Rebirth Begins with Rejecting my Childhood Friend - Chapter 387
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- Chapter 387 - Who is Prettier?
Quickly, the sky began to drizzle.
The rainwater dripped through the gaps between the leaves, falling on each climber’s face.
Xu Xiuwen only realized it was raining when he felt the coolness on his face.
Neither he nor Jiang Ruoyu had brought an umbrella.
The two looked at each other and then shared a tacit smile.
“Let’s hurry up the mountain,” Xu Xiuwen said.
“Okay,” Jiang Ruoyu nodded.
They decided to quickly climb to the top of the mountain to seek shelter from the rain while it was still light.
Jiang Ruoyu was usually not an active or lively person.
She was more of a quiet type.
Her stamina was average, and after vomiting three times yesterday, she was slightly weak, though not ill.
After climbing a few steps, she became exhausted and couldn’t keep up with Xu Xiuwen’s pace.
“Wait a moment, I can’t move anymore,” Jiang Ruoyu gasped.
“I’ll carry you,” Xu Xiuwen said without hesitation, turning his back towards her.
Jiang Ruoyu was taken aback.
“There’s no need. It would be tiring for you to carry me up the mountain. Plus, with the rain, the steps are slippery. It’s not safe for you to carry me. Let’s find a tree to take shelter,” she suggested.
Xu Xiuwen thought for a moment and agreed.
He quickly scanned the surroundings and spotted a large tree that offered ample cover.
He pulled Jiang Ruoyu to the tree for shelter.
Suddenly, a cold wind blew.
Jiang Ruoyu shivered from the gust.
Xu Xiuwen, worried that Jiang Ruoyu might catch a cold from the wind, decided he had to do something.
He stepped forward, embracing Jiang Ruoyu from the front, using his arms and hands to shield her head.
He hoped to block the wind and rain with his body and share some warmth with her.
Jiang Ruoyu was stunned.
She looked up and met Xu Xiuwen’s eyes, seeing concern and worry reflected in them.
Her face flushed slightly.
She nodded slightly and leaned against Xu Xiuwen’s chest, becoming quiet.
Summer rain comes quickly and leaves just as fast.
The rain soon stopped.
Xu Xiuwen was a bit slow to react.
“Brother Xiuwen, the rain has stopped,” Jiang Ruoyu reminded softly.
“Oh.” Xu Xiuwen finally came to his senses and quickly stepped back.
They resumed their climb.
After a brief rest, Jiang Ruoyu had regained some strength, and they completed the remaining ascent smoothly.
Upon reaching the summit, the clouds dispersed, and the sky brightened.
Xu Xiuwen and Jiang Ruoyu arrived at the Tiananmen on the top of Langya Mountain.
From the observation deck, a clear world unfolded before their eyes.
“Xiao Yu, are you feeling better now?” Xu Xiuwen asked suddenly.
Jiang Ruoyu looked at him.
Xu Xiuwen’s hair and clothes were still slightly damp.
She recalled the moment when Xu Xiuwen had embraced her to shield her from the wind and rain.
“I’m fine,” Jiang Ruoyu said with a smile.
Xu Xiuwen turned to face her directly.
“Still trying to hide things? Auntie Gu told me you were vomiting due to stress. Can you tell me why you’re so stressed?”
Faced with Xu Xiuwen’s direct approach, Jiang Ruoyu didn’t know how to deny it.
She was silent for a moment, watching the wild birds fly past from the deck, then said, “I get very anxious thinking about the college entrance exams. I worry that I might not do well, and my mom has put in so much effort. If I don’t do well, I don’t know how I’ll face her.”
Xu Xiuwen suddenly smiled.
“Brother Xiuwen, why are you smiling?” Jiang Ruoyu asked.
Xu Xiuwen reached out and playfully tapped Jiang Ruoyu’s nose, teasing, “I’m smiling because you’re so cute.”
“Huh?” Jiang Ruoyu was completely caught off guard by Xu Xiuwen’s comment, and her face turned red instantly.
If any of Jiang Ruoyu’s classmates were present, they would be astonished to see her blush so easily, as she was usually quiet and aloof in school, rarely interacting with the boys in her class.
Xu Xiuwen continued, “What was your rank in the last exam?”
“First place!”
Although he already knew Jiang Ruoyu was a top student, hearing that she was first in the entire school still surprised him a little.
“Well, of course. You’re the top student in the school; why would you worry about not doing well?”
“But in the past, the top students didn’t do very well in the end.”
“That was them, not you. I believe you’ll do just fine. You’re Jiang Ruoyu, and I’ve watched you grow up. You never let us down in critical moments.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course.”
Jiang Ruoyu was reassured and felt a bit relieved.
“Xiao Yu, do you want to go to Bejing University?”
Jiang Ruoyu shook her head. “No, I don’t want to go to Bejing. I want to go to Jinling.”
“Which school are you thinking of applying to?”
“Jinling University of Political Science and Law…”
Xu Xiuwen laughed. “I didn’t realize our Xiao Yu wants to become a female lawyer or judge.”
