I Can't Fall for My Own Wife Again After Reincarnation, Right? (GL) - Chapter 30

Faced with Xu Yingran’s persistent coaxing and playful antics, Fu Qiao’s already soft heart melted completely, allowing Xu Yingran to fool around by her side.

When they returned home, Fu Qiao saw that her parents had already woken up and were eating lunch.

The so-called lunch was actually the leftover dishes from yesterday that hadn’t been sold. As the weather gradually cooled, fewer people came for barbecue, so there were always plenty of ingredients left over.

Some could be stored in the fridge, while others had to be taken home and eaten. Over the years, Fu Qiao’s family had eaten more leftovers than anything else, first unsold fast food, then leftover breakfast buns and shaomai, and now the remaining barbecue and cold dishes.

Perhaps they had prepared too much yesterday, because today her parents were eating quite a feast. When they saw their daughter return, they asked, “Where did you go? Have you eaten lunch yet? Have you finished your homework?”

The barrage of questions left Fu Qiao unsure where to start. She could only look at her parents, their skin darkened by the sun, and say, “I went to the mall with Xu Yingran this morning and had lunch there. I’ll do my homework at her place this afternoon.”

Hu Mei nodded and said, “Did you buy anything while you were out? Don’t stress too much about studying. It’s fine to go out and relax on weekends.”

Fu Jun, eating his meal, chimed in, “Yeah, if you need anything, just tell us. Don’t keep it to yourself.”

Hearing her parents say such things, Fu Qiao almost handed them the training course brochure right then and there. But seeing them eat last night’s leftovers, she clenched the bag in her hand tightly, murmured a soft “Mm,” and retreated to her room.

In the end, Fu Qiao couldn’t bring herself to mention the training course to her parents.

That afternoon, she stayed at Xu Yingran’s place doing homework. The two of them worked in silence, completing three sets of papers before Fu Qiao finally put down her pen as it neared time to set up the stall.

As she prepared to leave, Xu Yingran said, “Let me help your parents out too.”

But Fu Qiao shook her head. “No need. I can handle it myself. You wouldn’t know how to help anyway.”

She then looked at Xu Yingran and added, “I’ll be helping my parents with the stall tonight, so let’s stop here for today. I’ll come find you again tomorrow morning.”

Watching Fu Qiao gather her things and leave, Xu Yingran felt an inexplicable restlessness.

Something seemed off about Fu Qiao since noon, she had been unusually quiet.

Was it because of the training course?

Xu Yingran mulled it over, then picked up a scrap of paper and did some calculations.

Based on Zhou Wan’s class rates, a month’s worth of lessons would cost two to three thousand yuan. To continue until the art exam, it would take over ten thousand yuan, and that didn’t include extra practice or intensive training fees.

Though Fu Qiao was smart and had a great voice, she was already in her final year of high school. Time was running short. To catch up, she’d need to enroll in another course, which would push the total cost to twenty or thirty thousand yuan.

Twenty or thirty thousand might not seem like much, but coming up with it all at once was still unlikely. Moreover, no one could guarantee that Fu Qiao would pass the art exams after taking the course. If she failed the art exams and then the college entrance exams, it would truly be a case of losing more than gaining.

Xu Yingran tapped her head with the cap of her pen, feeling troubled.

She recalled how Fu Qiao had read the news script during the trial class, her enunciation clear, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. It was a side of her that never appeared during regular classes.

“Sigh…”

Xu Yingran rubbed her temples with a headache. It seemed she needed to figure out a way to get some money.

By the time Monday arrived and school started, Fu Qiao still hadn’t mustered the courage to tell her parents about wanting to sign up for the training class.

Xu Yingran could clearly see Fu Qiao’s unhappiness. As they walked, Fu Qiao bit her straw, her whole demeanor gloomy and withdrawn.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Yingran walked beside her, stepping on her own shadow. “You still haven’t told your parents about signing up for the class?”

Fu Qiao nodded. Over the weekend, she had spent her days doing homework and her evenings working as a waitress at her family’s barbecue stall.

She remembered how, during the summer, she had bustled around the stall, the crowd nearly blocking the alley entrance. They had even rented over a dozen extra folding tables and chairs because the original ones weren’t enough, and people still had to queue, business had been booming.

But now, after October, the number of customers had dwindled. Last night, there had only been seven or eight tables, and the orders were small. The weekend’s earnings had been pitifully low.

Hu Mei said this was how things had been lately. Once the weather got colder, they’d stop setting up the stall.

But even if they stopped, the rent for the shop would still have to be paid, several thousand yuan every month. Just yesterday, Fu Jun had discussed with Hu Mei whether they should sell oden or hot pot once winter came.

Fu Qiao had sat there listening, her courage to bring up the training class fading with every word.

With winter approaching and her parents worrying about making ends meet, how could she possibly ask for over ten thousand yuan for a class?

At the thought, the light in Fu Qiao’s eyes dimmed. She looked up at Xu Yingran and asked, “Do you really think I should sign up for this class?”

