I Can't Fall for My Own Wife Again After Reincarnation, Right? (GL) - Chapter 40

That woman had clearly targeted Lü Qing because of her unhappy family situation, deliberately getting close to her and seducing her.

The fact that she was out shopping with her mother today was the best evidence.

Xu Yingran hadn’t expected their conversation to take such a gossipy turn. Thinking back, she recalled that it was Lü Qing who had actively held the earring up to the woman’s earlobe to see how it looked. The woman hadn’t said anything, but Lü Qing had lowered her head and chuckled softly, murmuring something.

Moreover, when Xu Yingran got a closer look, she saw that the woman had a clean and pretty face, delicate features, a small oval face with fair skin, and an air of cool detachment. She didn’t seem like the type to seduce anyone at all.

Besides, even if she were the type, why would she suddenly go after a woman pushing forty?

With her looks, if she really wanted to take shortcuts, she could have her pick of countless men. Why bother getting entangled with a woman who already had a child?

It just didn’t make sense, too much effort for too little gain.

“Maybe…” Xu Yingran said, “there’s some misunderstanding?”

“There’s no misunderstanding,” Yao Jin said unhappily. “I’ve seen them like this more than once or twice. They even live together now, how could they still be innocent?”

Xu Yingran didn’t feel comfortable speculating about other people’s private affairs. Just then, the server came over to take their order, so she quickly changed the subject and picked a few dishes.

After ordering, Xu Yingran checked the time on her phone, it was almost noon. Why hadn’t Fu Qiao arrived yet?

The training center was just a street away from the mall. Even if the elevators were crowded, half an hour should have been enough time.

Had the girl gotten lost?

Xu Yingran grew worried and immediately called Fu Qiao. The other girl took a long time to answer.

“Hey, we’ve already ordered. Are you here yet?” Xu Yingran asked, holding the phone to her ear.

Fu Qiao hesitated before replying, “I haven’t left the building yet. Go ahead and order, I’ll be right there.”

Xu Yingran frowned. “It’s been half an hour, why haven’t you come down yet? Did the instructor hold you back?”

“No, I just hadn’t finished my notes, so I got delayed.” Fu Qiao slung her backpack over her shoulder and left the classroom, pressing the elevator button before adding, “Which floor are you on? I’ll head over now.”

“Fifth floor, hot pot restaurant. The south entrance is right across the street, take the escalator all the way up to the fifth floor, then turn the corner and you’ll see it,” Xu Yingran explained. “We’re at Table 31, all the way in the back. Just come straight over.”

After hanging up, Xu Yingran flagged down a server again. “Excuse me, could we get another menu? Thanks!”

Watching Xu Yingran enthusiastically add a few more dishes, Yao Jin propped her chin on her hand and remarked, “You’re so thoughtful. These are all Fu Qiao’s favorites, aren’t they?”

“Yep,” Xu Yingran said with a smile. “Ordering from the menu is such a hassle, though. It’d be so much easier if we could just scan a code with our phones, order directly, and pay online.”

Yao Jin blinked, then tilted her head in thought. After a long pause, she said, “That’s actually a really good idea.”

Xu Yingran was puzzled. “What’s so good about it?”

“You were the one who suggested direct QR code ordering,” Yao Jin said. “Most restaurants still use paper menus these days. They’re not just inconvenient but also require servers to run back and forth. Plus, it’s easy to miscalculate bills during checkout. Your idea of creating an app for direct scanning and ordering, with online payment, sounds much better.”

Xu Yingran blinked. “You mean a WeChat mini-program?”

Yao Jin’s eyes lit up. “That’s a great idea! I’ll tell my dad right away!”

Xu Yingran: “?”

Had she just said something?

Xu Yingran felt like she might have inadvertently contributed more than intended, but she didn’t dwell on it. After all, she was just an ordinary high school senior, focusing on her studies was more important.

By the time Fu Qiao arrived, most of the dishes had already been served.

“Why are you so late?” Xu Yingran complained. “Luckily we’re having hot pot. If it were stir-fry, it’d be cold by now.”

“Sorry, something came up,” Fu Qiao said, glancing at the steaming hot pot. She quickly dipped some of her favorite ingredients into the broth, then went to mix her dipping sauce. When she returned and saw Yao Jin still glued to her phone, she curiously asked Xu Yingran, “What’s she doing?”

Xu Yingran glanced at the chat interface on Yao Jin’s screen and chuckled. “Never mind her. Let’s just eat without waiting.”

Fu Qiao nodded and began eating at a leisurely pace.

Truth be told, she had planned to leave right after her 11:30 class ended, but Zhou Wan stopped her.

“Senior, are you leaving now?” Zhou Wan asked while packing her things, looking up at Fu Qiao. “Could you stay for a bit? I’d like to talk.”

Fu Qiao glanced at the stream of students leaving the classroom. Since the building was mostly occupied by training institutions, she knew the elevators would be packed at this hour. Might as well stay and hear what Zhou Wan had to say.

“Sure,” Fu Qiao said, setting down her backpack. “What’s up?”

Zhou Wan waited until most people had left before speaking, a hint of shyness in her voice. “Senior, what’s the name of that other senior who’s always with you?”

Fu Qiao paused. “Who do you mean?”

