Rebirth Begins with Rejecting my Childhood Friend - Chapter 519

After parting ways with Peng Pu, Xu Xiuwen took a taxi back to the hotel.

Returning to his room, he looked around at the empty space, and his heart suddenly sank.

He thought about what had happened last night.

He used to hear in TV dramas that people could lose control after drinking, but he never believed it.

He always thought that if someone was drunk, how could they still be in the mood for that kind of thing? It didn’t seem possible to even have a reaction.

But when it happened to him, he realized there was a reason why dramas portrayed it that way.

Some people, after getting drunk and having their judgment significantly impaired, could easily mistake someone for another.

And he was one of those people.

His body, strengthened after rebirth, remained fully functional, which led to something that never should have happened.

Xu Xiuwen wouldn’t use alcohol as an excuse to deny responsibility or push all the blame onto someone else.

That wasn’t the kind of person he was, nor would he ever be.

He would find Aunt Gu, sincerely apologize to her, ask for her forgiveness, and do everything he could to make amends.

But before that, he needed to give Aunt Gu some time—also giving himself some time—to let both of them adjust their emotions.

—

The next day, Xu Xiuwen took the newly signed contract and flew back to Jinling. By late afternoon, he returned to his home in Langya.

The house was empty, just as he had left it.

Ning Wanqiu’s school term had started half a month earlier than usual.

Thinking about how his own school would be starting soon as well, Xu Xiuwen suddenly felt a wave of emotion.

Time really was flying by too fast.

At the same time, he found himself missing his girl.

Even though they talked on the phone or texted every day, it still felt like they hadn’t connected in ages.

After getting home, he sat down at his computer, turned it on, and logged into QQ. He checked in on his group chat.

He rarely spoke in the group anymore.

Just as he entered, he saw the readers chatting about something funny.

He quietly sent a “Haha.”

But he was instantly spotted by sharp-eyed readers, and the chat exploded.

Everyone started tagging him, greeting him, and asking about the novel’s plot.

Xu Xiuwen replied, “I can’t reveal any spoilers, but thank you all for your support.”

Then, he went back to lurking.

His latest novel, Coffee Prince No. 1 Shop, had already been fully written within his limited time.

While he was away on his business trip, he had asked Lu Xinyao to help with scheduled updates.

Now, there was less than a week until the novel’s conclusion.

At most, it would be finished before school started.

With his current reputation and the novel’s engaging storyline, it had already earned him two million yuan in royalties.

But Xu Xiuwen wasn’t particularly interested in that amount anymore.

Just as he exited the group chat—

Knock, knock, knock…

Someone was at the door.

It wasn’t Ning Wanqiu—she had a key and wouldn’t need to knock.

Then who could it be?

Without overthinking it, Xu Xiuwen got up and walked over to open the door.

When the door opened—

Outside the door stood Xiao Youran, panting slightly.

It had been almost two months since Xu Xiuwen last saw her.

Today, she was wearing a blue loungewear set.

Even without makeup, her beauty wasn’t diminished—if anything, it made her look even more pure and innocent.

Combined with her tall figure, she was the definition of a “pure goddess.”

“Youran, what brings you here?”

Xiao Youran didn’t answer.

Her eyes suddenly turned red, and she said in an aggrieved tone, “Xiao Xu, you’re finally back… I missed you so much.”

“Why are you crying? Come here, let me hold you.”

Hearing that, Xiao Youran slowly stepped forward.

Xu Xiuwen immediately opened his arms and pulled her into his embrace.

Leaning against his chest, she asked, “Xiao Xu, did you miss me?”

Xu Xiuwen gently ruffled her hair. “Of course I did.”

Xiao Youran pouted, raised her fist, and lightly punched him. “Then why didn’t you come back?”

“I was busy.”

“Busy, busy, always busy… I don’t need you to be with me every day. I just wanted you to take a little time—just one meal with me would’ve been enough.”

“Well, I’m back now, aren’t I? Tonight, I’ll take you out for dinner. You can pick the place. No more crying, okay? My dear Youran.”

Xiao Youran quickly wiped away the few tears at the corners of her eyes and denied, “I wasn’t crying! I’m not a little girl.”

“Okay, okay, I must’ve seen wrong.”

Xiao Youran nodded but suddenly gasped.

“What’s wrong?”

She quickly reached out to cover his eyes. “Don’t look! I forgot to change my clothes.”

Xu Xiuwen gently took her soft, fair hands in his, looked into her eyes, and said softly, “It’s okay, you look beautiful.”

Hearing this, Xiao Youran finally calmed down.

Still unsure, she asked, “Really?”

