The Sickly Beauty Gives Up Struggling [Rebirth] Chapter 14

Before dismissal, Jian Fu sternly dragged Cen Xiao out of the classroom.

Li Rong propped his chin on his hand, lazily blinking as he watched the two leave.

In the empty hallway, Jian Fu pulled a cigarette from his pocket, expertly wedged it between his lips, and cupped his hands around a lighter, taking a deep drag.

Satisfied, he exhaled a plume of smoke and offered the pack to Cen Xiao.

Cen Xiao waved it away.

Jian Fu froze, shaking the pack in disbelief. “Not interested? Fruit-flavored cigarettes, pretty good stuff.”

The faint smell of smoke made Cen Xiao frown slightly. He waved the lingering strands away and replied, “Quit.”

“Quit? Since when?” Jian Fu was baffled.

The last time they smoked together was only a month or two ago. Though Cen Xiao wasn’t addicted, he’d occasionally light up after exhausting shooting practice. 

But now, judging by his demeanor, he seemed genuinely repulsed by the smell.

Cen Xiao sidestepped the topic, calmly asking, “What did you want to talk about?”

Jian Fu temporarily forgot about the smoking issue. Flicking the ash from his cigarette, he sighed, visibly agitated. “Bro, why’d you aim for tenth place this time?”

Cen Xiao smirked faintly. “You don’t really think my level is bottom of the class, do you?”

“…Of course not! If you wanted to do well, you obviously could. D*mn, you’re missing the point! By scoring tenth, you’re basically showing your dad you can do well!”

Jian Fu had never imagined Cen Xiao would jump straight to tenth place. He’d thought his friend’s actual level might be somewhere in the middle of the class at best. 

Now he realized he probably never fully understood Cen Xiao’s true capabilities—or perhaps Cen Xiao had never revealed them to anyone, not even him.

Cen Xiao didn’t so much as blink, appearing unconcerned about the consequences Jian Fu mentioned. Only when Jian Fu brought up his dad did Cen Xiao’s Adam’s apple move slightly. The chain resting on his collarbone gleamed dazzlingly under the fluorescent light.

“I asked him for a favor. Of course, I needed to meet his expectations.”

Li Rong might have thought the improved grades were Cen Qing’s requirement, but that wasn’t the whole truth.

That day, when Cen Xiao returned home, a man’s autumn jacket, still cold with frost, hung on the coat rack in the living room.

Xiao Muran stood on the stairs with a cat in her arms. Her long hair was slightly messy, and a button on her pajamas had popped off at some point.

Her eyes lingered on the tailored jacket from the business association, filled with sorrow, helplessness, and resignation. She didn’t even notice Cen Xiao’s presence.

“Is Dad back?” Cen Xiao asked.

Xiao Muran finally snapped out of her daze, softly stroking the cat’s fur as she masked her emotions. “I wouldn’t know. Doesn’t concern me.”

Cen Xiao, unfazed, climbed the stairs. Pausing beside her, he remarked, “Mom, that incident might not have been Blue Pivot’s doing. It might not have been Dad’s, either.”

Xiao Muran looked at him sharply, her breathing uneven, her gaze as fragile as a lamb’s mournful bleat.

It was the look of someone suddenly realizing how alone they truly were.

“You’re defending him? Don’t you know how corrupt the association is inside? And—your dad—he’s the one with the clearest motive!”

Cen Xiao frowned but held back whatever he intended to say.

“I’m just stating the facts. I’m heading to the study to find him.”

Cen Qing rarely came home, and for good reason—there wasn’t much appeal to this house. 

If not for his position and Xiao Muran’s family background needing stability, the two might have separated long ago.

When Cen Xiao entered, Cen Qing was arranging books on the shelves. The study was filled with neatly numbered files and books, meticulously organized, reflecting the legitimate aspects of his career.

Cen Xiao’s eyes briefly scanned the slightly disordered desk, noticing the familiar embossed logo of Blue Pivot District 3 on several kraft paper envelopes. Without a change in expression, he withdrew his gaze and casually sank into a small sofa opposite the desk.

“Dad, I need you to do me a favor.”

Cen Qing froze mid-motion, turning to face his son.

