He Died a Simp… Reborn to Make His Gold-Digger Ex Regret Everything!

[0:00]During the college entrance exam, I deliberately answered every bonus question correctly, just to make sure I'd end up as far from the school beauty, Lu Ruyin, as possible. After walking out of the exam hall, Lu Ruyin's girlfriends cornered Jiang Xiaoyu and mocked him. Lu Ruyin said she hadn't done well on the exam, so this afternoon, make sure you turn in a blank paper. Otherwise, you'll lose your chance to grovel at her feet forever. The group burst into laughter. I looked at Lu Ruyin, the disgust on her face was plain and not at all. Saying, got it. But in my head I was thinking, whoever wants to be her lapdog can have the job. I'm not. I turn around right then and call my butler. Immediately cut off all financial support to her family and had them removed from the property. Lu Ruyin called me 99 times in a fury. I didn't pick up a single one. Now you're panicking. Where was all this energy before? In my past life, as the son of the richest man in the country, I'd been completely obsessed with our family driver's daughter. To marry her, I signed over the company my father left me straight into her hands. She spent my money and started dating someone else. Her boyfriend got pampered like a spoiled puppy. I got treated like hired help. Done the day she got married, I called her trying to borrow money for medical treatment. She said coldly, every year you've clung to me has been a nightmare. Jiang Xiaoyu, do us all a favor, disappear. In my final moments, I looked at the woman holding me, and only then realized that the wealthy heiress I had once turned down had never stopped waiting for me. When I opened my eyes again, I was back in my third year of high school. That year, I'd fallen asleep on my desk in class, and it was the scheming Lu Ruyin who woke me up. Lu Jinyan's stomach is acting up. Go buy her some antacids. Quick, and grab food from the cafeteria while you're at it. Get plenty of meat. She's too thin, she needs to eat well. Lu Jinyan was slumped over her desk with a stomach ache. Surrounded by a crowd fussing over her like she was royalty. But the most attentive of them all was, of course, Lu Ruyin. Lu Ruyin was Lu Jinyan's girlfriend. The two of them had always held the top two spots in the class rankings. I in everyone else's eyes, they were a perfect match, a golden couple made for each other. And me? I was Lu Ruyin's brainless errand boy. Sleeping through class every day, fetching her food, refilling her water, running her every errand. Now that I'd been reborn and was seeing Lu Ruyin's true face again, the whole thing just seemed pathetic. What gave Lu Ruyin the right to treat me like this? Noticing me just standing there, Lu Ruyin spoke up. What are you spacing out for? Go, and make it quick. She turned away and walked over to Lu Jinyan, gently rubbing her back. Lu Jinyan glanced at me and was about to tell me not to bother going. Actually, I'll just go myself. It's fine, she likes doing things like this. If I stop her, she'll only be upset, right? She looked over at me. I gave a small, tight-lipped smile and headed to the cafeteria without a word. This time I got in line and ordered two plates of food. A classmate nearby spotted me and let out a short laugh. Running food duty for Lu Xiaoyan again. Huh, too bad the person she's into is someone on Lu Jinyan's level. Someone just as exceptional as her. She never looked twice at someone like. Someone like me? What's that supposed to mean? You're basically a servant. You walk to school with her every day and start thinking you could actually marry her? Wake up, a guy as slow and useless as you is always going to be her family's hired help. Someone to do her laundry, sweep the floors. Change her kids' diapers someday. I laughed, half furious. Did Lu Ruyin actually tell you all that I'm a servant's son? Before all this, I let her ride in my car to and from school every day because I liked her, that was my choice. But somehow, in everyone's eyes, Lu Ruyin became the young mistress of the house, and I became the servant's kid. The guy just rolled his eyes at me. What else would you be? Now hurry up and take the lady her lunch before it gets cold. He laughed as he said it. The people around us laughed too, laughing at my lapdog behavior, laughing at my delusions. The bell rang. I walked out of the cafeteria and didn't go back to the classroom. Instead I sat down by the flowerbeds and ate both plates of food myself. I couldn't even remember the last time I'd had a proper meal. With no money to my name, I couldn't afford anything decent. Most days I'd wait until the market was closing and scavenge whatever produce they were throwing