Rebirth Begins with Rejecting my Childhood Friend - Chapter 529

Xu Xiuwen’s words moved Tang Weiwei and filled her with joy.

Her roommates often instilled certain “ideas” in her at night.

For example, they said that some boys, when they were with girls, liked to touch them and lacked patience. They weren’t truly in love; they were just lustful.

When Xu Xiuwen was with her, he, too, liked to find various reasons to touch and kiss her.

But Tang Weiwei knew that he didn’t do it out of lust.

He did it because he loved her.

Still, as a girl, she couldn’t help but seek reassurance about his feelings over and over again.

Even if she had already heard “I like you” ten thousand times, she would still want to hear it the ten-thousand-and-first time.

Right now, even though Xu Xiuwen wasn’t explicitly saying “I like you,” to Tang Weiwei, his words were a confession of love.

Because—

He cared about her life, was curious about her inner world, and had endless patience for her.

Only someone who loved you would be like that.

Tang Weiwei smiled and nodded. “Okay.”

Then, she began telling Xu Xiuwen the story from her book.

In the quiet parking lot, inside the narrow car, her voice was soft and gentle, like a trickling stream nourishing the soul.

Tang Weiwei wasn’t much of a talker, but she was a thinker—an insightful one.

When she told a story, she wouldn’t ramble or miss the key points like some people did.

She conveyed the essence of the story in a simple and direct way.

Even though Xu Xiuwen had never read the book, he could clearly understand what it was about just from her words.

When Tang Weiwei finished speaking, silence filled the car.

The only sound between them was each other’s breathing.

Then, Tang Weiwei suddenly called his name.

“Xu Xiuwen.”

“Mm?”

“I have something to say to you.”

Xu Xiuwen glanced at her.

She looked a little nervous, her voice low and soft.

He could sense her excitement, though he didn’t know why.

Xu Xiuwen reached out and gently ruffled her hair. “Go ahead. I’m listening.”

“I want to ask you… do you regret being with me?”

“What nonsense are you talking about? Why would I regret it?” Xu Xiuwen asked, confused.

“Because I’m not very smart, I have low self-esteem, my family is poor, and I don’t have any strengths. I’m just an ordinary girl. The girls around you are all more outstanding than me. You’re only with me because you like me, so you tolerate my flaws…”

“Stop, stop, stop!”

Seeing that Tang Weiwei was getting more carried away, Xu Xiuwen quickly interrupted her.

“Weiwei, what are you saying? Who told you that you’re not smart or that you have no strengths?”

“No one said that… It’s just how I feel.”

“Why do you feel that way?”

“Because you’re so outstanding. You can make money while keeping up with your studies—I could never do that. You’re confident, outgoing, and can talk to anyone, while I barely dare to speak to people I don’t know. I don’t have a good relationship with my classmates, and I don’t have any special talents or much knowledge…”

“Heh… Weiwei, you’re so adorable.”

Xu Xiuwen suddenly laughed.

Tang Weiwei looked at him in confusion.

Xu Xiuwen thought to himself, I have a cheat code—how can you compare yourself to me?

But of course, he couldn’t say that to her.

After thinking for a second, he spoke gently.

“In my eyes, Weiwei, you are intelligent and hardworking, kind and pure, quiet and down-to-earth, strong and brave. You have countless strengths.”

“You say you have no special talents? But when I asked you to manage my accounts, you kept everything perfectly organized—every cent, every transaction. Not everyone can do that.”

“To me, Weiwei, you are better than 99% of the girls in this world.”

Tang Weiwei blushed. “Am I really that great?”

“Of course. Even if someone offered me a hundred million to trade you, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second.”

“I’m not that great…”

Tang Weiwei became even more embarrassed, but deep inside, warmth and gratitude filled her heart.

Xu Xiuwen pulled her into his arms and gently said, “I won’t ask you to stop overthinking in the future, because that’s your freedom. You can think about whatever you want. But if you ever feel unhappy or troubled, you must tell me.”

Tang Weiwei nodded. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she said, “Xu Xiuwen, I see so many strengths in you too. But even if you didn’t have any, even if you were just an ordinary person, I would still love you without hesitation. I don’t expect anything in return—I just want you to know that I love you.”

Her sudden confession stunned Xu Xiuwen for a moment.

At that instant, he had a pretty good guess as to why Tang Weiwei had suddenly become so sentimental.

It was probably related to the novel she had been reading recently.

The male lead in the book had once said to the female lead:

“I have no illusions about you. I know you are foolish, frivolous, and empty-headed, yet I love you. I know your ambitions, your desires, your vanity, and your mediocrity, yet I love you. I know you are second-rate, yet I love you.”

