Rebirth: I Am Not the Movie Queen This Time-Chapter 28 The Matter of An Lian

The involved parties left, and the onlookers quickly dispersed.

Behind the dispersing crowd, An Lian’s figure appeared. He had just seen Wan Chu’er suddenly slap Zhuo Yao and, fearing a situation, rushed over. When he arrived, he happened to hear Wan Chu’er say, "Don’t slander Teacher An. Teacher An and my mother were classmates."

So he stopped in his tracks. Seeing that Wan Chu’er hadn’t suffered any real loss, he didn’t push his way further in.

An Lian had never thought that one day Wan Chu’er would actually hit someone for his sake, and even personally acknowledged his classmate relationship with Bai Zhixi.

For a moment, his feelings were overwhelmingly emotional, wishing to see Bai Zhixi and find out how she was doing.

A few years ago, seeing Bai Zhixi struggling with a child alone, he couldn’t help but look out for the mother and daughter. At first, Wan Chu’er would always call him "Uncle An" with a smile.

But one day, Wan Chu’er suddenly glared at him with anger and even picked up a broom to beat him, driving him away.

After that, every time she saw him, she would curse him viciously.

Even in his disappointment, he remained concerned about Bai Zhixi, secretly helping her. Somehow, Wan Chu’er found out about it. He remembers that day’s scene vividly.

The Wan family’s gas had run out, and when An Lian saw Bai Zhixi struggling with the gas tank, he thought Wan Chu’er was at school and wouldn’t be back for a while, so he went to help her carry it. Once at the Wan home, he noticed the kitchen cabinet was cracked, so he helped fix it.

Just then, Wan Chu’er and another girl returned.

The situation turned chaotic; no matter how he and Bai Zhixi explained, Wan Chu’er wouldn’t listen. Ultimately, in the chaos, Wan Chu’er slammed Bai Zhixi hard across the face.

That slap landed on Bai Zhixi’s face but felt like it hit An Lian’s heart.

From then on, he didn’t dare approach Bai Zhixi again, and he was always cautious around Wan Chu’er.

Now, unexpectedly, Wan Chu’er was kind to him, willing to learn martial arts with him, and even defended him by hitting someone.

This was beyond anything An Lian had anticipated. He felt that his long-held disheartenment had suddenly vanished, and his efforts were finally understood and rewarded.

For a moment, An Lian felt completely relaxed, his entire being radiant.

Someone noticed his change and couldn’t help but ask, "Teacher An, did something good happen? Why are you so happy?"

An Lian chuckled and said, "The weather is really nice today."

Walking home, Wan Chu’er had no idea about An Lian’s change. She only felt disgusted; even though she had just slapped Zhuo Yao hard, the feeling of disgust remained, like having swallowed half a fly.

Upon returning home, despite her efforts to conceal it, Bai Zhixi noticed her daughter’s displeasure and gently asked:

"Chuchu, did something unpleasant happen at school today?"

Wan Chu’er paused and said, "No, nothing happened. Liu Li returned US$ 45 today, and I also returned Teacher An’s money."

She pulled out US$ 50 and handed it to Bai Zhixi, "Take this money to buy groceries."

Knowing her daughter still had money, Bai Zhixi accepted the US$ 50 while carefully observing her daughter, tentatively asking, "Did... An Lian say something that made you happy?"

She understood her daughter’s knot with An Lian, never daring to mention him normally.

Wan Chu’er smiled slightly, then looked at Bai Zhixi with an apologetic face, saying, "Mom, I was too immature before. Teacher An has helped our family so much, and yet I treated him so badly. I will never be an ungrateful fool again. Teacher An is a good person."

She hesitated for a moment and added, "Mom, if you and Teacher An have... that... intention, you should be together. I support you."

Talking to her mother about letting her remarry felt awkward, and she still had a deep reluctance. But for Bai Zhixi’s happiness, she was willing to try to make things work.

Bai Zhixi was momentarily stunned. She knew how opposed Chuchu had been to An Lian. How come today...?

"Chuchu, are you... okay?" Bai Zhixi asked.

Wan Chu’er shook her head, "Mom, I’m sincere. As long as you’re happy, as long as you’re content, I’m willing to do anything for you."

Seeing her daughter was genuine, Bai Zhixi couldn’t help but tear up. She had noticed her daughter’s changes in recent days, always pondering and speculating. Now that her daughter was even willing to accept An Lian, she finally believed Chuchu had changed for the better.

Bai Zhixi couldn’t help but embrace Wan Chu’er tightly.

Wan Chu’er silently let Bai Zhixi hug her, cherishing the long-missed embrace of her mother.

After crying, Bai Zhixi remembered they hadn’t eaten yet. After lunch, Chuchu needed a nap and then had to go to school. She stopped her tears, wiped her face, and smiled, saying:

"Chuchu, in mom’s heart, there’s only your father, no one could surpass him."

Wan Chu’er felt relieved as she indeed didn’t want anyone to replace Wan Shiguo.

Bai Zhixi continued, "An Lian is a good person. A few years ago, when our family was really struggling, An Lian was willing to lend a helping hand to us. Although mom knew his intentions, to let you grow up peacefully, I reluctantly accepted An Lian’s help but refused him emotionally.

To put it simply, mom was using him. I thought that when you were older, working, and earning money, I’d sell this house and give all the money to An Lian as compensation."

So that was how it was. She had misunderstood Bai Zhixi, and for a moment, Wan Chu’er felt pity for An Lian.

Wan Chu’er smiled; she found she still liked sympathizing with the weak. Fine, she’d treat An Lian better in the future. Once their pickled vegetable business took off, she’d give An Lian more money.

Or when An Lian was old, she’d hire a caretaker to take good care of him.

After clearing this up, the mother and daughter started their lunch.

After lunch, they exchanged how their morning went. Bai Zhixi stayed home making pickled vegetables, preparing to deliver them to the newly partnered restaurant tomorrow.

When Bai Zhixi heard about Wan Chu’er slapping Zhuo Yao, she frowned slightly and kindly advised:

"Chuchu, Zhuo Yao is quite complicated. I don’t understand why she’s acting that way towards you. My suggestion is to avoid her in the future, don’t associate or pretend with her.

Your current task is to study well, and in your free time, help mom with the pickled vegetable business. Our time is precious; it’s not worth it to waste it on her.

From what I see, she wants to ruin you, so you should study hard, get into a good university, live better than her, achieve more than her; by then, that would be the biggest blow to her."

Wan Chu’er nodded and said, "Mom, I’ll seriously consider your words."

She felt her mother’s words made sense; she needed to think carefully about handling Zhuo Yao, the fake innocent.