Rebirth: Start to Save the Treasure Girl

"Other people's children? How can they be the same?"

The old lady was so angry at Lin Ruoxi that she saw stars.

Lin Ruoxi slowly closed her eyes, her throat trembling uncontrollably.

Yes, it's not just her who can give birth to Xiao Rui; Gu Muxue can too.

But whenever Lin Ruoxi thought of Xiao Rui, she couldn't help but think of a smaller version of Xue Rui.

Just thinking about it made Lin Ruoxi's heart melt, and she smiled contentedly.

The old lady earnestly said, "People who have never given birth cannot understand the emotions between a mother and her child."

“I…I think I can understand,” Lin Ruoxi weakly retorted.

"Then who are you to that child?" the old woman sneered.

"I..." Lin Ruoxi couldn't answer for a moment.

Who am I?

What should Gu Muxue's son, Xiao Rui, call me then?
"Besides, would Gu Muxue let you get close to her child?" the old lady pressed relentlessly.

Lin Ruoxi's tears kept sliding down her cheeks.

If it were her and Xue Rui's child, she wouldn't even let anyone else touch it, so why would she let Gu Muxue play with it?
She herself can't do it, so why should she expect Gu Muxue to do it?

"You have to learn to resist; you can't believe everything he says."

"Did you hear me?" the old lady said sternly.

Lin Ruoxi spoils Xue Rui too much. The old lady believes that Lin Ruoxi will not rebel against Xue Rui unless she is pushed to the limit.

She knew all too well the consequences of blindly obeying Xue Rui; he would become arrogant and spoiled, thus sacrificing Lin Ruoxi's interests.

Moreover, it's not necessarily true that whoever has better qualifications will receive more attention.

Often, whoever is more likely to cause trouble is the one who gets the most attention.

The old lady didn't understand any profound truths; she simply passed on her experience as a "shrew" from her youth to Lin Ruoxi.

I never suffered a loss when I was young, so how come my granddaughter is like this?
They really didn't pass on any good genes.

In fact, the old lady's "simple" idea has a theoretical basis: as long as the sunk cost is high enough, even a money-losing product can be valued.

For example, if a stock you've heavily invested in plummets by half, you buy more as it falls, hoping to break even someday.

People who have waited for the bus for half an hour will most likely grit their teeth and continue waiting, otherwise they will have wasted their time.

"When the time comes, just slap that pregnancy certificate in front of Xue Rui's mother, and I don't believe that guy surnamed Xue can kick you out..."

"If you want something, you have to fight for it. Don't wait for others to give it to you. You have to learn to shift responsibility to others and not always take the blame yourself..."

The old lady kept giving Lin Ruoxi advice.

"Grandma, please stop talking."

Lin Ruoxi covered her ears and shook her head repeatedly, her delicate and beautiful face already covered with tears.

She knew her grandmother meant well, and she knew her grandmother's methods were effective, but she didn't want to put pressure on Xue Rui.

If she manages to bind Xue Rui in this way, Gu Muxue, with her pride, will definitely leave on her own. That would mean she forced Gu Muxue away.

Will Gu Muxue enter into a new relationship?
Lin Ruoxi wasn't sure, but she knew that if Gu Muxue married someone else, Xue Rui would be very sad.

Lin Ruoxi could understand this pain because she also had a strong possessive desire for Xue Rui.

The thought of Xue Rui marrying someone else made her heart feel as if it were bound by chains full of steel needles, each beat causing excruciating pain.

By then, everything will be irreversible, and this pain will accompany Xue Rui for the rest of his life.

Will Xue Rui hate me?

"I want to give him the greatest sense of security, so I need to be more obedient."

Lin Ruoxi made a silent decision in her heart, forcing herself to forget what her grandmother had said.

Lin Ruoxi forced back her tears, trying to calm herself down before Xue Rui returned, so he wouldn't worry.

