Rebirth: Start to Save the Treasure Girl

Chen Tingting washed her face in the bathroom before slowly walking out, her face covered in water droplets and water dripping from her wet chin.

"Have you figured it out?" Chen Shen bent down and carefully dabbed the water droplets on Chen Tingting's face with a tissue.

"Well, Xue Rui just told me that he's not usually at school, so it doesn't matter where I apply," Chen Tingting explained.

"Sigh~" Chen Shen bent down and took a tissue to wipe away Chen Tingting's tears little by little. Kind wrinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes, which were full of love and heartache.

Chen Shen didn't feel sorry for Chen Tingting, but for himself.

He's almost fifty and his career is at its peak. He's always the one being asked for favors, but when it comes to Chen Tingting, he always has to lower his head and beg for a child.

Because so many people couldn't persuade Chen Tingting, only Xue Rui could change her mind...

Back in the meeting room, each teacher in the office had a test paper in hand, thinking of helping Chen Tingting review the test again and calculate her specific score.

"Tingting, did you do the last big question? Did you show the whole process?" the math teacher asked gently.

Chen Tingting pouted, pretending not to hear, and whispered to Chen Shen, "Old Chen, why are we back again?"

"What a rare opportunity! So many teachers are helping you choose your major, we can't miss it," Chen Shen said cheerfully.

The vice principal said, "Let's calculate it again carefully and see if Tingting has any hope of getting into Tsinghua or Peking University."

"No need to estimate, I'm going to Jiaotong University," Chen Tingting said.

The teachers in the office exchanged a glance and nodded with satisfaction.

“Shanghai Jiao Tong University is a good university, but it depends on what major you want to study. Different schools have different focuses. Jiao Tong University is more engineering-oriented,” the principal said.

“I want to go to Chang’an Jiaotong University,” Chen Tingting corrected.

"No, why?" The principal almost choked on his breath.

According to Chen Tingting's estimated score, she could choose any major below Tsinghua or Peking University, so why did she choose Chang'an Jiaotong University?

The cutoff score was several tens of points short!

It's said that a single point can make a difference of thousands of places, and Chen Tingting's ranking dropped by at least tens of thousands of places.

"Tingting, the principal is asking you a question." Chen Shen said helplessly. He had actually expected this. The Jiaotong University that Chen Tingting was talking about must be the one in Chang'an.

"Because the boy I like is in Chang'an." Chen Tingting looked infatuated, already fantasizing about strolling around campus with Xue Rui.

The teachers were both amused and exasperated, realizing that Chen Tingting had only made a slight concession.

It's alright, I guess...

Have you thought about what major you want to choose?

Chen Tingting blurted out, "Software Engineering."

"Why? Usually only boys choose this." The homeroom teacher looked surprised.

“Because Xue Rui is in this major, and I study this too, we have more in common.” Chen Tingting pointed with two index fingers, her expression a little shy.

This was the first time she had ever confessed her feelings for Xue Rui in front of so many adults.

"Tingting, if you find out you don't like this major after you start school, it will affect your employment. Don't regret it then," the homeroom teacher said earnestly.

"No regrets, I like Xue Rui because he likes me," Chen Tingting said with a smile.

"Lin Ruoxi was a software engineer last year, she really has a hard time dealing with software engineers," the principal said with a wry smile.

Upon hearing the name "Lin Ruoxi," Chen Tingting's expression suddenly turned serious.

Know yourself and the enemy, a hundred battles will never end.

If you were to ask who she knows best, it wouldn't actually be Xue Rui, but rather Lin Ruoxi and Gu Muxue.

She had given it her all that year, and she was still very nervous when she took the college entrance exam. She was already struggling to finish the questions.

Lin Ruoxi, on the other hand, hardly studied at all, and even memorized the exam questions before handing in her paper half an hour early...

Only after trying it did I realize just how terrifying Lin Ruoxi really was.

Lin Ruoxi is like a mountain with no end in sight; she can never cross it.

If she chose the same option as Lin Ruoxi, she would appear very incompetent in Xue Rui's eyes...

"Let me think about what suits me better," Chen Tingting muttered to herself, wanting to play to her strengths and avoid her weaknesses.

Those two people both chose the one that suited them best, so I should also choose one that suits me best, and that one that is unique.

“Tingting’s parents, why don’t you let Tingting go to police academy?”

The homeroom teacher spoke very politely, but then he noticed the police rank insignia under Chen Shen's coat: two bars and three flowers...

Chen Tingting, you really don't know how lucky you are! With such a father, why are you still worried about your major?
The answer is written all over their faces!

"Would you like to be colleagues with Dad?" Chen Shen asked softly.

This was Chen Shen's true feeling. If Chen Tingting called the police and went to school, she would be under his watchful eye when she came home, and of course she wouldn't suffer any hardship.

