Chapter Seventeen: Su Xin's Home

My Rebirth Legend

The sky was clear and endless, and I marveled at the fine weather on this first Saturday since the start of the term. At that moment, my mood was just as bright and boundless as the sky itself. If you ask why I was in such high spirits—well, forgive me for boasting, but I had been invited early this morning by my desk mate, the lovely Su Xin, to her home to discuss how we might deal with that so-called princess, Chu Qitong! Of course, that’s my interpretation; what Su Xin actually said was that, out of humanitarian consideration and the camaraderie we’d built over a week sitting together, she wanted to help me. Still, I understood perfectly well: the little lady was afraid that if I lost, I would really have to do as Chu Qitong asked and cut ties with her. Whether Su Xin genuinely liked me or was simply scared of losing me as a friend, I couldn’t tell. But none of that mattered—today, for the first time, I was officially a guest at Su Xin’s house! Thinking back, my previous life had never been so blessed…

Su Xin’s home was in the government residential complex of City C, where only important officials lived. Even at the gates, police patrolled. I quickened my steps as I reached the address Su Xin had given me, and found myself standing before the iron door on the fourth floor of the third building. My heart beat faster as I pressed the doorbell.

The door soon opened, and Su Xin appeared in casual, adorable home clothes. She glanced at my feigned nervousness and couldn’t help but laugh. “Xiao Qiang, you always act so fearless, but look at you now—like you’re about to walk into hell! Come in, quickly. My parents are both home.”

“What?” I exclaimed, startled. “But… Su Xin, didn’t you say your parents wouldn’t be here?”

She rolled her eyes at me. “How should I know? They were supposed to be out, but their plans changed. But what’s the big deal? It’s not like we’re doing anything improper…” As she spoke, her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and she scolded, “Well, are you coming in or not?”

“Xin Xin, who is it? Is that your classmate?” A woman’s voice echoed from inside just as I awkwardly changed my shoes, making me jump. It had to be her mother. Flustered, I slipped on the slippers and followed Su Xin into the living room.

“Hello, Uncle and Auntie. My name’s Xiao Qiang. I’m Su Xin’s desk mate and classmate. Su Xin said…” I began, but as soon as I saw her father and mother sitting on the sofa, her father put down his newspaper and looked at me, silencing me at once. Even though I was a man with the soul of a thirty-year-old, meeting my prospective in-laws for the first time still made me nervous—after all, this was a major moment in my life!

Su Xin’s father looked much younger than my own, with a square, dignified face that radiated authority. One glance was enough to feel the pressure—he was clearly a man of government. My memories of my past life told me that Su Xin’s father had been transferred here to serve as City C’s Party Secretary. In other words, the stern and imposing man before me was the highest-ranking official in the city.

“Mm. Xin Xin told me you were coming over to tutor her today. My name is Su Guohui; you can call me Uncle Su. Xin Xin said you’re the top student in the class? In the future, please help her with her studies. As her father, I’m too busy to oversee her schoolwork, so I hope you can lend a hand.” A faint smile flickered on his face, but then he grew serious again. “Xiao Qiang, remember, helping with studies is one thing. In other matters, I trust you both will conduct yourselves appropriately.”

His words left me speechless. Could he already suspect my feelings for his daughter?

“Dad! What are you saying? Really…” Su Xin blushed, glaring at her father, then, ignoring her mother’s barely suppressed laughter, grabbed my hand and pulled me upstairs.

Their home was a split-level apartment with two floors; Su Xin’s bedroom was on the upper floor. The moment I entered, I was drawn in by the pale pink decor: the adorable stuffed animals on the bed, the crystal pendants hanging from the ceiling, and the subtle fragrance that filled the room—all of it left me utterly enchanted.

“What are you staring at? I didn’t bring you here to gawk at my house!” Su Xin pouted, hands on hips, glaring at me in mock annoyance. “Sit down, let’s start studying! Xiao Qiang, why did you argue with Chu Qitong yesterday? Don’t you realize she set a trap for you? The three contests you agreed to all favor her. Listen, Chu Qitong has been my friend since kindergarten—I know all her little schemes. The computer knowledge contest and the National Day singing contest are both her specialties, and as for competing in academics? She’s never lost in her life, not even to me. She’s a natural-born genius. I can’t believe you agreed so readily! What will you do if you lose?”

Watching Su Xin’s displeased expression, I shrugged helplessly and sighed on purpose. “If I lose, what else can I do? I’ll just have to stop bothering you and won’t be able to be with you anymore…”

“Xiao Qiang, you…” As I said this, I saw a flash of pain on Su Xin’s delicate face. She was about to snap at me, but in that instant, I sensed her true feelings.

Suddenly, I felt the time was right to confess. I grasped her small hand, gazed into her eyes, and said with deep emotion, “Xin Xin, I know everything you’re doing is for my sake. I know you asked me here because you don’t want me to lose, don’t want me to be separated from you. I promise you, I will win. I will always be with you!”

Perhaps it was my sudden display of emotion that flustered her; her cheeks turned crimson and she lowered her head. After a long pause, she sighed softly, looked at me with a hint of melancholy, and said quietly, “Xiao Qiang, do you know? All my life, I’ve only had a few close friends. Qitong is one, and you’re another. She’s my best girlfriend, and you…” She pulled her hand from mine, her expression complex. “Xiao Qiang, you’re probably my very first true male friend. Even though you’re lazy and not very ambitious, at least in my eyes, you’re a good-hearted man. At least I…”