Rebirth: Start to Save the Treasure Girl

Gu Muxue raised her juice and took a sip. As the drink slowly entered her mouth, her tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed.

"Um, you...you took the wrong one..."

Lin Ruoxi's voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, and Gu Muxue drank her beverage.

She actually cares a lot about her personal belongings, and doesn't want anyone other than Xue Rui to touch them.

But that person is Gu Muxue.

So be it. She's already given her most precious things to Gu Muxue, so a drink won't make a difference...

"Ruoxi, what did you just say?"

Gu Muxue put down her cup and asked, "Just now, Lin Ruoxi clearly wanted to say something, but her voice was too soft, and she couldn't hear her even though there was only a small table between us."

"nothing."

To ease the awkwardness, Lin Ruoxi stuffed another shrimp into her mouth and chewed it heartily.

Xue Rui looked around and gave a helpless smile.

Lin Ruoxi ate the shrimp with a satisfying crunch, as if she were eating some kind of delicacy, which whetted the appetites of everyone watching, and even Gu Muxue was fooled.

Gu Muxue chewed for so long, but still looked uncomfortable when she swallowed, and needed to drink some beverage to help her swallow.

This is due to their different childhood experiences. Before meeting him, Lin Ruoxi lived in poverty for a long time and had never eaten anything good. As a result, she is now very stingy with everything she does. She is reluctant to throw away shrimp shells and even has the habit of collecting cardboard boxes from express delivery...

Well, she doesn't seem like a young girl in her prime; her views are more like those of the old men and women in the village.

Xue Rui peeled a shrimp for Lin Ruoxi and brought it to her mouth, saying in a stern tone, "Don't eat the shrimp shell. If others see this, they'll think I'm abusing you."

Lin Ruoxi looked up at Gu Muxue, her eyes filled with inquiry and a hint of a plea.

When Xue Rui peeled shrimp for Gu Muxue earlier, she was a little unhappy, even though there was some for her.

But now that Xue Rui is peeling the leaves specifically for her, Lin Ruoxi feels that she doesn't deserve Xue Rui doing this for her.

Lin Ruoxi hoped that Gu Muxue could stop Xue Rui's behavior, because Xue Rui's words just now were a bit harsh, and she dared not refute them.

Gu Muxue didn't understand Lin Ruoxi's meaning, but she saw the fear in Lin Ruoxi's eyes.

What is she afraid of?

Are you afraid I won't agree?
Gu Muxue smiled and said, "Eat up, I'm not that stingy."

"I...I don't want to eat shrimp."

Lin Ruoxi took the peeled shrimp meat from Xue Rui and peeled the remaining shrimp as well. She gave Gu Muxue a faint smile:
"Mu Xue, you like to eat shrimp, here you can have some."

Gu Muxue stared down at the shrimp, feeling as if a stone was pressing down on her heart, making her feel heavy-hearted.

Xue Rui was actually just as good to her as he was to Lin Ruoxi, but in her eyes, it was often Xue Rui who was "bullying" Lin Ruoxi.

In reality, there was no such thing as "bullying" at all; it was all Lin Ruoxi's wishful thinking. On the contrary, Xue Rui suffered a lot because of it.

For example, Gu Muxue couldn't eat this plate of peeled shrimp at all; she felt a strong psychological burden about it.

She could tell that Lin Ruoxi wanted to eat it, but Lin Ruoxi always gave in without any limits.

"Xiao Rui, you eat, I'm full." Gu Muxue really didn't have much of an appetite.

"Okay." Xue Rui nodded.

It's the Lunar New Year, and it's rare for the three of them to get together for a meal. What's going on here?

Xue Rui was speechless. The little girl had ruined the atmosphere, but he couldn't bear to scold her.

Gu Muxue thought that Xue Rui serving her and Lin Ruoxi a meal was a rare opportunity for the two of them to be on the same side, which should have been a happy thing. She could also take the opportunity to tease Xue Rui. But how did it turn out like this?
Gu Muxue was completely baffled. She took out her phone and contacted her psychologist, describing what had just happened. She began by saying, "Dr. He, I have a friend."

Xue Rui turned sideways to peek at who Gu Muxue was chatting with, and Gu Muxue didn't hide it at all, openly pulling Xue Rui to watch with her.

The two huddled together and whispered, "Xiao Rui, do you understand what's going on?"

“Hmm…” Xue Rui was not a professional psychologist, but he was the person who knew Lin Ruoxi best. He subconsciously judged that it was related to Lin Ruoxi’s childhood.

So he took the phone and added a few key pieces of information.

"It's the Lunar New Year, Dr. He shouldn't be at work, right?" Gu Muxue whispered.

"It's easy."

Xue Rui sent the other party several WeChat red envelopes in a row.

Of course, each red envelope contains very little money, only a few dozen yuan.