out. Actual meat wasn't even something I could think about. I finished both plates and only then did the edge of hunger dull slightly. By the time I got back to the classroom, the first bell had already rung. Lu Ruyin saw me walk in and immediately snapped at me. Why are you just getting back now? Where's the medicine? What medicine? I looked at her flatly, none of the warmth I used to have whenever I saw her. Lu Ruyin stared at me, speechless. The antacids I told you to get for Lu Jinyan. He said she had a stomach ache. Are you deaf? You can't even handle one simple thing. I glanced over at Lu Jinyan, who was looking pale. What exactly is my relationship with Lu Jinyan? Why would I be the one buying her medicine? Lu Jinyan's family didn't have much. Ever since she'd gotten close to Lu Ruyin, Lu Ruyin had been exceptionally generous with her. Whenever my father gave me something nice, Lu Ruyin would take it and hand it straight to Lu Jinyan. Even the watch Lu Jinyan was wearing right now used to be mine. These two have been swiping my card, spending my money, and enjoying everything I had while treating me like their personal servant. Fine. Jiang Xiaoyu, you want to make a scene. Is that it? If that's how you're going to be, don't come crying me next time, and don't you dare come begging me to forgive you. I stared at Lu Ruyin and found the whole thing almost funny. What exactly do I need you to forgive me for? What did I do wrong? The fact that I was actually talking back to Lu Ruyin made heads turn across the room. What's going on? Did the lapdog actually grow a spine? Lu Ruyin was caught off guard for a moment. She stared at me, thinking back to all the times I had come crawling to her. Fine, if you've got the nerve, don't you dare ride home with me this afternoon. I nodded. Sure did. I said it calmly, walked over to my seat, and sat down as if I hadn't quite caught what she said, and had simply agreed out of habit. Bai Ningbing, who sat next to Lu Jinyan, witnessed the whole thing. She immediately stood up to set things straight. Jiang Xiaoyu, what is your problem? All anyone asked you to do was buy medicine. You couldn't even manage that. Can't you see Lu Jinyan is feeling sick? I gave her a cool glance. If it's such a simple thing, why don't you go buy it yourself? Wang Yin crossed her arms, completely self-righteous. This is your job. Why should I have to go? I have no relationship with Lu Jinyan whatsoever. So why exactly is it my job? Wang Yin pointed at me. You work for the school beauty's family. Her friend needs medicine, isn't it only natural that you take care of it? That pushed me over the edge. I turned to Lu Ruyin directly. Have you been going around telling people I'm your family's servant? I fixed my eyes on her. Lu Ruyin flinched just barely. But it was there. Of course, none of this was something she had actually said out right. People had just assumed, seeing her arrive every day in a luxury car. And she had simply never bothered to correct. There was no way she was going to tell anyone that her father was just a driver, and that she was the driver's daughter who lived in my family's home. Fine, forget the medicine, I'll go get it myself in a bit. Lu Ruyin figured I just didn't want to buy medicine for Lu Jinyan out of jealousy. Which, given that I liked her, made sense to her. Lu Ruyin looked at me. What about the food? You wouldn't get lunch, no medicine. But you at least got the food, right? A classmate who'd been in the cafeteria had mentioned seeing me take two plates. I replied without missing a beat. Ate it. Both plates. Lu Ruyin's expression shifted a flash of genuine agitation. I nodded. The classmates sitting nearby looked over at me with open contempt. What are you, an animal? You ate both plates? They were used to fawning over Lu Ruyin. Looking down on me, came naturally to them. Before, I used to hold my tongue because they were all Lu Ruyin's friends. And I didn't want to get on anyone's bad side. I wanted them to put in a good word for me. So I gave them face every single time. Now I could see I'd been way too soft on all of them. Every time Lu Ruyin treated them to meals or anything else, she was spending my money. My money. I could eat 20 plates, and it would still be completely justified. The classmates nearby heard that, and their faces darkened immediately. The money you're spending is from the school beauty's family anyway, isn't it? I couldn't even be bothered to explain. But Lu Ruyin beside me was already fuming. And the fact that I hadn't gotten her food, leaving her with nothing to eat, pushed her anger right over the edge. She turned to me and said, Jiang Xiaoyu, you brought this on yourself. Let's see how long you'll last this