A prime example of a devoted, self-sacrificing admirer.

She had probably read the novel and come to believe that when a man loves a woman, he overlooks all her flaws. Then, she must have started reflecting on herself, wondering what shortcomings she had—only to spiral into self-doubt.

Now, her confession was her way of proving to him that she was not like the female lead in the novel.

She truly loved him.

Xu Xiuwen knew Tang Weiwei well enough to be fairly certain that was the case.

On the one hand, he found her way of thinking quite adorable. On the other hand, he felt a little helpless.

Instead of responding with any deep, emotional words, Xu Xiuwen simply smiled and asked, “So… am I not an ordinary person?”

To his surprise, Tang Weiwei shook her head. “You’re not.”

“Then what am I?”

“You’re a genius.”

Xu Xiuwen couldn’t help but laugh.

Seeing him laugh, Tang Weiwei laughed too, even though she had no idea what he found so funny.

As he looked at her smiling face, Xu Xiuwen suddenly reached out and ruffled her hair roughly.

Most girls would react with a little ouch and say something like, Ugh, you’re so annoying! Why did you do that?

But Tang Weiwei didn’t.

She didn’t even try to dodge.

Looking at her, Xu Xiuwen felt completely content.

Such an adorable, sweet girl.

They sat together in the car for two hours, chatting about all sorts of things.

Before the dorm curfew, he dropped her off.

Her cheeks were rosy, and her gaze was flustered—like she had just done something shameless.

The Next Morning

Xu Xiuwen first went to complete the property transfer, then headed to the company in the afternoon.

Lu Xinyao was looking more and more feminine these days.

Maybe it had something to do with her pregnancy.

She even seemed a little chubbier than before.

She used to be too thin—now, she looked just right.

At the Company

Xu Xiuwen and Lu Xinyao still maintained a formal boss-subordinate relationship.

She was respectful, obedient, and followed his every word.

But after work.

Xu Xiuwen called out to Lu Xinyao, originally planning to have dinner with her.

But she calmly replied, “I’ve already made plans with Xiaomi tonight.”

With that, she walked away without looking back.

Xu Xiuwen sensed that Lu Xinyao was feeling some type of way, though he wasn’t sure why.

Still, he didn’t feel the urge to push his way in.

So he simply got in his car and drove back to Jiaotong University.

His car stopped at the west gate.

After a while, An Shishi walked out from inside.

She headed straight for the car, opened the passenger door, and got in.

Once seated, she teased with a smile, “No need to keep her company today?”

“Who?”

“You know who.” An Shishi’s smile remained.

Xu Xiuwen immediately understood—she was talking about Liu Ruo.

An Shishi had no idea that the woman from yesterday was actually her mother.

So it wasn’t entirely unreasonable for her to say that.

But he knew.

And while he couldn’t tell her the truth, he also couldn’t let her badmouth her own mother.

Xu Xiuwen’s face darkened. “Shishi, this is the last time I’m telling you—whatever you think my relationship with that woman is, you’re wrong. There’s nothing inappropriate between us.”

An Shishi was taken aback by his serious tone.

He wasn’t usually so easily angered.

Realizing he might actually be mad, she immediately “admitted her mistake.”

She leaned closer, wrapped her arms around his, and playfully shook him.

“I’m sorry, hubby~ I was wrong, okay? Don’t be mad at me, pleaaase?”

“This time, I’ll let it slide. Don’t do it again.”

“Mhm, I got it.”

Only then did Xu Xiuwen’s expression ease into a smile.

He started the car. “There’s a new Western restaurant near the school. Let’s go check it out.”

“Thank you, hubby! You’re the best!”

“You sure know how to sweet-talk.”

“Of course! Want to have a taste?”

An Shishi blinked at him, her eyes full of playful seduction.

Xu Xiuwen looked into her eyes and slowly leaned in.

An Shishi thought she had successfully tempted him—

But just as she was about to close her eyes…

Xu Xiuwen suddenly raised his hand and flicked her smooth, fair forehead.

“Ow!”

An Shishi let out a dramatic yelp.

She clutched her forehead, shrank into her seat, and stared at him in shock.

Xu Xiuwen chuckled. “What kind of ‘good girl’ flirts with a man in broad daylight inside a car?”

An Shishi pouted. “W-Who was flirting with you? You’re slandering me!” (Kong Yiji: You stole my line!)

“Weren’t you just batting your eyelashes at me nonstop? Or was I imagining things?”

