Wife, I’ve Been Reborn (GL) - Chapter 23

Chapter 23

A Shared Secret and a Painful Past

Xu Liangchen looked up and saw Mu Nan staring at her, eyes wide, with a hint of indignation. She suddenly remembered a time when she couldn’t sleep, got up to smoke, and a hand suddenly reached out from behind her, a terrible tone in its voice: “Smoking all day, don’t you want to live anymore?!” Later, Xu Liangchen learned that Mu Nan hated the smell of smoke, so she would always finish smoking in the car before coming home, though she was still caught a few times. She remembered that every time she was caught, Mu Nan would look at her with that same expression. It held a hint of anger, and also some worry. Not like now. Now there was also some fear in it.

Thinking of this, she awkwardly put down the cigarette and turned around. The unspoken smoke in her mouth choked her throat, and she coughed violently. Mu Nan quickly patted her back, not forgetting to scold, “See? You’re already coughing.” Xu Liangchen braced her hands on the railing, her head bowed. Mu Nan was standing behind her, patting her back. She felt Xu Liangchen’s body tense under her touch. Mu Nan’s hand was still on her back when Xu Liangchen suddenly turned around and embraced her tightly.

Xu Liangchen still carried the scent of tobacco, not very strong, but noticeable up close, like aged wine. Not potent, but intoxicating. Mu Nan’s arms were still hanging in the air, unsure where to place them. Xu Liangchen spoke into her ear, her tone hesitant and unsure, “Mu Nan, if…” Mu Nan hummed, her hands quietly placing themselves around Xu Liangchen’s waist. “If what?” Xu Liangchen released Mu Nan, her phoenix eyes returning to their usual coolness, and said gently, “Nothing. Why did you come up here?”

The topic was abruptly changed, but Mu Nan was still thinking about the “if” Xu Liangchen had mentioned. She really wanted to know what she hadn’t asked. It had to be related to herself. Ever since she secretly kissed Xu Liangchen in the bathroom last time, Xu Liangchen had maintained the maximum distance between them, even walking one behind the other when going home after school. Mu Nan knew Xu Liangchen was angry. When Xu Liangchen was angry, she didn’t dare to act rashly again. So, during this time, she was very well-behaved, even her playful demeanor carried a hint of flattery.

The evening breeze swept by, rustling their clothes. Mu Nan lowered her eyelids, her hands behind her back, hearing Xu Liangchen say, “Let’s go down. Evening self-study is about to start.” Mu Nan nodded and followed her downstairs.

…

Chen Jiao’s Dilemma and Mu Nan’s Shock

The two returned to their seats, one in front of the other. Chen Jiao came over to find Mu Nan, seeming to have something to tell her. Her face was very pale, her body trembling, and her eyes were slightly swollen, as if she had been crying. Mu Nan’s heart sank, a bad premonition washing over her. She glanced at Zhao Shi’s seat; he wasn’t there.

Chen Jiao pulled Mu Nan into the restroom and then quietly said, “Nannan, I think I’m pregnant.” Then, with a pale face, she took out a pregnancy test stick. Mu Nan frowned, looking at the two red lines. “What is this?” Then, as if realizing something, she thought, Chen Jiao and Zhao Shi… they couldn’t have used no protection at all, could they?!

“Jiaojiao, you…” You’re finished now. Those words wouldn’t come out, but it was truly over for her. Not to mention the school, even her family would probably kill her. Mu Nan was also anxious, pacing back and forth in the restroom. Chen Jiao didn’t know what to say, her eyes swollen and red. She began to murmur, “What should I do? Nannan, what should I do?” Mu Nan calmed Chen Jiao. “Don’t overthink for now. Let’s talk after school. Don’t get agitated, don’t get agitated.” Chen Jiao was very flustered. Mu Nan put her arms around Chen Jiao. “Don’t panic, we’ll talk tonight.” “Nannan…” Chen Jiao’s voice was tearful, her body trembling uncontrollably. She couldn’t hold back anymore and squatted on the ground, sobbing loudly. Mu Nan was frightened and quickly looked towards the restroom door. Luckily, evening self-study was about to start, so no classmates were coming. Chen Jiao was distraught. As she stood up, the pregnancy test stick slipped from her hand and fell to the floor. Mu Nan half-dragged, half-pulled her to the classroom.

…

Xu Liangchen’s Foresight and a Revelation

Zhao Shi didn’t appear until evening self-study ended. As soon as school was dismissed, Mu Nan asked Chen Jiao, “Did you tell Zhao Shi about this?” Chen Jiao shook her head. “I just found out myself. Not yet.” Xu Liangchen stood behind them. Hearing their conversation, she quickly stepped forward, staring at Chen Jiao. “Test what?” Then her gaze swept to Chen Jiao’s abdomen, her tone flat. “You’re pregnant?” She seemed completely unsurprised, making Chen Jiao wonder if Mu Nan had told her. Mu Nan saw Chen Jiao’s suspicion and quickly shook her head. “I didn’t say anything.” Xu Liangchen looked at Chen Jiao helplessly, then lowered her head. The last time she saw the two of them outside the KTV, clinging to each other like conjoined twins, she had guessed where Zhao Shi and Chen Jiao would go. She just didn’t expect something like this to happen again.

Chen Jiao bit her lip, her face deathly pale, her arms trembling. “Xu Liangchen, I didn’t…” Xu Liangchen turned to look at her, her phoenix eyes seemingly apologetic. “I didn’t hear anything.” Then she walked to Mu Nan’s other side. Not saying a word. As if what she had just said wasn’t really her. Chen Jiao’s racing heart slowed slightly. She held Mu Nan’s hand tightly.

