Rebirth Begins with Rejecting my Childhood Friend - Chapter 500

Xu Xiuwen said, “I went to meet Ji Yan not because I have feelings for her. Even if you don’t trust my character, you should at least trust my taste, right? Only a girl like you, with such exceptional beauty and charm, could catch my interest.”

His flattery came pouring out.

Although Lu Xinyao wasn’t completely charmed by it, her mood improved quite a bit.

“Then why did you go to meet her?”

Xu Xiuwen explained, “I’m interested in her as a professional.”

“Oh, isn’t that the same thing?”

“You’re so impatient. Fine, I’ll be straightforward. I want to recruit her to my distillery.”

“What?” Lu Xinyao widened her eyes and looked at Xu Xiuwen.

“You heard me. It’s not easy for Guangming Distillery to break into the Jinling and even Jiangsu province’s liquor markets. I need someone to help me. Ji Yan is the marketing manager at Shuanghe Distillery. She has extensive connections and experience. She might be able to help me.”

After hearing this explanation, Lu Xinyao no longer had any doubts.

She realized she had misunderstood Xu Xiuwen.

But could she be blamed? Who wouldn’t be suspicious after seeing Xu Xiuwen acting a little too familiar with Ji Yan at the dinner table last night?

“Do you think she’d be willing to help you?”

“I haven’t asked her about it yet. Let’s wait and see. I’ll decide whether to invite her after I see the results.”

Lu Xinyao didn’t ask what results he was referring to.

She knew that Xu Xiuwen kept many things from her.

Though she was Xu Xiuwen’s secretary, she was only his secretary at Wenfei Film and Media.

As for Xu Xiuwen’s secretary at the distillery, that was Xu Qian.

As for why Xu Xiuwen took her to last night’s dinner instead of Xu Qian, the reason was simple—it was probably just convenient.

In any case, Xu Xiuwen’s explanation put Lu Xinyao’s doubts and dissatisfaction to rest.

From her subtle expressions, Xu Xiuwen could tell her mood had changed.

Smiling, Xu Xiuwen asked, “Not mad anymore, right?”

Lu Xinyao wanted to deny it, to say she wasn’t mad in the first place.

But such a claim wouldn’t be credible.

Her words and actions just now had clearly shown that she was angry.

Denying it now would fool no one.

Pretending to stay calm, Lu Xinyao said, “Why would I bother getting mad at you? Do what you like.”

Xu Xiuwen didn’t mind.

Women, after all, often say one thing but mean another.

As long as their actions are honest, it’s fine.

Dining in a Western restaurant is considered romantic by many girls.

The restaurant they were currently in was quite well-known in Jinling.

It was usually busy, and good tables often needed to be reserved in advance.

As the sky darkened, the city lights outside began to sparkle in a kaleidoscope of colors.

Since the restaurant was on the ninth floor, Xu Xiuwen had deliberately chosen a window seat.

Through the floor-to-ceiling glass, they had a panoramic view of Jinling’s nighttime cityscape.

Although Lu Xinyao wouldn’t admit that she liked it, the faint smile on her lips betrayed her satisfaction.

While dining, Xu Xiuwen played the role of a considerate “jerk,” tending to Lu Xinyao’s every need.

Xu Xiuwen even went as far as cutting the steak himself and swapping plates with Lu Xinyao, saving her the trouble of doing it herself.

Lu Xinyao was caught off guard by his attentiveness, but more than that, she found herself gradually falling into the gentle world Xu Xiuwen was weaving for her.

After dinner, since it was still early, Xu Xiuwen suggested going to a movie.

This was the kind of thing couples typically did, something he had never done with Lu Xinyao before. After all, their relationship had always been that of boss and secretary.

But things were different now.

If Lu Xinyao was indeed pregnant, then the child she carried was also his child.

A child was a bond, one that tied Xu Xiuwen and Lu Xinyao closer together.

Xu Xiuwen had even thought it through: if she truly wanted to keep the baby, even though it would complicate matters, he would agree.

He would do his best to provide both Lu Xinyao and the child with a safe and comfortable environment to grow.

However, Lu Xinyao declined his suggestion to see a movie.

After leaving the restaurant, she seemed a little tired and said she wanted to go back to her dorm to rest.

Considering the possibility that she might be pregnant, Xu Xiuwen couldn’t insist, so he drove her back.

When the car stopped in front of the company dormitory, Lu Xinyao unbuckled her seatbelt, ready to get out and head upstairs.

Xu Xiuwen also unbuckled his seatbelt, clearly intending to go up with her.

Seeing this, Lu Xinyao stopped and asked, “What are you doing?”