"Can the police arrest Xue Rui?" Chen Tingting asked in a low voice.

"No." Chen Shen pinched his brow, looking several years older in an instant.

"Wouldn't that have been a waste of time?" Chen Tingting muttered.

"So what do you like?" Chen Shen asked patiently.

“I like Xue Rui,” Chen Tingting said without hesitation.

Chen Shen: "..."

"Don't bother me, let me think about it more carefully." Chen Tingting dragged a chair to the window and sat there, staring blankly at the setting sun.

The teachers in the office were suddenly free, but since neither the principal nor the vice-principal had left, no one wanted to leave first.

The group exchanged glances, then turned their attention to Chen Shen.

What profession is best suited for cultivating connections? Teachers are definitely one of them…

After all, which family doesn't have a child?

People are very willing to befriend high-quality parents like Chen Shen, and they can offer help when needed...

"Officer Chen, want to go out for a smoke?"

A teacher took out a cigarette case, his expression somewhat ingratiating.

Chen Tingting glanced at it; she had seen this scene many times before, with people always begging her father for favors.

Not just my father, but my mother too, it seems she's been promoted to head nurse...

In fact, Chen Tingting's family background is almost among the top in small cities.

Chen Tingting has no specific plans for her career or future, and can only search through her limited experience.

Her parents' professions were highly respected, and she subconsciously wanted to emulate them.

But she wanted to do something more for Xue Rui.

Lin Ruoxi can help Xue Rui's career, while Gu Muxue's family is quite wealthy, so she chose finance.

What about yourself?

What can I do for Xue Rui?

Chen Tingting suddenly felt useless, as she was of no help to Xue Rui at all.

"Cough cough..."

A cough suddenly sounded behind me.

Chen Tingting turned around and saw a handful of pills in front of the principal, who was opening the lid of a thermos.

The principal and Chen Tingting exchanged a glance and sighed, "As we get older, our health is deteriorating day by day."

Chen Tingting suddenly realized.

She recalled the love story between Lao Chen and her mother. Wasn't the reason her mother was able to win over Lao Chen because she benefited from her career?
"Thank you, Principal," Chen Tingting said sweetly.

The principal was drinking water when his eyes suddenly widened, and he stared blankly at Chen Tingting.

He swallowed the pills in his mouth: "What are you thanking me for?" "Thank you for giving me guidance. I've made up my mind, I want to study medicine." Chen Tingting's tone was firm.

If she becomes a doctor, she can help treat Xue Rui when he is unwell in the future.

The key point is that she is in no way inferior to Lin Ruoxi and Gu Muxue.

"What?" Chen Shen pushed open the door and entered, finding it hard to accept Chen Tingting's idea.

His wife works in the medical system, so he knows all too well how tiring it is for doctors.

The learning cycle is long and the workload is heavy.

Moreover, it's a lifelong learning process; you can't stop at any age...

“I told her I wanted to apply to medical school and become a doctor,” Chen Tingting repeated.

"No, absolutely not!" Chen Shen refused outright.

Chen Shen wanted Chen Tingting to live an easier life, to spend the rest of her life under his protection.

As for hard work, just find a good, obedient son-in-law.

"Old Chen, if you ever get a headache or fever in the future, wouldn't it be convenient for you to have me as a doctor?" Chen Tingting said, pouting.

The teachers nodded in agreement, and the principal looked at Chen Shen with envy, saying, "With such a wonderful daughter, you're going to be very lucky in the future."

"The same goes for the teachers. Once I become a doctor, I'll give you special treatment," Chen Tingting promised.

"Okay, okay." Everyone nodded with smiles, their gazes towards Chen Tingting unusually gentle.

Students repaying kindness is something every teacher dreams of, and even if it sounds immoral, no one can refuse it.

Looking at the envious glances of everyone, Chen Shen thought to himself, "You still don't understand Chen Tingting."

Why did Chen Tingting study medicine?
Is that for my convenience? More like it's for Xue Rui's convenience...

No one knows a daughter better than her father, and Chen Shen had already guessed most of it.

"Dad~"

Chen Tingting tugged at Chen Shen's arm and acted coquettishly, her long, curled eyelashes fluttering gently, her bright eyes seeming to speak volumes.

"Fine, whatever you say," Chen Shen said helplessly.

"Old Chen, I'm hungry. I'm going home for dinner."

Chen Tingting roughly grabbed Chen Shen's arm and dragged him toward the door.

Chen Shen looked miserable; one second he was sweetly calling him "Dad," and the next he was calling him "Old Chen"...

"Hey~"

Chen Shen sighed inwardly, "Who told me to be your father?"

Chen Tingting walked ahead, hopping and skipping while pulling on Chen Shen's arm, and Chen Shen jogged a few steps to catch up.

