Rebirth Begins with Rejecting my Childhood Friend - Chapter 380
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- Chapter 380 - Aunt Zhang Catches Them.
Xiao Youran is new to the game, and Xu Xiuwen is indeed extraordinary.
So her every move always caused her brows to frown slightly, just like the delicate and frail Lin Daiyu.
Xu Xiuwen felt very distressed when he saw this.
But he suddenly reacted.
If Xiao Youran went to class like this, anyone who paid a little attention would notice that something was wrong with her.
Cheng Lu had also experienced this step, so she could probably guess what Xiao Youran had experienced last night, and then guess who she was with.
In that case, their relationship would naturally be exposed.
Therefore, Xiao Youran could not be allowed to go to class.
At least, she shouldn’t go until her body had fully recovered.
Soon, the hotel sent up two breakfasts.
After Xu Xiuwen and Xiao Youran finished their morning routines, they had breakfast in the room.
The hotel’s breakfast was exquisite and luxurious, more than ample as a main meal, and its taste went without saying.
After they finished breakfast, Xu Xiuwen suddenly said, “Youran~”
“Hm?”
“I’ll take you home later.”
“Ah?” Xiao Youran was taken aback.
“Today is the Dragon Boat Festival. Since you’ve taken a leave anyway, it’s just right to go back and spend the holiday with your uncle and aunt.”
Xiao Youran didn’t know Xu Xiuwen’s true intentions, so she agreed without much thought.
“Xiao Xu, what about you? Will you go back to spend the holiday with Aunt Ning?”
“Mm.”
“I see. So when will we leave?”
“Let’s rest a bit first before heading out.”
“Okay.”
After resting for a while, Xu Xiuwen took Xiao Youran downstairs to check out.
It’s worth mentioning that Xiao Youran experienced this for the first time last night.
Xu Xiuwen had known this for a long time, so seeing the plum blossom mark on the bed was completely within his expectations.
Xu Xiuwen took the opportunity to indulge in his habit of collecting bed linens.
Before checking out, he cut out the plum blossom mark from the bedsheet.
Xiao Youran watched from the side while he was cutting the bedsheet.
She didn’t understand Xu Xiuwen’s purpose for doing this.
Her face turned red, her heart raced, and she wanted to stop him but felt too embarrassed to speak up.
At checkout, Xiao Youran casually asked about the price of the presidential suite.
Upon learning that it cost 5,000 yuan for one night, Xiao Youran felt a bit of a sting about the money.
But then she was deeply moved.
She wasn’t naive.
The fact that Xu Xiuwen took her straight upstairs without a hotel room step meant he had booked the room in advance.
Moreover, the heart-shaped rose pattern and the bouquet of roses prepared in the room showed it was all carefully planned by him.
The expensive price of the room was not why Xiao Youran was moved; it was Xu Xiuwen’s thoughtfulness that touched her.
Faced with Xiao Youran’s emotions, Xu Xiuwen said nothing.
He only thought she was silly for being so moved by such a small thing.
He knew the preciousness of her first time from last night.
In Xu Xiuwen’s eyes, Xiao Youran’s first time was priceless.
Leaving the hotel, Xu Xiuwen drove Xiao Youran back to Langya.
He dropped her off downstairs at her home.
Xiao Youran didn’t get out of the car for a long time.
When Xu Xiuwen looked at her with confusion, he saw that her eyes were filled with tears.
“Why are you crying? Don’t cry, don’t cry. If anyone is bullying you, tell me, and I’ll teach them a lesson.”
Xiao Youran shook her head and said, “No one is bullying me.”
“Then why are you crying?”
“I just can’t help it when I think about not seeing you again later. I’m sorry, Xiao Xu. Am I being very shameful?”
Xu Xiuwen was momentarily stunned upon hearing this.
Then he suddenly smiled.
He reached out, pulling the girl into his arms, gently stroking her hair, and comforted her, “Silly girl, there’s nothing shameful about it. You’re reluctant to part with me, and actually, I’m reluctant to part with you too.”
“Really?” Xiao Youran’s eyes brightened with joy.
“Mm.”
“Xiao Xu, let’s not part ways, okay? I don’t want to go home. I want to be with you always.”
Seeing the hopeful look in Xiao Youran’s eyes, Xu Xiuwen found it hard to refuse.
He hesitated.
Today, he was quite relaxed with no pressing matters, so staying with Xiao Youran wasn’t an issue.
As long as Xiao Youran didn’t go to school and get discovered by Cheng Lu, he was fine with it.
Just as he was about to agree, suddenly there was a knock on the car window.
The unexpected sound jolted both of them inside the car.
The noise came from the passenger side.
They both looked out the window and saw a woman standing outside.
It was Xiao Youran’s mother, Zhang Ruoshu.
The two of them, like teenagers caught in a romantic encounter by their parents, immediately tensed up and then quickly separated.
