What's Wrong with Changing to a New Wife? [Rebirth] - Chapter 17

Gu Ji paused for a moment, then smiled gently. “Sorry, I don’t have that intention for now.”

“Alright,” the boy replied, clearly a bit disappointed. “Then, I wish you all the best in your studies, senior.”

Same-sex orientation was still a minority, and Gu Ji felt a certain friendliness toward those who shared his identity. He spoke softly, “You’re very likable. I’m sure you’ll find the right boyfriend someday.”

The boy’s mood lifted instantly. He nodded vigorously and bowed nervously. “Thank you, senior.”

After the boy left, Yan Congyu watched for a while before casually asking, “You’re not interested in that type?”

Gu Ji answered truthfully, “I didn’t really pay attention.”

He wasn’t in the habit of randomly adding people as friends. For him, it was always about getting to know someone first before adding them, not the other way around.

Yan Congyu asked again, “Aren’t you going to find someone new after the breakup?”

“Not planning to,” Gu Ji shook his head. “Let it be. A relationship isn’t a necessity.”

Yan Congyu hesitated for a moment. “…”

Gu Ji, feeling unusually talkative, offered some advice, “Xiao Yan, when you start dating in the future, make sure to keep your eyes wide open. If you’re unsure, ask your friends for their opinion. Don’t end up as blind as I was.”

Yan Congyu gave a vague “Mm” in response.

“It’s all from experience,” Gu Ji thought for a few seconds. “But I think you’ll definitely be luckier than me.”

Yan Congyu asked, “Why?”

Gu Ji sighed and smiled wryly. “I’m just too unlucky.”

If he hadn’t been given a second chance, his entire life would have been filled with regrets and remorse, with nothing worth cherishing.

Yan Congyu said softly, “Things will get better in the future.”

Time passed quickly. By the time most people around the lake had dispersed, Yan Congyu put down his brush.

“It’s getting late. Let’s call it a day for now,” Yan Congyu said.

Gu Ji stood up and agreed. If he sat any longer, he’d start to feel bored.

He helped Yan Congyu carry the painting supplies to the car parked by the roadside.

“Let’s just leave the car here,” Yan Congyu said. The distance within the campus wasn’t far enough to warrant driving. “Let’s go.”

The campus path was quiet at night. Yan Congyu asked, “So, you have no plans to date for now?”

Gu Ji truly had no such thoughts, but he knew it was unwise to speak in absolutes. He gave an estimated timeframe, “Probably not for the time being.”

“Is it because of that person?”

“Yes and no,” Gu Ji replied. “Part of it is my own issue. Maybe not everyone is cut out for relationships.”

If he counted the over ten years from his previous life, Gu Ji’s experience with relationships could be considered long. Yet, in reality, he had no proper experience to speak of and didn’t even know what a healthy relationship should look like.

Someone like him might be better off alone, with a few good friends by his side that would be enough.

Gu Ji smiled bitterly to himself. Perhaps it was the tranquility of the night or Yan Congyu’s quiet attentiveness that made him feel he could trust him. Without holding back, he voiced his inner thoughts, “I can’t afford to fail again, even if the chances are slim.”

Having stumbled over love in his past life, the current Gu Ji dared not venture into it again unless he was absolutely certain.

Even if the risk of failure was only one in ten thousand.

Yan Congyu felt his heart grow cold hearing this. He wanted to persuade Gu Ji not to dismiss everyone outright, but he knew he had no right to say such things.

So, he simply listened quietly.

Gu Ji kept talking the whole way. Halfway there, he noticed a landmark and reminded, “Isn’t your dorm over there? You’re going the wrong way.”

“I’ll walk you back first,” Yan Congyu said.

Gu Ji was taken aback. He had experienced many small acts of kindness from Yan Congyu. Things he had never felt before.

Opening the car door for him, fastening his seatbelt, bringing him snacks while he was painting earlier, and now even walking him home. Even someone as thoughtful as Xu Jingyin wouldn’t go to such lengths.

“You’ll definitely make a great boyfriend someday,” Gu Ji praised sincerely.

Yan Congyu smiled, his lips curling slightly. “I hope so.”

–

Since everyone in Dorm 3042 had slept all day, they ended up collectively suffering from insomnia at night. The four of them ended up gaming until the early hours of the morning, only falling asleep well past midnight.

The next morning, when the alarm went off, not a single one of them could drag themselves out of bed.

Finally, Cheng Zhou couldn’t stand the noise anymore. Squinting, he crawled out of bed and woke up the other two, who were so exhausted they hadn’t even heard the alarm.

“What about Zhenzi? Did anyone wake him?”

“He doesn’t have class today!”

“That’s not fair! No wonder he stayed up the latest last night.”

Running late, the three of them didn’t have time to chat. They got ready as quickly as possible and slipped into the back row of the classroom just in time.

“…I’m so tired,” Cheng Zhou mumbled. He hadn’t had time to fix his hair in the morning, and it was sticking out in all directions like a bird’s nest.

