Can't Possibly Fall for My Wife Again After Rebirth, Right? - Chapter 28

Yao Jin’s driver took the three of them toward the designated location. Since it was the weekend, the traffic wasn’t particularly heavy, and the three girls chatted calmly in the car.

“Two broadcasting classes in the morning, starting from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM, with a 20-minute break in the middle.”

Fu Qiao read aloud the message Zhou Wan had sent her yesterday. Although the school officially prohibited bringing phones, very few high schoolers actually followed that rule perfectly.

Since it was Saturday, none of them were in uniform. Xu Yingran wore a plain white T-shirt with jeans and sneakers—simple and casual.

Yao Jin wore a black women’s polo shirt and a black pleated skirt, with a silver-white belt hanging with a few silver charms. Her shoes and socks were black as well; she looked like a cool, rebellious “bad girl.”

Fu Qiao wore a cartoon T-shirt and overall shorts. Her long, slender legs—usually hidden under a school uniform—were so fair they almost seemed to glow. Xu Yingran, sitting next to her, couldn’t help but steal glances at least eight hundred times during the ride.

Hearing the class schedule, Yao Jin remarked, “That’s quite long. Just for two classes?”

“Yes,” Fu Qiao replied from the back seat. “They only have two classes a week.”

“What can you actually learn in just two classes?” Yao Jin asked skeptically.

Fu Qiao didn’t know the answer either, but since they were going, she figured they’d just see for themselves.

The training center was located in a downtown building. There was no dedicated parking lot, so the driver dropped them at the entrance and went to find a spot, waiting for Yao Jin’s call later.

The sun was bright. Fu Qiao adjusted her sun hat and entered the building with the others.

The lobby featured six elevators. Xu Yingran scanned the directory and realized the building was almost entirely filled with training centers and cram schools.

“It’s really easy to make money off students these days,” Xu Yingran remarked as she pressed the elevator button. “It’s the 23rd floor, right?”

“Mm.” Fu Qiao confirmed the message and nodded.

Likely because of the weekend classes, the elevator area filled up within a minute with students carrying backpacks. Some looked like high school or college students, while others looked like elementary schoolers. Most carried instruments, drawing boards, or other specialized equipment Xu Yingran couldn’t name.

Ding—

The doors opened, and Xu Yingran took Fu Qiao’s hand as they entered, followed by Yao Jin. As students crowded in, a boy carrying a large cello case squeezed through, making the already cramped space feel claustrophobic.

The cello case accidentally bumped into Fu Qiao’s hat brim with a soft thud. The boy immediately apologized: “Sorry!”

Fu Qiao straightened her hat and whispered, “It’s okay,” as the doors closed.

The cello was quite bulky. Even with the boy hugging it, it took up significant space. Seeing Fu Qiao pressed against the elevator wall, Xu Yingran reached out and gently pulled her closer to herself.

Every time someone needed to exit, the boy with the cello had to step out and back in again. It was quite a hassle.

Yao Jin couldn’t help but comment, “Learning an instrument really isn’t easy.”

The boy gave a bitter smile. “It’s alright, I guess.”

When they reached the 23rd floor, the three stepped out, and Fu Qiao let out a long sigh of relief.

“Which way?” Yao Jin looked around, confused.

Fu Qiao checked her phone and led them down the left corridor to the broadcasting training center. After explaining their intent at the front desk, a receptionist led them to a small classroom.

The room had only four or five rows of desks, seemingly enough for about a dozen students. “We don’t have a dedicated trial class,” the staff member said, “but you three can sit in on this session.”

“Okay.”

They took seats in the back row. Once the registration info was collected, the staff left.

Yao Jin leaned back boredly with her arms crossed, glancing at the empty podium. “Doesn’t look like much.” What she really meant was that it felt like a waste of time; she’d rather be home doing practice exams.

Fu Qiao, however, was looking around curiously. She sent a message to Zhou Wan saying she had arrived. Zhou Wan replied quickly, saying she was downstairs and would be up shortly.

Close to 8:30 AM, students began trickling in. Zhou Wan appeared at the door with her backpack and walked over when she saw them. The presence of three strangers drew curious looks from the regular students.

Zhou Wan greeted them with a smile: “Hello, Seniors!”

