Rebirth Begins with Rejecting my Childhood Friend - Chapter 520

A moment ago, she was unwilling to let Xu Xiuwen touch her.
Now, she’s begging Xu Xiuwen to admit it instead.
A girl’s thoughts—boy, don’t try to guess.
No matter how much you try, you’ll never figure them out.

Xu Xiuwen glanced at her and said, “If you want me to admit it, fine. But you have to agree to one condition.”
“What condition?”

Afraid of being overheard by some eavesdropping pervert, Xu Xiuwen leaned close to Xiao Youran’s ear and whispered something.
Xiao Youran’s face instantly turned red.

“No way, no way,” she waved her hands repeatedly.
But seeing Xu Xiuwen remain silent, she hesitated.

“Is it really necessary?”

Xu Xiuwen still didn’t say anything.

Xiao Youran’s initial reluctance started to waver more and more.
“Then… fine.” She lowered her head, her face blushing as she agreed.

Hearing her consent, Xu Xiuwen let out a smug laugh.
Then he proceeded to unbuckle his belt.

Xiao Youran, face flushed and heart racing, reminded him, “Xiao Xu, the curtains~~”

…

After everything was over, Xu Xiuwen and Xiao Youran lay on the bed.
Xu Xiuwen felt utterly satisfied.
Xiao Youran lay facing the other direction, her back to him.

Seeing this, Xu Xiuwen pulled Xiao Youran into his arms from behind.
He cupped her chin with his hand and gently but firmly turned her face toward him.
Then, pressing his lips to hers, he kissed her deeply.

Xiao Youran’s face turned scarlet, and she seemed slightly dazed.
At this moment, if Xu Xiuwen asked for more, Xiao Youran probably wouldn’t refuse.

But Xu Xiuwen wasn’t that greedy.
He released her willingly and lay down on his side.

Burying his face in Xiao Youran’s long, dark hair, he took in a gentle sniff.
A faint fragrance filled his nose.

Xiao Youran gradually calmed down.
She pouted coquettishly, “Xiao Xu, you’re so bad. You always bully me.”
“I can’t help it. I just like you too much.”

Hearing this, Xiao Youran’s heart thumped wildly.
Sweetness bloomed in her chest, spreading through her entire body.

But the tender atmosphere didn’t last long.
Xiao Youran suddenly remembered something.

She turned to face Xu Xiuwen, looking into his eyes, and asked, “Xiao Xu, I have a question for you.”
Xu Xiuwen didn’t think much of it. “Go ahead.”

His straightforwardness made Xiao Youran hesitate.
After a few seconds of indecision, she finally spoke up, “What’s your relationship with Xiaoyu?”

Xu Xiuwen froze.
He hadn’t expected her to ask this.

He could only feign ignorance. “What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said,” Xiao Youran pouted.

“Well, how do you want me to answer?”
“You tell me. If you really like Xiaoyu, I won’t say anything.”

Though her words sounded indifferent, Xiao Youran was already looking aggrieved, like she might start crying any second.

“Don’t get upset yet. What did Xiaoyu say to you?”
“She said she likes you, you like her too, and that you’ve already agreed to be with her. She asked if I was okay with it.”

“Do you believe her?”

Xiao Youran stared into his eyes, hesitated for a few seconds, then said, “I do.”

Xu Xiuwen: “…”

“You’ve always been a player, Xiao Xu. Xiaoyu’s beautiful, talented, and so smart—you’re bound to like her.”

Xu Xiuwen: “…”

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“You’ve said everything there is to say. What else can I add?”

Hearing this, Xiao Youran felt a pang of sadness, and her eyes began to redden.
“Don’t be upset just yet. Listen to me first.”
“Go ahead,” Xiao Youran said, holding onto the last shred of hope as she looked at Xu Xiuwen.

“Let me ask you—do you like Xiaoyu?”
Xiao Youran instinctively nodded.

“Exactly. My feelings for her are the same as yours. I see her as a little sister.”

Then Xu Xiuwen recounted his conversation with Jiang Ruoyu from before the college entrance exams.
“Now do you understand what’s going on?”

Xiao Youran listened quietly but only responded with, “You used to say you saw me as a little sister too.”

Xu Xiuwen was momentarily at a loss for words.
But the next second, Xiao Youran said, “So what you’re saying is, Xiaoyu forced you to agree, but you didn’t actually agree?”

“Exactly. I already have my precious Youran. How could I think of anyone else? I only said that to ease her mind before the exams. I knew you wouldn’t agree to it.”

“I…”
“You wouldn’t agree, would you?”

Xu Xiuwen stared at Xiao Youran in surprise, feeling like the girl before him wasn’t the same Xiao Youran he knew. Was she someone else disguised as her?

Xiao Youran pouted. “Actually, I’m kind of tempted to agree. After all, I already have to share you with someone else. Xiaoyu is sweet and obedient, much better than that cold and distant Cheng Lu. Besides, if you bully me, Xiaoyu would definitely take my side and stand up for me.”

Being tempted didn’t mean she would agree.
Xu Xiuwen let out a sigh of relief.
Right now, he truly didn’t know how to deal with Jiang Ruoyu.

