Wife, I’ve Been Reborn (GL) - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

A Breakthrough and a Surprise Visit

By the end of October, in the second monthly exam, Mu Nan, thanks to her tutoring, achieved tenth place in her class and one hundredth in her grade. Not only that, she was honorably mentioned and praised by name in front of the entire school. This was truly a big deal. Not only did the teachers look at her as if she were a teachable student, but even her classmates were filled with envy and jealousy. Mu Nan truly wanted to let out a long cry of triumph to the heavens; she actually managed to get such a score!

Compared to her excitement, Xu Liangchen was much calmer. Because she felt that Mu Nan’s foundation was simply too weak. All her assignments were carefully selected based on exam questions, and the three or four test papers she was given before each exam basically covered everything that would be tested. Given such advantageous conditions, Mu Nan only got tenth place. And she was still so happy? Xu Liangchen felt a mixture of amusement and exasperation for the first time.

After school on Saturday, Mu Nan told Xu Liangchen, “Come to my place for dinner tonight!” Xu Liangchen arranged her stool, utterly bewildered. “What for?” Mu Nan’s eyes curved into a smile. “Nothing, my family just wants to thank you very much.” Xu Liangchen wanted to decline, but Mu Nan dragged her all the way towards her home, even buying some fruit along the way. Mu Nan teased her for being too polite.

Xu Liangchen followed her all the way to her doorstep. The aroma of food wafted out. Mu Nan smelled it and said, “Mom must be home.” Just as she finished speaking, she ran into Mu Yang who was coming out to take out the trash. Mu Nan walked two steps ahead. “Bro, let me introduce you! This is…” Mu Yang looked down at Mu Nan. “I know, Xu Liangchen, right? The one who walked you home last time.” Xu Liangchen smiled faintly and nodded at Mu Yang as a greeting.

The three of them entered the living room. Xu Liangchen put down the things in her hand. Mu Nan saw Su Li still in the kitchen and quickly went over. “Mom, let me introduce someone!” Su Li came out carrying a dish. She was a true career woman, having worked in the professional world for nearly twenty years. Standing there, she exuded the aura of a veritable white-collar elite. In fact, Xu Liangchen had thought many times that Su Li and Mu Dongshun were astute people, yet they gave birth to Mu Nan, who was so muddle-headed and typically “forgot the pain once the wound healed.” Sometimes, her stupidity was truly laughable.

Su Li put down the plate and told Xu Liangchen, “Quickly, sit down, don’t be shy.” Xu Liangchen looked at her familiar face, only younger now. Her mind blanked for a moment, and she blurted out, “Mom.” The other three were stunned by her address. Xu Liangchen also realized her mistake, feeling a little embarrassed, a slight blush on her fair face. “You just reminded me so much of my mom, I’m sorry.” Su Li walked to Xu Liangchen’s side and took her hand. “You must be the Xu Liangchen that Nannan always talks about, right?” Xu Liangchen replied obediently, “You can just call me Chenchen.” Su Li smiled and nodded, looking immensely pleased. “Good, Chenchen. Then you can call me Auntie Su.” Mu Nan squeezed herself between the two of them. “Mom, your dish is going to burn.” Xu Liangchen watched Mu Nan rescue her hand from Su Li’s, then lowered her gaze and smiled faintly.

The two then sat on the sofa watching TV. Mu Yang stood to the side, arms crossed, observing. This girl is completely different from the ice queen I first met. That aura the first time, how unapproachable! Today, she’s all smiles. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Girls’ minds are incomprehensible. However, he was still very happy about Mu Nan’s improved grades. He picked up Mu Nan’s test paper and quietly leaned next to Mu Nan, who was watching TV. “See? Your brother wasn’t lying at all.” Mu Nan turned to look at him. “What did you say?” Mu Yang raised his eyebrows at Xu Liangchen, his voice growing even softer. “I said you might be able to just barely get into university.” Mu Nan: …

…

A Moment of Familiarity and an Unexpected Encounter

At dinner, Xu Liangchen didn’t see Mu Nan’s father. She asked Mu Nan, who shook her head. “He’s probably working overtime and hasn’t come back.” Anyway, Mu Dongshun and Su Li working overtime or going on business trips was commonplace. Seeing them for even a week in a month was a lot. She was used to it. Xu Liangchen nodded and walked towards the bathroom. Dinner was about to start, and she habitually washed her hands first.

Mu Nan followed behind her, wondering as she watched Xu Liangchen enter without hesitation and turn on the light. “How are you so familiar with my house?” Xu Liangchen turned to look at her, her face calm, her tone composed. “Am I?” Mu Nan heard her and nodded. “Of course, you are. It feels like it’s your own house.” This was because her bathroom was next to her room, around the corner of the stairs. The bathroom was small and easily missed if one wasn’t paying attention, which was why she was puzzled. Mu Nan watched her actions. They were too practiced, as if… she knew exactly where everything was. This feeling was strange.

Xu Liangchen finished washing her hands and splashed some cold water on her face. She closed her eyes and splashed her face twice. “Perhaps your house has a similar layout to mine.” “Do you have a towel?” Mu Nan heard her voice, shook her head, and shook off the chaotic thoughts in her mind. She bent down and took out a dry towel from a drawer, handing it to her. Xu Liangchen’s eyes were closed. Her fingers fumbled in the air for a moment, then grabbed Mu Nan’s arm. Mu Nan jolted, looking up to see Xu Liangchen’s eyes tightly closed. Xu Liangchen was still speaking. “Did you find the towel?” Mu Nan replied, “Yes, I did. Just a moment.” Only then did Xu Liangchen stay still. Mu Nan took a breath and held it, slowly leaning closer to Xu Liangchen’s face.

