Rebirth: Start to Save the Treasure Girl

"Hmm, am I wrong?" Lin Ruoxi asked tentatively.

Since we've already lost so much, a few more rounds of Dou Dizhu won't hurt, right?
Lin Ruoxi thought to herself.

"You and I……"

Gu Muxue's chest heaved, but she didn't say anything in the end. She just tore off the note on her face and stared at Lin Ruoxi with a resentful look in her eyes.

It's true, but do you really have to say it?

Although the two lived under the same roof and even had the same boyfriend, their personalities were completely different, which eventually led to some minor frictions.

Lin Ruoxi lowered her head and remained silent. She didn't know what was wrong. She had only spoken a few truthful words, so why was Gu Muxue so angry?
Lin Ruoxi couldn't help but wonder if it would take a long time to coax Xue Rui back.

Then I won't be able to have a proper meal with her.

Therefore, Lin Ruoxi wanted to calm Gu Muxue down before Xue Rui returned.

Gu Muxue was angry because of playing cards, so the best way to deal with it is to start with the card game.

Lin Ruoxi looked around nervously, quickly grabbed Gu Muxue's hand, placed a card in Gu Muxue's palm, and then pretended nothing had happened.

Gu Muxue was startled. She opened her palm with a strange expression, revealing a small king.

The corners of her mouth turned up slightly; Lin Ruoxi was trying to make amends to her.

However, Lin Ruoxi's behavior made her feel like she was being given charity, which made her feel a little uncomfortable.

Lin Ruoxi's behavior seemed to be saying: "Oh well, since you want to win so much, I'll let you win this round."

"Please respect me." Gu Muxue threw Lin Ruoxi's card back.

As long as Lin Ruoxi is determined to deal with Xue Rui, she can win without resorting to these underhanded tactics.

Lin Ruoxi picked up the playing cards, feeling a deep respect for Gu Muxue.

It turns out I misunderstood Gu Muxue's meaning. Gu Muxue didn't want to "form cliques" with anyone; she just wanted to play the game fairly.

Throughout the entire game, I was the only one engaging in underhanded tactics.

"Hmm, I understand," Lin Ruoxi murmured.

Gu Muxue blinked: "What do you understand?"

"Giving our all is the greatest respect we can show each other." Lin Ruoxi nodded earnestly.

Gu Muxue's gaze froze, and she let out a long sigh.

Lin Ruoxi, why can't you get it?

……

Living room on the first floor.

Xue Rui was carrying a cutting board covered with a pile of plates. He made up an excuse for himself:

"Mu Xue is in the restroom and won't be out for a while. I'll bring the dishes up and we can eat together."

"Xiao Rui, why are you using three pairs of chopsticks when there are only two of you eating?" Xue Xiaying asked casually.

Xue Rui frowned, thinking to himself that his aunt was also good material for a spy.

“Yaoyao is with us too,” Xue Rui explained.

Xue Yao had barely sat down when she heard this and stood up, covering for Xue Rui: "Yes, I'm eating with my sister-in-law."

As she was leaving, Xue Yao held the chopsticks in her hand.

Xue Xiaying reminded him, "Your brother got you chopsticks."

Xue Yao looked at her strangely and asked, "Auntie, why are you so nosy?"
She put the chopsticks in her mouth, sucked on them, and handed them to Xue Xiaying: "Here, can you use these?"

Xue Xiaying looked disgusted and leaned back slightly: "Just put it there."

Xue Yao hesitated for a moment, then threw her chopsticks on the table and quickly followed Xue Rui.

"Yaoyao, why did you put your chopsticks down again?" Xue Rui asked in a low voice.

"Brother, it is a bit strange to have four pairs of chopsticks. Besides, I'm doing this for your own good. If there aren't enough chopsticks, you can feed each other. How loving that would be!"

Xue Yao was smug, believing herself to be an excellent wingman.

Xue Rui: ……

Two people sharing a pair of chopsticks—that's called romance;
Three people and two pairs of chopsticks? That's war!

Are you trying to help?

You're stirring things up, afraid your brother is having too much of a good time.

Reaching the bedroom door, Xue Yao eagerly opened it for Xue Rui: "Brother, door opening service is fifty."

"I'll give you another hundred, and you keep watch for me," Xue Rui said generously.

Speaking of which, Xue Rui has to thank Tencent. During the Chinese New Year, they always like to hold a bunch of recharge events in games, keeping a close eye on children's lucky money.

But it was precisely for this reason that he received the treatment of being served by the lazy sister.

"Okay." Xue Yao carefully pulled a plate of food from the cutting board.

"Wait a moment while I put my things down and open the door for you," Xue Rui gestured to Xue Yao to wait.

"No need, my door isn't locked."

Xue Yao, with chopsticks in her mouth and a plate in her hand, swayed as she walked to her room door and kicked it open with a bang.

Xue Rui's lips twitched. His sister was nothing like a lady; she had the air of a thug. It was such a waste of such a beautiful face.