Xiao Youran lowered her head, not daring to face her mother.
Xu Xiuwen, however, quickly composed himself.
He rolled down the window and calmly greeted, “Aunt Zhang.”
Zhang Ruoshu had clearly seen the scene of them embracing just now but chose not to comment.
Hearing Xu Xiuwen’s greeting, Zhang Ruoshu gave a slight nod with a neutral expression.
Xiao Youran, still keeping her head down, murmured, “Mom~”
“Xiao Xu, why are you and Youran here? Shouldn’t you be at school?” Zhang Ruoshu asked.
Xu Xiuwen immediately explained, “Aunt Zhang, it’s the Dragon Boat Festival today. Youran came back to spend the holiday with you.”
“Mm-hmm.” Xiao Youran nodded vigorously.
Zhang Ruoshu didn’t seem suspicious of this explanation.
“Then why aren’t you coming up?” Zhang Ruoshu asked.
Xu Xiuwen smiled faintly and said, “I’ll stay down here. I’m just dropping Youran off and will head back home later.”
Zhang Ruoshu responded, “Wanqiu should still be at school. There’s no one cooking at your place, so why don’t you come over for lunch?”
Upon hearing her mother’s invitation, Xiao Youran’s mood brightened.
If Xu Xiuwen came to their house for lunch, she wouldn’t have to be separated from Xu Xiuwen and would be happier.
Fearful that Xu Xiuwen might refuse, Xiao Youran stared at him nervously, her eyes full of hope.
“Uh, okay,” Xu Xiuwen said.
Although Xu Xiuwen had spent the night with Xiao Youran, Zhang Ruoshu didn’t know that.
Still, facing her made him feel pressured.
Yet, unable to refuse Xiao Youran’s hopeful gaze, he finally agreed.
“Aunt Zhang, I’ll head home for a bit first.”
“Mm, I understand,” Zhang Ruoshu said and turned to leave.
“Youran, you go ahead. I’ll come up shortly,” Xu Xiuwen said.
“Make sure you come right away,” Xiao Youran reminded him anxiously.
“Mm, don’t worry,” Xu Xiuwen assured her.
With Xu Xiuwen’s assurance, Xiao Youran got out of the car and headed upstairs.
Xu Xiuwen sat in the car, watching the mother and daughter go upstairs.
It had been a while since he had seen Aunt Zhang.
She was still as captivating as ever.
Zhang Ruoshu was wearing a black double-breasted dress with a deep V-cross neckline and a lace camisole underneath.
Her mature figure accentuated the neckline, making it very eye-catching with its contrast of white and black.
The short skirt barely covered her voluptuous hips, and her black silk stockings did little to conceal her snow-white legs.
The combination of black and white exuded a deep, seductive allure.
Zhang Ruoshu’s calm expression only added to her cold yet alluring beauty, making it hard to ignore.
However, Xu Xiuwen remained mindful of her identity and kept his thoughts in check.
He simply watched the woman ascend the stairs with an appreciative gaze.
After the mother and daughter had both gone upstairs, Xu Xiuwen turned his car around and headed home.
Once home, Xu Xiuwen moved a box of new vintage liquor from the Guangming Distillery into his car.
He then made a trip to a nearby store to buy a few gifts.
He drove back to the Xiao family’s building.
Xu Xiuwen parked the car and carried the recently bought gifts and liquor upstairs.
Arriving at Xiao Youran’s door, he rang the doorbell.
Xiao Youran, as if she had been waiting behind the door, immediately opened it.
“Xiao Xu, you’re here!” Xiao Youran said with delight.
“Why did you bring so many things?” she asked.
Xu Xiuwen smiled faintly and replied, “It’s the holiday, after all.”
Xiao Youran pouted, “You’re being too formal.”
Xu Xiuwen set down the gifts, changed into slippers, then gently patted Xiao Youran’s head and said softly, “It’s not being formal. Don’t overthink it.”
“Alright,” Xiao Youran said, calming down like a cat that had been petted.
Having had the experience of a previous meal, Xu Xiuwen did not offer to help in the kitchen, though he made polite conversation.
After being polite, Xu Xiuwen sat on the sofa and started watching TV.
Xiao Youran, feeling embarrassed after being caught embracing Xu Xiuwen in the car by her mother, was reluctant to watch TV alone with him and wanted to make a good impression. So she actively went to the kitchen to help.
As dish after dish was brought to the table, the aroma of the food filled the entire room.
Ning Wanqiu arrived right on time.
The four of them sat around the table, enjoying the Dragon Boat Festival lunch and the festive atmosphere.
After lunch, Xu Xiuwen received a phone call.
It was from an unfamiliar number.
Xu Xiuwen was hesitating whether to answer when Xiao Youran, curious, asked why he wasn’t picking up.
Xu Xiuwen decided to answer the call.
