Can't Possibly Fall for My Wife Again After Rebirth, Right? - Chapter 30

Faced with Xu Yingran’s persistent pestering and acting spoiled, Fu Qiao’s heart, which was never very firm to begin with, softened. She allowed Xu Yingran to fuss around her as they made their way home.

When they arrived, Fu Qiao saw her parents had already woken up and were having lunch.

Their “lunch” was actually leftover dishes from the previous night that hadn’t sold. As the weather gradually cooled, the number of people coming out for barbecue had begun to dwindle, leading to more unsold ingredients. Items that could be refrigerated were put away, but those that couldn’t were brought home. For years, the Fu family’s diet consisted mostly of the previous day’s leftovers—once it was unsold fast-food sets, then breakfast buns and shaomai, and now, leftover barbecue and cold appetizers.

Perhaps they had prepared too much the night before, as the spread today was quite abundant. Seeing their daughter return, Hu Mei asked, “Where did you go? Have you eaten? Is your homework done?”

This “soul-piercing trio” of questions left Fu Qiao unsure where to start. She looked at her parents, whose skin was tanned dark and shiny from working outdoors, and replied, “I went to the shopping center with Xu Yingran this morning. We ate there. I’m going to her house this afternoon to do homework.”

Hu Mei nodded. “Did you buy anything? Don’t let the academic pressure get to you; it’s okay to go out and have fun on weekends.”

Fu Jun added while eating, “Yeah, if you need anything, tell us. Don’t keep it to yourself.”

Hearing her parents say such supportive things, Fu Qiao felt an immediate urge to hand them the flyer for the training center. But then she looked at the leftovers they were eating to save money. She gripped the bag in her hand tightly, gave a soft “Mm,” and retreated to her room.

In the end, she couldn’t bring herself to mention the training classes.

All afternoon, Fu Qiao stayed at Xu Yingran’s house. The two worked in silence, completing three sets of practice exams. As the time for the evening stall approached, Fu Qiao put down her pen.

Xu Yingran saw her preparing to leave and offered, “I’ll go help Uncle and Auntie with the stall.”

Fu Qiao shook her head. “No need. I’ll go by myself. You don’t know the routine.” She looked at Xu Yingran and added, “I have to help out tonight, so let’s stop here. I’ll come find you tomorrow morning.”

Watching Fu Qiao leave with her things, Xu Yingran felt a restless discomfort throughout her body. Something had been off since noon; Fu Qiao seemed perpetually gloomy.

Is it because of the training center?

Xu Yingran picked up a piece of scratch paper and began doing the math. Based on Zhou Wan’s classes, it would cost two to three thousand yuan a month. To study until the Art Exams, she would need at least ten thousand yuan—and that didn’t include extra practice or intensive camp fees. Although Fu Qiao was smart and had a great voice, she was already a senior; time was of the essence. To be safe, she’d need to enroll in more than one class to catch up on the distance she’d lost.

Altogether, it would likely cost twenty to thirty thousand yuan ($20,000–$30,000).

It didn’t seem like a massive fortune, but for a family like Fu Qiao’s to produce that much cash at once was a tall order. Moreover, no one could guarantee that Fu Qiao would pass the Art Exam. If she failed the Art Exam and her standard Gaokao scores suffered because of the distraction, the loss would be catastrophic.

Xu Yingran tapped her head with her pen cap, frustrated. She remembered Fu Qiao reading the news script in the trial class—her pronunciation was perfect, and her eyes were glowing. That was a look she never had during standard classes.

“Sigh…” Xu Yingran rubbed her temples. It looked like she needed to find a way to make some money.

By the time school started on Monday, Fu Qiao still hadn’t spoken to her parents. Her unhappiness was visible to the naked eye. She walked toward school biting her straw, looking utterly dejected.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Yingran walked beside her, stepping on her own shadow. “You still haven’t told Uncle and Auntie about the classes?”

Fu Qiao nodded. She had spent the weekend doing homework by day and serving as a waitress at the stall by night. She remembered how during the summer, she was running back and forth, and the alley was so crowded they had to rent ten extra sets of folding tables. Business had been booming.

But now that October had passed, customers were fewer. Last night, there were only seven or eight tables the whole evening. Hu Mei said this was normal for the season and that they would stop the stall once it got colder. But even without the stall, the shop rent still had to be paid—several thousand yuan every month. Fu Jun and Hu Mei had been discussing whether to sell Oden or hotpot during the winter instead.