Just as Xue Rui was in a daze, the cutting board in his hand suddenly felt lighter, and he heard Gu Muxue's gentle voice: "Xiao Rui, what are you standing there for? Come in."

Upon entering the room, the three sat cross-legged and placed the dishes on a small table used for playing cards.

"Huh? Why are there only two pairs of chopsticks?" Gu Muxue turned to look at Xue Rui.

Xue Rui chuckled: "Someone's keeping a close eye on us."

The air seemed to freeze for a moment. Gu Muxue and Lin Ruoxi exchanged glances, but perhaps due to a misunderstanding, they both picked up their chopsticks at the same time.

"Should I feed him?"

The two said in unison.

Xue Rui felt a chill run down his spine. Lin Ruoxi had just angered Gu Muxue, and now they were arguing again.

"Then you feed him."

Lin Ruoxi realized she was in the wrong, so she gave the opportunity to Gu Muxue.

But who is Gu Muxue?

Arrogance was ingrained in her bones; she would rather torture herself to the point of being covered in wounds than confide in anyone.

She wasn't about to take advantage of that. Instinctively wanting to refuse, she waved her hand, "Then..."

Gu Muxue paused, and Lin Ruoxi seemed to think she was about to give up, her expression showing a hint of anticipation.

What will I gain by making concessions step by step?

Xue Rui's indifference, Lin Ruoxi's escalating behavior...

Generosity is a good virtue, but not in matters of the heart.

"Let's feed them together then," Gu Muxue said with a smile.

Xue Rui looked to the left and right in surprise.

What do you two take me for?

Are you feeding the dog?
Did you deliberately mess with me?
Xue Rui was unsure, feeling as if the smooth floor beneath him had splinters, making him extremely uncomfortable.

Lin Ruoxi picked up a piece of fish, carefully removed the bones, placed one hand under her chopsticks, and gently brought it to Xue Rui's lips with a tender look in her eyes:

"Eat it, it has no bones."

Gu Muxue seemed unwilling to be outdone, so she picked up a piece of pork rib and said, "Xiao Rui, open your mouth."

Xue Rui turned his head and grabbed the rib. The moment he bit down, Xue Rui's expression froze for a second.

The little girl shaved off the ribs from the steak, so he didn't need to gnaw on them at all.

Although his attitude was condescending and manipulative, he was also incredibly meticulous.

"Hmm, have some shrimp." Lin Ruoxi handed over a piece of shrimp. Xue Rui hadn't finished chewing his food yet, and he mumbled, "Xixi, you eat yours, don't worry about me."

However, Lin Ruoxi ignored her completely, simply holding up the shrimp meat and waiting for Xue Rui to swallow what was in his mouth.

Xue Rui's forehead was covered in cold sweat. Although Lin Ruoxi was gentle, her stubborn personality always put a lot of psychological pressure on him.

This is even more extreme than the men's "If you don't drink, you're disrespecting me" attitude at the dinner table.

Xue Rui sighed inwardly, then reluctantly bit into the shrimp meat. Lin Ruoxi then licked the soup off her fingers with a smile on her face.

"Xiao Rui, try this," Gu Muxue said with a smile.

Xue Rui puffed out his cheeks, about to wave his hand in refusal, but met Gu Muxue's teasing gaze.

Xue Rui's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't just accept Lin Ruoxi's food and not Gu Muxue's.

Yes, we must treat everyone fairly.

A few minutes later, as expected, Xue Rui choked.

In an instant, two cups were brought to his lips.

Xue Rui looked around. Why was it another multiple-choice question?
Which side should we drink?

Drink from both sides?

So whose drink should we drink first?

Xue Rui took a deep breath, clenched his fist and pounded his chest a few times, looking relieved.

He didn't drink any of anyone's; he swallowed it all with sheer willpower.

"Rui, eat slowly." Lin Ruoxi's eyes were full of heartache as she gently patted Xue Rui's back.

"Who told you to eat so fast?" Gu Muxue muttered.

Xue Rui was on the verge of tears. Wasn't it because you two fed him too fast?

Gu Muxue understood Xue Rui's expression, and she muttered weakly, "You eat it as soon as it's offered to you? Don't you even consider whether you can eat it?"

Xue Rui was puzzled. It seemed like the little girl was implying something.
"How could I bear to let you hold it up like that? It's too much work for you. I'd rather die than not swallow it down," Xue Rui said earnestly.

Xue Rui's words also carried a subtext: Since it was my own choice, I will definitely take responsibility for you.

Gu Muxue's eyes widened slightly, and then a satisfied smile appeared on her face.

She was satisfied with Xue Rui's answer.

Greed is a flaw, but at least he's sincere to everyone...

She herself did not want to see Lin Ruoxi abandoned, and the reason she did not have a conflict with Lin Ruoxi was precisely because of this.

However, Lin Ruoxi didn't understand the subtext in their words. She said softly, "Rui, it's the New Year, don't keep saying unlucky things, like dying..."

"Alright, I'm almost full. You guys eat yours," Xue Rui said with a smile.

Of course, Xue Rui did not leave after he finished eating. Instead, he placed a plate of braised prawns in front of him and began peeling prawns for the two of them.

