Rebirth: Start to Save the Treasure Girl

With a "smack," the broomstick struck Xue Rui squarely on the back; Lin Ruoxi's warning came too late.

When Xue Rui turned around and saw that the person who beat him up was Xue Jianfeng, he shouted at the top of his lungs into the yard, "Old Xue, you've gone too far!"

So what if I framed you once? Is it really necessary for you to stay up all night and stake out here to beat me up?
Xue Jianfeng brandished the broom, muttering incoherently:
"Your dad hit you because he wanted what was best for you."

Only if I hit you hard enough will Lin Ruoxi's anger subside, and only then will you be safe...

Xue Jianfeng slapped Xue Rui's leg repeatedly, causing Xue Rui to jump up and down in pain.
“You always have a reason for hitting me, but I can’t be bothered to listen to it.”

To Xue Rui's relief, Da Huang kept getting in Xue Jianfeng's way, constantly growling as if threatening Xue Jianfeng to stop.

Lin Ruoxi didn't even have time to call for help. She rushed forward and hugged Xue Rui tightly, trying to shield him from Xue Jianfeng's attack.

After a loud "smack!", Xue Jianfeng froze on the spot.

"Does Xixi hurt?" Xue Jianfeng asked worriedly. He hadn't expected Lin Ruoxi to rush over, and it was too late to stop when he tried.

Before Lin Ruoxi could answer, he felt a pulling sensation in his calf.

Xue Jianfeng frowned, raised the broom high, and threatened, "Stupid dog, get out of the way!"

"Woo~"

Xue Rui looked down and saw Da Huang growling and biting Xue Jianfeng's pants, its eyes full of ferocity.

Xue Rui laughed in anger, "Why didn't you stop me when I was being beaten?"

That bastard Dahuang, helping him is just for show, he'll only get serious when he sees Lin Ruoxi get beaten up.

"I...I will protect you," Lin Ruoxi comforted him, her eyes filled with heartache.

Suddenly, a furious roar came from Xue Yao inside the courtyard: "Stop!"

When Xue Rui turned around, he saw that Xue Yao's face was covered with a pitch-black face mask, which startled him.

"What kind of outfit is that? A black-faced judge?"

"Don't hit Dahuang!" Xue Yao said crisply.

Xue Rui: ……

I've been shouting for ages, and all you care about is whether Big Yellow lives or dies?

"What's all the noise about in the middle of the night?"

Ren Qunfang walked out impatiently, frowning as she looked at the people standing at the door.

"Mom, listen to me, as soon as I went out I saw Dad hitting Big Yellow..."

Xue Yao kept shaking Ren Qunfang's shoulders, demanding that her mother get an explanation for Da Huang.

Xue Rui sighed deeply, wondering to himself, "What does it mean to be worse than a dog?"

Ren Qunfang ignored Xue Yao and instead saw Xue Jianfeng using a stick to "break up the couple." Lin Ruoxi was clinging tightly to Xue Rui, her body trembling slightly, clearly terrified.

"Xue Jianfeng, you'd better explain yourself clearly today, or I'll call my parents out." Ren Qunfang's voice wasn't loud, but it was firm and resolute.

"Yes, put down your weapons, or I'll call my grandpa and grandma!" Xue Yao threatened in return.

Xue Jianfeng casually threw away the "weapon," thinking that he couldn't handle it alone, and he really couldn't figure out Lin Ruoxi's thoughts.

The moment the broom hit the ground, Big Yellow released its grip, its eyes darting back and forth between the people around it, its tail swaying gently behind it, looking all ingratiating...

Xue Rui's brow twitched; this dog was truly a genius.

Xue Jianfeng moved his feet weakly, and waved his hand to signal Xue Yao to go inside: "Children shouldn't meddle in adult matters, go back to sleep."

"Sniffle~ Big Yellow, come back." Xue Yao's voice was gentle, but Big Yellow remained unmoved.

So she stepped forward, grabbed the collar around Big Yellow's neck, and pulled it back: "Did he hit you just now...?"

Xue Rui rolled his eyes, then chuckled and patted Lin Ruoxi's cheek.

“Xixi, there is no place for me in this house anymore. From now on, I can only rely on you.”

Lin Ruoxi's heart was pounding wildly. Was Xue Rui saying something sweet?

The words "only" and "seek refuge" stirred her emotions, giving her a sense that Xue Rui belonged only to her.

Lin Ruoxi smiled sweetly, all her previous sadness vanishing. She hugged Xue Rui's face and kissed him, gently rubbing his ears with both hands as she spoke softly:

"Wrap your scarf higher, your ears will get frostbite and cause lasting problems."

As for Xue Jianfeng, he was facing away from the two of them, telling Ren Qunfang everything that had happened that night.

He gestured with his hands, his voice low: "Look at this ground, she said it's fine as long as it's clean now, and there's something about letting Da Huang follow Yao Yao, it sounds like..."

Ren Qunfang frowned deeply, her heart breaking.

Because her husband had no reason to lie to her, but her eyes wouldn't lie to her either.

