They Dumped Me—Now They’re Reincarnated and Obsessed? - Chapter 16
In the misty, steam-filled bathroom, Yan Ze stared into the mirror, dissatisfied.
“…Still not good enough.”
He finally understood why Mei Jian had told him to look at himself in a full-length mirror.
Compared to the perfectly polished version of himself ten years from now, his current self still fell short of anything close to dazzling.
At most, people might glance at him and think, “Oh, he’s pretty good-looking.” But he didn’t yet have that commanding presence that could immediately draw every gaze the moment he entered a room—the way his future self could.
With how he looked now, what difference was there between him and Mei Jian?
Mei Jian was also striking—but not radiant.
Yan Ze muttered, “I can’t lose.”
Right now, his figure was still that of a teenager—tall and thin, but not yet broad enough to fill out adult clothes. His main appeal was a clean, youthful aura.
But his features were too rebellious—he looked innately domineering, not someone who could pull off the innocent schoolboy image.
Still… if his goal was to replace Mei Jian and become Xie Tingxue’s first love, maybe this youthful vibe could come in handy?
Yan Ze changed into his pajamas and knocked on his mom’s door. “Mom, I have a question—don’t laugh at me.”
His mother was wearing a face mask and turned toward him, mumbling, “Go ahead, I won’t laugh.”
Yan Ze asked, “Do girls around sixteen or seventeen usually have a crush on someone who’s really good at studying, quiet, but with a sunny personality? Like… their first love?”
His mom blinked. “Wow, you actually know terms like ‘first love’ and ‘white moonlight’?”
Yan Ze groaned. “Can you not sound so amazed like some illiterate just learned to read?”
His mom chuckled. “Zezé, do you trust me?”
“I do,” Yan Ze said seriously. “I didn’t before, but the older I get, the more I realize—you’re the most reliable person I know.”
His mom nodded, touched. “Then it depends on what kind of girl you like.”
Yan Ze gave a short laugh. “You don’t find it weird that I like someone?”
Peeling off her face mask, she looked at him earnestly. “Not weird at all. Sixteen, seventeen—it’s the season of flowers and rain. If it’s genuine, this kind of love becomes a beautiful memory you’ll treasure forever.
So, tell me. What kind of girl made you care so much?”
“She looks well-behaved, and she acts that way too. But deep down… she’s actually really lively and optimistic,” Yan Ze said slowly. “She seems like a kitten, but she’s really a leopard. A little leopard that’s been running in the dark for a long time, hit a lot of walls, gotten hurt, so she’s emotionally fragile…”
His mom stood up, eyes sparkling.
Yan Ze shivered. “What’s with that look?!”
She exclaimed, “Zezé! That description shocked me! I always thought you were terrible with words, that you didn’t care about studying or reading… But you just said something beautiful!”
Yan Ze: “…”
After pretending to be an idiot for so long, even a rare poetic moment made his family doubt their eyes.
He cleared his throat and got back on track. “So, how can I protect a girl like that?”
His mom was even more amazed.
Yan Ze muttered, “Why are you looking at me like that again…?”
She smiled. “Zezé, you’ve really surprised me. I always knew you weren’t dumb, just not good at academics. But now… I see it. You didn’t go off the rails after all.”
She pulled him to sit down and said seriously, “When boys first fall in love, it’s often selfish—loud and passionate, but inconsiderate of how the girl feels. Only after they mature do they realize that true love is about protection. So, when you ask how to protect her, I’m truly moved.”
“…Don’t be,” Yan Ze said softly. “I’m saying this because her life hasn’t been easy. I want to give her a smooth one. From the moment she meets me, I don’t want her to suffer anymore.”
His mom blinked, then said, “A sense of security is everything. Girls go through a lot growing up. So, when it comes to love, they’re extra careful. You need to make her feel safe.”
