Classmate Li Zhuangsheng doesn’t want to be reborn

"Stop with the nonsense!" Xie Jiangqing frowned, clearly annoyed. "Can't you get to the point?"

Xie Jiangqing found it difficult to objectively reflect on why she was so unhappy with Qi Haoyu; perhaps it was because she felt ashamed.

In her view, Hu Mengdie's relationship with Qi Haoyu was a complete mistake, and she played a role in making this mistake worse.

She passed information to Qi Haoyu, spoke highly of Qi Haoyu to Hu Mengdie, persuaded Hu Mengdie to accept Qi Haoyu's confession, and helped reconcile the two when they had conflicts...

If the two truly find happiness together, even going from school uniforms to wedding gowns, then she would naturally be the greatest contributor to their relationship and the perfect matchmaker. But this was a grave mistake, an utterly terrible mistake, thus making her the biggest culprit and accomplice.

As an accomplice to the wrongdoing, Xie Jiangqing only wanted to disappear from this relationship, but that damned Qi Haoyu kept mentioning her, constantly reminding her of the mistakes she had made. She also bore a significant responsibility for Hu Mengdie's emotional breakdown.

But at this moment, Qi Haoyu couldn't understand Xie Jiangqing's inner thoughts, and even if he did, he wouldn't care.

He mentioned Xie Jiangqing to lower Hu Mengdie's guard and try to prove that their relationship had been approved by those around them.

“Back then, I wrote you a love letter…” Qi Haoyu continued, “I spent the entire winter break writing that love letter. You were very happy to receive it, and then you said you needed to think about it again…”

Hu Mengdie looked at Xie Jiangqing, who remained silent, presumably acquiescing.

"And then, I agreed?" Hu Mengdie blinked. At this moment, she had only been away from accepting the confession for less than half a year.

She originally thought she wouldn't date in high school; all she wanted to do was study hard, get into a good university, and prove that she wasn't just a pretty face.

But no one can predict the future, including her now. Facing a series of shocks from reality, she's starting to wonder if she might go against her original intentions.

After all, the fact is, she was dating Qi Haoyu. Xie Jiangqing knew it, and Li Zhuangsheng knew it too.

"You thought about it for a month, and then officially agreed on White Valentine's Day. Pretty romantic, right?" Qi Haoyu smiled and looked at Xie Jiangqing, expressing his gratitude for her help. "Of course, this is also thanks to Jiangqing. She's our matchmaker!"

"I didn't do anything; it was mainly Hu Mengdie's own decision!" Xie Jiangqing said stiffly, almost unconsciously.

But as soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly realized how ugly her attempt to shift the blame had been. But...it was also the truth, wasn't it? If Hu Mengdie hadn't had that intention, how could her matchmaking have been effective?

She tried to matchmake Hu Mengdie and Li Zhuangsheng, but she didn't succeed!
Ultimately, it was Hu Mengdie's extreme stubbornness that made her realize that even if she were tied up, she would not agree to Qi Haoyu's confession if she truly didn't have those feelings.

She tried to comfort herself with this thought, but her conscience remained uneasy.

Qi Haoyu continued laughing: "I remember that night, we..."

Xie Jiangqing interrupted again: "Alright, no need to go into so much detail! Just know that!"

A hint of disappointment flashed in Hu Mengdie's eyes, but she didn't press the matter. After thinking for a moment, she asked softly, "So, what was the reason for our breakup?"

Qi Haoyu looked at Xie Jiangqing in surprise, and Xie Jiangqing looked at Qi Haoyu in return.

"What, are you afraid to talk about the good things you've done?" Xie Jiangqing raised an eyebrow.

"Why didn't you tell her?" Qi Haoyu lowered his head slightly.

"How can I... I don't think I need to tell her what you've done. It's better for you to tell her yourself!"

Xie Jiangqing hurriedly changed her words, but Qi Haoyu already knew. Hu Mengdie had indeed not told Xie Jiangqing.

That makes sense. If Hu Mengdie had told Xie Jiangqing what she had done earlier, the other party wouldn't have pleaded for her time and time again back then.

So, it seems that only Hu Mengke in the world knows... but she probably doesn't know the backstory either. And Hu Mengke hasn't told Hu Mengdie either.

I don't know why, but Hu Mengke and her sister don't get along well, or maybe it's because she's not satisfied with her brother-in-law?
Hu Mengdie's current contact information was provided by Hu Mengke, which is also why Hu Mengdie was able to be contacted during the Chinese New Year period this year.

Qi Haoyu sighed, his expression growing increasingly sad: "Actually, it's all in the past. Although it was just a misunderstanding back then, there's nothing we can do about missing out."

Hu Mengdie was taken aback, while Xie Jiangqing frowned and said angrily, "I'm afraid it's not as simple as a misunderstanding!"