time. With that, she stood up, gathered her things, and turned to Wang Yin, Lu Jinyan's seatmate. Let's swap. You go sit with her. Every time Lu Ruyin got upset with me, this was her punishment, refusing to sit next to me anymore. Not that sitting together had been her idea in the first place. I had begged for that arrangement. She was supposed to be my tutor, sitting beside me to help me study and catch up on lessons. But thinking back now, Lu Ruyin had never actually taught me a single thing. All she ever did was order me around. She seemed to think this move would shake me. It did. I didn't even react. Lu Ruyin hadn't eaten. Lu Jinyan was still suffering from her stomach ache. Lu Ruyin sat off to the side with a dark expression, shooting a glance toward me at the window seat. This time, Lu Ruyin was genuinely angry. She told herself that when I eventually came to apologize, she'd make sure I understood exactly who I was dealing with. When afternoon classes let out, the Maybach sent to pick me up was already waiting at the school gate. I walked out and went straight to the car. Why, now the whole school knew I had gotten on Lu Ruyin's bad side. Everyone was waiting to see me humiliated. When they saw me walk up and get in without a hint of shame, the whispers started immediately. Didn't he refuse to even get food for the school beauty? And he still has the nerve to use her family's car? He's just a servant's kid. Does he actually think he's the young master of the house? He got in before she even showed up. The nerve. Lu Ruyin is way too patient with him. If I had a servant's son pulling stunts like that, I'd have him fired on the spot. I heard every word and couldn't care less. I got in the car and spoke directly to the driver. Drive. The driver glanced back at me. But Miss Lu hasn't come out yet. Let's wait a bit. Sometimes Lu Ruyin ran late because of student council matters, and I would always wait. I had assumed today would be the same, so it surprised even me that I was the one telling the driver to leave the moment I got in. When the driver ignored my order and started making excuses on Lu Ruyin's behalf, I found it almost laughable. Uncle Lu, my father has only one son. Since when did our family have a young mistress? Young Master, did you and Miss Lu have a fight? Don't worry, I'll have a word with her when we get back. Don't bother. Just drive it. I don't want to ride with her. And I don't want to see her anymore, period. Uncle Lu hesitated, making no move to start the car. He knew perfectly well how much I used to bow to his daughter. Every time Lu Ruyin said something, I never dared push back. Even if he ignored me now, the worst that would happen was Lu Ruyin giving me a scolding later. Besides, in his mind, once I inherited the family fortune, all that money would eventually flow to his daughter anyway. He had long since stopped thinking of himself as a driver. He was already acting like a father-in-law in waiting. Putting on airs right in front of me. Are you going to drive or not? I frowned. Truth was, my father had wanted to let him go a long time ago. Word had gotten back that he was gambling privately, and my father felt uneasy keeping someone like that in the household. But back then, my head wasn't on straight. I kept defending him, thinking that if he stayed, Lu Ruyin would stay too. I said all the right things on his behalf. I had even told my father how well he treated me. That was the only reason he still had this job, and now he had the audacity to ignore direct orders from the very person who kept him employed. They were already here. The moment Lu Ruyin appeared at the school gate, Uncle Lu quickly stepped out of the car to greet her. Lu Ruyin came walking over with Lu Jinyan, the two of them making their way to the car together. Uncle Lu opened the door for them, and Lu Ruyin moved to help Lu Jinyan in. Because I liked Lu Ruyin, and because I wanted her to ride home with me every day, Lu Jinyan had always been part of the arrangement. The driver would drop Lu Jinyan off first before taking us home, and it wasn't just the afternoons. Every morning I'd have to wake up early so the driver could swing by, pick Lu Jinyan up first. Before Lu Jinyan could get in, I spoke up. Didn't you say you weren't riding with me this afternoon? So why are you getting in my car? The crowd watching nearby couldn't hold back anymore. Jiang Xiaoyu, what do you think you're doing? This is obviously the school beauty's car. Who does he think he is acting like he owns it? Exactly. They're already being generous, letting him ride along. And now he's trying to keep the young mistress out of her own car. Everyone was chiming in at once. Lu Ruyin looked at me, her