Once Was Enough

When my bamboo horse, who had been my crush for more than ten years, took my hand and confessed to me, I refused.  

Only because in my previous life, I was full of joy holding hands with him. 

One who shouldered the responsibility of taking care of his parents and having children for him. 

But he divorced me after retirement.

“Letting you be my wife for so many years is not a failure. 

“Now I have to live for myself for once.” 

My children also urged me to let go. 

“Dad's true soulmate should be someone like Auntie Chen. Mom, let Dad be free!”  

This time he pursued his love, and I went on with my life. 

Looking at Lu Jingyi in front of me, I almost shed a tear. 

No one knew that I was born again.

I was reborn on the day Lu Jingyi confessed his love for me.

The students around me were loudly cooing, “Say yes to him, say yes to him! 

“It's a blessing you've had for several lifetimes to be with Big School Dude Lu.”  

How did I respond to Lu Jingyi in my last life? 

I shyly took the flowers from his hand and cried tears of joy. 

When I shed tears for getting what I wanted, I didn't know that that was the beginning of my nightmare. 

But this time I won't go back to belittling myself, I pushed away the flowers he handed me: 

“I'm sorry, Lu Jing Yi, I don't like you.”

All of a sudden, there was silence around me. 

Lu Jing Yi, who had a smile on his face, had a flash of dismay in his eyes, then snorted out a laugh:  

“Qinghe, don't pretend, how could you not like me? 

“Everyone who doesn't know you like me. 

“Oh? Is it because I was with Zhimeng yesterday, so you're jealous?”

Chen Zhimeng, i.e. ẗŭ⁽ Even if I live again, I still can't help but feel nauseous when I hear this name. 

Chen Zhimeng was Lu Jingyi's classmate and had always been his white moonlight.

When he first confessed to me, it was because he was angry with Chen Zhimeng and wanted to make her jealous.  

Lu Jingyi tall and handsome, people are also very progressive, when many girls like him, including me. 

I didn't even think about it and agreed to him. 

This farce should have ended the moment I said yes.

But he did not know how, he still in the identity of the boyfriend and I together, and finally married me. 

Before getting the license, I had confirmed again and again. 

“Are you really willing to marry me?”

All he answered was: “Uh-huh.”  

Only then did I get a marriage license with him and have children for him. 

After the marriage, he taught at the school directly, and I stayed home because I was pregnant. 

However, our relationship never seemed too close.

Lu Jingyi has always been neither good nor bad to me, but it seems that we can never go any further with each other. 

The year my son turned three and my daughter turned one, he was supposed to be promoted to grade level director, but he voluntarily applied for support in the mountains.

Only later did I realize that Chen Zhimeng was also there and had just divorced her husband. 

Since then, I have been raising my children by myself, and I have only seen Lu Jingyi a handful of times.  

Except for sending me some money, I never contacted him again. 

I almost forgot what he looked like. 

3

Ten years later, I put my children into college, his parents also into the ground, then went to the mountains to find him. 

When I got there, the leader of the mountainous region said that Lu Jingyi had left in the second year after his arrival and had gone to Cloud City.

According to the address provided by the leader, I rolled over to the cloud city.

But the moment I opened the door, I saw Chen Zhimeng.  

The years are kind to her, the elderly Chen Zhimeng a black cheongsam, outlined a slender waist, the skin is fine and tender, a trace of lines are not, looks at most early forties. 

On the contrary, I stood in the doorway, bloated, full of Chinese hair, that face is because of years of wind and sunshine vicissitudes. 

I am at home for him to take care of children, wait for the elderly, but he is here and other women to spend time. 

I was so angry that I couldn't speak.

At this time, Lu Jingyi walked over, with my children standing behind him. 

“I've let you be my wife for so many years, so I haven't let you down. 

Now I have to live for myself for once.”  

“Zhi Meng has waited for me for thirty years, I have to give him a name. 

“Ruan Qingwo, let's get a divorce! I'll give you 100,000 dollars. That should be enough to support an old woman like you.” 

My children also urged me to let go. 