Xiao Youran continued, “Xiao Xu, I think I’m being a bit selfish. I don’t want Xiaoyu to join us. I don’t want to share you with another person. Unless… you break up with Cheng Lu. Then I might reluctantly accept it.”

“Don’t overthink it. Things are fine as they are now.”

Xiao Youran instantly understood—he didn’t want to break up with Cheng Lu.

She was being honest.
She truly didn’t want another person sharing Xu Xiuwen with her.
But if it wasn’t about adding someone new, but rather replacing Cheng Lu with Jiang Ruoyu, she might actually support it.

The reason was simple.
If it were Cheng Lu and her, Cheng Lu was the official girlfriend—the “main.”
But if it were her and Jiang Ruoyu, she would be the official girlfriend.

She wasn’t worried about Jiang Ruoyu fighting her for the “main” position either.
After all, she still remembered what Jiang Ruoyu had said to her.

Jiang Ruoyu had told her directly that as long as Xiao Youran agreed, she would be the “main,” and Jiang Ruoyu would be fine being the “side.”

Jiang Ruoyu even suggested that they could team up to win Xu Xiuwen back from Cheng Lu.

Honestly, Xiao Youran found that idea tempting.
She felt like it would be hard for her to win Xu Xiuwen back on her own.
But if Jiang Ruoyu joined forces with her, it seemed a little more possible.

Though only a little more possible.
On one hand, she could refuse and continue sharing Xu Xiuwen with Cheng Lu.
On the other hand, she could agree, potentially team up with Jiang Ruoyu to win Xu Xiuwen back, but also risk failing and ending up with three people sharing him instead of two.

And the latter seemed more likely.

Xiao Youran wasn’t stupid.
She knew what choice to make.

Suddenly, Xiao Youran said, “Wait, this isn’t right.”
“What’s not right?”

Xiao Youran looked at Xu Xiuwen and said, “Xiaoyu thinks you agreed. If I say I don’t agree, won’t she end up hating me? You jerk! You’re just making me the bad guy!”

Xu Xiuwen rubbed Xiao Youran’s head gently and comforted her, “I know, you’ve been wronged.”
“As long as you know. You have to make it up to me.”
“Alright, alright. What do you want as compensation?”
“I want you to take me out for something delicious.”
“Sure, we’ll go eat in a bit.”

They continued lying on the bed, chatting for a while.
Afterward, Xiao Youran went home to change her clothes.

Once she was ready, Xu Xiuwen took her to a nearby street food market.
Xiao Youran loved these street-side snacks, and she had the kind of body that stayed slim no matter what she ate.
Usually, people with this kind of metabolism have poor digestion or absorption issues, but Xiao Youran’s stomach was perfectly fine—she just didn’t gain weight.

Perhaps this was a little gift from the heavens.

It had been a long time since they’d gone out to eat and stroll around together.
Xiao Youran thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
She was smiling the entire evening, barely stopping at all.

Before they knew it, they were full and had wandered around for hours.

At 9 PM, Xu Xiuwen and Xiao Youran returned to their residential complex.

Xiao Youran wasn’t ready to say goodbye just yet and pouted her lips.
Seeing this, Xu Xiuwen decided to walk her to the base of her building.

But just as they arrived, a crisp voice suddenly called out, “Brother Xiuwen, Sister Youran!”

The sudden voice startled them, though the streetlights and well-lit surroundings kept it from being too alarming.

“Xiaoyu?” Xiao Youran recognized the familiar voice.

Jiang Ruoyu had been sitting on a stone bench by a small path nearby. She now stood up and walked toward them.

“Xiaoyu, what are you doing here?” Xiao Youran asked in surprise.

Jiang Ruoyu replied, “I saw Brother Xiuwen’s car, so I went to look for you. But you weren’t home, so I had no choice but to wait downstairs for you to come back. Brother Xiuwen, Sister Youran, you’re so mean—going out to have fun without inviting me.”

Xu Xiuwen and Xiao Youran exchanged awkward glances.
Xu Xiuwen instinctively wanted to avoid eye contact with Jiang Ruoyu but knew there was no point in hiding.

Taking a deep breath, he said, “Xiaoyu, it’s good that you’re here. Youran has something to tell you.”

“Oh, okay! Go ahead, Sister Youran,” Jiang Ruoyu said with a smile.

Xiao Youran was sharp and quickly understood what Xu Xiuwen was getting at.
After taking a deep breath, she said to Jiang Ruoyu, “Xiaoyu, I’ve thought about it carefully. You’re still young and shouldn’t let Xiao Xu hold you back. Maybe right now you think he’s great, but once you go to college, you’ll meet many amazing guys. Some of them will be more loyal and might be a better fit for you.”

Although Xiao Youran didn’t outright reject her, Jiang Ruoyu clearly understood the implication.

Both Xiao Youran and Xu Xiuwen thought Jiang Ruoyu might feel upset, but to their surprise, she didn’t.

Jiang Ruoyu still smiled as she asked, “Sister Youran, is it you who doesn’t agree, or is it Brother Xiuwen?”

