Rebirth Begins with Rejecting My Childhood Friend

Xiao Youran's eyes widened in disbelief.

She couldn't believe how shameless Xu Xiuwen could be! She tricked him into being hers?

Wasn't it the other way around—he tricked her?

Xiao Youran sighed softly and said, "Xiao Xu, you're so shameless."

Hearing this, Xu Xiuwen immediately burst into hearty laughter.

With his deliberate change of topic, Xiao Youran had already forgotten about the man who might have been Uncle Jiang.

Suddenly, she couldn't help but marvel aloud, "Xiao Xu, you're really amazing."

"Oh? How so?"

"One TV series, and you made over 10 million yuan. I feel like I'll never make that much in my entire life."

"No!"

Xu Xiuwen shook his head and said, "That might be true for others, but not for you."

"Huh? Why not?" Xiao Youran hesitated. "Do I have some hidden talent for making money that even I don't know about?"

Xu Xiuwen chuckled. "You're overthinking it. I didn't mean you'd be good at making money. Honestly, with your brain, you're not cut out for business."

"You're calling me dumb again! So annoying," Xiao Youran pouted. But after a moment, she asked, "Then how would I make 10 million?"

Xu Xiuwen focused on driving, weaving skillfully through the busy main road traffic.

Inside the car, his tone was casual as he said, "Because, in my eyes, you're priceless. Not just 10 million—even a billion. If your mom was willing to sell you, I'd buy you without hesitation."

Xiao Youran hadn't expected him to suddenly drop a line of sweet talk while driving.

Though it wasn't adorned with flowery words, the phrase "priceless treasure" felt more moving to her than any love confession she'd ever heard.

Her cheeks flushed red in an instant. "I'm not worth that much," she murmured, though her heart felt as sweet as honey.

Xu Xiuwen, of course, noticed her happiness.

Smiling faintly, he said, "There are still three years until we graduate from college. I'll work hard to make money during that time. When we graduate, no matter how much Aunt Zhang asks for the bride price, I'll pay it without hesitation and take you home. Then I can bully you all I want."

Xiao Youran was undeniably thrilled deep down, but her pride wouldn't let her admit it.

"I won't let you buy me. You can't bully me," she said haughtily.

"Oh? So you don't want to marry me?"

"Of course not," Xiao Youran retorted, still holding onto her proud facade.

Xu Xiuwen nodded. "Alright then. I'll go find someone else. I think Cheng Lu seems like a good choice."

"No way!"

Xiao Youran panicked immediately. "You're not allowed to marry Cheng Lu!"

"But if you won't marry me, why can't I marry someone else?"

Xiao Youran glared at him. "Even if I don't marry you, you can't marry Cheng Lu."

Xu Xiuwen shook his head and laughed.

Seeing his smile, Xiao Youran's earlier good mood disappeared in an instant.

She asked anxiously, "What are you laughing about? Do you actually want to marry Cheng Lu?"

Xu Xiuwen glanced at her.

Her face was filled with tension, worry, sadness, and a mix of complicated emotions.

He smiled and said, "I was just teasing you. I'm only marrying you, okay?"

"That's more like it."

Xiao Youran finally breathed a sigh of relief, but just as she relaxed, she realized something—she seemed to have tacitly agreed to marry him. Her cheeks immediately turned a deep shade of red.

Xu Xiuwen continued driving.

"Since you're planning to marry me, you'll have to help me out when Aunt Zhang asks for the bride price. Convince her to keep it low; if it's too much, I won't be able to afford it."

Xiao Youran pouted. "But you just said I'm priceless, worth a billion!"

"I've thought about it. A billion is a bit too much. Let's say 11,000 yuan instead. That's a pretty popular bride price around here—ten thousand and one, symbolizing 'one in a million.' How meaningful is that?"

He had just said a billion earlier, and now it was 11,000.

The gap was… undeniably huge.

Xiao Youran didn't really care much about money, but what she cared about was how much she meant to Xu Xiuwen.

And clearly, 11,000 didn't feel like enough.

Her lips twitched as her mood took a nosedive.

---

Two hours later, Xu Xiuwen pulled the car up in front of Xiao Youran's apartment building.

He parked, got out, and helped her retrieve her suitcase. Handing it over, he smiled and said, "Alright, you head inside. I need to get going too."

Xiao Youran suddenly acted coy. "Xiao Xu~ It's so heavy! I can't carry it!"

It only took one glance for Xu Xiuwen to see through her act, but he didn't expose her.

"Fine, I'll carry it up for you."

"Hehe, Xiao Xu, you're the best!" Xiao Youran beamed.