“I haven’t decided yet. My mom doesn’t want me to study law.”
“It’s okay. As long as you want to study, I think Auntie Gu will eventually respect your decision.”
“Mm.”
“Haha…”
“Brother Xiuwen, why are you laughing?”
“I’m laughing because you’re so cute.”
Hearing Xu Xiuwen compliment her as cute once again made Jiang Ruoyu’s heart race.
“Why?”
“From what I know, the cutoff score for Jinling University of Political Science and Law is similar to that of Jiaotong University. With your grades, it’s a sure thing. Why worry about not doing well?”
Jiang Ruoyu felt enlightened.
As Xu Xiuwen said, the cutoff score for Jinling University of Political Science and Law wasn’t very high.
Her worst score in the past was still above this threshold.
She realized she had been overthinking and stressing herself unnecessarily.
She gave an awkward smile.
“Do you understand now?”
“Mm.”
“Still feeling pressured?”
“No.”
“That’s good. Alright, we’ve enjoyed the view enough. Let’s head down the mountain.”
Xu Xiuwen shivered from the cold wind and quickly said.
Jiang Ruoyu also noticed.
She felt a mix of emotions—moved and a bit guilty—because if it weren’t for taking care of him, Xu Xiuwen wouldn’t have had to get caught in the rain.
Xu Xiuwen noticed her thoughts.
He reached out and ruffled the girl’s hair, saying, “Don’t overthink it. It’s okay.”
“Mm.” Jiang Ruoyu nodded vigorously.
The two then headed down the mountain together.
When they returned to the neighborhood, Xu Xiuwen suggested, “Let me drop you off at home first. I’ll go home and change clothes.”
Jiang Ruoyu quickly stepped forward and tugged at Xu Xiuwen’s sleeve.
The girl shook her head and said softly, “Brother Xiuwen, I don’t want to go home.”
“Hmm?” Xu Xiuwen was taken aback.
She repeated her request and added, “I don’t want to be separated from you.”
“You’re really clingy, just like Youran.”
Jiang Ruoyu bit her lip and asked, “Is that not allowed?”
“It’s not that it’s not allowed…”
“Then I’ll stay with you today. You can’t leave me behind.”
“Haha, are you sticking to me now?”
“Mm!”
Looking at the girl’s determined eyes, Xu Xiuwen was unbothered.
He thought she was simply showing attachment and reluctance because they hadn’t seen each other for a long time.
“Alright, then you can come with me to my place. I’ll change my clothes,” he said.
“Okay, Brother Xiuwen,” Jiang Ruoyu replied.
So, Xu Xiuwen took Jiang Ruoyu back to his home.
Naturally, the house was empty.
Ning Wanqiu should be at school at this time.
Xu Xiuwen asked Jiang Ruoyu to wait in the living room while he ran to his bedroom to change clothes.
After changing, Jiang Ruoyu asked, “Brother Xiuwen, can I come into your room?”
“Sure, come on in,” Xu Xiuwen said, opening the door.
Jiang Ruoyu walked into the room and started looking around.
She slowly approached the desk and glanced at the items on it.
“Brother Xiuwen, where did the photo we took back then go?”
“Oh, that photo? I put it away,” Xu Xiuwen said, opening a drawer and retrieving a stack of photos.
It included graduation photos from elementary, middle, and high school.
He found a photo from Langya Mountain among them.
The photo showed him, Jiang Ruoyu, and Xiao Youran.
Jiang Ruoyu took the photo and carefully dusted off the surface.
Looking at the photo, Xu Xiuwen said, “Xiao Yu, they say girls change a lot as they grow up, but you haven’t changed at all.”
“Huh?” Jiang Ruoyu didn’t understand.
“Because you’ve always been so beautiful.”
Jiang Ruoyu finally understood what he meant.
Her heart skipped a beat.
“Sister Youran is also very beautiful.”
“Yeah, both of you are beautiful. Who would have thought that two stunning girls would come from our neighborhood?”
Jiang Ruoyu glanced up at Xu Xiuwen and said softly, “Brother Xiuwen, you’re handsome too.”
“Hahaha…”
Suddenly, Jiang Ruoyu asked, “Brother Xiuwen, I have a question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Do you think I’m prettier or Sister Youran?”
Xu Xiuwen was taken aback.
He hadn’t expected Jiang Ruoyu to ask such a question.
He remembered Xiao Youran had asked him the same question yesterday.
He thought that since Xiao Youran and Jiang Ruoyu had grown up together like sisters, they wouldn’t care about such things.
It surprised him that even close friends could be concerned about such matters.
Xu Xiuwen was about to say that Jiang Ruoyu was prettier.
But before he could speak, Jiang Ruoyu said, “Ah, I shouldn’t have asked. Sister Youran is definitely prettier.”
She sounded somewhat pitiful.
Xu Xiuwen didn’t mind and just smiled without responding.
Jiang Ruoyu put down the photo and sat down by the bed.
“Brother Xiuwen, what’s it like to be in college?”
“It’s not much different from high school, just with less supervision.”
Jiang Ruoyu said softly, “I really want to go to college.”
