The Sickly Beauty Gives Up Struggling [Rebirth] Chapter 44

No matter the age, the competitive streak in one’s bones is hard to erase.

Tang He, feeling smug, waited to see Cen Xiao’s reaction, expecting him to show some alarm. After all, people Tang He deemed “impressive” were few and far between.

And Tang He wasn’t exaggerating—this candidate was truly remarkable.

When Tang He heard that the individual was already a senior executive at a financial firm with an annual income nearing ten million, he was equally surprised. Why would someone give up such wealth to get involved in District Nine’s murky waters?

But that didn’t matter. What did was that after the evaluation, Tang He concluded the candidate indeed had the potential to enter District Nine.

Tang He waited for a while but saw no response from Cen Xiao.

Cen Xiao simply and methodically reassembled the unloaded gun, weighing it in his hand.

Thinking Cen Xiao hadn’t heard, Tang He repeated, “This person has far more social experience than you. That’s all I’ll say.”

“Oh.” Cen Xiao handed the gun back, still utterly uninterested in the impressive individual Tang He mentioned.

Tang He clicked his tongue in frustration, frowning deeply. “Who taught you to be so unreadable? Aren’t you worried at all?”

Cen Xiao snorted softly, his expression faintly disdainful. “No matter who it is, they can’t surpass me. What’s there to worry about?”

Tang He was speechless, blocked by this sheer confidence. He often emphasized to candidates the importance of self-confidence, as working in District Nine demanded strong nerves and presence to avoid being overwhelmed by the cunning individuals they investigated.

But confidence to Cen Xiao’s degree—wouldn’t it lead to underestimating others?

Something in Tang He snapped. He turned and shouted at Li Rong, “Hey, aren’t you worried?”

Leaning against the balcony, lost in thought, Li Rong was startled by Tang He’s sudden question and looked baffled.

“What?”

Faced with that clueless expression, Tang He realized the young man genuinely wasn’t concerned, even daydreaming, and suddenly admired the simplicity of youth.

“Ha! I guess I’m just overthinking. No one’s worried.”

Li Rong paused, then maintained his innocent façade. “Worrying won’t help, anyway. The exams are fair. As long as they do their best, it’s enough.”

In truth, he was recalling Du Mingli.

The name “Du Mingli” had an almost mythical reputation—so perfect it felt unreal.

Every story Li Rong heard about Du Mingli brimmed with affirmation, admiration, and respect.

Lab colleagues described him as nothing like the stereotypical “Ghost-Eye Group” leader—amiable, cultured, and soft-spoken, with no airs at all.

Even Li Rong’s mentor, who cursed Hu Yuming at every turn, had not uttered a single bad word about Du Mingli.

Du Mingli seemed like a refreshing breeze, sweeping through District Nine and purging the murky atmosphere.

But how had someone like that caught Han Jiang’s weakness?

In District Nine, where superiors monitored subordinates and vice versa, Han Jiang had to know he was always being watched.

How could someone without any capital or backing, a sudden outsider, expose his flaws?

After much contemplation, Li Rong concluded there might be only one explanation—Han Jiang trusted Du Mingli.

Just like everyone who met Du Mingli and couldn’t help but admire him, Han Jiang was no exception.

Du Mingli came from an ordinary background, untainted by ulterior motives, and his top-ranking entry made him much more likable than the seasoned schemers.

If Han Jiang trusted Du Mingli, there would always come a day when he let his guard down and exposed his flaws.

He probably never dreamed that someone as flawless as Du Mingli would stab him in the back.

Li Rong realized Cen Xiao was watching him.

Raising his eyes instinctively, he met Cen Xiao’s gaze. For the first time, they openly read each other’s thoughts in that fleeting moment of eye contact—

Why aren’t you even a little curious about that impressive person?

Li Rong: “…”

If Cen Xiao had also been reborn, he might already have pieced together Li Rong’s secret from his reaction.

But given the unpleasant memories of his previous life, Li Rong averted his gaze.

