Classmate Li Zhuangsheng doesn’t want to be reborn

Could it be that I was really being played?

Li Zhuangsheng unconsciously clenched his fists; the more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

Losing face in front of Li Xiuyu was nothing, but the thought of his own shameful self-indulgent fantasies, and how ridiculous it all seemed in Hu Mengdie's eyes, with the other party even mocking his narcissism behind his back... made his face burn with shame and resentment!

Li Xiuyu glanced sideways at Li Zhuangsheng's face, then his eyes swept across the room and he suddenly saw Yi Yunshui walking towards the two of them. He waved and said, "Hey, Yi Yunshui, you've come at the perfect time!"

"What's wrong?" Yi Yunshui asked with a smile as she leaned closer.

"Do some women like to gamble on whether they can seduce a certain guy?"

"Ah...ah, ah ah!" Yi Yunshui was stunned. She didn't know what Li Xiuyu was talking about, but in front of Li Xiuyu, she could only nod in agreement, "Yes, that's right."

"See? But I can't say for sure that Hu Mengdie would play around with others like that. Maybe she really likes you. Anyway, you can decide for yourself!" Li Xiuyu then turned to Li Zhuangsheng with satisfaction, half-jokingly, "If you really want to date her, then go ahead. Or if you want to find a partner, I can introduce you to a good-looking one. What do you think of Yi Yunshui?"

She feigned reluctance to definitively say no, because she could tell from Li Zhuangsheng's expression that he had already made up his mind.

"Hehe, hehe, no need, no need!"

Li Zhuangsheng chuckled dryly and waved his hand, feeling powerless, ashamed, and angry. He secretly resented her for choosing him of all people. Was it because of this damned name that she picked on him?
"What...what happened?"

Yi Yunshui took a slight step back, completely bewildered. She didn't know the cause and effect, and could only analyze the situation from the brief exchange. What happened to Hu Mengdie again? Did Hu Mengdie make a bet? Who was she trying to seduce? Li Zhuangsheng?

“It’s nothing…” Li Zhuangsheng replied instinctively.

Li Xiuyu said calmly and confidently, "It's really nothing. Aren't you uninterested in romance? Wise people don't fall in love; they either end up lonely or vulgar. Just be a little careful!"

Li Zhuangsheng immediately nodded vigorously: "That's right, I only like anime! I like girls who are as beautiful and pure as the moon! I have absolutely no interest in real-life romance!"

"She's just putting on a brave face..." Yi Yunshui thought to herself. However, since she didn't know the details and wouldn't offend Li Xiuyu's brother, she said nothing and didn't get involved.

"Okay, then there's no problem!"

Li Xiuyu feigned nonchalance, and Li Zhuangsheng's shame and resentment gradually subsided. The other party had given him ample face; at least in front of others, he was no longer the clown.

Besides, I haven't confessed yet, have I? Yes, I haven't fallen for it yet, so it's not too embarrassing... No one else knows my thoughts. Maybe Hu Mengdie will misunderstand something, but as long as I don't fall for her tricks, that's all that matters!
"Well, actually I was just asking. I was wondering about it too... but what you guys are doing is really unethical. I'll let it go, I definitely won't fall for that easily, but... playing with other people's feelings is a bit immoral... It's lucky you ran into me, if it were someone else..."

“Indeed, it’s quite pointless to build your happiness on the suffering of others,” Li Xiuyu echoed.

"Then what should I do next... Oh, I'll head back to class now!" Li Zhuangsheng looked down at his shoes.

"Okay, you can go back now, bye!"

Li Xiuyu waved her hand and smiled slightly. She knew she had it all figured out; Hu Mengdie had been sentenced to death by Li Zhuangsheng.

Li Xiuyu wasn't worried about Li Zhuangsheng confronting Hu Mengdie. He disliked arguing and falling out with people, and he didn't want to embarrass anyone, even if the other party had ulterior motives. Besides, his pride wouldn't allow him to act like a resentful, dumped woman.

So even if he was convinced that Hu Mengdie was toying with him, he would never question her, much less voice his suspicions. He would simply pretend nothing had happened, as if he had never been "seduced" by Hu Mengdie. In truth, Li Xiuyu had no idea what had gotten into Hu Mengdie, why she had suddenly approached Li Zhuangsheng. Li Zhuangsheng clearly didn't know either… Perhaps she was truly blind to like Li Zhuangsheng. Perhaps it was some kind of unseen "destiny."

If a girl isn't interested in a guy, why would she spend so much time on him and engage in so much flirting?
Although Li Xiuyu felt a little guilty about ruining Li Zhuangsheng's marriage, he comforted himself by thinking that perhaps he was not mistaken and that Hu Mengdie was just trying to tease Li Zhuangsheng.
Besides, if Hu Mengdie really liked Li Zhuangsheng, why didn't she just say so? If she had said it, the two of them would have started dating long ago, wouldn't they?

This kind of ambiguous, hesitant tug-of-war, where you want to say something but don't, is clearly not sincere.

What, are you some high and mighty fairy who can't lower yourself to your level?
So you can't entirely blame me, can you?
Li Xiuyu thought to himself.

"Your brother, he..."

Yi Yunshui stared at Li Zhuangsheng's departing figure, her gaze unreadable. She seemed to have some guesses, but couldn't understand Li Xiuyu's motives; she was completely confused.

"nothing."

Li Xiuyu remained calm.

……

Li Zhuangsheng walked with his head down, a stark contrast to his arrogant demeanor when he left. He seemed to be dragging a heavy weight on his back as he returned to class.

Back in the classroom, he slumped over his seat, struggling to breathe.

"Li Zhuangsheng, did you talk to Hu Mengdie?" Chen Zhongshi walked over quickly, his eyes filled with jealousy, hostility, and joy.

"No. How could I possibly be worthy of Hu Mengdie? Don't talk nonsense!" Li Zhuangsheng felt as if his tail had been stepped on, and a surge of resentment rose within him. He waved his hand impatiently, "Leave me alone, okay? Let me have some peace and quiet!"

Chen Zhongshi frowned: "Then what exactly do you mean..."

Li Zhuangsheng felt a surge of anger rising within him, and he slammed his fist on the table: "I've already told you I'm annoying, so can you just leave me alone now?"

Chen Zhongshi was stunned for a moment. The anger of an honest man is indeed more lethal than that of an ordinary person. He moved his lips twice, looked at the anger on Li Zhuangsheng's face, and finally gave in for the time being, then turned and left.

But Li Zhuangsheng's anger did not disappear. After venting his anger on Chen Zhongshi, he took off his shoes and put them back on his old ones.

"What happened?"

Zhang Qixiang blinked and asked in a low voice.

"It's nothing!" Li Zhuangsheng turned his face away.

He lowered his head and clutched the hair tie in his hand again. Hu Mengdie's pure and lovely voice and smile reappeared before his eyes, and he felt increasingly humiliated and resentful.

He didn't know why he was so unwilling to accept it; perhaps it was because he had already come to regard Hu Mengdie as a "player" with extensive dating experience.

But even so, what difference does it make? Hu Mengdie has never truly belonged to him. (End of Chapter)