“The situation back then was very complicated, you have no idea…” Qi Haoyu shook his head, “But it was indeed my fault. If I had been more understanding and more tolerant back then… the outcome would have been completely different.”

"You tolerate? What do you tolerate?" Xie Jiangqing gritted her teeth.

"Sigh, we had just graduated and started working back then, and we were still very inexperienced... I had just started working in Nanjing and was busy with work every day, so I neglected to care for Mengdie and didn't notice that the rift between us was getting bigger and bigger..."

Xie Jiangqing didn't believe it at all and couldn't help but slam her hand on the table: "Stop pretending, just because of this?"

If that's the reason, why was Hu Mengdie so dejected back then?
Seemingly because he had been interrupted and questioned repeatedly, Qi Haoyu finally showed a hint of displeasure on his face: "Then tell me why?"

Hu Mengdie looked at Xie Jiangqing, seemingly curious about the real reason. But Xie Jiangqing stammered and couldn't give a clear answer.

"I don't know... but it's definitely not because of that!" Xie Jiangqing emphasized stiffly.

"If you don't know, then why are you refuting what I said?" Qi Haoyu asked, puzzled.

Hu Mengdie also showed some doubt. If Xie Jiangqing could give some reason, she would definitely believe Xie Jiangqing more. But Xie Jiangqing didn't know anything and just kept objecting... When asked about the details of their relationship before, she also hesitated and seemed to be trying to cover it up.

This made Hu Mengdie increasingly puzzled, and even somewhat dissatisfied.

"Alright, Jiang Qing, let's listen to him continue." Hu Mengdie gently took Xie Jiang Qing's hand.

"Qi Haoyu is definitely not honest; he's not like Li Zhuangsheng. Don't believe him completely, and don't let him fool you!"

"Jiang Qing, we've been friends for years, there's no need to slander me!" Qi Haoyu chuckled disapprovingly. "When Mengdie and I were still together, you were always helping me!"

When did I help you?

Xie Jiangqing clicked her tongue, feeling both angry and ashamed at the past. She really wanted to travel back in time and strangle the version of herself who kept praising Qi Haoyu.

In high school, she was naive and didn't understand anything. Her only reason for trying to match them up was that Qi Haoyu was handsome, did well in school, and seemed so sincere—a good match for Hu Mengdie… So, at Qi Haoyu's request, she was more like an irresponsible gossip, joining in the fun like everyone else. She hadn't thought about anything else, nor could she.

So much so that later, Hu Mengdie's parents made a scene at the school, forcing her to break up with her boyfriend... Xie Jiangqing was also secretly cheering Hu Mengdie on.

She hadn't thought that far ahead; she simply felt that Hu Mengdie's parents were being too controlling. She didn't think that dating in high school was some heinous crime, and that having the courage to resist authoritarian parents was truly admirable.

"Why do you deny it? You're Mengdie's best friend. Without your help, how could we have gotten together so smoothly?" Qi Haoyu said with a smile.

……

Xie Jiangqing silently led Hu Mengdie home. Hu Mengdie had heard many old stories from Qi Haoyu, and Xie Jiangqing mostly refuted them. Unlike the tension she felt when they arrived, Hu Mengdie left with a relaxed smile in her eyes.

"I never imagined that so much had happened between us... that we'd weathered so many storms together," Hu Mengdie couldn't help but laugh.

She was referring to what she'd heard from Qi Haoyu about how the two of them had defied their parents' "oppression." She knew her parents would vehemently oppose her early romance, but she only knew they had withstood the pressure; she hadn't known the many details involved… Later, she got into a top-tier university, which could be seen as a powerful "retaliation" against her parents' initial opposition!
"You were all so naive back then!" Xie Jiangqing frowned and advised earnestly, "Mengdie, people change, and many things aren't as simple as you think. Just listen to Qi Haoyu's words casually, don't believe them completely! He's really different from Li Zhuangsheng. Li Zhuangsheng is the exception!"

"Okay, okay, I understand~" Hu Mengdie drawled out, her words unintentional. "I'll listen to you and won't be swayed by Qi Haoyu!"

But in her heart she thought, what's so special about Li Zhuangsheng? His biggest difference is that he's just very ordinary... except for his talent for driving.

She felt that Xie Jiangqing still wanted to match her up with Li Zhuangsheng. She knew Xie Jiangqing meant well, but she didn't really agree... It was such a pity that she didn't remember anything Qi Haoyu had said; how could she have forgotten all those exciting and thrilling stories!
Hu Mengdie thought about those stories and felt they were quite beautiful.

"Alright, I understand everything. Don't contact Qi Haoyu again!" Xie Jiangqing said. "I'll sleep at your place tonight!"

