Rebirth: A Cinderella's Counterattack

Chapter 158: Chapter 147: Annoying Without Doing Anything

Luo’s Mom’s marriage was decided in just a few words between the Luo siblings, and Lin Xu truly wished he could hug them tight and give them a big kiss. He was even more enthusiastic when serving dishes. Luo Shufan ate his meal quietly. As long as his sister and mother were happy, he didn’t mind; he would become the pride of the family, just as his sister said, and become her source of pride.

After Xu Tianyi returned, he contacted them only twice before saying he was entering a closed school and there likely won’t be many opportunities to get in touch. They planned to meet again during the holidays.

Luo Qianqian watched the affectionate interactions between Lin Xu and her mother, feeling moved. None of these things happened in her past life. In this life, her mother wasn’t so exhausted and even looked better preserved. She found it normal that someone would pursue her. She didn’t have much feeling about the elusive concept of fatherly love, just the sense that with her mother taken care of, she and her brother could go to college and work with peace of mind, even if they weren’t in this city.

”I’ll see Uncle Lin out, you two head home, don’t play around outside.” Watching Lin Seo buy a pile of snacks for the siblings, An Zilan didn’t stop him. After the purchase, she sent the siblings to the front gate of the community and then, with a blush, sent them home.

”Brother, where should we go for the New Year?” Luo Qianqian pouted as she looked at the snacks she barely ate. Knowing that Luo Yanran and He Wenyu would occasionally send some treats over, she felt indifferent towards these snacks.

”Why would you say that?” Luo Shufan also felt awkward as he looked at the snacks in his hand, but he couldn’t refuse Lin Xu’s kindness and had let him buy a large bag. Now it was even tough to carry.

”Let’s take the snacks over to Xiao Yu’s home, I don’t want them.” Luo Qianqian immediately spotted her brother’s dilemma: ”Mom and Uncle Lin will probably go to Grandma’s house to discuss marriage and such over the New Year. I feel it’s not good for us to meddle, and we shouldn’t go, but I sort of want to see little sister.”

”Let’s go to Grandpa’s house this year,” decided Luo Shufan after a moment’s hesitation: ”Grandpa has been mentioning us for two years. We haven’t spent New Year’s at his place. Shall we tell Mom in a few days that we’ll visit Grandpa’s house?”

”But I don’t know what gifts to bring, and Uncle and Fourth Uncle and a few other brothers might not even be there.” Luo Qianqian sighed. Without Xu Tianyi around, going anywhere this year wouldn’t be fun.

”Grandpa’s place is quite lonely; it’s just the right time for us to accompany him,” Luo Shufan said, looking up at the night sky, feeling a bit nervous inside for some reason: ”The importance of a gift lies in the thought behind it, no one will criticize whatever you give.”

”But it kind of feels like abandoning mom is like disagreeing with her getting married.” Luo Qianqian pouted as she watched her brother open the door, quickly darted inside, changed into slippers, and sprawled on the sofa: ”It’s so cold, I’ll go with Xiao Yu to buy gifts tomorrow.”

”Just let Grandma know in advance, so as not to make Mom uncomfortable. It’s awkward for us to be there and it’s awkward if we’re not,” Luo Shufan watched his sister’s laziness: ”Do you want a cup of hot water?”

”Then can you call Grandma’s place tomorrow? And also call Fourth Brother and tell him we’ll visit him in a few days. I’ll do some homework these next few days,” said Luo Qianqian conscientiously as she took off her coat, poured two cups of hot water, and handed one to Luo Shufan: ”I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather recently.”

”What’s wrong? Feel like having a stomachache?” Luo Shufan arched an eyebrow and didn’t take his sister’s words seriously.

”It’s you who’s going to have a stomachache. I just don’t feel well and I keep having nightmares,” Luo Qianqian blinked: ”Did you scare me by talking in your sleep at night?”

”Get lost,” Luo Shufan kicked out playfully.

——

”Hey, you just know how to abandon me. I can only miserably go on a trip with my mom and dad,” He Wenyu pretended to sigh after hearing Luo Qianqian’s plans.

Luo Qianqian rolled her eyes: ”When have I not done this? And when have you not traveled all over the place?”

”Heh heh, I’ll bring you souvenirs, and you remember to bring me a set of Fuwa back, okay?” He Wenyu laughed lightly, pulling Luo Qianqian into the mall. He occasionally offered some advice, and in no time, they bought all the gifts for Grandma’s and Grandpa’s houses.

”Xiao Yu, do you think my mom getting married means she’ll have to share the love she has for me with the new child?” Luo Qianqian asked hesitantly. She couldn’t and dared not ask her brother, a fellow concerned party, but she was still worried inside.

He Wenyu smiled tenderly: ”Silly girl, of course not. Even if it were the case, you still have me, and you have my mom and dad, your godparents. You wouldn’t renounce us, would you?”

