Rebirth: Start to Save the Treasure Girl

The second day of the new year.

According to custom, married girls are expected to return to their parents' home on the second day of the Lunar New Year.

Logically speaking, Xue Rui should take Lin Ruoxi back to her maternal grandparents' house.

However, because the elderly in his family were so long-lived, his family's arrangements had not been changed, and they went to Xue Jianfeng's maternal grandmother's house instead.

Normally, Xue Rui wouldn't go. In his memory, he only went more often when he was a child. After all, several generations had passed, and the family ties were distant. He couldn't even recognize many of the faces.

But since Lin Ruoxi was going this year, Xue Rui didn't refuse.

At breakfast time, because there were too many relatives, there were four or five tables full of people. Xue Rui sat at the table with the children.

Xue Rui and Xue Yao sat side by side, exchanged a knowing glance, and then looked down at their phones, their expressions revealing neither joy nor sorrow.

"Are you in a bad mood? Why aren't you playing with the kids?" Lin Ruoxi asked softly.

Normally, Xue Rui would have been playing with the children, but today he seemed rather gloomy.

"No." Xue Rui sighed and put his phone back in his pocket.

It wasn't that he was in a bad mood, but rather that he was too junior in terms of seniority here.

Xue Rui was terrified that this scene would happen:
If he makes a child cry, an adult might suddenly appear out of nowhere and scold him, "Xiao Rui, why did you make your little uncle cry?"

……

"Brother, who is that child?" Xue Yao asked softly.

“I just heard our dad call his dad ‘uncle’,” Xue Rui replied without moving his lips.

Xue Yao clicked her tongue lightly, feeling quite fortunate that these little brats didn't understand what seniority was.

"Little friend, you should eat more vegetables."

As for Lin Ruoxi, she was calling the children "little ones" and enthusiastically taking care of their meals, completely unaware that she was now a generation younger than them.

After dinner, Lin Ruoxi went to the kitchen to help wash the dishes, while Xue Rui lingered in the living room for a while, being pulled by Xue Jianfeng to call out to various relatives.

All the relatives gathered in the living room, making it incredibly lively.

Because they hadn't seen each other for a year, the relatives chatted happily and gave each other's children lucky money, making the scene quite chaotic at one point.

Don't give it to me.

"This is for the child, take it, take it..."

Xue Jianfeng and a middle-aged man shoved each other.

But for some people, this period is extremely difficult.

For children, watching their parents perform during the red envelope distribution segment, followed by reminiscing about the past and discussing events from over a decade or even decades ago, inevitably involves touching on the children's dark childhood memories.

It seems to be a nationwide phenomenon that people use their children's embarrassing moments as topics of conversation.

When talking to children, adults often have to start with their grades because of the generation gap.

But only a minority of children excel academically...

In such situations, the atmosphere often becomes awkward for a moment, before ending with "Study hard."

As for young people, they'll just ask about their job and income, or whether they're dating.

"Xiao Rui, do you still recognize me? Where are you working now? How much money are you making?"

The middle-aged woman cheerfully asked three questions in a row.

Upon hearing this, Xue Jianfeng was stunned for a moment. He suddenly slapped his forehead, thinking to himself, "This is bad."

He forgot to remind Xue Rui to keep a low profile in front of relatives.

"I?"

Xue Rui's lips twitched. He thought to himself, "I don't look old at all, so why is someone asking about my job right away?"

Reflecting on the woman's words, Xue Rui was reminded of many past events.

In his previous life, he was young and arrogant. When relatives asked him about his job, he not only told them the truth, but even exaggerated a bit, since no one can resist the temptation to show off.

But precisely because of this, Xue Rui also suffered a lot of losses in silence.

Some distant relatives ask him for help finding jobs, and some even ask him to lend them money for their weddings...

In short, discussing income in front of unfamiliar relatives is a huge minefield.

If you don't do well, you'll inevitably get lectured on a lot of principles, or even have your superiority shown off.

If you say you're doing well, the other person will just offer a few words of flattery on the surface, but they might be harboring some malicious intentions.

"I'm in college, I'm still a student," Xue Rui said with a forced smile.

