Running Over The Head Of My Ex [Rebirth]

Chapter 69

The creek was clear, and the mountains were beautiful—an excellent place for taking photos. Although the shadow lingering in the hearts of the three generations still tormented them, after seeing such a view, they managed to show faint smiles.

During lunch, they discussed the idea of hosting a party with Liu Si and Liu Xing. Both were very supportive and deeply grateful, thanking them for helping their grandfather relive the memories of his era.

In the evening, they set up a grill beside the pool. Qi Ran and Chai Xu were focused and serious, grilling skewers with an almost professional touch.

Throughout the process, their looks were an added bonus—one mature and composed, the other handsome and youthful.

If only Chai Xu didn’t have those occasional dramatic outbursts.

“The fire is up!” Chai Xu, startled, took a long step forward, his starry eyes wide open.

Taking half a step back, he exclaimed, “Grandpa, the fire is up!”

Qi Ran: “…”

Suddenly playful, He Qingqi teased in a falsetto voice from the side, “Grandpa, Grandpa, let go of my grandpa!”

At the same time, Lin Dao chimed in with a howl, “Ding-dang-dong-dang, Calabash Brothers.”

Zhuo Zhiwei, holding a plate, paused, giving He Qingqi a glance with an inscrutable expression.

Her posture was still upright, the white shirt outlining her graceful shoulder blades. She carried herself with elegance and pride, but the corners of her mouth twitched slightly.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that her little lioness was always in the company of troublemakers. Wherever she was, one or two people inevitably acted out of character.

Like Wang Qiyu and Tao Jinghan.

Now, she had to add Chai Xu and Lin Dao to the list.

Chai Xu aside, she had known Lin Dao for a long time. They had been close since their university days. Despite Lin Dao’s outgoing and passionate nature, she had always been relatively composed and mature. But now… she was acting like an unleashed puppy, running around in wild abandon.

Was it because the one holding the leash wasn’t around?

…

As darkness fell and everything was ready, the lights went out, leaving only the flickering glow of the grill in the night.

The weather was pleasant. The moon hung round and full, its reflection broken into shimmering fragments on the rippling pool, with stars twinkling brilliantly and cicadas chirping endlessly.

The cobblestone paths were lined with bottles of beer, baijiu, and red wine.

Liu Si and Liu Xing sat on the ground next to their wheelchair-bound grandfather, watching as the once-distant figures now sang just for them.

He Qingqi held a guitar, sitting in her chair with a smile. From time to time, she exchanged glances with Chai Xu as she hummed a song that didn’t quite suit her.

Childhood friends, they were in sync, every gesture and expression radiating an ambiguous intimacy in the air.

Zhuo Zhiwei’s eyes gradually cooled. She knew it was just work, that there was nothing between them beyond friendship, and even saw how gentlemanly Chai Xu kept his distance. But still, she couldn’t help herself.

Her gaze shifted silently to their intertwined arms, where repressed jealousy and desire swirled within her chest.

She squinted. For the first time, Zhuo Zhiwei realized just how strong her possessiveness could be.

She had always known she wasn’t as aloof as she appeared. She harbored a darkness she despised, like the time when her mother gave birth to her brother, and even though she knew it was wrong, she couldn’t shake the gloom that hung over her for days.

But this intense feeling? It was a first.

In every corner of her heart, she could hear a voice. She wanted this person to belong entirely to her.

She no longer wanted to stand in the shadows, like a humble admirer, silently watching her get close to others for the sake of work, with no reason or right to act possessive.

The song ended.

With darkened eyes, Zhuo Zhiwei went onstage with Lin Dao to sing a song that belonged to the two of them.

And then Chai Xu saw his once domineering Sister Qi, looking like a shy little wife, about to bite her handkerchief in frustration. Her eyes, blurred in the flickering firelight, shimmered with hints of hidden emotions.

She looked forward, silently hoping the person in the spotlight would glance her way.

