Rebirth Begins with Rejecting my Childhood Friend - Chapter 324

After finishing the birthday song, Xu Xiuwen said to Cheng Lu, “Lulu, make a wish and blow out the candles quickly.”

Under the candlelight, Cheng Lu’s face showed a hint of emotion.

After hearing Xu Xiuwen’s words, she closed her eyes and began to make a wish.

After making her wish, she took a deep breath and blew out the candles.

The candles were extinguished, and the room instantly went dark.

Xu Xiuwen got up to turn on the lights.

After the lights came on, Cheng Lu began to cut the cake.

She first cut a piece for An Shishi and then cut another piece.

Xu Xiuwen, full of anticipation, thought it was for him, but Cheng Lu placed the cake in front of herself.

Xu Xiuwen felt very disappointed.

But then, Cheng Lu cut another piece.

This time, it was for him.

Xu Xiuwen smiled and took the plate, eating the cake.

After having dinner and cake, it was getting late.

The three of them got up to leave.

Xu Xiuwen offered to pay the bill, and Cheng Lu didn’t stop him.

The three of them stood outside the restaurant.

Xu Xiuwen had many things he wanted to say to Cheng Lu. So he said, “Lulu, I have something to tell you.”

Hearing this, Cheng Lu turned to look at him with a calm expression and said, “Go ahead.”

Xu Xiuwen instinctively looked around and said, “Let’s talk somewhere else.”

Cheng Lu didn’t say anything.

Seeing this, Xu Xiuwen breathed a sigh of relief. He smiled and said, “My car is over there, let’s get in first.”

After saying that, he turned and walked towards the parking area.

Cheng Lu followed, and An Shishi followed as well.

At the car, Xu Xiuwen opened the front passenger door for Cheng Lu. She got in, and after closing the door, Xu Xiuwen turned to see An Shishi. He whispered, “When we get in the car, find a reason to let me drop you off first.”

An Shishi responded with an “oh,” then opened the back door and got in.

Xu Xiuwen drove around Jiaotong University for a bit and reached the west gate.

As they were approaching the west gate, Xu Xiuwen slowed down, waiting for An Shishi to speak.

But she didn’t say anything even as they got closer. He couldn’t help but turn and say, “Shishi, I have something to discuss with Lulu. Why don’t you go back first? I don’t want to waste your time.”

As he spoke, he parked the car by the road opposite the west gate. Unexpectedly, An Shishi said, “It’s okay, I’m not in a hurry to go back. Besides, I want to stay with Cheng Lu. What if you bully her?”

Hearing this, Xu Xiuwen, if not for Cheng Lu’s presence, would have definitely given her a few slaps on the butt for causing trouble.

But since Cheng Lu was there, he couldn’t say anything and had to drive into Jiangning Garden.

After getting out of the car, An Shishi ignored Xu Xiuwen’s resentful look and took the initiative to hold Cheng Lu’s arm as they went upstairs together.

Xu Xiuwen sighed helplessly and followed them.

Entering the house, Xu Xiuwen handed Cheng Lu her slippers, then opened the cabinet in the hallway and took out a pair of brand-new pink bunny slippers.

It was An Shishi’s first time there, and these were the slippers Xu Xiuwen had prepared for her.

When An Shishi left, she took the slippers with her. So Xu Xiuwen bought new slippers, not just one pair, but more than ten pairs.

This time, even if the four girls from the company and the four girls from 301 came, along with the four girls from 601, there would still be enough slippers.

Of course, Xu Xiuwen wouldn’t do that.

This place wasn’t a Grand View Garden.

An Shishi took the cute bunny slippers from Xu Xiuwen and said thank you.

However, out of Cheng Lu’s sight, An Shishi looked at Xu Xiuwen with seductive eyes and even licked her lips.

Xu Xiuwen’s desire was instantly ignited. He glared at An Shishi, warning her to behave or she would regret it when Cheng Lu wasn’t around.

An Shishi smiled, seemingly unbothered by his threat.

Xu Xiuwen felt a headache coming on.

In the living room, Xu Xiuwen went to the kitchen and poured three glasses of water, handing one to each person.

Just as he sat down on the sofa, Cheng Lu calmly asked, “Didn’t you say you had something to tell me? Go ahead.”

Xu Xiuwen first responded with a sound, then turned to An Shishi, saying, “Shishi, can you give us a moment?”

This time, An Shishi didn’t cause trouble and nodded cooperatively. She stood up and said, “I’ll go to the restroom.”

After An Shishi left, Xu Xiuwen adjusted his emotions. He turned to look at Cheng Lu.

