Rebirth: Start to Save the Treasure Girl

Lin Ruoxi bound Gu Muxue's hands and feet with tape, and carefully observed Gu Muxue's reaction. She couldn't be too rough, otherwise Xue Rui would feel sorry for her.

"Mu Xue, I... I'm doing this all for your own good. You're usually too assertive, and suddenly showing weakness will scare him away," Lin Ruoxi explained.

"Hmph!" Gu Muxue snorted coldly, her eyes fixed on the pink tape in Lin Ruoxi's hand.

It's often said that one becomes like the company one keeps, and that one becomes like the company one keeps—and now it seems that's absolutely true...

They even prepared the tools for the crime in advance, and then they had the audacity to say it was for her own good.

However, Gu Muxue had to admit that Lin Ruoxi had a point. If she suddenly became gentle and tried to please Xue Rui in every way, would Xue Rui really be happy?

The answer is absolutely not; Xue Rui would even be so scared that he couldn't sleep.

"Mu Xue, put your feet together." Lin Ruoxi raised the tape, intending to tie Gu Mu Xue's calves as well.

Gu Muxue also has a temper. She didn't resist before because she didn't want to argue, but Lin Ruoxi is becoming more and more demanding. She wants to express her attitude by resisting: I'm not so easy to manipulate.

With her arms bound, Gu Muxue propped herself up on her shoulders, arched her body like a caterpillar, and turned over. After hesitating for a moment, she raised her foot to kick Lin Ruoxi away.

"Stop fooling around."

Lin Ruoxi pressed down on Gu Muxue's leg, bound Gu Muxue's ankle with tape, then showed her sharp teeth and bit the tape off with a "snap".

Gu Muxue looked dejected. She really had no way to deal with Lin Ruoxi. She couldn't very well kick Lin Ruoxi with all her might.

"Hmm...it seems like it's still a little short."

Lin Ruoxi squatted down and observed for a while, then reached out and unbuttoned the first button of Gu Muxue's shirt, revealing her fair collarbone, and ruffled Gu Muxue's freshly dried hair.

The sense of disarray would trigger Xue Rui's protective instincts, thus fulfilling his promise to Gu Muxue to be "gentle."

Gu Muxue looked down at her chest, coldly turned her head away, and loudly accused Lin Ruoxi of "abuse".

Lin Ruoxi, you're bullying me too much!
You only have Xue Rui on your mind; you don't treat me like a human being at all.

You wash me whenever you want, tie me up whenever you want? What do you take me for?

Are they Xue Rui's toys?

However, because her mouth was taped shut, Gu Muxue could only utter a series of indistinct sounds: "Ugh! @#￥#@..."

Lin Ruoxi noticed that Gu Muxue was very agitated and probably had something to say to her. She hesitated for a moment, then tore off the tape from Gu Muxue's mouth.

The moment she tore off the tape, Gu Muxue fell silent again, and the atmosphere became extremely quiet.

"Mu Xue, what were you trying to say?" Lin Ruoxi asked gently.

Gu Muxue turned her head away and fell silent again.

"If you don't tell me, then I'll put the tape back on." Lin Ruoxi gave a heads-up beforehand, and then firmly stuck the tape back on, even tighter than before.

"Humph!"

Gu Muxue was so angry that her face turned red, and she turned her head away, ignoring Lin Ruoxi.

She secretly resolved to keep Xue Rui with her for at least a week, until Lin Ruoxi apologized to her in person.

"Shh~"

Lin Ruoxi lowered her voice. She heard the sound of running water outside stop, so Xue Rui must have eaten and taken a shower.

Lin Ruoxi hurriedly searched around the room. She wanted to give Xue Rui a gift, and of course, she needed to unwrap it.

She picked up the large cardboard box and noticed a round vent on the side, which was perfect for giving Gu Muxue fresh air. Without saying a word, she put the box over Gu Muxue's head, turned off the light, and went outside.

Gu Muxue was curled up inside the cardboard box, unable to move. She could only take a small breath each time. As the air inside the box became increasingly stuffy and viscous, Gu Muxue's breathing became rapid.

The darkness inside the cardboard box seemed to be swallowing her whole. She tried to stand up and escape, but with her limbs bound, she couldn't muster any strength.