She had just washed her face with cold water, and it was covered in water droplets. The clear droplets hung on her fair face, incredibly beautiful, like a lotus emerging from clear water. Mu Nan swallowed and continued to slowly lean closer. Because there was water on her face, Xu Liangchen’s eyes were tightly closed, her eyelashes fluttering like small fans, each one distinct, long, and thick. Below that was a slightly upturned nose, with a droplet of water on its tip, gleaming in the light. And further down… were her thin lips. Mu Nan bit her lip, her finger trembling as she raised it, wanting to touch them.

Before her finger could reach, it was suddenly intercepted! Xu Liangchen suddenly opened her eyes! Mu Nan stumbled backward in fright, forgetting that the drawer was still open. Her foot tripped, and she immediately fell backward! Xu Liangchen, quick as a flash, wrapped an arm around her waist, embraced her, and rolled them over. They landed heavily on the ground. Mu Nan’s head was pressed against Xu Liangchen’s chest, feeling the softness through the thin fabric, and… the heartbeat behind that softness. A strong, drumming sound. Thump, thump, beating incredibly fast. For a moment, Mu Nan didn’t know if Xu Liangchen’s heartbeat was faster or her own.

Xu Liangchen patted her shoulder. “Mu Nan?” Mu Nan looked up, her lips still bitten, somewhat pale, her eyes looking at Xu Liangchen pitifully. Xu Liangchen’s fingers on her shoulder tightened. Her eyes were dark and inscrutable, their original expression unreadable. “Get up.” she said again. Mu Nan, however, didn’t listen. She crawled up a little, leaned closer to Xu Liangchen’s ear, and whispered, “Xu Liangchen, you know what? I actually have a problem.” Xu Liangchen froze, her fingers gripping harder, her voice hoarse. “What problem?” Mu Nan looked directly into her eyes, as if throwing caution to the wind, and said word for word, “Infatuation.” “Commonly known as being unable to resist pouncing on someone attractive.” “You’re… mmm!” Xu Liangchen watched in surprise as Mu Nan gently pecked her lips, like a chick pecking rice, yet it stunned her completely.

…

A Knock at the Door and a Masterful Escape

The bathroom door was knocked. “Nannan, are you two ready?” Su Li’s voice came from outside the door. Mu Nan quickly got up from Xu Liangchen, looking at her cautiously, while secretly annoyed. Holy crap! What did she do?! She actually kissed Xu Liangchen just now!!! Mu Nan really didn’t want to face such an awkward moment and wanted to turn and run, but her arm was suddenly grabbed. Xu Liangchen snatched the unused towel from her. “Let’s go out.” Her tone was faint, emotionless. Mu Nan walked out resentfully. Now Xu Liangchen definitely won’t talk to her! It’s all her fault! Why is she so beautiful, tempting her every second!

After Mu Nan left, Xu Liangchen unconsciously touched her lips. That familiar sensation still lingered. She then turned on the faucet, washed her face with the towel, and walked out. Mu Yang and Su Li were already seated, waiting for the two of them. Mu Nan walked over first. Su Li saw her and asked, “Where’s Chenchen?” “She’ll be out in a bit, washing her hands.”

To be honest, Mu Nan was really afraid that Xu Liangchen would go straight home. She still remembered how that boy who secretly touched her arm during tutoring was scolded so badly he was left in tatters. Xu Liangchen spoke so coldly, her voice neither warm nor angry, yet it could make people so ashamed they wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it. Mu Nan had witnessed her unfeeling attitude; she was more heartless than anyone. But she secretly hoped that Xu Liangchen would treat her differently from others.

The bathroom door clicked open. Mu Nan looked over. Xu Liangchen was walking step by step, her face still calm and composed. “Auntie Su, we can eat now.” With that, she sat down. Mu Nan quietly breathed a sigh of relief, quickly focusing her gaze on her. Xu Liangchen, however, didn’t spare her a single glance from beginning to end, merely discussing studies with Mu Yang and chatting about household matters with Su Li. Mu Nan was left ignored. See? She’s angry, alright. Ignoring her. This is worse than slamming the door and leaving! Xu Liangchen, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? Mu Nan continued to put on a pitiful expression, looking at her. “Xu Liangchen…” Xu Liangchen lowered her head, holding her bowl in one hand, her voice clear and cool. “Eat.” Mu Nan: “Oh…” Mu Yang bit his chopsticks, stifling a laugh. Alright, she can even conquer his little monkey. This Xu Liangchen really has a knack for it!

…

A Conversation on the Way Home and a Misunderstanding

After dinner, Mu Nan walked Xu Liangchen to the door. Xu Liangchen took out her perfect test paper from her backpack and handed it to Mu Nan. “Think carefully about where you went wrong.” Mu Nan held the test paper, saying with a devout expression, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have kissed you!”

…

Xu Liangchen’s mouth twitched. “I’m not discussing personal matters with you right now.” “…We still have official matters to discuss?”

Xu Liangchen stared at Mu Nan. After a long pause, Mu Nan happily looked up. “So you’ve forgiven me?”

…

They were speaking two different languages! Xu Liangchen shook her head and turned to leave. Mu Nan scratched her head, a little bewildered. No, that’s not right. They don’t have any official matters, so it must be personal, right? And judging by Xu Liangchen’s expression, she doesn’t seem to be avoiding it. Then she’s definitely not angry! Mu Nan smiled brightly at her rare moment of intelligence, completely unaware that Xu Liangchen was so exasperated she couldn’t speak.