Rebirth: Start to Save the Treasure Girl

"I had completely forgotten about it until you mentioned it, let's just forget about it." Gu Muxue said in a relaxed tone.

Because Lin Ruoxi's grandmother was sick, Xue Rui went back to stay with Lin Ruoxi.

In Gu Muxue's eyes, this was an "uncontrollable event".

Gu Muxue planned to pretend nothing had happened and return to her normal life.

After all, if she were to fuss over even this, it would seem rather heartless.

Lin Ruoxi's explicit demand to "pay back the debt" made Gu Muxue very uncomfortable.

If she agrees now, will Lin Ruoxi ask her for money if she needs to take Xue Rui away later?
Lin Ruoxi bit her lip tightly, her expression very conflicted.

Gu Muxue meant that she shouldn't have to pay it back, which greatly appealed to Lin Ruoxi.

I could only see Xue Rui three or four days a week before, but if I wanted to "pay in installments," I would only be able to see him one or two days a week...

For Lin Ruoxi, this was nothing short of torture; just thinking about it made her feel that the next month would be bleak.

Lin Ruoxi thought that as long as she agreed, her life would brighten up again.

But what's the price?

There's no such thing as a free lunch; everything comes with a hidden price.

Lin Ruoxi understood this principle well. Just like when she lent money to her grandmother for medical treatment, everyone else looked embarrassed, but only Aunt Zhang readily agreed.

Behind the exhilaration lies a price...

Lin Ruoxi shook her head; she had to resist the temptation.

But if we only meet once a week, will I be able to handle it?

As time goes by, Gu Muxue might just forget about it...

……

Gu Muxue almost burst out laughing while watching from the side.

Lin Ruoxi is so funny; one minute her eyes are shining, the next she's pouting.

In just half a minute, it felt like two little people were fighting in Lin Ruoxi's mind, one called "morality" and the other called "greed".

However, this also made Gu Muxue feel more at ease with Lin Ruoxi.

This silly girl doesn't have any bad intentions; she just wants to spend more time with Xue Rui.

"Even close brothers need to keep clear accounts; I need to pay back what I owe."

The moment Lin Ruoxi finished speaking, the light in her eyes gradually dimmed, as if she were somewhat regretful.

Gu Muxue sighed inwardly; it seemed that the villain of "morality" had won after all.

"Then you can return it. I'm leaving now."

Knowing that Lin Ruoxi had already made her decision, Gu Muxue realized that further persuasion would be futile, so she simply agreed.

However, just as she was about to turn around and get out of the car, she noticed that Lin Ruoxi suddenly turned her head, as if she had something else to say to her.

"Any thing else?"

Gu Muxue frowned, wondering if Lin Ruoxi had changed her mind again.
"No, it's nothing." Lin Ruoxi shook her head vigorously.

"Ok, bye."

Gu Muxue opened the car door and noticed that she was keeping an eye on Lin Ruoxi's reaction out of the corner of her eye.

She noticed that Lin Ruoxi seemed hesitant to speak, as if she wanted to say something but was too embarrassed to do so.

This made Gu Muxue's heart itch with curiosity; she was very curious about what Lin Ruoxi was going to say.

So Gu Muxue got out of the car slowly, and even came back to get her bag after walking out, giving Lin Ruoxi plenty of time to speak.

However, Lin Ruoxi did not speak until she closed the car door.

Gu Muxue sighed inwardly, thinking to herself, "I've given you all my chances, but you chose not to say it."

But after walking a few steps, Gu Muxue felt a renewed sense of curiosity, like a cat scratching at her heart. So she turned around and found Lin Ruoxi standing next to the car, looking at her.

Gu Muxue took a deep breath and strode towards Lin Ruoxi. She needed to get to the bottom of things from Lin Ruoxi, otherwise she wouldn't be able to sleep well tonight.

Lin Ruoxi saw Gu Muxue rushing towards her, her expression visibly flustered.

What should I do...?

Mu Xue seems to be angry...

What exactly are you trying to tell me?

Gu Muxue stared intently into Lin Ruoxi's eyes, a hint of anger flickering in her expression.

Lin Ruoxi dared not look directly at Gu Muxue, slowly lowering her head, her almond-shaped eyes timid, glancing at Gu Muxue every now and then, then looking away as if she had been electrocuted...

Gu Muxue felt a little irritated. She stretched out a finger and forcefully lifted Lin Ruoxi's chin, making Lin Ruoxi look directly at her.

"Say it."

Lin Ruoxi's timid demeanor made it seem as if she was bullying Lin Ruoxi.

But this lift made Lin Ruoxi even more flustered.

Lin Ruoxi actually wanted to talk to Gu Muxue about whether the "installment repayment" could be extended a little longer.

Even if it takes more than a month to "pay off" the debt, Lin Ruoxi still finds it hard to bear.

But a month is already a long time. Lin Ruoxi felt that if it went any longer, it would be a bit too much. Just thinking about it made her cheeks burn...

If it keeps growing, can it still be called "paying off debts"?

