I Can't Fall for My Own Wife Again After Reincarnation, Right? (GL) - Chapter 27

Xu Yingran woke up the next morning more than half an hour before her alarm was set to go off.

High school students already got little sleep as it was, so losing an extra half-hour made Xu Yingran’s heart ache. But when she thought about the dreams she’d had all night, she figured it was better to just get up early.

While brushing her teeth, Xu Yingran recalled the dreams from the night before.

It wasn’t anything major, just a dream where she found herself back at the age of 28. When she returned home, she saw Fu Qiao holding hands with a faceless, indistinct person in her own house. Fu Qiao even enthusiastically introduced them to Xu Yingran, saying this was her lover, and asked Xu Yingran what she was doing at their place.

In the dream, Xu Yingran panicked. She was so flustered that sweat poured down her face, but she couldn’t get a single word out. All she could do was watch helplessly as that blurry, genderless figure led Fu Qiao upstairs by the hand.

Xu Yingran wanted to chase after them, but the staircase leading to the second-floor bedroom stretched endlessly. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t climb up. In the blink of an eye, she jolted awake in frustration.

Spitting out toothpaste foam, Xu Yingran felt nothing but gloom as she thought about it.

Truly, the thoughts of the day became the dreams of the night. She had been so tangled up in her worries yesterday that she couldn’t sleep, and now she’d had a nightmare.

Zhao Yu, hearing the noise, got up and was surprised to see Xu Yingran already awake so early. She asked in confusion, “Why are you up so early today?”

“Since I woke up, I figured I might as well stay up,” Xu Yingran said, splashing water on her face before turning to her mother. “What are we having for breakfast? Should I go downstairs and buy some baozi?”

“No need, let your dad go buy them,” Zhao Yu replied, holding her toothbrush. “After you finish brushing and washing up, go change your clothes. Your dad will go get breakfast once he’s up.”

Left with nothing else to do, Xu Yingran returned to her room, changed into her school uniform, and then began pacing aimlessly around the house.

Once Xu Chunjiang got up, he was promptly sent out to buy breakfast. Zhao Yu was busy cooking a pot of congee, so Xu Yingran took the initiative to watch the stove, zoning out in the process.

One benefit of waking up early was getting to see scenery that was usually missed.

The sunlight today was especially beautiful. The morning sun rose diagonally from the horizon, stretching the shadows of the trees in the courtyard several times longer than usual.

At just past six in the morning, the streets were still quiet. Aside from a few scattered pedestrians, there wasn’t even a single car in sight, peaceful and serene.

The breakfast stalls on the old street had just set out freshly steamed baozi, still in their bamboo steamers, on tables by the roadside. Whenever a customer came, the vendor would lift the lid and hand them their order. Wisps of white steam billowed from the bamboo baskets, and even from halfway down the street, Xu Yingran could almost smell the rich, savory aroma of the meat-filled buns.

Xu Chunjiang returned with baozi and fried dough sticks, while Zhao Yu brought out some homemade pickles from the fridge. The three of them enjoyed a warm, hearty breakfast together.

“It’s going to get colder in a couple of days. We should take out the clothes and blankets at home to air them out,” Zhao Yu said between bites of fried dough. “Ranran, take out the autumn clothes you need from your closet. I’ll wash them for you over the weekend.”

Mention of the weekend immediately made Xu Yingran think of Fu Qiao. The two of them had had a disagreement after school yesterday, and she wasn’t sure if Fu Qiao would still come looking for her at home today.

Noticing Xu Yingran’s lack of response, Zhao Yu called out again, “Ranran, did you hear what I just said?”

“Huh?” Xu Yingran blinked, snapping out of her thoughts before hurriedly replying, “Oh, right. I’ll take out the clothes that need washing after school.”

“Mm,” Zhao Yu said, “Just don’t forget.”

After finishing breakfast, there was still time before their usual departure. Xu Yingran couldn’t sit still at home as if she had nails on her bottom, constantly glancing toward the door. Eventually, Zhao Yu couldn’t stand it anymore and directly shooed Xu Yingran out.

She even told her, “Usually it’s Xiao Qiao who comes to you. Since you’re up early today, go find Xiao Qiao and go to school together.”

Xu Yingran then slung her backpack over her shoulder, grabbed her jacket, and happily trotted to Fu Qiao’s doorstep.

Fu Qiao’s home was quiet. Xu Yingran noticed the milk was still in the milk box, indicating Fu Qiao hadn’t left yet. Leaning against the corridor railing, she idly watched the neighborhood residents heading off to work or school.

Occasionally, passing neighbors would see Xu Yingran waiting there and greet her with a smile, “Waiting for Xiao Qiao to go to school together?”

Xu Yingran replied, “Yes, Grandma Wang.”

“Good, good. You two really get along well.”

After watching the neighbor go downstairs, Xu Yingran turned back to glance at Fu Qiao’s door. She faintly sensed someone standing behind it, as if she could feel a pair of eyes watching.

“Fu Qiao,” Xu Yingran called out to the security door, “I know you’re right there. We’re going to be late, let’s hurry to school.”

With a soft ‘click,’ the green security door opened, and Fu Qiao stepped out, dressed neatly in her school uniform. She glanced at Xu Yingran but said nothing, simply closing the door behind her and retrieving her morning milk from the box before silently heading toward the stairs.

“Fu Qiao,” Xu Yingran followed behind her and said, “I lost my temper with you yesterday after school. Are you mad at me?”

Fu Qiao shook her head. “No.”

Xu Yingran quickly grabbed her hand, and the two stopped in the corridor.

