Rebirth Begins with Rejecting my Childhood Friend - Chapter 536

The only solution now was for one side to give in.

Xu Xiuwen was not going to back down.

It wasn’t that he was being childish or immature, but making money was one of his goals after being reborn. He had been working hard for it all this time.

So the only ones who could give in were Cheng Lu’s parents.

Xu Xiuwen glanced at Cheng Lu, a trace of heartache flashing through his eyes.

Now, he could only hope that Cheng Lu could persuade her parents.

With that thought, Xu Xiuwen suddenly let go of his frustration.

He stood up and said calmly, “Uncle, Auntie, I just remembered I have something to take care of, so I’ll be leaving first. I’ve already paid for the meal—please take your time and enjoy it. I hope you have a great time visiting Jinling.”

After saying that, he didn’t wait for their reactions.

He turned and walked out of the private dining room, went to the cashier to pay the bill, and then left the restaurant.

Standing outside, Xu Xiuwen let out a breath.

He knew that walking out like this was a bit impulsive.

He also knew that it might make Cheng Lu feel bad.

But he just couldn’t stay there any longer.

He felt like Cheng Lu’s parents were deliberately making things difficult for him.

Feeling frustrated, Xu Xiuwen pulled out his phone to make a call.

The first person he thought of calling was Xiao Youran.

But just before dialing her number, he changed his mind.

In the end, he called An Shishi instead.

An Shishi was very surprised to receive his call.

She knew that Cheng Lu’s parents were visiting today.

Xu Xiuwen was supposed to be having dinner with them and Cheng Lu.

So why was he calling her now?

Still, despite her surprise, she quickly answered.

“Hello, hubby, how come you have time to call me?”

She was alone in the dormitory.

Xiao Youran and Song Siyu, both student council members, had gone out for work.

So she could call him “hubby” without hesitation.

Xu Xiuwen didn’t explain anything and simply asked, “Are you free right now?”

“I am.”

An Shishi immediately sensed that something was off in his tone.

But she didn’t know what had happened.

“Come out and keep me company, okay? I’ll wait for you outside the west gate in my car.”

An Shishi responded without hesitation, “Okay, okay! Hubby, wait for me—I’ll be right there!”

After hanging up, An Shishi began to think.

Xu Xiuwen wasn’t with Cheng Lu’s parents right now.

Instead, he wanted her to accompany him.

Something must have happened.

Did Xu Xiuwen and Cheng Lu have a fight?

Or did he argue with Cheng Lu’s parents?

Whichever it was, his mood must be terrible right now.

And he needed someone to comfort him.

Of course, An Shishi wasn’t going to miss this opportunity.

She hadn’t planned on going out today and had been lounging in the dorm without dressing up.

But now that she was about to meet Xu Xiuwen, she didn’t want to look sloppy.

She hurried to the bathroom, washed her hair, and carefully fixed herself up.

Outside the west gate of Jiaotong University, a BMW was parked by the roadside.

Xu Xiuwen sat in the front passenger seat, waiting patiently for An Shishi.

Half an hour later, he finally saw her walk out through the small gate.

An Shishi spotted the car and jogged over.

She got in.

An Shishi apologized proactively, “Hubby, you must have waited for a long time. I didn’t know you would call me out, and I hadn’t washed my hair today. I just washed it before coming out, so I took a little longer. You’re not mad, are you?”

Xu Xiuwen shook his head.

It was completely normal for An Shishi to freshen up before heading out.

Besides, he was the one who had suddenly asked her to come.

So he wasn’t angry at all.

Seeing that Xu Xiuwen didn’t say anything, An Shishi carefully observed his expression and cautiously asked, “Hubby, weren’t you supposed to meet Cheng Lu’s parents today? Did you not see them?”

Xu Xiuwen replied flatly, “I saw them.”

“Did something happen?”

Xu Xiuwen turned his head to look at An Shishi.

She looked so careful and hesitant.

Xu Xiuwen suddenly smiled.

He reached out and held her hand in his palm. “Shishi, you don’t have to be so cautious. It has nothing to do with you.”

An Shishi nodded. “Hubby, I just didn’t want to ask the wrong thing and make you upset.”

Xu Xiuwen chuckled. “If you don’t want me to be upset, then come have a meal with me.”

Since Xu Xiuwen didn’t want to talk about it, An Shishi didn’t press further.

Instead, she gave him a bright smile—one that could warm a person’s heart.

Xu Xiuwen casually asked, “Have you eaten yet?”

An Shishi shook her head. “No.”

“Why didn’t you eat lunch?”

“I’m on a diet…”

“Diet? You’re perfect the way you are. Hugging you feels just right. No dieting.”

An Shishi didn’t argue. She obediently responded, “Okay, I’ll listen to hubby.”

Xu Xiuwen rubbed her hand, then started the car.

He took An Shishi to a restaurant for a meal.

