Rebirth: Start to Save the Treasure Girl

Xue Rui rambled on for a while, talking about things like "attack speed runes" and "signature skins"...

"Stop, stop, stop! I'm not in the mood to talk about games with you." Qiu Mengze quickly interrupted.

"I didn't talk to you about games either," Xue Rui said, shrugging.

Qiu Mengze was taken aback at first, then slowly pondered Xue Rui's words. His expression instantly became unnatural, and his dark red cheeks looked like burnt sweet potato skin.

Qiu Mengze came to Xue Rui for help, thinking that even if he couldn't help, he could at least cheer himself up. But he didn't expect that Xue Rui, that bastard, seemed not to care at all and even made fun of him.

"Xue Rui, be serious." Qiu Mengze frowned.

"Then you should get a male butterfly tattooed on your arm, so you two can be a perfect couple," Xue Rui said, raising an eyebrow.

"Hiss~" Qiu Mengze gasped. He had only thought about it for a moment when he suddenly felt a faint, phantom pain in his arm. He shook his head repeatedly: "No way, my dad will break my arm."

"Don't worry, I won't hit you," Xue Rui said with a grin.

"You bastard! You're taking advantage of me again!" Qiu Mengze picked up the bag as if to hit him.

Xue Rui stepped aside, as if he had returned to the time when he was chasing and playing around in high school.

Actually, he wasn't just teasing Qiu Mengze; he meant to get Qiu Mengze to pay more attention to him and to have different ways of getting along with different girls.

Although Xue Rui had only met Qin Tong a few times, he had seen far too many girls like her.

Qin Tong's attitude towards him and Qiu Mengze was not entirely due to double standards, but more so due to his inferiority complex.

This girl comes from a lower-middle-class family and is quite sensitive during her adolescence. She is overly concerned about how others perceive her, so she focuses all her energy on dressing herself up.

In front of rich second-generation heirs like him and Gu Muxue, he would always subconsciously show an expression of envy and flattery, and when he looked at them, he always looked through some kind of filter.

When looking at Qiu Mengze, one can't help but feel a sense of physiological avoidance and disgust.

The reason is simple: Qin Tong felt as if she were looking in a mirror, seeing her former "unbearable" self.

This type of student is actually quite common. They pursue all sorts of trendy items while in school, such as iPhones, trendy shoes, and cosmetics...

They always save money to buy things that are beyond their means.

For a true heiress like Gu Muxue, these are just brands she comes into contact with casually; she simply picks out styles from them.

However, the behavior of these young ladies would inspire the maids to follow them.

It's as if having the same things as the young lady means you're no longer a little maid.

"Let me see what you bought."

Xue Rui used one finger to nudge the pile of paper bags in Qiu Mengze's hand. Besides women's clothing, there were also some cosmetics that he could name.

Yes, he was right.

Actually, Xue Rui had a vague feeling about it from the first time they met.

Dyeing her hair blonde in high school and being an art student—she's got all the advantages.

It's not that he has any prejudice against art students, but stereotypes always seem to apply, so he can't blame anyone else.

Few can truly be nurtured by art; most simply take shortcuts by neglecting academic subjects, their motivations being purely utilitarian.

In addition, most families that can afford to study art are well-off. Many families, like Lao Xue's, have money but not cultural refinement, making them nouveau riche.

Although it's called studying art, in reality, the most discussed topics in art classes are not artistic techniques, but creative tools.

Instrumental music students compare their instruments, art students compare their paintbrushes...

After going through the college entrance examination screening process, the group of people who love to compare themselves the most are concentrated in the same major.

In a melting pot of influences, no one can remain as pure as a blank sheet of paper.

"Hehe, you wouldn't believe how gentle she was to me today," Qiu Mengze chuckled sheepishly.

"Mengze, you're spending all your money on her. When her makeup skills become more and more proficient, and her fashion sense and temperament improve, will you still be good enough for her?"

Xue Rui poured cold water on it.

Since Qiu Mengze couldn't understand, he might as well put it more bluntly.

The reason why honest people become ATMs is more due to their own problems.

What do you mean there are too many gold diggers? Gold diggers are created by these honest men.

Self-indulgent, unrequited love, where one expects nothing in return, fantasizing that the other person will see their efforts and that this will lead to a beautiful love story.

This is the dating experience from the previous version.

In the past, due to the closed nature of rural society, a woman accepting a gift was equivalent to confirming the relationship. If a woman broke up with a man, the gift had to be returned. This was an unwritten rule among working people.

If they don't follow the rules, the whole neighborhood will hurl insults at the girl's parents for the rest of their lives.

Therefore, boys can boldly give gifts and pursue their crushes.

Because public opinion is backing the boy up.

However, Qiu Mengze applied the experience from the previous version to the new version...

Qin Tong may not have initially intended to accept it, but she couldn't resist Qiu Mengze's persistent offer.

