Chapter 12: Rewritten Script

The hotpot steamed, filling the air with heat.

The atmosphere grew awkward and heavy, as if the presence of a third person had shifted the dynamic.

Feng Xiyao ate her meat casually, sneaking glances at the silent pair.

Chen Xinya kept her head down, fists clutching her clothes, lips bitten, saying nothing.

“Didn’t you go to school?”

Meng Zhi broke the silence, calmly dipping a piece of lamb in the broth, as if unsurprised to see Chen Xinya here.

“I…”

Chen Xinya hesitated, then said softly, “I skipped class.”

“Why?”

“Because… I was worried you’d be alone at home, overthinking.”

“Overthinking what?” Meng Zhi chuckled. “I told you, I was prepared for this ages ago. I’m not that fragile.”

I was just worried.

And…

I didn’t know you already had company.

Chen Xinya glanced subtly at Feng Xiyao.

She’d heard of Feng Xiyao before, in their past life, when Meng Zhi mentioned having a stepsister. But Chen Xinya had never met her.

She knew Feng Xiyao was around Meng Zhi’s age but hadn’t expected such a cute, striking girl.

And so close to Meng Zhi.

“We just met yesterday,” Meng Zhi said offhandedly. “Her and her mom came to my place. My dad said she’s my sister now.”

“We’re not close, but she insisted on tagging along to shop for a phone.”

“Don’t say we’re not close,” Feng Xiyao chimed in, grinning. “We’re family now, right?”

“Who said—”

“Here, have some lamb, ah~”

Before Meng Zhi could finish, Feng Xiyao stuffed a piece of meat in his mouth.

Chen Xinya watched their intimate exchange, feeling lost. This script felt different from her last life.

Especially Feng Xiyao.

In her past life, Chen Xinya barely registered her existence; Meng Zhi rarely mentioned her.

But now, their closeness didn’t seem like that of estranged stepsiblings.

Something had rewritten this life’s script.

Was it the butterfly effect of her rebirth?

Or…

…was someone else actively rewriting the story?

Chen Xinya stared at Feng Xiyao.

The girl’s smile was clean and refreshing, instantly likable. Noticing Chen Xinya’s gaze, Feng Xiyao offered a piece of meat with a smile. “Want some?”

In that moment, an inexplicable jolt ran through Chen Xinya, her body trembling.

The girl was smiling at her.

But beneath the kindness, Chen Xinya sensed a chilling undercurrent.

“Thanks, I’m not hungry,” she declined politely, then said softly, “I’ll leave you two be. It’s good for you siblings to bond.”

“I never said she’s my sister—”

Meng Zhi tried to protest, but Chen Xinya shook her head. “Even if you don’t accept your dad’s decision, I think it’s better to be close to your sister.”

“Otherwise… if you and your parents stay so distant, it’ll just weigh on all of you, making things harder.”

Meng Zhi fell silent. He understood her good intentions.

She still thought the divorce hit him hard and was worried about him.

“What about you? Going back to class this afternoon?”

“Probably…” Chen Xinya’s voice wavered, her head lowering as she tucked her hair behind her ear. “I only skipped because I was worried about you.”

“Now that I see you’re fine and have company, I’ll go back to studying.”

She grabbed her bag, stood, and walked quietly toward the exit.

“Chen Xinya.”

Her name, sudden and soft, froze her in place like a shock.

“Have you decided where to apply?” Meng Zhi asked gently.

“Um… maybe X University. Their law program’s pretty good.” Really, it was because Meng Zhi went there in their last life. She’d always planned to follow him.

“Got it,” Meng Zhi nodded. “Study hard. Don’t mess up and miss the cut-off.”

“You too. The exam’s in a week. Don’t let your parents’ stuff drag you down.”

“I’ll be waiting for you at X University.” At the door, she waved with a smile.

Memories of Meng Zhi from her past life flickered through her eyes, then sank into oblivion.

She knew, no matter how much he loved her then, this life was different.

Everything would start anew. She couldn’t cling to old memories.

It was time to begin again, she told herself.

*

Meng Zhi didn’t look away until Chen Xinya’s figure vanished from the restaurant’s entrance, then resumed eating with relish.

Feng Xiyao, meanwhile, stared at the door, lost in thought.

“What’s up?”

“Nothing.” She muttered glumly to herself. “I think I get it now.”

“Get what?” Meng Zhi asked absently.

…Why you couldn’t forget her in our last life.

Feng Xiyao had to admit, Chen Xinya left a strong first impression.

Strong enough to make her feel inferior.

Unlike her own loud, carefree nature, Chen Xinya was quiet, refined, thoughtful, and empathetic.

That kind of girl was lethal to guys.

Just standing beside Meng Zhi, their years of childhood friendship radiated a natural, unspoken bond, like an invisible thread tying them together.

In a few words, Feng Xiyao could picture their history—growing up together, sharing classes, now aiming for the same university.

It all felt so natural, so balanced, like it was meant to be.

Anyone else in that picture seemed like an intruder.

…So, in our last life, I lost to a childhood sweetheart like her? Feng Xiyao propped her chin, lost in thought.

But if they were so perfect together, why didn’t you choose her? Why run away with me?

And now.

“Brother Meng Zhi, be honest.”

She spoke suddenly. “Did you know she was following you? Is that why you acted so close with me?”

Meng Zhi didn’t answer.

His chopsticks didn’t even pause as he kept eating. Swallowing a big piece of lamb, he said, puzzled, “I don’t even know what you’re talking about. You into those cheesy romance dramas or something?”

Feng Xiyao pouted but relaxed.

…It’s fine.

Whatever the reason.

In our last life, you chose me.

This time, you will too.

Brother Meng Zhi, you’re mine.