He chose to use going to school as a shield, never mentioning his own business ventures and making money.

Xue Jianfeng breathed a sigh of relief, nodded and smiled with satisfaction.

Putting aside the issue of him having affairs with two people, you really can't find fault with his obedient son.

He's so mature for his age, unlike a young person.

"Oh, Jianfeng's son actually got into university?" The middle-aged woman's voice was full of surprise, then she said with a smile:
"Did you pay money to get him into a third-tier university? My child's teacher said that his minimum requirement is a second-tier university."

Xue Rui's lips twitched. So the root of the problem lay with his father. He looked at Xue Jianfeng with a questioning gaze.

It means: Should you argue or should I argue?
Upon hearing this, Xue Jianfeng's face darkened. Why would someone cause trouble during the New Year?
Because of the fact that I didn't lend money last time?

But whatever the reason, he's not one to suffer in silence.

He smiled faintly and said, "Xiao Rui is really something. Last year, the Tsinghua and Peking University buses even drove to my door, begging my son to go to Tsinghua and Peking University, but he didn't go."

The woman looked surprised, then said dismissively, "Keep it up."

There's a saying these days, isn't there? A picture is worth a thousand words.

Xue Jianfeng chuckled and took out the group photo taken last year, showing it to the relatives around him in turn.

"Xiao Rui passed the exam on his own?" Someone looked at Xue Rui in surprise.

Xue Jianfeng didn't hide anything: "Xiao Rui's girlfriend is the top scorer in the college entrance examination. The admission teams from Tsinghua and Peking Universities have been knocking on my door so many times that they want my son to go to their schools."

In this way, it was also a way of indirectly showing off Xue Rui's girlfriend.

"Xia Ying, I remember Xi Xi is from your school, right?" Xue Jianfeng asked knowingly.

"Yes, many leaders wanted to meet Lin Ruoxi after the college entrance examination, but Xiao Rui took Lin Ruoxi on a trip. As her homeroom teacher, I was interviewed many times." Xue Xiaying explained cooperatively.

"Such a joyous occasion, why didn't you hold a celebration for your child's college admission?"

An elderly man nearby was slapping his thigh in regret.

Xue Jianfeng sighed, "Xiao Rui won't let me handle it. That kid is just like me, too low-key..."

"Some people have barely finished writing the first stroke of their birth chart when their tail is already wagging in the air..."

Xue Jianfeng tried hard to suppress the corners of his mouth, his heart filled with indescribable joy.

Don't people always like to use children as a topic of conversation?
He has both a son and a daughter, and Xue Rui is so successful; he simply can't find a reason to lose.

"..."

Xue Rui was speechless for a moment. His father was like a snakeskin bag, capable of holding too much.

The middle-aged woman's face flushed red, and she changed the subject:
"So what if he's good at studying? Everyone says he's a bookworm. When it comes to finding a wife, you still have to find someone who can settle down and make a living. Smart women are good at calculating things."

Xue Jianfeng chuckled: "She's washing dishes in the kitchen right now. Women who are good at studying are different; they're observant and can see what's going on, unlike some people who just lie on the sofa after eating..."

Xue Rui and Xue Yao shrugged at the same time, stood up from the sofa, and tried to leave dejectedly.

Xue Jianfeng's sweeping generalization went too far; both of them felt he was talking about them.

"Yaoyao, come here. Last time I went to the parent-teacher conference, your teacher said your grades were good enough for a 985 university. What did that mean? Dad didn't study much, so you explain it to Dad..."

Xue Jianfeng put his arm around Xue Yao's shoulder and walked into the crowd with a smile in his eyes.

Xue Yao kept winking at Xue Xiaying, as if to say: Help me!

Xue Xiaying walked past Xue Yao with her head down, pretending not to see Xue Yao's plea for help.

Because she's already thirty and still not married.
"Traitor! I helped you so much!" Xue Yao said indignantly.

After watching her aunt leave, Xue Yao blinked and turned her gaze to her older brother, hoping that he would step up and pull a fast one to extricate her from the situation.