Lin Ruoxi opened her sparkling eyes and looked timidly at Gu Muxue. She pursed her lips again and again, the words swirling on her tongue several times, but she still didn't have the courage to speak. Her head unconsciously lowered again.

Gu Muxue's patience was almost at its limit, and she forcefully lifted Lin Ruoxi's head again.

Lin Ruoxi knew she couldn't avoid it, so she braced herself and said with a flushed face, "Well... could you extend it a little longer? I'll take one more day a week..."

Lin Ruoxi's voice grew softer and softer, her face flushed crimson, her two slender index fingers pressed against her chest, fingertips touching, again and again...

Each time she pointed, Lin Ruoxi would quickly glance at Gu Muxue's reaction. Seeing Gu Muxue's chest rise and fall, she would quickly lower her head again and bite her lip tightly.

I went too far...

Lin Ruoxi began to think about how to quell Gu Muxue's anger.

Gu Muxue's breathing quickened.

Lin Ruoxi borrowed ten yuan from a classmate, agreeing to pay back one yuan a week...

How should I put it? It sounds so petty and stingy.

He's still looking down, fiddling with his fingers, his eyes full of anticipation as he waits for me to agree.

No wonder Xiao Rui likes Lin Ruoxi; her petty and unassuming demeanor is sometimes quite endearing.

"How about this, you pay one day a month, and pay it off in one year."

Gu Muxue decided to extend the timeframe further.

"Really...really?"

Lin Ruoxi timidly raised her head and looked at Gu Muxue with a shy expression, afraid that Gu Muxue was saying the opposite of what she meant.

"Really," Gu Muxue said, looking into Lin Ruoxi's eyes with a very sincere tone.

Lin Ruoxi's eyes lit up instantly, her sparkling eyes filled with starlight, and the timidness she had just shown vanished completely.

His fingers, pressed against his chest, clenched into small fists, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up in a smile.

Seeing that Gu Muxue wasn't smiling, Lin Ruoxi was afraid that if she smiled too happily, Gu Muxue would change her mind. She pursed her lips, put her hands behind her back, and gently swayed on her tiptoes: "Thank you."

Gu Muxue smiled and shook her head. Lin Ruoxi's smile was really beautiful; she was even a little jealous.

"Mmm." Lin Ruoxi quickly covered her mouth. She remembered that Gu Muxue had said last time that good friends don't say thank you.

Was Gu Muxue shaking her head a reminder to herself?
Gu Muxue frowned, wondering why Lin Ruoxi was so easily startled.
But soon, she was able to understand what Lin Ruoxi was thinking.

It should be that "thank you" from earlier?
"Alright, alright, don't listen to him. Just say what you want to say," Gu Muxue said with a smile.

Lin Ruoxi gently shook her head; she still wanted to listen to Xue Rui.

She used a kiss to express her gratitude to Xue Rui, but she couldn't do that to Gu Muxue.

Lin Ruoxi hesitated for a moment, then reached out and gently hugged Gu Muxue, whispering in Gu Muxue's ear, "I'm leaving now, bye-bye."

Before Gu Muxue could respond, Lin Ruoxi scurried back into the car as if fleeing, as if afraid that Gu Muxue might change her mind.

Gu Muxue stood there, stunned, not yet realizing what Lin Ruoxi meant.

Why did you suddenly hug her?
"Beep beep~"

Two honks pulled Gu Muxue back to reality. She waved at the car, "Bye-bye." ...

Meanwhile, inside the vegetable store.

Xue Rui stared blankly in the direction of the two people, his mind completely blank.

What happened in the end?
Gu Muxue first pinched Lin Ruoxi's chin, and then Lin Ruoxi hugged Gu Muxue.

Too strange……

Xue Rui only slowly came to his senses after the two disappeared from sight.

"Those two girls are really pretty, they're a feast for the eyes. Are they your girlfriends?" the shopkeeper joked, then started weighing Xue Rui and settling the bill.

"Yes, she's my girlfriend." Xue Rui smiled smugly.

"Which one?" the boss asked casually.

Xue Rui chuckled: "Both of them."

"Tch." The boss just thought Xue Rui was bragging.

As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Muxue opened the curtain first. She didn't go inside, but instead reached out and held up the plastic bag. Then she smiled at Xue Rui and said, "Let me see what you bought?"

"Who are you?" the boss asked tentatively.

"I'm his girlfriend," Gu Muxue replied without hesitation.

The boss suddenly looked up and stared at Xue Rui with a strange expression.

Was this kid not bragging?
However, the owner didn't say anything, but silently packed the dishes up: "They're a perfect match."

The shopkeeper picked up a bunch of celery: "Look, beautiful lady, how green this celery is!"

Xue Rui's heart skipped a beat, wondering what kind of crazy move the boss was making?

Gu Muxue replied politely, "Yes, it's very fresh."

The shopkeeper realized that Gu Muxue hadn't understood him, so he took out a bunch of cilantro: "Look at this cilantro, so green and vibrant, it's yours."

