Rebirth: Start to Save the Treasure Girl

With Xue Rui's arrival, Chen Tingting felt reassured and had the confidence to argue with Lin Ruoxi again.

She hugged Xue Rui's waist and made a face at Lin Ruoxi in a provocative manner.

When Lin Ruoxi heard Chen Tingting slander her and hug her boyfriend in broad daylight, she felt anxious and angry, and her gaze suddenly turned cold.

Xue Rui and Lin Ruoxi exchanged a glance. Lin Ruoxi's gaze softened instantly, her eyes filled with endless grievance, and she shook her head vigorously.
"I...I didn't."

"I know."

Xue Rui nodded slightly to Lin Ruoxi, signaling her not to get too excited, and he himself breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as no one takes action, it's fine.

In Xue Rui's heart, Lin Ruoxi had long been an inseparable family member;
So if Lin Ruoxi takes action and Chen Tingting makes a big fuss, he will be in a passive position and might really end up losing everything.

Xue Rui instinctively tried to pry Chen Tingting's hands off, but he found that Chen Tingting was no longer accusing Lin Ruoxi, but instead hugging his waist and sobbing softly.

Xue Rui was greatly shocked.

You slandered someone, and then you started crying?

If you weren't so good at lying, I would have really been fooled by you.

The matter is actually quite simple: Chen Tingting missed Xue Rui after not seeing him for a year, felt wronged by having her things stolen yesterday, and was lonely traveling alone to another city...

Any girl in that situation would probably burst into tears.

Chen Tingting only found an outlet for her tears when she saw Xue Rui.

Overwhelmed by a flood of emotions, Chen Tingting couldn't help but sob, momentarily forgetting to accuse Lin Ruoxi of her crimes.

She tried to suppress her emotions, wanting to say something to Xue Rui.

She has a small notebook where she writes down everything that makes her happy or when she eats something delicious.
Chen Tingting was thinking about sharing happiness with Xue Rui in the future. She wrote down many things she wanted to say to Xue Rui, planning to tell them to him whenever she saw him.

But when she actually saw Xue Rui, she didn't know where to begin and just kept crying.

Seeing Chen Tingting crying her eyes out, Xue Rui didn't dare to question her anymore, and simply asked softly, "Why are you crying?"

Chen Tingting raised her tear-filled eyes and said, "I missed you."

After speaking, Chen Tingting stopped crying and started laughing, revealing a satisfied smile. Then she opened her round eyes and looked at Xue Rui, as if waiting for his answer.

Xue Rui subconsciously looked away; he couldn't respond to those words.

After a year apart, Chen Tingting was no longer so clueless about relationships. Her simple four words contained a lot of complex emotions, and were sincere and heartfelt.

But how should Xue Rui answer?
And it happened in front of Lin Ruoxi.

"There are plenty of people who miss me," Xue Rui joked.

“But I’m definitely number one!” Chen Tingting said confidently.

Xue Rui gave an awkward smile and gently tried to pry Chen Tingting's hand away.

Xue Rui felt truly helpless in the face of Chen Tingting.

Chen Tingting wasn't naturally outgoing; rather, she saw herself as a unique individual.

After all, who in the world would complain about someone else's girlfriend to their boyfriend?

How was Chen Tingting so certain that she would definitely stand on her side?

Xue Rui reached out to push Chen Tingting away, but Chen Tingting seemed to have expected it and suddenly hugged him even tighter.

Xue Rui chuckled. Chen Tingting was like a mischievous younger sister clinging to him. Although he was a little annoyed, he couldn't say he hated her.

So no matter what, he still couldn't bring himself to do it.

Just because I can't do it doesn't mean others can't.

For example, Lin Ruoxi had already clenched her little fists on the side, her eyes darting between Chen Tingting's hand and Xue Rui's eyes.

Lin Ruoxi was conflicted. She felt a little sorry for Chen Tingting when she cried, but that was her Xue Rui.

She was waiting for Xue Rui to give her orders. As soon as Xue Rui nodded, she would immediately go up and pull Chen Tingting away.

She looked at Xue Rui with expectant eyes until he nodded slightly.

Lin Ruoxi's gaze sharpened, and without a word, she stepped forward and pried open Chen Tingting's fingers one by one:

"You, let go! I'm afraid I'll hurt you."

Chen Tingting was furious. She bared her shiny teeth and pretended to bite Lin Ruoxi, trying to scare Lin Ruoxi into letting go.

But Lin Ruoxi didn't care at all, as if she would pull Chen Tingting off Xue Rui even if she was bitten.

Chen Tingting pouted, knowing full well that she was in the wrong, and that Lin Ruoxi's actions were tacitly approved by Xue Rui, so she took the initiative to release Xue Rui's waist.

“You, you asked me for evidence before, this is the evidence.”