"Oh, okay... but that's not my house, it's Li Zhuangsheng's house. I'm divorced from him... I'll have to move out sooner or later."

"It might not be easy to move out."

"why?"

When the two returned home, Li Zhuangsheng was still typing away in his study, while Hu Mengke was humming a song with a smile in her bedroom.

"You guys keep talking, I'm going to go say something to Li Zhuangsheng," Xie Jiangqing said.

"Eh..." Hu Mengdie was slightly surprised.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to complain," Xie Jiangqing chuckled.

"I'm not afraid of you reporting me, I haven't done anything wrong!"

Xie Jiangqing entered Li Zhuangsheng's bedroom and saw him calmly typing on the keyboard, his face expressionless, like a wise man who had attained enlightenment.

"You did that with Hu Mengke again, didn't you?" Xie Jiangqing said quietly.

Li Zhuang was startled and immediately turned around, then relaxed: "Why do you walk so quietly?"

Xie Jiangqing clicked her tongue: "I walk without making a sound? You were too focused to notice!"

"Really? Looks like I got too absorbed in writing my novel... Oh, by the way, are you guys free tomorrow?"

"What did you say?"

"Didn't you go out to have dinner with Hu Mengdie today?"

"Oh, right... How did you know?"

Li Zhuangsheng blinked: "Hu Mengdie texted me about it this morning!"

Xie Jiangqing's expression was puzzling. She coughed lightly and said, "You two seem to have a pretty good relationship now, since you're reporting all this to me."

"What?!" Li Zhuangsheng chuckled. "I was supposed to have driving lessons tonight, but she said she's having dinner with your friends today and asked me to ask my instructor for leave."

"Oh—I see." Xie Jiangqing's expression became even more inscrutable, her eyes flickering as if carrying a hint of guilt, but this guilt quickly dissipated, replaced by a cold laugh, "Were you having a great time today?"

"what?"

"You did that with Meng Ke again, didn't you?"

"Cough cough cough...I'm an adult now!"

"Just because you're an adult doesn't mean you can be so unrestrained!" Xie Jiangqing bared her teeth and poked Li Zhuangsheng's head. "Look at you!"

Li Zhuangsheng laughed sheepishly. Today, Hu Mengke cosplayed as Kurumi Tokisaki and accompanied him to watch the Blu-ray version of Date A Live Season 4. With the real-life Kurumi wearing a sexy tank top and leaning against him, who could resist?!

But I'm exceptionally excited today...more excited than ever. Does this mean that every time I watch anime, Hu Mengke will cosplay as the female lead to keep me company? No way! Overindulgence is really bad! Don't tempt me like that, I can't resist!
"You made it in your study, didn't you? I'm telling you, this smells terrible!" Xie Jiangqing pinched her nose in disgust and glanced at the wide-open window.

It was probably only recently that it officially ended; at that time, she and Hu Mengdie were having dinner with Qi Haoyu.

"I think you're hopeless!" Xie Jiangqing pinched Li Zhuangsheng's cheek.

"I will be more restrained in the future!" Li Zhuangsheng nodded seriously. He also felt that if he didn't control himself, he might really die from exhaustion.

Indeed, beautiful women can be a source of trouble, and they can easily shorten one's lifespan!
"Hmph, I hope so..."

Xie Jiangqing snorted sullenly, then wondered if Li Zhuangsheng was like this when he was with Hu Mengdie.

It shouldn't be that bad... She had eaten with the two of them, and they treated Hu Mengdie like the moon, cherishing her. Would they be so... "rude"?

Unfortunately, she will probably never get an answer to this question.

"Heh~" Li Zhuangsheng yawned. "By the way, who did you meet today?"

Why do you care about these things?

"Are you going to see Qi Haoyu?"

Xie Jiangqing shuddered, suddenly breaking out in a cold sweat, and looked at Li Zhuangsheng with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty in her eyes.

"What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?" Li Zhuangsheng felt uneasy under Xie Jiangqing's gaze.

"Who told you this nonsense?" Xie Jiangqing thought it must be Hu Mengke, and sure enough, she couldn't help but take action!

"Nobody told me, I guessed."

Li Zhuangsheng blinked, and seeing Xie Jiangqing's expression, he figured he must have guessed right. But it looked rather frightening.

"You guessed?" Xie Jiangqing was a little skeptical. "Why would you guess that?"

"Didn't she like Qi Haoyu? They dated for so long before. Knowing her personality, she'd definitely go find Qi Haoyu and ask about it, maybe even rekindle their romance." Li Zhuangsheng shrugged. "Besides, didn't you tell me the other day that you had a relative's birthday tonight and you were going to celebrate? So Hu Mengdie was probably lying to me. Generally, she wouldn't need to lie to me… actually, she really didn't need to." (End of Chapter)