Who Would Fall in Love After Being Reborn?

Chapter 135: Two Pairs of Men and Women Nourishing Each Other

TL: Etude

Cao Guangyu’s love story was full of twists and turns.josei

He started as a big V (popular online influencer) known for his controversial posts, which inevitably attracted countless trolls following each of his updates. It wasn’t exactly rallying a call to arms, but more akin to summoning a chorus of curses.

Among these, a user named “Three Characters” stood out as the ringleader of these haters.

Every comment was a veiled wish for family well-being, yet paradoxically hinted at life and death cycles.

Jiang Qin once helped Old Cao to check the backend data and discovered that this hater was extremely volatile, ready to confront anyone. Even if the Bull Demon King himself appeared, he would have been met with a barrage of invectives, ending up plowing the fields before daring to leave.

However, since Cao Guangyu shifted his focus to philanthropy after helping an elderly lady in South Street, he miraculously transformed his haters into supporters.

Now, if you ask on the forum who is the most handsome and wealthy guy at Linchuan University, five out of ten would name him, the Unremarkable Young Master Cao.

Recently, the lead hater unexpectedly proposed a face-to-face meeting, challenging that anyone who didn’t show up wasn’t a real man.

Old Cao, armed with a brick, went to the meeting, only to discover that his nemesis was actually a girl.

One thing led to another, and they ended up getting together.

After hearing this, Jiang Qin couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration, “Old Cao, it seems like your good deeds have paid off, bringing you unstoppable romantic luck.”

Cao Guangyu, unable to contain his laughter, replied, “Old Jiang, no matter what, you are my matchmaker. I should toast to you later. Where else could I find such sweet love?”

“Forget it, I’m driving, no alcohol for me. Let’s just toast with tea later.”

Jiang Qin poured himself a glass of water, “By the way, Old Cao, do you have a car? Have you ever experienced the thrill of driving around with a girl?”

“…”

Old Cao’s smile faded.

Zhou Chao and Ren Ziqiang immediately burst into laughter, finally seeing someone else getting a taste of their own medicine.

While they were talking, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open, and a girl with short hair and big eyes walked in. She had a baby face, around 1.65 meters tall, wearing black overalls. It was the same figure Jiang Qin had seen by the lake that day.

As soon as the girl entered, she sat next to Old Cao, hugging his arm and affectionately calling him “brother.”

“Brother, I’ve ordered the dishes.”

“Brother, did you clean the chopsticks for me?”

“Brother, where’s my bag? Can you get my lipstick?”

Cao Guangyu was overjoyed with each “brother” she called, his chest almost bursting with pride, barely contained by his shirt.

Jiang Qin felt goosebumps hearing this, thinking to himself, could the online and real-world personas be this different?

Was this the same person who used to curse explosively online?

But something felt off.

Last time by the lake, Old Cao was as timid as a chick, completely dominated by this fierce yet cute girl. Today’s atmosphere seemed unexpectedly different.

“Old Jiang, let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Ding Xue, a medical student in her third year.”

“Ding Xue, this is my roommate, Jiang Qin.”

Ding Xue glanced at Jiang Qin, her expression subtly changing, “Oh, are you that startup star from the newspapers?”

Jiang Qin nonchalantly waved it off, “No, I just bear a slight resemblance to that handsome guy.”

Cao Guangyu’s brow furrowed slightly, “Old Jiang, we’re all family here. There’s no need to hide things!”

“?”

After hearing this, Jiang Qin’s mouth twisted in amusement, thinking to himself how well Old Cao played his role, making it seem as if he was the one in charge, as if Cao Guangyu was the real boss behind Zhihu.

“Brother Cao is right, I am Jiang Qin,” Jiang Qin conceded, giving Old Cao some face.

Cao Guangyu sent him a grateful look, showing brotherly appreciation.

Afterward, Old Cao and Ding Xue began to display their affection openly – holding hands, leaning on each other, and sharing drinks – creating a scene so sweet it was almost unbearable.

Jiang Qin watched in awe.

“Old Jiang, does it make your skin crawl? Hehe, me too!”

“I’ll tell you, Old Zhou and I came half an hour early and have been enduring this for the entire time, nearly suffocated by their lovey-dovey act.”

“We’re all single here; nobody can escape. You might as well enjoy a bit of this ‘nourishment’ yourself.”

Ren Ziqiang seemed to revel in the situation, his eyes almost squeezing his eyebrows together.

But then, the door of the private room suddenly opened, and Feng Nanshu stepped in, gracefully sitting next to Jiang Qin.

Imitating the haughty demeanor of a little rich lady, Jiang Qin glanced back at Ren Ziqiang, whose smile froze on his face before gradually fading as he lowered his head to silently drink water.

“Jiang Qin, your shoelace is untied.”

Feng Nanshu crisply pointed out, then slightly stunned, pushed back her chair and crouched down.

Knowing what she was about to do, Jiang Qin reached out to stop her, feeling her skin, soft as white jade.

“Old Jiang, does Feng Nanshu always tie your shoelaces for you?”

Ren Ziqiang was astounded. Feng Nanshu, a goddess-like figure, willing to tie Jiang Qin’s shoelaces, seemed utterly surreal.

“Jiang Qin isn’t very good at tying them, but I am.”

Before Jiang Qin could respond, Feng Nanshu’s voice came from under the table, laced with a hint of confidence.