She quietly opened the door a crack and gently poked her head out.

Her ears twitched slightly; she thought she heard Xue Rui's voice outside the door.

Before long, Xue Rui's voice grew closer, as if he were on the phone with someone.

Lin Ruoxi put her ear close to the crack in the door, eavesdropping on Xue Rui's one-sided monologue outside.

……

Inside the stairwell, Xue Rui kicked at the tiles on the wall while answering Xue Jianfeng's call from the other end of the phone.

"Dad, I've been really busy these past few days. You know what projects I've been working on. What if city leaders contact me and your phone is busy?" Xue Rui brought up a powerful figure.

The receiver carried Xue Jianfeng's questioning voice: "I don't care about any of that. Explain why the traffic police have been paying so much attention to me lately? Several people at intersections have greeted me and asked me to stop and blow on the air, and they even seemed a little disappointed?"

Xue Rui's lips twitched. This matter seemed to really be related to him. He probably thought he was the one driving, but when he stopped the car, he found that it wasn't him in the car.
To avoid embarrassment, they casually asked Xue Jianfeng to take a breathalyzer test...

"Dad, they're probably just envious of our nice car and want to see who's inside," Xue Rui flattered.

"You're talking nonsense. I've had this car for ages, why didn't they ever envy me before?" Xue Jianfeng retorted.

"They're probably under a lot of pressure to meet their targets during the Chinese New Year holiday, it's not just targeting you personally," Xue Rui offered another excuse.

"Stop pretending. The problem lies with you. Let me remind you, there's something wrong with my car's traffic violation records." Xue Jianfeng finished speaking and waited quietly for a response.

Xue Rui readily admitted, "I crossed the line while driving your car that day, and I got a few points deducted."

"It would be better if it were just a few points deducted, but the problem is that a few points were added. All my previous traffic violations that I hadn't dealt with have been cleared up."

"Why can't you stay still? Two girls aren't enough? You have to mess with that Chen Tingting too. When has my Xue family ever produced someone like you?"

Xue Jianfeng gritted his teeth and said.

"That's enough, of course it's enough," Xue Rui grinned.

People's bottom line is always fluctuating. If he said he wanted to have two girlfriends, Xue Jianfeng would definitely not agree, but now that a third one has appeared, although it's just a misunderstanding, it seems to have loosened Xue Jianfeng's bottom line a little.

Humans are just like that, so base.

"What are you laughing at? Now I drive like I'm in driving school. I don't dare touch my phone or smoke, for fear that a traffic cop will pull me over on the side of the road," Xue Jianfeng said through gritted teeth.

If he were to suffer a loss in silence, Xue Jianfeng would at most assume it was just bad luck.

But receiving unexpected benefits can actually make people uneasy.

He asked around about Chen Tingting's family and learned that she was an only child and her father was a leader in the public security system.

If Xue Rui actually does something, he will inexplicably make an enemy.

Why?

“Abiding by the law is the duty of every citizen. You are a model entrepreneur…” Xue Ruile said kindly.

"Don't interrupt, let's talk about Chen Tingting," Xue Jianfeng interrupted.

"I didn't provoke her, she provoked me."

Xue Rui hurriedly tried to explain, fearing that he would be unfairly blamed.

"Are you sure?" Xue Jianfeng asked doubtfully.

"I can't help it, I'm just too charming. Dad, can you give me some advice? How do I solve this situation? I think you have experience." Xue Rui humbly asked for advice.

His father went from a poor country boy to a Brahmin in a small city. Xue Rui knew without guessing that his father must have a large group of beautiful women around him, ready to take over as his stepmother at any moment.

But Dad never brought such messy things home, and Mom never argued about it.

Xue Rui had to admit that his father's self-control was truly remarkable.

"I'll speak softly. Turn up your phone volume and listen closely. I'm afraid your mother will hear," Xue Jianfeng said in a low voice.

