Rebirth: My Childhood Sweetheart Came into My Arms

"Ayu, go play with Chengyu. You don't need to help here. Mom can manage on her own."

"Can you manage to cook so many dishes by yourself...?"

"Sure, why not? You two go put up the 'Fu' character, but remember to put it upside down, okay?"

Zhou Ying pushed the two out of the kitchen and slammed the door shut.

Every time Jiang Chengyu came to the He family's house to "mooch a meal," he would sensibly help out. It was one or two times, but every time he would run to the kitchen, which made Zhou Ying feel quite bad.

After all, he was a young master who never lifted a finger, and Shen Murou was reluctant to order him around, so how could she bear to?

The two who were kicked out didn't stay idle. They took apart the "Fu" characters and Spring Festival couplets they had bought and began decorating the villa.

"A little more to the left, yes, yes, this position is perfect."

He Ziyu instructed Jiang Chengyu to paste the Spring Festival couplets on both sides of the door frame. After aligning them, he nodded in satisfaction.

May everything go smoothly and may every year be prosperous.

May everything go smoothly and may you rise higher and higher.

This was the ending he had always longed for in his life.

Next, He Ziyu disassembled the "Fu" character and pasted it on the door with the large end facing down.

My mother always said, "Good fortune has arrived! Good fortune has arrived!" She said that the character "福" (good fortune) should be pasted upside down to be effective. Every time my father heard this, he would laugh at her for being feudal and superstitious, but he would always paste the character "福" upside down as she said.

However, ever since her mother passed away in her previous life, the "福" (good fortune) character in her family has never been pasted upside down.

Xiao Shan doesn't care about those old sayings, and deep down she probably doesn't want Zhou Ying's lifestyle to continue at home. In short, she will try her best to eradicate everything related to her mother from the He family.

At the time, she claimed it was because she was afraid He Ziyu would be sad and didn't want him to be immersed in grief. Now that I think about it, she wasn't afraid of being sad herself at all; she just didn't want her position as the mistress of the house to be undeserved.

After arranging the villa, He Ziyu sat on the sofa and turned on the TV.

Major television stations are all promoting their galas, and some faces that will have long since disappeared in the future are flashing on the screen, as if from another world.

On this joyous day for your family, we sincerely wish you happiness, laughter, and all the best...

The TV host speaking was a famous talk show host whom He Ziyu admired, but he vaguely remembered that the host was diagnosed with cancer a few years later and passed away not long after.

His daughter was only three years old when he passed away.

He Ziyu peeled a peanut and threw it into his mouth, the light from the television screen casting intermittent shadows on his face.

Tragedy unfolds constantly in this world, and even if one is fortunate enough to be reborn, one can only save a very small number of people.

More often than not, it's an outcome that can't be changed no matter how hard you try.

Thinking about it, He Ziyu sighed and muttered to himself, "If only I could get a medical check-up, maybe I could see my daughter grow up..."

"What?" Jiang Chengyu was peeling an orange when he heard He Ziyu's words and looked at him strangely.

"Ah, it's nothing." He Ziyu snapped out of his daze, snatching the half-peeled orange from Jiang Chengyu's hand. "I was just saying it offhand."

Jiang Chengyu was silent for a moment, then asked, "Ayu, do you know something?"

He Ziyu had a segment of orange in his mouth and didn't know how to answer.

Should we admit it?

However, even if I admit it, Jiang Chengyu probably won't believe me, right?

Seeing the hesitation in He Ziyu's eyes, Jiang Chengyu said, "When we went to America, didn't you say on the plane that your life had been reset? Does that mean you know everything that happened in the next seven years?"

He Ziyu was somewhat surprised upon hearing this.

"Do you believe it?"

"Why should I not believe what you say?"

Jiang Chengyu looked at him with a serious expression.

This reaction was completely unexpected by He Ziyu.

Logically speaking, no normal person would believe such a thing, which is why he didn't even have the desire to prove it.

But now, Jiang Chengyu actually says she believes him...

He Ziyu kicked off his slippers, sat cross-legged on the sofa, pointed at the TV host, and said, "He will be diagnosed with cancer in a few years, and by then it will already be in its late stages."

Jiang Chengyu was slightly taken aback.

"I also know many things you don't, such as that 'Spark' will definitely be a bestseller, and the Jiang Group's market value will double..."

"As for which singer cheated on their partner or which actor was arrested for drug use, I can tell you if you're interested."

He didn't know much about business and politics in his previous life, but he heard plenty of gossip in the entertainment industry, especially when he met with those rich second-generation kids, they talked about all sorts of trivial topics.

"I don't want to hear that," Jiang Chengyu said. "I want to hear about us."

"We..." He Ziyu lowered his eyes, his gaze slightly dark.

Noticing this detail, Jiang Chengyu became worried and quickly asked, "Have you broken up?"

He Ziyu held the orange in his hand, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

How could he tell Jiang Chengyu that they hadn't even been together in their previous life?

The boy he cherished was in love with another man. After years of love and hate, he was driven to the brink of despair by that man and his own younger brother.

And Jiang Chengyu...

She lost her life to save him, her brilliant life ending in her early twenties.