…

A Heavy Truth and a Troubling Memory

After taking Chen Jiao all the way home, Mu Nan finally released her arm and softly comforted her. “Jiaojiao, don’t overthink for now. Let’s ask Zhao Shi to meet us and talk about it.” Chen Jiao nodded, somewhat afraid to go home. She walked stiffly towards her doorstep, hearing voices inside. She couldn’t imagine what would happen if they found out; they would surely kill her!

Mu Nan returned to Xu Liangchen’s side, her tone hesitant. “Xu Liangchen, do you think Zhao Shi will just ignore it?” Xu Liangchen kicked a stone under her foot, her voice low and lifeless. “He won’t care.” Mu Nan looked up, somewhat disbelieving. “How can that be? Jiaojiao is like this, and he still won’t care? Didn’t he cause this?!” “Oh, and you’re also from No. 1 High School, and so is Zhao Shi. As soon as you arrived, you said Zhao Shi wasn’t a good person.” “Did you know him before?”

Xu Liangchen looked into Mu Nan’s eyes. The streetlights illuminated them, casting a glow. She spoke hesitantly, “I wasn’t familiar with him before.” She was lying with this statement. Because she didn’t know what Xu Liangchen’s interpersonal relationships were like, reincarnating into her body had many inconveniences. Fortunately, she had just arrived when the incident of Xu Liangchen jumping off a building occurred. Her change in personality also had a plausible explanation; even Ye Jin thought it was due to that incident, and she spoke less. Someone who came back from the gates of hell. No matter how strange she seemed, it wouldn’t be considered strange. And coincidentally, she transferred to No. 3 High School, completely severing ties with her past at No. 1 High School, except for Zhao Shi.

Thinking of this, Xu Liangchen added, “This matter with Chen Jiao, you must tell her parents.” Mu Nan followed behind her, looked up at her back. “Jiaojiao probably wouldn’t dare…” “If she doesn’t dare, you go tell them.” Xu Liangchen suddenly turned around, looking firmly at Mu Nan, her gaze resolute. Mu Nan quietly grumbled to herself: Damn it, I wouldn’t dare either…

How could Xu Liangchen not know what Mu Nan was thinking? She could guess her meaning even from a furrowed brow. It’s just that besides this method, other methods were even less feasible. Letting Chen Jiao’s parents know. For now, it was the best option.

The two walked home in silence. Mu Nan remained silent the entire way. Chen Jiao’s situation had hit her hard. Along the way, she also thought about what had happened that night. If Xu Liangchen hadn’t taken her out of the KTV, would she have been the second Chen Jiao? The most crucial thing was that she didn’t even know those boys… She had always thought it was nothing; at worst, she would just sing with those boys, and if things got bad and she passed out, the KTV owner was an acquaintance and surely wouldn’t let her just lie there. She hadn’t even considered the other possibility. Like Chen Jiao. Until now. She realized how terrifying it was. Fear surged in her heart, deeply engulfing her. Emotions overwhelmed her, and she had to admit that at this moment, besides fear, she also hated Zhao Shi. He almost ruined her!

Mu Nan bit her lip, looking up at the girl walking in front of her. The streetlight stretched her silhouette long, and Mu Nan herself was entirely in her shadow. “Xu Liangchen.” Xu Liangchen was about to turn around when Mu Nan placed both hands on her shoulders, leaning her head on her back. “Thank you.” Her voice seemed to choke. Xu Liangchen stood straight, letting her lean, her fingers curled, feeling the warmth from her back. “It’s nothing.” “Go home quickly now.” Mu Nan nodded and continued walking home with Xu Liangchen.

…

A Lonely Return and a Haunting Recording

Xu Liangchen first walked Mu Nan home. When she arrived at her own house, Ye Jin was still awake, cleaning the room. Xu Liangchen went up and took her hand. “You can do this tomorrow, it’s late.” Ye Jin heard her voice and turned around. “Chenchen’s back. Do you want some late-night snack?” Xu Liangchen shook her head, walked to her room, got her toiletries, and went to the bathroom. Ye Jin followed behind her until Xu Liangchen closed the door. Only then did she look down at her feet, disappointed. She felt that Chenchen still seemed to blame her. She wouldn’t even talk to her anymore.

Ye Jin stood at the door for a moment, then sighed and left. Xu Liangchen leaned against the bathroom door, holding her sleepwear, and felt something hard. She pulled it out; it was the recording device she had taken from that boy last time. Small and square, palm-sized. Headphones were still attached to it.

Xu Liangchen pressed the button. The noisy sounds of several boys and music emerged, then a male voice asked, “Do you want it?” “Yes, yes, yes!” It was Mu Nan’s voice. Weak and languid, her breathing heavy from drinking, carrying a hint of seduction. Xu Liangchen only listened to one sentence before pulling off the headphones. Mu Nan, Mu Nan… Her mind involuntarily began to recall her drunken self, her voluntarily embracing her, her biting her lips, and her pulling her to immerse themselves in a sea of desire. Her mind was filled with intoxicating images. Xu Liangchen gritted her teeth, a blush on her fair face, her ears crimson, like blooming roses, delicate and dripping with charm.

She abruptly put down the recording device and splashed cold water on her face. It didn’t seem to have much effect. The warmth on her face continued to rise. She turned on the shower, letting the cold water pour over her body without taking off her clothes. The icy water gradually brought her back to her senses. She couldn’t help but smile bitterly. No matter how much time passed, no matter if she had a different body. She could still be driven crazy by a single action or word from Mu Nan.