As Zhuo Zhiwei sang softly, she tilted her head slightly and cast a subtle glance in their direction, her purple hair tips dancing by her ear. Upon seeing such an expression, a faint smile appeared in her eyes, partially hidden.

The other’s reaction gave her some confidence.

Do you like me?

She repeated the question in her heart.

Her heartbeat grew louder and stronger, filled with an inexplicable sense of unease.

Steadying herself, she curled her lips lightly and shifted her gaze away, focusing once again on singing.

Afterward, He Qingqi performed “Immigrant Song,” followed by a perfectly synchronized dance to “Last” with Zhuo Zhiwei. Their eyes met, their coordination flawless, every move infused with theatrical flair.

The surrounding crowd egged them on, with Chai Xu cheering the loudest.

Qi Ran glanced at him curiously, but upon spotting the camera filming him, he bit his tongue.

As He Qingqi’s hand brushed past the slender waist of that certain someone, her heart skipped a beat, and when she let go, it beat twice as fast.

Her eyes darkened.

Soon after, the dance ended. She felt invigorated; her body stretched and energized. But the temperature wasn’t so agreeable, and a thin layer of sweat formed on her skin.

He Qingqi lifted her shirt slightly to fan herself, exposing a pale, slender waist. Zhuo Zhiwei frowned, pressing her hand down to pull the shirt back down.

He Qingqi blinked. “Weiwei?”

Zhuo Zhiwei, her face impassive, replied, “There are cameras.”

He Qingqi, puzzled, glanced down at her shirt.

During their performance on “Occasion,” they had worn crop tops—it was completely normal. But now, she had only lifted a corner of her shirt.

Could it be…

Weiwei really liked her?

He Qingqi’s eyes shot up suddenly.

Zhuo Zhiwei raised her head slightly to meet her gaze. Suddenly, in He Qingqi’s familiar, clear eyes, she saw fireworks bursting—pink, purple, blue, and green—lighting up her eyes with brilliance.

Her heart skipped a beat.

So beautiful.

Zhuo Zhiwei’s throat bobbed slightly, her eyes hazy with a mix of purity and sensuality.

In the thick of the dark night, it felt like only the two of them remained. Every small movement seemed magnified, and He Qingqi couldn’t help but notice.

Her heart itched, trembling like someone with Parkinson’s.

She could no longer resist. In a moment of impulse, her hand lightly brushed against the other’s skin.

On Zhuo Zhiwei’s pale skin, a long, slender finger appeared—like a stark contrast.

All logic was abandoned in an instant. Half-drunk, He Qingqi’s voice was low and husky, her gaze focused as she said softly, “This spot… is so beautiful.”

Her fingers gently traced along the same path as the small object she had touched earlier.

It even felt like the taste of wine lingered in her mouth.

How strange—she had only had two glasses of red wine…

Zhuo Zhiwei’s body shivered slightly, the warmth of the person’s finger near her neck making her heart quiver.

She stared at He Qingqi’s wide-open, clear eyes—her round black pupils and slightly parted red lips. Like a cat, she was cute and innocent.

Zhuo Zhiwei bit her lip, brushing her hair aside as she averted her gaze. Her face flushed a deep red, like a steamed crab, steaming from within.

“I-I’m hungry.” She was inexplicably nervous.

Her legs gave out a little, and she hurriedly fled the scene.

Her delicate, blushing ears made He Qingqi’s heart race.

Does she really like me?

So, should I try to confess? Should I stop worrying about whether this is what she truly wants?

And then… have her, like that night?

Suddenly, He Qingqi’s mind flashed back to a distant memory—fragments of a night buried under dust. The moonlight had been just as cool, her lips tinged with the taste of alcohol, and her gaze dazed as she gently wrapped her arms around her neck.

Panting, soft murmurs, a mix of pain and pleasure… and then a voice—He Qingqi.

!!!

Wait.

He Qingqi?

