Rebirth to Save Myself

Chapter 122 Returning to China

"You're drunk, let's leave first." Lu Jingnian broke free from Su Xia's hand, supported her waist, and prepared to leave.

"No, why can't I kiss you? Aren't I your girlfriend? Go ask Kevin, go ask Susan, don't they kiss each other?" Su Xia shook off Lu Jingnian's hand and looked at him with a wronged expression.

"That's not how it is. I didn't mean you couldn't kiss me, it's just that we're outside now, and it wouldn't be good if someone saw us." Lu Jingnian explained patiently, though he wasn't sure if Su Xia had actually listened.

"I don't care, so what if someone sees us? What's wrong with me kissing you?" Su Xia started acting like a rogue, trying to sit on the floor, but her dress was too form-fitting, making it difficult for her to do so.

Lu Jingnian hugged Su Xia's waist again, trying to control her, and could only whisper in her ear, "Let's go out first, okay? I'll let you kiss me once we're out."

"You have to keep your word, okay?" Su Xia quieted down upon hearing this and obediently walked out of the house with Lu Jingnian.

Lu Jingnian hesitated, wondering whether to let Su Xia stand there and wait for him to drive over, or to take her with him to find the car. There was no parking lot when they arrived, so they had to park nearby, which was quite a distance to walk from there. Besides, Su Xia's alcohol levels were slowly rising, and she was now unsteady on her feet without support.

"Kiss me." Su Xia refused to move forward and instead tugged at Lu Jingnian's hand, acting coquettishly.

"Okay, okay, kiss, kiss." Lu Jingnian lowered his head and kissed Su Xia's cheek, then continued to pull her along. He was still worried about leaving her here alone; it wouldn't be good if someone bullied her.

"Kissing isn't like that, it's a kiss on the lips," Su Xia said in a voice that sounded like she was about to cry.

Lu Jingnian felt like he was going through a huge test. Su Xia had no idea how alluring she was to him; his heart raced just from touching her waist. He took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders, trying to cover her cleavage. He kept coaxing her, urging her to come with him to find a car.

"Jingnian, Niannian, please pay attention to me, okay?" Su Xia held Lu Jingnian's hand and kept pleading with him.

"Yes, I'm here. I found the car, you can get in first." Lu Jingnian opened the passenger door and shoved Su Xia inside.

He then went around to the driver's side and entered the car. Su Xia had just opened her mouth to say "Niannian" when Lu Jingnian silenced her with a kiss.

In the enclosed carriage, two figures leaned against each other. Their lips lightly touched, exploring each other's warmth. Their tongues danced in their mouths like graceful dancers. Their kisses were gentle and delicate, as if telling of their longing and desire.

The headlights of nearby cars shone through the windows, casting golden outlines on them. Their hair intertwined, creating a beautiful scene. Their bodies gradually warmed, and their breathing became rapid. In this enclosed space, time seemed to stand still, with only their heartbeats and the sounds of their kisses echoing in the air.

Their kisses grew more intense, as if they were trying to draw each other's souls into their own. Their hands began to roam over each other's bodies, searching for more warmth and comfort. In the cramped carriage, their bodies were pressed tightly together, as if trying to minimize the distance between them.

Lu Jingnian felt like he was going crazy, but he couldn't control his body. He craved more, pressing Su Xia down on the car seat and inhaling her scent intensely. When he realized Su Xia couldn't breathe, she pushed him away.

"I, I, I..." Lu Jingnian's actions instantly sobered Su Xia up considerably. She looked at herself and then at Lu Jingnian, somewhat flustered. She wanted to say something, but then realized her words wouldn't make sense, so she shut up.

"Let me take you home first," Lu Jingnian said, changing the subject to stop the conversation.

"Ah."

Su Xia was so embarrassed that she didn't even let Lu Jingnian take her upstairs, and ran away at the hotel entrance. Lu Jingnian watched Su Xia's hasty retreating figure, smiled, and recalled the warmth of her lips and the soft touch of her skin, wanting more.

In the following days, Lu Jingnian took Su Xia out to play from time to time, while packing his own luggage. He gave Kevin everything he couldn't take with him, and sent the rest back home by express delivery. In the end, he arrived at the airport with three suitcases and Su Xia with two.

Kevin and Susan both came to see him off. Kevin looked at Lu Jingnian and said, "Brother, I don't know if we'll ever have a chance to meet again. If you encounter any difficulties when you return to China, I will definitely help you if I can."