Just as the atmosphere was growing slightly awkward, Tang He’s assistant entered the room, providing a timely distraction.

The assistant knocked on the door first and, with Tang He’s permission, stepped in to report, “Chief Tang, that VIP client from earlier heard you’re here today. He wants to know if you have time for a sparring session. He’s willing to pay extra.”

Tang He’s sparring sessions were always booked in advance. With so many candidates seeking to train with someone of his caliber, and most willing to pay a premium, Tang He adhered strictly to a one-VIP-per-week policy. After all, sparring sessions could result in injuries, and even Tang He wasn’t invincible.

Most candidates never got to see him again after their initial simulation test.

Tang He frowned. “Can’t you see I already have company? This isn’t about money—it’s about rules. Schedule him for another time.”

The assistant’s expression stiffened momentarily, but he forced a smile and cautiously gestured toward Cen Xiao. “Actually, the client wanted to ask if Mr. Cen would be willing to give up his spot for a fee.”

Tang He froze, clearly not expecting such a move.

The assistant surely hadn’t disclosed Cen Xiao’s background; otherwise, the client would know Cen Xiao had no need for money.

Tang He expected Cen Xiao to scowl and have the assistant turn down the offer immediately. However, yet again, Cen Xiao’s reaction defied expectations.

Tang He was beginning to question whether his observational skills were deteriorating after misjudging Cen Xiao’s responses so many times today.

Meanwhile, Li Rong chuckled lightly and asked with curiosity, “How much is he offering?”

For now, Du Mingli didn’t know their backgrounds, making this an excellent chance to probe. Their identities as high school students also served as a natural cover.

To Du Mingli, they were likely as unassuming as Han Jiang once viewed Du Mingli in their past life.

“Uh…” The assistant glanced at Li Rong, then at Cen Xiao, who showed no sign of intervening, before cautiously replying, “The client is waiting in the VIP lounge and said the price is negotiable.”

Li Rong turned to Cen Xiao and asked, “Need to decline?”

From Li Rong’s expression, it was clear he had another plan in mind. He was merely being polite by checking with Cen Xiao. After all, sparring sessions could cost a considerable amount of money.

Having met Tang He early on, Cen Xiao didn’t particularly need this training session.

He replied, “Do as you like.”

Li Rong straightened up, brushing some dust off his sleeve, and told the assistant, “Alright, I’ll go have a word with him.”

Tang He didn’t stop the candidates from networking. In fact, some past trainees had formed support groups to encourage and motivate each other. 

However, after incidents of backstabbing and sabotage arose in one of these groups, Tang He stopped providing a platform for such interactions.

He assumed that those training under him would avoid such behavior, considering they were all competitors.

Moreover, the person in question might very well be vying for the top spot with Cen Xiao.

Li Rong took a couple of steps toward the door, then turned back to Cen Xiao. “Are you coming with me?”

He thought it’d be good for Cen Xiao to meet Du Mingli, provided Cen Xiao truly had no idea who Du Mingli was.

But Cen Xiao’s reaction to his question—an uncharacteristic flicker of panic—was something Li Rong hadn’t expected.

For someone like Cen Xiao, such an expression was rare, especially in a public setting like this.

Li Rong paused, his chest tightening inexplicably with a faint, lingering ache.

But soon, he chuckled softly, blinking away the feeling as he spoke in a gentle tone, “I’d actually prefer if you came with me.”

Cen Xiao’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he seemed to snap out of his daze. Picking up a pre-prepared warm towel, he carefully wiped his right hand, which had held the metal accessory earlier. After a moment, he replied in a low voice, “I’ll come with you.”

Tang He immediately noticed something was off about Cen Xiao.

He couldn’t figure it out. Mentioning the impressive candidate hadn’t fazed Cen Xiao, nor had the offer of money for his training slot. Yet a casual remark from that “little beauty” had seemingly thrown Cen Xiao into a trance.

As Cen Xiao approached, Li Rong waited at the door until they were side by side before pushing it open.

What Li Rong didn’t expect was for Cen Xiao to suddenly grab his left hand. “Wait for me.”