Xiao Youran glanced at Xu Xiuwen, who turned his head away, avoiding her gaze.
She rolled her eyes at him before looking back at Jiang Ruoyu and saying, “Xiaoyu, it’s me who doesn’t agree. If you’re upset, blame me.”

Jiang Ruoyu let out an “Oh” and then shook her head. “Not at all. It’s perfectly normal for Sister Youran not to agree. I won’t blame you.”

Hearing this, both Xu Xiuwen and Xiao Youran breathed a sigh of relief.
The three of them had grown up together and were much closer than typical classmates. Neither Xiao Youran nor Xu Xiuwen wanted things to escalate into an ugly situation.

Jiang Ruoyu continued with a smile, “Sister Youran, it’s okay if you don’t agree for now. I’ll do my best to prove myself and make you accept me.”

Xu Xiuwen: “…”
Xiao Youran: “…”

“Xiaoyu, don’t you understand what I mean? Love should be selfish. You deserve a boyfriend who belongs only to you. You shouldn’t waste your time and energy on Xiao Xu…”

Jiang Ruoyu shook her head and said, “Sister Youran, I know you’re saying this for my good. Maybe you’re right—when I get to college, I might meet more outstanding people. But they’re not the ones I like. I’ve known for a long time that the person I like is Brother Xiuwen. So even if I fail in the end, I still want to try.”

Xiao Youran listened to Jiang Ruoyu’s words and immediately turned her head to glare at Xu Xiuwen.
Her gaze seemed to say, Look at the trouble you’ve caused.

Although Jiang Ruoyu wanted to share Xu Xiuwen with her, Xiao Youran found it hard to be angry with her. Whether it was their friendship from growing up together or her admiration for Jiang Ruoyu’s dedication and love, Xiao Youran couldn’t bring herself to be harsh.

Besides, she saw a reflection of herself in Jiang Ruoyu.

Before she was with Xu Xiuwen, his attitude had been distant, and he had even rejected her outright. At the time, she thought she had no chance. But she never truly considered giving up on him.

Xiao Youran felt that Jiang Ruoyu’s current situation was very similar to her own back then. Even the circumstances were nearly identical.

Looking at Jiang Ruoyu, who was a year younger, with a personality and appearance so similar to hers, Xiao Youran knew this situation wasn’t right. But she couldn’t find it in herself to say anything cruel to discourage her.

“It’s getting late. I’m heading back now. Xiao Xu, you take Xiaoyu home.”

Xiao Youran suddenly suggested that Xu Xiuwen walk Jiang Ruoyu home.

Both Xu Xiuwen and Jiang Ruoyu were caught off guard.

Xu Xiuwen carefully observed Xiao Youran’s expression, worried that she might be upset.
Jiang Ruoyu also studied Xiao Youran, suddenly finding it hard to read her.

Xiao Youran offered no further explanation. She waved her hand and turned to go upstairs.

Once Xiao Youran left, Xu Xiuwen and Jiang Ruoyu couldn’t just stand there.

Since Xiao Youran had asked him to walk Jiang Ruoyu home, Xu Xiuwen had no choice but to comply.

“Xiaoyu, I’ll walk you back.”
“Thank you…”

On the way, Xu Xiuwen asked, “School is starting soon. Are you looking forward to college life?”

Jiang Ruoyu nodded. “Yes, I’ve heard college life is great. I can’t wait.”

Xu Xiuwen’s mouth twitched slightly.
But after thinking it over, he realized Jiang Ruoyu’s words were likely innocent and not a double entendre.

“When you get to college, don’t slack off on your studies. Keep working hard. Get along with your classmates and roommates. Don’t argue or hold grudges. And if you encounter any difficulties, reach out to your counselor for help…”

Xu Xiuwen’s tone was soft as he offered advice on college life.
Having attended university twice, he had plenty of experience to share.

“I know, Brother Xiuwen. Don’t worry—I won’t let you down.”

The residential area wasn’t particularly large, and soon they arrived at Jiang Ruoyu’s building.

Jiang Ruoyu invited Xu Xiuwen to come upstairs for a bit, but he couldn’t bring himself to accept.

Looking at Jiang Ruoyu’s beautiful, youthful face, a pang of guilt surfaced in his heart.

“Xiaoyu…”

“What’s wrong, Brother Xiuwen?”
“Nothing. Go rest early. I’m heading home now.”

Xu Xiuwen turned to leave, but Jiang Ruoyu hurriedly called after him.
“Wait a second.”

“What is it? Is there something else?” Xu Xiuwen asked as he turned back to look at her.

Just as he turned his head, Jiang Ruoyu suddenly stood on tiptoe, leaned in, and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

“Hehe…”
Jiang Ruoyu let out a crisp, cheerful laugh.

“Xiaoyu, you…?” Xu Xiuwen stared at her in disbelief.

With a smile, Jiang Ruoyu said, “Brother Xiuwen, that was a thank you—for walking me home and sharing so much advice with me. Don’t overthink it, and don’t get the wrong idea, okay?”

Before he could respond, Jiang Ruoyu spun around and skipped toward her building, her footsteps light and carefree.