"Definitely, and so will you." Lu Jingnian hugged Kevin. They had spent four years together, the closest of roommates, partners who went grocery shopping, to class, and to exercise together, and rivals who competed in cooking. The sudden separation was especially heartbreaking.

"Honey, remember to send me something when you go back to China," Susan said to Su Xia. She had already added Su Xia on WeChat and especially liked the Hanfu that Su Xia had mentioned, so she hoped that Su Xia could pick out a few Hanfu and send them to her when she returned to China.

“No problem, Susan.” Su Xia nodded. She especially liked Susan’s lively and cheerful personality, and she wouldn’t refuse someone who made many friends. After all, having more friends meant having more options.

"We must part ways after seeing you off for a thousand miles, but we will meet again."

"See you later."

Su Xia and Lu Jingnian traveled back to China via connecting flights. When they arrived in the capital, Lu Zhongqing and Xie Yuezhi were already waiting for them. As soon as Xie Yuezhi saw Lu Jingnian, her eyes welled up with tears, and she rushed forward to hug her son, whom she had missed day and night.

"Alright, Mom. I'm back now, I'm not leaving again." Lu Jingnian patted Xie Yuezhi on the back to comfort her.

“I won’t let you leave either. What’s wrong with China? Why do you have to go abroad?”

"Yes, yes, I miss home so much."

"Hello, Uncle and Aunt!" Su Xia stepped forward and greeted them politely.

"Xiaxia, Auntie was very happy with you and Jingnian being together from the start." Xie Yuezhi held Su Xia's hand, smiling like a doting aunt. She acted as if Su Xia wasn't just her son's girlfriend, but his wife.

"Mom, Xiaxia and I just got together, what are you saying?" Lu Jingnian quickly stopped his mother, afraid that Su Xia would be embarrassed.

"You're one to talk! You've known each other since high school, and you're only starting to date now that you're about to graduate from college. What were you doing for the previous three years?" Xie Yuezhi wished that Lu Jingnian and Su Xia would get together in college, get married right after graduation, and then have a grandson.

"Hehe, Auntie, I have something to do at school, so I'll be going now." Su Xia had originally planned to go back to school as soon as she got off the plane, but she didn't expect Lu Jingnian's parents to come to the capital to pick her up. Out of politeness, she should say hello, but Xie Yuezhi felt more and more awkward, so she had no choice but to leave first.

"No rush, Jingnian's grandparents and uncles are having dinner together tonight. You can come too, and after dinner, you can go back to the provincial capital with us. It's on the way," Xie Yuezhi said happily.

Since they hadn't gone abroad to attend their son's graduation ceremony, they hadn't actually planned to pick him up. However, Xie Yuezhi's parents had been living with her brother in the capital for the past few years, and when the elderly couple heard that Lu Jingnian was returning to China, they immediately insisted that Lu Jingnian come to the capital to see them.

So Lu Zhongqing brought Xie Yuezhi to the capital to pick up his son and take them to his parents' place. Since Su Xia was also there, and Lu Jingnian had so publicly announced his girlfriend, taking Su Xia along for dinner would surely make his parents even happier.

"No, Auntie. My graduation defense starts tomorrow, and I need to go back and talk to my advisor." Su Xia was shocked. She only wanted to date and didn't want to meet the parents.

Lu Jingnian was also surprised by Xie Yuezhi's words, and then hurriedly echoed after Su Xia finished speaking, "This is a big deal concerning whether we can graduate or not. As for the meal, we can just go as a family."

“Yeah, if Old Chen finds out, he’ll definitely scold me. Xiaxia, you’re going back to the provincial capital. Our two families will get together again then. You have something to do today, so you can go now. Do you need Jingnian to take you?” Lu Zhongqing also said.

Ever since his son tricked Old Chen's daughter into marriage, Old Chen has given him the cold shoulder at several gatherings. He's implied that his daughter is just dating, and marriage is a pipe dream. If they force Su Xia to meet the parents, Old Chen will explode!

"No need, I've already bought my ticket, I can just go straight to check-in." Su Xia shook her head, declining Lu Zhongqing's offer.

"Dad, I'll come right after I see her off at the airport. You guys wait for me in the parking lot." This time, Lu Jingnian didn't give Su Xia a chance to refuse and directly expressed his wishes.