After Xue Rui had gathered two shrimp, he used both hands simultaneously to put one on each of Lin Ruoxi's and Gu Muxue's plates.

"Thank you." Gu Muxue put the shrimp into her mouth and smiled with satisfaction.

This is the life she had always dreamed of. Although there was a small accident along the way, with a girl joining her life, she believes she should still enjoy the present moment.

Lin Ruoxi stared blankly at the shrimp on the plate for a long time; Xue Rui had peeled them for her…

But she didn't want Xue Rui to work so hard for her. If Gu Muxue wasn't here, Xue Rui wouldn't have to do these things.

Ok……

But Xue Rui had already done it.

Not getting any response from Lin Ruoxi, Xue Rui couldn't help but ask, "Why aren't you eating?"

Lin Ruoxi paused for a moment, then placed the shrimp meat that Xue Rui had peeled onto Gu Muxue's plate:

"You...you eat it, Rui peeled it for you."

The atmosphere froze for a moment, and Xue Rui's heart was in his throat.

what happened?

Lin Ruoxi seemed to be saying: "These ready-made shrimp look so good. Why don't you peel them for me on weekdays? I can actually taste these ready-made shrimp. I really am grateful to my sister for this."

I am but a humble plant, unworthy to enjoy this; you should have it, sister.

……

Gu Muxue frowned; she too sensed a faint but palpable sense of hostility.

Gu Muxue felt a nameless anger rising within her. She picked up the plate, intending to return the shrimp meat to Lin Ruoxi.

I've accepted everything, so what's there for you to complain about?
How could you treat Xiao Rui's good intentions like this?

Gu Muxue secretly made up her mind that Lin Ruoxi would have to eat the shrimp today, whether she wanted to or not.

Xue Rui grasped Lin Ruoxi's wrist and shook his head slightly. He was afraid that the two women would fight, and he didn't believe that Lin Ruoxi was that kind of girl.

"What's wrong?" Lin Ruoxi sensed that the atmosphere was strange.

"Why don't you eat shrimp?" Gu Muxue asked coldly.

Lin Ruoxi's eyes blinked, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes were incredibly clear, and she couldn't see a trace of malice in them.

Lin Ruoxi noticed that the two of them were staring at her, as if they wanted her to eat shrimp.

She picked up a shrimp from the plate, skillfully bit off the shrimp meat, and chewed it along with the shell with a crisp, crunching sound.

Lin Ruoxi felt a little embarrassed by the stare. She touched her face and asked, "Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"

Gu Muxue tentatively asked, "Aren't you going to peel it?"

"Well, they were all bought with money, and I don't like to waste them."

As Lin Ruoxi spoke, she picked up another large shrimp.

Xue Rui chuckled awkwardly, pressed down on Gu Muxue's trembling wrist, and whispered, "She's always like this. You'll get used to it."

Gu Muxue reluctantly put down the plate; she had almost misunderstood Lin Ruoxi just now.

Xue Rui looked at Lin Ruoxi with a helpless expression. He still remembered why Lin Ruoxi liked oranges: orange peels could be soaked in water and drunk.

Xue Rui tossed the shrimp shells on the table to Da Huang. Da Huang leaped up and caught the food in mid-air, but soon spat out the shells and tilted its head, staring longingly at the ribs on the table.

Xue Rui shook his head helplessly, tossed a piece of pork rib over, and joked, "Big Yellow, you should thank your master for not being able to chew the bones."

Gu Muxue pinched Xue Rui's leg: "Don't tease him."

Xue Rui didn't take it seriously, thinking to himself, "You don't know, this little girl has a thick skin. Besides, aren't we all family here? What's so funny about it?"

However, following Gu Muxue's gaze, he saw Lin Ruoxi's face flushed red like a ripe tomato, and Lin Ruoxi was indeed biting the cartilage on the ribs.

Lin Ruoxi knew that her behavior would make people laugh, but she just felt bad about wasting food.

"Yes, we shouldn't waste food. I'll eat like this from now on."

Xue Rui felt he should try to salvage the situation, so he picked up a large shrimp, imitated Lin Ruoxi, and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing it with a crunching sound.

Gu Muxue smiled and stared intently at Xue Rui, wanting to witness him "reaping what he sowed."

"Mu Xue, it tastes great when eaten with the shell on, and the flavor is much richer."

Xue Rui looked pleasantly surprised.

“Hmm, shrimp shells contain chitin and can also supplement calcium. Eating some occasionally is good for your health,” Lin Ruoxi agreed.

The two of them sang in harmony, just like a crosstalk performance.

Under Xue Rui's guidance, Lin Ruoxi constantly sought the legitimacy and rationality of their actions.

Both of them were telling the truth, but their flaws were concealed.

Eating shrimp with the shell on can cause the shell to scratch your throat.

"I'll try too."

Gu Muxue picked up a large shrimp with some skepticism, chewed it carefully for a while, and the moment she swallowed it, her face turned ugly, as if she was in some pain.

"Are you playing me?" (End of Chapter)