Xue Rui smiled slightly, placed his left hand against his right fist, and made a fist-and-palm gesture to Xue Yao.

Xue Yao looked puzzled; she didn't understand what her brother meant.

You say I'm righteous?

Xue Rui cupped his hands in farewell and said, "Farewell!"

"you!"

……

After Xue Rui walked out of the living room, he took a deep breath of fresh air, his expression one of relief.

The courtyard was bathed in sunshine, and a group of children were chatting. Not far away, a few relatives were chatting while basking in the sun. This was the relaxed atmosphere of the Chinese New Year.

Suddenly, a man's voice came from beside him praising, "Xiao Rui, your wife is really beautiful and hardworking."

Xue Rui chuckled and scratched his head, saying, "Hello, Uncle."

"Why is this child still shy?"

The man smiled and beckoned, reaching into his pocket with one hand to signal Xue Rui to come closer.

In fact, Xue Rui couldn't remember what to call him at all; he had just guessed the one with the highest probability, so of course he seemed unsure of himself.

"I'm all grown up now, I don't need New Year's money."

As Xue Rui spoke, he walked towards Lin Ruoxi's direction.

At that moment, Lin Ruoxi was distributing chocolates to the children and was unaware of what was happening in the living room.

"Rui, shall I go in to see my elders?" Lin Ruoxi asked softly.

"Don't go in, just stay in the yard."

Xue Rui didn't want Lin Ruoxi to become the center of public attention.

The little girl received the chocolate and ran excitedly to her father to show it off. She then called out to Lin Ruoxi in a clear voice, "Thank you, sister!"

The woman beside her laughed and said, "Qingqing, you've got the wrong name. She's not your sister."

Lin Ruoxi blinked and looked at Xue Rui.

"Um... Xixi, I need to go to the restroom." Xue Rui chose to escape to the restroom.

Judging from the expressions of the people around her, the little girl's seniority was frighteningly high, and she herself was about to be a generation lower than others.

Anyway, these are all relatives on my grandmother's side, and we won't be in much contact with them in the future.

Since that's the case, Xue Rui is happy to be an ostrich burying its head in the sand, pretending not to see or hear anything.

Xue Rui had only taken a few steps when Lin Ruoxi's soft, sweet voice came from behind him: "Hello, little... little cousin."

With a "pfft," Xue Rui couldn't help but laugh.

The little girl is still so obedient; she's willing to suffer any loss.

……

Outside the gate.

Xue Rui found Xue Xiaying in the corner.

He walked up to Xue Xiaying and plopped down on the steps.

"Stay away from me." Xue Xiaying said with a look of disgust.

This year, Xue Rui has become the center of attention, fearing that her relatives' criticism will affect her.

"We're both ostriches, and you're still complaining about me?" Xue Rui joked.

Xue Xiaying gave a wry smile and patted the back of Xue Rui's head: "Xiao Rui, why didn't Lin Ruoxi come out with you?"

"She's acting as my grandson, chatting with your eight- or nine-year-old cousin," Xue Rui remarked.

Xue Xiaying covered her face and gave a wry smile. She patted Xue Rui's shoulder:

"Xiao Rui, if you feel uncomfortable, don't come again. You have no good relationship with them."

"What about the two of us? You're also ridiculously senior in your family," Xue Rui joked.

Upon hearing this, Xue Xiaying felt a sharp pain in her heart.

Xue Rui is her own nephew; she's watched him grow up.

"Xiao Rui, how could you say such things to your aunt?" Xue Xiaying asked bitterly.

Xue Rui sighed, his voice softening: "I was just kidding. You're my aunt, not like them."

What I mean is, my child might be about the same age as your child in the future, but a generation younger.

Xue Xiaying poked Xue Rui's head: "All you do all day is think about nonsense."

“Aunt, I’m talking about a very real problem. Didn’t Grandpa and Grandma tell you? There’s already a generational gap in our family.” Xue Rui spread his hands.

“Then I’m even less in a hurry,” Xue Xiaying said, propping her chin on her hand.

As they chatted and laughed, Lin Ruoxi walked out of the gate, tilting her head to look at the two of them, her expression slightly blank.