Yan Ze thought aloud. “Safety, huh…”
“But,” she quickly added, “by safety, I don’t mean you swaggering around fighting people for her. That’ll have the opposite effect. A girl like the one you described—sensible, mature—won’t see a hot-headed guy as dependable. You’ll just come off immature and exhausting.”
“…Got it.” Yan Ze nodded.
“I mean being truly dependable and strong. Someone who can carry her trust. When life gets hard, her first instinct isn’t guilt or tears—it’s you. You become her future. Her armor. Zezé, if you love her, then become her hope.”
“…I think I get it now. Thanks, Mom.”
He closed the door behind him and fell into deep thought.
Outside, his mom sighed.
“You don’t get it at all… sigh.”
The house phone rang.
She picked it up. “Tired today?”
A voice on the other end cooed, “So tired… I just want to come home… Did that brat bother you?”
“He seems to be growing up,” she replied. “We just had a long talk about girls. I’m not sure if he really understands, but… I think he’s different now. He used to be just a little punk, but now… there’s something in his eyes. He’s starting to take life seriously.”
________________________________________
Back in his room, Yan Ze turned to his loyal sidekick. “Serious question: if a girl like Xie Tingxue had two suitors—one a celebrity, the other a college professor—who would she choose? Assuming neither has ever hurt her.”
Feng Fei scratched his head. “A girl like her? Probably the professor. If it were Yan Yaru, though—definitely the celebrity.”
Yan Ze sneered. “Yeah right, Yan Yaru only likes power and money.”
Feng Fei tossed over a colorful girl’s magazine. “There’s a quiz in here. Let Xie Tingxue do it.”
Yan Ze glanced at the magazine—it was one Yan Yaru had left at his place.
Feng Fei asked, “Hey, what’s going on between you and Yan Yaru?”
Yan Ze swallowed the word colleague and said instead, “Our families do business together. Her mom plays mahjong with my mom.”
“Oh… I thought you two had a thing. People at school say you’re into her.”
Yan Ze used an old-school slang word to deny it: “Heh.”
He flopped onto the bed and flipped through the magazine. Inside was a cutesy personality quiz—pick your answers and it would reveal your ideal type.
Yan Ze scanned the results:
The cold academic, the boy-next-door, the arrogant star, the clingy little brother…
He frowned. “These are all fake categories to trick girls…”
Feng Fei grinned. “Obviously. But all the girls in our class love that stuff.”
Yan Ze: “…” Takes it. He’s giving it to Xie Tingxue tomorrow.
________________________________________
The next morning, Xie Tingxue came downstairs—and froze.
Yan Ze leaned casually against the stairwell, long legs crossed. His white shirt was crisp and immaculate. He waved and smiled, fingers elegant.
“Good morning.”
Mei Jian’s face turned dark.
Xie Tingxue blinked. “Why is it you?!”
Yan Ze smiled, the corners of his deep, almond-shaped eyes curling into a beautiful arc—sunlit, dazzling, with a hint of mischievous charm.
In a soft, pleasant voice, he said,
“Because I wanted to go with you.”
For some reason, that light remark made Xie Tingxue’s ears burn.
She quickly lowered her head, avoiding his gaze and smile.
Mei Jian frowned. “Don’t you know it’s rude to show up at someone’s door uninvited?”
Yan Ze dodged the question with a smooth answer:
“Studying is important. I take it seriously.”
Mei Jian immediately grabbed Xie Tingxue’s hand and started walking off.
Yan Ze trailed behind, muttering,
“Boys and girls shouldn’t be touching so casually—did Tingxue agree to you pulling her along?”
Xie Tingxue instinctively pulled her hand back and walked behind Yan Ze instead.
Mei Jian shot a death glare.
Yan Ze, grinning, pointed at himself and declared,
“Take a good look—today, I’m her knight in shining armor.”
By the time they reached the entrance of the residential complex, Feng Fei had caught up.
Mei Jian frowned again.
Yan Ze introduced him,
“This is Feng Fei. He’ll be transferring to our class next week.”
Feng Fei wasn’t used to mingling with top students. He scratched the back of his head, face turning red.