She sat silently on the sofa, her posture straight and graceful. Her beautiful face was calm, but the slight movement in her eyes hinted at her inner emotions.

Xu Xiuwen suddenly said, “Lulu, this past month apart from you has been the most painful month of my life. I know that no matter how many times I apologize, it won’t make up for the hurt I’ve caused you. I hope you can give me a chance to make it right and not break up with me, okay?”

Xu Xiuwen looked at Cheng Lu with deep emotion.

He expected Cheng Lu to hesitate, to be unsure, or even to refuse.

But Cheng Lu straightforwardly said, “Yes, I forgive you.”

Xu Xiuwen even thought he had misheard. “You really forgive me?”

Over the past month, Cheng Lu had also been feeling unhappy.

She had actually forgiven Xu Xiuwen a long time ago but couldn’t make up her mind.

Tonight, after An Shishi’s persuasion and the surprises Xu Xiuwen prepared, including the cake and gifts, Cheng Lu finally made her decision.

Cheng Lu snorted coldly, “I don’t care about what happened before, but from now on, you are not allowed to have any contact or interactions with Xiao Youran.”

After she finished speaking, Xu Xiuwen didn’t immediately respond or make any promises.

Cheng Lu’s face turned cold. Xu Xiuwen explained, “Lulu, my relationship with Youran—it’s impossible not to contact or interact at all. I can promise to only see her as a sister from now on, but I can’t agree to never contact her again.”

Cheng Lu’s face turned livid instantly.

She had already decided to forgive Xu Xiuwen’s past infidelity and had made concessions.

Yet Xu Xiuwen was unwilling to distance himself from Xiao Youran.

Cheng Lu felt both angry and sad.

She stared at Xu Xiuwen coldly and suddenly stood up, turning to leave.

Xu Xiuwen knew that if he let Cheng Lu go now, they would really break up.

At the critical moment, Xu Xiuwen suddenly reached out and grabbed Cheng Lu’s hand.

Before she could react, he pulled her back into his arms.

Then, Xu Xiuwen found her lips and kissed her.

Cheng Lu naturally resisted.

She struggled to push Xu Xiuwen away, but her hands were pinned down, making it difficult to exert any strength.

Even if she could, it would be hard to break free.

Unwilling to be taken advantage of like this, Cheng Lu opened her mouth.

Xu Xiuwen thought she had agreed and was about to advance further when Cheng Lu bit down on his lip hard.

A sharp pain immediately hit him.

Xu Xiuwen let go.

Cheng Lu had just escaped from his grasp.

But the next second, Xu Xiuwen came back for more.

Cheng Lu bit him again.

This time, Xu Xiuwen endured the pain and didn’t let go.

He kissed her more deeply.

Cheng Lu felt her mind go blank as her emotions were stirred.

She gradually calmed down and began to respond to Xu Xiuwen involuntarily.

After a long kiss, Xu Xiuwen reluctantly let go.

Cheng Lu’s mind was blank, her initial sadness and anger replaced by a sweet emotion.

She bit her lip and stared at Xu Xiuwen.

He looked back at her.

Their eyes communicated silently.

Cheng Lu’s gaze flickered, clearly battling an internal struggle.

Xu Xiuwen held her tightly, as if trying to fuse her into his body, silently pleading for her to stay.

Cheng Lu felt suffocated and finally spoke. She softly said, “You’re holding me too tight.”

“Don’t leave me,” Xu Xiuwen’s deep voice resonated.

“Okay.”

Xu Xiuwen’s face lit up with joy. “Really?”

“You’re so annoying, I can barely breathe.”

Only then did Xu Xiuwen release her.

Cheng Lu rolled her eyes at him but didn’t mention leaving again.

They sat down again, with Xu Xiuwen keeping his eyes on Cheng Lu, as if afraid she would disappear if he looked away for even a second.

Cheng Lu was pleased with Xu Xiuwen’s reaction.

She glanced at the corner of his mouth and smiled slightly, reminding him, “Your lip is bleeding.”

Xu Xiuwen shook his head. “It’s fine, it won’t kill me.”

Cheng Lu rolled her eyes again.

She saw a tissue box on the table, reached for a tissue, and gently wiped the blood from Xu Xiuwen’s lip.

Feeling Cheng Lu’s care and tenderness, Xu Xiuwen couldn’t help but pull her into his arms.

He said earnestly, “Lulu, believe me, I will be good to you.”

Cheng Lu replied softly, “Given your past behavior, who knows which of your words are true.”

Xu Xiuwen felt embarrassed and changed the subject. “Lulu, don’t go back to the dorm tonight, stay here.”