"Honey, you're overthinking it."

Ren Qunfang sighed, turned Xue Jianfeng's head around, and pointed to the two people embracing under the streetlight.

Xue Jianfeng said that Lin Ruoxi wanted to harm her son, but at this moment, under the streetlight, Lin Ruoxi hugged Xue Rui and kissed him again and again, and then tiptoed to rub Xue Rui's face, acting as if she was treating her son like a treasure.

"Better safe than sorry. The retaliation of an honest person is the most terrifying; pent-up emotions can explode in an instant..."

Xue Jianfeng was very worried that when Lin Ruoxi picked up the knife, his son wouldn't even have a chance to apologize.

"It's nothing serious, Xixi is so gentle."

Ren Qunfang smiled and waved her hand, not paying too much attention.

"Even the gentlest person shouldn't be bullied like this..." Xue Jianfeng didn't know how to explain, so he rolled his eyes:
"Honey, I think you're very gentle too. What if I ever do the same thing as Xiao Rui?"

In an instant, Ren Qunfang's face turned terribly gloomy, forcing Xue Jianfeng to swallow the rest of his sentence.

“It’s not me now, it’s him,” Xue Jianfeng said, pointing at Xue Rui.

Ren Qunfang sighed. She had only been fantasizing for a moment, and she was already dizzy with anger. How wronged Lin Ruoxi must feel.

"Okay, go tell Xiao Rui I'll try to talk to Xi Xi," Ren Qunfang muttered to herself, waving to Lin Ruoxi.
"Xixi, come here for a moment, Auntie has something to tell you."

"Xiao Rui, your dad also has something to say to you," Xue Jianfeng said earnestly.

"Hey, hey, hey? You can just stand there and say it."

Xue Rui took off running, and after running for more than ten meters, he took out his phone and pointed it at his father, indicating that he should answer the call.

Xue Jianfeng looked at Xue Rui in the distance, then at the name on his phone, and was at a loss for words.

It seems Xue Rui is terrified of being beaten.

Thinking of his father's imposing presence, Xue Jianfeng straightened his back smugly, pressed the call button, and said triumphantly, "Now you know fear?"

However, Xue Rui on the phone was not the same as he had imagined.

"I won't say a word until Xixi comes back."

Xue Jianfeng: ...

"Old Xue, I'm warning you, put the stone down!"

……

Upon hearing Xue Rui's shout in the living room, Lin Ruoxi instinctively tried to stand up.

Ren Qunfang held Lin Ruoxi's hand: "Don't worry about it, they're just joking around."

"Mmm." Lin Ruoxi obediently replied, but her gaze still occasionally drifted out the window.

“Xixi, your uncle hit Xiaorui today to vent your anger. If you ever feel wronged, tell your uncle and aunt. We won’t spoil him.” Ren Qunfang said earnestly.

Ren Qunfang was telling the truth. She wasn't indulging Xue Rui; rather, she simply couldn't do anything about him.

Xue Rui is no longer the little kid who would obediently speak sweet words to her for fifty yuan of pocket money.

If pushed too far, Xue Rui might not go home much in the future.

Saying these things to Lin Ruoxi now is essentially a form of emotional compensation.

In the future, when Lin Ruoxi vents her grievances to her, she will help her son coax her.

Although it's unethical, it can prevent the worst possible outcome.

Lin Ruoxi blinked blankly, "Auntie, I'm not unhappy." "Nonsense, he didn't celebrate your birthday with you, but instead went out on a date with Gu Muxue. Don't tell me you didn't know." Ren Qunfang's tone was harsh.

In an instant, Lin Ruoxi recalled the scene she saw at the village entrance, and her eyes reddened slightly.

Lin Ruoxi felt strange; she became sensitive about even the smallest things when she heard someone was backing her up.

"I know, I'm not wronged."

Lin Ruoxi blinked quickly and gave Ren Qunfang a smile.

She couldn't let Xue Rui's parents worry; she had to be a sensible and obedient child.

Lin Ruoxi did a simple analysis and concluded that she had been receiving too much care lately and was becoming spoiled.

This kind of mentality is not good; she shouldn't rely on anyone.

Hmm...except for Xue Rui.

"You just cried, aren't you upset? Look into Auntie's eyes and say it."

Ren Qunfang playfully slapped Lin Ruoxi, determined to make her say it today.

Lin Ruoxi sat up obediently, looked into Ren Qunfang's eyes and said, "Auntie, I'm not wronged."

Ren Qunfang and Lin Ruoxi stared at each other for a long time, but she couldn't see any sign that Lin Ruoxi was lying.

"Why?" Ren Qunfang asked, puzzled.

"I..." Lin Ruoxi hesitated for a moment, then smiled at Ren Qunfang and said:

“I originally had nothing. Rui gave me everything I have now. I love him and I am grateful to him.”

“He’s so good… I’m lucky to be with him, I shouldn’t be so greedy.”

Lin Ruoxi's voice was soft and sweet, her eyes filled with a hint of doting affection and helplessness.