Upon connecting, a cold voice came through the receiver.
It sounded somewhat familiar, but he couldn’t place it immediately.
“Is this Xu Xiuwen?”
“Who is this…?” Xu Xiuwen asked.
“Come to the city government building this afternoon!” The woman said calmly before abruptly hanging up the phone, decisively and firmly.
The abruptness of it left Xu Xiuwen bewildered.
“What’s wrong, Xu Xiuwen?” Xiao Youran’s voice brought him back to reality.
Xu Xiuwen forced a chuckle, “It’s nothing.”
“Who was that just now?” Xiao Youran asked, noticing his clear discomfort.
Seeing Ning Wanqiu and Aunt Zhang also looking curiously, Xu Xiuwen explained, “The deputy mayor wants me to visit the city government this afternoon. It’s probably about something.”
Upon hearing “deputy mayor,” everyone naturally assumed it referred to the city government of Langya City.
After all, the Guangming Distillery’s reopening had previously invited the deputy mayor.
Thus, the women found it reasonable that Xu Xiuwen would have contact with the deputy mayor and didn’t suspect anything unusual.
Only Xu Xiuwen knew the call had come from a woman’s voice.
He realized only after the call ended that it was Li Haimei’s voice.
Xu Xiuwen was unsure why Li Haimei was looking for him and was annoyed by her abrupt hang-up.
However, after thinking it over, Xu Xiuwen decided to meet with Li Haimei.
After all, she was not someone insignificant.
Even though he had been forceful and domineering with her that night, reality was different.
Her influence was beyond his comparison.
Xu Xiuwen had made up his mind.
He glanced at Xiao Youran and then said to Ning Wanqiu, “Mom, I’m going to the city government building later.”
Ning Wanqiu nodded gently, “I understand. I’m feeling a bit tired myself. I’ll take a nap.”
“Alright, let’s go together then,” Xu Xiuwen said.
He turned to Xiao Youran and smiled, “Youran, you stay home and rest for the next couple of days. I have something to take care of, so I’ll leave now.”
“Okay,” Xiao Youran said reluctantly.
Despite her reluctance, she knew Xu Xiuwen had important matters to attend to.
Although she wanted to say more, she ended up saying nothing.
Aunt Zhang reminded him, “Drive safely.”
“Okay, thanks for your concern, Aunt Zhang,” Xu Xiuwen replied.
Then, Xu Xiuwen left with his mother.
He drove Ning Wanqiu to the building’s entrance.
After parking the car, Ning Wanqiu didn’t immediately get out.
Xu Xiuwen turned to her and said, “Mom, you seem to have lost some weight recently.”
Ning Wanqiu smiled faintly, “Have I?”
“Yeah. Are you working too hard? Ah, your son is earning good money now. You don’t need to work so hard.”
Ning Wanqiu shook her head lightly, “It’s not about the money. They’re about to take the college entrance exams soon. I need to put in more effort during this last stretch.”
Hearing “college entrance exams” made Xu Xiuwen pause for a moment.
“Yes, the exams are just a few days away,” Xu Xiuwen said, a bit dazed.
In less than a year, his life had changed dramatically since his rebirth.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing,” Xu Xiuwen said with a forced smile, brushing it off.
“Remember to be cautious and reserved when you meet the officials. Don’t be too flashy.”
“Mom, you don’t need to worry about that. I know what I’m doing.”
“Alright, I won’t bother you. I’ll go up for a nap now.”
“I’ll come back to spend time with you when I have some free time.”
“No need. I’m not at the stage where I need someone to keep me company,” Ning Wanqiu said with a laugh, opening the car door and getting out.
Once Ning Wanqiu was out of sight, Xu Xiuwen restarted the car.
After an hour’s drive, Xu Xiuwen arrived outside the city government building.
He parked the car, took out his phone, and called Li Haimei.
After waiting for half a minute, the call was finally answered.
Before Xu Xiuwen could say anything, Li Haimei’s voice came through, “Wait.”
Then she hung up the phone abruptly.
Xu Xiuwen looked at his phone, puzzled and somewhat speechless.
Was she that busy?
Too busy to even take a call?
He got out of the car and walked slowly to the entrance of the city government building.
Before long, a young woman emerged.
“Are you Mr. Xu Xiuwen?” she asked.
Xu Xiuwen turned to see a woman in her twenties standing not far away.
She stood straight, with smooth, shiny black hair tied back into a ponytail, revealing her smooth forehead and fair neck.
Her features were exceptionally refined, with bright, confident black eyes.
She wore a white blouse, gray dress pants, and black leather high heels, with beige stockings.
The outfit enhanced her sophisticated and composed aura, exuding an air of competence and poise.
“Yes, that’s me,” Xu Xiuwen said.
The woman immediately smiled, her sweet smile like a spring breeze, warming everyone who saw it.
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