Xu Yingran looked at her, puzzled. “But don’t you really like it?”

“Liking it is just liking it,” Fu Qiao said slowly. “I should focus on preparing for the college entrance exams. I don’t want to think about this anymore.”

With that, Fu Qiao tossed her milk carton into a nearby trash bin and quickened her pace toward the school.

Xu Yingran was taken aback by her words. She stood still, watching Fu Qiao’s retreating figure with a slight frown.

She had known it, Fu Qiao hadn’t told her family anything.

Once at school, morning self-study began as usual. Fu Qiao recited her lessons like always, but Xu Yingran couldn’t focus all morning. Her mind kept wandering from the textbook, replaying Fu Qiao’s despondent expression when she had said, “Liking it is just liking it.”

Xu Yingran sighed inwardly and glanced outside.

As soon as morning self-study ended, Xu Yingran got up to talk to Fu Qiao, only to find her being called out.

And the one calling her out was none other than Zhou Wan.

The second and third years weren’t even on the same floor, how had this girl gotten here?

Watching the two of them standing in the hallway chatting intimately, Fu Qiao even smiled at Zhou Wan.

What’s there to smile about? Fu Qiao hadn’t smiled at her once all morning.

And those hands, if they’re going to talk, then talk properly. What’s with all the shoulder-patting and back-slapping?

Fu Qiao is a senior in her third year of high school. Does this Zhou Wan even know how to show respect? How dare she link arms with her????

Xu Yingran gritted her teeth in frustration. She walked to and from school with Fu Qiao every day and had never even held her hand!!!!

“Hey.” Yao Jin studied Xu Yingran’s gnashing expression, propped her chin on her hand, and glanced at Fu Qiao in the hallway before saying matter-of-factly, “You know you look like a jealous wife right now, don’t you?”

Xu Yingran turned and glared at her, fuming. “Fu Qiao is laughing and chatting with someone else, and you’re calling me a jealous wife?”

Yao Jin remained unfazed, watching the two chatting outside the window. “I think you’re overthinking it. Fu Qiao’s just talking to someone normally, and you’re already jealous. If you two get married in the future, does that mean she’ll have to stay locked up at home?”

Xu Yingran froze at her words, then her face flushed red. Stumbling over her words, she retorted, “M-m-m-marry? We’re way too young to even think about that! And how do you know we’d even get married?”

She had never told Yao Jin about her relationship with Fu Qiao before, how had this woman figured it out?

As if reading her mind, Yao Jin lazily rested her head on her hand and said, “Did I even need to guess? Anyone with eyes could see what’s going on between you two.”

Then, with a look of disdain, she added, “You think I want to be the third wheel? Every time I see you two being all lovey-dovey, I feel like an extra.”

Xu Yingran, unusually flustered, muttered awkwardly, “Stop talking nonsense. That’s not what’s happening. We’re just regular friends.”

Yao Jin gave her a look that clearly said, “Yeah, right,” and rolled her eyes.

When Fu Qiao finally entered the classroom, she saw Xu Yingran and Yao Jin deep in conversation. The three of them had been inseparable lately, and it had become routine.

“What are you two talking about?” Fu Qiao asked, seeing there was still time before class started.

Xu Yingran glanced at her but didn’t answer.

Yao Jin, however, spoke up casually. “We saw you chatting with Zhou Wan earlier. What were you two talking about?”

Fu Qiao lowered her gaze, thinking for a moment before answering. “She came to ask if I wanted to join the broadcasting club. She wanted me to join them.”

Hearing this, Xu Yingran asked, “What did you say?”

“I turned her down,” Fu Qiao said quietly. “I think I should focus on preparing for the college entrance exams. As for other things… I’ll think about them after I get into university.”

Yao Jin studied Fu Qiao calmly before finally saying, “You’re sure about this?”

“Yeah,” Fu Qiao nodded. “You were right. My grades are good enough that as long as I perform steadily, getting into a decent university shouldn’t be a problem. There’s no need for me to take the art school route.”

Yao Jin didn’t seem bothered. She had thought the same way and didn’t comment further on Fu Qiao’s decision to give up that path.

But Xu Yingran frowned deeply. “Is it because of the tuition fees?” she asked.

Fu Qiao met her gaze calmly and shook her head slightly.

The ringing of the class bell interrupted what Xu Yingran was about to say. Watching Fu Qiao turn to return to her seat, she reached out and grabbed her, saying, “At lunchtime, I have something to tell you.”

Fu Qiao didn’t understand what Xu Yingran wanted to say, but after glancing at the teacher entering the classroom, she nodded at Xu Yingran. “Okay.”

The first class today was taught by their homeroom teacher, Li Yuwen. She entered the classroom, surveyed the students, and calmly said, “It’s been a month since the start of senior year, and I see you’ve all adjusted well.”

Hearing this, the class felt a sense of foreboding.

“Since everyone has adjusted, I’ll announce the school’s new plan.” Li Yuwen leaned on the desk and addressed the students, “Congratulations, everyone. Starting this week, you’ll be attending evening self-study sessions.”