After rebirth, I rejected the rich yandere lady

The National Day holiday was drawing to a close.

It was time to head back to school.

College students really weren't too sentimental about the break.

In fact, for most of them, school life was much more fun than being at home.

At noon, their families sent them off to the high-speed train station.

Right at the entrance, they spotted two "Africans" squatting and waiting.

He Qiang and his dad, with a middle-aged woman standing next to them, all dolled up.

"Uncle He, auntie, hello."

Xu Musen stepped forward to offer his greetings.

"Hello, hello."

He Qiang's parents were in a cheerful mood today, smilingly greeting everyone.

"Old Xu, long time no see."

He Qiang's dad went over to Xu's father, sharing a cigarette and chatting amicably.

They were all locals and had known each other before.

"This must be Ming Yue, haven't seen you for a while, you've become more and more beautiful."

He Qiang's mother eyed Yao Mingyue; such a pretty girl, who wouldn't like her.

"Auntie, you look beautiful too," Yao Mingyue replied with a smile.

"Look at you, such a sweet talker, but I'm not as young as your mother. Last time we met at a parent-teacher meeting, I thought she was your sister."

He Qiang's mother beamed, glancing towards Liu Rushuang.

Comparatively similar in age, yet Liu Rushuang looked like she was in her thirties, with fair skin and a well-maintained figure, mainly it was her poise.

Time doesn't tarnish a true beauty; with Liu Rushuang's grace, even after a decade or more, she wouldn't look old.

They all made small talk together.

Xu Musen also walked over, patted He Qiang on the shoulder, and whispered, "What's the occasion today? Why do your parents seem so happy?"

He Qiang scratched his head, looking a bit sheepish.

"A couple of days ago, Chu Wenhui called me to ask when I was heading back to school, so we could go together. I was fishing and had her on speakerphone, so my parents overheard and insisted on coming today to see."

Upon hearing this, Xu Musen chuckled, "Well, aren't your mom and dad here to meet their future daughter-in-law? That's good news."

A blush crept across He Qiang's naturally dark face, "That's nonsense, we're just ordinary friends."

"Don't give me that, when is there ever such pure friendship between a boy and a girl? It's merely an excuse before making a move," Musen replied.

He Qiang gave him a sidelong glance, "And what about you and An Nuannuan?"

You two always claim to be best friends, right?

But you've already started getting handsy.

"...That's different," Musen coughed, his voice faltering, "She's been pretty obvious with her hints, you better make a move quick, otherwise, you might regret it if she gets away."

He Qiang chuckled, then seriously advised, "Moriko, I think that advice fits you better. You've been together for so long; wait till she's able to walk, able to run—let's see who ends up crying."

Musen groaned; there was no denying his best friend knew too many of his secrets.

However, An Nuannuan's leg was indeed getting better by the day.

He believed it wouldn't be long before she could leave the wheelchair behind.

Musen was happy for her, but He Qiang's words also left him feeling a bit melancholic.

Yes, previously, being with An Nuannuan was because she couldn't get around on her own, which gave Musen an excuse to be with her.

But what about when Nuannuan's leg recovered, when she truly didn't need to rely on anyone?

Would she still stay as dependent on him then?

What if she really did run off eventually?

Musen suddenly felt like he was nurturing a cabbage he'd cared for, only to have it run away from home. Should he step up his game to coax her?

In that moment, Musen's mind flashed with some rather unseemly thoughts.

He quickly shook his head, a cold sweat on his brow.

That was terrifying. How were his thoughts any different from the old Ming Yue of a previous life?

They say you can't raise two different people in the same bed; could he have been influenced subconsciously as well?

His gaze shifted to Ming Yue standing on the other side, and an unsolicited thought crossed his mind.

If you can't beat them, join them, become her, surpass her...

Musen shook his head vigorously, trying to dismiss those scary thoughts.

Before long, a figure appeared at the entrance of the high-speed train station.

"He Qiang!"

Chu Wenhui was the typical fiery Sichuan girl; as soon as she stepped out of the station and saw He Qiang squatting to the side, she called out to him.

Upon hearing her voice, He Qiang instinctively snapped to attention.

Their parents shifted their attention to the scene.

He Qiang felt a bit embarrassed; even though he claimed they were just friends, his body betrayed his truer feelings.

But with the thought of his parents standing by his side, the embarrassment was even greater.

"My suitcase is so heavy. Aren't you going to come over and help me with it?"

Chu Wenhui chided him, seeing him standing there dumbfounded.

He Qiang, very obligingly, went over to grab her heavy luggage.

"Did you pack a couple of rocks in here? Why is it so heavy?"

He Qiang nearly couldn't lift it.

"I brought you some snacks, I'm not even complaining. Can't you handle it?" Chu Wenhui scoffed, patting him.

"Snacks? It feels more like you've stuffed half a pig in there."

"You guessed it, it's the ham made by my family!"

Chu Wenhui boasted proudly, pulling the suitcase open a crack to reveal an entire row of cut ham.

"..." He Qiang was rendered speechless. These were her 'snacks'?

So, for beef jerky, would she just drag a whole cow over to gnaw on?

"Still not satisfied? I'll have you know my family's ham is famous far and wide. You should be grateful I'm giving you some," she declared.