Rebirth: Start to Save the Treasure Girl

The old man turned around and saw a girl he didn't recognize.

"Little girl, what did you call me?" Xue Rui's maternal grandfather asked, his face full of confusion.

"Grandpa...Grandpa," Lin Ruoxi repeated weakly.

Lin Ruoxi thought about it for a moment before calling him "Grandpa," not because she simply mispronounced it. She felt it was a bit strange to call Xue Rui's maternal grandfather "Grandpa," and Sun Tiantian's "Old Man Ren" was too impolite...

It's better to just follow Xue Rui's lead; you can't go wrong that way.

"Grandpa, this is my girlfriend, Lin Ruoxi."

Xue Rui escaped from his grandfather's grasp and immediately wrapped his arms around Lin Ruoxi's waist.

Old Man Ren's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he exclaimed, "Good, good, good! He's definitely a good prospect for having a son."

Lin Ruoxi felt uncomfortable being stared at, blushed, and hummed in response.

"Come on, your grandma is cooking at home. Let's show her."

Old Man Ren held Xue Rui's hand tightly, as if afraid that if he let go, he would be gone.

Xue Rui looked worried; he had been hiding for a long time but was still caught.

"Hey... granddaughter-in-law, what are you standing there for? Come home for dinner!" the old man called out, turning around.

"Grandpa! I...I'll turn the car around." Lin Ruoxi was flattered and hurriedly climbed into the car.

Wang Zhigang was completely bewildered. Although he couldn't quite understand the complete sentences, he wouldn't mishear the key words.

Does the old man call Lin Ruoxi "granddaughter-in-law"?
He was still preparing his self-introduction when Lin Ruoxi was already given a formal title?

……

"Sigh~ This child has grown up and is no longer close to us. He doesn't even come back to visit during winter and summer vacations." Grandpa sighed.

"Grandpa, I'm too busy with school."

Xue Rui explained awkwardly.

Doesn't this feel like emotional blackmail?

The streetlights in the alley were of varying quality. Lin Ruoxi turned on her low beam headlights and slowly followed behind the two, illuminating the road ahead for them.

Old Man Ren looked back and smiled with satisfaction.

Xue Rui smiled and said, "How about it? Isn't she very gentle?"

"That shows you have good taste," Grandpa praised.

Xue Rui: "..."

"Grandpa bought you a gaming computer, and we have Wi-Fi at home now, so play for a few more days," Grandpa said happily.

"You and your wife watch TV for a while, I'll go in and cook something."

After his grandfather went inside, Xue Rui waited for Lin Ruoxi to park her car in front of the gate.

Lin Ruoxi got out of the car, her steps hesitant and shuffling.

“Rui, Grandpa keeps calling me…wife…” Lin Ruoxi’s eyes were filled with affection, and she would occasionally giggle.

Xue Rui chuckled and patted Lin Ruoxi's head: "You're already overjoyed?"

"Mmm." Lin Ruoxi lowered her head, letting Xue Rui touch her.

Actually, she wanted to hear Xue Rui say it himself.

"Well, but Grandpa seems to have called her the wrong name. It should be 'granddaughter-in-law'," Lin Ruoxi said weakly.

"He didn't mispronounce it; that's exactly what he was thinking."

Xue Rui sighed and didn't explain much to Lin Ruoxi.

Lin Ruoxi took Xue Rui's arm and was about to go inside. She wanted to hear a few more words about "granddaughter-in-law," but Xue Rui didn't seem to want to go in.

Lin Ruoxi asked in confusion, "Rui, Grandpa likes you a lot, why don't you go inside? It's cold outside."

Xue Rui stared at Lin Ruoxi for a long time and remained silent for a long time. He felt that explaining would take too much time and would easily hurt the little girl.

"Do you have something to tell me?" Lin Ruoxi asked softly.

It was very cold outside, and she wanted to take Xue Rui to the car to talk, but her grandfather seemed afraid that she and Xue Rui would run away, so sitting in the car definitely wouldn't work...