Lately, she’d mostly been hanging out with two people, Xu Yingran and Yao Jin, and wasn’t sure which one Zhou Wan was referring to.

“The one who got hit by a volleyball during P.E. and had to go to the infirmary,” Zhou Wan said, her eyes curving into a smile. “What’s her name? I still don’t know it.”

Fu Qiao fell silent for a long moment before finally asking, “Why do you suddenly want to know?”

“Just curious about her,” Zhou Wan replied. “I think she’s really interesting and wanted to get to know her.”

Fu Qiao wasn’t sure how to describe the feeling that settled in her chest. Zhou Wan was a sophomore, just a year younger than Xu Yingran. Though she always addressed Fu Qiao as “senior,” Fu Qiao knew that once they graduated, such distinctions would fade away.

But Zhou Wan suddenly asking about Xu Yingan’s name gave Fu Qiao an uneasy premonition.

“Her name is Xu Yingran,” Fu Qiao said quietly. “‘Ying’ as in ‘reflection,’ and ‘Ran’ as in ‘then.'”

Zhou Wan mulled over the name and smiled. “It’s such a lovely name, Xu Yingran. It sounds gentle and refined, though it doesn’t quite match her personality.”

Fu Qiao gave a dry laugh and said, “Yeah, I heard her parents went through a lot of books before settling on that name.”

“Really?” Zhou Wan blinked curiously. “Senior, are you close with Xu Yingran?”

“Pretty close.” Fu Qiao didn’t look at her as she replied calmly, “We’re neighbors. We’ve been together since kindergarten, known each other for over ten years.”

Zhou Wan’s face lit up with envy. “So you two are childhood sweethearts? That’s so nice…”

Fu Qiao wasn’t sure what Zhou Wan meant by “nice,” but she felt a sour pang in her chest. This junior seemed interested in Xu Yingran, why else would she pull her aside to ask about her name?

“Why are you suddenly asking about her?” Fu Qiao forced another awkward laugh. “Do you need something from her?”

Zhou Wan shook her head. “No, I just thought that senior was really pretty and wanted to know more.”

Fu Qiao frowned but stayed silent.

“Senior,” Zhou Wan ventured boldly, “could you ask Xu Yingran for me… if she likes girls?”

Fu Qiao stiffened, looking up in shock. “What?”

Zhou Wan scratched her cheek sheepishly, her ears turning pink. “Just ask her, but don’t say it’s from me. I haven’t figured out how to bring it up with her yet, so please keep this a secret!”

Fu Qiao’s mind spun. She was now certain Zhou Wan had a crush on Xu Yingran, that’s why she’d pressed for her name and now this question.

After all these years with Xu Yingran, she’d never imagined someone else might stake a claim first.

Xu Yingran was undeniably good-looking, but her personality was boisterous. Back in middle school, when classmates started dating early, Xu Yingran had been oblivious, buzzing around Fu Qiao like a happy fool. Neither had ever thought about romance, they were content just being together day after day.

Now, out of nowhere, someone was interested in Xu Yingran, and Fu Qiao was completely thrown.

Zhou Wan liked Xu Yingran and was using her to gather intel. Next thing, she’d probably ask her to deliver love letters.

But what should Fu Qiao do?

Should she help Zhou Wan?

Most importantly, if Xu Yingran knew, would she say yes?

Fu Qiao couldn’t decide. Zhou Wan chattered on about school radio station matters, leaving her dazed, so much so that she didn’t even notice when the girl left. It wasn’t until Xu Yingran called that she hurriedly grabbed her backpack and went downstairs.

Now the three of them sat around the hotpot table. The spicy, fragrant broth should have been satisfying, but Fu Qiao’s heart was in turmoil.

She glanced at Xu Yingran across the table and frowned slightly.

“What’s wrong?”

Noticing her look mid-bite, Xu Yingran cheerfully dropped a slice of lamb into Fu Qiao’s bowl. “Eat up! A-Jin’s treating us today, no need to hold back. I know lamb’s your favorite. Have more, and we’ll order extra if needed.”

Fu Qiao looked at the bowl piled high with meat rolls. Xu Yingran even fished around the pot with her chopsticks a couple more times, stacking Fu Qiao’s small bowl until it was overflowing.

In the future, would Xu Yingran also take care of someone she liked like this?

Fu Qiao’s heart was a turmoil of mixed emotions. She didn’t know what expression to wear, only feeling an ache in her chest.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Yingran noticed Fu Qiao’s pale complexion and asked with concern, “Is the broadcasting class too difficult? Don’t worry if you can’t keep up, it’s only your first lesson. If it’s really too hard, we can arrange extra training. Qian A’jin will pay for it.”

Yao Jin glanced up from her phone at Xu Yingran’s words and said disdainfully, “You’re offering to treat with my money, huh? Hey, where’s all the meat? You really didn’t leave a single slice for me?”

Xu Yingran laughed. “What’s the big deal? I just thought you were too busy to eat. Once you’re done, this young lady will personally cook some for you.”

Yao Jin nodded in satisfaction. “That’s more like it.”

As Fu Qiao watched Xu Yingran start adding vegetables to the pot, she gripped her chopsticks tightly, hesitating for a long time before finally speaking up. “Xu Yingran… do you like girls?”