Without the "punishment mechanism," if Qin Tong were to break up with Qiu Mengze one day, then the money Qiu Mengze spent would be wasted.

If a girl gets a taste of success without any punishment, she can boldly make the same demands of the next man, gradually turning into a gold digger.

This is tantamount to testing human nature, but human nature is the most vulnerable to testing.

The gold diggers created by honest men will then continue to ruin the lives of the next honest man, creating a vicious cycle...

Therefore, when Xue Rui said to "tattoo his name," he was actually implying that Qiu Mengze should make demands, that he shouldn't just give without expecting anything in return.

"Didn't you do the same thing back then? If you succeeded, why can't I?" Qiu Mengze shouted indignantly.

Qiu Mengze was referring to Xue Rui and Lin Ruoxi.

In fact, Xue Rui did the same thing as Qiu Mengze in the beginning, giving without expecting anything in return.

However, Xue Rui and Qiu Mengze had different motives; Xue Rui was just casually trying to resolve a nightmare from his past life.

If Lin Ruoxi were to only accept without giving back like Qin Tong, she would definitely be kicked to the curb by Xue Rui afterward.

But in reality, Lin Ruoxi always felt she owed Xue Rui too much and tried to make up for it in various ways.

During her high school years, Lin Ruoxi was always ready to "sacrifice herself".

In the end, it even turned into a situation where Lin Ruoxi took the initiative and Xue Rui was on the defensive.

In that naive little girl's eyes, anyone who ate or took anything from Xue Rui was Xue Rui's person.

Xue Rui sneered: "Has she ever knitted you a sweater?"

Has she ever cooked for you?

"She gave it to you..."

Each hurtful word made Qiu Mengze's face grow increasingly grim.

“Never mind that, it’s just that the time hasn’t come yet. Everyone has a different personality, some people are just slow to warm up,” Qiu Mengze stammered.

"So I just found an electric kettle?" Xue Rui said with a grin.

It's impossible to reason with a damned devil; Qiu Mengze was destined to suffer this calamity.

After chatting for a while, Qiu Mengze suddenly slapped his forehead: "Damn it, didn't we say we were going to buy milk tea? Qin Tong has been waiting for ages. Is there a milk tea shop around here?"

Xue Rui grinned and pointed to the vending machine in the convenience store next door: "Isn't there one right here?"

Xue Rui opened the glass door, glanced up and down, took out a bottle of Assam milk tea and tossed it to Qiu Mengze: "Milk tea." Qiu Mengze's lips twitched, thinking that Xue Rui really didn't understand girls at all, because even he wouldn't be interested in this kind of thing.

Just as he was about to offer a word of advice, he noticed that Xue Rui had taken another bottle of mineral water, opened it, splashed water on his hands, patted it on his forehead, and then splashed it on his face.

Qiu Mengze instinctively dodged away, his face full of disgust.

"The water is quite clean, why are you hiding?" Xue Rui grabbed Qiu Mengze.

Qiu Mengze was stunned for a moment. Usually, when he and Xue Rui were sprayed with water like this, it was after they came out of the toilet to urinate and wash their hands...

Yes, it's a conditioned reflex.

"Why are you watering it?" Qiu Mengze asked.

"We didn't buy any milk tea, so we have to give an explanation, right? Just say you searched all over the place and were sweating from looking for a milk tea shop but couldn't find one," Xue Rui said shamelessly.

Qiu Mengze nodded and gave Xue Rui a thumbs up, indicating that he had learned something. However, he still stuffed the drink and milk tea that Xue Rui had taken back, because he didn't want Xue Rui to be talked about behind his back by his girlfriend.

Xue Rui noticed Qiu Mengze's little trick and took out the milk tea again: "If you won't give it to me, I will."

Qiu Mengze was speechless, inwardly cursing the injustice of fate.

How can Xue Rui, with his character, have two beautiful girlfriends?

After paying the bill, Qiu Mengze kindly reminded Xue Rui, "You'll definitely be looked down upon for this. Don't give girls this as a gift in the future."

"I don't think so, let's go." Xue Rui waved his hand and returned the way he came.

The two of them walked and talked.

"I'll treat you to dinner later," Qiu Mengze said.

"No need, you guys can have fun. What are you planning to do with her?" Xue Rui raised an eyebrow, thinking that Qiu Mengze had spent so much money, he should at least do something with her.

"I plan to have dinner and watch a movie with her," Qiu Mengze said with a simple, honest smile.

"And then?" Xue Rui pressed.

"Oh, going back to school?" Qiu Mengze said with a strange look.

Xue Rui's smile gradually faded, and he looked at Qiu Mengze as if he were a fool: "No, you spent so much money, and you're telling me you're going back to school?"

"Then... shall I give it a try today?" Qiu Mengze asked excitedly.

He thought Xue Rui was right; after so much time, their relationship should take another step forward.

