Rebirth: My Childhood Sweetheart Came into My Arms

"Let go! If you don't let go, I'm going to call for help!"

He Ziyu's mind went blank, and at this critical moment, he couldn't utter a single word of English.

The man had a strong grip, squeezing He Ziyu's wrist until it hurt. The two of them whispered among themselves as they dragged him forcefully into the bushes nearby, clearly intending to use violence against him in public.

The United States is not as safe as Moon City, especially for someone like him who is powerless to fight, danger is everywhere.

He Ziyu regretted not listening to Jiang Chengyu and asking him to stay with him.

If Jiang Chengyu were nearby, there might still be a glimmer of hope.

"What exactly do you want? I'll give you money, and my bank cards too, you can have them all!"

Driven by his survival instinct, He Ziyu threw his wallet and phone on the ground, but the two men were unmoved and continued to hold him tightly. When he shouted too loudly, they covered his mouth.

"Ugh... Ugh..." He Ziyu struggled desperately, feeling utterly hopeless.

Could it be that he's going to die on his very first day in America?

If he really dies, then he will definitely be the weakest male protagonist in the history of rebirth, without exception!

Just as He Ziyu was about to fall into unprecedented despair...

Suddenly, a figure sprang out from behind and kicked the man to the ground.

He Ziyu stumbled and regained his balance, but before he could turn around, the man grabbed his arm and pulled him forcefully to the side.

"Ayu, run!"

"Brother Yu?!"

Upon seeing Jiang Chengyu, He Ziyu thought he was dreaming. Just as he was about to ask him what he was doing there, he saw two men who had been kicked down struggling to get up and rushing over menacingly.

"Brother Yu, watch out!"

Jiang Chengyu nodded slightly, pulled out a large rock that he had prepared beforehand from behind his back, and smashed it hard at the two of them.

Taking advantage of the moment when the other party dodged, Jiang Chengyu grabbed He Ziyu's hand, turned around and ran!

"Oh no, my shoes!"

"I don't want it anymore, I'll go back and buy a new one."

Jiang Chengyu was too fast, and He Ziyu couldn't keep up at all. He accidentally lost a shoe. Worried that the two behind him would catch up, he didn't dare to look back and hopped forward, looking as disheveled as could be.

When the two arrived at a place with slightly higher foot traffic, Jiang Chengyu finally slowed down.

"No, I can't take it anymore..." He Ziyu gasped for breath, his ears and nose red from running, his face filled with the relief of surviving a disaster.

Jiang Chengyu didn't say anything, but simply picked him up and carried him to the flower bed not far away.

After placing He Ziyu on the flower bed, he knelt down, took off He Ziyu's socks to check for any wounds on his feet, and then warmed them in his palms.

Immediately afterwards, he got up and took off his shoes.

"What are you doing?" Realizing what Jiang Chengyu was about to do, He Ziyu pulled his foot back.

Without saying a word, Jiang Chengyu pulled his foot back and put his own shoes on.

"Put them on first, we'll talk about it when we get back."

"Then what are you going to do?"

"I'm fine."

Jiang Chengyu patiently helped He Ziyu tie his shoelaces, then thought for a moment and took off the other shoe as well, giving it to him.

Then, with her left hand she picked up He Ziyu's only remaining shoe, and with her right hand she took his hand, saying, "I'll take you home first."

He Ziyu walked back in Jiang Chengyu's slightly oversized shoes, his heart still pounding.

If Jiang Chengyu hadn't appeared in time, he would probably be dead here. If he had known this would happen, he would have stayed at home and not tried to be brave.

"I'm sorry, I should have listened to you. I was too confident to come out with you..." He Ziyu said softly, his head down.

"It's not your fault," Jiang Chengyu said, gripping his right hand tightly. "The area isn't safe, and it's getting dark. Accidents could easily happen."

"So you've been following me all this time?"

Jiang Chengyu nodded.

He Ziyu bit his lip, feeling even more guilty.

What happened to the promise to protect Jiang Chengyu?

Sure enough, when it comes to crucial moments, it's always yourself who gets protected...

Back at the villa, the others saw that Jiang Chengyu and He Ziyu were empty-handed and missing a shoe, and quickly asked them what had happened.

He Ziyu recounted what had happened, and when he thought of the wallet and phone he had been forced to give up, he felt like crying.

"I thought they were going to rob me, so I took out all my valuables, but they didn't even glance at them..."

"It's my fault," Han Zhiruo said. "There are often flower thieves around here. I should have warned you earlier. It was my oversight."

"A flower thief?" Jiang Nanqiao's eyes widened instantly upon hearing this.

Han Zhiruo nodded. "The grove of trees that Ayu and Brother Yu mentioned was originally slated to be leveled to build shops, but for some reason it's been left untouched and has been abandoned ever since. I used to pass by there after school, and some hooligans would whistle at me, but I thought they were only targeting girls, so I didn't pay any attention when you went out..."

"So, the one I encountered was also a womanizer?" He Ziyu's lips twitched, and his buttocks tensed up.

Han Zhiruo: "You said it yourself, they didn't take your wallet or phone."

He Ziyu: "..."

