Rebirth: Start to Save the Treasure Girl

Lin Ruoxi stood firmly in front of Xue Rui, preventing Xue Yao from taking another step forward, while repeatedly apologizing.

Xue Xiaying breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, Lin Ruoxi was there to mediate.

But she still couldn't understand why the brother and sister would fight over a handful of sunflower seeds.

At this moment, Xue Rui was standing behind Lin Ruoxi, chewing on sunflower seeds, which Xue Yao saw as a blatant provocation.

"Sister-in-law, can you understand what I'm saying?" Xue Yao questioned.

Lin Ruoxi paused for a moment, then said in a soft, sweet voice, "Oh, brother, you took my melon seeds. Here you go."

"I'm so angry! I already said... it's not about the melon seeds." Xue Yao's voice choked with emotion, and tears streamed down her face.

The living room was full of people, but the only one who could understand her was the one who had stolen her sunflower seeds.

"Don't cry, I'll peel it for you, okay?" Lin Ruoxi said gently.

"No, I want him to peel it."

Xue Yao stared at Xue Rui and said fiercely, her tongue was numb.

Xue Rui rolled his eyes: "What a spineless coward, crying over a handful of melon seeds."

"Mom! Look at him!"

Xue Yao felt a tightness in her chest.

"Alright, alright, I didn't say I wouldn't peel it for you."

Xue Rui said helplessly, walked to the sofa and grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds.

"Don't peel it with your mouth, I don't want to eat your saliva, and you're not allowed to help either," Xue Yao instructed.

Xue Rui's lips twitched: "I didn't look down on you just now. Eat it or not, it's up to you."

Although Xue Rui said that, he didn't put the melon seeds in his mouth. Instead, he crushed one and took out the kernel.

Lin Ruoxi looked at Xue Rui with tender eyes and sat down next to him: "I knew it, you are the gentlest."

Xue Xiaying corrected, "Lin Ruoxi, if Xiao Rui doesn't eat Yao Yao's melon seeds, Yao Yao won't let him peel them."

The cause and effect relationship must at least be understood. Just because a "bad person" does a good deed does it mean he is no longer a bad person.

“Yes, that’s right,” Xue Yao agreed.

"He is the best."

Lin Ruoxi ignored him, occasionally looking up at Xue Rui while peeling sunflower seeds, winking and smiling at him.

“I had at least this many sunflower seeds just now.”

Xue Yao gestured with her hands, indicating that she had peeled more than twice as many sunflower seeds as before.

Xue Rui gritted his teeth and said, "Do you think your brother has such a big mouth? How did I manage to eat such a huge pile?"

"Anyway, I don't care, you still have to pay me back this much." Xue Yao wouldn't let it go once she got the upper hand.

Xue Rui was amused and about to say something when Lin Ruoxi leaned in and whispered a soft voice in his ear:
"Rui, take a rest, I'll peel them for you."

Lin Ruoxi secretly observed Xue Yao, and when Xue Yao wasn't paying attention, she placed the peeled melon seeds in front of Xue Rui as Xue Rui's "fruit of labor".

Xue Rui patted Lin Ruoxi's head as a sign of praise.

The honest Lin Ruoxi only breaks the rules when faced with his questions.

With Lin Ruoxi's help, they quickly shelled a bunch of sunflower seeds. Xue Rui thought that was enough: "Xixi, stop shelling, that's enough."

Lin Ruoxi wanted to say that it was still a little short, but Xue Rui had already called Xue Yao over.

"Not enough, I have this much."

Xue Yao's gestures became increasingly exaggerated.

Xue Rui said irritably, "That's all. If you don't want to eat it, I will."

As he spoke, Xue Rui reached out to grab the peeled sunflower seeds, his movements unhurried and deliberate.

He was waiting for Xue Yao to do it herself.

As expected, Xue Yao nervously stepped over the sofa and snatched the melon seeds away.

After the little incident, everyone sat around the coffee table to eat.

It was supposed to be a New Year's Eve dinner, but everyone had already lost their appetite. Xue Yao didn't eat a single bite, saying she wanted to save room for snacks later.

Xue Rui and Lin Ruoxi squeezed onto a small sofa on the side, watching TV quietly without saying a word, listening to their family members chatting around them.

Lin Ruoxi had nothing to do but quietly crack sunflower seeds for Xue Rui, feeding him a small handful each time she had gathered enough.

If Xue Rui gets thirsty, she'll peel another orange.

Xue Rui, on the other hand, didn't even glance at it. No matter what Lin Ruoxi brought him, he would swallow it whole, then pat the little girl's head and praise her, "Xi Xi is so great."

Xue Yao watched for a long time, feeling a little unhappy.

Ever since my brother found a girlfriend, his life has become more and more comfortable, while she is the one who gets bullied.

"Sister-in-law, why don't you let my brother peel it for you?" Xue Yao felt very resentful.

Xue Rui glanced at it and said irritably, "Yao Yao, I advise you not to meddle in other people's business."

