My gaze fell upon the book lying on the carpet.
It was a high school math textbook, compulsory course three.
Third year of high school.
Ten years ago.
I had actually been reborn.
What about Huo Jingchuan, though?
It had taken Huo Jingchuan and me eight years to finally reach where we were, and how was I supposed to return to his side now?
Turning to glance at the bed, I realized I had been reborn while asleep—did that mean if I went back to sleep, I could return?
Without a moment's hesitation, I crawled onto the bed, pulled the blanket over myself, closed my eyes, and chanted silently in my heart: "Huo Jingchuan, I'm coming."
In my mind, I pictured Huo Jingchuan's meticulously sculpted, handsome face, his doting care and heartache for me, and his meticulous pampering.
The more I thought about it, the more anxious I grew; the more anxious I grew, the harder it was to fall asleep.
Huo Jingchuan, I have to go back, back to your side!
I pulled the blanket up over my head, forcing myself to calm down and drift off to sleep.
"Well, well! What is wrong with our second young miss? What time is it, and you're still not out of bed? Are you determined to make all our relatives and friends see how gluttonous and lazy our second young miss is on a day like this?" A sharp voice rang out at the doorway.
I had forgotten to lock the door when Nan Yang left just now. It was the voice of my mother, Li Yuan.
The blanket I had pulled over my head was yanked off in one go, and I raised a hand to block the dazzling sunlight.
"Nan Xing! What are you playing dead for, lying here? I already came to wake you up once just now, why are you back to sleep again? Are you a pig?" Nan Yang's furious face appeared right before me.
I slowly sat up and said weakly to Li Yuan, "Mom, my head hurts."
Nan Yang gave me a shove. "You'll just have to bear the headache. Both the Huo family and the Xiang family are coming today, and even Young Master Ning's uncle is coming. With so many important guests, if you dare to mess this up, I won't spare you!"
Nan Yang's tone was fierce and vicious.
Young Master Ning's uncle?
Huo Jingchuan?
I froze, completely indifferent to Nan Yang's shove and harsh tone.
Li Yuan grabbed Nan Yang's hand. "Nan Yang, don't treat your sister like that. Be careful or she'll go complaining to Young Master Huo Ning again!"
At those words, Nan Yang glared fiercely at me.
Li Yuan, however, smiled as she looked at me. "What's this, Nan Xing? Head hurt? Should I call a family doctor to take a look? We can just cancel the banquet today; after all, the second young miss's health comes first."
I hurried out of bed and stood obediently at the head of the bed. "I'm fine, Mom. I'll take a painkiller, and I'll be better in a moment. I definitely won't delay the banquet."
Li Yuan's gaze swept over my entire body like a blade. "You said it yourself."
I nodded.
"Nan Yang, go check on your dress first." With that, she turned and walked out.
As she reached the door, she seemed to remember something, turned back, and flashed me a sweet smile. "Nan Xing, since your head hurts, let your elder sister accompany Young Master Ning. You can just show your face at the front and then come upstairs to rest."
By the end of her sentence, her voice had grown gentle, just like it usually was in front of outsiders.
I saw Nan Yang's eyes light up, a smile brimming at the corners of her lips.
How foolish had I been in the past? How could I have failed to see through the intentions of Li Yuan and Nan Yang after all that!
I nodded obediently. "Yes, Mom. I'll have to trouble Sister today."
Nan Yang was instantly overjoyed. Li Yuan left with a look of smug satisfaction, and Nan Yang hurried after her.
I softly closed the door, locked it, and slid down the door panel until I sat on the carpet.
I couldn't go back!
My foot brushed against my math book, and a sudden stir ran through my heart.
Because Li Yuan and Nan Yang had drugged me during the two days of my college entrance exams, I had underperformed, forcing me to attend a third-rate arts academy and confirming to everyone that the second young miss of the Nan family was just a big-chested, brainless vase of a beauty who couldn't pass into a reputable university despite spending so much money on tutoring.
Meanwhile, Nan Yang had gotten into M University! The one who had truly spent a fortune on tutoring was her!
In the wardrobe mirror, the woman sitting on the carpet—even in an oversized, old cotton pajama top—possessed a figure whose beauty could not be concealed, and a makeup-free face that was crystal-clear and translucent, with exquisite and breathtaking facial features.
I reached up to tidy my messy hair and stood up.
This was ten years ago, before I married that scumbag Huo Ning, before I was battered and bruised beyond recognition by them.
I was the ethereal, cowardly, and timid good-for-nothing second young miss of the Nan family.
Then the Nan Xing of the present would be the best Nan Xing possible!
Reborn?
Splendid!
Heaven had given me a second chance, allowing me to reserve the very best version of myself for the man I loved most!
