Classmate Li Zhuangsheng doesn’t want to be reborn

The two wandered aimlessly through the alleys of the Guomao area, chatting and laughing. They talked about the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, discussed Li Bai and Du Fu, and went from "Ancient Poetry Source" to "Exquisite Lyrics"... Although Li Zhuangsheng did most of the talking, Hu Mengdie's occasional interjections made Li Zhuangsheng truly feel that the other party was listening attentively and engaging in conversation, rather than just being politely perfunctory.

Occasionally, Li Zhuangsheng's mind would briefly wander, creating a sense of unreality.

It was as if he had just woken up from a dream. Outside the window, the shadows of the trees swayed, and inside the room, a cool breeze rustled. He woke up from his afternoon nap and felt as if he were in the human world.
It was so perfect it was unreal, so perfect that Li Zhuangsheng once thought Shirakawa Kotori, or rather Shirakawa Nanaka, had stepped out of an anime. It belonged to him.

Even the most stubborn, die-hard anime fan couldn't find fault with Hu Mengdie. Moreover, while veteran anime fans might whine that anime is the best, they're actually the easiest to win over. Generally speaking, anime is an emotional utopia built specifically for people who lack love in real life. No one in a "real-life" world would seek solace in anime. In reality, if a girl treats them kindly, they can immediately imagine the names of their future children.

"Oh dear, let's take a look here!" Hu Mengdie tugged at Li Zhuangsheng's arm and pointed to the side.

Li Zhuangsheng turned his head and saw that it was a shoe store.

"Are you buying shoes?" Li Zhuangsheng asked.

"So this used to be a shoe store... I can't quite remember. Hmm, I think there was one."

Hu Mengdie didn't answer, only staring at the shoe store and muttering to herself. Li Zhuangsheng tilted his head; he was already used to Hu Mengdie's jarring presence. She always said strange things, as if he had returned from the future.

"Let's go in!" Hu Mengdie said with a smile, pulling Li Zhuangsheng's arm.

Li Zhuangsheng nodded and glanced at the shoes on Hu Mengdie's feet.

Upon entering the shoe store, Li Zhuangsheng looked around, wondering which pair of shoes Hu Mengdie would take a liking to. To his surprise, Hu Mengdie skipped the women's shoe section and went straight to the men's shoe section.

"Which one do you think looks best?" Hu Mengdie asked with a smile as she looked at the dazzling array of shoes.

"Huh?" Li Zhuangsheng didn't react.

"Sigh... never mind, you're not particular about food, clothing, shelter, or transportation." Hu Mengdie shook her head helplessly. "Shall I choose for you?"

"Huh? What are you going to do?" Li Zhuangsheng was taken aback.

Hu Mengdie ignored him, examined one for a moment, picked it up, and looked at the shop assistant: "Hello, do you have size 41 of this one?"

Li Zhuangsheng hurriedly tugged at Hu Mengdie's sleeve in a panic: "What, what are you going to do?"

Hu Mengdie smiled and said, "Thank you for accompanying me shopping today. Here's a pair of shoes as a gift for you!"

"No, no, no, I really don't need it!"

Li Zhuangsheng was overjoyed and quickly declined. Hu Mengdie ignored him, taking the shoes from the shop assistant before looking at Li Zhuangsheng:

"You, come sit down!"

"no no……"

"Sit down, or I'll never talk to you again!"

Li Zhuangsheng could only blush and sit down awkwardly, though he still muttered his refusal.

Hu Mengdie squatted down in front of Li Zhuangsheng, grabbed his ankle with one hand, and took off his old shoes.

"You, don't..."

Li Zhuangsheng blushed as if drunk, his heart in turmoil. He could only stare blankly as Hu Mengdie took off his old shoes and gently put new ones on him.

"Alright!" Hu Mengdie said with a smile as she stood up. "Get up and walk around a bit, see if it's too cramped!"

"I...I really don't need it..." "Hurry up!" Hu Mengdie pulled Li Zhuangsheng up and took a few steps, then walked up to him again. "How are you feeling?"

"me……"

Li Zhuangsheng was at a loss, looking like he was about to cry.

Hu Mengdie saw it all and was delighted. That expression was so adorable, even more innocent than her future self.

However, compared to Hu Mengdie's ease and composure at this moment, Li Zhuangsheng's heart was filled with turbulent waves!

He didn't know how to describe his feelings at that moment; he just felt like his heart was about to explode! Looking at the person in front of him, he suddenly wished he could spend the rest of his life protecting her, and he wished he could give her everything!
"What's wrong? Why are you looking like that?" Hu Mengdie shook her watch. "Didn't you give me this too?"

Li Zhuangsheng remained silent, simply staring at her blankly. Hu Mengdie smiled and paid the bill directly. Men are so simple; their expressions are always written on their faces. Treat them even slightly well, and they'll want to give you their whole heart.

Although Li Zhuangsheng didn't lack a pair of shoes, every time he wore those shoes, he would recall this sweet and touching memory.

He had the same expression last time. Perhaps it's because unpopular guys naturally feel a sense of unworthiness when a girl shows them kindness.

Hu Mengdie asked the waiter to pack up the old shoes, then handed them to Li Zhuangsheng.

"How much is it? I'll pay you back later..." Li Zhuangsheng murmured, biting his lip.

"Fool." Hu Mengdie gave him a look that was half-scolding and half-smiling, her eyes like crescent moons, then walked out of the shoe store on her own, sighing inexplicably, "A lone white rabbit, wandering east and west. Clothes are not as good as new, but people are not as good as old."

Li Zhuangsheng quickly caught up, but then heard Hu Mengdie say, "Hey, did any other girls give you shoes before?"

"No, no, no, no!"

Li Zhuangsheng shook his head vigorously; besides Li Xiuyu, there was indeed no one else.

"Then remember this: the first girl to give you shoes was me."

Hu Mengdie placed her fingers near her face and smiled gently, her smile as radiant as the bright moon.

Li Zhuangsheng's heart pounded even faster, as if it were about to explode. He was overcome with an unprecedented impulse, almost abandoning all reason: "I like..."

"What are you two doing?" A surprised voice suddenly sounded from behind.

Li Zhuangsheng seemed to wake from a dream, and turned around abruptly to find Zhu Zhixue, Yao Xingyu, and Zeng Chen standing there.

Veins bulged on Hu Mengdie's forehead, her gaze turning icy. She was about to get the information she wanted from Li Zhuangsheng when, of all times, this most annoying obstacle appeared!

"You and I……"

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Li Zhuangsheng's face, but it wasn't because of Hu Mengdie; rather, it was the lingering fear he felt in his current state of clarity. He realized he had almost made the grave mistake of "puppy love," especially since Hu Mengdie had said she "didn't like him." If he had actually said it out loud, the consequences would have been quite embarrassing.

"Speak up!"

Zhu Zhixue bit her lip, her surprised gaze shifting from the shoebox in Li Zhuangsheng's hand to Hu Mengdie's face.

Hu Mengdie smiled and said, "My father's birthday is coming soon, and I would like to ask Li Zhuangsheng to help me choose a gift. Is that alright?"

"Why did you have to go after Li Zhuangsheng?!" Zhu Zhixue's resentful gaze seemed to want to devour her on the spot! (End of Chapter)