He had intended to lecture Cen Xiao with phrases like “no manners, no discipline,” but upon seeing his son’s composed demeanor and confident posture, the words caught in his throat.

The sharp instincts of a businessman made him uneasy. Staring at Cen Xiao, Cen Qing couldn’t shake the feeling that his son’s aura had shifted. It was as if he were no longer facing a rebellious youth but a high-ranking executive from the association.

Cen Qing asked, neither pleased nor angry, “What trouble did you cause at school? Don’t think I can’t track your private account—you transferred out 100,000 yuan.”

Cen Xiao chuckled as if amused by Cen Qing’s outdated perception of him, still confined to the confines of his A Highschool.

He sat upright, locking eyes with Cen Qing, his tone candid.

“I need you to keep an eye on the investigation team for Li Qingli’s case. Someone’s trying to pull strings to extract the data from his computer.”

Cen Qing was particularly sensitive to this name and immediately retorted with displeasure, “Why are you concerned about Li Qingli’s matter? The investigation team is impartial and strict; no information will leak out.”

Cen Xiao smiled faintly. He knew Cen Qing wasn’t naïve enough to believe such words. In this world, no security is unbreachable. Cen Qing’s statement was simply an excuse, leveraging Cen Xiao’s lack of understanding about the intricate relationship between the United Association and the Hongsuo Research Institute to dismiss the issue.

Cen Xiao said, “Dad, if Blue Pivot really exerts pressure on the investigation team, the information indeed won’t leak.”

Cen Qing snapped back, “You still haven’t answered me—why are you so concerned about this matter?”

Cen Xiao replied nonchalantly, “Since you’ve already checked my private account, you must know where my money went.”

Cen Qing, of course, knew. He had come home this time specifically to have a proper talk about it.

“Cen Xiao, what exactly are you trying to do?”

Cen Xiao’s gaze turned cold as his fingers lightly brushed the armrest of the rosewood sofa. His voice was soft: “You should understand what my attitude toward the Li family is, Dad.”

Cen Qing warned, “Stay away from the Li family. I don’t know what you’re playing at, but don’t create trouble for me.”

Lowering his gaze, Cen Xiao skillfully masked his emotions and said evenly, “I rarely ask you for anything, Dad. You should seize this opportunity. When I have the authority I want in the future, asking you for help will be much harder.”

Though it was Cen Xiao making the request, Cen Qing couldn’t shake the feeling that his son was slipping out of his control.

Frustrated, Cen Qing snapped, “Fine, then go apply for Blue Pivot’s Ninth District.”

He didn’t expect Cen Xiao to agree. Over the years, Cen Xiao had opposed him at every turn, avoiding getting involved in the mess and disdaining becoming his tool within Blue Pivot.

In many ways, Cen Xiao’s loathing for Blue Pivot rivaled that of Xiao Muran.

To Cen Qing’s surprise, Cen Xiao raised his gaze, locking eyes with him. After a long silence, he curled his lips and said, “Alright.”

He didn’t even take a moment to hesitate, as though Cen Qing’s request was as simple as preparing a meal.

“The Ninth District?!” Jian Fu couldn’t help but nearly shout in the hallway.

Ordinary people only knew the United Association had eight districts, each overseeing different commercial domains. Very few were aware that Blue Pivot had a secret Ninth District.

Jian Fu didn’t know much about the Ninth District, only that anyone working there wasn’t a “normal” person. Even Blue Pivot’s other eight districts harbored a certain fear of those in the Ninth.

Cen Xiao shot him a disdainful glance. “What, worried others won’t hear you?”

Jian Fu stomped in frustration, so agitated that he nearly dropped his cigarette. “What the h*ll? Is that guy even your real dad? The Ninth District is a h*llhole! Why not the Third District or even my dad’s First District? You’d have it all—comfort, security, connections. Have you lost your mind bro?”

“You’re the crazy one,” Cen Xiao countered, raising a brow. “Why, don’t you want someone in the Ninth District for networking later?”

Jian Fu swallowed hard, his voice trembling as he cautiously asked, “Bro… you’re not doing this for me, are you? That’s not necessary, really. My family wouldn’t do anything violating commercial laws. Even if the Ninth District investigates, they wouldn’t find anything.”