After finding Xue Rui, she wanted to ask him some questions, but felt there was nothing worth asking.

"A woman follows her husband wherever he goes, whether he's a chicken or a dog." So what if Xue Rui is of a lower generation? She's the same way anyway.

"Xixi, how does it feel to be a dwarf?" Xue Rui teased.

"Hmm...it's quite strange," Lin Ruoxi said truthfully.

"It's alright, be a grandson first, then a grandfather. Your seniority will increase when you go home tomorrow," Xue Rui comforted him.

Xue Xiaying nodded in agreement.

Her father was the youngest in his family, with several older brothers and sisters, which resulted in her being of an absurdly high generation within the family.

She's not even married yet, but kids are already calling her grandma during Chinese New Year.

Lin Ruoxi's eyes widened suddenly, then she lowered her head to look at her feet and asked weakly, "Will...will anyone call me grandma?"

"Have you ever seen a grandmother as young and beautiful as you?"

Xue Rui was amused; the little girl really dared to think outside the box.

"Well, but you just said you wanted to be the grandfather, so I'd be the grandmother," Lin Ruoxi explained softly.

"That was just a metaphor." Xue Rui smiled and made room for Lin Ruoxi.

Lin Ruoxi smiled faintly, turned around and grabbed a small stool. She pulled Xue Rui up from the ground: "Get up, the ground is cold."

After Xue Rui sat down in the chair, Lin Ruoxi naturally sat on Xue Rui's lap. She first took out a candy from her pocket and fed it to Xue Rui, and then took out a stack of red envelopes to count them.

"Xixi, how much money did you earn this year?" Xue Xiaying asked with a smile.

"Well, my company hasn't started making a profit yet," Lin Ruoxi explained.

Xue Xiaying pointed to the red envelope in Lin Ruoxi's hand: "I mean New Year's money."

Lin Ruoxi looked surprised. After tidying up the red envelopes she had received, she obediently handed them to Xue Rui, explaining one by one, "Rui, these are red envelopes from your uncle, and there are also..."

Because this was Lin Ruoxi's first time meeting Xue Rui's elders, she received quite a few red envelopes from various uncles and elders over the past few days.

But no matter how much she received, she always chose to hand it over obediently.

Lin Ruoxi chose to answer Xue Xiaying's question with her actions: she didn't earn a single penny.

"Here you go, take it."

"Today you're a nephew, tomorrow you'll be an uncle. I'll give you some red envelopes."

Listening to their conversation, Xue Xiaying smiled like an aunt, realizing that this was what love should really be like.
After listening for a while, she vaguely felt that someone was watching her. She calmed down and listened carefully. She heard several little boys leaning against the wall in the alley, discussing something.

"Did you see that? That older brother is my nephew, and that older sister just called me my little cousin."

The little boy boasted to his friends in the village.

Although he didn't understand the underlying principles, he had a strong sense of seniority.

"Keep it up, I don't believe you."

His friend standing next to him looked on with disdain, making a mocking face that looked absolutely smug.

"Really, I'm not lying to you!" The little boy jumped up and down in anger.

"Then tell her to shout it again?"

……

The two became increasingly agitated, and their discussion grew louder and louder.

"I...I'm afraid they'll start fighting. Should I shout it again?"

Lin Ruoxi said weakly.

She grew up in the village and knew the competitive nature of boys; often, they would fight over the smallest things.

Xue Rui poked Lin Ruoxi's nose: "She really has a good temper."

Xue Rui coughed twice and walked to the little boy's side: "Happy New Year, little cousin."

The world fell silent for a moment the moment the words were spoken.

The little boy's playmate stared wide-eyed, his mouth agape in an "O" shape, his gaze shifting back and forth between the two.

Seeing his companion's admiring expression, the little boy straightened his back instantly.

With her small hands behind her back, she said in a deliberately profound tone, "Nephew, how are you?"

Xue Rui's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, thinking to himself, "This guy can pretend even better than me."

Xue Rui smiled faintly and extended his palm:

"Uncle, where's my New Year's money?" (End of Chapter)