Xue Rui chose the simplest method: "red envelope bombardment".

Gu Muxue's eyes widened in disbelief; she had never seen anything like it before.

If it's a long list of questions, the other person might be too lazy to open it.

However, if there are red envelopes, the nature of the situation changes. It's like finding RMB on the ground, which will always attract people's attention.

Shortly after, Dr. He's chat window displayed "The other party is typing."

"Xiao Rui, you're so clever," Gu Muxue praised softly.

"So-so," Xue Rui said with a smile.

Dr. He: [This patient has classic childhood trauma; long-term emotional neglect or constant rejection can affect brain development in early childhood.]

Gu Muxue: [Doctor, she's incredibly intelligent, the most intelligent person I've ever met.]

Xue Rui couldn't help but gasp. So the little girl was actually smarter?

Dr. He: [It affects emotional nerves, not intelligence. These people tend to be more sensitive and prone to anxiety. They like to numb themselves by doing work, or they treat themselves poorly in terms of food, clothing, and daily necessities, always feeling that they don't deserve good things...]

Xue Rui looked up and saw Lin Ruoxi wiping the oil stains on the floor with a tissue.

He carefully recalled his daily life with Lin Ruoxi, and almost everything matched up.

Professionals are indeed professionals; they were able to identify Lin Ruoxi based solely on written descriptions.

Gu Muxue: [Can I be nicer to her?]

Xue Rui didn't have much hope for this, because he had tried more than once, and Lin Ruoxi still did things her own way.

Dr. He: [It's no use. She's never received unconditional love. Being kind to her will only create a psychological burden for her. The root cause is that your friend hasn't learned to 'love herself,' and it's difficult for outsiders to intervene.]

Xue Rui nodded in murmur. Lin Ruoxi had poured all her emotions into him and regarded him as her pillar of support.

Are childhood traumas really that hard to heal?

Xue Rui looked miserable.

Xue Rui took the phone: "Doctor, what do you suggest we do?"

Dr. He: "I don't have much of a solution either. The most I can offer is psychological counseling, but the effect is minimal."

Xue Rui sent a WeChat red envelope: 【Doctor, could you reconsider?】

Dr. He: [?]

Xue Rui: [Wishing you prosperity!]

Gu Muxue lightly covered her mouth, her expression one of astonishment.

"Are you prepared to use money to get the answer?"

Xue Rui nodded emphatically: "Yes, I want to use money to unleash her potential."

"Then you can ask slowly. I'll go help Ruoxi tidy up the table," Gu Muxue said helplessly.

Xue Rui stared intently at the screen. A short while later, Dr. He sent another message:
She has a second chance in life. When she has children, she will give them unconditional love, relive a loving childhood, and use her children as a mirror to slowly heal herself.

Xue Rui covered the screen guiltily and nervously looked around.

How did this turn into talking about children?

Fortunately, only he saw it. Both Lin Ruoxi and Gu Muxue were now very sensitive to the word "child." After much hesitation, Xue Rui decided it was better to delete the message to avoid causing Gu Muxue anxiety as well.

However, after the message was deleted, the conversation became somewhat unnatural.

Xue Rui: [If I do this, she'll get better?]

Dr. He: [That's right.]

Xue Rui: [Will it get better gradually?]

Dr. He: [Yes.]

Xue Rui: [Will it really get better gradually?]

……

Dr. He: [Don't worry too much, you'll get better gradually.]

After getting the answer he wanted, Xue Rui selectively deleted some messages, putting Gu Muxue's mind at ease.

Xue Rui looked at Lin Ruoxi with gentle eyes, thinking to himself, isn't this just unconditional love?
I'll give it to you, what's so difficult about that?
As for having a child, Xue Rui has no plans for the time being; his social status and physical age are still too young.

Anyway, the little girl is quite happy, it's just that he suffers a bit.

"Mu Xue, you...you promised to see me off, didn't you? It's getting dark soon if we don't leave now," Lin Ruoxi said softly.

“This…you should ask Xiao Rui.” Gu Muxue chose to pass the buck.

She then realized that Lin Ruoxi had such a large "empty space" in her heart, and felt a sense of "guilt" for doing something wrong after seeing Lin Ruoxi off.

"Wait, I'll go out and talk to Yao Yao, and ask her to help cover for me."

Xue Rui did want the three of them to share a blanket, but there would be plenty of opportunities in the future, so there was no need to make it so tense and exciting, especially under the noses of the whole family...

And the little girl can't stay idle any longer.

After Xue Rui left, Gu Muxue sat on the bay window, staring blankly at the changing sky, while Lin Ruoxi buried her head in the cabinet and started packing her things.

A moment later, a black backpack appeared on the bed, the kind that only a science and engineering guy would carry.

Gu Muxue stared at her schoolbag for a long time, then looked at her small leather round bag that she had left on the bed, and couldn't help but compare herself to Lin Ruoxi.