“Going up,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Why are you going up?”

“You said you were going to take the test tonight. I’ll go up and keep you company.”

Lu Xinyao immediately rolled her eyes. “Why would I need you there for that? Besides, what if Xiaomi sees you upstairs? How am I supposed to explain that?”

“So I shouldn’t go up?”

“You should go home. Do you plan to keep occupying my room every day?”

“Fine, but make sure you tell me the results as soon as you know.”

“I will.”

With that, Lu Xinyao extended her hand toward him.

“What?”

“The pregnancy test stick,” she whispered.

“Oh, right. My bad.”

Xu Xiuwen let out an awkward laugh, then took the test stick—still warm from being carried in his pocket—out of his jacket.

When Lu Xinyao saw that he had been carrying it so close to him, she was speechless.

Who in their right mind carries a pregnancy test stick on their person like that? Wasn’t that just… creepy?

Shaking her head, she took the test stick and turned to go upstairs.

Watching her disappear into the building, Xu Xiuwen started his car and drove away from the complex.

Just as he exited the gate, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen—it was a call from Li Ke.

It had been some time since he last saw Li Ke, not since the time he had been hospitalized.

What could Li Ke want, calling him so late at night?

Surely she wasn’t calling to ask about math problems or get an English lesson, right?

Without overthinking it, Xu Xiuwen pressed the answer button.

The call connected.

Li Ke’s crisp voice came through the receiver.

“Teacher Xu, are you busy right now?”

“I’m not. Where are you?”

The background noise was loud and chaotic. Xu Xiuwen could tell she wasn’t at home.

Thinking of Li Ke’s rebellious nature, he frowned. Whether it was his role as her tutor or his relationship with Li Haimei, he felt responsible for reminding Li Ke not to mess around.

“Ah, Teacher Xu, I’m at a KTV.”

“Didn’t you promise me you wouldn’t go to KTV or hang out with those troublemakers? How long has it been, and you’ve already forgotten?”

Hearing her admit she was at a KTV, Xu Xiuwen felt his temper flare.

Li Ke, caught off guard by his tone, was both surprised and a little touched.

Though his voice was louder and his tone stricter, she could sense the concern behind it.

For someone like Li Ke, who had craved care and attention all her life, this meant a lot.

Softly, she said, “Teacher Xu, don’t be angry. I always keep my promises. Today’s my good friend’s birthday, so I came to celebrate with her. I even asked my mom for permission before coming. She agreed, so that’s why I’m here.”

Hearing this, Xu Xiuwen’s anger subsided.

“Alright then, but don’t stay out too late. Go home early.”

“Oh, Teacher Xu, it’s still the holidays. Can’t I stay out a little longer? Don’t worry, I’m with classmates. Nothing will happen.”

After thinking it over, Xu Xiuwen realized she had a point. It was summer break, after all, and it was her good friend’s birthday. Forcing her to go home early might be too harsh.

“Fine, but don’t turn off your phone. Call me immediately if anything happens.”

“Got it, Teacher Xu. I’ll listen to you.”

“Alright. Anything else?”

“Teacher Xu, you still haven’t answered my question.”

“What question?”

Then he remembered.

“No, I’m not busy. I was just planning to go home and sleep. Why?”

“Hehe, Teacher Xu, if you’re free, can you come over?”

“Come over?”

“Uh-huh.”

“It’s your classmate’s birthday. I don’t know anyone there. What would I do there?”

“Who said you don’t know anyone? You do!”

“I do?”

“Yep!”

With her reminder, two people popped into Xu Xiuwen’s mind.

Those twin sisters—one was named Chen Shuwan, and the other Chen Shumi.

“I remember now. The twins, right?”

“Teacher Xu, you still remember them?”

Xu Xiuwen thought to himself: Who could forget twin sisters like that?

Wait, no, it’s just that my memory is that good. How could I possibly forget?

“Yeah, I remember them. Two very pretty girls.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the line went silent for a few seconds.

Then he heard Li Ke say, “Mier, Waner, I told you, didn’t I? Teacher Xu definitely remembers you.”

It sounded like she was talking to the people around her.

From what she said.

The words he had just spoken had clearly been heard by others.

Xu Xiuwen immediately realized that Li Ke had put the call on speaker.

This Li Ke…
She didn’t even bother to tell him the call was on speaker.

Xu Xiuwen fell silent.

At that moment, Li Ke’s voice came through the phone again.

“Mier, Waner, say hello to Teacher Xu.”

The next second—

“Hello, Teacher Xu.”
“Hi.”

Two similar yet distinctly different female voices sounded one after the other.