Fu Qiao looked back at her, uneasy. “I didn’t understand why you got so angry at me yesterday, but I wasn’t mad, just a little sad.”

In all their years growing up, aside from their time in kindergarten, they had never really argued. Yesterday, for some unknown reason, Xu Yingran had suddenly exploded in anger and ignored Fu Qiao the whole way home, leaving Fu Qiao unable to sleep well that night.

She had even thought that if Xu Yingran was still angry today, she would stop coming to meet her for school for a while.

But to her surprise, Xu Yingran was already standing at her doorstep early in the morning, stirring an indescribable sense of grievance in Fu Qiao’s heart.

First, she lashes out yesterday, and today she comes to apologize, does Xu Yingran think she’s that easy to appease?

Xu Yingran could read Fu Qiao’s thoughts just by her expression. After spending so much time together, even if they weren’t mind readers, they had developed a certain understanding of each other. How could she not know how to coax her?

“Alright, alright, Fu Qiao, don’t be mad at me,” Xu Yingran shamelessly coaxed her. “I shouldn’t have lost control of my temper yesterday. I promise I won’t yell at you over something like that again.”

Though Fu Qiao didn’t turn to look at her, her small ears twitched slightly.

Xu Yingran knew, whenever Fu Qiao was listening intently, those delicate, nearly translucent ears of hers would move, like a little rabbit eavesdropping.

“Fu Qiao, don’t be mad at me anymore.” Xu Yingran seized the moment, holding Fu Qiao’s hand as she whispered to her, “Didn’t you want to attend that broadcasting class on Saturday? I’ll go with you.”

Being so close, the warmth of Xu Yingran’s breath turned the tips of Fu Qiao’s ears bright red. She lifted her bright eyes to glance at Xu Yingran, making the latter’s heart race uncontrollably.

“Really?” Fu Qiao looked at her curiously. “You’re really willing to accompany me to the trial class on Saturday?”

“Mm.” Xu Yingran’s heart itched with affection as she grasped Fu Qiao’s soft, warm hand and murmured, “Since you’re definitely going anyway, it’s better if I go with you than you sneaking off alone.”

That way, even if that junior Zhou Wan really had any intentions toward Fu Qiao, she could interfere.

Xu Yingran had made up her mind, Fu Qiao was her wife, after all. Even if she had thoughts about being friends with her, that was just a thought. No one else (Zhou Wan) was allowed to wedge themselves between them.

Fu Qiao was quite satisfied with Xu Yingran’s attitude today. Though she wasn’t the type of girl who needed constant pampering, seeing Xu Yingran apologize so sincerely still pleased her.

“If you say so, then let’s go together on Saturday.” Fu Qiao’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Xu Yingran with anticipation. “After school in the afternoon, we can stop by the broadcasting station again.”

Xu Yingran: “…”

She couldn’t take back her own words now, could she?

“Alright.” Xu Yingran gently squeezed Fu Qiao’s soft palm and said tenderly, “But from now on, wherever you go, you have to take me with you.”

Fu Qiao froze for a moment, then her ears turned red. She turned away and hurried down the stairs, pausing at the landing to glance back at Xu Yingran before muttering, “Didn’t you say we’re almost late? Why are you just standing there?”

Xu Yingran sighed inwardly and quickly chased after her.

When Yao Jin learned that Fu Qiao wanted to attend Zhou Wan’s broadcasting class that Saturday, she disapproved.

“We’re already in our senior year. Even if we start preparing now, it’s too late.” Yao Jin sat on her chair and said to the two of them, “You don’t actually think art exams are easy, do you?”

Xu Yingran, standing beside Fu Qiao’s seat, replied, “We’re just going to check it out on Saturday. Whether we actually join or not is still uncertain.”

Yao Jin shot Fu Qiao a glance and said seriously, “Art exams usually happen during winter break. We’ve already been in school for a month, and there’s not much time left. You need to think carefully and not regret your decision later.”

Fu Qiao grew uneasy at Yao Jin’s words, her face paling slightly.

“I… I…”

She frowned slightly, unsure of what to say.

Xu Yingran reached out and ruffled Fu Qiao’s hair. “Don’t overthink it for now. We’ll see how it goes on Saturday. Maybe after one class, you won’t even be interested in broadcasting anymore.”

Fu Qiao nodded slightly, though she still seemed worried.

Just then, the class bell rang. Xu Yingan urged Yao Jin to return to her seat. As the two walked away, Yao Jin suddenly said, “I’m coming with you on Saturday.”

Xu Yingran was puzzled. “Fu Qiao and I can handle it. Why are you butting in?”

Not to mention, wasn’t Yao Jin’s father the one who specifically arranged a packed schedule of classes for her after her grades dropped in the last monthly exam? Could she really make it out on Saturday?

“Don’t you worry about that,” Yao Jin said to Xu Yingran, tilting her proud little chin up. “Just wait at home on Saturday, both of you. I’ll have the driver pick you up, and then the three of us can go check out that broadcasting class together.”

Xu Yingran frowned slightly. She was about to say something when Yao Jin sat down, and seeing the teacher already entering the classroom, Xu Yingran had no choice but to return to her seat. They’d have to sort out the details on Saturday.

On Saturday morning, Fu Qiao got up early, still very interested in the broadcasting class. She changed into a rarely worn casual outfit and put on a pink sun hat, exuding youthful energy.

From a distance, Xu Yingran saw Yao Jin’s Maybach pull up smoothly in front of their neighborhood. With a resigned sigh, she turned back to take Fu Qiao’s hand and said, “The car’s here. Let’s go.”

Xu: My wife is going to be a host~