My daughter's tone was questioning, “Dad's true soulmate should be someone like Auntie Chen. Mom, just let Dad be free!”

“After wasting so many years, instead of continuing to torture each other, why don't you let yourself and dad go?” 

Her eyes were full of dislike, as if I was a stalker shrew. 

Although my son was calm, the words he uttered were even colder.  

“If our mom is the sensible Auntie Chan, then our work will be a bit better.” 

It was then that I realized that the children I had worked so hard to raise had been enlisted by Chen Zhimeng at some point. 

Looking at these three ungrateful people, I directly raised my palm and slapped them.

Chen Zhimeng dodged back in fear, as if I would kill her. 

Lu Jingyi grabbed my wrist and directly flipped me to the ground, ''Look at yourself, where is the slightest bit of being a mother! You can't even compare to Zhi Meng a hair's breadth ƭṻ₂, no wonder the kids don't even want to recognize you as their own mother.”

The anger that had been building up for most of my life poured out in this moment, and instead of landing on Lu Jingyi's face, that slap caused me to have a heart attack. 

I struggled on the ground, begging them to save me.  

Instead, Lu Jingyi closed the door tightly. 

I ended up dying in front of their house. 

The moment before I died, I regretted why I gave birth to such a pair of heartless children. 

Why did I marry such a scummy man. 

I gently stroked my heart, the pain that etched my bones was still there. 

But fortunately I was reborn, everything is still in time.

This time he pursues his love, I walk my life.  

Looking at his teasing gaze. 

I spoke faintly, “What you do with Chen Zhimeng has nothing to do with me in the future. 

“Don't look for me again in the future.”

Afterwards, I didn't care about him anymore and directly turned around and walked away. 

4

Today was not only the day Lu Jingyi and I confessed our love for each other, the release of the college entrance exams was also today. 

The class teacher told me to go to the office to find her.  

In fact, in my previous life, my grades were very good, but after graduating from college for Lu Jingyi has been idle at home, taking care of a family, wasting my life. 

Chen Zhimeng, on the other hand, has always maintained her persona as a cool and big heroine, and has become Lu Jingyi's eternal mole in his heart. 

Just as I arrived at the office, the homeroom teacher took the initiative to shake my hand, “Ruan Qinghe, congratulations! Your college entrance exam scores are ideal, and you finally got your wish to go to the same university as Lu Jingyi.

“You're a brave and strong child in the eyes of your teacher, daring to work hard in pursuit of your love against all odds. 

“But teacher also wants to splash you with cold water, as a woman, while pursuing love, don't lose yourself and try to realize your own value.”

I looked at her, my eyes instantly moist.

In my previous life, my homeroom teacher had said the same thing to me, but I had been so immersed in the joy of Lu Jingyi's confession to me that I hadn't even taken her words to heart.  

Now, I realized how Ṱũ̂₅ meaningful her words were. 

Since God has allowed me to start all over again, I will definitely not fail my teacher's expectations of me. 

“Thank you teacher, I remember your words.”

When I came out of school, I went straight home. 

The house was empty, my parents hadn't come back from work yet. 

I looked at the family photo and couldn't help but shed tears.  

In my previous life, because I became a housewife right after graduating from college, my parents felt sorry for me. 

Could only work hard to make money to give me an extra security. 

Later, my mom became sick because of overwork and needed a large sum of money for surgery. 

I have not worked for many years, Lu Jingyi sent over the money, only enough to feed and clothe, there is no extra money in hand.

With tears in my eyes, I called Lu Jingyi over and over again, but the phone never connected.

In the end, my mother died of hate because she didn't have enough money to pay for the operation. 

Until I died, I didn't know that Lu Jingyi had already been with Chen Zhimeng at that time, and his salary had been given to her.  

I wiped my tears and used the computer to check some schools. 

In this life, I will not go to a school with Lu Jingyi again. 

And to live a worthy life, make money to let my mom and dad live a good life. 

In the end, I chose a well-known college in Haicheng.

Completing a major event in my heart, I was ready to make a trip to Lu Jingyi's house.

