Chapter 4: You Are Mine

Eleven fifty.

In high school memories, classes ended at ten-thirty, so the night truly began after eleven.

In the dim living room, no lights were on. A late-night historical drama played on the TV, its glow illuminating two people sitting at opposite ends of the sofa.

Chen Xinya curled up in the corner, her loose men’s T-shirt failing to cover her long, pale legs. A damp strand of hair fell over her arm, framing her delicate, clean profile.

She stared at the TV absentmindedly, her gaze occasionally flicking toward Meng Zhi.

“Are you… going to school tomorrow?” she asked softly.

“Don’t want to.”

“Then don’t. It’s just a few days until the exam. You’ve made it through three years; a few days won’t matter.”

Meng Zhi glanced at her. “You’re not nervous about the college entrance exam?”

“Eh, it’s fine. Being nervous won’t help. Just do my best.”

“Have you decided where to apply?”

“Dunno. Even if I did, I might not get in. I’ll think about it when the results come out.”

Meng Zhi fell silent, looking away.

In that life, Chen Xinya had said the same.

Back then, he hadn’t realized it might be a lie.

Nor had he noticed that her, a top student, ending up at the same university and major as him wasn’t just a coincidence.

“I’ve been kinda tired lately too. Thinking about taking a couple days off to rest at home.”

Chen Xinya spoke casually. “If you’re not going to school tomorrow, what’s your plan? Take me with you.”

Meng Zhi turned his head slowly. “Nothing. Just wanna sleep. All day.”

“Oh…”

Her eyes dropped, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

“I’m planning to take leave until the exam day. But I don’t want to go home.”

Meng Zhi leaned back on the sofa, his tone heavy. “I lied to you. My parents are getting divorced.”

“I’ve known for a while. They haven’t told me officially, but I can feel it’s coming.”

“I don’t want to go back. I’m tired of pretending everything’s fine, acting clueless around them.”

Chen Xinya froze for a moment, then said timidly, “I see…”

“Well, if you don’t want to go home, you can stay here. I-I can cook for you too.”

Meng Zhi looked up at her.

Chen Xinya’s heart skipped. She seemed to realize she’d said something off.

“Chen Xinya, why are you suddenly so nice to me?”

Caught off guard, she lowered her head, stammering nervously. “I-I’m not… I just thought you might be upset. We’ve known each other so long, so… I’m just concerned…”

“And…” Her voice grew softer, almost inaudible.

It’s not sudden.

I’ve always cared about you.

Since we were kids, inseparable childhood friends.

Even now, sneaking to your classroom door after school to watch you.

Maybe you just never noticed.

Seeing her flustered, shy expression, Meng Zhi chuckled lightly and waved a hand. “Look at you, all nervous. I almost thought you had a crush on me.”

“Tch, n-no way.” Chen Xinya pouted, her cheeks flushing as she muttered, “…Narcissist.”

“I’m sleepy. Heading to bed. You should sleep too.”

She bolted to her room like she was escaping, slamming the door shut.

Leaning against it, Chen Xinya took a deep breath, touching her warm cheeks.

‘…Phew.’

That was close.

She’d nearly been found out.

Fresh from rebirth, she still wasn’t used to things.

Her perception of Meng Zhi lingered on the man from their marriage—indulgent, doting.

She instinctively treated him like her husband, her love, her care for him flowing naturally.

But in her memories, the high school Meng Zhi was just an ordinary boy.

A bit aloof, shy with strangers, but open and playful with those he knew.

Kind to her, but only just kind.

He hadn’t fallen for her yet.

He didn’t know she’d always liked him.

Her instinctive closeness came off as overly intimate.

Luckily, he didn’t know she was reborn and probably wouldn’t overthink her slightly ambiguous behavior.

The room was pitch black. Chen Xinya didn’t turn on the light, instead flopping onto the bed, exhausted.

Even now, rebirth felt unreal, like some melodramatic novel.

One moment, she’d ended her life in despair.

The next, fate gave her another chance, sending her back to high school, to a time before their love began.

A chance to rewrite everything.

In her past life, Chen Xinya watched their love erode under the weight of daily trivialities. She saw his care turn from passion to indifference, exhaustion, neglect.

She knew it was her fault. She took his love for granted, assuming it was an endless well.

She squandered it, throwing tantrums, being unreasonable, until his love burned out.

By the time she realized it was gone, it was too late.

His eyes no longer held warmth for her.

Yet she’d grown so dependent on his love, she couldn’t live without it.

“Meng Zhi, do you think I can change this?” Chen Xinya lay on the bed, covering her eyes with one hand.

How could she change herself to avoid that ending?

If she wasn’t good enough to him last time…

This time, she’d change.

She’d be better to him than anyone. Love him more than anyone.

‘…And I won’t let anyone take you away.’ Her eyes darkened.

Before her suicide in the last life, Chen Sex had been cut off by system.