The Fear Worse than Your Dark Past

There’s something more terrifying than your dark past.

It’s someone reminding you of it right in front of you.

[Day One of Rebirth.]

[Top-tier social death.]

Su Qingyan casually glanced at Lin Ran: "Are you convinced now?"

"Convinced," Lin Ran mumbled, ashamed, slamming his head onto the desk. The evidence was undeniable. His three years of high school were nothing but pure, titanium-alloyed servitude to a girl—there was no way to clean that up.

Suddenly, he looked up at the class flower sitting across from him, a puzzled expression on his face.

“How do you know all of this so clearly?”

Su Qingyan maintained her calm, indifferent demeanor. She lied without batting an eye:

“Lots of people know. I heard it from others.”

Lin Ran’s head hit the desk again with a loud thud.

[Well, that’s a surprise.]

[A second social death.]

Seeing Lin Ran’s dismayed expression, Su Qingyan’s lips briefly curved into a smile before returning to her usual coolness.

“Now you understand? Then make sure you never fall for that kind of girl again. Stay away from girls like that.”

Lin Ran, with a face full of bitterness, nodded in agreement. "Definitely!"

Not only in the future—he wished he could go back two years and erase all those past mistakes, including those embarrassing episodes.

Satisfied with Lin Ran’s attitude, Su Qingyan continued, casually eating her meal as she expanded on her point, going full steam ahead:

“At your age, you should focus. This is the time to study hard and get into a good university.”

“Right!”

“So, if Shen Ling Shan tries to contact you again, don’t bother with her.”

“Got it!”

“If any other girl wants to hang out with you, learn to say ‘no’.”

“Got it!”

“If anyone, like me, asks you out for a meal, you absolutely refuse.”

“Fine!”

“If you find out that any girl in class or from your grade is interested in you, report it to me immediately.”

“Sure! ...Wait, what!?”

Something felt off. Lin Ran immediately looked up, a suspicious look on his face.

“Why should I report it to you if another girl likes me?”

“Also, why is it okay for you to ask me out for a meal, but not other girls?”

Su Qingyan remained composed, her face betraying no emotion. She continued coolly:

“I’m the class monitor.”

“It’s my responsibility to keep an eye on the students and ensure their studies aren’t distracted.”

“And as for asking you out for a meal—that’s different. We’re desk mates. It’s completely normal for desk mates to share a meal.”

[Is that how it works?]

Lin Ran blinked in disbelief, eyeing his class flower desk mate. She looked so calm and indifferent, and there wasn’t the slightest hint of guilt or lying.

He slowly started to believe it…

After all, why would she lie about something like this? There was no reason for her to deceive him.

He wasn’t someone she was interested in, after all.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Feeling a little relieved, Lin Ran smiled knowingly.

After all, in his previous life, he had no experience. Getting tricked by someone like Shen Ling Shan could be excused.

But this time? He was a reborn man—an experienced soul of thirty-something trapped in an 18-year-old body.

If Su Qingyan was lying or had some ulterior motive, he would easily see through it.

He wouldn’t be fooled.

With his mind made up, Lin Ran couldn’t help but feel touched by the way Su Qingyan, usually so cold and detached, cared for him out of both kindness and her responsibility as class monitor.

He looked at her earnestly and said, “Thank you.”

[Look! He’s actually thanking me!]

Inside, the mini-version of Su Qingyan was laughing so hard, she was almost rolling on the floor in glee, clutching her stomach.

On the outside, Su Qingyan remained unaffected, her expression still as calm as ever.

“Don’t mention it,” she said coolly.

“It’s the least I could do.”

“So, how are you going to thank me?”

Lin Ran blinked, the sincere words stuck in his throat as he suddenly faltered.

“How do you want me to thank you?”

Su Qingyan appeared to consider it for a moment, her tone casual, as if she wasn’t scheming at all.

“Just call me ‘sister’ and we’ll be good.”

Lin Ran stared at her, his face darkening with disbelief.

[Again!?]

She met his gaze with ease, as if saying it was just a casual remark.

“Not gonna happen!”

“How could I call you that?”

“I’m not calling you that!”

Su Qingyan, without skipping a beat, said, “Fine, I’ll pay for the meal.”

“Sis!!”

Lin Ran instantly flipped his tone, his eyes shining with sincerity as if he had just reunited with a long-lost sibling. His voice was filled with passion, his acting so convincing that it could bring tears to anyone’s eyes.

Su Qingyan remained unmoved, her face unchanged.

She gave a slight, non-committal nod.

Then, she stood up gracefully.

With an effortless motion, she reached over and ruffled Lin Ran’s messy black hair, speaking in a tone that was soft and casual:

“Good boy.”

Then she turned and walked toward the counter.

Without a second thought, she fished out a hundred-dollar bill with her slender fingers and placed it on the counter with no expression.

“Boss, check please.”

And then, she casually walked out.

As she left, the 18-year-old goddess, who was recognized as the most aloof and beautiful in the school, moved with such elegance that her every step seemed to carry an air of delicate grace.

For a brief moment, there was an almost captivating, enchanting aura to her every movement.

Lin Ran stood frozen, staring at her departing figure, dumbfounded.

Suddenly, he came back to his senses:

Did she just ruffle my hair!?

Meanwhile, inside her head, the mini-version of Su Qingyan was grinning from ear to ear, unable to stop her jubilant laughter.

[Aha, I successfully got a little benefit from Lin Ran. So happy!~]

[His hair feels so nice to ruffle!]

[I’m doing it again next time!】

As Lin Ran finally stepped out of the restaurant, they didn’t head straight back to school.

Next door to the restaurant was a small convenience store.

Su Qingyan told Lin Ran to wait outside while she went in to buy some wet wipes.

For a high school boy to accompany a girl like this, it hinted at some closeness, some budding affection.

But for Su Qingyan, she was still as composed as ever, offering a perfectly formal excuse.

“Going to the store with your desk mate is normal.”

“Other desk mates do it all the time.”

So that’s what the “desk mate” role is used for?

Lin Ran was a bit suspicious, but ultimately chose to accept it. After all, he reasoned, Su Qingyan had no reason to deceive him.

She wasn’t after anything, so why would she lie?

As Su Qingyan went into the store, Lin Ran waited outside.

That was when a familiar, delicate voice called out from behind:

“Lin Ran—”

Lin Ran turned around and saw Shen Ling Shan, standing at the entrance of a noodle shop across the street. She stood with her arms crossed, looking down at him, a proud and superior expression on her face.

“Hmm?”

“Have you thought about apologizing to me yet?”