He lived next door to my house, which was the house left by his grandparents.  

Because it was close to the school, he had always lived here alone. 

I had often studied with him before, so there were a lot of things left there. 

In the house, there were traces of Lu Jingyi everywhere.

The takeout box on the coffee table, his favorite ballpoint pen on the table and the broken game console. 

And a jade pendant I gave him. 

I've knelt a thousand steps for this! 

Now that I think about it, I was so stupid at the time.  

I threw the jade pendant straight into the trash. 

Living again, I don't want to have anything to do with him again! 7 

Just as I packed up my things, I heard the sound of unlocking coming from the door. 

It was Lu Jingyi coming back, followed by Chen Zhimeng.

This is the first time I've looked at her squarely since I was reborn.

Her hair was yellow, her figure was dry, her eyes were full of calculation, and I didn't know what Lu Jingyi liked about her.  

Seeing me, Lu Jingyi froze and casually explained: 

“Zhi Meng sprained her foot, that's why she came to the house to rest.” 

Then he smiled mockingly at me, “You refused me this morning, what's wrong with that? Now you're sorry, and you've come to bring me food again.” 

Because he lives here all by himself, I often gave him food because I pitied him before.

Now that I think about it, giving it to him would be better than feeding it to a dog. 

I breathlessly pumped the corners of my mouth, “Are you blind, I'm here to get my own things. 

“Also, I won't be bringing you food anymore, and I won't have anything to do with you from now on.”  

Lu Jingyi looked at me unhappily, “Ruan Qinghe what are you making a scene about, I've already said that I don't have anything to do with Zhimeng anymore. 

“Why are you so ungrateful? I've already confessed to you, what more do you want from me?” 

Listen, confessing to me is like giving me a boon. 

I gave him a faint look and didn't say anything.

At this time, Chen Zhimeng came over with her waist twisted and a pitiful expression on her face.

“I'm sorry, Brother Jing Yi, it's all my fault for upsetting Qinghe.”  

“Since Qinghe doesn't welcome me here, I'd better go! I won't come in the future.” 

Lu Jingyi grabbed his arm at once and looked at me with a dark face: 

“Ruan Qinghe, what kind of attitude is this? Are you doing this on purpose?” 

“Zhi Meng is injured, what's wrong with me taking care of her?” 

I laughed:

“What's wrong with me? I just said what was in my heart.

“The rest is all in her head. What's it got to do with me?”  

I didn't want to see these two hypocrites any more, so I just passed them, intending to leave. 

Who knew that when I passed by Chen Zhimeng, she suddenly fell down softly, directly hitting the trash can next to her, scattering the trash inside all over the place. 

Then her eyes turned red as she looked at me, “Qinghe, even if you don't like me, you can't push me down!” 

Lu Jingyi also came over, helped her up and questioned me sternly: 

“What did you do?!” 

Before the words left his mouth, he saw the jade pendant on the ground broken into several petals and suddenly changed his face.

“How did you do this?”  

Seeing that he was in a bad mood, Chen Zhimeng began to play aggrieved in defense: “It wasn't me, it was Qinghe who hit me just now.” 

A pair of tearful eyes looked aggrieved, but they were actually full of calculations. 

“Moreover, this jade pendant was thrown into the garbage, it should be unwanted too!”

I personally asked Lu Jingyi for this pendant. 

In his sophomore year of high school, he had a high fever that wouldn't go away, and he was in critical condition. 

I heard that going to a temple to ask for a peace pendant would help.  

I never believed in fate, so I knelt in the rain alone for a thousand steps before I got it. 

Luckily, Lu Jingyi woke up the night I put on the locket. 

However, I have been very sick since then, and I am afraid of the cold and the chills. 

Lu Jingyi was so touched that he said he would carry this peace pendant with him for the rest of his life. 

But in my previous life, when I looked for ŧůₘ door, but found that this jade pendant has long been carried on the neck of Chen Zhimeng.

In order for Chen Zhimeng to live a long life, Lu Jingyi gave her that jade pendant full of vows. 