Gu Muxue tried to breathe deeply, but the tape over her mouth was stuck on very firmly...

She could clearly hear her own heartbeat. She wanted to call for someone to come in, but she couldn't muster any strength.

"Xiao Rui... come quickly, I feel so bad," Gu Muxue called out in her heart.

Her eyes were fixed on the cracks in the cardboard box, hoping the light would come back on, her gaze gradually dimming.

……

After waiting for an unknown amount of time, faint sounds of conversation came from outside the door.

Where is Mu Xue?

"Hmm, let's open the presents first."

"Good good."

With the click of the door opening, the first ray of light finally appeared in the long night.

Xue Rui looked at the cardboard box in the middle, then walked around the room.

Where is Gu Muxue?
Xue Rui turned his attention to the express delivery slip, where the category was clearly listed as "daily necessities," and he made a rough guess.

This box is clearly a discreet shipment, and it must contain something that shouldn't be seen by others.

It's unrealistic for someone as grown up as Gu Muxue to suddenly disappear into thin air.

Xue Rui took a step back and saw a glimpse of pinkish-white through the holes in the cardboard box.

"What's inside? It's really hard to guess," Xue Rui said slowly.

After a flurry of flies rubbing their hands together, Xue Rui suddenly opened the cardboard box.

Gu Muxue's hands and feet were bound, and she curled up in a small ball on the ground. Her hair was messy and stuck to her face, and her clothes were also in a mess. The cold white between her pleated skirt and white stockings was particularly eye-catching.

Xue Rui swallowed hard, his breathing becoming heavy.

Did Lin Ruoxi kidnap Gu Muxue?
No, no, no...

Did Gu Muxue cooperate on her own initiative?

In short, regardless of how Lin Ruoxi did it, it was indeed a huge surprise for Xue Rui.

If Xue Rui himself had made such a request to Gu Muxue, Gu Muxue would definitely have kicked Xue Rui a couple of times and asked him why he wouldn't wear it.

Xue Rui gave Lin Ruoxi a thumbs up, but saw that Lin Ruoxi was stunned in place, her face pale.

Xue Rui squatted down and gently tucked a strand of hair behind Gu Muxue's ear, only then noticing Gu Muxue's expression.

Gu Muxue stared blankly at the ground, her face streaked with tears, her bright eyes dulled, and she looked completely uninterested in everything.

"Mu Xue, what's wrong? Did Xi Xi bully you?"

Xue Rui tore off the tape from Gu Muxue's mouth and found that the person in his arms was limp and unresponsive.

Gu Muxue's eyes gradually regained focus. Looking at Xue Rui's worried expression, tears instantly welled up in her eyes.

"Do you...do you know how long I've waited?" Gu Muxue choked back tears, leaning on Xue Rui's shoulder and biting him hard.

Xue Rui was prepared to endure the pain, but what he felt was a weak, grating groan on his shoulder.

Xue Rui didn't know what grievances Gu Muxue had suffered, but he was very clear that the problem lay with Lin Ruoxi. After all, Gu Muxue alone couldn't possibly tie herself up.

"Lie down on the bed first." Xue Rui quickly untied the tape off Gu Muxue's hands and then picked her up.

"It's so dark and stuffy inside," Gu Muxue gasped for breath.

Lin Ruoxi lowered her head guiltily, trying to untie the tape on Gu Muxue's ankles. Suddenly, two black patent leather shoes flew into her arms, and she hurriedly put the shoes back in place.

"Xixi, get out!" Xue Rui said sternly.

Lin Ruoxi's eyes instantly reddened; Xue Rui wasn't giving her a chance to apologize at all.

"I...I'm sorry." Lin Ruoxi left the room silently after offering her apology.

After Lin Ruoxi left, Xue Rui asked softly, "What... happened between you two?"

Gu Muxue pouted. She knew Lin Ruoxi didn't mean it, but she was just very angry.

Her behavior just now was tantamount to smearing Lin Ruoxi.

Lin Ruoxi is so bad with words, if she wanted to use this as an excuse...

No, no, no, Lin Ruoxi is stubborn; that silly girl can't stand her.

"It's nothing, it's just a misunderstanding," Gu Muxue explained.

Xue Rui breathed a sigh of relief. He was really afraid that the two girls would have a conflict and force him to choose between them.