Listening to them worry about their livelihood, Fu Qiao lost the courage to ask for over ten thousand yuan for a hobby. The light in her eyes dimmed. She looked at Xu Yingran and asked, “Do you really think I should sign up for that class?”

“But you love it, don’t you?” Xu Yingran countered.

“Love is just love,” Fu Qiao said listlessly. “I should just focus on the Gaokao. I don’t want to think about these things anymore.” She tossed her milk carton into a bin and quickened her pace toward the school.

Xu Yingran stood frozen for a moment, frowning as she watched Fu Qiao’s back. She knew it—Fu Qiao had said nothing to her family.

During morning self-study, Fu Qiao read her textbooks as usual, but Xu Yingran couldn’t focus at all. Her mind kept returning to Fu Qiao’s lonely expression when she said “love is just love.”

As soon as self-study ended, Xu Yingran stood up to talk to Fu Qiao, only to see her being called out of the classroom. The person calling her was none other than Zhou Wan.

Grade 11 and Grade 12 aren’t even on the same floor. How did this girl get up here?

Xu Yingran watched them from the classroom. They were standing in the hallway, talking intimately. Fu Qiao even smiled at Zhou Wan.

What are you smiling at? She didn’t smile at me once this morning!

And look at that hand! Talk if you want, but why are you putting your arm around her? Fu Qiao is a senior; does this Zhou Wan have no respect? Wait, are they linking arms now?

Xu Yingran’s teeth itched with irritation. She walked Fu Qiao home every single day and hadn’t even held her hand yet!

“Hey.” Yao Jin, propping her face in her hand, watched Xu Yingran’s murderous expression. She glanced at Fu Qiao in the hallway and remarked, “You look exactly like a jealous wife right now, do you know that?”

Xu Yingran glared at her. “Fu Qiao is out there laughing and chatting with someone else, and you’re calling me the jealous one?”

Yao Jin shrugged. “I think you’re overthinking. She’s just talking to someone. If you’re this jealous now, is she going to be forbidden from leaving the house after you’re married?”

Xu Yingran froze. Her face turned bright red, and she stammered, “M-m-married? What marriage? We’re so young, and how do you even know we’d get married?”

She hadn’t told Yao Jin about her relationship with Fu Qiao. How did this woman guess?

Yao Jin rolled her eyes lazily. “Does it even require guessing? As long as I’m not blind, I can see the vibe between you two.” She looked at Xu Yingran with disdain. “Do you think I want to be the third wheel? Every time I see you two showing affection, I feel like I’m surplus to requirements.”

Xu Yingran, rarely embarrassed, muttered, “Don’t talk nonsense. I didn’t mean that. We’re just ordinary friends.”

Yao Jin’s expression clearly said ‘I’ll believe that when pigs fly.’

When Fu Qiao returned to the classroom, she saw Xu Yingran and Yao Jin talking. “What are you guys chatting about?”

Xu Yingran glanced at her and stayed silent. Yao Jin, however, asked directly, “I saw you talking to Zhou Wan. What was that about?”

Fu Qiao’s eyes lowered. “She came to ask if I wanted to join the broadcasting station. She wants me to join them.”

“What did you say?” Xu Yingran asked.

“I refused,” Fu Qiao said quietly. “I think I should focus on the Gaokao. Everything else… can wait until university.”

Yao Jin watched her for a long time before asking, “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Fu Qiao nodded. “You were right, Yao Jin. My grades are good enough that if I stay stable, I can get into a Tier 1 university. There’s no need to take the Art Exam.”

Yao Jin didn’t mind; she had thought this was the right path all along. But Xu Yingran’s brow furrowed. She asked Fu Qiao, “Is it because of the tuition fee?”

Fu Qiao looked at her calmly and shook her head slightly.

The bell rang for class, cutting Xu Yingran off. She reached out and grabbed Fu Qiao’s hand as the girl turned to her seat. “I have something to tell you at lunch.”

Fu Qiao was confused, but seeing the teacher enter, she nodded. “Okay.”

The first period was with their homeroom teacher, Li Yuwen. She scanned the room and said calmly, “It’s been a month since Grade 12 started. I see you’ve all adjusted well.”

The students felt a collective sense of dread.

“Since you’re adjusted,” Li Yuwen continued, leaning on the podium, “I’ll announce the school’s new plan. Congratulations, everyone: starting this week, we are beginning evening self-study sessions.