It was disgusting to the extreme.  

10 

Chen Zhimeng was still tearfully defending herself. 

Lu Jingyi looked at me, then picked up the broken jade on the ground. 

He put it in his hand and rubbed it for a long time before saying to me:

“Forget it, broken is broken, Zhi Meng didn't do it on purpose, right?”

I knew that he wasn't going to pursue the matter.

However, his overly indifferent tone still left me with a look of disbelief.  

I just wanted to lash out at him, but thought better of it! 

That jade pendant was the one I begged for to keep him safe in the first place, if he doesn't care about it, what do I care about? 

I laughed out contemptuously, “Broken is better, so as not to appear in front of me and get in my way.”

“And ......” I looked at Chen Zhimeng and said coldly, ”In the future, less of these unseemly tricks to trap me, in the future, don't blame me for being rude to you.” 

After saying that, I just left.

When I was going out, I heard Lu Jingyi call my name.

“Wo Wo.”  

My footsteps lurched, but I didn't stop and directly pulled open the door. 

11 

After I returned home again, my parents had already made dinner. 

When mom saw me, she greeted me with a smile, “WoWo is back, the meal is just ready, hurry over and eat.”

At the dinner table, dad asked me if I was planning to go to Kyoto University with Lu Jingyi.

I shook my head as I chewed my rice.

My mom gave me a surprised look, “Why, didn't you chase after Lu Jingyi to go to Beijing University with him before? Why did you change your mind now? Could it be that the Lu family's kid isn't going to Beijing University?”  

I swallowed my food and smiled at them, “Lu Jingyi is going to his Beijing University, but I want to go to Hai Cheng, where there is a university that I miss.” 

Upon hearing this, my mom hesitantly spoke, “Then you and Lu Jingyi ...... 

They all knew that I liked Lu Jingyi to the point of madness, and faced with such a drastic change, they were still a bit disbelieving. 

I was very relieved to say: “Mom and Dad, I figured it out, Lu Jingyi does not like me at all, rather than hot face to his cold ass, it is better to live for yourself.”

My dad heard this and smiled cheerfully, “Worthy of being my daughter.” 

My mom also nodded as if she was relieved, “It's best if you can figure it out.” 

I looked at them doubtfully, ''You guys used to praise Lu Jingyi for knowing things, studying well, and looking good.  

“Don't you guys want him to be your son-in-law?” 

My dad lovingly stroked my head, “Those appearances are all for outsiders to see, they don't matter at all, being good to you comes first.” 

Mom also nodded next to me, “Right! If you are good at anything else, it's just the icing on the cake in our eyes.” 

It turns out that in my past life, everyone could see the point, but only I was deeply involved. 

12

The next morning, my mom sent me out to buy groceries. 

I had just walked out, and coincidentally, the door next door also opened.  

Chen Zhimeng came out from inside and looked at me condescendingly, as if she was already the mistress of the house. 

She looked at me with scorn in her eyes: 

“You can clearly see that Brother Jing Yi doesn't like you, why are you still dangling in front of his eyes!” 

The Chen Zhimeng in front of me, her eyes were full of malice, where was her previous noble and cool demeanor?

What's the matter? Can't pretend anymore? 

I had no emotion and looked at her eyes lightly: 

“My family lives here, there's nothing I can do about it, you have the patience to make Lu Jing Yi move!  

“If I really wanted to be with him, I would have said yes to him that day, and now you would be the unloved mistress.” 

“It's the unloved who are the mistresses.” 

Chen Zhimeng rolled her eyes recklessly and looked at me provocatively, “I already slept with Brother Jingyi last night, there will be no more place for you in this house from now on, you'd better take the initiative to leave, don't have the eyesight to cause suspicion.” 

The quarrel at the door woke up the people in the house, Lu Jingyi walked out of the door with his clothes on. 

When he saw me, the smile on his face froze for a few moments, and remorse and unnaturalness flashed in his eyes.

He didn't dare to look up into my eyes, only hanging his head, calling me in a low voice, “Wo Wo.” 

