Wife, I’ve Been Reborn (GL) - Chapter 4
Chapter 4
A Surprise Encounter and a Helping Hand
Mu Nan was startled by Xu Liangchen’s sudden appearance, and it was only when her classmates started leaving that she realized school was dismissed. She quickly darted back into the classroom to pack her things, hoping to tag along with Chen Jiao under her umbrella. She had forgotten to reply to Zhao Shi.
Zhao Shi, who had just been choked by Xu Liangchen’s words, glared at her and then followed Mu Nan with his gaze into the classroom. He walked past Xu Liangchen, then slowly ambled back to stand in front of her. “I say, old classmate, you haven’t perhaps fallen for me, always interrupting my romantic prospects?”
Xu Liangchen looked at him with her phoenix eyes, a chill permeating her gaze, her lips tightly pursed. Zhao Shi, however, maintained his playful grin. “Delusional.”
“You!” Zhao Shi froze, angered, then hummed twice as he brushed past her. Mu Nan was standing by the door, a little confused. Chen Jiao had vanished too quickly. She saw that outside, the rain was already turning into a downpour. Wouldn’t she get drenched if she ran back?
Zhao Shi picked up his backpack and stood behind Mu Nan. “Let’s walk together. You don’t have an umbrella either?” Mu Nan nodded helplessly. Hearing him say “either” made her not want to talk.
Suddenly, a light-colored, foldable umbrella appeared on her right, neatly folded down to the edges. “Take it.” Xu Liangchen said to Mu Nan, frowning at the rainy weather outside.
Three people stood at the classroom door, their expressions varied. Mu Nan looked bewildered, Zhao Shi had a smile on his face but was secretly gritting his teeth, and Xu Liangchen… she always showed little expression.
Seeing Mu Nan still staring blankly at her, Xu Liangchen placed the umbrella from her hand into Mu Nan’s palm. “Take it.”
Mu Nan stammered, “What about you?” Xu Liangchen slung her single-shoulder bag over her shoulder. When she spoke again, her voice was much softer, “It’s fine, I live close by, I can just run back.”
Upon hearing Xu Liangchen’s words, Zhao Shi immediately happily told Mu Nan, “I’m afraid of the rain. Can I share your umbrella…”
Mu Nan glared at him crossly. “No!” With that, she took the umbrella and left, not forgetting to wave goodbye to Xu Liangchen. “Thanks!”
Xu Liangchen walked downstairs, a smile playing on her lips. Truly captivating beauty.
Zhao Shi was left behind by them, muttering to himself as he followed them out of school.
…
Home, Doubts, and a Morning Surprise
Mu Nan arrived home, and despite having an umbrella, a good half of her was still drenched. Mu Yang handed her a towel. “Wipe yourself quickly, you’ll catch a cold.” Mu Nan took the towel, hung it over her head, then took the umbrella to the bathroom to shake it dry and put it aside. She wondered if Xu Liangchen had made it home. She said her home was close, but Mu Nan regretted not offering to walk her back. Sigh, I’m so stupid!
Mu Yang leaned against the bathroom door, facing Mu Nan. Seeing her expression alternate between annoyance and contemplation, he found it somewhat amusing. “What are we eating tonight?”
Mu Nan shook her head as she walked into her room to get a change of clothes. “Anything, I’m not picky about food.” Not just not picky, but extremely casual; if it was edible, she wouldn’t complain. Mu Yang knew his sister’s personality well; asking was useless. “You go take a shower first. I’ll make dinner and call you when it’s ready.”
Mu Nan agreed and obediently went to the bathroom for a shower. When she came out, Mu Yang had already cooked noodles. She scurried to her brother in her pajamas. “Bro, how do you top students interact with people in your academic world?”
Mu Yang tilted his head to look at his sister. Her face was flushed and rosy from the shower. He pinched her cheek. “How else? Just normally.” “What’s wrong? Your school… Does your school have any top-tier students?”
Mu Nan’s lips curved upward. “Of course! My deskmate is Xu Liangchen from No. 1 High School.”
Mu Yang clearly didn’t believe her, shaking his head with a smile. “You, stop dreaming.” Although he was a sophomore in college now, he had seen Xu Liangchen during high school competitions – that gentle girl who smiled warmly. Her transferring schools? He thought it was impossible. Moreover, she was a key talent at No. 1 High School; even if the teacher was willing to let her go, the school wouldn’t.