"Okay." Xue Rui leaned closer, still somewhat doubtful. "Go ahead and say it."

"Get out!" A furious roar came from the loudspeaker.

Xue Rui rubbed his ears in frustration; his eardrums were tingling from the noise. When he looked at his phone screen again, Xue Jianfeng had already hung up.

"Damn it!" Xue Rui couldn't help but swear.

Ginger is still spicy!

Xue Rui, picking his ear, impatiently pushed open the door. "Bang!"

A muffled thud was heard, and Xue Rui felt a solid vibration in his hand.

"Well!"

Upon hearing the little girl's cry of pain, Xue Rui immediately recalled the scene from the room earlier:

The little girl was eavesdropping by the door, her head tilted to one side, when suddenly the door was pushed open violently, and she hit her head on the head...

"Xixi, are you alright?" Xue Rui hurriedly squeezed into the room through the crack in the door.

At this moment, Lin Ruoxi curled up into a ball, burying her head deeply in her knees, her two small hands tightly covering her head.

"Where did you crash? Let me see."

Xue Rui knelt down and hugged Lin Ruoxi, his voice as gentle as could be.

Hearing Xue Rui's gentle voice, Lin Ruoxi felt a surge of warmth in her heart, and the pain in her head gradually subsided.

Lin Ruoxi wanted to say that she was no longer in pain, but she wanted Xue Rui to care about her a little longer.

After hesitating for a long time, Lin Ruoxi tucked her limbs into her arms to make it easier for Xue Rui to hold her.

Xue Rui held Lin Ruoxi in his arms, gently patting the little girl's back as if coaxing a child.

"It's all my fault," Xue Rui said apologetically.

However, in my heart, I divided the responsibility into three parts.

It's all Dad's fault. Why did he have to yell so loudly for no reason?
The old lady also bears some responsibility; didn't you know to stop her from eavesdropping at the door?

"It hurts." Lin Ruoxi raised her head and cried out in grievance.

Having tasted the sweetness, Lin Ruoxi subconsciously acted coquettishly towards Xue Rui, wanting more care.

Xue Rui's pupils suddenly contracted. In his eyes, Lin Ruoxi's face was covered with tears, and her bright red lipstick was smudged by the tears, like a glaring bloodstain hanging on the corner of her mouth.

The little girl is usually very strong, but today she cried out in pain.

Xue Rui panicked for a moment, feeling uneasy.

"It's all my fault, I was wrong."

Xue Rui's eyes were filled with heartache, and he instinctively picked up Lin Ruoxi and hugged her tightly.

The little girl's appearance reminded him of the tragic state of her previous life.

The old lady narrowed her eyes to slits, staring intently at Xue Rui's expression.

Those slightly moist eyes and trembling hands... could they be faked?

This is an embrace that wants to meld the other person into your very bones; there's no need to prove anything.

Lin Ruoxi was filled with questions. Why was Xue Rui suddenly so nervous?

She only hit her head, and wasn't seriously injured...

However, Xue Rui's heart was beating very fast.

Lin Ruoxi put her arm around Xue Rui's head and gently stroked the back of his head, saying in a coaxing tone like she was comforting a child, "Rui, don't cry, okay? I'm fine. I'll cook you something delicious when we get home."

"When do I cry..." Xue Rui suddenly stopped midway through his sentence.

To be honest, he himself didn't realize it.

Xue Rui blinked quickly and said with a grin, "You must be seeing things."

"Hmm, then I must have misread it." Lin Ruoxi nodded obediently, but still couldn't bear to let go of her hand.

I must have misread it.

"My eyes aren't playing tricks on me. I cried, so why are you embarrassed to admit it?" the old lady casually exposed.

“Rui is a grown man, he doesn’t cry,” Lin Ruoxi retorted instinctively.

"A grown man like you, still crying?" the old woman mocked sarcastically.