At this time, Chen Zhimeng suddenly collapsed on top of him.

“Brother Jing Yi, I'm suddenly a bit dizzy, I don't know if I caught a cold last night.”

Lu Jingyi didn't know what came to his mind, his expression drifted off.

He swayed between us for a few seconds, then directly picked up Chen Zhimeng and apologetically said to me:

“Wo Wo, Zhi Meng seems to be sick, I'll take her to the hospital first, I'll come back for you later.”

I smiled at him: ''There is no need to come over to find me, whether she goes or stays, it has nothing to do with me.''

I mockingly looked at his back, this Lu Jingyi is not having some big problem, obviously he loved Chen Zhimeng to death in his last life, why does he keep dragging me around in this life.

What era is this, he still wants to hold two women at the same time?

It's really stupid.

13

Lu Jingyi didn't come back until the evening.

I was in the house browsing through the customs of Hai Cheng as well as fun tourist attractions, when school starts, I'm going to live there.

“What are you looking at?” A low voice suddenly came from behind me.

I was startled and turned my head, but I saw that it was Lu Jingyi who was standing behind me, I then remembered that he had the key to my house.

He looked at me suspiciously, “Are you looking at Haicheng? Going on a trip?”

He was very close to me and slightly lowered his head, his breath as he spoke brushed my neck and I hurriedly avoided it.

It was disgusting.

I closed the webpage and said lightly, “Nothing, just looking around, what are you doing here looking for me?”

Hearing me say that, he seemed relieved.

After that, he took out a box from behind him.

“Open it and take a look.”

Lu Jingyi looked at me a little expectantly.

I opened it and saw that it was some pastries.

I didn't even know what to say.

In his previous life, after being a couple with me for a lifetime, he hadn't even bought me anything, even a single candy.

I looked at the box full of pastries, inexplicably a bit ironic.

I laughed mockingly and didn't say anything.

Lu Jingyi only saw the curved corners of my mouth and thought he had coaxed me into a good mood.

He carefully said, “Tomorrow we will go to the school to apply for the examination, let's go together!

“We agreed to enroll in the University of Beijing together.

“How about tomorrow morning at 8:30?”

I didn't want to argue with him, and replied, “Whatever!”

Seeing that I didn't refuse, Lu Jingyi subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief, and then happily walked away.

14

The next morning, I arrived at school before eight o'clock.

I didn't even want to wait for Lu Jingyi.

Of course, Lu Jingyi never showed up either.

I hooked my lips in mockery.

There was no need to think, he must have been stalled by Chen Zhimeng again for some reason.

There were no waves in my heart, it was better if he didn't come, lest I had to avoid him for what I was doing.

It wasn't until I clicked the submit button that I heaved a sigh of relief.

In the future, the sky and the sea, I and Lu Jingyi completely have no chance.

When I left the door, my mom was waiting for me, saying that she wanted to lead me to the mall to buy clothes.

Her words reminded me that I would be going to college soon, so I should prepare for some necessities.

When my mom and I walked out of the mall with a big bag.

I saw Lu Jingyi and Chen Zhimeng sitting on a bench, the two of them were sweetly enjoying a box lunch.

I walked over.

When Chen Zhimeng saw me, she dropped her chopsticks in shock and her eyes quickly turned red before blocking Lu Jingyi's face.

“Qinghe, don't blame Brother Jingyi, it's because I fainted this morning that he came over to bring me food.

“I know that Brother Jing Yi hasn't cooked for you, but for the sake of me being a patient, can you forgive him.

“You, don't get me wrong, we really don't have anything.”

The girl in front of me, her face was pale, with tears in her eyes, a pitiful look.

I laughed.

Really bad luck ah, go out to buy a thing can see this pair of dog man and woman.

I directly turned around and didn't look at them again.

Lu Jing Yi tugged on my wrist, “Wo Wo, listen to my explanation.”

I directly shook off his hand: ''I don't have any relationship with you in the first place, you don't need to explain to me.''

Lu Jingyi looked into my eyes and said sincerely:

“Zhi Meng did faint before