Mu Nan saw that her brother didn’t believe her, slurped a mouthful of noodles, leaving some oil on her lips. “Don’t disbelieve me. Go to my classroom tomorrow, and you’ll see.” Mu Yang took a tissue from the side of the table and handed it to his sister, his tone full of doubt. “Really?”
Mu Nan looked into his eyes. “Absolutely true!”
Mu Yang stroked his chin. “Hold onto that big leg tightly. Maybe you can still catch the tail end of university admission.”
Mu Nan was indignant, biting her chopsticks. “Am I that bad?!”
“Have you ever been good?”
Mu Nan glared fiercely at Mu Yang upon hearing this, her small mouth pouting. He’s really my brother, what a sharp jab!
Mu Yang sat beside her until she finished her noodles, then went to the kitchen to wash the pots and dishes, leaving Mu Nan sitting on the stool, lost in thought. Suddenly, Xu Liangchen came to mind, and those phoenix eyes of hers. How could they be so beautiful…
…
Morning Reading and Lingering Doubts
The next day was a sunny one. When Mu Nan woke up, Mu Yang was already gone. On the table were prepared congee and fried dough sticks. She quickly washed up, grabbed a dough stick to chew on, and headed out. At the door, she turned back and went into the bathroom. Yesterday’s umbrella had already been put away by Mu Yang, hanging neatly folded to the side, as if it had never been opened. She realized that perhaps all top students were obsessed with order?
With no time to dwell on it, she quickly jogged to school, practically stepping into the classroom as the bell rang. Xu Liangchen was sitting upright and poised in her seat. Mu Nan plopped down and handed the umbrella in her hand to the person beside her. “Here, thanks for yesterday.”
Xu Liangchen seemed to be deep in thought and was startled by Mu Nan’s sudden words. She then tilted her head to look at Mu Nan, her eyes less sharp, somewhat bewildered. “Cute little one, are you back to reality?” Mu Nan couldn’t help but tease her when she saw her like that.
Xu Liangchen took the umbrella from her hand, her eyelids lowering. When she looked up again, her eyes were filled with frost. “Boring.” Mu Nan pouted. “That’s because you’re too boring!”
When taking the umbrella, Xu Liangchen’s fingertips brushed Mu Nan’s. Her hand felt very hot? Mu Nan noticed Xu Liangchen’s face was also unnaturally pale and couldn’t help but ask with concern, “Are you okay?” As she spoke, she prepared to place her hand on Xu Liangchen’s forehead. After being out in such heavy rain yesterday, did she catch a fever?
Xu Liangchen suddenly grabbed her arm! “Don’t touch me casually.” Her tone was very distant. Mu Nan looked at her pale face, her lips tightly pursed, and her phoenix eyes staring at her, as if shards of ice were piercing her.
“Oh…” Mu Nan replied unwillingly, inwardly cursing countless times. What a lunatic!
Just then, the homeroom teacher entered. Xu Liangchen released Mu Nan’s slender arm. Mu Nan quickly shook her arm, and when she looked at it, it was red! This Xu Liangchen, looking so delicate, actually had such strength! Unacceptable!
The homeroom teacher’s gaze swept across the class, stopping on the girl looking down at her book. “Xu Liangchen.”
Xu Liangchen looked up and stood. “Here.”
The homeroom teacher smiled even more amiably. “Please turn to page fifty-two in your English book and lead the class in reading it.”
Xu Liangchen lowered her head to flip through the book. The only sound in the classroom was the rustling of pages. “Okay.” Xu Liangchen’s voice was very steady, somewhat clear, and her pronunciation of English words was exceptionally distinct.
The homeroom teacher looked up at Xu Liangchen when she read a sentence. He had always known Xu Liangchen was an excellent student, but her spoken English was so good, it truly surprised him. Her pronunciation was almost perfect, with clear enunciation. He reflected that in all his years of teaching, he had never encountered such a student. Before, he thought Xu Liangchen, no matter how outstanding, was just a child, but now he could genuinely change his view. This child’s future was absolutely immeasurable!
Mu Nan saw the homeroom teacher’s eyes light up, and he nodded in satisfaction as he listened to Xu Liangchen’s morning reading. She also followed along, reading aloud. She had no idea what any of it meant. Did English sentences really have to be so long?!