Recalling the two men's tall and strong physiques, He Ziyu swallowed nervously.

Fortunately, Jiang Chengyu arrived just in time...

Otherwise, he would definitely be reduced to nothing, not even bones!

……

Since we couldn't buy the ingredients, we had to order takeout.

While waiting for the takeout, Jiang Chengyu pulled He Ziyu back to the bedroom and pinned him against the wall.

"Brother Yu?" He Ziyu stood straight against the wall, swallowing repeatedly because he felt guilty.

Although it wasn't entirely his fault today, he also bore some responsibility. If he had listened to Jiang Chengyu, this wouldn't have happened.

Jiang Chengyu took a deep breath and pulled him into her arms.

"Ayu, promise me that you will never leave my sight when we are out. I am not capable enough to protect you all the time. Today, it was fortunate that there were only two people on the other side. If there were more, it is hard to say what would have happened."

"I was just thinking, if I had been just a tiny bit later, would you have...?"

Jiang Chengyu hesitated, his voice trembling slightly.

Seeing Jiang Chengyu's state, He Ziyu quickly put his arm around his waist and gently comforted him, "No, nothing like that will happen. I promise you, I won't run around like that anymore. If all else fails, I'll get a rope and tie myself to your waist."

He Ziyu only meant to make a joke and liven up the atmosphere, but Jiang Chengyu hugged him even tighter.

"Ayu, you are really important to me..."

"I've waited so long, and it's so hard for you to turn back. If anyone else comes to interfere with our happiness now, I'd rather risk my life..."

Upon hearing this, He Ziyu forcefully broke free from Jiang Chengyu's embrace and covered his mouth.

"Alright, that's enough."

"..."

"I'm a little thirsty, could you get me a glass of water?"

Jiang Chengyu stared at him without saying a word.

"Brother Yu?"

He Ziyu blinked, and it took him two seconds to realize that he was still covering the other man's mouth.

He quickly lowered his hand, and just as he was about to say sorry, he was given a deep kiss.

As if holding a lost treasure that had been found again, Jiang Chengyu carefully traced He Ziyu's lips and tongue, continuing for a long time before letting him go.

Are you still thirsty?

"No, I'm not thirsty anymore..."

He Ziyu blinked, his cheeks slightly flushed.

Suddenly, he remembered something, grabbed Jiang Chengyu, and pushed him onto the bed.

Jiang Chengyu: "The door wasn't locked..."

He Ziyu: "Why are you locking the door?"

He Ziyu knelt in front of Jiang Chengyu, mimicking how Jiang Chengyu had done in the flowerbed, and grabbed his feet.

Because he lent Jiang Chengyu his shoes, Jiang Chengyu walked back wearing socks. On the way, He Ziyu was worried that he would get scratched, so he was on edge the whole time. Now he could finally check him over carefully.

Jiang Chengyu felt very uncomfortable as He Ziyu held his feet and looked at them over and over. Several times he tried to pull his feet back, but He Ziyu pulled them back each time.

"Don't move!"

"..."

"Look at you, your skin is all broken, I knew it..."

He Ziyu asked Han Zhiruo for a first-aid kit and took out iodine to treat Jiang Chengyu's wound.

After the wounds were treated, the takeout arrived, and the six of them gathered around and happily ate.

……

Over the next few days, the group visited many interesting places, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty. They even flew to Los Angeles to visit Madame Tussauds.

Wherever they went, Jiang Chengyu would hold He Ziyu's hand and stay by his side.

However, despite having fun, He Ziyu didn't forget his business. During his trip, he seized every opportunity to communicate with the locals. Whether they could speak or not, he would use gestures. Surprisingly, they could all understand him. Even Bei Yao, who was known for his thick skin, was impressed by him.

After spending nearly half a month in New York, He Ziyu's spoken English (actually, his shamelessness) improved significantly. When it was time to return home, he suggested going to Times Square again so that others could see how he could communicate with foreigners in English that even he could hardly understand.

Times Square is brightly lit at night.

Street performers dressed in unconventional outfits can be seen everywhere on the bustling streets, and electronic screens on high-rise buildings are playing various of the latest trending GG (Girls' Love) videos.

Even seven years ago, this city was still dazzlingly prosperous.

While browsing, Jiang Nanqiao was suddenly attracted by a dress in a clothing store window and said she wanted to go in and try it on.

The girls were shopping for clothes, but the boys weren't interested. So the six of them agreed on a time and place, deciding to shop separately for a while before meeting up again.

After changing into her dress in the dressing room, Jiang Nanqiao walked out, twirled in front of the mirror, and felt very satisfied.

Han Zhiruo: "It's quite nice, let's buy it."

Jiang Nanqiao: "How much does this cost?"

Jiang Nanqiao belatedly looked at the price tag on the skirt and almost fainted.

Four digits!

This is something that an ordinary family like hers cannot afford.

Without saying a word, Jiang Nanqiao went back to the dressing room, locked the door, and began to take off her skirt.

Standing outside the door, Han Zhiruo bent her finger as if to knock, but after hesitating for a moment, she put it down.

It's clear that Jiang Nanqiao really likes this dress.

She has to find a way to fulfill her wish.