Xue Rui didn't reply. The two retraced their steps. The moment they saw Qin Tong, Xue Rui started jogging, then gradually slowed down, panting heavily. He walked up to Qin Tong, offered her a drink, and pretended to wipe the "sweat" from his forehead, saying breathlessly:
"We searched all over the place but couldn't find a bubble tea shop, so please make do with this."

"It's okay, I'm not picky." Qin Tong handed over a pack of tissues.

Qiu Mengze thought to himself that Xue Rui was really too cunning. He clearly hadn't looked for anyone, but he made it sound so real. He was a born actor.

"By the way, how did you two get here? Do you want me to give you a ride back to school later?" Xue Rui said, taking out his car keys and waving them.

"Thank you, let's go now," Qin Tong said with a smile.

Qiu Mengze was a little confused, thinking that he had spent the whole afternoon making arrangements, so why did Qin Tong change his mind at the last minute?

He glared at Xue Rui, then pulled him aside and whispered, "What are you doing? I finally managed to get you to come out."

Xue Rui felt a bit nauseous from the bottom of his heart.

It was just a Porsche car key, but shaking it a few times was enough to distract Qin Tong.

Only rich kids would look down on such cheap goods. If someone like him suddenly appeared out of nowhere, Qiu Mengze would be dumped in no time.

"Follow me." Xue Rui beckoned and took the lead, walking out first.

Qin Tong didn't even glance at Qiu Mengze, following behind Xue Rui while secretly scanning the parking lot by the roadside.

Qiu Mengze felt that Xue Rui had a reason for doing this, but he couldn't figure it out for the time being.

He jogged a few steps to catch up and saw a Porsche Cayenne parked in a roadside parking space in the distance, with a considerable gap between the cars on both sides.

Qiu Mengze often drives a car at home, but it's a small double-cab truck used for hauling fish. In parking lots, the doors are often so crowded that people have to squeeze in.

He experienced the allure of luxury cars for the first time.

Just as Qiu Mengze was in a daze, he was suddenly pushed on the shoulder.

Xue Rui handed the car keys to Qiu Mengze: "You can drive."

Qiu Mengze's eyes widened instantly, and he waved his hands repeatedly: "I dare not, this car is too expensive, it would be bad if I scratched it..."

Qiu Mengze is straightforward and speaks his mind.

However, he was completely unaware of the disdainful look Qin Tong gave him.

"You're a good driver, I trust you." Xue Rui forcefully shoved the keys into his hand.

Because as he walked over, Qin Tong kept looking at the passenger seat.

In that instant, Xue Rui thought of many things.

The main reason he was able to call Qin Tong away with just a few words was because of this car.

Just like Yu Minlan's blond younger brother, he always thinks about driving his car out to show off.

Qin Tong probably had the same mentality; getting out of a luxury car felt like he could become a topic of conversation.

Xue Rui was afraid that Qin Tong would want to sit in the passenger seat, and then Qiu Mengze would become the "victim," and he would become the "Yellow Hair."

Although being a blond guy is fun, Qiu Mengze is my childhood friend, so I absolutely can't be the one who suffers.

So Xue Rui handed the car over to Qiu Mengze to drive.

While Qiu Mengze was still in a daze, Xue Rui had already opened the back door and sat inside.

Qiu Mengze cast a grateful glance at Xue Rui, realizing that Xue Rui had come to be his wingman.

He got into the car and pressed the start button, and the moment he did, he saw the back door open.

"What the hell?"

Xue Rui and Qiu Mengze were both stunned.

Qiu Mengze didn't understand. Wasn't Qin Tong his girlfriend? Why wasn't she sitting in the passenger seat with him?
Xue Rui thought to himself that this woman probably had some serious illness. He had sat in the back row to prevent Qin Tong from sitting next to him, so why did she follow him?
"You sit in the front," Xue Rui said, pointing to the passenger seat.

"Um... your girlfriend won't be upset, will she?" Qin Tong asked hesitantly, pointing to the label in front of the passenger seat.

A pink label with the words "Exclusive Seat" written below.

Xue Rui's lips twitched; it was Lin Ruoxi who had put it there.

"It's okay, that's my reserved seat. My girlfriend usually drives," Xue Rui explained.

After starting the car, Qiu Mengze first looked around at the interior, wanting to familiarize himself with the unfamiliar vehicle.

Qin Tong sat in the passenger seat, looking around. She then raised her phone and took a selfie.

"What's so interesting? Let's go. People who don't know better will think you don't have a license," Xue Rui joked.

"Hehe, we've never driven such a nice car before." Qiu Mengze still didn't move.

Qin Tong frowned and said in an unpleasant tone, "You really have no taste."

"You don't have a license, do you? Mengze is getting familiar with the car; this is the normal procedure."

Xue Rui spoke without any mercy, his disdain undisguised, as if to say: You're the one who's ignorant. (End of Chapter)