"He's like a freeloader, what gives him the right?" Xue Yao continued.

Xue Rui said in a low voice, "Xi Xi, she's jealous of me, just ignore her."

Lin Ruoxi smiled, her eyes crinkling as she leaned against Xue Rui's shoulder.

Suddenly, the phone screen in front of him lit up; it was a message from Gu Muxue.

Lin Ruoxi picked up her phone and handed it to Xue Rui. Now, facing the message from Gu Muxue, she felt no emotion whatsoever.

She didn't care what Xue Rui and Gu Muxue talked about, as long as Xue Rui was still by her side.

After observing Lin Ruoxi's expression and finding that the little girl wasn't unhappy, Xue Rui boldly started chatting with Gu Muxue.

Although it's called chatting, there's really nothing serious to talk about. It's just sending some everyday photos and then bombarding the other person with emojis.

Text chat is extremely rare.

But Gu Muxue typed a lot today, probably because she felt uneasy, and perhaps even a little regretful.

After all, this was the first Spring Festival he and Xiao Nizi had spent together since confirming their relationship.

Gu Muxue: [Xiao Rui, what are you doing?]

Xue Rui raised his phone and recorded a video, not bothering to hide Lin Ruoxi's presence, and included her in the recording.

Lin Ruoxi winked at the phone camera and made a peace sign, thinking that Xue Rui was going to take a picture of her.

Xue Rui hesitated for a moment, but still decided to send the video out.

From Xue Rui's perspective, the little girl and the little girl have a good relationship and wouldn't quarrel over a video.

Just like the arrangements for the Spring Festival, he had no right to interfere at all; it was a time for the two girls to negotiate themselves.

However, Xue Rui felt that the girl was hiding something, something that was not good for the three of them, but she was keeping it to herself because she was thinking about the New Year.

"I don't know what's so interesting about the Spring Festival Gala," Xue Yao complained.

She really wanted to go upstairs and play some games right now, but she was well aware of the consequences of doing so.

Xue Rui nodded in agreement, confirming that things were indeed getting less interesting year by year.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated, and Gu Muxue sent a grinning emoji.

Xue Rui's heart skipped a beat. Usually, at this time, the girl would send her a video or make a phone call to chat for a bit.

But not today, is it because you're afraid of revealing your feelings?
Recently, because of Lin Ruoxi's birthday, has he been taking too much care of Lin Ruoxi and neglecting the little girl?

If it drags on until the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the little girl will be very upset these next few days.

The two villages are so close together, he could have gone out and tried to appease them...

Suddenly, the living room lights went out.

"Xi Xi, happy birthday." Ren Qunfang brought out a cake with a few candles lit on it.

Xue Rui looked up and saw that his father and grandparents were not surprised in the dim candlelight, as if they had planned it beforehand.

Lin Ruoxi stared blankly; she had already eaten her birthday cake.

"Xixi, you stay with my family for their birthday. I'm going out for a bit."

Xue Rui's tone carried a hint of pleading.

Lin Ruoxi snapped out of her daze. She glanced at Xue Rui's phone, which was glowing blue, and knew exactly what Xue Rui was going to do.

Xue Rui is looking for Gu Muxue.

She didn't want Xue Rui to leave.

Actually, if she simply got up, blew out the candles, and grabbed Xue Rui's arm, he wouldn't be able to leave. But she didn't want Xue Rui to hold a grudge against her...

Lin Ruoxi hesitated for a moment, then sighed softly, placed the car keys in Xue Rui's hand, and whispered:
"Go ahead, remember to wear something warm."

Xue Rui gave Lin Ruoxi a light kiss on the cheek and quietly left his seat.

"Where are you going, bro?"

"Go outside to pee."

……

After stepping out of his house, Xue Rui took a deep breath of the cold air and looked at the brightly lit village, his thoughts wandering.

Familiar surroundings can awaken memories.

He also went out around this time last year, taking his daughter to set off fireworks on New Year's Eve.

But this year, didn't he make any preparations at all? Just sitting and chatting with the girl?
Xue Rui, with his hat pulled down, walked towards Gu Muxue's village shop, ready to try his luck.

Arriving at the familiar convenience store, Xue Rui knocked on the door without hesitation.

A short while later, a man wearing an overcoat came out, his tone somewhat impatient: "What are you buying for the New Year?"

"Happy New Year! Let me ask if you sell fireworks," Xue Rui asked with a smile.

He didn't have high hopes, because rural areas have low purchasing power, and the small shop could only sell firecrackers for children at most.

"Yes, we have all kinds." The boss waved his hand, gesturing for Xue Rui to come in.

The owner pulled out a huge cardboard box from the corner, filled with all sorts of handheld fireworks.

Xue Rui's eyes lit up: "Your shop has a pretty complete selection, do you sell them all?"

The shop owner chuckled: "You wouldn't believe it, last year a big shot bought all the fireworks from my shop without even haggling. This year I'm going to stock up on more expensive ones and give him a good rip-off."

Xue Rui's lips twitched; the shop owner seemed to be talking about him.

