Rebirth: A Cinderella's Counterattack

The orange jersey stopped in his tracks and turned around with a mocking expression, "You want me to take responsibility? You're just after money, right? Fine, I'll give you money, consider it a generous contribution for your hospital travel expenses!" A handful of scattered banknotes struck Luo Qianqian as the man in the orange jersey quickly approached her and her two companions; denominations of one, two, five, and ten, along with a few coins that clinked crisply as they fell to the ground.

"Yi Muhuan, you're being too much. It was Wang Yan who dumped you, what does that have to do with these kids? Picking on kids, no wonder you got dumped!" The man in the bright yellow jersey was stunned as he stood in front of Luo Qianqian and the others, frowning at Yi Muhuan in the orange-yellow jersey.

Yi Muhuan, it really is you; I recognized you, my Brother Yi. These thoughts floated through Luo Qianqian's mind.

"Zhang De, since when have you become so overly compassionate? Don't tell me these kids are some relatives of yours!" Yi Muhuan crossed his arms and looked coldly at Zhang De, who was wearing a bright yellow jersey and standing in front of Luo Qianqian and the others: "Did becoming a top student make you too arrogant? Or is it because that slut Wang Yan went with your brother, so you have to oppose me? To think I treated you as a friend. If you don't explain yourself clearly today, this isn't over!"

"Ah Han, Zhang De, what are you doing? There are kids watching, and one of them is injured. Can't you two stop this nonsense? Is this really necessary?" Wang Sen, dressed in a red jersey, pulled apart the two men who were glaring at each other and picked up the scattered money from the ground, handing it to Ji Yuanhang, who was standing there dazedly in a black jersey: "Ji Yuanhang, take these little friends to the community hospital over there to get some bandages. Make sure it doesn't get infected; use the rest to buy some medicine and get them something to eat."

"Ah? Oh, okay." Ji Yuanhang took the money from Wang Sen, supporting Luo Shufan as they headed to the community hospital on the other side of the residential building. Luo Shufan tightly held Luo Qianqian's hand, while He Wenyu, who had been scared by Yi Muhuan, clung to Luo Qianqian's sleeve. The other kids, who were just playing with them moments ago, had scattered far away.

"Get lost! I've disliked him for a long time, if I don't teach him a lesson today, then I'm not Yi Muhuan!" The voice came from behind as the four walked far away.

When Luo Qianqian stepped out from the shadow of the building, her vision cleared, filled not only with excitement but also with confusion. The Yi Muhuan she knew was always gentle and never raised his voice or got angry at anyone. Could it be that something significant had happened? Luo Qianqian shook her head and cast all these thoughts out of her mind.

"Give me the money, you're worried about them, aren't you? We'll take him to the hospital," Luo Qianqian paused, then said to Ji Yuanhang, "You can go back."

"Is that okay? You are still just kids…"

"It's just applying some medicine. Do we really need adults for that? You're not much older; isn't having money enough for this sort of thing?" Luo Qianqian took the damp bills hesitantly held by Ji Yuanhang, helping Luo Shufan along with He Wenyu from either side, as Ji Yuanhang stood there dazed, watching their figures for a long while before turning and running towards the direction from which the other voices came.

"Qianqian, are we going to the hospital?" He Wenyu looked at Luo Shufan's grazed forehead and hesitantly spoke, "Will the hospital tell our parents?"

"It's just scratches and bruises, not fight wounds. Why would they involve parents? It's not like it's school, where they call parents for every little thing," Luo Shufan said through gritted teeth and squinted eyes, "But you're right, Qianqian. I should learn some Taekwondo or something similar to at least have some combat power. I shouldn't be knocked down by just a ball; how will I protect Qianqian if even a ball can take me down."

"We should go to the hospital, don't risk an infection, and also prevent any possible scars," Luo Qianqian smiled at He Wenyu, "Xiao Yu, you're okay with staying with us, right? Your family won't be looking for you? Now you realize I was right, huh." The last remark was directed coldly at Luo Shufan, who was caught between the two.

"Nope, I just need to wait at the entrance of the Youth Palace before my dad's class ends at five. You guys want to learn Taekwondo?" He Wenyu's eyes lit up, his face full of excitement.

"Youth Palace? Xiao Yu, your dad is a teacher?" Luo Qianqian asked, lowering her head. She clearly remembered that Xiao Yu's family owned a supermarket. "Yes, planning to have my brother go learn, then come home and teach me."

"My dad, hehe, is a Taekwondo coach." He Wenyu let go of Luo Shufan's hand, jumping and running to Luo Qianqian's side.

"No way, then you know how to do it too?" Your Tomboy combat power must have been developed by your dad since you were little. Luo Qianqian silently thought about how Xiao Yu could carry a fifty-kilo sack of rice up to the seventh floor and chase a thief down five blocks with that kind of physical strength developed from such a young age.

"That's what my dad had planned, but it's kind of boring—he even makes me go running in the morning. Since you guys want to go learn, why not join me each morning? I'd get to play with Qianqian too, killing two birds with one stone." He Wenyu grinned like a cat that got the cream, his eyes sparkling.

"Us together? Yes, yes, then I'll have someone to play with every day!" Luo Qianqian also let go of Luo Shufan's hand, joining hands with He Wenyu, turning in circles happily.

"Qianqian, how are we going to handle the tuition? If two people are learning, isn't that going to exceed our budget?" Luo Shufan watched the two happy kids, reluctant to burst their bubble, yet he brought up the matter.

"Uh... right, Xiao Yu, how much does your dad charge per class?" Luo Qianqian stopped in her tracks, starting to calculate seriously.

"Errr... Aren't we friends? Why would you need to pay to keep me company? I don't actually know how much it specifically costs; maybe we should ask at the Youth Palace?... Ah, we've arrived at the hospital." The last sentence from He Wenyu successfully changed the topic; the three of them hurriedly registered, got medicine, and didn't even spend a single penny.

"They gave us too much money, huh? Should we return it?" Luo Shufan looked at the small roll of money in his sister's palm.

"Let's buy some tasty treats; it's so hot, I want to eat a cream popsicle." He Wenyu tugged at Luo Qianqian's sleeve, Luo Qianqian looking at her brother's band-aid covered forehead, then at the medicine in her hand.

"Return hell, this is compensation for emotional distress. Brother, keep the money, you deserve it. Next, we're off to eat cream popsicles." Watching the doubtful looks on her own brother's and He Wenyu's faces, Luo Qianqian really doubted herself, wondering if she was conning them.

"They have them at the Youth Palace, we can sit and eat there, and it's cool too, plus we can wait for my dad." He Wenyu cheerfully raised his hand to suggest, gaining unanimous approval.

"Just hope it won't be too expensive; otherwise, Mom won't agree to let me join too." Luo Qianqian shrugged her shoulders. He Wenyu silently thought to himself: You just don't understand my dad; he'd be surprised if he took any money from you, just worried you'd run off after three days.