The first voice was soft and gentle, carrying a certain warmth.

Immediately, Xu Xiuwen’s mind conjured the image of a shy girl who had glanced at him once before quickly lowering her head.

Chen Shuwan. That was her name.

The second voice, on the other hand, was noticeably colder and more casual.

Xu Xiuwen instantly thought of the girl with a calm, distant expression—a girl who clearly had a more independent and headstrong personality: Chen Shumi.

These thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

Xu Xiuwen quickly replied, “Hello to both of you. Li Ke told me it’s your birthday. Happy birthday! I hope you have a wonderful time.”

Li Ke chimed in, “Teacher Xu, saying it over the phone doesn’t seem very sincere. If you really mean it, you should say it in person.”

Xu Xiuwen didn’t respond immediately.

He hesitated, unsure whether to agree or decline.

After all, he had nothing else to do tonight. He had only planned to go home and sleep.

It didn’t seem like going over would hurt.

At that moment, Chen Shuwan’s voice came through the speaker again.

“Teacher Xu, we haven’t cut the cake yet. If you come over, there’ll still be cake for you!”

What a sweet, innocent girl.

Xu Xiuwen thought to himself: Cake might be tempting for girls with a sweet tooth like you, but it doesn’t interest me in the slightest.

Still, Chen Shuwan’s voice was as soothing as a gentle spring breeze.

And now that one of the girls had spoken directly, it was hard to refuse.

After hesitating for a moment, Xu Xiuwen relented.

“Alright, I’ll head over now.”

“Haha! Teacher Xu, we’re in Room 001 at XXX KTV. Hurry up—we’re waiting for you to cut the cake!” Li Ke said happily.

“Got it.”

After hanging up, Xu Xiuwen started driving toward the KTV.

When he arrived, a staff member quickly approached to assist him.

After Xu Xiuwen mentioned the room number, the male staff member respectfully led him to the designated room.

Xu Xiuwen had assumed that Li Ke and the twin sisters would only book a medium-sized room for the birthday celebration, inviting maybe three or four close friends.

But when he arrived, he realized he was completely wrong.

Room 001 was the largest and most luxurious private room in the entire KTV.

When the door opened, Xu Xiuwen glanced inside and was immediately stunned.

The room was massive, at least an eighth the size of a football field.

It was fully equipped with everything you could imagine, including a stage right in the center.

The setup reminded Xu Xiuwen of Room 888 in Fei City from last time—nearly the same level of extravagance.

In addition to the grand room, there were also a lot of people inside.

A quick glance revealed the place was packed with girls.

Here and there, a few boys were scattered among them.

Even if the entire class didn’t show up, it was probably close enough.

And with such a large private room, the cost had to be significant.

Xu Xiuwen wondered whether the twin sisters were footing the bill, or if everyone had chipped in.

But either way, it seemed too extravagant and wasteful.

While Xu Xiuwen was lost in these thoughts, Li Ke spotted him.

The lively girl immediately sprang to her feet, quickly walking over and cheerfully calling out, “Teacher Xu, you’re here!”

Li Ke reached Xu Xiuwen’s side, without any hesitation, linked her arm through his, and pulled him into the room.

Xu Xiuwen was pulled along by her and led toward the sofa.

As they walked, his eyes scanned the group of girls lounging on the couch.

They were all very pretty—some with an innocent look, others with a cute appearance, and some exuding unique personalities.

But one thing they all had in common was a vibrant, youthful energy.

It was dazzling.

At that moment, all the girls’ gazes turned toward him.

Being watched by so many girls at once didn’t faze Xu Xiuwen.

He cleared his throat, adjusting his expression to appear calm, mature, and composed.

Then he waved his hand and greeted everyone, “Hello, everyone.”

“Hello, Teacher Xu!”

The girls all said in unison.

The synchronized greeting left Xu Xiuwen momentarily stunned.

But he quickly realized that Li Ke must have introduced him to them before he arrived.

After all, a “tutor” is still a “teacher.”

So it wasn’t too surprising that the girls addressed him as “teacher.”

Still, the situation gave Xu Xiuwen a strange feeling, as though he had truly become a teacher, and the lively girls before him were his students.

After the greetings, Li Ke led Xu Xiuwen to sit on the sofa.

The sofa in the private room was a long, U-shaped couch, spanning at least ten meters.

Where Li Ke led him to sit, one of the twin sisters was already seated next to her.

But Xu Xiuwen couldn’t tell if it was Chen Shuwan or Chen Shumi.

The other twin was nowhere to be seen.

Xu Xiuwen guessed that the other girl might have gone to the bathroom.