No one understands rebirth better than me

Chapter 276 The Kiss (4800 words, big update)

"Cheers to Ren-ge finding love!"

"Cheers to finding love for the young pear!"

"Perfect timing, perfect timing! I'll perform a song for you! Ahem!"

"Get lost, Zhang Xue! How many songs have you sung already?"

"Oh dear, the last one, the very last one..."

……

Inside the private room, the singing resumed, accompanied by the sounds of clattering and clinking glasses.

Some people swallowed bitter wine, lamenting that they were all brothers, but in the end, it was Second Master who found a partner first.

"Brother Hui, do you think we've already lost to Brother Ren at the starting line, starting today?"

"Look at your lack of ambition. It's still early. Why rush this? Once you enter society, you'll have all sorts of innocent girls to choose from. It'll be too much trouble."

"Well, that makes sense!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiong gave a simple, honest smile, and then continued playing dice with Zhang Chi and a few girls.

The kind where you get slapped on the back of the hand if you lose.

At this point, he still doesn't know how to cherish it.

Little did he know that as high school graduation approached, this might be the last time he would ever have the chance to touch a girl's skin.

……

On the other side, the crowd cheered for Guan Ren to sing Jay Chou's "Simple Love".

But Guan Ren didn't know why, he insisted on not singing this song and instead sang "Half Moon Serenade" instead.

As the last song ended, before Guan Ren could even put down the microphone, a small hand snatched it from behind him.

"?"

Guan Ren turned his head in surprise and looked at Luo Xiaobei, who had taken the microphone, with a complicated expression.

But Luo Xiaobei just looked at the big screen, turned up the volume a bit, and then started singing Liang Jingru's "Warm".

Her face had a faint, easygoing expression.

But Guan Ren couldn't see a trace of affability in him.

I felt a prickling sensation in the deepest part of my heart from the sight of my beloved.

"Small…"

He opened his mouth, almost wanting to say something to her.

But for a moment, I held back.

Then, after decisively turning around and chatting and laughing with the others, he sat down next to Xiaolihua, who was surrounded by two girls and looked quite helpless.

"Wow~ My boyfriend's here~"

"Let's go, let's not be third wheels anymore!"

After exchanging winks and glances, the two girls very considerately made way for Guan Ren.

Then Guan Ren plopped down, startling Xiao Lihua, whose body was already tense, and made Guan Ren laugh.

"what happened to you?"

"..."

Gu Youli remained silent.

She just blushed.

Yes.

It's clear that after exhausting her courage to confess to the boy she liked in front of everyone, Gu Youli herself was caught in a bewildered state of belated realization.

Everything felt hazy and unreal.

So much so that when Guan Ren said, "I like you too, will you be my girlfriend?", Xiao Lihua's limbs felt a little numb. Especially since the colorful lights in the private room were already dreamlike, she really felt like she was in a dream.

"Hey."

Guan Ren reached out and pinched her soft, pink ear:

"Sister Gu, say something."

"?"

The word "Sister Gu" awakened many memories for Gu Youli, who then turned her face and glared at Guan Ren.

To be honest, girls are really strange creatures.

Guan Ren was surprised to find that, compared to before, Xiao Lihua's glare now had a hint of coquettishness in it.

At the same time, the image of Xiao Lihua, who coldly questioned him, "Does my pen taste good?" at the beginning of the first semester of his second year of high school, also surfaced in Guan Ren's mind.

Upon comparing the two, Guan Ren couldn't help but grin.

"What...what are you laughing at? Is it funny?"

"generally."

Guan Ren continued to smile, then naturally took her hand and held it in his palm.

"!"

Gu Youli's hand visibly trembled for a moment.

Then, I subconsciously glanced to the side.

As expected, Zhang Xue and the others who were secretly observing chuckled like doting aunts, along with winks and envious glances.

A faint blush returned to Gu Youli's face.

