Rebirth in the 90s: Her Counterattack and Redemption

Chapter 721: Chapter 430: A Chance Encounter

Inside the Shang Island Coffee on Jingcheng Fuxing Road.

Chubby Li Xueqin was savoring her latte, looking quite pleased with herself, while Miao Lin sitting opposite her couldn’t help but roll her eyes: "Please, try to maintain some decorum."

"I’m not the school beauty, what’s there to keep up? This is the real me," Li Xueqin said nonchalantly, giggling and glancing around: "Miao the school beauty, did we invite your prince to join us?"

Miao Lin snapped her fingers at her in irritation: "You know very well that Zhan Ping won’t show up; are you deliberately annoying me?"

"Hehe..." Li Xueqin laughed sheepishly, "Honestly, I’m just curious. Look at you, top-notch in looks, background, and studies.

I figure any guy would be thrilled to have you smile at him, and would happily orbit around you. What’s Zhan Ping got to be so arrogant about?

If you ask me, you should just accept Sun Linjian’s advances to irritate Zhan Ping. Who knows, that might just make him realize his own feelings."

"Do you think it would work?" Miao Lin asked, skeptical.

"I think it would. You know, you’ve always ignored other guys, never even had an escort. Zhan Ping probably thinks nobody’s chasing you.

Among all guys, only Sun Linjian can compare to Zhan Ping in looks and background, so why not use Sun Linjian to test the waters? If it works out, great for everyone; if not, I suggest you just give up."

"It’s an idea," Miao Lin said thoughtfully, resting her chin on her hand. "I’m really tired of this. No matter how I treat him, he’s just cold and indifferent. Does he really think I can’t live without him?"

Li Xueqin chuckled: "Don’t wait for the right day, why not ask Sun Linjian out now and start fostering some feelings? It’d be more convincing that way."

Miao Lin eyed her: "Tell me the truth, do you fancy Sun Linjian?"

"Just a little bit, but I know myself well enough. He’s just eye candy to me; I’m not that foolish," Li Xueqin chuckled, "Today, I’ll just enjoy the view with your help."

"Xueqin, I really envy your carefree attitude," Miao Lin sighed deeply. "If I had your mindset, I wouldn’t be torturing myself."

"It’s different for you. You and Zhan Ping are on equal footing, so of course you hold on. But Sun Linjian and I are not even in the same league. I’m practical. Liking someone is one thing, being in love is another. I need a man who truly cares for me. I’ve no patience for flattering a man to make him happy."

"I envy you even more for that," Miao Lin said, pulling out her phone hesitantly. "Should I really call now?"

"Don’t mind me, I just want to bask in the presence of a handsome guy, nothing more," Li Xueqin laughed, "But let me advise you, even if you want to test the waters, don’t get too warm with Sun Linjian, or you might get stuck on a boat you can’t get off."

Miao Lin quickly put her phone away: "Better not then, I don’t want trouble."

"See, women really do lose their intelligence when they fall for someone," Li Xueqin laughed heartily, "Who would have thought Heavenly Pride herself could be so insecure?"

"Stop it, you’re making fun of me," Miao Lin poked her, "Xueqin, I’m so glad to have a friend like you or I’d be even more frustrated."

Li Xueqin spread her hands, "Think about it, which regular girl would want to be friends with you? Stand together and the difference is clear. And good men, would they still be mine?

To me, if someone’s eyes are fixed only on your beauty, that means he’s not right for me. If he can still see me even when you’re around, he’s definitely meant for me."

Miao Lin pouted, "So, I’m like your touchstone?"

"Hehe... Huh?" Li Xueqin’s eyebrows rose, "Miao Lin, you must believe in coincidences in this world, look, Cao Cao arrives."

Following her gaze, Miao Lin saw the tall and handsome Sun Linjian leisurely entering the café. Their eyes met, his filled with surprise and pleasure as he quickly strode towards them.

"My home’s air conditioner is broken, so I came down to seek warmth. I never expected to run into you here." Sun Linjian pointed at an empty seat, "Ladies, may I join you?"

"Quit pretending, didn’t you come over here intending to sit with us?" Li Xueqin scolded playfully, giving up her seat for Sun Linjian and moving to a spot farther from Miao Lin.

Sun Linjian sneaked a glance at Miao Lin’s expression, relieved to see no displeasure, and sat down, smiling gratefully at Li Xueqin, "What else would you like to drink? My treat."

"No, thank you. Are you trying to make me fatter? That’s not kind at all," Li Xueqin grimaced, "If you really mean it, treat me to a week’s worth of lunches after school starts, how about that?"

"No problem, not just a week, I can do a month," Sun Linjian offered cautiously to Miao Lin, "Lin Lin, shall we have lunch together after school starts?"

"Cough!..." Miao Lin choked, coughing violently.

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry..." Sun Linjian hastily turned to Li Xueqin, "Let’s switch places, come here and help her catch her breath."

Miao Lin stopped coughing and waved her off, "It’s okay, no need."