When dining with Cheng Lu’s parents, he had to consider their preferences.

But with An Shishi, she ordered all of his favorite dishes.

That contrast alone made Xu Xiuwen feel much better.

An Shishi was really such a considerate companion.

During the meal, she kept picking food for him, and he did the same for her a few times.

Each time, An Shishi would smile sweetly and say, “Thank you, hubby,” her voice soft and affectionate.

After lunch, An Shishi asked Xu Xiuwen if they were heading back to Jiangning Huayuan.

If they went back, there wasn’t much to do except… well, one thing.

But Xu Xiuwen wasn’t in the mood for that right now.

Looking at An Shishi beside him, he suddenly suggested, “Shishi, let’s go shopping.”

“Really?”

An Shishi looked delighted—though it was hard to tell if her excitement was real or just for show.

“Would I lie to you?”

An Shishi clung to his arm excitedly. “Hubby, you’re the best! Then I’m going to shop till I drop!”

“Alright, buy whatever you want. It’s on me.”

So the two of them decided to go shopping.

Even though An Shishi had said she wanted to buy everything, once they started shopping, she ended up browsing men’s clothing stores instead.

Xu Xiuwen was about to refuse, but then he realized it had been a while since he last bought clothes.

So, in the end, he didn’t object.

Xu Xiuwen finally experienced the suffering of being a fitting model.

In the past, he had accompanied his girlfriends on countless shopping trips.

Every time, it was the girls who, at his insistence, kept trying on outfit after outfit.

Watching his girlfriends in different styles, Xu Xiuwen had always enjoyed it.

But now that it was his turn, he realized just how exhausting it was.

After trying on countless outfits, he was already tired.

And every time he wanted to stop, An Shishi would start acting cute and whining.

Unable to resist her sweet antics, he had no choice but to keep trying on more clothes.

Without realizing it, they had spent hours shopping.

Before they knew it, evening had arrived.

As the sun set, Xu Xiuwen and An Shishi carried their numerous shopping bags—most of which contained his clothes and shoes.

An Shishi had only bought a couple of items for herself.

After placing everything in the car, An Shishi wrapped her arms around Xu Xiuwen and asked, “Hubby, I always feel great after shopping. Are you feeling better now?”

Only then did Xu Xiuwen realize that she had been doing all this just to cheer him up.

And honestly, despite spending the whole afternoon trying on clothes and feeling exhausted, his mood was indeed much better than before.

Xu Xiuwen nodded and said, “Thank you, Shishi.”

An Shishi shook her head. “No need to thank me. If you’re happy, then I’m happy.”

Xu Xiuwen hummed in response and said, “Let’s go eat.”

“Okay!”

Xu Xiuwen drove An Shishi to a restaurant for dinner.

Afterward, he drove her back to campus.

Earlier, An Shishi had suggested going home with him, but he had turned her down.

Yet, instead of getting upset, she simply reminded him to rest well.

Xu Xiuwen didn’t drive all the way to the dorm entrance.

Instead, he stopped at a small side road a short distance away.

After parking, he got out and walked with An Shishi toward the dorm.

They walked side by side in silence.

As they neared the dormitory, An Shishi turned to him and said, “Alright, you can stop here. Go home, take a shower, and get some rest.”

But when she finished speaking, she realized Xu Xiuwen hadn’t moved.

He stood still, his gaze not on her but on something behind her.

An Shishi immediately turned around to see what he was looking at.

And in an instant, her eyes widened.

At the entrance of the girls’ dormitory stood a young man and a young woman.

Even though she could only see the girl’s side profile, An Shishi instantly recognized her—it was her roommate, Cheng Lu.

As for the man, she didn’t know him.

Aside from Xu Xiuwen, An Shishi had never seen another man personally escort Cheng Lu back to the dorm.

But that wasn’t even the most shocking part.

The most shocking part was—

Cheng Lu was smiling while talking to the guy.

As the campus belle, Cheng Lu was also known for her cold and distant demeanor.

Except when she was with Xu Xiuwen, she never smiled at any man.

Some guys had even joked that they had never seen Cheng Lu smile and wondered if she even knew how to.

Yet now, An Shishi was witnessing Cheng Lu smiling at a man she didn’t recognize.

After the initial shock.

An Shishi’s first reaction was: What will Xu Xiuwen think?

She immediately turned to look at him.

His face was dark as iron.

His fists were already clenched.

With An Shishi’s understanding of Cheng Lu, even if everyone else in the world could cheat, Cheng Lu wouldn’t.

That was just who she was.

(Not that An Shishi herself would cheat either.)

But she was really worried that Xu Xiuwen would misunderstand.

Some might wonder—shouldn’t An Shishi want Xu Xiuwen to misunderstand Cheng Lu?

Shouldn’t she be hoping they’d break up so she could take her place?

But—

First, even if Cheng Lu were out of the picture, there was still Xiao Youran. An Shishi wouldn’t be able to take the top spot anytime soon.

