Rebirth: Start to Save the Treasure Girl

"Uncle, I want to learn how to cook from you," Lin Ruoxi repeated.

Xue Jianfeng snapped out of his daze and looked at Lin Ruoxi with gentle eyes.

This wasn't the first time he'd heard this; Gu Muxue had said it to him before.

Xue Jianfeng was overjoyed at the time, but in the end, he only taught Gu Muxue a few home-style dishes.

Firstly, Gu Muxue's foundation was too poor, so it wouldn't matter who she learned from, since cooking skills cannot be acquired overnight;
Secondly, the Gu family is too well-off, and he doesn't think that a rich young lady would cook for her son every day.
Because Xue Jianfeng himself couldn't do it. Before he married Ren Qunfang, he showered her with sweet talk, saying things like, "I'll cook you a feast every day from now on..."

However, now that they have been married for twenty years, Xue Jianfeng only cooks at home during holidays. He has long forgotten the promises he made before the marriage. The person who spends the most time in the kitchen is actually Ren Qunfang.

Now that Lin Ruoxi has asked the same question, Xue Jianfeng is at a loss for words.

Lin Ruoxi has a gentle personality and has to follow her son's lead in everything she does, so cooking is a very practical issue for her.

Xue Jianfeng had eaten Lin Ruoxi's cooking, and if judged by the standards of home cooking, there wasn't much to criticize.

The next step is to improve the cooking techniques, but these techniques require high-powered commercial stoves, which are simply not feasible for ordinary households.

Even with the right equipment, women's physical strength is not enough, which is why female chefs are rarely seen.

To put it bluntly, cooking is physically demanding. If you don't have strong wrists, you can't even hold a pot steadily, let alone toss it in the wok.

"Eat first, it'll get cold." Xue Jianfeng waved his hand, gesturing for Lin Ruoxi to sit down.

He neither agreed to teach nor said he wouldn't teach.

"You wouldn't believe it, so many highly respected professors outside are vying to take Xixi as their apprentice. It's almost like the master and apprentice are now in the same boat."

Xue Rui implied to Xue Jianfeng: Not accepting apprentices is your loss.

Lin Ruoxi leaned closer to Xue Rui and whispered, "Rui, you're from a different generation. You're my master, I should call you Uncle Grandmaster."

Xue Rui's eye twitched: "Don't worry about these trivial details."

The two spoke in hushed tones, but the dining table was only so big that several people around them could still hear them.

"What master and apprentice? Brother, push the plate over a bit."

Xue Yao squatted on the chair with a bowl in her hand, leaning half her body over the table to pick up some food, but she still missed.

Ren Qunfang grabbed Xue Yao's arm: "Sit still, you look like a beggar."

"The bench is too hard, my butt hurts, I can't sit down." Xue Yao pouted and glared fiercely at Xue Rui.

In front of her parents, Xue Yao subconsciously complained.

She only said she forgave Lin Ruoxi, but she didn't say she forgave her older brother.

"Hmm, I'll go find you a cushion." Lin Ruoxi quickly stood up.

"My hands hurt, I can't even pick up food with my chopsticks." Xue Rui pretended to be in pain and put down his chopsticks shakily.

So you think you're the only one who can play the victim? As if anyone else can't.

"Rui, wait for me to come back and feed you." Lin Ruoxi said with a smile.

After Lin Ruoxi left, Ren Qunfang pinched her brow and said helplessly, "There are outsiders here, can't you two just shut up for a bit?"

“Outsider? My sister-in-law is no outsider,” Xue Yao said casually.

Ren Qunfang watched Lin Ruoxi's retreating figure and lowered her voice, saying, "Yaoyao, do you prefer Ruoxi as your sister-in-law?"

In an instant, Xue Jianfeng and Xue Rui both looked up.

Xue Jianfeng subconsciously considered the issue from the perspective of self-interest.

Gu Muxue and Xue Rui were childhood sweethearts. Gu Muxue would be of the greatest help to Xue Rui in the future. For example, whenever Gu Qingshan knew what Xue Rui was going to do, he would try his best to help.

Gu Qingshan valued Xue Rui highly, treating him almost like a son.

Moreover, the two families were already familiar with each other, so it was only natural for him to choose Gu Muxue as his daughter-in-law.

As for accepting Lin Ruoxi, it was out of sheer helplessness.

Even after all this time, Lin Ruoxi's relationship with her son remains strong. The key is that Xue Rui protects Lin Ruoxi, and Xue Jianfeng is unwilling to create a rift between himself and his son over such a matter.

After a brief encounter, Xue Jianfeng discovered that Lin Ruoxi's personality also had its valuable aspects.

Moreover, it might not be a bad thing that Lin Ruoxi has no relatives, as her future interests will only be tied to Xue Rui's.

Now that Ren Qunfang has asked this question, Xue Jianfeng also wants to take this opportunity to remind Xue Rui.

"Yaoyao, what are you thinking?" Xue Jianfeng had Xue Yao in his mouth, but his eyes were on Xue Rui.

Xue Rui frowned. These two weren't asking about Xue Yao at all.
This is a hint that he should answer the question.

