Classmate Li Zhuangsheng doesn’t want to be reborn

"what?"

Li Zhuangsheng thought for a long time but still couldn't figure out what Qin Luanyu was suddenly saying.

Qin Luanyu's lips curled slightly, revealing a faint smile, as if it were seen through a thin veil: "I was talking about you and Hu Mengke, have you forgotten?"

Li Zhuangsheng paused, seemingly reluctant to discuss this adult topic: "Didn't you call her Sister Ke? Why are you calling her by her name now?"

"She's not here!" Qin Luanyu said matter-of-factly.

"Haha, you're two-faced! Come to think of it, you've never called me 'Brother Poor Guy' in front of Li Xiuyu..."

"Do you think I have low emotional intelligence? I know how to read the room, okay? Saying that in front of your sister makes me look like a little vixen trying to seduce her brother!"

Li Zhuangsheng was slightly taken aback: "What you're saying seems to make some sense, but you are..."

"Actually, you haven't answered my question yet." Qin Luanyu looked at Li Zhuangsheng, "What did you and Hu Mengke do last night?"

"Why are you asking this?" Li Zhuangsheng's eyes darted around. Why do I have to talk to other girls about my sex life with my girlfriend?

"You didn't do it because you were considering Hu Mengdie's feelings, but Hu Mengke must have been very frightened. I guess she used her hands. No, she probably went further, right?"

"Why are you suddenly saying all this..."

"It's nothing, I'm just curious." Qin Luanyu's face was serious. "Can I ask you two questions?"

Li Zhuangsheng nodded: "Go ahead and ask."

Qin Luanyu coughed and looked at Li Zhuangsheng's face: "Do you love Hu Mengdie? I mean, you right now."

Li Zhuangsheng shook his head.

"So, do you love Hu Mengke?"

Li Zhuangsheng remained silent.

"Okay, I understand." Qin Luanyu sighed. "You don't love Hu Mengke, you just pity her."

“I wouldn’t say I sympathize with her, I actually…” Li Zhuangsheng instinctively tried to refute, but he didn’t know how to explain it, so he could only awkwardly say, “I like her too.”

"But it's just liking, you like cats and dogs too. Actually, Hu Mengke isn't your ideal marriage partner. The reason you're with her is mainly out of pity, like a pitiful stray cat that comes to you and you can't ignore it. You see yourself as her savior, so you don't mind that she's an unmarried mother with a child. You don't love her at all; you're just responding to her requests. And she's perfectly played the role of the rescued, being very obedient and pitiful towards you. Today, when you asked her to come out, she didn't dare, ostensibly to take care of the child, but actually because she was afraid you'd be unhappy about her presence."

Qin Luanyu spoke slowly, her eyes unusually calm, like the surface of a lake without wind, as still as a mirror.

"...You're right, aren't you?"

Li Zhuangsheng suddenly felt a little lost. After hesitating for a long time, he scratched his face and nodded.

His tone was also very calm, as it always was. His only surprise was that not only Li Xiuyu, but Qin Luanyu could also see it.

"Your feelings for her are that simple. There's a poor girl begging for your help, so you're willing to sacrifice yourself to save this innocent girl." Qin Luanyu shook her head, a half-smile playing on her lips. "Damn it, what can I say about you? You're so gentle."

Li Zhuangsheng looked somewhat embarrassed, but still smiled bitterly: "Actually... it wasn't that good... it was just a series of unfortunate events."

"But have you really thought about whether the two of you will be happy in the future?" Qin Luanyu asked softly. "Do you think it doesn't matter to you as long as the other person can be redeemed? Besides, Hu Mengke is so beautiful, and so devoted to you?"

Li Zhuangsheng took a deep breath and grinned, "Well, I think it's alright, isn't it? Look, Mengke is so beautiful and virtuous, I'm really lucky to be with her."

"But you don't want this ending; you just want to be able to accept it, with the mindset of a savior."

Li Zhuangsheng sighed again, seemingly trying to ease the tension with a smile, but what came out was a bitter laugh.

"You... sigh... this... ouch!"

Li Zhuangsheng scratched his head, unable to utter a single word. But at least, he felt no resistance or resentment towards Qin Luanyu's blunt analysis of him.

Perhaps he and Hu Mengke, the two parties involved, had already realized that they no longer needed a child to expose his new clothes. Or perhaps the other party was Qin Luanyu.