“I just came along to listen. I won’t get in the way.”
Xie Tingxue waved politely,
“It’s fine…”
Feng Fei grinned awkwardly.
“Hehe… Seeing her up close, it really is different. Yan Ze’s taste is amazing…”
Yan Ze warned,
“Shut it. Don’t scare her.”
Chen Chang had arrived early. When Yan Yaru showed up, the big guy, hoping to impress the girl he liked, grandly announced that the meal was on him today.
Neither Mei Jian nor Yan Ze declined. Chen Chang, feeling proud, went all out—six combo meals and a few sides.
Chen Chang said,
“Let’s eat first, then head to karaoke. My treat!”
Yan Yaru sipped her cola without commenting, but her expression showed interest.
Xie Tingxue frowned,
“Let’s find somewhere to study instead…”
She had just picked up her burger when Yan Ze suddenly reached out and snatched it from her.
Yan Yaru rolled her eyes.
“Yan Ze, aren’t you ashamed?”
Chen Chang offered,
“Want me to order another one?”
Feng Fei whispered,
“Yan Ze…” This is really embarrassing. Are you messing with Xie Tingxue?
But Yan Ze remained serious. He calmly unwrapped the burger, tore it in half, and pushed one half back to her, speaking gently,
“Eat.”
Xie Tingxue stared, startled.
A flicker passed through Mei Jian’s eyes.
Xie Tingxue had a heart condition. It wasn’t obvious yet because she was still young, but when Yan Ze met her, her health was already shaky due to years of hardship and emotional strain. Her diet needed constant monitoring.
She had to eat one banana every day, keep her meals light, and never overeat. Junk food, especially greasy fast food, was strictly forbidden by doctors.
Yan Ze remembered. He’d already made it a habit.
Xie Tingxue looked down at the half burger in her hands, confused.
“What? Are you not hungry?”
Yan Yaru chimed in,
“If you’re hungry, take mine! I can’t finish all this anyway…”
Yan Ze shot her a look of disdain.
“Why are you acting like this has anything to do with you?”
He tilted his head, smiled at Xie Tingxue, and wiggled his finger:
“If I’m not mistaken, your health’s not great, right? This kind of greasy junk isn’t good for you. Better to go easy.”
Xie Tingxue stared blankly at him, surprised and puzzled.
“How did you know?”
“You don’t even take P.E.,” Yan Ze said casually.
“That’s not for nothing. Here, just eat half. Be mindful.”
Mei Jian cleared his throat and said,
“Yan Yaru, are you only eating half, too?”
Yan Yaru panicked and nodded quickly.
Chen Chang laughed,
“If I’d known, I would’ve just ordered one burger for each of the girls.”
Feng Fei added,
“Geez, you girls really live on the edge…”
Thankfully, the awkward tension dissolved, and Yan Ze’s overly obvious care for Xie Tingxue was no longer the center of attention.
Still, Xie Tingxue’s pale cheeks were flushed, and she nibbled her half burger with her head down, heart pounding.
________________________________________
Outside the McDonald’s, a group of rough-looking boys with cigarettes hanging from their lips walked by and turned into the KTV next door.
One of them said,
“Lang-ge, look—ain’t that sis-in-law?”
The boy leading the pack lifted his head, revealing a scar on his brow bone.
Sharp eyes, high-bridged nose, a half-burned cigarette between his lips—he exhaled lazily.
“That guy next to her—is that Yan Ze?”
The others nodded.
Lang-ge narrowed his eyes.
“Didn’t Yaru’s classmates say it was him who said that no matter whether Yaru’s my girlfriend or not, if he likes her, I have to back off?!”
The younger guys chimed in:
“Lang-ge, let’s get him.”
“He’s gone too far!”
“Show him who’s boss!”
“He’s so cocky, I can’t stand it!”
Lang-ge let out a cold laugh, shoved his hands in his pockets, and kicked open the McDonald’s door.