After Rebirth, Minor Character Only Wants to Level Up
Chapter 31 - 030: All coincidental

Chapter 31: 030: All coincidental

It’s rare for the three of us, mother and daughters, to go out together. While walking in the compound, when running into someone, Bai Xue always stops to chat. Ye Qian is sweet-mouthed, calling everyone "Auntie" with ease. Compared to her, Ye Ling, who stands silently by the side, seems a lot less charming, much to Bai Xue’s obvious delight that the younger daughter appears more accomplished than the older one, her face lit up with a constant smile.

By the time they reach the bookstore, it’s already past nine, having been delayed. The bookstore isn’t crowded during this festive season, and coincidentally, they run into someone there — Liu Zhiyuan.

Seeing Liu Zhiyuan, Bai Xue is pleased, "Zhiyuan, did you come by yourself?"

Liu Zhiyuan gestures inward, "I came with Xiao Rui."

Following Liu Zhiyuan’s direction, Bai Xue and her daughters spot Liu Rui’s back behind the bookshelves. Bai Xue laughs, "I’ll go over and have a look. Meanwhile, Zhiyuan, you can help Qianqian pick some materials."

Once her mother is gone, Ye Qian sweetly says, "Brother Zhiyuan, let’s keep our voices down. Could you help me pick some review materials?"

Liu Zhiyuan hands over what he’s holding, "These are what I picked for Liu Rui. Have a look and see if they suit you. If they do, you can just take one of each."

Ye Qian thanked him and took a look down diligently.

Liu Zhiyuan remembers that they came with three people. He glances around and notices another gray figure at the high school section’s shelves. A junior high student like Ye Ling appearing in the high school materials section became a common sight for him.

Ye Qian, focused on the materials in her hands, isn’t the least bit interested, as many of the question types are unfamiliar to her. Seeing the words "Middle School Exam Review Exercises" on the cover, she felt a headache coming on. It’s not that she doesn’t study seriously; while the kids in the compound are playing, she’s always reviewing. Still, when the results come out, she always falls behind, which leaves her feeling the most unwilling.

Liu Zhiyuan saw Ye Qian frowning, "Are the questions inside too easy?"

Ye Qian’s face paled, but when she looked up, she was already smiling sweetly, "No, they’re fine. I’ll take these few. Where are they? I’ll go grab a few more too."

Liu Zhiyuan nodded and led Ye Qian to find the materials.

Meanwhile, in the high school area, Ye Ling had already picked materials for math, physics, and chemistry for both semesters of the first year. She had her eyes on a few more books, but picking just these three added up to six books. Knowing her mother’s frugal nature, taking these six might still be approved, otherwise, she might have to leave without any.

In her past life, although Ye Ling had a fiery temper, she loved reading. After selecting the materials, she picked up a copy of "Jane Eyre" and began reading. She had barely turned a page when her peripheral vision caught a green figure. She looked up in surprise to see it was Shen Bin.

Running into Shen Bin in the bookstore was unexpected for Ye Ling, but in this life, they didn’t really know each other. Ye Ling thought it would be better to find a chance to thank him in the future. For now, she preferred to treat him as a stranger and turned her head back to her book.

However, Shen Bin clearly chose not to pretend he didn’t recognize her as he walked up to her, "You’re Uncle Ye’s daughter, right?"

Ye Ling closed the book and looked up, "I am, and you are?"

She thought to herself, sure enough, he is a research department head. Just one glance in the company canteen during the New Year’s meeting and no introductions, yet he guessed right away.

Shen Bin’s square face with almond eyes, crew cut, and an imposing gray outfit made him look quite authoritative, "This is what your sister gave me that day you were at the company. You can tell her she doesn’t need to give me a new handkerchief in return."

His voice was deep and resonant.

Ye Ling took the handkerchief, glanced at it, "Ye Qian is also in the bookstore, you can give it to her yourself."

She extended her hand back, simultaneously regretting having taken it in the first place.

Shen Bin glanced at his wristwatch before speaking again in a stern tone, "It’s 9:30 now and I have to be at the designated spot in the company parking. You just take this back to her."

Without another word, Shen Bin decisively brushed past Ye Ling. Ye Ling called out ’Hey’ twice, but he didn’t stop. Knowing it wouldn’t be appropriate to shout in the bookstore, Ye Ling stopped, glanced at the white and gray checkered handkerchief in her hand, and stuffed it into her pocket. After all, Shen Bin wouldn’t go to her sister over a handkerchief, and Ye Qian wouldn’t know. She might as well keep it.

At checkout, Bai Xue only counted the number of books and, seeing both daughters had six each, didn’t ask more before paying. However, Ye Qian’s eyes caught that they were first-year high school review books, "Sis, did you take the wrong ones? Those are for first year high school."

Bai Xue had just finished putting away the change when she heard this, exclaiming, "What? Took the wrong ones? Quickly change them, luckily we haven’t left the store. Why didn’t you check properly? You can’t even take the right review materials."

Having paid, Ye Ling felt at ease, cradling the six books and smiling, "I bought them on purpose to review before starting high school. That way it’ll be easier when I get there."

"What if you don’t get in?" Six books at a dollar each is quite a waste, Bai Xue couldn’t bear it, "Quick, change them."

Ye Ling glanced at Ye Qian watching her silently, then looked over at the Liu Family siblings examining her, and responded to her mother with a smile, "Other families hope for their children to get into high school, why doesn’t Mom seem to? Am I not your biological child? Or am I adopted?"

What’s the difference between not being biological and being adopted?

It means the same.

Liu Zhiyuan standing by also found Ye Ling rather annoyingly naïve. High school entrance exams aren’t easy. Taking six books at once, isn’t it a waste if they’re not needed?

But as it’s not his family’s concern, Liu Zhiyuan wouldn’t comment, instead calling to his sister, "Xiao Rui, didn’t you want to buy a pen? I remember the next store has them."

Lu Rui nodded and, after giving Bai Xue a courteous farewell, "Auntie, we’re leaving now."

Bai Xue, without much time to chat, smiled, "Alright, take care."

Once the Liu Family siblings left the bookstore, Bai Xue couldn’t help but reach for the books in her daughter’s arms, "Behave, and exchange them back."

Ye Ling turned away, dodging, and with a grin said to Ye Qian, "Ye Qian, you usually love helping Mom criticize me. How come you’re not saying anything today? Or do you not want me to get into high school either?"

"What nonsense?" Bai Xue was on the verge of scolding with outsiders around.

Watching the older daughter dash out of the store, clenching her teeth in anger, she couldn’t very well chase after her. Still, her words reminded her of the younger daughter, "Qianqian, what’s wrong?"

"Nothing, it’s just that I’m upset when she says things like that." Ye Qian lowered her head, masking her true feelings.

Seeing her sister take high school materials, Ye Qian was indeed hurt, as she worked so hard in her studies. Yet, this bumpkin from the countryside was already on to high school books, how could she not feel angry and indignant?