So Lin Ruoxi zipped up Xue Rui's down jacket, took out her own gloves from her pocket and put them on Xue Rui, making sure he was well covered up, and then she gently snuggled into Xue Rui's arms.

"Don't keep it to yourself, tell me, okay?" Lin Ruoxi raised her head, tilted her head to meet Xue Rui's gaze, her bright eyes filled with expectation.

"Okay, I'll tell you then, don't be too jealous of me," Xue Rui said jokingly, and then lightly kissed Lin Ruoxi on the forehead.

"Okay, I'm listening." Lin Ruoxi leaned against Xue Rui and listened quietly.

"Xixi, you might not understand my troubles..."

Xue Rui felt that he and the little girl were living completely opposite lives.

Lin Ruoxi lacked love the most growing up, while he had no shortage of pampering.

She was pampered by her maternal grandparents when she was young, and she will be pampered by Lin Ruoxi when she grows up.

Ren Qunfang got married relatively early, and although she was the second child in her family, she was the first to have a child.

Xue Jianfeng was the eldest son in his family, so Xue Rui was the first child in both families.

Naturally, Xue Rui received special care and attention from both families.

No matter which family photo is in, Xue Rui is always in the most central "C position".

Perhaps it's because of the advantage of being born first? Or perhaps it's because Xue Rui is the only male among his grandchildren? Or is it due to the lingering patriarchal mindset of the older generation?

In short, Xue Rui's status in her maternal grandparents' home was far higher than that of any of her peers.

Even his maternal uncle's two daughters, his maternal grandfather's own granddaughters, did not receive even a tenth of the care that Xue Rui, his grandson, showed him.

Moreover, it wasn't just his maternal grandfather who was biased; even his maternal grandmother would hide the snacks she bought and only take them out when Xue Rui came over. This led to Xue Rui having a very bad relationship with his aunt and cousin...

Looking back now, Xue Rui realized that the reason Xue Yao didn't feel it was unfair and kept running to her maternal grandfather's house with a silly grin was probably because Xue Yao was his younger sister, and he was always protecting her.

Because the maternal grandparents were overly biased, the atmosphere was always strange when the family got together.

As a child, Xue Rui didn't notice anything amiss. As she grew older, she gradually became more perceptive of the atmosphere and became less willing to come. This is why Xue Rui wanted to avoid her grandparents and felt pressured even when answering the phone.

"I...I'm actually a little envious," Lin Ruoxi said, pouting.

"See, you're jealous, aren't you?" Xue Rui laughed.

Lin Ruoxi shook her head slightly: "I'm very happy that you're favored."

"So, there are many people who love me, you don't need to spoil me so much." Xue Rui gently stroked Lin Ruoxi's straight nose with his finger.

“No.” Lin Ruoxi shook her head stubbornly and said, “They doted on you for the first half of your life, I will dote on you for the second half.”

"Then I'll accept it."

Xue Rui looked on with helplessness. The little girl was just a fanatic, and he couldn't change anything.

Xue Rui led Lin Ruoxi into the courtyard, and the two were immediately greeted by the aroma of vegetables filling the air.

There is a grape trellis above the courtyard, and in front of it is a rather old house with blue tiles.

Lin Ruoxi believed that Xue Rui's maternal grandfather's family used to be a wealthy family, at least not her family's mud house.

"They usually just make do with what they have, but when they heard I was coming back, they're cooking me a big meal." Xue Rui was already somewhat numb.

Grandma's cheerful voice came from the kitchen: "Xiao Rui, go and rest for a while. There's a whole bunch of your favorite snacks on the table."

Lin Ruoxi rolled up her sleeves: "I'll go help."

"No need, I'll show you some photos of me when I was a child."

"Hmm, I want to see." Lin Ruoxi quietly took out her phone.

"come in."

Xue Rui found the room with ease. He didn't expect that his childhood memories were far more profound than his adolescence, and even the location of the pull cord switch seemed to be engraved in his DNA.