expression stiffening. She had no idea what had gotten into me today, that I wasn't giving her any way out. Do you really have to do this? I'm not even bringing up what happened at lunch anymore. I decided to let it go. Jiang Xiaoyu, I don't need your forgiveness. Go home on your own. Don't ride with me. Lu Ruyin's face cycled between pale and flushed. She was well aware that everyone around her believed she was the wealthy one. If she didn't get in this car with me right now, her whole cover story would fall apart. So she simply reached out and pulled me out of the car herself. Then helped Lu Jinyan in. Lu Ruyin, you've gone too far. I'll admit she got to me. A lot of what happened between us in my past life had already blurred, but seeing her face right now, I genuinely couldn't understand how I'd ever put up with it, or thought she was someone worth caring about. Lu Ruyin didn't even acknowledge me. She had no interest in reasoning with me. She said something sharp to the driver, and Uncle Lu simply drove away, leaving me standing alone at the curb. The onlookers burst out laughing. Good. Serve him right. Absolutely no sense of his place. I pulled out my phone. It was the one Lu Ruyin had bought herself, a cheap Nokia, a few hundred yuan at most. To make her happy, I had given her the iPhone my father had gifted me on my birthday, and taken this beaten up thing in return. At the time I told myself it was to protect her pride. Looking at this cheap phone now, I found it almost funny. But I called my father anyway. Not long after, the Maybach that had just driven off came back and pulled up to the gate again. Uncle Lu stepped out, looking noticeably uncomfortable. His expression made it obvious he had just been given an earful. Ask those two to get out. I'm not sharing a car with them. Uncle Lu turned to the car. Lu Ruyin helped Lu Jinyan step out. Lu Jinyan clearly hadn't expected any of this. Her face went pale as she looked at me. Jiang Xiaoyu, if you have a problem with me, fine. But there's no reason to drag Lu Ruyin into it. She's always treated you well. Lu Ruyin cut her off immediately. Stepping in front of her. Don't say anything to her. Only once both of them were out did I get back in. As we pulled away, I rolled down the window, smiled, and gave Lu Ruyin a small wave. Bye. Uncle Lu glanced at me in the rearview mirror. He clearly hadn't expected me to go through with it so completely. Young Master. He said carefully, arguments happen. Don't let it get to you. I'll have Lu Ruyin come apologize when we get home. Though he also realized she had no car now. She was probably going to have to take the bus. There was no telling what time she'd get back. Everyone else rides the bus just fine. She can't? Uncle Lu, have you forgotten whose son signed your paycheck? If you had a problem with how I do things, feel free to quit. He had taken one look at my interest in his daughter and decided he no longer needed to respect me as his employer. Was that really where we were? Uncle Lu heard that and snapped his mouth shut immediately. Back home, Aunt Zhou spotted me at the door. Young Master, you're back alone? Where's Miss Lu? Why didn't she come with you? Miss Lu won't be coming around anymore. Aunt Zhou blinked, caught completely off guard. The Young Master has finally come to his senses. She had watched for a long time as the household bent over backwards for Lu Ruyin to the point where Lu Ruyin and her father had both lost track of their actual place in this house. Aunt Zhou had wanted to say something many times, but she never dared, because she knew I wouldn't want to hear it. Hearing me say this now, Aunt Zhou felt genuinely moved. She had always been the one in this household who treated me the best. But before, because she kept trying to manage the situation around Lu Ruyin, I'd been cold toward her. I in my past life. After Lu Ruyin took over the household, Aunt Zhou was the first one she threw out. Remembering all of that, and now seeing Aunt Zhou standing in front of me, I felt a sting behind my eyes. I'm heading upstairs. Of course. Miss Bai is here. Should I send her away? Bai Ningbing came by the house often. But because my father had arranged her for me, and I was fixated on Lu Ruyin, I found Bai Ningbing unbearable. Every time she came, I refused to see her. Just had someone send her away. By the end, we had barely exchanged a handful of words. But then I thought back to my final moments, how it was her people who took me to the hospital. How she still remembered, even then, that she was my fiancee. I stopped Aunt Zhou. I'll go see her. Where is she? In the back courtyard, playing with Dubai. I went to the back courtyard and found Bai Ningbing feeding