How could he bear to tell him about this ending?

Seeing Jiang Chengyu's eager eyes, He Ziyu finally lied.

"We disagree on some things, and neither of us can convince the other..."

"What is it?" Jiang Chengyu pressed.

"I can't remember," He Ziyu shook his head, "Anyway, it wasn't anything serious."

It's nothing serious, why did they break up?

Jiang Chengyu seemed lost in thought, finding the idea unrealistic no matter how she thought about it.

Given his personality, if a conflict arises between the two of them, he will definitely be the one to back down.

He would never make a decision that would cost him He Ziyu.

"Kids, time to eat fruit!"

While pondering, Zhou Ying placed the beautifully arranged fruit platter on the coffee table.

"Your dad won't be back for another hour. Have some fruit to tide you over, so you don't go hungry."

"Thank you, Mom."

"Thank you, Auntie."

Zhou Ying said "You're welcome," took out a tissue to wipe the water from her hands, and asked, "Where's Ning Qiu? I haven't seen him."

He Ziyu: "It seems like they're in a room, but I don't know what they're doing."

Zhou Ying: "Why are you keeping to yourself during the New Year? Quickly call him down and let's eat together."

……

He Ziyu went upstairs and knocked on He Ningqiu's door.

"Mom has cut the fruit, come down and eat."

"I'm not eating, you guys eat." He Ningqiu's muffled voice came from the room.

The Spring Festival should be a time for family reunion, but He Ningqiu felt no festive atmosphere at all.

My mother lives far away in City B, and my friends are drifting away one by one.

He Ningqiu felt like an abandoned orphan, with no one truly caring about his joys and sorrows.

He Ziyu: "What's the point of you staying cooped up in your room all by yourself? It's Chinese New Year today, come out and join the fun."

After he finished speaking, the room was silent for a few seconds.

Then, the door opened.

He Ningqiu's listless figure appeared before them, and she showed little expression when she saw He Ziyu.

He Ziyu still felt some sympathy for his younger brother, who had been corrupted by his stepmother in his previous life. After all, he hadn't become a psychologically twisted psychopath in this life, and there was still room for redemption.

"Mom made your favorite fried glutinous rice balls, go down and try them."

"Um……"

He Ningqiu nodded and walked downstairs with heavy steps.

During the two weeks that He Ziyu spent in New York, he locked himself in his room every day to paint. Sometimes he was so engrossed in his painting that he even forgot to eat.

It seems that only when I pick up a paintbrush can I find a moment of peace deep within my heart.

Actually, a long time ago, his goal was to become an art teacher. Businesses and equity were things that were too far away for him.

I don't know when it started, but he began to become increasingly greedy.

He longed to replace He Ziyu and to possess everything that did not belong to him.

……

At 8 p.m., He Lianghan finished his day's work and returned home on time.

Zhou Ying had prepared a large table of food, and the family sat together happily.

He Lianghan raised his glass and said:

"This year has been very fulfilling for me. First, I gained a son like Ningqiu, who is obedient and sensible. Second, Ayu has also become more ambitious, and his grades are getting better and better. Now I have something to brag about to others!"

"Hey, save your breath. You're only in your first year of high school. You still have two more years to go. Just in case, you should keep a low profile," Zhou Ying said with a smile as she served He Lianghan some food.

"What ifs? Ayu is my son. He's quite capable; he just didn't study hard enough before," He Lianghan retorted. "Besides, with a top student like Chengyu helping him now, getting into a prestigious university is a piece of cake, isn't it?"

"What do I care about whether it's important or not? I'll be satisfied as long as I can get into a university."

"Look at your manners..."

He Lianghan and Zhou Ying's back-and-forth banter, seemingly a playful argument, was actually full of warmth.

He Ziyu smiled slightly, feeling a warmth in his heart.

In his previous life, due to his mother's doting and his own lack of ambition, his father always had many complaints about her, and his mother had little say in front of him. Now, thanks to his efforts, his parents' relationship has improved significantly, which makes He Ziyu very gratified.

"By the way, Chengyu, how's that studio you and Ayu set up going? Is there anything I can help you with?"

Jiang Chengyu: "Not at the moment, everything is going smoothly."

He Lianghan nodded and said, "If you need additional manpower and financial resources, just let me know and I'll help you solve it."

He Ziyu picked at the rice in his bowl, instinctively feeling that his father's words had a hidden meaning.

He could have discussed this investment with me privately, but bringing it up at the dinner table clearly meant for Jiang Chengyu.

After the Jiang and Han families publicly announced their marriage alliance, He Lianghan felt somewhat threatened. Therefore, winning over Jiang Chengyu became his top priority.

"Ayu, once your studio starts making a profit, you can't treat Chengyu unfairly."

"Don't worry, I can't mistreat him, no matter who I mistreat." He Ziyu smiled and added a piece of meat to Jiang Chengyu's plate. He suddenly looked forward to seeing how He Lianghan would react if he knew that all of the studio's working capital was now in Jiang Chengyu's hands.

……

As midnight approached, dazzling fireworks began to burst in the night sky.

He Ziyu called his family into the courtyard and gave each of them a small firework.