"I?"

Xue Yao bit her chopsticks, her delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly.

As the younger sister-in-law, she was able to gain benefits from her sister-in-law.

Lin Ruoxi is good, but Gu Muxue seems even better...

For her, the more sisters-in-law, the better.

Thinking of this, Xue Yao's brows relaxed, and she said with a smile, "Who says you can only have one sister-in-law? Wouldn't it be great to have two?"

"You!" Ren Qunfang was momentarily speechless.

Your brother is shameless enough, but you're just like him.
Xue Jianfeng looked at Xue Yao with disdain. "You've ruined your alternate account too?"
Xue Rui grinned and raised his glass to Xue Yao: "Great minds think alike, cheers!"

"Hehe, cheers!" Xue Yao also raised her glass.

Lin Ruoxi returned with a cushion and happened to see Xue Rui and Xue Yao clinking glasses with their drinks. She smiled gently.

She gestured for Xue Yao to shift her position with a cushion, placed the cushion on the chair, and casually asked, "Yao Yao, what are you two talking about that makes you so happy?"

In the blink of an eye, Xue Rui and his sister reconciled, and Lin Ruoxi envied this kind of relationship.

“Oh, we were talking about another sister-in-law,” Xue Yao said casually.

"What's wrong with her?" Lin Ruoxi asked weakly.

"Cough cough!" Xue Jianfeng coughed violently. Was this something that could be said in public?

That silly child, he never thinks before he speaks.

Xue Jianfeng gave Lin Ruoxi an awkward smile: "Let's eat first."

Lin Ruoxi nodded politely and sat down quietly to feed Xue Rui.

For the next few minutes, everyone silently picked food from their plates, and the sound of their chewing could be clearly heard.

Lin Ruoxi sensed something was wrong, but couldn't quite put her finger on it.

She also wanted to talk about Gu Muxue, but it seemed like no one wanted to talk to her about it.

Her uncle and aunt avoided looking at her.

Xue Rui wisely kept quiet; he hadn't dared to reveal that the three of them were living together.

So, from his parents' perspective, he was a two-timing scumbag.

Gu Muxue was still kept in the dark.

"Xixi, I'll teach you how to cook after dinner," Xue Jianfeng said, breaking the awkward atmosphere.

Xue Jianfeng knew that Xue Rui was two-timing, after all, when he saw Lin Ruoxi today, Lin Ruoxi was dressed in a formal suit, and Xue Rui had changed his address to "Xiao Lin".

It's like having a little lover?
In short, he needs to talk to Lin Ruoxi alone.

"Thank you, Uncle." Lin Ruoxi stood up and bowed in thanks.

"Dad, we've already had dinner, why are we making any more dishes? Let's talk about it tomorrow." Xue Rui frowned; Xue Jianfeng's intentions were too obvious.

Lin Ruoxi smiled and kissed Xue Rui on the cheek: "Rui, I want to learn more, okay?"

Xue Rui glanced at Xue Jianfeng, thinking that Old Xue had been very kind to the little girl today, so he probably wouldn't say anything too harsh. "Alright then." Xue Rui nodded and took the chopsticks from Lin Ruoxi's hand.

After finishing her meal, Ren Qunfang cleared the dishes and winked at Xue Yao:

"Yaoyao, ask your brother to help you with your homework."

Xue Yao crossed her legs, a toothpick dangling from her mouth. She disdainfully blew the toothpick towards Xue Rui: "Him? He's not worthy."

Ren Qunfang lowered her eyelids and pinched Xue Yao's waist: "Hmm?"

“Hiss~ Pie pie pie…” Xue Yao hurriedly stood up and grabbed Xue Rui’s arm to go upstairs.

Xue Rui could easily see that his mother and father were working together to get him away.

However, with his mother around, he could feel at ease.

"Brother, Sister-in-law Mu Xue prepared a Valentine's Day gift for you. It's in my room, but I haven't dared to open it yet."

Xue Yao said eagerly, she really wanted to see what was inside.

Xue Rui looked surprised. Had the little girl prepared another gift?

"Go up and have a look."

……

In the kitchen.

Xue Jianfeng moved closer to Ren Qunfang and gently pushed her: "You go first, you and Xixi are familiar with each other."

Ren Qunfang sighed softly. How could she say such a thing?
Why can't you control the mistakes your own son makes, and instead come to someone else's daughter for help?
She felt a pang of heartache and chose to start the conversation with familiar everyday topics:
"How is the old lady's health?"

“Grandma is in good health. Rui found a caregiver she knows well.” Lin Ruoxi’s gaze softened.

Xue Rui cared about everything around her.

Since Xue Rui entered her world, she has been getting better and better every day.

“I couldn’t find her when I went to the nursing home last time; they said she went to the hospital for a check-up.”

"Well, that was arranged by Xue Rui too." Lin Ruoxi said with a smile in her eyes.

……

After chatting for a while, Ren Qunfang casually said:
Do you know where Mu Xue went?

"Rui and I will pick her up from the airport the day after tomorrow," Lin Ruoxi said softly.