Dubai. That dog was when I had wanted to keep myself, but Lu Ruyin said she didn't like dogs, so I stopped going near it. It was unexpected to see Bai Ningbing and Dubai getting along so well. And then I remembered people had mentioned her before I died. Someone with everything going for her, and yet she had stayed single all those years. My eyes went red. Bai Ningbing finished petting Dubai and looked up. She saw me standing at the doorway. She didn't know how long I'd been there. She started to walk over, then remembered how much I had always disliked her, and stopped. Jiang Young Master. Bai Ningbing was striking but composed and steady in a way that went beyond her looks. She was the same age as me. Yet somehow she already carried herself like someone in their mid-20s. Her academic record had never dropped below first in the province. She was also the person Lu Ruyin resented most. Lu Ruyin always insisted that Bai Ningbing only performed so well because her family had poured resources into her education, and that if she'd had the same advantages, she would have been just as good, if not better. Every time Bai Ningbing's results came out, Lu Ruyin's mood would sour. And that had gradually poisoned me against Bai Ningbing too. But thinking about it now, she had never actually done anything to me. We'd barely even interact. Seeing her this time, I kept my emotions in check, and asked simply, did you need something? Just came to check on you. When I didn't respond, Bai Ningbing read the room. I know you don't want to see me. I'll head out. She hadn't even expected to run into me. She had mostly come to see Dubai. The fact that I was willing to come out at all was already more than she'd anticipated. I watched her turn to leave and heard myself ask, do you want to stay for dinner? Bai Ningbing stopped and looked back at me, visibly surprised. Is that okay? The evening light was falling across me, softening everything around me. Of course. Lu Ruyin still wasn't back. She was dropping Lu Jinyan home first. I in the past, I would have waited for her no matter how late before allowing dinner to be served. Seeing me ask for dinner this early, Aunt Zhou was thrown off. You're not waiting for Miss Lu? Wait for her? What for? The household staff had gotten so used to me orbiting around Lu Ruyin that now that I'd stopped, they didn't quite know what to do with themselves. Aunt Zhou didn't push any further. Of course. I'll arrange it right away. Oh, and let Uncle Lu know while you're at it. You want him to come in tomorrow? Aunt Zhou paused for just a moment, then understood. It wasn't her place to ask questions about the master's affairs. With Uncle Lu dismissed, I finally sat down in the dining room. Bai Ningbing had been stealing glances at me, but the moment I sat down, she quickly looked away. It struck me that Bai Ningbing was actually quite shy at this age. I couldn't help wanting to tease her a little. Why aren't you looking? Do I look that bad? My grades were terrible, sure, but I wasn't hard to look at. If Lu Ruyin hadn't dragged me down the way she did, I never would have ended up in such a state. And oh, not at all. She kept her expression perfectly composed, but if you looked closely, her ears had gone red. I smiled and asked, by the way, I heard your grades are outstanding across the board. Bai Ningbing was still adjusting to my warmth. They're decent. She said simply that, do you happen to know any reliable tutors you could recommend? I'm looking for one. Counting on Lu Ruyin wasn't an option anymore. And this time around, I wasn't going to repeat my past life's mistakes, coasting along, assuming my father would carry me forever. Never once opening a textbook properly. While I still had the chance, I needed to get my grades back on track. Bai Ningbing had connections. If she recommended someone, it would probably be worth something. You're looking for a tutor? Lu Ruyin had originally stayed at my house. Because she heard I had a tutor and used that as her justification for living there. Now that she was dismissed, that reason was gone. Not that Lu Ruyin had ever actually tutored me. She had no patience for it whatsoever. Every yuan I had paid her was wasted. Bai Ningbing looked genuinely surprised. Seeing that I was serious, not joking around, she picked up her cup and took a quiet sip, masking her nerves. I don't have a tutor. I've always taught myself. If you don't mind, I could come by every day and help you. She figured there was little chance I'd agree after all. I had barely acknowledged her existence before. The fact that I'd invited her to stay for dinner today was already more than she'd expected. So, when I lit up and said, really? She was caught completely off