Cao Guangyu, watching from the side, gritted his teeth in frustration, thinking, “I spent nearly two thousand yuan to set up this dinner, and yet, before I could really enjoy it, I’m constantly outshone by Old Jiang.”

“No need to tie them, it’s more comfortable untied.”

Jiang Qin stopped her from tying his shoelaces and helped her up from under the table. The warm, orange light made her uplifted face appear even more fair and smooth, captivating at first glance.

Having a girl who remembers every word you’ve said and deeply believes in them is just absurd.

Once Feng Nanshu was seated again, Ding Xue looked at her, slightly dazed, “Fuck, this girl is so beautiful!”

“Uh… I mean, this classmate looks really pretty.”

“…”

Jiang Qin immediately gave a thumbs up, thinking, “Yes, this is the real character of Old Cao’s girlfriend. Was she just playing a different tune earlier?”

The meal that followed was indeed “lively.”

Ding Xue in her coquettish tone said, “Brother, the pickled pepper fish skin is delicious.”

Cao Guangyu immediately picked up a piece with his chopsticks and gently fed it to her, then teasingly raised an eyebrow at Ren Ziqiang and Zhou Chao.

Feng Nanshu quickly learned the game, turning to Jiang Qin, “Brother, the braised pork with preserved vegetables is delicious.”

Jiang Qin, trembling slightly, fed her a piece without a word. She only took a small bite, leaving the rest for Jiang Qin.

Not to be outdone, Ding Xue continued in her coquettish tone, “Brother, the boiled fish is delicious, get one for your sister.”

Feng Nanshu followed suit, her eyes brimming with water, “Brother, the sour soup beef is delicious, get one for your sister.”

Ren Ziqiang, sitting aside, was dumbfounded, thinking, “What am I even doing here? I might as well have rotted in the dorm!”

He gulped down his beer in one go, then turned to look at Zhou Chao, only to find that his expression was not as tormented as his own; in fact, Zhou was enjoying his meal.

“Old Zhou, haven’t you been ‘nourished’?” Ren Ziqiang asked, puzzled.

“I have, but I have two passions in life: one is to take advantage, and the other is to date. Taking advantage comes first. If you treat me to a meal at Juxianlou, I’m fine with any ‘nourishment,’ even directly to my face.”

Zhou Chao appeared completely unfazed as he continued eating heartily.

In no time, the luxurious meal was devoured by the group. Unnoticed, Cao Guangyu had stealthily untied his shoelaces. He then coughed to draw everyone’s attention and arrogantly announced, “Ding Xue, my shoelace is undone.”

Ding Xue fell silent for a moment before suddenly grabbing Cao Guangyu’s collar, “Let me tell you, I’ve been holding back all night to save face in front of your friends. And now you want me to tie your shoelaces?”

“…”

Zhou Chao, who was drinking beer, almost spewed it out through his nose upon hearing this.

Regrettably, Ren Ziqiang, absorbed in his own misery, didn’t catch this moment, or he might have found some solace. Love isn’t always sweet; sometimes it’s spicy too.

“I’m going to the restroom; you guys continue eating.”

Jiang Qin got up and left, with Feng Nanshu’s gaze following him, but she dropped the idea of accompanying him upon hearing ‘restroom.’

After using the restroom, Jiang Qin bent over the sink to wash his hands. Suddenly, in the mirror, he saw a familiar yet distant face, expressionless and wiping her mouth with a tissue. Her reddened eyes suggested she might have just vomited.

“What a coincidence, junior.”

Jiang Qin shook the water off his hands, “Senior Ye, are you here for dinner?”

Ye Ziqing nodded, “I have a business engagement.”

“You really are a powerful woman, senior. What are you busy with these days?”

“Just family business, nothing special. I’m just helping out, passing time every day.”

Hearing this, Jiang Qin felt envious, casually mentioning ‘family business’ like a true rich second-generation. He thought that he’d never have the chance to use those words in his life, except maybe if he had a child.

Huh?

Jiang Qin glanced at his reflection in the mirror, feeling a bit estranged.

“I don’t even date, and I’m already thinking about having kids?”

“Junior, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, just got dazzled by the handsome face in the mirror.”

“…”

Ye Ziqing’s lips twitched slightly, finding this junior too unserious to continue the conversation.

Strangely, she and Jiang Qin had only met once before, outside room 208. Although they had exchanged a few words, it didn’t leave much of an impression.

Such an acquaintance was almost as insignificant as randomly sharing an elevator during a commute. Normally, she would pretend not to recognize such a person and quickly leave.

But for some reason, she had unexpectedly greeted him this time. Upon reflection, she thought it might be due to their similar experiences.

Jiang Qin, too, started his business in his first year, using the same room 208 she had once used.

Ye Ziqing saw in the mirror the ambition in Jiang Qin’s eyes, the same ambition she once had but had somehow lost along the way.

Who wouldn’t be tempted to greet a younger version of themselves?

Jiang Qin noticed Ye Ziqing’s dazed expression, “Did the handsome guy in the mirror dazzle you too?”

“It’s just the alcohol, making my head a bit unclear,” Ye Ziqing smiled lightly, “I’ve seen your forum. It’s pretty good.”

“Just messing around. It’s a headache to monetize, and I don’t even feel like doing it anymore.”

…

By the way, ‘big brother’ in China, which I’ve translated as simply ‘brother’ for non-spammy writing’s sake, has the same connotation as ‘oppa’ in Korea. It’s what girls call their older (not necessarily) boyfriends.

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