Reincarnation: Trying to pretend to be ordinary, but it turns out it's really impossible.

On weekends, he stayed alone in the dark and cold old house, surrounded by emptiness.

A short while later, the landlord came knocking on the door, coldly demanding rent.

"Your parents have run away, so it's your turn to pay the rent now. Hurry up."

Standing in a pitch-black room, where he didn't even want to turn on the lights, he finally realized that he really couldn't hold on any longer.

On Monday, after Shen Xingbai finished tutoring Su Ningning, Su Ningning was about to leave when Shen Xingbai called her back.

His lips moved several times, but he kept stammering and couldn't utter a single word, his face full of awkwardness and embarrassment.

Su Ningning initially tilted her head, staring at him with a puzzled expression, but after a few seconds she suddenly realized what he meant, her eyes lit up, and she immediately asked:

"So you've thought it through and are willing to come live with me?"

A faint blush instantly spread across Shen Xingbai's cheeks. He nodded gently, his voice low:

"Um...the landlord came to collect the rent again this weekend, I really..."

He was speaking when his throat tightened, and he could no longer continue. His hands, hanging by his sides, clenched even tighter.

Su Ningning didn't care about what he hadn't finished saying. She immediately raised her hand and patted his shoulder casually, saying in a cheerful tone:

"It's okay, it's okay! From now on, you can come to my house. You won't have to pay a penny of rent, and you don't have to worry about anything. Just focus on tutoring me!"

Shen Xingbai thought for a moment and then said:

"Then don't pay me for tutoring anymore. I'll stay at your house during holidays, and that will be considered payment for my tutoring. We'll call it even, okay?"

Su Ningning frowned instantly and refused without even thinking:

"That won't do! Your tutoring fee is already too cheap. You can tutor me in all subjects! I could easily find a private tutor outside and it would cost me much more. I'm clearly getting a great deal, so I still have to pay!"

"No." Shen Xingbai's attitude was exceptionally firm, showing no sign of backing down.

"If you don't agree, then I won't stay at your house."

"Or, could you lower the tutoring fee to the level you paid in junior high, just like before, okay?"

Seeing his uncompromising expression, Su Ningning knew he was stubborn and a man of his word. After hesitating for a few seconds, she could only helplessly wave her hand in compromise.

"Okay, okay, I'll do whatever you say. I'm really scared of you!"

That day, he packed his few belongings and moved into Su Ningning's house.

When Shen Xingbai followed Su Ningning into the Su family's gate, he was tense all over, his whole body exuding an undisguised restraint.

He stood in the entryway, clutching his clothes helplessly, his eyes sweeping over the clean and tidy living room, unsure of where to put his feet.

Su's parents were already waiting at home. As soon as they saw Shen Xingbai at the door, their faces lit up with smiles, and they quickly walked over.

Su's mother warmly reached out and gently pulled his arm, leading him into the house:

"Xingbai's here! Come in, come in! Don't stand at the door, sit down and eat. The food is freshly made and still warm!"

Su's father was also smiling and greeting them, his tone exceptionally friendly.

Being treated so warmly by the couple made Shen Xingbai even more reserved.

I could only follow their force to the dining table and sit down, keeping my head down the whole time and sitting up straight.

As the group ate, they chatted about interesting things. Shen Xingbai was visibly more relaxed. Su Ma spoke up:

"Xingbai, just stay at home tonight. Your room is all clean and tidy."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xingbai quickly shook his head gently:

"No need to trouble you, Uncle and Aunt. I can stay in the school dormitory during the week, and it's more convenient for me to stay at school. I'll come over on holidays and weekends from now on."

Su's parents could tell at a glance that he hadn't completely let go of his inhibitions, so they didn't press him further, but simply gave him repeated instructions:

"Okay, we won't force you, but you must remember to come during your holidays. Don't be shy, just make yourself at home."

Speaking of which, my husband and I really have to thank you. If it weren't for your help tutoring Ningning, she might still be a poor student at some school right now.

Su Ningning, who was standing to the side, was still chewing her food when she heard this and nodded happily.

Listening to the couple's sincere words and seeing Su Ningning's unreserved demeanor, Shen Xingbai's tense and restrained feeling gradually dissipated.

She also dared to slowly raise her head and occasionally respond to a few questions about her studies asked by her parents, making the atmosphere at the dinner table more relaxed and harmonious.

After that, Shen Xingbai would walk home from school with Su Ningning on weekends.

After dinner, they would go downstairs together for a walk in the neighborhood.

That evening, the two were taking a walk to the flower bed in the center of the community when an old man carrying a vegetable basket came towards them.

The moment the old man saw Su Ningning, the peaceful expression on his face vanished, replaced by a look of disgust. He glanced at her up and down, said nothing, and walked straight past her.

Shen Xingbai was slightly taken aback, then turned to her and asked, "Do you know this old man?"

Su Ningning touched her nose, her eyes slightly unfocused, and mumbled:

"We know each other, I guess... We had a little conflict when we were kids."

The old man snorted and hurried away without looking back.

The two continued walking forward, and just as they turned the corner, they ran into Aunt Li, who lived next door.

When Aunt Li saw Su Ningning, her face instantly darkened. She glared at her fiercely without any politeness, her eyes full of resentment, and then turned and left.

Shen Xingbai was even more curious, turning to look at Su Ningning with his eyes full of curiosity:

"What, did you and this aunt have a grudge when you were kids?"

Su Ningning coughed a few times, her ears turning slightly red, and replied softly, "Well... I guess so. I was a bit immature when I was little."

Seeing her stammering, Shen Xingbai became even more curious:

"What exactly happened? Can you tell me?"

Su Ningning was silent for two seconds, then sighed as if she had given up, looked up at Shen Xingbai, and told him about her embarrassing childhood stories.

After hearing this, Shen Xingbai burst out laughing, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably, laughing more heartily than ever before, with tears welling up in his eyes.

He really didn't expect that Su Ningning's childhood would be so lively and interesting.

Su Ningning, who was standing to the side, had been glaring at him for a long time with a dark expression before finally unable to hold back and asking, "Have you laughed enough?"

Seeing that she was truly annoyed, Shen Xingbai quickly stopped laughing, but the smile in her eyes hadn't completely faded. She smiled gently and said:

"That's enough, that's enough. Let's go for a walk."

And so, Shen Xingbai gradually settled down at Su Ningning's house.

During the week, he lives at school, but on weekends and holidays, he stays at Su Ningning's house.

Not long after, Su's parents were surprised to discover that Shen Xingbai's cooking skills were exceptionally superb.

Sometimes when the couple came home from get off work, the house was already filled with the warm aroma of food, a table full of meat and vegetables, all prepared by Shen Xingbai himself.

The dishes were brightly colored and had a wonderful aroma. They tasted much better than what Su's mother made. Even Su's father, who was also a good cook, nodded repeatedly as he ate them.

Su's father's opinion of Shen Xingbai improved considerably.

The more Su's mother looked at Shen Xingbai, the more pleasing he became.