guard. Bai Ningbing nodded, flustered. As long as you're willing, of course I can. I just don't want to fall behind on your end. Don't worry about that. What about your own studies though? It's fine. Her face stayed neutral, but her eyes were warm. She had already completed the high school curriculum long ago and had a guaranteed university placement lined up. But she didn't say any of that, not wanting to come across as showing off. Then, thank you. Fair warning, my grades are pretty rough. Just don't give up on me. Lu Ruyin's grades had always been good too, but her patience with me was nonexistent. The moment I didn't understand something after hearing it once, she would snap at me. My scores had actually been middling before she started tutoring me. Under her watch they only got worse. And so did my confidence that I want. I'll come by after school then. The two of us ate quietly. Bai Ningbing was calm and unhurried. Barely making a sound. I picked up my chopsticks and added food to her bowl without thinking. Make yourself at home. No need to be formal. Just then, Lu Ruyin walked in back from dropping Lu Jinyan off. She had already received the news about her father being let go, and by the sound of it, he had given her an earful. She saw me eating without having waited for her, and the table already cleared of warm food. Her face went cold immediately. I gave her a brief, indifferent glance and kept eating. Lu Ruyin had come to confront me about her father. Then she spotted Bai Ningbing. What is she doing here? In the past, I had kept my distance from every other girl just to keep Lu Ruyin happy. Whenever Bai Ningbing came over, I wouldn't even look at her, just had someone send her away immediately. And now here I was, having invited her to stay for dinner. She's my guest. Do you have a problem with that? Lu Ruyin sat down stiffly and stared at me. You specifically called her over just to make me jealous, didn't you? Bai Ningbing sat quietly beside me and said nothing. I looked at Lu Ruyin. You're overthinking it. You're not that important to me. There was a time when I thought this woman was my entire world. That everything in my life had to revolve around her. Coming back now, all I felt when I looked at her was revulsion. Continuing to care about someone like her would have been a one-way ticket to ruin. That if you think spending time with another girl is enough to make me jealous, Jiang Xiaoyu, you really are delusional. Seeing you get close to someone else. Honestly, I'd be relieved. At least it means one less day of you pestering me. With that she turned and went straight upstairs, slamming her door shut behind her. I was speechless. The moment Lu Ruyin was gone, I could see Bai Ningbing's expression shift into something harder to read. Don't listen to her. She's not actually upset about that. Is she? I wasn't entirely sure. What surprised me was that Bai Ningbing said absolutely nothing in response. She went quiet, her manner a little distant. After dinner, I walked Bai Ningbing to the door. Be careful on the way home. She left without saying much. Quiet by nature, it seemed that I came back inside. Lu Ruyin was coming downstairs. Whatever she had done, that face of hers really was something. She looked gentle and composed, the picture of calm. And that was exactly how she had fooled me before. Why did you fire my father? She hadn't brought it up in front of Bai Ningbing because she didn't want anyone to know she was nothing more than the driver's daughter. Making a scene in front of Bai Ningbing would have been humiliating. I fired a driver. Do I owe you an explanation for that? Everything that happened today was my decision. It has nothing to do with him. If you have a problem, take it up with me, or better yet, fire me too. The moment she said the word fire, something clicked. I looked at Lu Ruyin. All right. No problem. What did you just say? Lu Ruyin stared at me, stunned. I continued. Haven't you always said I was too slow to teach? In that case, let's call it here. Pack your things and move out. I'll find a different tutor. Ever since you started tutoring me, my grades have only gotten worse. I don't think you're worth what I've been paying you. Lu Ruyin assumed I was bluffing. It hadn't occurred to her that I was actually done. Your grades are bad because you're genuinely slow. Same material I explain it once to Lu Jinyan, and she gets it immediately. You, on the other hand, don't pick it up no matter how many times I go over it. That's not my fault. Any other tutor would hit the same wall. This is entirely your problem. Even now she was still finding ways to put it on me. Move out. Jiang Xiaoyu. Lu Ruyin's voice tightened. You're still a