Qin Luanyu stepped forward and patted Li Zhuangsheng's head gently, saying, "Alright, I was just saying it offhand. You need to think this through, brother. You just want to save Hu Mengke, right? You've always hoped that she and Xuanxuan can live happily ever after, right?"

"Yes, that's what I think!"

"So you don't really need to sacrifice yourself like this, do you? You just want her to be happy and have a smooth life ahead of her. But there's more than one way to achieve that goal."

Li Zhuangsheng's eyes were blank: "Any other methods... Haha, you don't need to worry about me, really, I'm actually fine. It's not as bad as you think, after all, Mengke is beautiful and virtuous, that's good enough. You don't know, she's really good to me."

"Actually, you're quite proud deep down, aren't you?" Qin Luanyu shook her head. "How about this: if Hu Mengke wasn't Hu Mengke, and she was just a blind date you met, and you applied her criteria to a previous blind date you met, would you accept that blind date?"

“…” Li Zhuangsheng remained silent.

"Alright, alright, I admit I was being nosy today!" Perhaps sensing the slightly awkward atmosphere, Qin Luanyu patted Li Zhuangsheng's shoulder with a smile. "Actually, I had my reasons for asking. I just wanted to verify my suspicions. And I also hope you can think about this more; I have my own reasons too."

"What purpose?"

"I won't tell you yet." Qin Luanyu shook her head and blinked. "Let's go home first!"

……

After returning home, Qin Luanyu continued to break down the novel for Li Zhuangsheng until very late.

"You did a great job today!" Qin Luanyu stretched and prepared to go back to her room, but then took out a Huawei phone. "I always keep my word!"

Li Zhuangsheng was taken aback; the other party had already given him a reward of one Alliance Master.

"Oh, no need..."

"If you perform well in the future, you will be given a leader every day."

Qin Luanyu patted Li Zhuangsheng on the shoulder with a smile.

"Hey, no, don't..."

"Alright, alright, don't fuss over such a small amount of money!" Qin Luanyu waved her hand and strode out. "I'm going to take a shower. Do you want to come with me? Your boyfriend won't be angry if he finds out, will he?"

In the study, Li Zhuangsheng and Li Xiuyu stared at each other, wide-eyed. "Isn't this great?" Li Xiuyu shrugged. "What exactly are you complaining about?"

“No, I don’t think it’s necessary. I feel…” Li Zhuangsheng scratched his head and muttered softly, “I feel like I’m being given charity.”

"What's wrong with being given charity? Can self-respect feed you?" Li Xiuyu glared. "Then how about this, I'll apply for a writer's account later, and you can have her transfer all her donations to my account from now on!"

Li Zhuangsheng pinched Li Xiuyu's shoulder in an annoyed tone: "I can't talk to you, you're just a money-grubber!"

Li Xiuyu curled his lip: "Either you transfer 1000 yuan to me, that way you'll seem more noble!"

"I'll only get 500, and I still have to pay taxes! Are you trying to rob me?!" Li Zhuangsheng gritted his teeth and shouted angrily.

Li Zhuangsheng returned to his bedroom to take a shower, and a little while later, Qin Luanyu came to the room in her pajamas.

"Are you going to sleep now? I can't sleep at this hour." Qin Luanyu, holding a chess set, suggested with a smile, "Let's play chess!"

Li Zhuangsheng glanced at Hu Mengke, seemingly seeking her opinion. Hu Mengke smiled and gently patted Li Zhuangsheng's shoulder: "Why are you looking at me? If you want to play chess, then play chess."

"Alright, we're usually still awake at this hour, so I'll play a few games with you." Li Zhuangsheng raised his head. "But let me make this clear beforehand, I'm really good at chess!"

She probably wouldn't gossip about it in front of Hu Mengke, right? Li Zhuangsheng's only worry now is that Qin Luanyu will tell Hu Mengke about their conversation before they went home.

This was a secret he and Hu Mengke kept to themselves. But to actually say it would inevitably make them both feel awkward.

But probably not.

Li Zhuangsheng and Qin Luanyu were playing chess. As expected, Qin Luanyu did not say anything inappropriate in front of Hu Mengke. The two chatted and laughed, talking about everything, but they did not discuss any embarrassing topics.

Hu Mengke sat quietly behind Li Zhuangsheng, observing the game without uttering a word, adhering to the gentlemanly principle of remaining silent while watching.

After finishing the two games of chess, Qin Luanyu blinked coquettishly and gently nudged Li Zhuangsheng, saying, "Oh, I'm a little thirsty. Brother Li, could you cut me some fruit? Thank you!"