Though she hadn’t met Yao Jin before, Fu Qiao had mentioned she was bringing friends, so Zhou Wan was very welcoming. Yao Jin gave a lukewarm nod, and Xu Yingran—still feeling wary—gave a brief “Mm.” Only Fu Qiao responded warmly, chatting with Zhou Wan as the junior sat next to them.

“There aren’t assigned seats here,” Zhou Wan told Fu Qiao. “I usually sit in the third row, but sitting here with you today is fine too.”

“Will it distract you from the lesson?” Fu Qiao asked.

“No, don’t worry about me. My grades in this class are very good; even the teacher praises me,” Zhou Wan said proudly. “If you don’t understand anything, just ask me. This teacher is very nice.”

Fu Qiao nodded and took a notebook and pen out of her bag, making the two girls sitting next to her look particularly idle.

The teacher was young, likely a recent graduate, and taught with a relaxed style. Knowing there were three trial students, the teacher didn’t make a fuss and proceeded with the lesson.

Fu Qiao was always serious when it came to learning. During the class, students were asked to go up and read random news scripts. Fu Qiao volunteered and did quite well; even the teacher praised her for having a clear, pleasant voice.

Yao Jin remained listless, propping her head up as she watched Fu Qiao on stage. She nudged Xu Yingran’s knee. “Do you think she really wants to take this path?”

Xu Yingran was watching intently, her eyes fixed on Fu Qiao’s face. She could tell Fu Qiao genuinely enjoyed the class. “Maybe,” she said softly.

After class ended, they went to the front desk during the break to ask for a registration form.

Fu Qiao froze when she saw the price. It averaged out to over 2,000 yuan a month, or about 700 to 800 yuan per session.

So expensive!

“Are there any cheaper courses?” Fu Qiao knew it would be pricey, but this was beyond her expectations as an average high schooler.

“The course you just took is actually considered mid-range. We have small-group classes where the results are better, but those cost more.”

Fu Qiao was caught in a dilemma. She stared at the string of numbers and finally said to the staff, “Can I take this form home to think about it?”

“Of course.” The staff didn’t pressure her for a deposit but handed her a flyer for the small-group classes to discuss with her parents.

When they left the building, it was only 10:00 AM. Fu Qiao carried a small gift bag from the center containing a discount card, a fan and sun hat with the company logo, and various registration forms.

“Should we go back, or find a place to sit?” Xu Yingran asked.

“We finally made it out, let’s not rush back,” Yao Jin said, acting relaxed. “Let’s go to the shopping center across the street. We can browse and then grab lunch.”

Xu Yingran agreed. Seeing Fu Qiao’s low spirits, she asked softly, “Are you hot? Let’s go get some cold drinks.”

Fu Qiao snapped out of her thoughts. Not wanting to ruin their mood, she nodded.

In a corner of the air-conditioned shopping center, they ordered drinks. Yao Jin had a snow-top coffee while Xu Yingran and Fu Qiao had milk tea. Xu Yingran then went back to the counter and bought a seasonal “Sakura Sweet Cone,” wrapping the wafer in a napkin before handing it to Fu Qiao.

Fu Qiao looked at the pink ice cream in surprise.

“I remembered you liked these. I saw they still had the summer seasonal ones, so try it,” Xu Yingran said tenderly.

“Thanks.” Fu Qiao took a bite. The milky ice cream blended with the sweet scent of cherry blossoms—it was delicious.

Yao Jin said sourly, “I want one too.”

Xu Yingran glanced at her. “What do you want one for? What’s it to do with you?”

Yao Jin set down her coffee. “Why does Fu Qiao get a cone and I don’t? I want one too!”

Xu Yingran realized Yao Jin was just bored and being difficult. Fine, she could afford it. She got up and bought two more so everyone had one.

“Childish,” Xu Yingran scolded Yao Jin while eating her own cone.

Yao Jin was delighted with the free ice cream, her eyes squinting with happiness. If she had a tail, it would be wagging.

The playful bickering broke Fu Qiao out of her funk. She laughed. “You two are so rowdy, fighting over an ice cream cone.”

“I didn’t start it,” Xu Yingran said. “She did.”

Yao Jin just lazily licked her ice cream provocatively.

After the noise settled, Xu Yingran finished her cone and looked at Fu Qiao. “Have you really decided to do the Art Exam?”

Yao: Why does everyone else have a cone but me? I want one! I want one! I want one!

Xu: Childish!