Since Gu Muxue is now saying it's a "misunderstanding," that's good.

But Gu Muxue was wronged by Lin Ruoxi today. Gu Muxue can say it's a "misunderstanding," but he absolutely cannot. He must unconditionally stand on Gu Muxue's side and properly "denounce" Lin Ruoxi.

"You think you can tie her up just because you misunderstood her? If you ask me, Mu Xue, you're too soft-hearted."

Xue Rui said with a stern face.

Gu Muxue pursed her lips, feeling a little happy inside. Xue Rui had been unconditionally on her side, both before and now.

Suddenly, Gu Muxue noticed a shadow under the door crack out of the corner of her eye, which looked like someone was eavesdropping outside the door.

"Xiao Rui, do you think this outfit looks good on me?" Gu Muxue asked slowly.

"Beautiful, very beautiful, wear this from now on," Xue Rui said cheerfully, then added, "Only at home."

"How does it compare to Ruoxi?" Gu Muxue asked.

Almost instinctively, Xue Rui blurted out, "Of course you're prettier." "Who are you?" Gu Muxue persisted.

"Mu Xue is the most beautiful."

Who is Mu Xue?

"The most beautiful girl," Xue Rui said patiently.

"That's pretty much it."

When Gu Muxue looked through the crack in the door again, the shadow had already disappeared.

"Hmph!" Gu Muxue put her hands on her hips and retaliated slightly. Then she pinched Xue Rui's nose and said, "You must have said that to other girls too."

She firmly believed that Xue Rui had said the same thing to Lin Ruoxi, and that it was no big deal.

"No." Xue Rui shook his head. Although he had a bad memory, he still remembered the tricky question clearly.

"I don't believe it," Gu Muxue pouted.

Xue Rui said seriously, "I swear, I really didn't. Are you happy now?"

Gu Muxue knows Xue Rui well enough, but she doesn't know Lin Ruoxi well enough.

Xue Rui is indeed a scoundrel who speaks one way to one person and another way to another.

If Lin Ruoxi asked Xue Rui this question in private, Xue Rui would of course answer that Lin Ruoxi is beautiful.

The problem is, Lin Ruoxi would never put Xue Rui in a difficult position, so she never asked this question.

"what?"

Gu Muxue covered her mouth in shock, wondering if she had just bullied Lin Ruoxi.

Suddenly, a sense of guilt rose in her heart.

"You bastard, I'm the prettiest, why would you look for someone else?" Gu Muxue said angrily.

"Sigh~"

Xue Rui felt a sudden toothache; the questions were getting increasingly difficult.

"Beauty is relative, just as an unknown wildflower can make a peony appear even more noble."

When Xue Rui mentioned peonies, he held his hands on either side of Gu Muxue, believing that he had made his meaning very clear: Gu Muxue was a peony, while Lin Ruoxi was an unknown little flower.

"Oh? You mean I should thank you for going out and flirting with other women in the future?" Gu Muxue's tone was icy.

Xue Rui: "..."

This question is too difficult!

……

Outside the door, Lin Ruoxi walked back to the room with heavy steps, looking lost and dejected.

Lin Ruoxi takes every word Xue Rui says seriously; his words are constantly echoing in her mind.

"Mu Xue is the most beautiful..."

Lin Ruoxi clutched her chest, feeling as if a thorn had been pierced in her heart; with each heartbeat, a piercing pain shot through her chest.

"Lin Ruoxi, you can't do this."

Lin Ruoxi muttered to herself, slapping her head with her elbow, trying to get the words out of her head.

"Think of something else." Lin Ruoxi forced herself to recall what Xue Rui had said to her.

But the more she cared, the less she could concentrate.

"Mu Xue is already very beautiful, you can't be so stingy." Lin Ruoxi bit her lip and slowly sat down on the ground with her back against the wall.

Hearing the laughter coming from next door, Lin Ruoxi's eyes grew even darker.

Lin Ruoxi glanced at her watch every now and then, watching the time slip away from her wrist.

Once the sounds from next door ceased, Lin Ruoxi's thoughts, freed from their shackles, began to turn again.

"Hmm, Rui said I'm the cutest." Lin Ruoxi chuckled sheepishly.

She found a way to comfort herself.

Starting tomorrow, she can give Xue Rui a happy Lin Ruoxi again.