To be honest, despite all this time, she should have gotten used to having her palm read by this rascal.

But holding hands openly and legitimately in public, under a different name, like today, is definitely a completely different experience.

It is filled with a magical power that can make a young girl's heart flutter with budding emotions.

"So why do I sense that you... are nervous, Yuri?"

Guan Ren asked the question knowing the answer already.

Gu Youli's head was a little dizzy at the moment, and she mumbled in a daze:
"I...I'm in a relationship..."

"Oh?"

Guan Ren was "greatly shocked":
"With whom?"

"..."

Gu Youli's eyelids drooped immediately, and as she turned her head to scold him again, the blush on her cheeks deepened:
"Follow a bad person!"

"Hmm? Tell me in detail, how did he become bad?"

"Because he also had a puppy love relationship..."

"Early romance is bad? That's perfect, it means he's just as bad as you, a perfect match, and besides..."

Guan Ren thought for a moment:
"Strictly speaking, we didn't have a puppy love relationship."

"Eh?"

Gu Youli looked up in astonishment, not knowing what Guan Ren meant, but her eyes flashed with disbelief.

At the same time, the volume of the accompaniment to Luo Xiaobei's song in the private room was also quietly reduced.

Guan Ren immediately explained:

"Look, puppy love is wrong, um... Your sister, Teacher Gu, often teaches this too, and I support it! As for you and me, we're just very good friends. It just so happens that one of us is a boy and the other is a girl, so we're boyfriend and girlfriend."

Guan Ren spread his hands, speaking with righteous indignation:
"Ultimately, we are just two healthy and positive high school students who have agreed to study together, grow together, support each other, and be united and friendly, all under the guise of being boyfriend and girlfriend! We are not dating, so how can it be called puppy love?"

After she finished her nonsensical rant, the volume in the private room increased again, and she sang even more energetically.

Gu Youli then lightly punched Guan Ren on the shoulder:
"you are annoying!"

"Yo?"

At this moment, Guan Ren also discovered a new world, looking with delight at the slightly upturned, soft upper lip of the little pear blossom, like a water-washed cherry hanging on a branch:
"They even pout?"

"Oh, you!... I'm not talking to you anymore...!"

Little Pear Blossom tried to put on her cool and aloof expression again.

Even she herself knew that after tonight, there were some aspects of her that she probably wouldn't be able to go back to her old self anytime soon.

Of course, this refers to personality and such.

Love really can change a person.

The more serious a girl like Gu Youli is, the more captivating she becomes when she reveals this unexpected side of herself.

"Young pear."

Then, Guan Ren took Gu Youli's hand.

Then he guided her fingers, little by little, to reach into his own bosom.

"What...what are you doing..."

Feeling her fingertips gradually enveloped by the boy's warmth, Gu Youli's heart skipped a beat.

Until I touched a hard, long strip.

"This is my birthday present."

Guan Ren chuckled.

Gu Youli curiously took it, and there was an MP3 player in her hand.

It looks quite nice, though.

Its pristine white, minimalist design resembles a square lipstick.

Although it's not a particularly expensive brand.

But that didn't stop Gu Youli from looking serious, as if she was afraid of damaging the delicate little thing, as she gently stroked it.

Then I heard his whispering voice tickling my ear again:

"...Happy birthday to Guan Ren's favorite girlfriend, Gu Youli..."

"..."

Happy birthday to Guan Ren's favorite girlfriend, Gu Youli!

This is the second sentence, the one that Gu Youli remembered for a lifetime.

The first sentence is:

When Gu Youli cried, what Guan Ren said must have been true.

But at this moment, Gu Youli didn't feel like crying.

Her eyes flickered, and she felt as if the softest part of her heart had been touched.

So, biting her lower lip lightly, she raised her hand to cover the tip of her nose behind her back before lifting her slightly tearful eyes.

Immediately, the corners of her lips curled up, and two shallow dimples slowly bloomed on her cheeks.