“For you? Keep dreaming,” Cen Xiao said mercilessly, snuffing out Jian Fu’s half-finished cigarette on the balcony railing. “The smoke is suffocating. Let’s head back.”

As they turned a corner, they spotted Li Rong at the entrance of their classroom.

Standing opposite Li Rong was his cousin, Gu Tian.

Gu Tian’s reputation was less than stellar, having been nearly expelled multiple times for causing trouble. Only through Gu Zhaonian pulling strings had he managed to stay.

Gu Zhaonian had only one desire—to see his son succeed. He was willing to bankrupt himself to ensure Gu Tian got into A University. Unfortunately, Gu Tian failed to live up to expectations.

Hands stuffed in his pockets and a baseball cap tilted on his head, Gu Tian lightly shook his right leg and smirked coldly at Li Rong. “Well, well, Li Rong, first place again, huh?”

For a school bully like Gu Tian, someone like Li Rong—a perpetual top student—shouldn’t have posed a threat. Normally, they’d live in separate worlds, never crossing paths.

But the issue laid in their family ties. Li Rong’s mother and Gu Tian’s father were siblings, which meant they had been compared to each other since childhood.

With Li Rong as the comparison, Gu Tian had always come out looking bad.

Relatives far and wide would heap praise on Li Rong while belittling Gu Tian. Even his parents seemed to regret having him, as if they’d wished they could start over and produce someone like Li Rong instead.

When trouble hit the Li Rong family recently, Gu Tian thought he’d finally get some peace. 

Yet as soon as his father returned, Gu Tian was subjected to another harsh scolding. Only later did he learn, through his mother, that it was because Li Rong had mocked his inability to get into A University and looked down on his father’s reliance on bribes.

Even in his downfall, Li Rong dared to look down on him.

Li Rong lazily lifted his gaze, his eyes cold as he said, “Taking first place—doesn’t that go without saying?”

Gu Tian’s teeth ground audibly, his face twitching with anger. “There it is again—that d*mned look. Stop looking at me like that!”

That arrogant, indifferent gaze, as if Gu Tian were nothing more than dirt underfoot. It was the same as before, when Li Rong was still the son of the great Professor Li.

Li Rong turned away with a faint smile, his slender neck exposing delicate collarbones that seemed fragile enough to break. He sighed, “How boring.”

Dealing with Gu Tian was truly tiresome. If not for his antics disturbing the experimental class, Li Rong wouldn’t have bothered meeting him.

Gu Tian, infuriated by Li Rong’s indifference, almost lashed out but restrained himself at the last second. Instead, he sneered, “I heard you’re broke now, Li Rong. Teaching your classmates to make ends meet? We’re family—I can have my dad lend you some money. Tell me, how did your oh-so-impressive parents leave you with nothing?”

Li Rong’s eyes narrowed as his thumb lightly pressed against his forefinger, weighing the thought.

He wondered: if he punched Gu Tian right now, could he dodge in time?

The last incident took quite a toll on his body—no wonder Cen Xiao was upset. Now, even climbing the stairs left him short of breath.

Li Rong assessed the situation, quietly relaxing his grip. Just as he was about to let it slide, he caught a glimpse of Cen Xiao and Jian Fu returning from their private discussion out of the corner of his eye.

The two of them were back.

Li Rong’s mind stirred slightly, and he smirked with undisguised contempt. “Your dad’s money? Better save it to buy yourself a spot in university.”

Attractive people always expressed emotions with precision, and even when mocking others, their words carried a sharper sting.

“What did you say? Say it again!” Gu Tian, boiling with rage, swung his fist toward Li Rong’s face.

Although Li Rong wasn’t particularly strong, he had gone through two years of real combat training. He quickly tilted his head, dodging Gu Tian’s punch.

His face escaped unscathed, but his shoulder wasn’t so lucky. Gu Tian’s fist slammed into his shoulder, causing Li Rong to stagger and crash into the icy classroom wall.

The wall was hard and cold, sending a piercing chill through him. Li Rong clenched his teeth, shut his eyes tightly against the pain, and coughed violently while clutching his shoulder.

The dull pain radiated slowly from his shoulder down his arm, lingering stubbornly. His face paled, and cold sweat matted his hairline.

After enduring several seconds, Li Rong finally raised his eyes again, panting slightly as he glared coldly at Gu Tian.