"thank you boss."

boss:"……"

Xue Rui: "..."

……

After leaving the grocery store, Xue Rui rummaged through the bag and said solemnly, "Mu Xue, the vegetables at this store aren't fresh. Let's go to another store next time."

"It's quite fresh, and the owner even gave us some cilantro."

Gu Muxue looked suspicious, still recalling the exchange of glances between Xue Rui and the vegetable shop owner earlier.

Gu Muxue felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

So she stared intently at Xue Rui, wanting to see if he had anything to say.

Feeling a little uncomfortable under his gaze, Xue Rui asked directly, "Mu Xue, what do you want to ask?"

"Hmm...it's nothing." Gu Muxue shook her head, realizing she was overthinking it.

"Were you angry at school just now?"

Xue Rui wanted to distract Gu Muxue.

"No." Gu Muxue replied calmly.

"Really not?" Xue Rui asked in a low voice.

"I'll get angry if you ask me again." Gu Muxue blushed and stomped her foot angrily.

You know I'm asking, why don't you just try to comfort me?

"Okay, okay, it was my fault."

Xue Rui put his arm around Gu Muxue's shoulder and then quietly began to inquire about what was happening at the entrance of the vegetable shop.

Gu Muxue didn't hide anything and recounted what had just happened between her and Lin Ruoxi. Then, with eyes full of curiosity, she asked, "Why did she hug me?"

"She treats you like a good friend, and a hug is her way of saying thank you."

Xue Rui instantly understood Lin Ruoxi's thoughts, after all, he had practically raised Lin Ruoxi himself.

He knew what the little girl wanted to do just by wagging her tail.

Gu Muxue pouted, a sudden pang of sadness welling up inside her.

She thought about it for a long time but couldn't figure it out, while Xue Rui guessed what Lin Ruoxi was thinking just by listening to her describe it once.

Xue Rui really understands Lin Ruoxi; the two are so close...

Suddenly, Gu Muxue narrowed her eyes, recalling the shop owner's strange behavior.

Xue Rui has been away from home recently, and when she has free time, she buys groceries and cooks for herself. She is quite familiar with her boss.

The boss was clearly ordering something from her!

This is his own territory, so what exactly did Xue Rui say to them?
Without even thinking, it must be related to Lin Ruoxi.

Gu Muxue was almost certain in her heart, but she had no evidence!
What could she do?

What Xue Rui said is the truth...

She had already accepted Lin Ruoxi's existence; it was only a matter of time before she was discovered...

But Gu Muxue just couldn't swallow this insult.

So Gu Muxue raised her head and stared at Xue Rui with a fierce look:

"Xiao Rui, you've been staying in Hedong for so many days, have you been having a secret rendezvous with Chen Tingting?"

Xue Rui slowly turned his head, a huge question mark in his mind.

What a fabricated charge...

Oh no, Gu Muxue is still angry.

"I really wanted to get out of the car to pick you up, but Xixi locked the car and wouldn't let me get out."

Xue Rui chose to "sell" Lin Ruoxi.

Xixi, I'm so sorry...

Mu Xue is gentler with you than she is with me.

"Don't try to evade the issue. I'm asking you a question. She works at your house. Did you have someone take care of her? Did you secretly contact her?" Gu Muxue persisted.

Xue Rui's lips twitched uncontrollably: "I guarantee that her going to my house has absolutely nothing to do with me."

"Hand over your phone, let me check it." Gu Muxue's palm was facing up.

Xue Rui handed over his phone almost without hesitation.

Gu Muxue took the phone screen and saw the photo of Xue Rui and Lin Ruoxi on the wallpaper, and her mood immediately soured.

Bastard, bastard!
It's been so long, why haven't you changed the wallpaper yet?

Gu Muxue knew that she could see her own photo after unlocking the door, but she was still angry that Xue Rui had left Lin Ruoxi outside.

Can't we change seats occasionally?

Gu Muxue didn't say anything explicitly, but just glanced at the wallpaper and then at Xue Rui.

Xue Rui's forehead was covered in a thin layer of cold sweat.

There's nothing we can do about it...

In his career, Lin Ruoxi has appeared in public far too often. If he were to change the photos with Gu Muxue, his business partners would inevitably ask about it from time to time.

"Give me Mu Xue's phone."

As Xue Rui spoke, he pressed the unlock button, revealing a photo of the two of them on the unlock page.

He arranged the icons on the homepage in a circle, just enough not to obscure Gu Muxue's face.

"I want to hide you away and watch you secretly by myself."

Xue Rui didn't change the wallpaper, but he still had to give Gu Muxue an explanation.

Gu Muxue saw the desktop icons arranged like a picture frame, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on her lips.

Gu Muxue slowly slid her finger across the screen, opened Chen Tingting's text message page, casually scrolled through it, turned her back and secretly sent a message, then deleted the message and returned the phone:

"If she contacts you again, you have to let me know."

The moment Xue Rui took the phone, another blocked message appeared. (End of Chapter)