Rebirth: Looking Back in a Sudden Realization - Chapter 9
After breakfast, Shao Chuyan sat chatting with Zhao Zhongyuan in the living room, while Shao Yin’er went out to a nearby supermarket to buy groceries.
It was always easier for children to talk among themselves. As soon as Shao Yin’er shut the door, Zhao Zhongyuan finally asked the question that had been troubling him for a while:
“Big sis, how did you convince Mom to move to Jincheng? And… why didn’t you go abroad?”
“What’s this—are you acting as Dad’s little spy now?” Shao Chuyan rested her chin on her hand, blinking mischievously. Her long lashes fluttered like brushes, her eyes full of teasing laughter.
“I want to know too,” Zhao Zhongyuan scratched his head.
“I can tell you,” Shao Chuyan said, “but what will you give me in return?”
“Um… lend you my new game console?” he suggested cautiously.
Chuyan rolled her eyes. “Boring. How about you help me with something instead?”
“What kind of help?” he asked curiously.
She thought for a moment, then smiled: “The morning after tomorrow, before school, wait for me at the school gate. Get me a set of the high school girls’ uniform and a backpack. Make sure they fit me.”
Zhongyuan’s mouth fell open in a round O. “What? Are you trying to sneak into our school?”
She nodded. “I want to transfer to your school, but first I need to get inside. Will you help me?”
His mouth dropped even wider. It took him a long while to digest her words. “But if you want to transfer, you could just tell Dad. Why bother with all this?”
Chuyan shook her head. “Mom would never agree.”
Zhongyuan nodded knowingly. “True. But do you have a plan? Getting into our school without Dad’s help is pretty tough. Especially with Principal Edward—he doesn’t seem easy to deal with.”
Chuyan leaned forward and grabbed his hand earnestly. “That’s why you have to help me. Don’t you want us to go to the same school?”
Zhongyuan nodded quickly. “Okay. But you’ll have to get there early the day after tomorrow.”
“Deal.” She stood up and headed toward her bedroom. “I’ll change my clothes. Then you’re coming out with me.” She didn’t even realize that she had completely dodged his first question.
Once inside her room with the door closed, Chuyan let out a long breath. Yuan looked so cute that she almost broke character—almost hugged him and cried on the spot. Covering her reddening eyes, she sat on the bed for a long time before finally changing into casual clothes.
By the time she came out again, Yuan was already messing with her laptop, playing a game. Just then, Shao Yin’er returned from shopping. Seeing Chuyan dressed to go out, she asked:
“Yan-yan, are you going somewhere?”
Chuyan nodded, shutting Yuan’s laptop in passing despite his sulky look. “Mom, I’m taking Yuan out for a while. We’ll be back before lunch.”
“All right. Be careful. Come home early for the meal.”
Chuyan tugged Yuan out the door.
He followed her in confusion, asking as they stepped outside the hotel: “Sis, where are we going? Do you even know your way around?”
“That’s why I brought you.” She grinned. “Did you bring a driver? Tell me—where’s the nearest Xia Hua Bank?”
Zhongyuan thought for a moment. “I think there’s one near Zhong’ao Department Store. But Dad thought I’d be out all day, so the driver won’t come until tonight.”
“Then we’ll just grab a cab.” Chuyan flagged one down. “Let’s go.”
Zhong’ao Department Store was one of Zhong’ao Group’s core businesses, Zhao family’s early pillar industry. Next to it was Zhong’ao Plaza and a subway exit. With such prime real estate, it was impossible not to rake in money daily.
Standing before Zhong’ao Department Store for the first time, Chuyan looked at the bustling building—her father’s territory. How can I protect this place? she wondered.
Inside, Xia Hua Bank occupied the first floor. ATMs weren’t popular yet, so Chuyan carried a passbook. She went straight to the VIP counter and handed it over.
“Please check the balance,” she said.
The clerk took it indifferently, scanning it and asking her to enter the password. The printer clattered away for nearly two minutes, filling three whole pages with transactions. Flipping to the end, the clerk suddenly smiled warmly and handed it back.
“How much is it?” Zhongyuan craned his neck.
Chuyan stepped aside and opened the passbook. This account was for her yearly New Year’s money—her father and mother had agreed to deposit fifty thousand yuan every year until the children came of age. Normally, Yin’er wouldn’t have told her the password until she was older, but this Chuyan already knew it.