Like pear petals falling onto the water, creating the most beautiful ripples on the surface.

……

At that moment, Guan Ren was completely stunned, holding his breath.

I'm so grateful to have you here for a good drink, with a dimple on your cheek beside me. Once upon a time, out of curiosity, just to catch a glimpse of my classmate's smile, Guan Ren told her so many lame jokes.

But it wasn't until today that Guan Ren understood.

It turns out that all it takes to see this girl's most beautiful smile is for him to say "I like you".

that is it.

hum-

Meanwhile, a microphone was placed lightly on the table. The slightly piercing howl didn't attract much attention, and Zhang Xue immediately took it and continued singing.

Amidst the noise, Du Zihan's question, "Hey, Xiao Bei, where are you going?" reached Guan Ren's ears.

Guan Ren, who was staring blankly at the girl's captivating smile, suddenly snapped out of his daze.

But Guan Ren still did not turn back.

He kept his eyes fixed intently on Gu Youli.

Instead, Gu Youli glanced at the swaying door of the private room, a complex emotion flashing across her eyes. She then picked up her wine glass and took a small sip.
"Luo Xiaobei...it seems like something's wrong..."

"?"

Guan Ren was taken aback for a moment, but quickly regained his composure:
"What is it?"

"..."

Seeing Guan Ren's rather indifferent reaction, Gu Youli's feelings were suddenly conflicted.

On the one hand, there are small joys that one feels are somewhat selfish.

On the other hand, she couldn't help but frown slightly.

After taking another sip of wine, he spoke softly:

"I just saw Luo Xiaobei go out, and Du Zihan chased after her... I don't know what's going on. They're both girls, aren't you going to go check on them...?"

"That's it."

Guan Ren pondered for a moment:

Do you want to come along?

"Eh…"

Gu Youli paused for a moment, then naturally shook her head:
"You go ahead, I won't..."

"Okay, let me see."

Guan Ren nodded, then chuckled and scratched Gu Youli's palm with his finger:

"When we get back, we'll hold hands again, and you can keep pouting~"

“o(///_///)o”

After Guan Ren finished speaking, he stood up, stretched, patted the shoulders of the people playing dice, and then slowly pushed open the door and left the private room.

Then, the instant he closed the door, his expression quickly turned serious.

He pulled out his phone and ran quickly towards the lobby.

"Hello? Du Zihan! Where is Xiao Bei?"

"Guan Ren? You!...Oh, we're downstairs, you...you should come down first..."

Guan Ren got off the elevator quickly.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, Du Zihan stepped inside.

“Du…”

"Hey, hurry up! I'm going upstairs first. You go and have a good talk with Xiao Bei..."

After saying that, Du Zihan pressed the button to go back upstairs.

Guan Ren didn't care about Du Zihan's resentful look as if she were looking at a scumbag. He stepped out of the elevator, looked around, and immediately found Luo Xiaobei walking towards the intersection on a small path not far away.

"Xiao Bei!"

Guan Ren shouted as he rushed over.

The petite figure paused for a moment, then her pace quickened.

However, as long as her childhood sweetheart is chasing after her, Qingmei seems destined to be slow.

Guan Ren easily caught up with her in the next moment.

"Xiao Bei."

Guan Ren, slightly out of breath, didn't say anything more and directly grasped Qingmei's cold, slender wrist.

Luo Xiaobei seemed to sniff, then turned around and stared at him intently:
"what is the matter?"

Guan Ren looked at her calmly:
"where did you go."

"Oh, I'm going home. I'm a little tired today, and I had a few drinks."

"The beer in KTVs is all diluted with water, so don't tell me you're drunk."

"That's tiring too, why? You won't let people be tired?"

Luo Xiaobei rolled his eyes at him.

Everything seemed normal.

But just like before.

The more ordinary she acted, the more it felt like there was a thorn pricking Guan Ren's heart.

