Classmate Li Zhuangsheng doesn’t want to be reborn

Chapter 726 HE
【…】

[Holy crap, you're this kind of person! I knew that teacher was being really mean to me!]

[But you persevered! That's really amazing. Your sister and I never expected it; it completely surprised everyone!]

"That's about it."

Li Zhuangsheng turned off the recording. Hu Mengdie, sitting opposite him, lowered her head slightly and remained silent for a long time. Li Zhuangsheng did not break the silence, but simply got up and poured Hu Mengdie a glass of warm water.

"...And then what?" Hu Mengdie picked up the water glass, but only held it in her hands.

"There's nothing else after that," Li Zhuangsheng said, feeling slightly guilty. "It's mainly about what came before. In Mengke's eyes, you're an outstanding older sister. She looks up to you, but can't catch up to you or even reach your level."

"Am I really that good?" Hu Mengdie chuckled self-deprecatingly, her voice trembling slightly. "Mengke... am I really a good older sister? I just wanted her to grow up safely and be free to do what she wanted... I wanted her to be different from me."

“It’s alright, Mengke has never blamed you, and she’s always been proud to have a sister like you.” Li Zhuangsheng hugged Hu Mengdie. “Go home and talk to her alone today. I think you two sisters need to open up to each other.”

Hu Mengke's biggest inner conflict at this moment was that she was telling herself to face reality and just give up, but at the same time, she was also somewhat unwilling to accept it. Li Zhuangsheng had experienced similar feelings, which is the norm for most people.

Hu Mengdie leaned against Li Zhuangsheng's chest and nodded gently. She took a sip of tea, and the sadness in her eyes gradually faded.

"Did Mengke say something to you later? Since you won't tell me, I can guess." Hu Mengdie suddenly spoke again.

“She is actually…” Li Zhuangsheng’s expression changed slightly as he thought about how to cover it up for her.

Hu Mengdie's lips curled into a smile, carrying a strange meaning, as if she had seen through something, with a hint of sarcasm: "Do you know how I was so sure Mengke wasn't in a relationship? Because I told her that you only accept hardworking and clean girls. And once a girl has dated another man, you won't like her anymore."

Li Zhuangsheng was taken aback.

Hu Mengdie had already broken free from his embrace and turned to leave: "Alright, I understand. I'll have a good talk with her today, so don't worry anymore."

At this moment, Li Zhuangsheng remembered something, caught up with him, and whispered, "Oh right, I forgot to tell you. Meng Ke found out. She went to my house... to see Xiu Yu. She's known for a long time, but she's been pretending not to know, probably out of consideration for you."

Hu Mengdie paused, then said, "...Oh."

"Also, I really didn't do anything last night. She did confess to me, but I think a large part of her motivation was to compete with you, rather than just liking me. Last night I just comforted her and let her fall asleep next to me," Li Zhuangsheng continued.

"Worse than a beast." Hu Mengdie smiled.

……

"Time flies so fast."

Zhang Qixiang stepped on the gas, he seemed eager to accelerate, but Nanjing was too congested and he couldn't get going at all.

"Are you free tonight? Let's have dinner together." Li Zhuangsheng leaned against the car window.

"Just the two of us?"

"Ah."

"What about the sisters-in-law?"

"I'll just send a text message to let you know."

Zhang Qixiang joked, "They won't think you're out flirting with girls again, will they?"

Li Zhuangsheng was silent for a moment, then rubbed his forehead and said, "Take more photos and report them later."

"Awesome!" Zhang Qixiang was truly in awe of Li Zhuangsheng.

Before Zhang Qixiang's graduation last year, when his family was planning to bid for land in the county to expand their real estate business, Li Zhuangsheng personally visited Zhang Qixiang's father to dissuade him and suggested that they buy CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited) shares instead.

Given Li Minghua's progress over the years, Zhang Qixiang's father believed that Li Zhuangsheng must have some inside connections, so he followed this advice. In just over a year, CATL's stock price had multiplied several times. For their family, it was like being given a second chance.

Of course, if this is merely a matter of gratitude towards Li Zhuangsheng, then Li Zhuangsheng's current emotional state is what Zhang Qixiang admires most.

He knew about Li Zhuangsheng's affair back to the end of last year, when Zhu Zhixue came to Chang Gung to find Li Zhuangsheng. Before that, Zhang Qixiang had always thought that Li Zhuangsheng was only with Hu Mengdie.

After Zhang Qixiang relentlessly questioned Li Zhuangsheng, he finally learned that the man was currently keeping a mistress and living like an emperor, making Zhang Qixiang so envious he gritted his teeth in anger. No wonder he's President Li; he's got women of all shapes and sizes, and he still manages to keep them all at peace. Although Li Zhuangsheng said it wasn't actually that peaceful.

I'm jealous!
"Where should we eat?" Zhang Qixiang asked.

"Why don't we just pick any restaurant on the street?" Li Zhuangsheng suggested.

Zhang Qixiang had no objections, his eyes scanning back and forth before he looked for a place to park.

A gentle evening breeze carries the chill of autumn.

"It's a bit cold... Shall we go eat some mutton?" Zhang Qixiang pointed to a mutton restaurant not far away.

“Sure,” Li Zhuangsheng said, without objection.

After ordering their food, Zhang Qixiang and Li Zhuangsheng sat down and chatted casually. They could talk about anything, except Li Zhuangsheng's personal love life, which he was reluctant to discuss in front of others.

You once told me
You will always love me

I understand love.
But what is forever...?

Inside the restaurant, Luo Dayou's "Love Song 1980" was playing.

Ten years ago, I was a guest at the wine table, under a clear moon and gentle breeze. Worries and troubles have taken their toll, and the swift passage of time is alarming. Though my temples have turned gray, my heart remains unchanged. Let's raise a golden cup. Listening to the old tunes again, they still sound like the drunken voices of yesteryear...

Li Zhuangsheng took a sip of cola and suddenly shook his head.

"You're drinking cola, but you're making it sound like you're drinking alcohol," Zhang Qixiang said, pointing at him with a laugh.

"Looking eastward towards Yuhang, the clouds and sea stretch endlessly to the horizon. When will I achieve fame and success, return home, and laugh with you for thirty thousand rounds?"

"Aren't you successful and famous now?"

"Flying light, flying light, let me offer you a cup of wine. I know not the height of the blue sky, nor the thickness of the yellow earth. I only see the cold moon and the warm sun, which bring about the depletion of human life! Eating bear makes one fat, eating frog makes one thin. Where is the divine lord? Where is the Great Unity?"

"What's wrong? Why are you so downcast today?"

"In the east of the heavens grows the Ruomu tree, beneath which rests a dragon holding a candle. I will cut off the dragon's feet and chew its flesh, so that it may not return in the morning or lie down at night. Naturally, the old will not die, and the young will not weep!"

Zhang Qixiang finally picked up on something. He tapped Li Zhuangsheng's hand with the unopened chopsticks, looking both helpless and curious: "You're living such a great life now, what are you still complaining about?"

“Yes, what am I feeling sad about… This time, it’s already perfect.” Li Zhuangsheng said leisurely, “In a visual novel, it should have a happy ending.”

"Don't overthink it," Zhang Qixiang said, turning his head. "Boss, two more skewers of grilled lamb kidneys, please! Let's give this guy a good boost!"

(End of this chapter)