117 Drizzle: Reissued

After hanging up the phone, Lin Xia slowly rubbed her eyes and closed them in deep thought.

Her mind oscillated between the unfolding events ahead and the memories of that day...

When Zhao Xin called out Chen Zimo’s name, Liu Ziqing’s expression, already stern, grew even colder. She looked at Zhao Xin with obvious displeasure.

Yet, unlike the others, she didn’t let so-called love or anger cloud her judgment to the point of losing control. She still understood the situation and knew this was no time for jealousy or confrontation. Instead, she pressed her lips tightly, casting a cold gaze on the smiling Zhao Xin, whose smile was both charming and sly.

“You and Auntie must have been anxious,” Zhao Xin explained softly, “Today, Axin and Zhou Meng came over early, so I prepared some dishes for the little ones first. By the way, has Ziqing and the others eaten? It would be rude to have them come to see Tongtong on an empty stomach.”

Liu Ziqing’s frown deepened. The words implied she was no longer considered an outsider, but what was her identity? Why should she substitute for the Chen family in hosting guests?

A beauty is a beauty—her furrowed brow pulled at Lin Xia’s heart like an ache, as if she wanted to smooth away the faint sorrow etched between her brows.

Then there was Zhao Xin, her face adorned with a smile, eyes full of sincerity and kindness, yet with a subtle shadow of worry beneath her brows. Lin Xia couldn’t help but sigh at the stark contrast; Liu Ziqing and Zhao Xin were on entirely different levels.

Sure enough, Chen Zimo felt warmth in his heart seeing Zhao Xin’s demeanor. “It’s nothing. Ziqing isn’t an outsider. Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu have watched me and Tongtong grow up since childhood. Axin and Mengmeng came all this way without any adults around. I know Mengmeng is the most mischievous troublemaker. I was about to distract them. My mom can’t afford to be distracted taking care of Xiaxia and the others. You’ve done very well; thank you for your efforts.”

Zhou Meng laughed, punching Chen Zimo lightly on the shoulder. “How am I unruly? There’s no one more obedient than me under the heavens. You—after all these years of friendship, couldn’t you at least save me some face in front of the little ones?”

Lin Xia glanced at Zhao Qian and the others, who all stared wide-eyed with astonishment and amusement.

Chen Zimo felt a bit embarrassed and coughed lightly.

But thanks to Zhou Meng’s interruption, the atmosphere eased considerably. The heavy weight that had clouded Chen Zimo’s heart these past days was lifted, if only slightly.

Watching this, Lin Xia thought silently: No wonder Zhou Meng could get along with someone as aloof as Chen Zimo. A few simple words resolved the awkwardness. Though Zhou Meng appeared carefree, she was no fool.

Chen Zimo, unlike most girls, didn’t dwell on trivial matters. Their inaction or silence didn’t mean ignorance or disregard; they simply chose not to bother with petty grievances or overthink.

As the ancients said, before absolute strength, all schemes, spirits, and demons are powerless.

Yet Zhou Meng, being an outsider, could observe coldly and remain detached. If she were in the thick of things, she might not do better than Chen Zimo.

All their actions were, after all, granted by their family status.

Lin Xia looked at these people before her, a flicker of disdain passing through her heart. Would they behave the same way under different circumstances?

The envied prodigies of noble families, gifted geniuses with a bright future—yet, compared to her, they were far better off.

If not for the blessing of a second chance at life, could she stand here with detached calm, judging those once seemingly untouchable figures?

She was far more fragile than they, relying only on the advantage of rebirth. What right did she have to see herself as above them all?

Never had she felt as peaceful as now. Leaning back in her chair, she let go of all constraints, allowing the wild memories in her mind to collide like dazzling sparks.

The world’s light and shadow slowly faded away. She felt herself immersed in emptiness, as if asleep yet profoundly awake.

The music from the computer was gentle and low, like lines of poetry, uttered softly before falling silent.

That day, when the Liu family met Zhao Xin for the first time, they saw her calm and capable, handling everything with ease, even speaking comfortably in front of Xie Fanghua. Their own daughter, standing awkwardly to one side, had barely said more than “Auntie” at the start.

Though initially biased towards their daughter, the Liu couple had to admit that in such a setting, a girl like Zhao Xin was truly well-bred and socially adept.

After bidding farewell, the three of them got into their car. Wen Ruping’s expression turned cold as she said, “Who is that Zhao girl from the Zhao family? She’s quite something—very skillful and manipulative. Appearances can be deceiving. That Xie Fanghua from the Chen family is so aloof, yet in just a few days, she’s been taken down by that little girl. Zimo has grown up in front of me. Though pure-hearted, he’s cold by nature. I watched carefully just now, and it seems he’s paying attention to that girl.”

She was talking about Zhao Xin.

The phrase “skillful and manipulative” implied someone who plays tricks and schemes. Wen Ruping applying it to a mere sixteen-year-old girl was harsh, revealing her defense of her own daughter.