Luo Qianqian blinked strangely, feeling that He Wenyu had changed a lot. Such words from He Wenyu years later wouldn’t be surprising, but why would they come from a ten-year-old child?

”Xiao Yu, why are you buying that?” Luo Qianqian asked with surprise as she saw He Wenyu purchasing black yarn.

”I’m knitting a scarf, isn’t it obvious?” He Wenyu rolled his eyes: ”Do you think I’m like you? Aside from eating and sleeping, all you know is how to be annoying.”

”My brother said I’m ’annoying without doing anything,’ don’t misquote him,” Luo Qianqian looked at the yarn, her lips twitching: ”You like this color? I thought you liked light blue?”

”...suddenly fell for it, what’s wrong, can’t I?” He Wenyu’s face turned red, but Luo Qianqian’s gaze landed on a figure, missing this moment.

”Uncle Lin?” The one shopping was indeed Lin Xu.

”Qianqian?” Lin Xu looked at Luo Qianqian, who was flustered as she introduced: ”This is my son, Lin Jiayou, Xiao Hu, this is your Aunt An’s daughter, Luo Qianqian.”

Upon hearing Luo Qianqian’s name, Lin Jiayou’s face turned pale; Luo Qianqian examined Lin Jiayou for a long while before recognizing him as one of the rainbow-haired guys from back then.

”Hello, Brother Lin,” Luo Qianqian chuckled, squinting her eyes, the smile very sweet.

Lin Jiayou felt a chill down his spine: ”Hello, little sister.”

”Qianqian, are you and your friends out shopping for gifts?” Lin Xu, seeing the many bags in Luo Qianqian’s hands, smiled warmly, while Lin Jiayou wished he could sink into the ground and silently prayed that Luo Qianqian had a bad memory.

”Yes, I’m buying gifts for everyone at Grandpa’s house for the New Year,” Luo Qianqian replied with a light laugh.

”Well, since we’ve met, let’s go, Uncle will buy you clothes,” Lin Xu said, taking the bags from Luo Qianqian’s hand with a large gesture.

Luo Qianqian quickly waved her hands: ”No need, Uncle, my friend and I have finished shopping; you and Brother can go on a stroll.” Just then, He Wenyu, having finished buying the yarn, walked up to Luo Qianqian’s side.

”What’s going on?” Looking at Lin Xu, he seemed to be Mom’s boyfriend that Mom had mentioned, right?

”I’m also buying gifts for your mom’s parents; I’m not even sure what to get,” Lin Xu said with an embarrassed look in his eyes facing the two young ladies.

Luo Qianqian nodded: ”For Grandma, a pair of warm boots would be best, not leather ones, and get some ointment for cracked heels too; Grandpa likes to drink; a piece of clothing for Auntie should be fine, Uncle loves to smoke, and cousin is young, so snacks are good; I might not see my second aunt’s family, so I’m not too familiar with their likes.”

Lin Xu looked at Luo Qianqian and after a while let out a sigh, ”Uncle understands, but next time you can’t refuse when Uncle offers to buy you clothes, okay? Uncle will have your Brother Hu take you home.” He turned to Lin Jiayou: ”Xiao Hu, take your sister home and don’t come back until she’s safely there.”

Lin Jiayou, seeing Mr. Lin’s expression, nodded unwillingly and carried the bags behind the two young girls; Luo Qianqian turned back to see Lin Xu waving at them.

”Tell me,” Luo Qianqian glanced sideways at Lin Jiayou, ”how can someone as amiable as your dad have a kid like you?”

Lin Jiayou’s face instantly turned green, looking at Luo Qianqian’s expression strangely.

”You know him?” He Wenyu heard Luo Qianqian’s words, clearly indicating she knew the guy.

”You still remember me?” Lin Jiayou looked at Luo Qianqian with furrowed brows, a warning tone in his voice: ”I have nothing to do with my dad; I’m not like him, I’ve already been improving.”

”I can see that, at least you didn’t continue to torment your hair,” Luo Qianqian huffed coldly.

Hair? He Wenyu looked doubtfully at Lin Jiayou’s head, eyes widening in realization: ”It’s you.”

”Don’t mention this to my dad. I owe you an apology, I’m sorry,” Lin Jiayou bowed deeply to them both.

”Someone’s already avenged us, haven’t they? Otherwise, with your arrogance back then, how could you have gone without retaliating?” Luo Qianqian chuckled lightly.

”I’m really curious, how did our Boss end up hanging out with you guys?” he quickly added upon seeing Luo Qianqian’s puzzled expression: ”I mean Bai Yizhu.”

”Bai Yizhu is your boss?” He Wenyu’s eyes widened.

”To err is human; to forgive, divine.” Luo Qianqian folded her hands together and glanced at Lin Jiayou.