“Some people rely on their outfits to look good, but you’re different. You make the outfit look good. I think you look amazing just like this. No wonder you’re my girlfriend—even in simple loungewear, you still have such grace.”

Xiao Youran let out a relieved sigh, her heart feeling as sweet as if she had just eaten candy.

“How did you know I was back?”

Xiao Youran giggled. “Did you forget? I’m in your book club chat too.”

“You saw me send just one message in the group and immediately knew I was back?”

“Hehe, I’m just that smart.”

Her playful tone made Xu Xiuwen chuckle.

He could almost picture Xiao Youran excitedly figuring out that he was home, rushing over in such a hurry that she forgot to change her clothes—or even her slippers.

That thought filled him with warmth.

Smiling, he reached out and ruffled her hair again.

Xiao Youran, like a content little cat, leaned into his touch with a look of pure enjoyment—showing no sign of annoyance at all.

Then, she asked, “Xiao Xu, now that you’re back… you’re not leaving again, right?”

“Uh…”

Xu Xiuwen knew exactly what she wanted to hear.

But he couldn’t lie.

He had already promised to take Tang Weiwei and An Shishi back to school.

That meant he needed to set aside at least four or five days.

In other words, he could only stay home until about the 25th.

And today was already the 23rd.

“I have some things to take care of in a couple of days. But for these two days, I’m all yours. We can do whatever you want.”

Hearing that he’d be leaving again soon, Xiao Youran was visibly disappointed.

But knowing that he was willing to spend the next two days with her, doing anything she wanted, made her happy again.

“You promised! These two days, you have to stay with me—no running off again.”

“Alright, I promise.”

“Hehe, Xiao Xu, you’re the best.”

Suddenly, something crossed Xiao Youran’s mind, and she asked, “Xiao Xu, have you already finished writing the ending of Coffee Prince No. 1 Shop?”

“Yeah, it’s done. Why?”

“Hehe, I want to read it first! Then I can brag about it in the group chat.”

“Why are you acting like a little kid? Bragging about something like this?”

“I just want to! Pleaseee, let me see it, Xiao Xu~” Xiao Youran tugged at his sleeve, pouting and acting cute.

As adorable as she was, Xu Xiuwen still couldn’t agree.

“I’d love to show you, but the manuscript is with my secretary. I don’t have it on my computer.”

“Ugh, how could this happen…” Xiao Youran looked disappointed.

But a second later, she brightened up again. “Never mind then! Xiao Xu, do you think I should change my hairstyle?”

“You want to do something with your hair?”

“Mm-hmm! I’m thinking about cutting it short.”

Xu Xiuwen was momentarily surprised, then he chuckled. “You’re not thinking of copying Eun-chan’s short hair, are you?”

Go Eun-chan was the heroine of his novel.

Xiao Youran hesitated for a second, then nodded, a little embarrassed.

“I’ll love you no matter what you look like, but honestly, I prefer your long hair. It’s so beautiful—if you cut it, I’d be the one feeling heartbroken.”

Hearing this, Xiao Youran beamed with joy.

She nodded and said, “Then I won’t cut it! But do you think I should get it permed instead? Xiaoxiao got a big wavy perm, and she looks completely different now!”

The “Xiaoxiao” she was referring to was Yang Xiaoxiao, her best friend from high school.

Xu Xiuwen raised an eyebrow. “Yang Xiaoxiao got a perm?”

“Mm-hmm! Xiao Xu, you wouldn’t believe it—she looks so good now! I almost didn’t recognize her when I saw her.”

“That dramatic of a change?”

“I swear, I’m not exaggerating!”

“Then she’s probably dating someone.”

“Huh? Why do you think that?”

“You know the saying—women dress up for those who admire them.”

“Then why didn’t she tell me?! I thought I was her best friend. This is so disappointing.”

“I’m just guessing—it might not be true.”

“No, I think you’re absolutely right.” Xiao Youran looked at him with admiration.

“Alright, stop worrying about other people. We should be focusing on ourselves.”

“Huh?” Xiao Youran blinked in confusion.

Xu Xiuwen glanced at his room, then playfully winked at her.

At first, she didn’t get it. But after a second, realization dawned, and her face turned bright red—like a freshly boiled shrimp.

“Xiao Xu! You’re so bad! You just got back, and that’s what you’re thinking about?”

“Haven’t you heard the saying—’good guys don’t get the girl’?” Xu Xiuwen teased. “If I weren’t a little bad, how would you love me so much?”

Xiao Youran rolled her eyes at him, but then she hooked her arm around his. “Be honest with me, Xiao Xu—did you come back just for that?”

Xu Xiuwen noticed that even though she was pretending to be indifferent, there was a hint of nervousness in her voice, and she was clutching his sleeve tightly.