Xu Jingyin sighed as well, putting on his glasses. “We can’t pull all-nighters like this anymore. It’s torture.”

His sleep schedule had always been strict, but yesterday had thrown it completely off. He knew he’d be dragging himself through the entire day.

Gu Ji was just as exhausted. As the teacher lectured at the front of the class, his eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

They had rushed out in such a hurry that none of them had eaten breakfast. Xu Jingyin pulled three packaged bread rolls from his backpack and handed one to each of them.

The teacher at the podium was droning on enthusiastically. Gu Ji held his bread but wasn’t hungry. He didn’t feel like eating. He just couldn’t stop dozing off.

Beside him, Cheng Zhou perked up as soon as he got food. He finished his bread in a few bites but still felt like his stomach was empty.

He tried to sneak a piece of Xu Jingyin’s bread but got his hand slapped when he was caught.

Cheng Zhou then turned and quietly tried to take a piece of Gu Ji’s bread.

Gu Ji was so drowsy, propping his head up with his hand, that he didn’t notice Cheng Zhou’s actions at all.

Cheng Zhou successfully broke off half the bread and stuffed it into his mouth in one go.

Perhaps the motion of him shoving half a bread roll into his mouth was too conspicuous, because the teacher at the front of the class noticed.

This particular teacher was a stickler for rules. He adjusted his reading glasses and said, “You, the red-haired one eating in class. Stand up and answer this question.”

Suddenly called out, Cheng Zhou nearly choked.

Gu Ji jolted half-awake at the teacher’s raised voice, blinking in confusion. He then noticed Cheng Zhou standing up beside him.

Cheng Zhou looked like he was about to cry and muttered under his breath, “What’s the question again?”

The strict teacher urged impatiently, “Stop dawdling. Do you know the answer or not?”

Cheng Zhou hadn’t been listening at all. Just as he was about to admit he didn’t know, he heard Gu Ji whisper a number under his breath.

Cheng Zhou knew Gu Ji had been dozing off earlier too, but at this point, he had no choice but to take a shot in the dark. He read out the answer, somewhat guiltily: “Seventeen.”

“That’s correct.” The old stickler said sternly, “Sit down. No eating during my class. Pay attention.”

Cheng Zhou sat down with a pleasantly surprised expression. “Brother Gu, you’re amazing! How did you solve it so quickly?”

Gu Ji was looking down at his bread, somewhat puzzled. “Why is only half left?”

“…” Cheng Zhou’s gaze shifted evasively. “…Maybe you took a bite when you were sleepy earlier.”

Gu Ji remained skeptical. “But I don’t taste any bread in my mouth.”

“…Alright.” Cheng Zhou admitted weakly, lacking confidence. “That half might be in my stomach.”

Gu Ji: “…”

“Brother Gu, you’re really incredible. You saved me.” Cheng Zhou flattered him. “You were just sleeping a moment ago, yet you could immediately see the answer. Otherwise, I’d have to stand through this entire class. That would be awful.”

After graduation, Gu Ji had worked in a field related to his major, so the difficulty level of his sophomore year was nothing to him now, especially simple basic questions like the one just now.

Near the end of the morning class, his phone buzzed twice. Gu Ji glanced at it and saw a message from someone saved as “Lu Chi.”

The appearance of this name suddenly made Gu Ji feel dazed.

Lu Chi was his tag-along younger brother, the son his stepmother had brought with her. He was three years younger than Gu Ji and currently in his second year of high school.

The kid’s personality could be described as withdrawn. He spoke very little, usually didn’t communicate much with Gu Ji, and the number of messages they exchanged was pitifully small.

Especially after last year’s New Year, when he had brought Lin Qingran home and had a major conflict with his family, during which he had also scolded this younger brother. Since that incident, it seemed he hadn’t spoken to his stepmother or brother.

He opened the message and took a look.

[Lu Chi: Brother, Mom made soup today. Do you want some? If you do, I’ll bring it to you.]

Gu Ji remembered that in his previous life, he hadn’t received this message at this time. Back then, his relationship with his family was strained. His stepmother and brother had initially taken the initiative to message him, but Gu Ji never replied. Over time, they naturally gradually lost contact.

The reason Lu Chi was actively messaging him this time was probably because his cousin had passed word to his stepmother’s side, saying he might return home.

Although this mother was his stepmother, she genuinely cared for him. Though this brother wasn’t biologically related, their bond felt real.

[Gu Ji: Aren’t you in school today?]

Although the second year of high school isn’t the most stressful time, they probably don’t get days off on weekdays.

[Lu Chi: Brother, there’s a competition today. I took time off.]

[Lu Chi: I didn’t skip class.]

[Gu Ji: Is Mom with you?]

[Lu Chi: Yes. Mom told me to bring it to you. She said you must be tired from studying.]

[Gu Ji: Then come find me. I’ll send you my location.]

[Lu Chi: Okay!]