She hadn’t been sure how much would be inside at thirteen. Flipping to the last page, the number glared back at her: 1.2 million yuan.
“Wow, Sis, you’re loaded!” Zhongyuan said enviously.
“You have one too,” she reminded him.
He shook his head. “Nope.”
Chuyan thought for a moment—so his passbook must still be with Dad, since Yuan was too young. She walked out of the bank, gripping her passbook tightly, calculating whether this money would be enough for her plans.
The October heat was still stifling. In her white T-shirt and jeans, hair tied high, her delicate face and slender neck gleamed in the sun. She fanned herself with the passbook as the two of them struggled to flag down a cab.
“I’ll go buy ice cream,” Yuan said, sweat soaking his back.
“Two, please,” Chuyan replied.
She kept fanning herself with the passbook, cursing the brutal autumn heat. Suddenly, her hand slipped—whoosh!—the passbook flew into the middle of the busy street.
Her heart skipped. No—that’s my key piece! I can’t lose it!
She tried stepping into the street several times but was forced back by the stream of cars. Finally, spotting a small gap, she darted in and snatched it up. Just as she stood up—
SCREECH!
A piercing brake scream froze her in place. The car was almost on top of her. Mind blank, her legs gave out and she fell—
The car swerved sharply, crashing into a lamppost, stopping just inches from her feet!
Her hands shook violently. The burning hood loomed before her face, the scorching heat making her skin tingle. That primal fear of death dragged her back to that memory—the car tumbling off the cliff… was she destined to be cursed by cars?
The driver’s door banged open, then slammed shut. A boy—loud and hot-tempered—stormed over, checking her, then his car’s crumpled hood. His face twisted with fury.
“You wanna die?! Then go do it somewhere else! Got no eyes when you walk?!” he shouted.
Chuyan blinked, stunned that she wasn’t hurt at all. Her doll-like face had gone pale as she whispered, “I’m sorry.”
The boy let out a sharp laugh. “That’s it? You think one sorry is enough?!”
She steadied herself, finally standing. This was her first real accident—if you didn’t count her last life. She looked him dead in the eye. “Then what do you want me to do?” He couldn’t have been more than sixteen.
Before he could retort, the passenger door opened. Out stepped another boy, a little older, wearing sunglasses and a casual blue outfit. He was tall, his shadow completely covering her.
He raised a hand to silence the driver. Then, looking at Chuyan, he asked calmly:
“Do you always act so recklessly?”
She squinted up against the light, staring at the young man—around nineteen, with a firm jawline, a straight nose, and thin lips. Even under the glasses he looked handsome.
“I don’t understand,” she said faintly.
He took off his sunglasses, smirking at his companion. “Half a month ago at Jinghua Restaurant, she spilled milk tea all over me—and didn’t even bother to say sorry.”
Chuyan froze. She saw his face clearly now. Those sharp, dark eyes—they were too familiar! The features were younger, softer with youth, but unmistakable.
“You… why are you here?” she whispered.
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Last time I asked for an apology, you threw water at me. And now you’re trying to play nice?”
She suddenly realized—he was too young, still a student, without the cigarette smell, without that hardened air. But… there couldn’t be two people so alike. Which meant—this was him, from twelve years ago?!
Her hand flew to her mouth. Unbelievable!
He frowned, puzzled by her reaction.
“Big bro, let’s just drag her to the traffic police. She owes you a car! That’s a three-million Lotus!” the driver grumbled.
The older boy shot him a glare. “You don’t even have a license. You really want the cops involved?” He turned back to Chuyan. “If I hadn’t swerved just now, you’d be dead. How about this—apologize for Jinghua, and I’ll let today slide.”
Jinghua? Did that mean they’d already met before her rebirth? But for him it was just two weeks ago. She searched her memory but found nothing. Forget it—better to settle things first.
“I’m sorry. For both. And… thank you.” The last part she spoke directly to him.
The driver tugged at him nervously. “We should go, bro. We’ve been blocking the road too long—what if the police show up?”
The older boy didn’t seem bothered. He gave Chuyan a faint smile, his dark eyes flashing with curiosity. “You… never mind. If fate wills it, we’ll meet again.”
With that, he waved, got back behind the wheel, and drove off.
Chuyan stumbled back onto the sidewalk, staring after the sleek black sports car.
Will we really meet again…?