Her eyes sharpened, then she shook her head with a wry smile.

How narcissistic of me. I must be remembering wrong.

She could believe Zhuo Zhiwei liked her in this lifetime, but in the previous one, that cold, distant “He Qingqi” didn’t exactly seem like someone head over heels in love.

If she liked me in this life, I’d be over the moon and eternally grateful.

He Qingqi’s brows softened, unable to contain her joy, as she eagerly followed Zhuo Zhiwei.

Taking a skewer from Chai Xu, she eagerly offered it to Zhuo Zhiwei.

Zhuo Zhiwei accepted it, her face still flushed, but she didn’t look at her.

Chai Xu watched the whole exchange.

You’re done for, he thought.

As the mood picked up, even Qi Ran

and Jiang Shan, who weren’t particularly into singing and dancing, joined the fun.

Everyone gathered around, eating barbecue, drinking beer, clapping and cheering, almost forgetting the cameras nearby, as if it were just a casual get-together.

This was the lively scene that young people loved the most. Liu Si, though just two years older than He Qingqi, was also letting loose, unleashing the youthful energy she had kept suppressed for days.

Zhuo Zhiwei personally accompanied the girl, her gentle gaze watching her sing.

Grandfather’s eyes were clouded, veiled with the weariness of old age. His vision had long since faded, but when the girl’s voice rang out, a pure, childlike smile spread across his face.

Liu Xing’s throat tightened, his eyes stinging with unshed tears.

He had always known but never told his sister.

He had once witnessed, in the dead of night, their grandfather coughing harshly, unable to sleep, struggling to get up only to walk straight into the moonlit, whitewashed wall.

A thud.

“Don’t tell Si Si.”

Grandfather had spoken with a throat that could no longer make sound.

Only breath, but Liu Xing heard the resolve in it.

His Adam’s apple bobbed, feeling the weak force on his hand. He raised his head and blinked, holding back the tears threatening to fall.

He cleared his throat, pretending nonchalance, “What is it, Grandpa?”

“Play me a song, too.”

Grandfather’s dim eyes stared blankly at the hazy light, his vision a blur, but there was a hint of nostalgia in his gaze.

“Back then, I met your grandmother like this. She was very beautiful; she stood out in the crowd.”

Grandfather suddenly stopped, covering his mouth with his age-spotted hands, coughing violently.

Even though Liu Si was performing, she kept a constant eye on them, and when the music abruptly stopped, she hurried over, her face full of concern.

Liu Xing smiled helplessly at her, “I’ve got this.”

He handed their grandfather some warm water.

After a few sips, the old man cleared his throat and continued slowly, “It was love at first sight for me. I chased after her, doing all I could to impress her, but I had a rival.”

He broke into a smile. Without him needing to say more, Liu Si chimed in, “You two sang her a song together, ‘That Girl.’”

She had grown up in her grandfather’s home. Her mother had returned to work soon after giving birth, so her grandfather had taken her in and cared for her, much more than he had done for her cousin.

She loved sitting on the back of his bike, sometimes standing and holding his neck, feeling the wind whoosh past her ears. She also loved listening to his old, oft-repeated stories, never growing tired of them.

Her face now showed a look of nostalgia, and her eyes reddened again. But she asked, “Grandpa, do you want to sing?”

Grandfather pointed to his throat and regretfully shook his head. “Forget it; with my voice, I’d just embarrass your grandmother.”

“Then I’ll sing for you.”

Grandfather nodded enthusiastically, smiling widely, “Good!”

Liu Si thought for a moment, and a sly glint flickered in her eyes like a little fox. She approached He Qingqi, “Qiqi, will you join me?”

Naturally, there was no refusing, so He Qingqi nodded in agreement.

After a pause, He Qingqi raised her eyebrows and met Liu Si’s playful gaze, shaking her head with a smile.