Huo Jingchuan! Let us start anew.
I bent down to pick up the math book, stroked its cover, and thought: M University, this time I will never give up!
Since I couldn't go back, I would live this life well—for myself, and for Huo Jingchuan!
Today was my father's birthday. Though called a family banquet, not a single VIP who ought to come would be missing.
After all, the Nan family was currently at the zenith of its power. Chairman Nan Feng was adept at social maneuvering, and under his stewardship, Nan Group had grown steadily in scale, winning widespread praise.
My grandfather had only two sons: the eldest, Nan Feng, and the second, Nan Zheng.
My father was actually Nan Zheng.
It was said that back then, Grandfather had divided the family property equally between his two sons, but my father had gotten entangled with underworld figures and engaged in illicit businesses. Later, he and my mother were assassinated by an underworld organization.
I was six years old at the time, and out of shock, I lost my memories. My eldest uncle brought me home and adopted me. I remained the second young miss of the Nan family, though from then on I changed how I addressed them, calling my eldest uncle and his wife Mom and Dad.
Eldest Uncle was not only skilled in managing business and personal connections, but his character was also benevolent and generous. When my father had squandered the family fortune, Eldest Uncle never blamed him and even treated me as his own flesh and blood. Whenever the wealthy families of M City mentioned the couple Nan Feng and Li Yuan, they showered them with praise.
Yet, as the second young miss of the Nan family, I fell far short of the eldest miss—my older sister, Nan Yang.
Eldest Miss Nan Yang was dignified, steady, multi-talented, well-read, virtuous, and modest.
And me? I possessed nothing more than a pretty face and was merely a parasite without any real substance or learning.
Even the servants whispered behind closed doors that it all came down to bad genes!
Although Aunt Li Yuan's natal family wasn't immensely wealthy, Li Yuan at least graduated from a prestigious university, unlike my mother, who was rumored to have been a juvenile delinquent mixed up with the underworld. Thus, my father's momentary folly had ruined me, the next generation of the Nan family.
I didn't remember anything from my childhood.
These were things Huo Jingchuan had told me later on.
Before he even had the chance to investigate my background and past, I kept encountering assassination and kidnapping attempts. To save me, Huo Jingchuan nearly lost his life several times.
This must have been the "inheritance" my father left behind for me.
Huo Jingchuan also discovered that my father's death back then hadn't been so simple—nor, for that matter, had the rapid expansion of my eldest uncle's business empire immediately following my father's death.
As for precisely who wanted me dead, he hadn't managed to find out in time.
He helped me investigate these matters to rekindle my hope for survival and give me something to anchor my soul.
Unfortunately, I had no interest.
I had no interest in investigating the cause of my parents' death, nor any interest in avenging them, because I held no memories of them.
I remained immersed entirely in my own misery, stumbling through the days in a daze for several years, which left Huo Jingchuan, who stood guard over me, mentally and physically exhausted.
Huo Jingchuan, things are different now. Since I have started over, I will never trap myself in that old predicament again.
If I am to live, I will live with absolute clarity!
I will stand before you openly and blamelessly, stand shoulder to shoulder with you, and become your wife!
I clenched my fists, raised my eyes to look at Eldest Uncle—no, my father—who was chatting and laughing easily with others.
When there are scores to settle, one never fears the reckoning!
That spineless and cowardly Nan Xing had died in the sea.
That foolish and ignorant Nan Xing had died in the past.
Now, I was going to return a true Nan Xing to Huo Jingchuan.
"Nan Xing? Why are you hiding over here?" A pleasantly surprised voice sounded from behind me.
My heart shuddered, and my whole body turned ice-cold.
The small plastic cake fork I had been pinching in my hand shattered with a snap, and its sharp tine pierced the palm of my hand.
The pain jolted me instantly back to sobriety.
Huo Jingchuan—no, Huo Ning!
My ex-husband!
No, he was my ex-husband from my past life; right now, he had nothing to do with me.
I slowly turned around.
Huo Ning was only twenty-three at this time, still youthful and vibrant with a touch of childishness.
Huo Ning was the eldest grandson of the Huo family's primary branch, and he was only three years younger than Huo Jingchuan.
The Nan and Huo families were family friends, but strictly speaking, it was a case of the Nan family climbing socially; in terms of qualifications and financial power, the gap between the Nan family and the Huo family was vast.
However, my grandfather had once saved the life of the elderly patriarch of the Huo family, so the Huo family had always treated the Nan family like relatives.
Yet the Nan family knew their place very well; whether it was my grandfather or my current father, everyone in the Nan family treated every member of the Huo family as an honored guest.
Because of this connection with the Huo family, the Nan family's business ventures in M City had also sailed along smoothly.