Ren Qunfang's heart melted upon hearing this.

What mother wouldn't cherish her son?

Even if her son is wrong, she still unconditionally stands by his side.

It's truly remarkable that Lin Ruoxi shares the same mindset as her.

“But he went to see another girl, and on such an important day no less,” Ren Qunfang continued.

"Well, I'll just stay put and wait patiently. As long as I pretend I don't know, I can still live happily. It wouldn't be good for anyone if I told anyone."

Besides... he'll treat me well even if I don't tell him, and if he finds out someday, he'll treat me even better.

Lin Ruoxi explained.

Ren Qunfang was shocked. Lin Ruoxi wasn't stupid after all...

He appears foolish but is actually wise.

"Xixi, you're really thick-skinned. You can still laugh at a time like this." Ren Qunfang gave a wry smile.

From the moment she entered, Lin Ruoxi had a smile on her face, but it was clear that there was a hint of bitterness in that smile.

"Well, he said he likes to see me smile, so I'll smile more."

Lin Ruoxi tried her best to adjust her mood and stop thinking about unhappy things. Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, and she wanted to show Xue Rui her best self.

"Xixi, go out and call them back."

"Ok!"

……

Outside the alley, Xue Jianfeng leaned against a telephone pole, panting heavily, while Xue Rui's condescending voice rang in his ears:

"Dad, you're in your prime, and you're already out of breath after just two laps? You need to exercise more in the future."

Xue Jianfeng sneered:
"Let me be frank with you, when you and Mu Xue were playing at the village entrance, Xi Xi was watching from not far away."

For a moment, Xue Rui stood there dumbfounded, his mind racing.

hiss~
It seems he was misunderstood; he was just playing around with Gu Muxue in the car for a while and took a pair of her socks.

It wasn't that Xue Rui didn't want to do anything, but he left in a hurry and didn't bring an umbrella.

He wanted to explain something, but then felt it was unnecessary.

If I told my dad I hadn't done anything, I'd probably get a lot of ridicule.

"So what?" Xue Rui asked nonchalantly.

"So what?" Xue Jianfeng narrowed his eyes: "I'm afraid you'll get chopped into mincemeat one day."

"Stop cursing me with these random things every day."

Xue Rui's eye twitched, and the image of "Lin Ruoxi uprooting the willow tree" suddenly flashed through his mind.

Suddenly, Lin Ruoxi's soft voice came from not far away: "Uncle, Auntie is calling you back."

"Heh~tui." Xue Jianfeng spat and muttered to himself, "Good luck to you. I don't want to be an old man burying his young son."

Xue Rui glared at him, annoyed. What kind of person did his father think Lin Ruoxi was?
Now that he knows, he should explain it to Lin Ruoxi.

Xue Rui believes that no one understands Lin Ruoxi better than him.

The little girl's personality is a bit like Big Yellow's; she's a creature with a strong sense of territory.

He drove Lin Ruoxi's car today, and if he doesn't explain, the little girl will secretly wipe away her tears.

So Xue Rui stood next to the Cayenne and beckoned Lin Ruoxi over.

As Xue Rui beckoned, Lin Ruoxi jogged over to his side, giving him an innocent wink: "What's wrong?"

Faced with Lin Ruoxi's question, Xue Rui was momentarily at a loss.

How was he supposed to explain this? He had a fight with Gu Muxue in the car and then got a pair of socks as a trophy?

It sounds like a scam to fool idiots.

But he really didn't do anything...

"Um, I wanted to ask how to fold down the back seats of the Cayenne." Xue Rui handed over the car keys.

Why not just let Lin Ruoxi do the check herself? She'll be able to make her own judgment.

Lin Ruoxi was stunned for a long time before slowly taking the key.

She opened the car door, subconsciously reclined the back seat, then tilted her head back and sniffed around, her nose twitching.

It seems... it only tastes like snacks.

Lin Ruoxi smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

The car is very clean.

Xue Rui leaned closer and asked with a smile, "Xi Xi, what are you smelling?"

Lin Ruoxi blushed; Xue Rui seemed to have guessed something.

"I had a good nap this afternoon. Are you sleepy now?" Lin Ruoxi asked tentatively.

"I'm not sleepy, I've had enough sleep." Xue Rui shook his head.

"Then...then I'd like to take you for a drive."

Lin Ruoxi wrapped her arms around Xue Rui's neck, gently nuzzled him, and then opened her pearly teeth to lightly bite Xue Rui's earlobe:
"Are you going or not?"

Lin Ruoxi's soft, gentle voice whispered in his ear, her warm breath pattering against his earlobe, tickling his ears and making his heart itch even more...

Xue Rui was so eager he could hardly contain himself, and half of his body felt weak.

Taking a drive in the middle of the night?
As an older man, Xue Rui understood the subtext behind those words all too well.

"Of course I'll go!" Xue Rui nodded.

The little girl just wanted to play on the rocking horse; one shouldn't be so stingy. (End of Chapter)