Lin Ruoxi wanted to prove to Chen Tingting that she was Xue Rui's girlfriend.

Without saying a word, she cupped Xue Rui's face in her hands, tilted her head slightly, and kissed him.

Xue Rui did not refuse, but cooperated by gently touching Lin Ruoxi's lips.

If the little girl wanted to prove something, then he would cooperate a bit; after all, the goal was to keep Chen Tingting away from him.

After giving Chen Tingting a kiss, Lin Ruoxi turned to look at her, whose face was flushed.

"Chen Tingting, aren't you a germaphobe? I've already kissed him, you definitely don't want him anymore, right?"

Xue Rui's lips twitched, wondering what kind of talk this was.

It's as if he's an object.

Chen Tingting gritted her teeth and said, "I don't mind, it's the same as washing it clean."

"I've kissed you everywhere, you can't wash it all off."

"Then I'll wash it a few more times."

Upon hearing this, Xue Rui shuddered.

No, you two really don't treat me like a human being?

I'm still right here. What are you guys discussing?
Xue Rui had expected the two to be at loggerheads, but to his surprise, they acted like children sulking over a toy.

Just as the two were arguing, a woman walked out of a roadside restaurant and said, "Beautiful lady, you haven't paid your bill yet."

"Okay, I'm coming." Lin Ruoxi jogged back, turning back every few steps, afraid that Chen Tingting might do something else.

However, Chen Tingting seemed to be doing it on purpose, stretching out her arms to continue hugging Xue Rui.

"hey-hey."

Xue Rui stretched out his arm and pressed it directly onto Chen Tingting's forehead.

Chen Tingting waved her arms in the air, but she couldn't reach Xue Rui no matter what she did.

The two chased each other in the open space by the door as if they were playing a game of "hugg and hide".

"It's been a year, and you don't seem to have grown any taller," Xue Rui said, immediately pointing out his shortcomings.

What's the most devastating thing to do?
It is an established fact that cannot be changed.

He tried setting many criteria for Chen Tingting, saying he liked people who could cook, or who could sing well, and he almost said he liked people who could fix cars...

However, Chen Tingting seemed tireless, doing whatever he said, even if it left her covered in wounds, she would never give up.

However, height is something that cannot be changed through effort.

Besides height, there's also figure... Xue Rui didn't want to put people down, but he couldn't stand Chen Tingting spreading rumors and causing trouble every day.

If that's the case, let's just get it over with.

The thought of hurting Chen Tingting's self-esteem made him feel guilty and even a strange sense of loss.

Isn't it a relief for me that Chen Tingting isn't bothering me anymore?
Damn, what's wrong with this feeling?

While Xue Rui was struggling with his decision, he noticed that Chen Tingting looked around, then rolled up her short sleeves as if she was about to fight someone.

Under Xue Rui's shocked gaze, Chen Tingting blushed instantly.

But Chen Tingting still didn't forget to repeat the prepared statement: "I haven't started puberty yet, I don't even have any hair, so I will still grow taller."

Xue Rui was stunned for a moment. Chen Tingting's armpit skin was as smooth as snow. It was the first time he had ever seen such skin.

He glanced at Chen Tingting and thought to himself that this should be called "no problem".

"I...we'll go somewhere else and I'll prove it to you," Chen Tingting said, forcing herself to speak.

"No need, I trust you." Xue Rui waved his hand repeatedly, subconsciously swallowing.

It would have been better if Chen Tingting hadn't mentioned it, because once she did, I could almost picture it.

It turns out that what's on TV isn't a lie.

However, Xue Rui was only thinking about it; he couldn't even manage to cultivate his own land, so he couldn't take on any more work.

Especially Lin Ruoxi, the landlord, would rather not farm at all than let him work his old ox half to death, for fear that he would use his remaining energy to secretly cultivate other people's land.

Seeing Xue Rui hesitate, Chen Tingting quickly added:
"Don't worry, I won't hinder our child's height."

Xue Rui's mind went blank for a moment.

Wait, what is this guy talking about?!

Xue Rui considered himself to be quite unreliable, but when facing Chen Tingting, he felt ashamed of himself.

Xue Rui just wanted to subtly belittle Chen Tingting and imply that he didn't like short people.

But Chen Tingting wasn't ashamed at all; she even fooled herself and is now talking about her child.

Seeing that Lin Ruoxi was about to return, Xue Rui quickly made a shushing gesture:

"Shh~ Don't say it in front of her, I'm afraid she'll get angry and hit you."

Upon hearing this, Chen Tingting frowned and said with dissatisfaction:
"Is she that violent? Has she ever hit you? Now that I'm here, you don't need to be afraid of her anymore. I will protect you."

Xue Rui was speechless. Chen Tingting was too good at sophistry, and he was afraid that if he said a few more words, he would fall into the trap of proving himself.