Though their daughter had not performed well earlier, Xie Fanghua’s superficial smile made Wen Ruping unhappy. Qing’er was her daughter, whom she had raised herself. Did Xie Fanghua really know her temperament? Qing’er was far more genuine and better than someone who tried to please everyone.

Liu’s father sighed, glancing at their daughter sitting silently in the backseat. “You’d better say less,” he chided.

Wen Ruping knew her husband well; his words were never without reason. Looking in the rearview mirror at Liu Ziqing’s expression, she understood perfectly.

Although their daughter showed no outward signs, the tight press of her lips betrayed her thoughts. Since childhood, whenever she was troubled or unhappy, she unconsciously pressed her lips tight.

Wen Ruping silently cursed the Chen family mother and son, but didn’t bring up the topic again. Instead, she casually mentioned their younger brother Wen Ruoyan. Liu Ziqing was very close to her uncle, and they had not met for over half a year. Under Wen Ruping’s gentle prompting, Liu Ziqing let go of the earlier incident and spoke of her uncle.

Liu’s father even called Wen Ruoyan and, after a few polite words, handed the phone to his daughter. Seeing her face slowly brighten, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But the Chen family was indeed an unsuitable match.

First, there was Xie Xitong, who didn’t get along with Qing’er, and now this hostile Zhao Xin had appeared. How could Qing’er marry into such a family?

Moreover, though the Chen and Liu families were well-matched socially and had long-standing ties, he still hoped to marry Qing’er to someone of higher standing. With her beauty and family background, there was no shortage of good matches. If there weren’t any in Rongcheng, surely there were in B City. Perhaps one day, Qing’er could even help her two brothers advance, and he could be promoted as well.

While Liu’s father schemed, Wen Ruping disliked the Chen family. Meanwhile, Xie Fanghua understood she had not controlled herself well and had been cold toward Liu Ziqing.

But she simply couldn’t help it. Looking at that icy face, as if everyone owed her money, and knowing Xie Xitong’s dislike for Liu Ziqing, it was likely that Liu Ziqing had provoked her daughter. Otherwise, her daughter was usually obedient—why else would she dislike this young Liu girl?

Seeing Liu Ziqing’s expressionless face and pure white clothing only deepened her irritation; it was, after all, a matter of pride.

Lin Xia, however, knew that Xie Fanghua had been suppressing her anger for a long time and vented it unfairly. People’s hearts were always biased. Though Liu Ziqing came with good intentions to visit, it was better if she hadn’t come. What was her relationship with Xie Xitong? To most, it seemed less like a visit and more like gloating.

Furthermore, Liu Ziqing’s usual cold and aloof demeanor, coupled with the lack of rapport, Chen Zimo having to entertain You Xin and Zhou Meng, and Zhao Xin constantly interrupting, naturally made her feel neglected.

Just as Lin Xia was relaxing, the sound of QQ notification startled her awake.

Stretching, twisting her neck and arms, she opened it to find a message from Chen Qing.

“Meow meow: Send over the manuscript.”

Finding the remaining drafts, Lin Xia forwarded the manuscript, then locked the study door and slipped into her space.

The space was no longer as it was the first time she entered; now there was a simple desk, a laptop, and a few books.

In her previous life, she had seen that after the heroine gained a space, because the water and air inside were of extraordinary quality, they spent most of their time there.

But to Lin Xia, such dependence was unwise and addictive.

What if one day the space was lost? What would she do then?

Rebirth was a divine blessing, a great opportunity, so there was no need to ask for too much. Her feelings about the space were complicated, and she would never use it lightly.

At present, she had no drafts saved, but being a perfectionist, she couldn’t send her work to the magazine without thorough revision.

In the past, writing by hand was grueling, and she had rarely used the space. Now with a laptop, she still seldom used it.

Lin Xia felt that if one day the space malfunctioned and she couldn’t enter, she could still write excellent works in real time.

With such thoughts swirling, she opened her laptop and began writing earnestly.

A few days later, at noon after school, she handed two copies of “Drizzle” to Zhao Qian and Sun Xiaoxiao.

At that moment, Sun Xiaoxiao was busy with homework, head down, pen flying. Her right hand kept moving while her left reached out, puzzled, “What are you giving us? We’re in the middle of work.”

Zhao Qian was the same; Sun Xiaoxiao at least extended a hand, but Zhao Qian didn’t even look up.

Lin Xia smiled, handing the books over, but glanced at the empty seat beside her and her expression dimmed.

If Tongtong were here again, she would surely fuss and accuse the two of ignoring her, and the four would laugh and tease.

But now, only Xiaoxiao was playful, making the moment feel a little lonely.

“Ah—!” Sun Xiaoxiao suddenly exclaimed, startling the classmates still working in the classroom, all turning their heads.

She shouted, “It’s the latest edition of ‘Drizzle’!”