The Sickly Beauty Gives Up Struggling [Rebirth] Chapter 114

That evening, Li Rong stayed in the dormitory until He Changfeng finally returned with a bucket of fried chicken and two bottles of iced soda.

The weather outside was chilly, and the fried chicken had cooled significantly by the time he walked back from off-campus. 

Sniffling from the cold, He placed the bucket of chicken on the dining table, glanced at Li Rong’s serious expression, and said, “You’re back. The exams are coming up for your class, right? You’d better review, or you’ll have to retake courses.”

His comment was purely a reminder. After all, he had never seen Li Rong studying in the dorm and naturally assumed he planned to scrape by with low scores.

Li Rong stared at He Changfeng for a few seconds before exhaling lightly and smiling faintly. 

He then took out the cross necklace he had borrowed, held it in his palm, and said earnestly, “I’ve finished using this. I’m returning it to you.”

“Oh, just leave it on the table,” He replied casually. As he unzipped his puffer jacket, he grabbed the chicken bucket and walked over to the microwave. “Want some?”

Bowing slightly, Li Rong placed the necklace on the table and said softly, “No, I’m good.”

The microwave beeped, signaling it had started heating. The chicken sizzled and popped as the aroma slowly wafted through the room. He Changfeng opened a bottle of iced cola, ignoring the chill lingering in his jacket, and took several big gulps. With a satisfied sigh, he remarked, “It’s easier to eat at the shop.”

The downside, however, was the crowd and noise—and no TV for watching matches.

Li Rong was about to return to his room but hesitated. Turning back, he asked, “Does your family… keep in touch with you often?”

He Changfeng set down the soda bottle, frowned slightly, and replied, “They do, I guess. My dad’s a nag, so I respond when I feel like it.”

Li Rong nodded but found himself at a loss for words. Perhaps one day, when He Changfeng learned the full truth, he’d reflect differently on his superstitious yet complicated father.

Just as he was about to head back, the dormitory door swung open, and Song He walked in.

With exams approaching, Song had been spending his days in the library, especially since Li Rong’s frequent absences from school meant he couldn’t monitor him in the dorms.

So this time, when he pushed the door open and entered, seeing both Li Rong and He Changfeng there, Song He was momentarily stunned.

But he quickly realized—they had exams coming up, and Li Rong must have returned for the exams.

Song He nervously swallowed and, feigning nonchalance, said, “You’re back, huh?”

Li Rong had almost forgotten about Song He monitoring him during this period.

Seeing Song He again, Li Rong’s gaze casually swept over him as he pushed He Changfeng’s necklace toward the center of the table with his fingers. He replied lightly, “Yeah, back for the exams.”

“I heard from He Changfeng that you were sick. Are you better now?” Song He tugged at the strap of his backpack, his eyes looking at He Changfeng, but his words were directed at Li Rong.

Li Rong smiled. “I’m better now. Thanks for your concern.”

Song He continued, “How’s your exam prep going? Even though we have different teachers for our major courses, the exam papers are the same. If you need review materials…”

Anyone with a sharp eye could tell how perfunctory Li Rong’s attitude toward studying had been this semester.

Of course, being assigned to Zhang Zhaohe’s class made it almost impossible to remain untainted in a muddy environment.

Li Rong cut him off. “Thanks, but even though I didn’t attend many classes, passing shouldn’t be an issue.”

Song He wanted to say more, but seeing that Li Rong had no interest in cramming at the last minute, he could only shut up.

Although the exams wouldn’t be overly tricky, the review materials in his hands included key points highlighted by teachers from several classes, likely making them the most comprehensive.

Moreover, A University had an unspoken rule about the failure rate. Even if Li Rong managed to score 60 points, he might not necessarily pass if others scored well.

Li Rong was waiting for Song He to probe him about something, but after asking those questions, Song He stayed silent.

He seemed uninterested in anything unrelated to Li Rong’s academic life.

Li Rong pursed his lips and nodded thoughtfully.

The next day, there were two exams, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Both covered the most basic content.

Li Rong finished each paper in under an hour and handed it in.

Since the seating arrangement was based on class, the other students in the same exam hall were from Zhang Zhaohe’s class. Watching Li Rong’s speed, they assumed he had given up struggling.

Over the next two days, Li Rong completed four major course exams.

However, no matter how skilled he was, it was impossible to predict each teacher’s grading standards. As such, he had no interest in showing off his ability to control his scores.

He answered each question diligently, ensuring a score of at least 90. This would guarantee a perfect GPA. 

Once he obtained the exemption papers signed by Zhang Zhaohe, combined with his participation grades, securing first place in the year and the highest scholarship seemed inevitable.

At 3 PM, Li Rong left the exam hall early.

He intended to call Cen Xiao but noticed Yu Fuyan stirring up chatter in the District 9 work group chat.

[Yu Fuyan: District 6 has been successfully shut down! He Dayong has already gone to the relevant authorities in Yangshi to confess everything! I heard the District 6 work group, which was about to be dissolved, is in chaos right now. Jiang Zhong is absolutely furious. He Dayong, however, is cunning—he pretended to play dumb and pushed the blame onto us. But that actually helped us claim the credit!]