Carrying the suitcase, Xu Xiuwen walked her upstairs. When they reached her apartment door, he set the suitcase down.

"Alright, I'm heading out now."

Xiao Youran's mind worked quickly. "Xiao Xu, since you're already here, why don't you come in and sit for a bit?"

Xu Xiuwen couldn't hold back any longer.

"Xiao Youran, what are you up to?"

"Huh? I'm not up to anything," she said, feigning innocence.

"Hmph, you think I can't tell you're trying to trick me into coming inside? Be honest—are you lusting after my body? Oh, I get it now. You're planning to lure me in, then overpower me so you can do whatever you want with me."

Xiao Youran's face turned crimson, her eyes so shy they seemed ready to spill over with tears.

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Her soft, weak denial carried no credibility whatsoever.

Xu Xiuwen decided to stop teasing her and said with a smile, "I think I'll pass. If Aunt Zhang is home, it wouldn't look good."

Xiao Youran shook her head. "It's fine! As long as you have no bad intentions, it doesn't matter whether she's home or not."

Xu Xiuwen stared at her intently for a few seconds.

"Alright then, I'll come in for a bit to rest."

Hearing this, Xiao Youran immediately turned to unlock the door with a bright smile.

As the door opened, she said, "Wait here for a moment. I'll check if my mom's home."

She kicked off her shoes, running barefoot across the floor toward the master bedroom.

Soon, she returned.

"Xiao Xu, my mom's not home. Come on in!"

"Alright."

Xu Xiuwen carried the suitcase into the apartment.

Since Aunt Zhang wasn't home, he felt much more at ease.

He swapped his shoes for slippers and, suitcase in hand, headed straight for Xiao Youran's room.

It was hard to say if all girls' rooms were like this or if it was just Xiao Youran's, but as soon as he stepped inside, he was greeted by a rich, pleasant fragrance.

It was incredibly alluring.

Xiao Youran followed him into the room.

"Huh?" she exclaimed, sounding surprised.

"What is it?"

Xiao Youran frowned slightly, unsure. "This scent… it smells like my mom's body wash. Oh well, it doesn't matter."

She waved it off. "Xiao Xu, have a seat."

"Sit?"

"Mm-hmm, sit."

"Right now?"

"Of course."

"That doesn't seem like a good idea," Xu Xiuwen hesitated. "What if your mom comes back and sees me?"

"Sees you? So what if she does? We're not doing anything inappropriate."

"Youran, since when did you become so bold? You're really surprising me."

"Hehe, there's a lot you don't know about me," Xiao Youran replied with a grin.

Xu Xiuwen nodded. "Alright."

Then, without warning, he started taking off his clothes.

In the blink of an eye, his T-shirt was off, revealing his bare chest.

Murmuring to himself, he said, "I knew you had ulterior motives inviting me in, but I didn't think you'd be in such a rush. So, it's my body you're after, huh? Fine, go ahead."

With that, he flopped backward onto the bed, lying down dramatically.

The soft mattress cushioned his back and sent his body bouncing gently up and down.

Xiao Youran was stunned for a moment, unsure of what he was doing.

When his words sank in, she finally understood his meaning.

Her face turned crimson with embarrassment and anger.

"Xu Xiuwen! What nonsense are you spouting? Who's after your body? You shameless idiot!"

Unable to hold back anymore, Xiao Youran lunged forward and started hitting him.

Her small fists landed on him repeatedly, but they weren't strong enough to actually hurt.

In fact, the rhythmic taps were oddly soothing.

Xu Xiuwen didn't resist.

He knew this situation was entirely his own doing, so he let her vent her frustration.

But as Xiao Youran showed no signs of stopping, he reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist.

For every hit she delivered, he held her tighter.

She kept hitting. He kept holding.

His grip grew firmer and firmer until Xiao Youran, feeling like she could barely breathe, finally stopped, pouting in defeat.

But even then.

Her beautiful eyes were still fixed intently on Xu Xiuwen,

as if she could stare holes through him with her gaze.

At this moment, Xiao Youran's angry and embarrassed expression,

to Xu Xiuwen, was utterly adorable.

He couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Originally, Xu Xiuwen had no intention of doing anything inappropriate with Xiao Youran.

But seeing her looking so cute,

something inside him stirred.

He subconsciously swallowed, a sudden desire rising within him.

However, Xiao Youran noticed his mischievous intentions just in time.

She quickly raised her hand to block between herself and his approaching lips.

In the end, Xu Xiuwen only managed to kiss her palm.

"You little rascal! Let go of me!"

"No way!"

"Let go!"

"I won't!"