"Does that mean I can sit here? And we can have lunch together?" Sun Linjian asked with a face full of surprise.

"Yeah." Miao Lin gave him a smile. "You’re not feeling the pinch for money, are you?"

"Not at all, I couldn’t wish for more... I’d be glad to spend on you for the rest of my life." The last sentence was almost a murmur, which made Miao Lin look at him quizzically. "What did you say?"

Sun Linjian quickly replied, "Nothing... I mean, as long as you’re willing, I’d be happy to treat you every single day."

Miao Lin looked at him seriously: "Sun Linjian, you like me, don’t you?"

"Yes!" Sun Linjian nodded vigorously.

"But you know, I’ve always liked Zhan Ping..." At this point, Miao Lin hesitated, as Li Xueqin watched her speechless. How did it end up like this?

"Of course I know, but I don’t mind. As long as you give me a chance, even if I end up getting kicked out, I will have no regrets."

"Okay, I have a suggestion now..." Miao Lin hesitated, "I want you to help me test Zhan Ping. Pretend we are together. If he gets jealous and confesses to me, then I’ll go to him.

If he remains indifferent, it will mean that I really mean nothing to him in his heart, and I will not persist. I would then try to give us a try. Are you willing?"

Miao Lin was completely honest.

In an instant, Li Xueqin looked at her with eyes full of admiration. It was said that Miao Lin was good at pretense, but in reality, it’s just a common flaw of many beautiful girls, slightly too full of themselves. But once you actually became friends with her, it wasn’t tiring at all.

They became friends because once they went out to eat and Miao Lin got drunk as she was feeling down; other girls were just laughing at her, while only she took care of Miao Lin attentively. Since then, Miao Lin had always been considerate of her, always thinking of her, and thus they became good friends.

"Snap out of it..." Li Xueqin prodded the dazed Sun Linjian, "What are you zoning out for? Are you agreeing or not?"

"I agree, of course I agree!" Sun Linjian nodded like a pecking chicken, dazed because the happiness came too suddenly, and he couldn’t quite sort out his thoughts.

From the day of their orientation, he had been smitten with Miao Lin, but regrettably, two years had passed and she had always turned a blind eye to him. Even if it was pretending to be lovers, he was happy! Good heavens, thank you for the air conditioning! Lucky the AC was broken, he’d have to write a letter of commendation later! Embarrassed!

"Am I dreaming?" Suddenly, Li Xueqin pinched herself hard, gasping from the pain, "Seems real. Indeed, coincidences are everywhere."

Following her gaze, Miao Lin and Sun Linjian simultaneously covered their foreheads. Could this be any more coincidental? Just as they finished speaking, Zhan Ping and a group of people walked in...

Zhan Ping came with Ye Xuan, Luo Ye, Ye Shuo, and Ye Qinghe. Luo Ye had an appointment to meet Luo Lian here; after strolling for a while and seeing it was about time, they came over. Surprisingly coincidental, Zhan Ping felt a bit overwhelmed and rubbed his nose, looking at Luo Ye and others: "Those three are my classmates; I’ll go over and say hello."

Ye Qinghe patted him: "Let’s go sit there, that spot is pretty conspicuous."

"Qinghe, can you not make things worse?" Zhan Ping said helplessly. Ye Qinghe knew Miao Lin, and looking at the sly smile in her eyes, he knew she was up to no good.

"Who’s making trouble?" Ye Qinghe whispered while hugging Luo Ye’s shoulder, "That pretty girl likes Zhan Ping, and I think her personality is quite nice. Just don’t know why Zhan Ping doesn’t like her."

Luo Ye chuckled softly: "I’ve met her. Last time I went to Ren Da with your brother to find Zhan Ping, she was there declaring her sovereignty."

"Oh?" Ye Qinghe blinked, "What does little sister-in-law think of her?"

"Based on a single encounter, it might not be accurate," Luo Ye thought for a while, "she seems to be a bit willful; other than that, I didn’t notice anything else."

"Little sister-in-law has good insight. Her personality is indeed that way, but she has a good heart. I’ve seen her approach and ask parents from remote rural areas who came to visit their children and were dressed in dirty clothes, while many others kept their distance."

Ye Shuo smacked his lips: "Why doesn’t Third Bro like her? She’s so pretty. A pretty and kind girl, to miss out on her would be something to regret."

Zhan Ping smacked him: "You little brat, don’t go stirring up trouble."

During their conversation, they had already approached. Miao Lin, Sun Linjian, and Li Xueqin all stood up, "Zhan Ping, what a coincidence," Miao Lin said somewhat awkwardly.

"Sure is a coincidence. I came here with my family to meet a friend," Zhan Ping smiled at Sun Linjian and Li Xueqin, "Hello."

"Hello."

"Hello."

After greetings, Sun Linjian gently wrapped his arm around Miao Lin’s shoulder: "Zhan Ping, congratulate me. Miao Lin has agreed to date me."

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Second watch has arrived. The next watch, tomorrow at 8 am. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian () to cast recommendation tickets and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)