Cen Xiao’s hand, slightly damp and warm from the towel, gripped his cool fingertips, transferring its heat immediately.

Li Rong’s right hand, which rested against the door, suddenly lost its strength.

It wasn’t that he felt embarrassed holding hands with Cen Xiao; instead, he acutely sensed that, though Cen Xiao was providing warmth, it was Cen Xiao himself who seemed to need support and reassurance in that moment.

Sometimes intuition comes without explanation, yet it’s so intense it demands action. Li Rong felt compelled to hold on to Cen Xiao.

Pressing his slightly dry lips together, Li Rong tightened his grip on Cen Xiao’s hand.

Tang He’s gaze fell on their joined hands, and he couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. While surprised, he also found the sight unsurprising.

After all, that “little beauty” was indeed a bit special. Tang He even began to wonder where Cen Xiao had found him.

Walking down the wide corridor, Li Rong glanced at Cen Xiao’s stern expression and teased, “With such initiative, I think I’ve cemented my role as the decorative vase in the boss’s eyes.”

Feeling Li Rong’s firm grip, the sensation grounding him back to reality, Cen Xiao seemed to have shaken off his earlier gloom. He replied, “His eyes aren’t that bad.”

Li Rong chuckled lightly. “Being treated as a pretty face isn’t so bad—at least it proves that just relying on looks can guarantee a carefree life. It’s much easier.”

Cen Xiao gave him a deep glance and said nonchalantly, “But that’s not what you want.”

Li Rong clicked his tongue. 

He had thought Cen Xiao would point out the flaws in his value system, advising him to abandon unrealistic ideas. After all, beauty fades; everyone ages, and only knowledge and wealth are reliable.

But Li Rong quickly realized that this topic should come to an end. Continuing the conversation would inevitably lead to the cliché question: “Will you take care of me?”

He didn’t need to guess to know Cen Xiao’s answer. That would circle them back to the dynamic Cen Xiao had wanted in their past life.

When they reached the VIP lounge, both of them tacitly released each other’s hands.

Just as Li Rong was about to remind Cen Xiao not to be swayed by the person inside—who might not be as kind-hearted as they seemed—he caught sight of Cen Xiao’s expression. Swallowing his words, Li Rong realized there was no chance of Cen Xiao warming up to Du Mingli.

The assistant opened the door, revealing a much younger-looking, amiable face.

Du Mingli sat on the sofa, hands clasped together, elbows resting on his knees, nodding along lightly to the lounge’s ambient music. 

The relaxed and unpretentious demeanor instantly created a sense of approachability—so unlike most of the employees from Blue Pivot or Hongsuo, whose presence alone demanded distance.

When the door opened, Du Mingli looked up, his face immediately lighting up with a friendly smile.

He wasn’t handsome in any conventional sense: small eyes, faint eyebrows, slightly darker skin tone. But he maintained himself impeccably—clean and tidy, exuding a subtle charm that made him easy on the eyes.

Noticing that Li Rong and Cen Xiao were high school-aged, Du Mingli paused momentarily. Yet he showed no sign of disdain, instead standing up and extending his hand.

There was a faint, starfruit-shaped scar on the back of his right hand where a mole had been removed.

“Hello, sorry for the trouble.”

As a top executive at a financial company earning tens of millions annually, Du Mingli was astoundingly approachable.

But his affability only heightened Li Rong’s vigilance.

This man’s depth and cunning must run deep.

Walking in with Cen Xiao, Li Rong noticed that even the assistant instinctively looked to Cen Xiao for cues. Despite Li Rong appearing more frail and unfit for training, Du Mingli first extended his hand toward him.

It seemed Du Mingli had instantly judged who was the decision-maker between them.

Li Rong lowered his gaze, glancing briefly at the broad hand suspended in the air.

Instead of taking Du Mingli’s hand, he casually curled his lips into a smirk, his eyes carrying the arrogance of a spoiled rich kid. “At your age, what are you doing applying to District Nine?”