"I'll go," Hu Mengke said with a smile as she stood up.

"No need, I'll go," Li Zhuangsheng said.

Qin Luanyu chimed in with a smile, "That's right, Sister Ke. Let him go. I feel really bad troubling you!"

Li Zhuangsheng chuckled: "You're so kind of me to trouble you like this, aren't you?"

"Remember to cut it into small pieces, without any peel," Qin Luanyu added with a smile. "I don't like eating large pieces of fruit!"

"Yes, yes, Your Highness!"

After Li Zhuangsheng left the bedroom, Qin Luanyu's gaze slowly shifted to Hu Mengke.

"Sister Ke, shall we play a game?" Qin Luanyu pointed to the chessboard.

"No...hehehe, I'm not very good at playing."

"You must know a little bit, right? When we were playing chess just now, I noticed you kept hesitating, as if you really wanted to say something but were afraid of upsetting him. Especially when a beautiful and outstanding girl like me is around him."

Qin Luanyu smiled and stared at Hu Mengke.

Hu Mengke was taken aback, her expression constantly shifting as she struggled internally.

"Alright, come on," Qin Luanyu said leisurely. "I don't like to force people, but if you play a game with me, I can answer any question you ask. How about that?"

Hu Mengke was silent for a moment, then pursed her lips and forced a smile: "Okay, actually I used to really like playing chess when I was a kid, but I haven't played it for several years now."

"It's okay, I'm a terrible chess player too!" Qin Luanyu shook her head with a smile, and said while setting up the chess pieces, "Let me give you some advice. Actually, he doesn't like your timid way of acting. When he sees you like this, he will feel very disappointed and think that he didn't do well and that you are still afraid of him. And even if he doesn't think it, it's hard for a girl who is submissive and humble to gain a boy's heartfelt respect."

Hu Mengke froze, and after a long while, she looked up at her and asked, "Did he tell you this?"

"Of course not, why would he say anything bad about you behind your back?" Qin Luanyu shook her head and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "It seems you still don't understand him well enough. These are all just my guesses; I know him better than you do."

"Hehehe... Thank you for your advice."

Hu Mengke chuckled twice, seemingly out of nowhere.

"But I'm afraid you won't change it so easily, because only in this way can you feel at ease. I'm really sorry, I had someone investigate your medical report. I sympathize with you and can understand why you're clinging to him. He has this kind of magic that makes people who are about to drown hold on to him tightly. Actually, I've had similar feelings to you."

Hu Mengke's hand trembled, and her face flushed with shame.

She didn't question why the other party had investigated her without her consent; she didn't have the confidence or power to do so, and could only feel apprehensive.

Because of his illegitimate status, because of his poor circumstances, because Qin Luanyu's Ferrari-driving aura was too strong, and for various other reasons.

She became increasingly delicate and cautious, and even when she saw Li Zhuangsheng and Qin Luanyu chatting and laughing in front of her, she did not dare to show any jealousy or dissatisfaction.

"Actually, you guessed right. That's exactly why I came here," Qin Luanyu said again.

"What...are you saying?" Hu Mengke still forced a smile.

"To answer your question later," Qin Luanyu said calmly, "Didn't you want to ask me what my purpose was in coming here?"

"Yes, yes..." Hu Mengke bit her lips until they turned white.

"So I'll answer you now." Qin Luanyu laughed and confessed, "It's for the reason you're thinking of: to take Li Zhuangsheng away from you."

Hu Mengke's face turned pale and then flushed. She wanted to overturn the chessboard, but she felt completely drained and had no strength left.

Seeing that the other party had not made a move for a long time, Qin Luanyu smiled and said, "I thought you were going to imitate the Great Han Chess Master."

"What's the meaning……"

Hu Mengke lowered her head, her voice barely audible.

"Emperor Jing of Han, Liu Qi, when he was young, he was playing chess with someone. Perhaps because he lost, he flew into a rage and overturned the chessboard, killing the person in the process." Qin Luanyu blinked. "If Li Zhuang were alive, he would instantly understand this reference. Then we might discuss the Rebellion of the Seven States and the death of Zhou Yafu, the great physician Consort Li and her unfortunate son, the merits and demerits of Emperor Wu of Han, famous poems in the Han dynasty, and even the political system of the early Han dynasty, the evolution and demise of the feudal system and the system of coexistence of prefectures and counties… In short, we could talk about so much, any topic could spark a long conversation. You saw that just now, didn't you?" (End of Chapter)