After resolving her worries, Lin Ruoxi wanted to lie down and sleep, but one thing kept nagging at her mind.

Xue Rui wanted to sleep with them, but Gu Muxue refused, and she was unwilling as well.

But if it's just sleeping with a vegetarian, she can still accept it.

It was mainly Xue Rui's birthday... It was a rare opportunity to spend the night together.

Moreover, the birthday gift she prepared for Xue Rui this year fell through.

Lin Ruoxi tiptoed out of the room, thinking that Gu Muxue should already be asleep. Once she went in and woke Xue Rui up, Xue Rui could openly hold her while sleeping, and then secretly sleep with Gu Muxue.

Consider it her way of making up for Xue Rui's birthday...

Opening the door, Gu Muxue could barely make out the positions of the two people on the bed by the dim light from the window.

Gu Muxue placed one hand on Xue Rui's chest. Xue Rui was lying sprawled out in the middle, with one leg sticking out from under the covers.

Lin Ruoxi sighed silently and tugged at the blanket on Gu Muxue's side.

In the darkness, Gu Muxue gritted her teeth. She was still worried about how to mend her relationship with Lin Ruoxi, so much so that she couldn't sleep. Then, Lin Ruoxi sneaked in in the middle of the night and stole her blanket...

Now that's a problem, how is she going to smooth things over?

Just as Gu Muxue was thinking this, she felt a soft touch behind her. Lin Ruoxi tucked the corner of the blanket under her.

Gu Muxue frowned deeply. Every time she wanted to do something, she would feel Lin Ruoxi's kindness.

She simply couldn't bear to see a girl like that.

Gu Muxue thought to herself that even if Lin Ruoxi suffered grievances every day in the future, she would still secretly check on her in the middle of the night to see if she was sleeping well.

Suddenly, Gu Muxue heard Xue Rui's breathing stop.

She suddenly opened her eyes and was shocked to see Lin Ruoxi pinching Xue Rui's nose.

Gu Muxue did not stop her; she wanted to see what Lin Ruoxi was planning to do.

Lin Ruoxi rhythmically interrupted Xue Rui's breathing, waking him from his sleep.

"Mu Xue, stop fooling around," Xue Rui murmured.

The moment Xue Rui spoke, Lin Ruoxi quickly ducked her head under the bed.

Gu Muxue suppressed a laugh, thinking that Lin Ruoxi was probably here to tease Xue Rui and get revenge for praising her as the prettiest girl that night.

This method of revenge is so cute, like a little kid hiding under the bed and pinching Xue Rui's nose, leaving Xue Rui completely confused.

After a while, Xue Rui suddenly sat up straight, craning his neck to look around until he saw the disheveled woman by the bedside.

"Fuck!"

Upon recognizing the person, Xue Rui quickly swallowed the other word.

He's not sleepy at all now...

"Xixi, what are you doing?" Xue Rui asked in a low voice.

"I'll come and sleep with you."

……

Little did they know, Gu Muxue had heard everything clearly.

"Xixi, you're too bold! What if Mu Xue finds out? She's a very light sleeper." Xue Rui's heart was pounding. He thought to himself, "How the hell am I supposed to sleep now?"
Too dangerous……

"It's okay, you can just pretend you don't know anything then."

Lin Ruoxi snuggled into Xue Rui's arms, gently patting his chest with her hand.

Suddenly, another hand covered the back of her hand.

Lin Ruoxi felt a chill run down her spine, and a sharp pain shot through the back of her hand as Gu Muxue pinched her.

Lin Ruoxi instinctively tried to pull away, but Gu Muxue grabbed her hand.

"Xixi, why is your heart beating so fast? If you're scared, go outside," Xue Rui advised.

Lin Ruoxi was stunned for a moment. She felt Gu Muxue gently stroking the back of her hand, as if to comfort her.

Gu Muxue seemed to have tacitly agreed...

"Rui, I'm not afraid." Lin Ruoxi's voice rose a notch.

"Grandma, keep your voice down! You're not afraid, but I am!" Xue Rui said anxiously.

"because……"

Just as Lin Ruoxi was about to explain, her finger was suddenly pinched. Lin Ruoxi chuckled and said:

"Because...because I can take a beating, I'll take the hits and scolding for you." (End of Chapter)