After getting into the car, Chen Shen started the engine, glanced at the time again, and patted the back of Chen Tingting's head in the passenger seat.
“Your mom is working overtime today, let’s go out to eat, I’ll treat you to something nice.”

"Hmm..." Chen Tingting hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Let's go to Qunfanglou."

Chen Shen's face immediately darkened. How could a meal be related to Xue Rui's family?

"Can't bear to part with it?" Chen Tingting muttered softly.

"No, let's go." Chen Shen started the car and casually asked, "What kind of dishes do you like at his place?"

"No, I just thought that I shouldn't let others make the money."

Chen Tingting said with a serious expression.

Chen Shen's breath hitched, and his fingers gripping the steering wheel turned white.

Well, things haven't even started yet, and they're already treating someone else's house like their own...

"Tingting, where do you want to go for summer vacation? Have you made any plans with your classmates?" Chen Shen asked in a relaxed tone.

To take his daughter on a trip, Chen Shen saved up more than a month's vacation, thinking that he would accompany Chen Tingting wherever she went.

"I want to go to work and earn some living expenses," Chen Tingting said.

Chen Shen almost choked on his breath. Although his family wasn't wealthy, they could afford to send their children to school and take them on trips without any financial strain...

Could it be that Chen Tingting was too strapped for cash and had misjudged the family's financial situation?

“Tingting, our family is actually quite well-off,” Chen Shen explained.

"Oh, that's not what I meant. I'm going to work at Qunfanglou so I can ask Uncle Xue if Xue Rui is back as soon as possible," Chen Tingting said with a smile.

"No way," Chen Shen said immediately.

"Old Chen! I've already made an appointment with the manager," Chen Tingting shouted.

Chen Shen used to admire Xue Rui, but now, just thinking about that kid makes him so angry that his teeth are practically grinding to powder, making a "crunching" sound.

"Old Chen, there's a rat in your car." Chen Tingting huddled in her seat, her voice trembling with tension.

Chen Shen's face turned bright red; he looked like a giant rat again...

They happened to encounter a congested section of road, and the car was unusually quiet. To ease the tension, Chen Shen honked the horn twice.

A short while later, a bald head popped out from the driver's seat of the BMW in front. The head slowly turned, revealing a furious face: "Are you in such a hurry to be reborn? What are you pressing...?"

The moment the bald man saw Chen Shen's expression, his anger instantly turned into a fawning look: "Uncle, you have urgent business, please go ahead."

As he spoke, the bald man turned his attention to the surrounding cars, cursing as he squeezed into the adjacent lane, creating a clearing for himself.

Chen Shen didn't stop and squeezed forward, emerging from the congested traffic.

If it were the old Chen Shen, he would never have done this.

He realized that he had been too low-key in the past, always teaching his children not to cause trouble and to follow the rules.

Following the rules means being easily bullied.

If he had been domineering before, having his apprentice pick up and drop off his daughter, which thug would have dared to mess with Chen Tingting?
Without that incident, Chen Tingting wouldn't have been so infatuated with a boy.

It's all his responsibility as a father.

Looking at Chen Shen, Chen Tingting suddenly felt that her father was somewhat unfamiliar.

“Old Chen, you’ve changed,” Chen Tingting said.

“I’m going to put the bill on hold today. Do you know what that means? It means I’m not paying Xue Rui’s family any money,” Chen Shen said with a stern face.

"If you... if you do this, I'll never talk to you again," Chen Tingting threatened.

Chen Shen remained silent and continued driving.

When Chen Tingting realized that Chen Shen was ignoring her, she muttered with tears in her eyes, "You're ignoring me too."

With a click, Chen Tingting unbuckled her seatbelt and said stubbornly, "I want to get out of the car!"

Chen Shen quickly regained his normal tone: "It was Dad's fault. I was just joking with you. Aren't we almost there? Sit down."

"So, are you still keeping accounts?" Chen Tingting pressed.

"I won't remember, I won't remember..." Chen Shen repeated several times.

A few minutes later, the car stopped in front of Qunfanglou. The doorman saw that it was an official vehicle and hurriedly ran into the store to inform the owner.

Those who dare to park here are definitely not ordinary people.

Chen Shen got out of the car and habitually buttoned up his coat to cover his work clothes underneath.

However, as he buttoned the second button, he heard Chen Tingting's voice in the distance:
"Hello Uncle Xue, when is Xue Rui coming home?"

Chen Shen paused for a moment, then unbuttoned the clothes he had just put on, stuffed them back into the car, and walked straight toward Chen Tingting.

Xue Jianfeng glanced at Chen Shen briefly, thinking that this person looked unfamiliar. When he noticed the other's epaulets, his pupils shrank subconsciously. Then he put on a flattering smile, walked past Chen Tingting, and walked towards Chen Shen.

"Uncle Xue..."

Chen Tingting looked dejected, and Xue Rui's father didn't want to talk to her... (End of Chapter)