“If that’s how you put it, then I’ll have to think about it this year,” Xue Rui said slowly.

"It is you?"

The shop owner slapped his forehead, his expression immediately turning embarrassed.

How can we do business if we just said we were going to rip people off?
So he tried to get closer to you in a gentle tone: "I was just joking earlier, I don't know why you bought so much."

"I'll give these to the kids in your village to play with," Xue Rui said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the boss sighed inwardly, finally finding a way out.

"Since it's for the children in our village, I'll give you a discount," the shopkeeper said earnestly.

"Please take the whole box. Could you please help me deliver it? It's just a short walk."

Xue Rui took out his phone and called Gu Muxue.

……

At Gu Muxue's home.

"Mu Xue, you've grown so beautiful. Do you still remember your uncle?"

"Thank you."

At this moment, Gu Muxue sat listlessly on the sofa, surrounded by flattering words, and she nodded mechanically.

Her parents were not home for the Lunar New Year this year, but quite a few people came to deliver gifts on New Year's Eve.

She stared blankly at her phone, swiping left and right.

Gu Muxue didn't know what she wanted to do.

One comedy sketch after another aired on the Spring Festival Gala, and laughter could be heard from the television screen from time to time, but she couldn't laugh at any of them.

Normally, she would definitely drag Xue Rui along to watch it together...

But now, she doesn't even feel like discussing it.

Since Xue Rui had most likely already laughed with Lin Ruoxi once, she didn't want to drag him into talking about things that had already happened.

She knew Xue Rui would talk to her, but she didn't want to.

It's like... a form of charity.

Suddenly, Xue Rui's call popped up on the phone screen.

When Gu Muxue saw the phone call, her heart pounded wildly.

After calming herself down, she pressed the answer button: "Xiao Rui, what's wrong?"

"Mu Xue, come out here. There's someone at the door trying to kick me out."

Who kicked you out?

Gu Muxue stood up abruptly and subconsciously looked out the window. Xue Rui's words seemed to imply that it was right outside her door.

"Hang up, come out now."

……

At the entrance of Gu Muxue's house.

Xue Rui stood at the door with a couple. At his feet were two large cardboard boxes filled with fireworks and firecrackers.

"Please be lenient, we know the old man." The man held an envelope and stuffed it into the hands of the nanny inside the door.

"Director Gu said when he left that strangers aren't allowed in." The nanny's attitude was firm, and she glared at Xue Rui as she spoke.
"What are you looking at? Take your things and move away."

Of all the gifts given, Xue Rui's was the most outrageous; he practically blocked the door.

Xue Rui grinned: "Believe it or not, you'll have to carry all this stuff in yourself later."

"Impossible. I've worked here for over ten years and I've never seen you before."

The nanny stood with her hands on her hips, looking imperious and bossy.

"Wait, then."

Xue Rui sneered. This was the typical sycophantic mentality, and he couldn't be bothered to argue with such a person.

The couple who were stopped looked disappointed. The man looked at Xue Rui's cardboard box and patted it.

“Young man, that’s not how you give gifts. Didn’t you see my car parked at the village entrance? You dare to drive in so blatantly; no one would dare let you in like that…”

Suddenly, Gu Muxue skipped out of the house.

"Miss Gu, where are you going in the middle of the night?" The nanny quickly forced a smile.

This is the only daughter of the Gu family, raised with a silver spoon in her mouth.

"Xiao Rui, come in." Gu Muxue's eyes were full of joy as she took Xue Rui's arm.

Xue Rui shook his head: "No, she won't let me in."

For a moment, the nanny shivered and nervously swallowed: "Please come in."

"I said I wouldn't go in, and I won't." Xue Rui's attitude was firm.

Actually, Xue Rui hadn't planned to go in at all.

"Brother, let's go in." The middle-aged man grabbed Xue Rui's arm as if he had grasped a lifeline.

If Xue Rui can get in, then he can sneak in too.

“I am not like you despicable adults. I will not go along with your corrupt ways.”

Xue Rui took a step to the side and opened the cardboard box: "I delivered fireworks."

"Mu Xue, I've bought out all the firecrackers in your village again."

Gu Muxue's expression was strange. She frowned and glared at Xue Rui: "What a waste of money! What do I need so many firecrackers for?"

"Being the leader of the kids, when those children get their New Year's money tomorrow and run to the village store, they find there aren't even any firecrackers left..."

Gu Muxue burst out laughing.

The middle-aged man's lips twitched incessantly.

Am I despicable?
I give gifts to make a living.

What about you? Giving gifts is harmful to others and doesn't benefit yourself; it's purely malicious!

Gu Muxue's smile deepened as she slowly said, "Xiao Rui, do you want a child to comfort me for you?"

"I guess so." Xue Rui touched his nose. "After all, I haven't had time these past few days."

Gu Muxue held a handful of handheld fireworks. After hesitating for a long time, she blinked at Xue Rui and said crisply:
"Xiao Rui, do you have time now?" (End of Chapter)