[Geng An: Exactly. I bet Jiang Zhong still doesn’t know about He Dayong’s little schemes. He probably thinks He Dayong was just foolish and got scared into surrendering. Now the entire District 9 holds the Team Leader in high regard. This time, we’ve truly redeemed ourselves. Captain Han even mentioned giving everyone bonuses.]

[Yu Fuyan: Haha, big thanks to Vice-Captain Li this time! Without the evidence you uncovered, He Dayong would never have surrendered so easily!]

[Geng An: Absolutely. That day was so intense—thinking about it still gets my heart racing.]

[Li Rong: Noted.]

Li Rong didn’t bother with modesty or self-deprecation; he knew he was quite capable, and the praise was well-deserved.

Just as he sent his reply, Cen Xiao’s call came through.

Cen Xiao had been staying in the library. At that moment, he was standing at the emergency exit, where faint wisps of wind flowed upwards through the corridor. “Finished the exam so quickly?”

Unlike Li Rong, who still retained his sharpness, Cen Xiao hadn’t touched professional knowledge since graduating in his previous life, which had been three years ago. He genuinely needed to cram before exams.

Having just heard the good news, Li Rong’s voice carried a lazy but cheerful tone. “So, Captain Cen, haven’t forgotten all your university knowledge, have you?”

He knew that after mentioning the GT200 in He Dayong’s office, there was no point in hiding things anymore. In any case, the matter of their rebirth had long been an unspoken understanding between them.

Cen Xiao paused briefly, then chuckled lightly, his voice low and magnetic. “Not entirely. I can still spare a day to take my baby out for a meal and some rest.”

Li Rong’s eyes curved into a smile. His thumb brushed over the volume key of his phone as he exhaled white mist in the freezing outdoors. Teasingly, he said, “Captain Cen, seduction distracts from duty—I didn’t peg you as that type.”

Cen Xiao immediately retorted, “You’re just now realizing I’m that type?”

Li Rong couldn’t help but smile. “I’m at the small plaza in front of the old library.”

Cen Xiao warned in a low voice, “Don’t sit in the snow. I’ll come out right now.”

Li Rong straightened his back at once, looking around in surprise. “How did you know I’m sitting in the snow?”

He really was sitting in the snow.

The small plaza was a neatly trimmed lawn in spring and summer, often used by students for picnics, photos, and chatting. In winter, it became a favored outdoor spot because the surrounding buildings blocked all the wind.

Li Rong had found a clean patch of snow, sat cross-legged, and made himself comfortable. As long as he could sit, he wouldn’t bother standing.

Cen Xiao sighed helplessly. “Just a guess. Get up already.”

Instead, he put genuine effort into answering each question, ensuring scores of at least ninety in every subject to secure a full s. 

With Zhang Zhaohe’s exemption forms signed and sufficient attendance points accumulated, Li Rong had no doubt he could aim for the top of his year and win the highest scholarship.

At 3:00 p.m., Li Rong left the exam room early.

He was about to call Cen Xiao when a notification from District Nine work group caught his attention.

[Yu Fuyan: “District Six was successfully shut down! He Dayong has already gone to Yangshi authorities to confess! I heard the District Six work group, which was supposed to be disbanded, has descended into chaos. Jiang Zhong is furious. Honestly, He Dayong is cunning—he played dumb and shifted all the blame onto us. But hey, that just helped us claim the credit!”

[Geng An: “Exactly. Jiang Zhong probably still thinks He Dayong is just foolish and panicked into turning himself in. Meanwhile, the whole District Nine is looking up to our Team Leader. We’re finally holding our heads high! Even Team Leader Han said he’d distribute bonuses to everyone.”

[Yu Fuyan: “Haha, we really need to thank Deputy Team Leader Li this time. Without the evidence you discovered, He Dayong wouldn’t have surrendered so easily!”

[Geng An: “Agreed. That day was nerve-wracking. Even now, I get anxious just thinking about it.”

[Li Rong: “Noted.”]

He didn’t downplay their praise with false humility—he knew his abilities, and recognition was well-deserved.

Just as he sent his message to the group, Cen Xiao’s call came through.

Cen Xiao had been in the library, and now stood near the emergency exit. A faint whistling breeze from the corridor filtered up as he spoke. “Finished so quickly?”

Unlike Li Rong, who maintained a strong grasp of his field, Cen Xiao had barely touched his professional knowledge since graduating in his past life. Now, three years later, he genuinely needed to review before exams.

Li Rong, still in a good mood from the recent news, drawled lazily, “So, Team Leader Cen, have you forgotten all your college knowledge?”

He knew that ever since he’d brought up the GT200 in He Dayong’s office, there was no point hiding the truth any longer. 

Though the topic of reincarnation had long been a tacit understanding between them.

Cen Xiao paused for a moment, then chuckled softly. His voice was low, magnetic, and carried a playful warmth. “Not entirely. I can still spare a day to take my dear one out for a meal and a break.”