Cheng Lu’s face flushed instantly.

She gently pushed Xu Xiuwen away and glared at him. “What are you planning?”

Xu Xiuwen grinned, “I’m not planning anything, just want you to stay and talk with me.”

Cheng Lu wasn’t easily convinced.

She was contemplating and considering. “No, if I stay, who knows what you might do.”

Xu Xiuwen immediately swore, “Don’t worry, I swear, if you stay tonight and I do anything to you, I’m a beast!”

Seeing him swear, Cheng Lu believed him a bit more.

Xu Xiuwen noticed her wavering and played the emotional card. “Lulu, I haven’t seen you for a month. I really miss you. I just want to talk with you.”

After hesitating for a moment, Cheng Lu finally agreed. “Okay.”

Xu Xiuwen was overjoyed upon hearing this.

He happily hugged Cheng Lu and was about to kiss her when a cough suddenly sounded from behind.

Xu Xiuwen looked up to see An Shishi standing at the bathroom door, smiling at them.

Cheng Lu quickly pushed Xu Xiuwen away and, pretending to be calm, fiddled with her hair.

An Shishi walked over, noticing Xu Xiuwen’s injured lip.

Immediately, she deduced the cause of his injury.

While other girls might have ignored it, An Shishi asked knowingly, “Xu Xiuwen, what happened to your lip?”

Cheng Lu’s heart tightened at An Shishi’s question.

Xu Xiuwen shot An Shishi a glare and explained, “I accidentally bit it.”

“Oh, I see.” An Shishi blinked, clearly not believing him.

Xu Xiuwen said, “Shishi, it’s late. You should go back.”

An Shishi asked, “Is Cheng Lu not leaving?”

Xu Xiuwen nodded, “Yeah, we still have some things to talk about. You go ahead.”

Cheng Lu said nothing.

An Shishi bit her lip and shook her head. “Then I’ll stay too.”

“What for?”

“It’s late, and I’m scared to walk home alone. Are you really okay with me going back by myself?”

“I can drive you home, alright?”

An Shishi suddenly whined, “Oh, I’m too tired to walk. There are plenty of rooms here, let me stay for the night.”

“You want to stay over?” Xu Xiuwen didn’t actually mind An Shishi staying.

But with Cheng Lu present, he had to pretend as if he had no special relationship with An Shishi.

An Shishi sat beside Cheng Lu, holding her hand and pleading, “Cheng Lu, don’t worry, I won’t bother you two. I’ll just go to sleep and won’t know anything.”

Cheng Lu’s face turned red.

She turned and glared at Xu Xiuwen, who was confused.

Before he could speak, Cheng Lu said, “Shishi, don’t talk nonsense. We’re just chatting. If you want to stay, then stay.”

An Shishi grinned, “You’re the best.”

She hugged Cheng Lu, whose cheeks were still flushed.

Feeling a mix of shyness and agitation, Cheng Lu said calmly, “It really isn’t safe for you to go back this late.”

Xu Xiuwen interjected, “I can drive her; it won’t be unsafe.”

Cheng Lu immediately retorted, “It’s unsafe precisely because of you, you pervert.”

Xu Xiuwen was left speechless.

An Shishi laughed, her body shaking with mirth.

Since Cheng Lu had agreed to let An Shishi stay, Xu Xiuwen naturally wouldn’t object.

He stood up and walked towards the guest room, saying, “Stop laughing and come choose a room.”

An Shishi let go of Cheng Lu and stood up.

The Jiangning Huayuan apartment was a 5-bedroom, 2-living room, 2-bathroom, and 1-study layout.

Upon entering the door, there was a 16-square-meter foyer.

Above the foyer, on the northwest side, was a 9-square-meter small bedroom (A). Below the foyer was a 19-square-meter bedroom (B). To the east or right of the foyer was the 56-square-meter main hall, consisting of the kitchen, dining room, and living room.

The main hall had a corridor on the right side leading to the east. Along this corridor were a 9-square-meter bathroom, a 12.6-square-meter study, and a 15-square-meter bedroom (C). Below the corridor were a 20-square-meter bedroom (D) and a 30-square-meter master bedroom.

Notably, bedrooms B, the living room, and bedroom D shared a large 13-meter-long balcony, accessible from all three rooms through floor-to-ceiling sliding doors.

An Shishi, knowing the master bedroom was Cheng Lu’s, had already chosen her room on a previous visit.

She headed straight to bedroom D, adjacent to the master bedroom.

Cheng Lu didn’t follow, leaving Xu Xiuwen and An Shishi to enter bedroom D alone.