“Come on, keep acting tough!” Gu Tian sneered, emboldened by Li Rong’s frail appearance. But when he caught Li Rong’s unyielding gaze, he raised his fist again.

This time, he didn’t succeed. Someone caught his wrist mid-air.

Gu Tian jerked his hand, trying to free it, but the grip only tightened, sending a sharp pain shooting through his wrist.

Turning his head, Gu Tian froze when he saw Cen Xiao’s face.

He’d never had direct dealings with Cen Xiao, but he’d witnessed him handling others before. Truth be told, it had left a lasting impression. 

Cen Xiao was ruthless when he snapped.

Leaning against the wall, Li Rong relaxed as soon as he saw Cen Xiao arrive. Tilting his chin slightly, he fluttered his lashes and brazenly complained, “What took you so long? I’m in agony here—feels like my bones are breaking.”

Cen Xiao glanced at Li Rong, his eyes landing on his shoulder.

Li Rong was gently rubbing his shoulder, but it was hard to tell how bad the injury was through his clothes. It didn’t seem minor, though—he wasn’t pressing too hard.

“Jian Fu, take this…”

Before Cen Xiao could finish, Li Rong gritted his teeth and interjected, “Gu Tian. He’s my uncle’s son—my cousin from Class 12. His dad drives for A University’s president.”

Gu Tian: “…” Could you possibly give a more detailed introduction?

Cen Xiao’s voice turned icy. “Take this Gu Tian outside for a proper chat. Don’t make it too short—I don’t want to repeat myself.”

Despite his pale lips from the pain, Li Rong furrowed his brows regretfully. “I don’t get to watch? You’re not handling this yourself?”

Cen Xiao rejected him without hesitation. “No.”

The veins in Gu Tian’s temple throbbed. He didn’t want to provoke Cen Xiao—nor could he afford to. 

Not only would he lose in a fight, but his family’s position also left him powerless against Cen Xiao and Jian Fu.

“Cen Xiao, I’ve got no beef with you. Why are you sticking your nose into Li Rong’s business?”

Jian Fu chuckled nonchalantly, patting Gu Tian on the shoulder. “What do you mean, ‘his business’? He’s our class monitor. Don’t you know who’s close and who’s not?”

Gu Tian’s scalp prickled with unease. He pointed angrily at Li Rong. “But he’s from Hongsuo!”

Jian Fu, growing impatient, grabbed Gu Tian’s collar and dragged him outside. “Yeah, yeah, I heard you. Let’s talk outside—don’t make me invite you.”

Li Rong lowered his gaze to Gu Tian’s pointing finger and couldn’t help throwing out a sarcastic remark. “If I were you, I’d know better than to say pointless things once I understand the situation.” Then, turning to Jian Fu, he added, “Don’t hold back on my account.”

Jian Fu shot him an annoyed glance. “….Who the h*ll cares about your account?”

Unbothered, Li Rong retorted, “Cut back on the smoking. It’s bad for you.”

Dragging Gu Tian downstairs, Jian Fu muttered under his breath, “Why does everyone keep nagging me about this? It’s just fruit-flavored!”

Cen Xiao sneered. “Riding on someone else’s coattails—quite the opportunist.”

Li Rong, still in visible discomfort, suppressed a cough and brushed aside his bangs. Weakly, he asked, “If I hadn’t beaten Cui Mingyang last time, would you have stepped in?”

Cen Xiao didn’t answer.

His silence was an answer in itself. Li Rong smiled faintly, satisfied, his pale face finally showing a hint of color.

“Did you do it on purpose?” Cen Xiao asked suddenly.

He didn’t believe Li Rong couldn’t have dodged. He knew Li Rong’s combat skills better than anyone—perhaps even better than Li Rong himself.

Li Rong looked innocent, his peach blossom eyes wide and sincere, like he couldn’t tell a lie if he tried. “I saw it coming, but my body wouldn’t cooperate. I’m lucky I managed to protect my face.”

Cen Xiao wasn’t immune to that look.

Lowering his eyes, he gently pushed aside Li Rong’s cold fingers and pressed along his shoulder. After confirming there were no fractures, he asked in a low voice, “Does it hurt?”

“Hiss…” Li Rong winced. “Yeah, this time it really does.”