It's been a year, but your teeth have become much sharper.

"Tingting."

Xue Rui wanted to offer some advice in the tone of an elder, but the words turned into a deep sigh: "Sigh..."

Now that Chen Tingting has entered university, she is quite gifted in her studies. What guidance can I possibly offer her?

Personal life?

It's military training now, should we ask Chen Tingting to find a boyfriend?
But as soon as he had this thought, Xue Rui frowned sharply.

It's so strange, I actually feel a little sad...

However, after thinking about it carefully, Xue Rui felt relieved. After all, he regarded Chen Tingting as a younger sister, and if Xue Yao were to find a boyfriend in the future, he would definitely have to vet him.

Chen Tingting looked around, took an envelope from her small handbag, and stuffed it into Xue Rui's hand: "Keep this safe."

Xue Rui opened the envelope and glanced inside. Three bundles of brand-new banknotes lay quietly inside, making the envelope bulge.

"Bribed me?" A huge question mark popped into Xue Rui's mind.

Seeing Xue Rui's puzzled expression, Chen Tingting explained, "Gu Muxue bought me some things yesterday. I was worried she'd take a kickback, so I specifically went to find you..."

Xue Rui habitually ignored the second half of the sentence. He now understood that Chen Tingting only contained information in the first sentence, and the rest was mainly to vent her emotions.

He remembered that Gu Muxue had mentioned this to him, but it seemed to have only cost less than 10,000 yuan.

What's the deal with the extra 20,000?

"Why are there so many extra?" Xue Rui interrupted.

"Oh, please let me finish," Chen Tingting said in a low voice.
"Didn't I go to work? Manager Wang gave me a big red envelope before school started, and it's all here with my wages from the past few months."

"Shh~ Don't tell Old Chen, or he'll get angry. I think it's the same whether I transfer money to my own pocket or to my own, so how can I accept money for working for you?"

"Oh, right, I've noticed that the shop assistant often steals things from the refrigerator. I've already reported it to Uncle Xue..."

Xue Rui's expression was one of astonishment and confusion.

Chen Tingting, that girl, really doesn't consider herself an outsider...

What, transferring from left hand to right hand...

Xue Rui gave Chen Tingting a deep look, then inexplicably thought of his own "internet-addicted girl," and a nameless anger rose in his heart.

He really wanted to yell at his younger sister: "Look at other people's kids, and then look at yourself!"
It was clearly her own business, but Chen Tingting was more attentive to it than anyone else.

Xue Rui pushed the money back: "Take it, this is your hard-earned money."

How could Xue Rui possibly want Chen Tingting's money? Even if it was originally 10,000 yuan, he had no intention of getting it back.

Chen Tingting kept declining, but Xue Rui had already grabbed her bag and forcefully stuffed the money back into her hand.
"Don't carry so much cash with you in the future. Haven't you learned your lesson from yesterday?"

"Oh." Chen Tingting obediently lowered her head, a warm feeling rising in her heart.

"If you don't want it, I'll save it for you, and I'll pay for it when we go out to play in the future, like... for example, when we go to a hotel." Chen Tingting lowered her head more and more as she spoke.

Even though she could talk a lot with other boys, Chen Tingting felt embarrassed when she was actually facing Xue Rui.
Having spent two years in the underachieving class at Hedong No. 2 Middle School, she is no longer the naive little girl she was two years ago, and understands what "going to a hotel" means.

Xue Rui suddenly regretted it; he should have kept the money!

But Chen Tingting was clinging to him so tightly that he also found it very troublesome.

As Lin Ruoxi slowly approached, Xue Rui waved to her, signaling her to wait for him in the car.

"Shall we take you back to school? Freshmen are all very busy at the beginning of the semester. You need to go back this afternoon to pick up your military training uniforms," ​​Xue Rui said.

"Oh."

Chen Tingting pouted, clearly in a bad mood.

After getting in the car, Xue Rui sat in the passenger seat, leaving Chen Tingting alone in the back.

"By the way, don't you live on campus? I heard from your roommate that you don't live in the dorms," ​​Chen Tingting asked.

"Well, we have a house outside, near the school," Lin Ruoxi explained casually.

"Then I'll rent the room next to yours?" Chen Tingting said, her eyes lighting up.

Xue Rui quickly glared at Lin Ruoxi, afraid that she would reveal the name of the neighborhood.

The best way to get along with Chen Tingting is to not engage with her conversations; this will avoid many problems.

"Once we rent a place, I'll have a place to make you desserts. I've learned a lot at the shop."

"Oh, right, I got your class schedule. I'll come visit you when I have time."

Chen Tingting talked on and on, but she found that Xue Rui ignored her, and even Lin Ruoxi seemed to have conspired to ignore her.

"Xue Rui, I like you." (End of Chapter)