Let's Get Married on the First Day of Rebirth - Chapter 16

Xu Mi said this without much thought, but the next second, she saw Qu Ange looking at her with moved eyes, teary and watery, her hands still wet as she opened her arms to hug her. Xu Mi quickly pushed her away, saying, “What are you doing?”

Qu Ange replied, “I’m so touched. You really do love me.”

Xu Mi turned her face away uncomfortably. “I just think it’s not good to ask our parents for money. Besides, some of that money is technically yours.”

Back when Qu Ange worked as a print model, she was too lazy to apply for the bank account required by the magazine, so some of the earnings ended up in Xu Mi’s account. However, since all their living expenses came from Xu Mi, that money basically balanced out with Qu Ange’s spending. Back then, they didn’t distinguish between yours and mine, thinking they could live like that forever.

Qu Ange was self-aware. “That was just a tiny amount, and I spent a lot. The savings are all yours. But I need quite a bit now, so what you’ve saved probably isn’t enough.”

Xu Mi was taken aback. “How much do you need?”

Qu Ange said, “Two million. At least five hundred thousand in principal.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, her heart sank. Xu Mi’s expression changed drastically. “How did it become two million?”

Qu Ange backtracked, “I misspoke. It’s one million.”

Xu Mi narrowed her eyes. “Are you lying to me?”

Qu Ange wanted to make excuses, but Xu Mi stared at her expressionlessly, her dark eyes like deep pools, exuding an inexplicable pressure. Qu Ange realized she had to take this seriously, or Xu Mi wouldn’t let it go. She straightened up and admitted honestly, “The penalty is actually two million. I… I just didn’t want you to worry, so I said less. But don’t worry, I can definitely earn it back. I have so many ways to make money.”

Xu Mi felt a ringing in her ears. Honestly, one million was already a huge sum, but two million was beyond her imagination—so much so that it didn’t even feel real. She could only process it mathematically as double one million. She was speechless. Just then, Qu Ange’s mother knocked on the glass door and asked, “Are you done washing up? Do you want some plums?”

Qu Ange watched Xu Mi cautiously. Xu Mi gave a quiet “Mm” and said, “Yes, Auntie. We’ll be right out.”

Qu Ange could tell Xu Mi was angry. Honestly, if the roles were reversed, Qu Ange would feel like she’d fallen into a pit. She didn’t dare say anything and just sat quietly on the living room sofa. Qu’s father turned on the TV, which was replaying the documentary A Bite of China, the episode about pickled vegetables. Qu’s mother looked at Xu Mi and said, “Speaking of which, your mom gave us some pickles last time. You can take some back when you leave. Don’t always eat out—it’s a waste of money.”

Qu Ange chimed in, “We don’t eat out. You have no idea how amazing Mimi’s cooking is.”

Qu’s mother shot her a sidelong glance. “If Xu Mi cooks so well, what does that have to do with you? Are you just relying on her to cook for you? What about you?”

Qu Ange really wanted to proudly declare that they were now legally married wives, and Xu Mi could never run away for the rest of her life. But even she could sense that now wasn’t the time to bring that up. She kept her mouth shut, staring at the images on the TV screen. The familiar background music paired with the distinctive narration made her fingers twist together anxiously as she struggled with how to broach the subject of borrowing money.

When the commercials started playing, Qu’s mother finally couldn’t take it anymore and spoke up: “Mimi isn’t an outsider, so I’ll just ask directly—Ange, is there something going on with you?”

Both Qu Ange and Xu Mi stiffened in surprise, sitting up straight on the sofa. Their reactions only confirmed Qu’s parents’ suspicions. With a stern expression, Qu’s mother fixed her gaze on Qu Ange and asked, “What’s the matter? It’s not something illegal, is it?”

At that moment, Qu Ange realized the difference between telling Xu Mi and telling her parents. When she had confided in Xu Mi, even though she knew it was bad news, she hadn’t agonized over it too much. But now, facing her parents, the words stuck in her throat.

It dawned on her just how accustomed she was to acting spoiled with Xu Mi, how naturally she assumed Xu Mi would always indulge her.

She couldn’t help but glance at Xu Mi, who was frowning at her with a hint of worry in her eyes. Suddenly, she found the strength to speak. “Dad, Mom… I’m sorry. You know how I went to become an actress, right? At the beginning of the month, I signed with a company…”

She laid out the terms of the contract, just as she had explained to Xu Mi before. Her father sat on the sofa with a furrowed brow, head lowered, while her mother stood up and paced. When she finished speaking, her mother strode over and raised her hand as if to strike her. Xu Mi quickly stood up and grabbed Qu’s mother’s arm, stopping her. In the end, the slap never landed. Instead, tears welled up in Qu’s mother’s eyes as she choked out, “You really are an idiot, aren’t you?”

She turned to Xu Mi. “Did you know about this?”

Xu Mi gave a slight nod. Qu’s mother sighed. “You’re an idiot too. How could you keep this from us for her sake?”

Xu Mi lowered her eyes without a word. Qu Ange quickly interjected, “But I have a way to make money now! I just need you to lend me some capital—”

“Shut up!” Qu’s mother cut her off before she could finish. “How much? Two million, right? Your father and I will pay it off for you. And don’t you dare keep messing around. Come home and find a proper job.”

Qu Ange was stunned. “No! That’s not…”

Something about this didn’t feel right.

She blurted out, “You can afford two million?”

Qu’s mother replied, “We’ll sell the house if we have to. We’ll scrape together every penny rather than let you sell yourself to some shady company!”