Second, she wasn’t concerned about whether they would break up over a misunderstanding.

What she was worried about was Xu Xiuwen acting on impulse and doing something reckless.

What she cared about was him.

So, without hesitation, An Shishi reached out and wrapped her hands around Xu Xiuwen’s clenched fists, whispering, “Hubby, don’t rush to conclusions. This might be a misunderstanding. Please, don’t do anything impulsive.”

Xu Xiuwen had already been holding back frustration all afternoon after dealing with Cheng Lu’s parents.

So when he saw Cheng Lu standing at the dorm entrance, chatting and smiling with another man—

His blood instantly surged to his head.

He almost couldn’t stop himself from storming over and demanding an explanation.

But thankfully, An Shishi’s voice pulled him back.

He reminded himself—Cheng Lu wouldn’t do something like this.

She wouldn’t betray me.

With great effort, he forced himself to stay put.

After taking a few deep breaths to cool down, he patted An Shishi’s hands reassuringly.

“Don’t worry, Shishi. I won’t be reckless.”

Hearing this, An Shishi finally felt relieved.

Then—

Xu Xiuwen pulled out his phone and called Cheng Lu.

Since they had parted ways at the restaurant earlier that afternoon, he hadn’t contacted her at all.

Ring… Ring…

Xu Xiuwen held the phone to his ear while keeping his eyes locked on Cheng Lu and the other guy.

A few meters away, Cheng Lu’s phone rang.

She pulled it out, glanced at the caller ID—and froze for a second.

The guy beside her asked, “Why aren’t you answering?”

Cheng Lu hesitated before replying, “It’s my boyfriend.”

The guy’s smile stiffened for a brief moment.

But then, he quickly recovered and said, “Do you want me to step aside?”

Cheng Lu hadn’t answered right away because of what happened at lunch.

She wasn’t sure if Xu Xiuwen was still upset.

It wasn’t because she cared whether the guy stayed or left.

Hearing his offer, she shook her head. “It’s fine, Chen Jin.”

Then, she pressed the answer button.

“You pig! Finally decided to call me?”

Xu Xiuwen stared at her from afar, saying nothing.

Cheng Lu’s heart sank.

“…Are you still mad at me? I know my parents were unreasonable, but—”

“Cheng Lu!”

Xu Xiuwen suddenly cut her off.

“…What is it?”

“Where are you right now?”

Cheng Lu blinked.

She had no idea why he was asking that.

Did he… plan to come find her?

Cheng Lu’s heart skipped a beat, and her tone lightened. “I’m in my dorm. Are you coming to see me? Or should I go to you?”

“Are you alone in your dorm right now?”

Hearing this, Cheng Lu glanced at the guy in front of her, hesitated for a moment, and then said, “Mm, I’m alone in my dorm.”

The moment she said that—

Xu Xiuwen felt a sharp pain in his chest.

He never thought Cheng Lu would lie to him.

He had always believed she would never betray him.

But now—

She was clearly standing outside the dorm, chatting and laughing with another guy.

Yet she told him she was alone in her dorm.

If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he might have believed her.

Xu Xiuwen’s voice turned cold. “I see.”

Then, without another word, he hung up.

Cheng Lu stared at her phone, stunned.

Chen Jin seized the moment and asked, “Xiao Lu, what’s wrong?”

This was the first time Xu Xiuwen had ever abruptly hung up on her.

He didn’t even say goodbye.

Was he still mad about what happened at lunch?

She didn’t have time to dwell on it.

Hearing Chen Jin’s question, she quickly shook her head. “It’s nothing. Chen Jin, thanks for walking me back. You should head home early too.”

Chen Jin could tell she didn’t want to explain, so he didn’t push her.

Instead, he changed the subject. “Xiao Lu, I’ll come find you again tomorrow.”

Cheng Lu shook her head. “No need. I have student council work tomorrow. Besides, aren’t you here to travel with my parents? You should spend time with them.”

Hearing that, Chen Jin couldn’t hide his disappointment.

But he maintained his composure and said, “Alright then. Oh, by the way, Xiao Lu—”

“Mm?”

“Your boyfriend leaving so suddenly at lunch really upset your parents. You should talk to him. If he truly loves you, he should apologize to them.”

Cheng Lu didn’t respond.

Seeing her reaction, Chen Jin felt another wave of disappointment.

In the end, he simply said, “I’ll be going now.”

“Mm.”

With that, Cheng Lu turned and walked into the dorm without a second glance.

Chen Jin sighed and left, heading back to the hotel where Cheng Lu’s parents were staying.

On the way, he saw a young couple embracing on the street but paid no attention to it.

————–

A quick note for readers who might be concerned:

The female leads in this story are not only first loves and first kisses but also haven’t even let another guy hold their hand. So don’t worry—Cheng Lu would never do anything to betray Xu Xiuwen.

Why this was written this way will be explained later.