"Okay, I'll send you the location later."

Lu Jingnian pushed Su Xia's luggage cart and followed her to her boarding gate to check in her luggage. He took Su Xia's hand and said, "You go back to school first. After I finish meeting with my grandparents, I'll come to your school to find you."

"Okay, take your time. My graduation ceremony is still a week away." Su Xia nodded, indicating her understanding. Lu Jingnian had been studying abroad for four years, and his family must miss him terribly.

"Since you're coming to my graduation ceremony, I definitely have to go too. Otherwise, I'd be neglecting my duty as a boyfriend, and that wouldn't do."

"Haha, then I'll wait for you."

"Wait for me." Lu Jingnian said, then kissed Su Xia's lips.

"I'm boarding now, you go find your parents."

"it is good."

Lu Jingnian found his parents' car in the parking lot and went to the restaurant with them without putting down his luggage. Lu Jingnian's uncle had booked a private room long ago, and everyone else was already there when they arrived.

"Oh my, Jingnian has become so handsome after being away for a few years!" Aunt Xie said, standing up with a joyful expression.

"Thank you, Auntie," Lu Jingnian greeted her politely.

"Of course! Do you have a girlfriend? If not, your aunt will introduce you to one. Your aunt has a lot of connections." The aunt said jokingly. She had seen Lu Jingnian's posts on WeChat Moments, but she couldn't help but say it to him face to face.

"Thank you, Aunt. I already have a girlfriend," Lu Jingnian said calmly, without any annoyance.

"Ah Nian, come here quickly and let your grandmother take a look." The old woman sitting in the main seat not far away waved to Lu Jingnian and said.

"Grandma, I'm here," Lu Jingnian replied and walked over.

"You've lost weight. Was it tough being abroad? Now that you're back, are you planning to work at your dad's company or take the civil service exam?" Grandma asked, holding Lu Jingnian's hand with concern.

"I haven't made any plans yet. I'll take a break for a while. I'll see what kind of job my girlfriend is looking for, and if it's suitable, I'll go with her." Lu Jingnian answered every question honestly and without ambiguity.

"Oh my, how cloying!" His second aunt, sitting to the side, teased him when she heard him say that.

"Yes, Second Aunt. You finally managed to win over your girlfriend, so you definitely need to stick with her tighter." Lu Jingnian smiled.

"If you want to take the civil service exam, you can ask your eldest uncle; his current workplace happens to be short-staffed," Grandpa said, quite satisfied with his children. And his grandson, who had been outstanding since childhood, why not lend a hand?

"Yes, yes, if I have that idea, I'll definitely have to trouble my uncle." Lu Jingnian agreed, without saying that he wasn't interested in taking the civil service exam. He went along with the old man's words, and making him happy was the most important thing.

"Well, if your girlfriend seems suitable, bring her to meet us. Remember, don't play with her feelings; you should date with marriage in mind." Grandpa was satisfied with Lu Jingnian's answer, so he brought up the topic of girlfriends.

"Okay, I understand. I'll bring her to see you when she's ready to come."

"Okay, now that everyone's here, let's start eating."

"Okay, Dad."

Meanwhile, Su Xia returned to school shortly after. She opened her dormitory door and shouted, "I'm back!"

"We were wondering when you'd be back. Your thesis defense is tomorrow." Ye Zhenzhen happily stepped forward to help Su Xia bring in her suitcase.

"Where's Lu Lu?" Su Xia looked around and only saw Chen Wanying and Ye Zhenzhen, so she asked.

"She went to ask her teacher about studying abroad, and she'll be back soon," Ye Zhenzhen replied.

"Never mind the others for now, tell us about your experiences abroad. We're really curious, who confessed first?" Chen Wanying asked curiously as she leaned forward.

"Me? There's no rule that says girls can't confess their feelings, right?"

"So, did you two kiss?"

"Kiss, kiss."

"Wow, when and where?"

"On graduation day, in the car, he pressed me down into the chair and kissed me."

"Wow, that's so exciting! What happened next? Did anything indescribable happen?"

"No, just empty the yellow garbage out of your head."

"Seriously? Are you two really that innocent? All you've done so far is hold hands and kiss?"

"What else? One day together, two days kissing, three days sleeping together, four days breaking up?"

"That's not that fast. That's called a one-night stand, not dating!"

"Alright, alright, I'm going to go see my professor for my thesis defense now."