After turning on the lights, the room's furnishings came into view. A large pile of snacks covered the desk, and instead of books, the bookshelf held a child's tiger-head hat, a silver longevity lock, a faded orange rattle drum, and a rusty wind-up frog…

On the wall are his full-moon photos, 100-day photos, first-year photos...

"They're all... all your toys and photos!" Lin Ruoxi couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

This place is practically Xue Rui's "museum".

Lin Ruoxi subconsciously took out her phone and carefully observed the materials in the room while taking pictures to remember the occasion.

Xue Rui stroked his chin, thinking to himself, "The little girl and Chen Tingting actually have something in common?"

Do you like collecting his photos?

No, no, no, the little girl's collection is more of a "little hobby," like a mother watching her child grow up. It's somewhat similar to her biological mother's perspective, but it has nothing to do with the kind of perverted behavior Chen Tingting exhibits.

"Your grandparents really love you so much; they saved the south-facing room for you," Lin Ruoxi said with a smile.

"Xixi, have you gone crazy living in an apartment complex? No one lives in the north-facing rooms in the village," Xue Rui laughed.

"There aren't enough rooms, are there? There are also Grandpa and Grandma, Uncle and Uncle, so where is Aunt's room?" Lin Ruoxi asked, counting on her fingers.

Lin Ruoxi's words sent a shiver down Xue Rui's spine.

His mother's room?

In his memory, his maternal grandfather's house did not have a room that belonged to his mother.

This room used to belong to his uncle, Ren Jun, but Ren Jun was later moved to another room, and this one became his...

According to the maternal grandparents' preference for sons over daughters, this house should have belonged to Ren Qunfang, but was later seized by Ren Jun.

“She doesn’t have her own room,” Xue Rui murmured to himself.

No wonder Ren Qunfang always leaves after just one meal during the Spring Festival.

It wasn't just because my mom and grandparents had a conflict; the room was also a major reason.

Since she didn't have her own room, Ren Qunfang belonged to the guests.

Ren Qunfang felt more relaxed at her grandparents' house because Xue Jianfeng had a room there, and she was Xue Jianfeng's wife.

“But Grandpa’s house is Aunt’s house, how could there be none?” Lin Ruoxi was very surprised.

“Girls of their generation didn’t have their own rooms; they were always treated like guests wherever they went,” Xue Rui said in a heavy tone.

Unlike the large number of only daughters in this era, girls born in the 70s almost all have several brothers and sisters. Most families tacitly agree not to leave a room for girls, believing that daughters will eventually get married.

“When we spent Chinese New Year at Grandpa’s house, I slept with Yao Yao and my aunt. My aunt wasn’t married yet, and she didn’t have her own room…” Xue Rui murmured.

When Xue Rui looked at the problem from Ren Qunfang's perspective, many things became clear.

For example, he and Xue Yao were treated differently at home. His mother believed that boys naturally had many things, while girls were easily overlooked, so she gave Xue Yao more favoritism.

Xue Yao has complete control over the room; she can change the decorating style, request a computer, and ask for a separate walk-in closet...

The two made the same request. His mother could refuse him, but she couldn't bear to refuse Xue Yao.

There's also Xue Xiaying, who has lived in the house for many years. Her mother always repeatedly emphasizes nonsense like "This is your own home" and "That's your room, no one will move in."

There was also a house given to Lin Ruoxi...

Many things that he and Xue Jianfeng didn't care about were like thorns that Ren Qunfang couldn't get rid of.

Ren Qunfang was powerless to resist fate, but having been caught in the rain herself, she always wanted to hold an umbrella for the women around her.

"Hmm, I...I don't think I really understand." Lin Ruoxi shook her head slightly.

“Having your own room gives you an irreplaceable sense of belonging. You have a house on land, so you probably can’t understand.” Xue Rui rubbed Lin Ruoxi’s head.

Even if Lin Ruoxi's mud house is dilapidated, it's still her own property. It may be poor, but the young girl can decide for herself whether she wants to keep a dog, raise chickens, or grow some vegetables, and no one can interfere...

"I...I still have five acres of land," Lin Ruoxi weakly reminded him.