With a gentle smile, he said, “Of course not. I love seeing you smile, I love chatting with you, I love holding your hand while we walk, I love taking you to eat delicious food, I love going shopping with you, I love hearing you call me ‘gege (Brother),’ and I love it when you act cute with me. That’s why I came back—to see you.”

A string of “likes”—seemingly weightless, yet carrying so much meaning.

Xiao Youran felt as if her heart was suddenly squeezed tight. It was hard to breathe, and her eyes welled up with moisture.

Xu Xiuwen noticed that after he finished speaking, Xiao Youran’s cheeks flushed red, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

She was moved.

He hadn’t expected her to be so easily affected.

There was indeed a difference between a girl and a woman.

Since there was no one else at home and nothing urgent to do, Xu Xiuwen wouldn’t mind getting a little closer to Xiao Youran right now.

But before he could act, Xiao Youran suddenly snapped back to reality.

She shook her head. “No, no! My mom knows I went out—if she notices something when I get back, I’m done for!”

As if worried that Xu Xiuwen might be disappointed or upset, she quickly grabbed his hand, shook it gently, and acted cute. “Xiao Xu, let’s wait until we’re back at school, okay?”

Xu Xiuwen wasn’t exactly desperate.

And with Xiao Youran sweetly pleading like that, what else could he say?

So he nodded.

Hearing his agreement, Xiao Youran beamed with happiness.

“Alright then, stop standing here—come inside my room.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Once inside, Xiao Youran suddenly gasped. “Ah! I forgot to change my shoes!”

Xu Xiuwen glanced down.

Xiao Youran had come in wearing slippers.

Slippers couldn’t fully cover her feet, and Xu Xiuwen had to admit—her feet were truly remarkable.

They might not be as dainty and delicate as Tang Weiwei’s, but among the girls he knew, they were definitely top-tier.

Her feet were smooth and fair, her toes adorable and crystal-clear, without a trace of calluses or rough skin.

She hadn’t applied any nail polish this time, but her toenails were neatly trimmed, perfectly shaped, and absolutely beautiful—like little pearls.

Looking at them, he couldn’t help but feel the urge to reach out and touch them.

Xu Xiuwen admitted that he liked them.

But he refused to admit he was that kind of guy.

Because honestly, even if someone wasn’t that kind, they would still appreciate such pretty feet.

Xiao Youran noticed Xu Xiuwen staring at her feet for a long time.

Her instinct was to hide them.

But there was nowhere to hide.

She pouted and scolded, “Xiao Xu, what are you doing?!”

Xu Xiuwen awkwardly rubbed his nose. “I was checking if the floor was dirty, wondering if I should clean it up.”

“Do you really think I’d believe that kind of lie? Am I that easy to fool?”

Since she didn’t believe him anyway, Xu Xiuwen decided to drop the act.

“Fine, I won’t pretend anymore. Let me touch them.”

Xiao Youran’s eyes widened in disbelief.

She looked at him as if she couldn’t believe he had just said something so shameless.

Quickly, she crossed her arms in front of her and nervously said, “Xiao Xu! If you bully me, I’ll tell Aunt Ning!”

Xu Xiuwen wasn’t afraid of much, but he was a little wary of Ning Wanqiu.

He let out a helpless chuckle. “Aren’t you a little too old to be tattling?”

“If you bully me, I’ll tattle!”

“How am I bullying you? You’re my girlfriend—it’s just a little touch, nothing more.”

Hearing him say “You’re my girlfriend”, Xiao Youran felt secretly overjoyed.

But she still pouted and said, “No way! Who knows if one touch will lead to something worse?”

“Fine, fine. I won’t touch them.”

Xu Xiuwen awkwardly touched his nose.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Youran saw his reaction and let out a giggle.

“Xiao Xu, do you really like my feet that much?”

“I don’t.” Xu Xiuwen had no intention of being labeled a pervert, so he shook his head without hesitation.

Xiao Youran pouted. “You’re lying. You clearly do.”

“I don’t like them.”

“You do!”

“I don’t.”

Seeing that Xu Xiuwen refused to admit it, Xiao Youran had no choice.

But suddenly, an idea flashed through her mind.

Carefully, she asked, “Xiao Xu, if you admit it, I’ll let you touch them.”

Xu Xiuwen glanced at Xiao Youran.

Thinking to himself—so, you’ve learned to use seduction now?

Still, he shook his head and said, “Even then, I won’t admit it.”

“Aww, just admit it! You obviously like them. Why won’t you admit it? And my feet are so pretty!”

Xiao Youran wiggled her fair little feet in front of Xu Xiuwen.