After the morning class ended, as the three of them were about to go downstairs, Gu Ji suddenly mentioned, “My brother is coming to see me later.”

“Your real brother?” Cheng Zhou asked in disbelief. “Brother Gu, you actually have a brother?”

Gu Ji smiled. “You could say he’s real. Why are you so surprised?”

Lu Chi had never visited his school before, and because of their previous estrangement, Gu Ji had never mentioned his brother in front of his friends.

Cheng Zhou sighed, “After all this time, I only just found out you have a younger brother. — Brother Gu, do you still love me now that you have a brother?”

Gu Ji pushed Cheng Zhou away with a laugh, “Get lost.”

Xu Jingyin smiled and asked, “How old is your brother?”

“He should be around seventeen or eighteen this year,” Gu Ji replied.

“That’s not much of an age gap,” Cheng Zhou rubbed his face. “Brother Gu, who do you think is cuter—your brother or me?”

Hearing this question, Gu Ji was momentarily at a loss for words, looking somewhat conflicted. “My brother… might be a little different from what you imagine.”

“How different could he be?” Cheng Zhou waved his hand dismissively. “Does he look exactly like you?”

“Of course not,” Gu Ji found it hard to explain and simply said, “You’ll understand when you see him.”

The school gate was bustling with people coming and going. Cheng Zhou curiously looked around, “Which one is your brother? I don’t see any kids around.”

Xu Jingyin tapped Cheng Zhou’s head, “Seventeen or eighteen isn’t a kid anymore.”

With so many people around, Gu Ji couldn’t spot Lu Chi right away. “Look for someone dressed all in black, about half a head shorter than me.”

After a while, as the crowd thinned slightly, Gu Ji spotted a familiar figure in black near the flower bed, holding a thermal bag.

Gu Ji waved, “Lu Chi, over here.”

Hearing Gu Ji’s voice, Lu Chi turned around. The moment he saw Gu Ji, his eyes lit up briefly, and he walked over.

Cheng Zhou stared in disbelief, “Your brother is this cool?”

Lu Chi’s outfit was uniformly black from head to toe. Gu Ji had seen his wardrobe before even his closet was filled with dark or black clothes. That’s why he’d been looking for a guy dressed entirely in black in the crowd.

The boy in the black baseball cap walked over and softly called out, “Brother.”

Gu Ji introduced him, “This is Brother Zhenzi, and this is Brother Jingyin.”

Then, turning to Cheng Zhou and Xu Jingyin, he said, “This is my brother, Lu Chi.”

Cheng Zhou was too stunned by Lu Chi’s style to notice anything else. Only Xu Jingyin picked up on the fact that Gu Ji and Lu Chi didn’t share the same surname, but he kept it to himself.

Lu Chi greeted them one by one, “Brother Zhenzi, Brother Jingyin.”

“You’re so cool, seriously,” Cheng Zhou blinked. “To be honest, I feel like I should be calling you ‘brother’ instead.”

Lu Chi wasn’t much of a talker, and encountering someone as chatty as Cheng Zhou left him at a loss. Unsure of how to respond, he quietly took two steps closer to Gu Ji.

Gu Ji noticed Lu Chi’s movement and couldn’t help but smile. He explained to Cheng Zhou, “He doesn’t talk much usually.”

Cheng Zhou nodded understandingly and said mysteriously, “I get it. Cool guys don’t talk much.”

Lu Chi’s ears turned slightly red. He wanted to deny it, but he pressed his lips together and took two more steps closer to Gu Ji.

Gu Ji understood his brother’s personality well. Someone like Cheng Zhou was practically Lu Chi’s natural opposite.

He chuckled and changed the subject, asking Lu Chi, “Have you eaten yet?”

Lu Chi slowly shook his head, “Mom made food. I’ll eat when I get back.”

“It’ll be cold by the time you get back,” Gu Ji said. “Why not eat here with me and try Rong University’s cafeteria?”

Lu Chi hesitated, “Is that okay?”

“Why not?” Gu Ji curved his lips into a smile. “If you’re worried Mom won’t agree, I’ll call and talk to her.”

Lu Chi had never expected Gu Ji to invite him to stay for a meal at school. His hesitation came from not wanting to trouble his brother, not from any fear of their mother’s disapproval.

He gave a slight nod. “Thank you, brother.”

On the way to the cafeteria, Cheng Zhou seemed quite interested in Lu Chi’s cool demeanor and kept trying to strike up conversations with him. Lu Chi, unable to handle such enthusiasm, kept casting pleading glances at Gu Ji throughout the walk.

Gu Ji had always thought Lu Chi was too introverted. While he could manage with people he knew well, he would hardly initiate conversations with strangers. Combined with his usual clothing style, he often gave off an aloof impression.

Although Cheng Zhou and Lu Chi’s personalities could complement each other, forcing them to interact now was like placing a chatterbox before someone deaf. Cheng Zhou’s endless talking was like playing music to a bull—not only ineffective but also torturing Lu Chi in the process.