"I had a really great time eating and playing today!"

Luo Xiaobei continued rambling:

"But singing is so tiring. I'll go home early today, take a nice, relaxing shower, and then..."

"I have a girlfriend."

Guan Ren looked into her eyes and suddenly said something that seemed completely out of the blue.

"Eh…"

Luo Xiaobei paused for a moment, her eyelashes fluttering slightly before she continued:
"Oh, you're such a pig! I was there, and I already congratulated you. What more do you want? Gu Youli is a great girl, and you two are a perfect match. Just stay together from now on... Right now, I'm really tired and just want to go back, take a shower, and lie down..."

Luo Xiaobei continued trying to talk about unimportant arrangements.

But she can't.

Because the boy in front of her, with just one sentence, "I have a girlfriend," felt like a chilling coldness, gripping her throat and her heart.

Yes.

This is a fact.

The boy I've liked for so long since I was little, the boy I've always hoped could stay by my side, has a girlfriend today.

That was a girl who could replace his childhood sweetheart, and who was more important to him.

From this day forward, her childhood sweetheart will no longer be hers.

"Hmm... so I'll head back now..."

The words in my mouth seemed to become increasingly difficult to utter, and it became increasingly hard to speak them completely and clearly.

So Luo Xiaobei turned around, with her back to Guan Ren, and walked towards the intersection again.

Guan Ren held her wrist firmly, refusing to let her go.

"Don't leave."

"I want to go home, let go..."

Luo Xiaobei tried to pry it open several times, but couldn't.

"Tsk, let go."

Guan Ren refused to let go.

"Let go..."

Luo Xiaobei's slender fingers scratched and scratched, but as her fingertips trembled, her strength waned.

Finally, she suddenly lowered her head and bit Guan Ren's hand hard.

Guan Ren felt a bit of pain.

Immediately, I felt hot drops of water falling on the back of my hand, one after another, like raindrops.

"Xiaobei..."

"Let go...let go!"

"..."

Guan Ren remained silent.

Because he had actually loosened his grip somewhat.

At this moment, Luo Xiaobei herself was holding her own hand tightly, refusing to let go.

Just like when she was very young, she clung to me desperately on a night when the power went out, as if she was afraid I would disappear from her side.

It wasn't until Luo Xiaobei's icy body struggled and was pulled into an increasingly tight embrace that she finally gave up her last restraint and her intermittent sobs turned into loud crying.

……

The girl who always smiled sweetly, seemingly carefree, cried like a baby in front of Guan Ren for the first time today.

……

The torrent of tears, like a broken beaded curtain, soaked through Guan Ren's clothes and chest.

The girl who had been by his side since childhood was now trembling like a lost fawn in the rain.

Her cries and the little hands tightly gripping his back conveyed to Guan Ren more than just heart-wrenching sorrow.

And for more than a decade, she had timidly kept hidden in her heart a feeling that predated anyone else's.

Even so far, she has not uttered any explicit words.

But these two things, like a flash flood, had already washed over Guan Ren's heart.

"north."

After Qingmei's crying subsided a little, Guan Ren gently called her name again.

Luo Xiaobei sobbed, and for the moment she raised her head, and also raised her arms to cover her swollen eyes and tear-stained face.

Even at this point, she still didn't want her childhood friend, who was now with another girl, to see her looking so bad.

But Guan Ren didn't care.

Or rather, Guan Ren never thought Luo Xiaobei was unattractive.

So he shook off Luo Xiaobei's arm.

He then cupped her face, which was covered in messy tear stains.

Then, gazing into her eyes and at her delicate, cool lips, he resolutely lowered his head.

……

At the same time, inside a KTV private room.

On the brand-new MP3 player, a song called "Simple Love," sung by someone personally, was being played through the girl's headphones as a real birthday gift.

Her bright, surprised eyes were filled with the small, innocent happiness unique to a young girl's first love.

(End of this chapter)