Xu Yingran’s breath turned the tips of Fu Qiao’s ears red. Fu Qiao raised her bright eyes and glanced at her, making Xu Yingran’s heart skip a beat.

“Truly?” Fu Qiao looked at her curiously. “You’re really willing to accompany me to the trial class on Saturday?”

“Mm,” Xu Yingran said, her heart feeling an itch. She gripped Fu Qiao’s soft, warm hand and whispered, “You’re going to go anyway. Instead of you going behind my back, I might as well go with you.”

That way, if that junior Zhou Wan really had designs on Fu Qiao, she could intervene. Xu Yingran had made up her mind: Fu Qiao was ultimately her wife. Even if she entertained the idea of being “just friends,” it was just a thought. No one else (especially Zhou Wan) was allowed to wedge themselves between them.

Fu Qiao was very satisfied with Xu Yingran’s attitude. While she wasn’t a delicate girl who demanded to be pampered, she appreciated the sincere apology.

“Since you put it that way, let’s go together on Saturday.” Fu Qiao’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Then after school this afternoon, let’s visit the broadcasting station again.”

Xu Yingran: “…”

Well, she’d made the promise. She couldn’t take it back now.

“Okay,” Xu Yingran squeezed Fu Qiao’s soft palm and said tenderly, “But from now on, wherever you go, you have to take me with you.”

Fu Qiao froze for a second. Her ears turned crimson, and she turned and hurried down the stairs. At the landing, she looked back at Xu Yingran and mumbled, “Didn’t you say we were going to be late? Why are you just standing there like a fool?”

Xu Yingran sighed helplessly in her heart and chased after her.

When Yao Jin learned that Fu Qiao wanted to see Zhou Wan’s broadcasting class this Saturday, she didn’t approve.

“We’re already in Grade 12. Even if you start preparing now, it’s too late,” Yao Jin said from her seat. “Do you two really think the Art Exams are easy?”

Xu Yingran stood by Fu Qiao’s desk. “We’re just going to take a look on Saturday. It’s not certain yet.”

Yao Jin looked at Fu Qiao with a serious and solemn expression. “Art Exams usually happen during the winter break. We’ve already been in school for a month. There isn’t much time left. You have to think clearly so you don’t regret it.”

Yao Jin’s words made Fu Qiao feel unsettled; her face went slightly pale. “I… I…” She furrowed her brows, not knowing what to say.

Xu Yingran reached out and ruffled Fu Qiao’s hair. “Don’t think too much for now. We’ll find out on Saturday. Maybe you’ll find you’re not interested after one class.”

Fu Qiao nodded slightly, though she was still worried.

When the bell rang for class, Xu Yingran gestured for Yao Jin to go back to her seat. As they walked over, Yao Jin said to Xu Yingran, “I’m coming with you on Saturday.”

Xu Yingran was puzzled. “It’s fine with just me and Fu Qiao. Why are you joining the fray?” Besides, hadn’t Yao Jin’s father packed her schedule because her grades slipped? Could she even get out?

“Don’t worry about that,” Yao Jin said, lifting her proud chin. “Wait for me at home on Saturday. I’ll have the driver pick you up. The three of us will go listen to that broadcasting class together.”

Xu Yingran frowned, about to say something, but the teacher had already entered the classroom. She had to return to her own seat and leave the details for later.

On Saturday, Fu Qiao got up early. She was genuinely interested in today’s class. She changed into casual clothes she rarely wore and put on a pink sun hat, looking full of youthful energy.

From a distance, Xu Yingran saw Yao Jin’s Maybach pull up smoothly at their neighborhood. She helplessly turned and took Fu Qiao’s hand.

“The car is here. Let’s go.”

Xu: My wife is going to become a host.