"You're going to pick her up?" Xue Jianfeng's voice rose an octave, thinking to himself that Xue Rui was incredibly bold.

Lin Ruoxi was on edge, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

It seems she said something she shouldn't have...

"Does Mu Xue know about you and Xiao Rui?" Xue Jianfeng asked anxiously.

This is a huge problem. If Old Gu finds out what his son did, he'll skin him alive.

"Look at the good son you've raised." Ren Qunfang secretly pinched Xue Jianfeng.

Lin Ruoxi cried, and all you know is to favor your childhood friend's daughter.

"Honey, what I mean is, if Mu Xue doesn't know, we'd better advise Xiao Rui to break up with Mu Xue amicably, so that things don't escalate and affect the relationship between our two families and Lao Gu's family."

Xue Jianfeng said in a serious tone.

Actually, now that Lin Ruoxi is in front of him, Xue Jianfeng can only say things that are favorable to her.

If he were facing Gu Muxue, he should let Xue Rui and Lin Ruoxi part ways amicably.

Xue Jianfeng subconsciously wanted to protect his image, not wanting the girl to think that his family had improper values.

Ren Qunfang gently hugged Lin Ruoxi: "Tell me, you said you were delivering a gift for Mu Xue last Mid-Autumn Festival. I know you were lying."

Lin Ruoxi wiped away her tears: "Mu Xue knows, I... Mu Xue and I are good friends, we live together, and the gifts I brought were actually bought for me by her..."

With just one sentence, Lin Ruoxi revealed the whole truth.

With a clang, Xue Jianfeng leaned against the cabinet, his eyes vacant.

Based on his understanding of Gu Muxue, if she knew that his son was with Lin Ruoxi, she would definitely break up with Xue Rui or come to him to complain about Xue Rui. Therefore, he deliberately kept it from Gu Muxue, for fear that Gu Muxue would find out.

But... what's going on here?
He worried about Xue Rui for half a year, and now Gu Muxue has accepted it all?
How exactly did Xue Rui manage to do that?
Xue Jianfeng was completely baffled.

Ren Qunfang's eyes were also glazed over. No wonder Xue Rui never video-called her. Did he have two girls hiding at home?

"Xi Xi, go change into some neat clothes and tie your hair up so the cooking fumes don't get your clothes dirty." Xue Jianfeng sent Lin Ruoxi away first, wanting to discuss a plan with his wife.

"Okay, sure," Lin Ruoxi replied obediently.

After Lin Ruoxi left, Ren Qunfang and Xue Jianfeng frowned.

"Honey, what do we do now? Both girls have accepted." Ren Qunfang nudged the dazed Xue Jianfeng.

Xue Rui's dream came true, and Xue Yao's goal was achieved.

"What should we do? If Old Gu finds out, he'll skin me alive." Xue Jianfeng said gravely.

"Can't you say something useful? It won't take Xixi long to change her clothes," Ren Qunfang complained.

Xue Jianfeng sneered: "Do you think it's up to us to decide which one to keep?"

"Or do you think Xixi is better and Muxue is worse?"

"You know our local customs. What girl gives gifts to the groom before she's engaged? Didn't you hear that the gift Xixi brought was bought by Mu Xue?"

"So what?" Ren Qunfang couldn't understand which side Xue Jianfeng was on.

"So, I'll find out Xixi's attitude first, so I can make a plan." Xue Jianfeng spread his hands.

Xue Jianfeng didn't want to escalate the situation, lest he and his childhood friend become mortal enemies.

"What are you going to say to her?" Ren Qunfang suddenly felt worried.

"Fangfang, you can go out now."

Xue Jianfeng's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an air of authority, as if a superior were speaking to a subordinate.

Ren Qunfang opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

Xue Jianfeng usually listens to her, but he still makes the important decisions at home.

Ren Qunfang knew that as a housewife for many years, she had long been out of touch with society and her vision was not as far-sighted as Xue Jianfeng's.

Now that someone has taken responsibility, she can finally relax.

After walking a few steps, Ren Qunfang ran into Lin Ruoxi, who was dressed in sportswear. She smiled at Lin Ruoxi and said, "Xixi, your uncle is being stubborn. Just listen to what he says and don't take it too seriously."

Ren Qunfang could roughly guess what Xue Jianfeng was going to say, and she felt sorry for Lin Ruoxi.

Upon entering, Lin Ruoxi bowed respectfully to Xue Jianfeng: "Uncle, are you going to start teaching me how to cook?"

Xue Jianfeng shook his head: "In the kitchen, apprentices won't be taught real skills unless they peel tens of thousands of potatoes and give away dozens of packs of cigarettes."

Lin Ruoxi blinked blankly: "Um, smoking is bad, I'll go peel potatoes."

Xue Jianfeng sighed; Lin Ruoxi's personality was too weak.

To put it bluntly, the responsibility for Xue Rui's good life today lies entirely with Lin Ruoxi.

Unconditional tolerance is called indulgence.

If one of them has to suffer, it would be best to make Lin Ruoxi suffer.

"I'm telling you clearly today, no matter how many girlfriends he's had, he will only have one wife." (End of Chapter)