An Shishi huffed. “Even if I was, did you have to phrase it so terribly? Calling it ‘flirting’—ugh! Can’t I even admire my own husband?”

“Of course you can. And your forehead is so bright and smooth—I just had to flick it. Is that not allowed?”

“Hubby, you’re bullying me! Hmph! I’m getting out!”

Instead of stopping her, Xu Xiuwen casually turned off the engine and looked at her.

An Shishi had been waiting for him to hold her back, but the moment never came.

She was stuck.

After hesitating for a while, she finally gave up on leaving.

Turning to Xu Xiuwen, she pouted and grumbled, “Hubby, why didn’t you try to stop me?”

“You said you wanted to get out.”

“Hubby, I feel like you don’t love me at all.”

“You really think that?”

An Shishi felt like Xu Xiuwen was just teasing her.

But she wasn’t entirely sure.

After hesitating for a moment, she decided to nod.

The moment she did—

She saw Xu Xiuwen unfasten his seatbelt, lean forward, and press down on her.

Just as she was about to speak, she felt her lips being claimed.

And then—

The seat suddenly reclined.

His movements were forceful, domineering, and unapologetic.

Impossible to resist.

Utterly intoxicating.

Once she got over the initial shock, An Shishi reached out, wrapped her arms around his neck, and surrendered to him completely.

If it weren’t for the fact that they were parked right outside the school gate, on a busy street with people walking by—

Xu Xiuwen might have really given her a lesson she wouldn’t forget.

In the end, it was only by sheer force of will that he managed to stop himself.

An Shishi opened her eyes, looked at him, and asked, “Why’d you stop?”

Xu Xiuwen wiped the corner of his mouth, sat back in his seat, and said, “This is the school entrance. I’m not putting on a show for the public.”

Only then did An Shishi realize where they were.

After two months apart, both her heart and body had longed for him.

Like dry wood—

All it needed was a single spark.

Xu Xiuwen restarted the car and smirked. “Now you know what happens when you tease me?”

An Shishi adjusted her seat back to normal and fixed her makeup.

“Sorry, hubby. I realize my mistake now. I shouldn’t have been blinded by desire. Please punish me severely!”

“Mm, as long as you understand. Punishment… we’ll see how you perform tonight.”

“Yes, sir! I promise not to disappoint you!”

Then, they exchanged a knowing smile.

After having dinner at the new Western restaurant, there was still plenty of time left in the evening.

Xu Xiuwen suggested going to a movie.

An Shishi was thrilled and clung tightly to his arm.

At the theater, Xu Xiuwen picked a romance film.

After buying the tickets, he also got a giant bucket of popcorn.

Then, they sat in the waiting area until it was time to enter.

Speaking of movies, one name inevitably came to mind—Bai Yue’er.

With two consecutive hit dramas under her belt and an impressive display of acting skills, Bai Yue’er was in demand.

The company had received several film offers for her.

Thanks to his rebirth advantage, Xu Xiuwen could tell at a glance whether a film would be a hit just by looking at the production team.

And Bai Yue’er was in her rising star phase.

The last thing he wanted was for her to get dragged into a flop that would ruin her reputation.

The media could be ruthless.

When a movie bombed, the blame should fall on the script, the director, or poor marketing.

But the media often pinned it all on the actors—especially attractive actresses.

It was far too easy for them to be labeled as just a pretty face or a box office curse.

Some offers came with insane paychecks.

But only shortsighted agents and companies cared about that quick cash.

Xu Xiuwen rejected them all without hesitation.

Anyway—

Back to the present.

The movie was about to start.

People began lining up to enter the theater.

And soon, it was their turn.

After getting their tickets checked, the two entered the theater.

Maybe it was because the semester hadn’t started yet, but there weren’t many people in this screening.

Their seats weren’t too far back or too close to the front—right in the middle, the perfect spot.

The movie started soon after.

At first, everything was normal.

Everyone was focused on the screen.

But before long—

Strange noises began echoing through the theater.

Especially from the back row.

Xu Xiuwen didn’t even need to turn around to know exactly what was happening.

He glanced sideways at An Shishi.

She had clearly heard it too, because she turned to look at him at the same time.

Their eyes met in the dim light.

At that moment, An Shishi’s gaze was even more seductive than it had been in the car—

Smoldering, practically dripping with temptation.

The atmosphere was getting to him.

Xu Xiuwen could feel the heat rising inside him.

But he forced himself to stay in control.

He leaned closer and whispered, “Watch the movie.”

“Alright…”

An Shishi sounded a little disappointed.

But then, the next second—