student. Keep your head in your studies, no wonder your grades are suffering. What does that suppose to mean? Lu Ruyin let out a cold laugh. All these little games you're playing, it's just because you're jealous of how close I am with Lu Jinyan. Isn't it? That's why you're in a mood, right now all I want is to focus on my studies, and get into a good university, that I'm not like you. I can't afford to coast on family money whether I study or not. So being with you right now is not something I'm willing to do. I stared at her for a long moment, genuinely taken aback. Then it hit me. Who said anything about being with you? Lu Ruyin, where's this confidence coming from? You actually think I want to be with you? Without my attention, you'd be nothing. Lu Ruyin clearly thought I was just being stubborn. Think whatever you like. But I'm warning you, if you invite Bai Ningbing to this house again, don't expect me to give you the time of day. She turned on her heel, went back to her room and slammed the door hard behind her. I went to my room and called Aunt Zhou. Tomorrow morning, pack up Lu Ruyin's belongings and move them out of her room. I won't have someone in this house who thinks they can walk over me. Then I got Bai Ningbing's number, saved it and sent her a message. Did you get home okay? No reply. The next morning I woke up naturally for the first time in a long while. No Lu Jinyan to pick up. No reason to rush. I had assumed Lu Ruyin would already be gone. But when I came downstairs, she was sitting at the dining table waiting for me. I found a seat and started on breakfast. Every morning I'd been racing out the door to pick up Lu Jinyan. I had barely ever sat down to eat properly at home. Seeing her still there, I didn't spare her a glance. I'm not going your way. You can head out early. I finished breakfast and walked out. Lu Ruyin followed close behind. The driver knew I had already waiting and opened the car door for me. I got in. Lu Ruyin got in after me. I looked at her. Miss Lu, what exactly is going on here? Didn't you say you weren't riding with me anymore? I remember every word from yesterday. Lu Ruyin sat in silence, lips pressed together. If my father hadn't insisted I smooth things over with you, I wouldn't be here. So you have some money, so you like throwing your weight around. Big deal. But my father still needs this job. You like throwing your weight around just because you have money. What's so great about that? But my father still needs this job. I had no interest in wasting any more time on this. I told the driver to go. When we arrived at school, I stepped out and Lu Ruyin followed close behind. Before, they always arrived together with Lu Jinyan. Today, Lu Jinyan had taken a bus on her own. When she spotted Lu Ruyin, she hurried over. Lu Jinyan's gaze settled on me. After yesterday's scene, she still couldn't quite wrap her head around how a servant's son had the nerve to act that way toward Lu Ruyin. Seeing us arrive together, she asked, so you two made up? I didn't bother acknowledging either of them and walked straight inside. Lu Ruyin watched my back as I walked away. When it became clear I wasn't going to wait for her, she frowned slightly, and said to Lu Jinyan, I'm not going to stoop to arguing with her. Still letting a servant's son treat you like that. You're way too patient. Now everyone's going around saying Jiang Xiaoyu is actually the young master of the house. Their opinions don't matter. My father has a good relationship with Jiang Xiaoyu's family. He asked me to look after her. I can't just ignore that. All right. Hearing that it was because of her father's request, Lu Jinyan felt a small wave of relief. I got to the classroom. Wang Yin was already there and she was standing right in my way, blocking the entrance. Move. Wang Yin, I glanced at her and said flatly, you got some nerve. Yesterday you just left Miss Lu and Lu Jinyan standing there and had the driver take off without them. I looked at Wang Yin and let out a short laugh. It's my car. I have every right to decide who rides in it. What does that have to do with you? My complete lack of shame seemed to catch everyone off guard. People started paying attention. Are you saying that Maybach belongs to your family? What else would it be? I said it plainly. Wang Yin gave a light, condescending laugh. Come on, Jiang Xiaoyu. We all know exactly who you are. You think you can play the young master here? Do you actually have that kind of standing? Word is that driver is your father. Your whole family works for the Lius. Miss Lu is just too kind to make an issue of it. Otherwise, she would have thrown you out long ago. Don't push your luck. Wang Yin was close with Lu Jinyan, who was