It was an old song with a humorous storyline. Two close friends unwittingly fell in love with the same girl, unsure who had betrayed whom. In the end, they both realized they had been after the same girl and mutually agreed to act as if nothing had ever happened, to forget about the girl altogether.

He Qingqi, holding her guitar, and Liu Si cast their gaze toward Zhuo Zhiwei. Falling for the same girl—it wasn’t an entirely inaccurate portrayal of her and Liu Si.

Taking out her phone, He Qingqi pulled up the sheet music, her eyes curving as she strummed the guitar strings.

The upbeat melody began, and despite it being their first duet, the two of them were unexpectedly in sync.

“She’s my girl~”

He Qingqi nodded to the beat, her gaze full of joy as she looked at Zhuo Zhiwei.

“That girl, with her long hair, dressed in a white shirt, listening to me intently, smells faintly of roses.”

A white shirt, a faint rose scent.

Spot on.

Qi Ran, following He Qingqi’s gaze, stared at Zhuo Zhiwei in surprise, sniffing lightly—the woodsy scent mingled with the faint fragrance of roses.

Recalling the earlier scene, he immediately understood. No wonder these two were such a popular pair online; there had to be some truth behind it.

He discreetly looked away.

Zhuo Zhiwei bit her lip, brushing her hair aside as she turned her head. Her face reddened, pretending not to notice.

Grandfather’s cloudy eyes filled with fleeting tears before being replaced with a soft smile. He quietly lifted his gaze to the sky.

“Xing Xing.”

“Grandpa?”

“When I’m gone, you have to protect your sister.”

Liu Xing fell silent, his voice deep and pure as he nodded, “I will.”

Serious and solemn, like a vow.

…

Later on, everyone—from Qi Ran and Jiang Shan to He Qingqi and Liu Si—had fully immersed themselves in the fun. The scene was utterly chaotic.

Empty bottles lay strewn across the ground.

Only Grandfather and Liu Xing sat quietly in the corner, watching with peaceful smiles, adding a touch of warmth.

He Qingqi’s face was flushed with an unnatural redness as she playfully chased after Chai Xu.

Chai Xu grinned mischievously and suddenly shoved He Qingqi into the pool.

There was a loud splash.

Lin Dao let out a brief scream, while Zhuo Zhiwei’s heart skipped a beat as she looked toward the pool.

There, a girl with long black curls emerged from the water, her eyes half-closed as she wiped her face and spat out water, utterly disheveled like never before.

She glared fiercely at Chai Xu, water dripping down her cheeks. “Chai Xu, you just wait; Daddy’s coming for you.”

Her words made Chai Xu tremble, his eyes wide as he stammered, backing away. “Qi, Sister Qi, you can’t be serious… You can’t take it, can you?”

With a light jump, He Qingqi propped herself onto the edge of the pool, effortlessly pulling herself out, “Yeah, I can’t take it, so what?”

Still dripping wet, she charged after Chai Xu.

Chai Xu’s face filled with horror as he dodged frantically, eventually taking refuge behind Zhuo Zhiwei, his expression suddenly turning smug. “Come on, Qiqi, hit me if you dare.”

Smug little brat.

He Qingqi ground her teeth, making a soft clicking sound.

Zhuo Zhiwei shot Chai Xu a side glance and signaled to He Qingqi, who quickly slipped past him.

He Qingqi’s reflexes were sharp as she grabbed his ear without mercy, twisting it hard.

“Ow, ow, Sister Qi, easy! It hurts!” Chai Xu turned to Zhuo Zhiwei, who had her back to him, with a look of betrayal. “Zhiwei, how could you sell me out? I’m going to be your future brother-in-law.

Chai Xu, ever the drama king, quickly shifted expressions, now winking playfully at He Qingqi.

Zhuo Zhiwei paused for a moment, then hurried her steps.

The tips of her ears were completely red.

Though she had drunk quite a bit tonight, beneath her calm and aloof exterior, no one could tell what was really going on inside.