Lin Ruoxi was fuming. After thinking for a long time, she stammered and threatened, "Grandma, if you say that again... I won't take you home."

"The Optics Society is bullying its own kind; they're ungrateful wretches."

The old woman turned around, muttering curses under her breath.

The old lady never expected that the tricks she taught Lin Ruoxi would come in handy so soon.
She just didn't expect that she would be the first "victim".

Lin Ruoxi pouted and didn't continue arguing with her grandmother. She patted Xue Rui's head and said, "Rui, it's my fault. I shouldn't have been eavesdropping by the door."

Xue Rui smiled slightly and said, "Oh? So, will you change it in the future?"

"No... I won't change it," Lin Ruoxi said weakly.

Xue Rui was speechless. The little girl was a classic example of "knowing her mistakes, admitting them, but not correcting them."

Xue Rui habitually rubbed the little girl's head and joked, "Such a smart brain, what if it gets damaged by a door? That would be a loss for the country and the people. Can you bear that responsibility?"

Suddenly, Xue Rui felt that the feel of his hand was different from usual, and he let go of it as if he had been electrocuted.

Looking at the little girl again, I saw that she was pursing her lips tightly, and a bright tear had squeezed out from the corner of her eye because of the pain.

Xue Rui subconsciously apologized: "Yes..."

Lin Ruoxi hurriedly reached out and covered Xue Rui's mouth: "Rui, didn't you promise me that you would never apologize to me?"

Xue Rui nodded, swallowing his words back.

That's how little girls are; they never make him bow his head and admit his mistakes, no matter if he's right or wrong.

“But you can’t always be the one to take the blame. Let’s choose someone else to take the blame.”

Xue Rui habitually scanned the room but couldn't find Da Huang. Finally, his gaze fell on the old lady.

The old lady had her back to the two of them, and the more she heard those words, the more familiar they sounded, as if she had just said them to Lin Ruoxi.

She turned around and found that Xue Rui and Lin Ruoxi were both staring at her.

The old lady's brows were furrowed tightly. What did these two mean?
You two were flirting and joking in front of me, and now you want me to take the blame?
What a perfect example of a harmonious couple!

Xue Rui chuckled, intending to pin the blame on the old lady, since the old woman looked like the type to frame others.

After doing bad things all your life, you're bound to get some kind of retribution when you get old, right?

Otherwise, that would be too unfair.

Just as Xue Rui was thinking this, Lin Ruoxi tugged at his clothes.

"What's wrong?" Xue Rui asked.

Lin Ruoxi shrank her neck, poked the door with her slender finger, and said in a wronged tone, "It was this thing that bumped into me just now."

After Lin Ruoxi finished speaking, she winked at Xue Rui.

Xue Rui recalled a scene from his childhood:
She tripped over a chair, lay on the ground and wailed. Her grandmother kept banging the chair with a rolling pin.

"It's all this broken chair's fault, it bumped into my little Rui, he deserves a beating..."

Xue Rui handed the old lady's cane to Lin Ruoxi: "Xixi, beat it up."

"Um, okay."

Lin Ruoxi gripped her cane and tapped the door panel lightly, as if afraid of breaking it.

The old lady looked at them with disdain. How old are these two? They're still playing these tricks.

Suddenly, a uniformed caregiver passed by outside the door. Judging from their expressions, they looked at the two of them as if they were idiots.

Xue Rui chuckled, "Finally, I've caught a living person!"

He said in a cocky tone, "What are you looking at? There's a safety hazard with the door in your yard. I'll fix it for you."

By the way, you also bear some responsibility for this.

"I was just passing by, what did I do..."

The caregiver suddenly felt that the young man in front of her looked very familiar, as if she had snatched an apple from his hand.
She didn't want to argue with this kind of person.

In the service industry, people are treated like royalty once they've paid. With a "better safe than sorry" mentality, the female caregiver politely offered a smile.
"You're right, it's all our responsibility." (End of Chapter)