"If you don't let go, I…" Xiao Youran threatened.

But she couldn't think of an appropriate threat for a moment, leaving her speechless.

"What are you going to do if I don't let go?"

Xu Xiuwen teased her, half challenging and half confident she couldn't do anything.

Xiao Youran stammered for a while before finally blurting out, "I'll scream!"

"You're unbelievable. You're the one who let me in,

and now you're the one backing out and threatening to scream?"

"When did I let you do anything?"

Xiao Youran was stunned,

her wide eyes staring at Xu Xiuwen, completely puzzled by his words.

When she saw him wink at her,

realization dawned.

Her face instantly flushed red with anger.

She raised her small fists and started pounding on Xu Xiuwen again.

This time, she didn't hold back.

The girl seemed determined to beat him senseless,

as if she wouldn't stop until he was thoroughly punished.

And honestly, when Xiao Youran hit with full force, it did hurt a bit.

Xu Xiuwen seized the opportunity.

He quickly grabbed her wrists,

then leaned forward, intending to capture her lips.

Unfortunately, Xiao Youran reacted just as quickly.

Since her arms were pinned against Xu Xiuwen's chest,

there was already some distance between their faces.

She leaned her head back with all her strength.

For a moment, Xu Xiuwen really couldn't reach her lips.

He chuckled helplessly.

Xiao Youran might have dodged this time,

but Xu Xiuwen had other tricks up his sleeve.

Holding her hands firmly,

he suddenly pulled them apart to the sides.

Without her arms for support or defense,

Xiao Youran fell forward directly onto Xu Xiuwen's chest.

In that instant, Xu Xiuwen felt her softness and the elasticity of her body.

Before Xiao Youran could let out a startled yelp,

Xu Xiuwen tilted his head and kissed her lips.

At first, Xiao Youran tried to resist, but then, for reasons unknown,

she gave up.

And so, in Xiao Youran's room, on her bed,

the two began to kiss deeply.

One was on top, the other below.

From the ceiling's perspective,

they clearly formed a layered "大" shape on the bed.

It wasn't clear how long they kissed,

but eventually, Xiao Youran couldn't catch her breath anymore.

She struggled free of Xu Xiuwen's grip.

Then, propping herself up on the bed with her hands,

she rolled off to the side.

Then, just like Xu Xiuwen, she lay down beside him.

Xiao Youran stared at the ceiling,

breathing heavily.

Seeing her like this, Xu Xiuwen couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Having just tasted the sweetness of her lips,

he was more than satisfied.

From the beginning, he had no intention of truly doing anything to Xiao Youran.

He wasn't so consumed by lust as to lose control.

Although Aunt Zhang wasn't home right now,

who knew when she might come back?

If they were caught in the middle of something,

and Aunt Zhang found him in Xiao Youran's room,

there would be no way to explain himself.

Besides, sneaking around with someone else's daughter in their house?

Xu Xiuwen wasn't that bold.

Hearing Xu Xiuwen's laughter, Xiao Youran huffed softly, "You're so annoying."

Her face was flushed a deep red,

as if she'd had a bit too much to drink,

and she exuded an irresistible sweetness.

If the time and place had been different,

Xu Xiuwen might have genuinely been tempted to devour her whole.

That way, she could truly understand

just how dangerous men could be.

Maybe then she'd think twice before inviting one into her home next time!

At that moment, Xu Xiuwen suddenly felt something against the back of his hand.

Instinctively, he picked it up.

It was a piece of very simple fabric.

At first glance, he didn't even recognize what it was.

But then, without thinking,

he brought the fabric to his nose and sniffed it lightly.

It smelled so good!

That was when Xu Xiuwen realized what he was holding.

It wasn't just any fabric—

it was a pair of women's underwear.

Not just any pair, but a lacy, seductive one.

Xu Xiuwen panicked.

This definitely didn't look like it belonged to Xiao Youran.

She had been staying at school lately,

so it was impossible for her to have left underwear by her pillow.

That left only one possibility:

it belonged to Aunt Zhang.

Xu Xiuwen couldn't help but feel flustered.

Quickly, he shoved the lacy underwear back under the pillow,

as discreetly as he could.

After doing so, he glanced at Xiao Youran.

She was still staring at the ceiling,

completely unaware of what had just happened.

Xu Xiuwen let out a sigh of relief.

But after that incident, the atmosphere felt awkward.

Clearing his throat, Xu Xiuwen said hurriedly,

"Youran, it's getting late. I should head home."

After the kiss they had shared earlier,

Xiao Youran's heart was full of sweetness and satisfaction.

Unlike before, she wasn't reluctant to see him leave this time.