Xue Rui gently tapped the little girl's head: "Xi Xi, I really despise your landlord-like face."

"What's mine is yours, I'll give it all to you." Lin Ruoxi said with a smile in her eyes.

“I have an urban household registration, why should I ask for it? If you don’t want to give it, just say so,” Xue Rui said, pretending to be angry.

"You...you could just settle down in our village," Lin Ruoxi said weakly.

Xue Rui frowned subconsciously.

Why does everyone want him to marry into the family?
Seeing Xue Rui frown, Lin Ruoxi quickly explained, "You are the head of the household, and the child will take your surname."

"Xixi, I didn't mean that."

Xue Rui laughed and clutched his stomach. The little girl was indeed from the village; her views were still very traditional.

"Is it good or not?" Lin Ruoxi asked, blinking.

That's all she has...

Xue Rui guiltily looked away. He couldn't just respond to that; the promise of residency implied marriage...

Is the young girl trying to bribe him with her homestead and land?

emmmmm.

"Xixi, put all these photos and old objects away neatly," Xue Rui said, changing the subject.

Lin Ruoxi asked blankly, "Why?"

She really liked the room.

"I want to return this room to its rightful owner," Xue Rui sighed.

The only people who could persuade my maternal grandfather were Xue Rui and my maternal uncle Ren Dekui.

One is the eldest grandson, and the other is the eldest son; their status is exceptionally high.

Ren Dekui, as a man bound by traditional ideas, finds it difficult to think from a woman's perspective and has never noticed this point.

As a young person of the new era, Xue Rui could not pretend not to have seen it now that he had discovered it.

I wonder if Mom still cares about this belated arrival in the room.

It should be possible, right?
In any case, this is where she grew up.

……

"I'll hang my mom's photos here, along with her junior high and high school graduation photos," Xue Rui instructed as he made arrangements.

Speaking of which, my maternal uncle took good care of Ren Qunfang. Back then, my maternal grandfather didn't plan to let Ren Qunfang go to high school, saying that it was useless for girls to study too much.

Ren Qunfang had a big argument with her family because of this.

In the end, it was only after my maternal uncle's persuasion that my maternal grandfather allowed my mother to attend high school.

Although she didn't get into university, Ren Qunfang's educational background still surpasses that of most of her peers.

"Huh? Getting into high school back then wasn't easy. Why is she describing herself like a girl who hates school..."

Xue Rui discovered the key point: among the people born in the 70s he knew, very few had gone to university, and even graduating from high school was a minority...

Lin Ruoxi nodded and said, "Of course Auntie is smart. Teacher Li from the village once said that high school was a very scarce resource in the past. Auntie took the high school entrance exam in the late 80s, when the admission rate was only over 30%."
In addition, due to the Matthew effect, the majority of students are concentrated in cities, while the enrollment rate in rural areas is only 10% in some regions. The enrollment rate for neglected rural girls is even lower, almost in the single digits.
In some rural junior high schools, not a single female high school student will emerge for one or two years. Therefore, Teacher Li is very discriminatory towards female students, saying that girls stop working hard once they reach junior high school..."

Upon hearing this, Xue Rui gasped in shock. Could a junior high school in a small town really not produce even one outstanding student?
Is this not harder to get into than a 985 university?
Ren Qunfang probably knew that even if she got into university, her family couldn't afford to support two university students, let alone her younger brother Ren Jun...

Forced by the times and family circumstances, Ren Qunfang used her playfulness to cover up her talent and avoid causing trouble for anyone.

"I knew it! Yao Yao is so smart, she's nothing like either of them."

Mom, so you're actually a top student? You were really keeping that a secret!

Sure enough, Zhang Wuji's mother was right: the more beautiful a woman is, the less you can believe what she says.

He even lied to his own son!
"Uncle Xue is in high school now, and he's very smart," Lin Ruoxi praised.

"Tch." Xue Rui couldn't help but sneer.

"Forget about my dad. Back then, my grandpa had to ask a lot of people for favors so he could get into high school. He was a total backstabber..." (End of Chapter)