Li Rong’s eyes curved into a smile. Fingertips brushing over the volume button on his phone, he exhaled a cloud of white mist in the freezing air and teased, “Team Leader Cen, you’re letting beauty distract you—didn’t expect you to be this kind of person.”

Cen Xiao immediately countered, “You’re only figuring that out today?”

Li Rong couldn’t help but grin. “I’m at the little plaza in front of the old library.”

In a low but firm tone, Cen Xiao warned, “Don’t sit in the snow. I’ll be out right away.”

Li Rong instinctively straightened his back and glanced around in surprise. “How did you know I was sitting in the snow?”

Because he was sitting in the snow.

The small plaza, a well-maintained lawn in spring and summer, was often a gathering spot for students to chat, eat, and take photos. In winter, it became a favorite outdoor hangout since the three surrounding buildings blocked out the wind entirely.

Li Rong had found a clean patch of snow, sat cross-legged, and was perfectly content to stay seated. If he could sit, he wouldn’t bother standing.

Cen Xiao sighed in exasperation. “Just a lucky guess. Now, get up.”

“Alright, alright.” Li Rong reluctantly shook his sleeves, tucked his hands in, and slowly pushed himself up, pressing his sleeves against the ground for support.

His clothes were sleek and smooth, so the snow clinging to him slid off easily without him needing to brush it away.

Cen Xiao arrived quickly, and of course, his first words followed tradition: “How did the exams go?”

Li Rong raised his gaze to him, a faint smile in his eyes. “What do you think?”

Cen Xiao arched an eyebrow thoughtfully before asking, “Not planning to keep a low profile anymore?”

It took Li Rong a few seconds to realize that Cen Xiao wasn’t referring to their shared secret of reincarnation, but rather to his academic performance.

With a soft sigh, Li Rong replied, “I don’t have much of a choice. If I want to join the Hongsuo Research Institute in the future, I can’t afford bad grades.”

Cen Xiao noted, “Then… in time, they’ll really have to tread carefully around you.”

Li Rong countered, “Do you think, after the Meijiang Pharmaceuticals incident, they’d still underestimate me?”

Cen Xiao remarked, “You participated in the Ghost Eye Group’s investigation, and we kept everything confidential—unless someone leaks it.”

Li Rong shook his head. “No need for leaks. From my father’s hypothesis being published to Meijiang Pharmaceuticals’ downfall, my presence is too deeply intertwined. Too many coincidences cease to be coincidences. If they harbor suspicions, they won’t let me off easily. If I performed poorly in exams, it’d only look like self-delusion to them.”

This time, however, He Dayong’s confession had solidified Cen Xiao’s position within the Ghost Eye Group. Even if Han Jiang wanted to promote Duan Mingli, it would be futile without merit.

He Dayong had tried his best to shift all responsibility onto Cen Xiao. To Jiang Zhong and Suhe Bio, Cen Xiao was now a primary target.

Under these circumstances, it was impossible for Cen Xiao to avoid being dragged into the fray.

Though he hadn’t mobilized District Nine’s intelligence team, his information was swift and accurate. With Jian Fu’s open association with Cen Xiao, even Jian Changli’s District One wouldn’t be able to stay completely uninvolved.

They were no longer the isolated six-member group from high school. The more people drawn into the struggle, the less recklessly Suhe Biotech could act.

When Li Rong shifted into work mode, he grew noticeably serious, his expression calm and resolute.

Standing near the glass windows of the library’s first floor, he crossed his arms. His brows knitted slightly as he gazed forward with a focused, piercing look. As he spoke, his lips moved rhythmically, revealing faint glimpses of his small, neatly aligned teeth.

Cen Xiao listened to Li Rong’s analysis while his gaze shifted slightly to Li Rong’s reddened ear lobes and cartilage, which had been numbed by the cold.

When the body reaches a certain level of coldness, it becomes unaware of its own discomfort.

Li Rong, deeply immersed in his thoughts, didn’t blink as he subconsciously tapped his elbow with an exposed finger sticking out from his sleeve.

Unable to watch any longer, Cen Xiao reached out and pulled the hood of Li Rong’s down jacket snugly over his head. Then, with a tug on the loose drawstrings, he yanked Li Rong forward, bringing him directly into his space.

Caught off guard, Li Rong stumbled forward, instinctively placing his hand against Cen Xiao’s abdomen for balance.

Taking advantage of the moment, Cen Xiao bent his head and thoroughly kissed Li Rong, who was now dazed, tucked into the warmth of the hood.

For a brief, bewildering moment, Li Rong felt confined within the small, heated space, the cold of his earlobes brushing against warm skin, sending a shiver through him.

Only when Cen Xiao’s tongue withdrew from his slightly cool lips did Li Rong snap back to reality. He pressed his lips together, a faint smile forming on his face.

“I’m trying to talk about serious matters,” he teased, his tone laced with mirth. “What exactly is running through your head?”

Cen Xiao adjusted Li Rong’s hood, his expression deliberately suggestive. “I was thinking about treating you to beef hotpot… and then, eating you.”

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