always around Lu Ruyin, so when she spoke, people tended to believe her. Lu Ruyin and Lu Jinyan appeared at the classroom doorway, just in time to hear it. Lu Ruyin's expression tightened. Because what Wang Yin was saying while aimed at me was actually an embarrassment to her. She walked over and said to Wang Yin, go back to your seat. Wang Yin shot Lu Ruyin a reluctant look, clearly sensing her displeasure, and quietly moved her things. Lu Ruyin sat back down beside me. I paid her no particular attention. Her actions weren't something I was going to lose sleep over. She was the teacher's favorite, well-liked by everyone. Swapping seats wouldn't raise a single eyebrow for her. Wang Yin settled in next to Lu Jinyan, visibly annoyed. She leaned over and muttered, Lu Jinyan, what is Lu Ruyin thinking? Jiang Xiaoyu is walking all over her, and she's still protecting him. Now, she's even moved back to sit next to her. Her father asked her to look after Jiang Xiaoyu. That's all there is to it. Don't read into it. Oh, so that's why. I was wondering why Jiang Xiaoyu has been acting like this, even claiming that car is from their family. Lu Ruyin's phone looks expensive. The gifts she gives aren't cheap either. Then look at Jiang Xiaoyu's phone, barely any different from mine. And she's out here pretending to be some wealthy young master? Who's going to buy that? I was at my desk, sneaking a glance at my phone. Bai Ningbing had finally replied a single character, MM, which in Chinese was about as terse as it gets. It was hard not to notice the contrast. She had been warm and easy to talk to yesterday. But once she left, her messages had gone ice cold. It was already morning, and she was only just responding to something I'd sent the night before. Lu Ruyin, sitting beside me, caught a glimpse of my screen. The contact name, Bai Ningbing, was right there. She frowned slightly. Nothing had technically changed. And yet, since yesterday, she had the distinct sense that I had become a different person. I typed out a message to Bai Ningbing. Still coming this afternoon for the tutoring session? She replied with one word. Yes, good enough. I put the phone away and turned my full attention back to class, more focused than I had been in a long time. At lunch, Lu Jinyan came walked down with Lu Ruyin. On the way out, Lu Ruyin glanced over at me and asked, Aren't you going to eat? The fact that I'd stayed awake and attentive through every class, had clearly thrown her off. No dozing, no zoning out. And now I was still at my desk, carefully going over my notes. In the past, my head had been so full of her that it was almost a miracle I'd managed to study at all. She watched me still working after the bell, and asked out of curiosity, but I didn't even look up. I kept going as if she hadn't said a word. Lu Jinyan glanced at Lu Ruyin and said, if Jiang Xiaoyu's not coming, let's just go. We can bring something back up. Lu Jinyan meant well. In everyone's eyes, she always did. Even when people talked behind her back, Lu Jinyan had always carried herself with a kind of quiet optimism. But I didn't want to owe anyone anything. I neatly organized my things, stood up and headed downstairs on my own, not with them. Lu Jinyan walked alongside Lu Ruyin. What's going on with her? She completely ignored you. What did you do to upset her? Lu Ruyin was just as puzzled. No matter how cold she'd been to me before, I'd always come back, always found some way to get close again. But since yesterday, even though she hadn't done anything, I remained exactly like this. It made no sense. By the way, it's your birthday this weekend. Are you going to invite her? Lu Ruyin's birthday was coming up. Last year she had celebrated at the Imperial Court Hotel. I had booked the venue, arranged every detail, and let Lu Ruyin invite their classmates. One night, tens of thousands of yuan. Everyone who attended couldn't stop talking about it. Being invited to Lu Ruyin's birthday party had come to feel like a privilege. This year would be no different, or so everyone assumed. I in fact, I had already taken care of all the arrangements days in advance. If I hadn't said anything about firing her, Lu Ruyin wouldn't have given it a second thought. But after what I'd said yesterday and my cold manner today, she couldn't help second guessing herself. If I didn't show up, would there even be a party? She watched my figure disappear down the hall and told herself to calm down. It's fine. He'll come. He wouldn't just ignore my birthday. Maybe he's being distant on purpose, building up to some kind of surprise. That thought settled her nerves a little. She turned to Lu Jinyan. She'll be there. She's been at every single one of my birthdays.