Rebirth: Daily Face Slaps - Chapter 33

The phone rang twice before Lin Mengting answered it, habitually saying, “Hello, Hongxing.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by a familiar voice mixed with surprise and a strange emotion, “Is that… Tingting?!”

[What the heck, Hongxing? How could it be Hongxing?! It should be Wanda!]

Wanda?

Lin Mengting’s eyes flickered. That was the first logistics company she joined after leaving the base in her past life.

Strictly speaking, Hongxing was the third logistics company she worked for.

Lin Mengting’s mind raced, but she acted as if she hadn’t recognized the voice on the other end, asking nonchalantly, “May I ask who’s calling?”

“Tingting, you don’t recognize my voice?” Qin Dong on the other end sounded incredulous, with a hint of anger and resentment, “It’s me, Qin Dong!”

[What the heck, I knew Lin Mengting was cold-hearted, but I never thought she could take lying through her teeth to such an extreme!]

[Does she really think I don’t know she has an excellent memory, able to recognize anyone’s voice even over the phone?!]

[My sister was right, to deal with a woman like Lin Mengting, you have to be persistent!]

[Just look at that, she’s already forgotten about me in just a month!]

“Qin Dong?” Lin Mengting asked coolly, as if she hadn’t picked up on the doubt and hurt in his voice, or noticed his scheming, “What do you need?”

The implication was clear “I’m very busy, don’t bother me with trivial matters!”

“Tingting, how have you been these days?”

Without waiting for Lin Mengting to reply, Qin Dong sighed deeply and said in a persuasive tone, “No matter what, we are neighbors and former colleagues and friends. It’s been more than half a month since you left the base. During this time, you haven’t called us once, truly ‘completely out of touch.’ If I hadn’t gone out of my way to get your company’s number, who knows when I could have reached you! I know it was my fault last time and I made things difficult for you. But don’t worry, I won’t do it again.”

Qin Dong’s voice turned a bit despondent, “Since you don’t like me, I won’t pester you. But as friends and neighbors, even if we can’t be lovers, we can still be friends. Don’t you think so? After all, we’re far from home, striving together in this foreign land of S City. Even if we rarely contact each other, it’s reassuring to know the other is doing well. Isn’t there an old saying?—’Joy shared is doubled, while sorrow shared is halved.'”

…

Lin Mengting, well aware of Qin Dong’s nature, didn’t even bother to roll her eyes at his words. She just casually held the receiver between her neck and shoulder while typing responses to customers’ inquiries.

After waiting a while without hearing Lin Mengting’s response, Qin Dong finally heard the sound of typing from her end. Though surprised by her “flying” typing speed, he didn’t dwell on it.

[No wonder she became the richest person in G Province in ten years. With such a work ethic and luck, how could she not succeed?!]

[A girl like this is not to be missed!]

Imagining his future of marrying Lin Mengting and reaching the pinnacle of life, Qin Dong spoke with a hint of excitement.

“Tingting, I heard you not only enrolled in pre-exam classes for the college entrance exam but also in art and dance classes at the youth center? Sigh! I know you’re eager to learn, but you should consider your physical condition. You can’t just overwork yourself because you’re young and strong. When you get older, you’ll regret your reckless actions. Your parents would be heartbroken if they knew you were exhausting yourself like this. Even if not for anything else, you should do your best for their sake. Why not drop one class? Or maybe start the art and dance classes after the college entrance exam?”

[He was sure his concern for her would touch Lin Mengting deeply!]

[Though no woman can resist sweet words, there’s no need to use that skill right now.]

…

“Qin Dong, thank you for your concern. If there’s nothing else, I’ll get back to work.” Lin Mengting had no desire to comment on Qin Dong’s persistence.

“Wait a minute!” Qin Dong hurriedly said, afraid she’d hang up, “Tingting, do you have caller ID? If not, write down my number so you can call me if you need anything.”

“Go ahead.” Lin Mengting picked up a pen and paper and wrote down Qin Dong’s number.

Feeling triumphant, Qin Dong continued nonchalantly, “By the way, my sister is now working as a doctor in a factory. You should take her number too.”

After quickly reciting another number, Qin Dong added with a hint of resignation, “I’ve often heard that ‘one is influenced by one’s companions.’ I didn’t believe it at first, but now, with you and my sister setting such good examples, I have to admit it’s true. When my sister heard you were taking the college entrance exam, she immediately signed up for the medical practitioner’s exam. With you both striving ahead, I can’t just stand still. Otherwise, I’ll be left behind. So, a few days ago, I also signed up for pre-exam classes for the college entrance exam. Starting tonight, we’ll be classmates. Who would have thought, after not being colleagues, we could still be classmates.”

What the heck!

Even though Lin Mengting had anticipated many “unknowns” in her reborn life and was prepared for various “butterfly effect” events, she couldn’t help but grit her teeth at Qin Dong’s words.

Qin Mei taking the medical practitioner’s exam five or six years earlier than in her past life was one thing.

After all, she herself was taking the college entrance exam seven years early in this life.

But Qin Dong, who was supposed to move to the capital in a year and not return to pester her for decades, was now preparing for the college entrance exam too?!

—Was he planning to give up the capital and stay in S City permanently?!