“In three months, you’ll be a college student.”
“Three months? That’s such a long time!”
Hearing this, Xu Xiuwen suddenly thought of something.
“Xiao Yu~”
“What is it, Brother Xiuwen?”
“How about I take you for a tour of the University of Political Science and Law? Would you like that?”
Jiang Ruoyu’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Really? Is that possible?”
“Of course.”
“Great! I’d love to go.”
Xu Xiuwen, who was straightforward, said, “Shall we go now?”
“Sure!”
“Ok!”
So Xu Xiuwen decided to leave right away.
He took Jiang Ruoyu downstairs, then found his car and drove straight to Jinling.
The journey was uneventful.
Before long, they arrived in Jinling.
Jiang Ruoyu suddenly said, “My dad is on a business trip to Jinling recently.”
“Is Uncle Jiang also in Jinling?”
“Yes, he’s been on a business trip for half a month and hasn’t come home. Mom is very angry and keeps saying he’s abandoned his family for his career.”
“Haha, it’s normal for men to focus on their careers.”
“Mm, that’s what I think too.”
“Brother Xiuwen, you’re really impressive. First, you became a big star in acting, and then you bought a winery and became a boss.”
“Hehe, it’s nothing much.”
Jiang Ruoyu shook her head. “It’s not nothing. Our teacher often talks about you, using you as a role model. She says you’re smart and bold, and she even says you might become the richest person in the country.”
“Haha… did your teacher really say that about me?”
“Mm, I’m telling the truth.”
“Well, your teacher must think highly of me, haha…”
“Brother Xiuwen, if you become the richest person in the country, would you ignore me?”
Xu Xiuwen released the gear lever, reached out to pat the girl’s head, and smiled. “Xiao Yu, you’re like my little sister. How could I ignore you?”
Jiang Ruoyu smiled upon hearing this.
Soon, they arrived near the university town.
Xu Xiuwen glanced at the time—it was almost 12 o’clock.
He turned to Jiang Ruoyu and said, “Let’s go to Jinling University of Political Science and Law in the afternoon. How about I take you out for lunch first?”
“Sure, I’ll follow whatever you say, Brother Xiuwen.”
“Our Xiao Yu is still so well-behaved. That’s why I liked you a bit more than Youran when we were kids.”
“What about now?”
“Now, I like you both the same.”
Jiang Ruoyu looked thoughtful.
Xu Xiuwen drove the car into Jiaotong University’s campus.
He suddenly turned to Jiang Ruoyu and said, “I’m going to introduce you to someone.”
“Is it Sister Youran?”
“Hmm, how did you know?”
“I saw the Jiaotong University gate just now.”
“Ah, you saw it.”
While chatting, Xu Xiuwen parked the car in a spot.
Then he took out his phone and called Xiao Youran.
The call was quickly answered.
On the other end of the line, there was a noisy sound.
“Hi, Xiao Xu.”
“It’s Youran. Where are you right now?”
“I’m at the cafeteria. Have you seen Xiao Yu? How is she?”
Xu Xiuwen glanced at Jiang Ruoyu beside him, hiding the fact that she was right next to him.
“She’s fine now.”
“That’s good.” Xiao Youran seemed relieved.
“Are you still at Xiao Yu’s place?”
Xu Xiuwen replied, “I’m back.”
“You’re back?” Xiao Youran was surprised, then pleased.
“Mm.”
“Where are you? I’ll come find you.”
“Actually, I’ll come find you. And I’ll give you a surprise.”
“You’re at Jiaotong University?” Xiao Youran immediately realized.
“Mm.”
“Then come quickly. I’m waiting for you at the cafeteria entrance.”
“Okay, I’ll be there soon.”
After hanging up the phone, Xu Xiuwen turned to Jiang Ruoyu and said, “Xiao Yu, let’s get out of the car. We’ll go to the cafeteria. It’s not the Jinling University of Political Science and Law cafeteria, but they’re all pretty similar.”
“Okay, Brother Xiuwen.”
The two of them got out of the car together.
Xu Xiuwen led Jiang Ruoyu toward the cafeteria.
Along the way, Jiang Ruoyu attracted the attention of many male students.
Everyone was surprised.
When did such a beauty appear in the school?
It didn’t seem like anyone had heard of her before.
Jiang Ruoyu, walking close to Xu Xiuwen, asked, “Brother Xiuwen, why are they looking at me like that?”
Xu Xiuwen laughed and said, “Don’t mind them. They’re just…”
“What are they?”
“Just ignore it.”
“Okay.”
They reached the entrance of the cafeteria.
From a distance, Xu Xiuwen spotted Xiao Youran standing at the door.
It was inevitable.
Xiao Youran was too beautiful.
She was like the moon in the pitch-black night, dazzling and captivating.
At this moment, Xiao Youran also noticed Xu Xiuwen.
“Xiao Xu~”
She called out excitedly.
Soon, she noticed the beautiful girl beside Xu Xiuwen.
Her expression changed to one of surprise and unease.
But when she saw the girl’s face clearly, she was instantly stunned.
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