Qu Ange insisted, “Really, it’s not necessary. I just need to borrow a hundred—no, fifty thousand. Just for a month.”

Qu’s mother looked at her with deep disappointment. “Even now, you’re still looking for shortcuts?”

Qu Ange: “…”

Qu Ange had taken her previous life for granted when it came to this matter. Back then, after her parents found out, they gave her a million yuan without asking her to leave the entertainment industry. Instead, they came to stay with her during those difficult times. Now, she realized the current situation was actually different from her past life. In that life, although times were tough, she had already gained some fame in the entertainment industry. In other words, she had proven she was serious about her path before asking her parents for money, and they had supported her. But in this life, she hadn’t accomplished anything yet and had already become a social parasite, owing two million yuan and relying on her parents. Naturally, they didn’t believe her at all.

Damn. No wonder people say to analyze specific situations specifically. Who would have thought that with none of the right timing, conditions, or support, things would become so difficult?

But she couldn’t drag it out for two years like she had in her past life either!

Qu Ange clutched the hem of her clothes, her palms slick with cold sweat. She desperately wanted to explain, but she realized anything she said would sound hollow and feeble because, at this point, she couldn’t prove herself in any way. Thinking about it, even her own parents found her unbelievable, yet Xu Mi had shown her such tolerance. Xu Mi really was kinder than an angel.

The air was thick with tension, the only sound the buzzing of the aging air conditioner. In the silence, Xu Mi’s voice suddenly rang out:

“Auntie, just believe in Ange this once.”

All three people in the living room turned to look at Xu Mi.

Her expression was unexpectedly calm. “You know her personality. Since she was little, once she’s set her mind on something, she won’t change it. Of course, I’m just an outsider, so take this as just a suggestion. Even if you think I’m wrong, please don’t be too angry. Right now, she’s convinced she can make money. Even if she comes back, her heart won’t be settled. It might be better to just let her hit the wall and learn her lesson.”

Qu’s mother snapped, “Right now, she’s just throwing money into a cesspit!”

Xu Mi replied, “Even if she’s an unfilial daughter, she’s still your child. Of course, it’s ultimately your decision. I just think maybe we could do it this way—I’ll act as a witness. Qu Ange can borrow 500,000 yuan from you. If she can’t return the money in a month, she has to come home. If she does return it…”

“Then she can keep chasing her dreams.”

As she said the last sentence, Xu Mi looked at Qu Ange, a faint, almost imperceptible smile on her lips, as if asking for her opinion.

Qu Ange was still dazed, but she felt Xu Mi wouldn’t harm her, so she instinctively murmured, “Mhm.”

Qu’s mother raised her hand threateningly. “You’re still ‘mhm’-ing! Still ‘mhm’-ing!”

Qu Ange shrank back. “I just won’t give up until I hit the wall, okay?”

Qu’s mother turned to Qu’s father, who had remained silent until now. Slowly, he spoke: “You’ll have to write a pledge. If you go back on your word, we’ll act as if we never had a daughter. Whatever you do, however much debt you rack up—it won’t be our concern anymore.”

Hearing this, Qu Ange suddenly felt a pang of sorrow in her chest, tears nearly spilling over.

Because she knew her father was just being tough. No matter what, they would never truly disown her. But the only thing she could do now was to be this unfilial daughter first.

She nodded and said, “If I fail, I’ll come home and give up on everything.”

Actually, she felt a bit unsure inside. Stretching it to a year, she was a hundred percent certain she could make money, but one month was just too short.

But her parents clearly weren’t willing to give her much more time. They brought over paper and a pen, and she signed the guarantee. This unsigned agreement didn’t really hold any legal weight, but as Qu Ange wrote her name, she still felt a heavy weight in her heart. Once she finished signing, her parents immediately retreated to their bedroom, clearly not wanting to see her. Qu Ange also pulled Xu Mi back to her room. Once inside, she let out a long sigh and collapsed onto the bed, saying, “The pressure is really on now.”

Xu Mi glanced at Qu Ange and thought to herself: I don’t see it.

After collecting herself a little, Qu Ange took out her phone and searched for her former investment manager’s number on WeChat. Surprisingly, she found it—the person’s nickname was their real name: “Xinggu Investment, Zuo Qingyan.” Qu Ange quickly sent a friend request, but the other person didn’t accept it right away. Propping herself up on the bed, she turned her head and saw Xu Mi standing by her desk, staring blankly at the bookshelf.

Qu Ange hadn’t been much of a reader during her student days. The bookshelf was filled with study guides, and the only non-academic book was Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Qu Ange remembered—she had borrowed this book from Xu Mi, but because she kept forgetting to return it, Xu Mi eventually gave it to her.

Qu Ange rolled over to the edge of the bed, wrapped her arms around Xu Mi’s waist, and said, “Xu Mi, you’re so good to me.”

“Hmm?” For once, Xu Mi didn’t push her away, just looked down at her.

Qu Ange continued, “Even though I’m like this, you’re still on my side. If you hadn’t spoken up earlier, my parents definitely wouldn’t have agreed.”

Xu Mi didn’t respond. Instead, she reached out and flipped through the Harry Potter book. A photo fell out. A sticker photo of the two of them from middle school. In the picture, Qu Ange was wearing a pink bow and puckering her lips to kiss her.

Xu Mi couldn’t help but smile. Deep down, she didn’t believe Qu Ange could actually make money in just a month.

But if Qu Ange couldn’t earn the money, wouldn’t that be just perfect?