Some time ago, she envied Lin Ruoxi for being able to lower her pride and act coquettishly towards Xue Rui, thus gaining more favor.

But now she feels no envy at all, and a little heartache in her heart.

Her bag was purely decorative, while Lin Ruoxi's bag contained everything Xue Rui might need...

Xue Rui wasn't being biased; he was just too kind.

Yes, isn't it because Xue Rui is kind-hearted that I like him?

Despite grumbling and cursing, he still shielded the child from the scalding hot water.

Xiao Rui, you're the one who's all talk and no action.

Gu Muxue couldn't help but think to herself.

She basked in the sun with her eyes closed for a while, occasionally squinting to glance at Lin Ruoxi.

Lin Ruoxi sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at her phone, seemingly doing nothing.

"Ruoxi, you once told me to get more sunshine." Gu Muxue patted the spot next to her, gesturing for Lin Ruoxi to sit down.

Lin Ruoxi smiled politely at Gu Muxue. She had secretly hidden in Xue Rui's room; she couldn't be seen in the light, and it wouldn't be good if the neighbors saw her.

"Come here, nobody's looking upstairs."

Gu Muxue firmly grasped Lin Ruoxi's wrist and pulled the curtains open completely.

The setting sun reflected in their eyes, and sunlight shone on their soft hair. Gu Muxu's cheeks were flushed from being in the sun for so long, while Lin Ruoxi kept her head down nervously, afraid that someone would see her face.

"Huh? That's..."

Gu Muxue muttered to herself as she saw a familiar figure that looked very familiar at first glance.

"Xue..."

Qiu Mengze held his breath, intending to call Xue Rui out, but what did he see?
Is Gu Muxue in Xue Rui's room?

Who is that long-haired woman next to her?

Even though I can't see her face clearly, I can't help but guess that it's Lin Ruoxi, right?
"Qiu Mengze?" Gu Muxue muttered to herself.

Upon hearing this, Lin Ruoxi darted behind the curtains, covering her face with them to make her feel safer.

Qiu Mengze rubbed his eyes; he was certain there were two people standing by the window.

Gu Muxue quickly composed herself, opened the window, and waved to Qiu Mengze with a smile: "Qiu Mengze, long time no see. Are you looking for Xiao Rui?"

"Um... Mu Xue, who's the person next to you?"

Qiu Mengze wanted to confirm with Gu Muxue.

"Is anyone next to me?" Gu Muxue asked in surprise. She spun around in place and shrugged at Qiu Mengze.
"You must be mistaken. You're mistaking the curtains for people."

Gu Muxue lifted the curtain and said.

Lin Ruoxi stared blankly at Gu Muxue, utterly shocked.

Gu Muxue is amazing! She lies so naturally and politely...

If I were standing downstairs, I'd probably doubt my eyes...

……

In fact, that's exactly what Qiu Mengze thought.

Qiu Mengze scratched the back of his head, puzzled. He had indeed seen a long-haired woman just now, like Sadako.

Qiu Mengze's image of "Sadako" is only Lin Ruoxi, who often startled him at the entrance of the men's restroom during high school.

But Lin Ruoxi went home yesterday...

A cold wind blew by, and the dry fallen leaves swirled on the ground. The alley was quiet. Qiu Mengze looked at Gu Muxue's polite but fake smile again and couldn't help but shiver.

Is it haunted in broad daylight?
Are there any women in Xue Rui's family with long, straight black hair?
Just as Qiu Mengze was racking his brains, a furtive head peeked out from Xue Rui's front door, looking around at both ends of the alley.

Qiu Mengze recognized Xue Rui at a glance.

"What are they doing, sneaking around like that?" The fear that had just risen in Qiu Mengze's heart instantly dissipated.

"It's nothing, I'm just going for a walk around the village with my sister."

Xue Rui chuckled casually.

"I think I saw Lin Ruoxi in your room just now."

Qiu Mengze wanted to confirm again, so he quickly glanced at Xue Rui's sister.

Xue Yao was dressed in a black tracksuit, and her height seemed to be about the same as the woman from before...

But it wasn't long, straight black hair. Xue Yao had her hair tied up in a bun, and judging from the amount of hair, it didn't match the "Sadako" character at all.

"You're mistaken, Lin Ruoxi left yesterday."

Xue Rui denied it outright, saying it's best not to brag about such things, lest single people get so angry they can't sleep.

"Brother, I'm going back to get a backpack and I'll stop by the convenience store to buy something on the way."

Xue Yao pulled up the hoodie and pulled the brim down further; she had already made a meticulous plan.

Wearing a black tracksuit in the living room makes a statement and leaves an impression on the family.

Then he changed clothes with Lin Ruoxi, using the inertia of his thinking to deceive everyone.

A clever deception, a substitution of the prince for a cat. (End of Chapter)