Chapter 5: Go Back to School

Taking a bath is comfortable.

Taking a hot bath is comfortable.

Taking a hot bath in a big bathtub is very comfortable.

Even though Li Xingya’s inner self was a chosen wage earner, a nuclear-powered donkey, at this moment she had to admit—the life of the rich was really nice.

Inside the guest room, after bathing and drying her hair, she lay spread-eagled on the absurdly large bed and couldn’t help murmuring, “Being a celebrity… I don’t know if I can do it.”

Come to think of it.

What should a celebrity be like?

Li Xingya rarely followed celebrities.

To her, an idol probably only needed to sing on stage… and dance, right?

With curiosity, she opened her phone and quickly typed a few words into the search engine.

“Top-tier Celebrity”

Soon, a video appeared in front of her.

Watching the person in the video interacting passionately with their fans… Li Xingya suddenly sucked in a breath of cold air.

‘I have to interact with people.’

‘Interact with so many people.’

‘I have to keep smiling, answer every question fluently, show no flaws, and act enthusiastic toward everyone.’

Suddenly… she didn’t really want to be a celebrity anymore.

Li Xingya just wanted an inconspicuous desk job, earn steady money.

A job that required frequent contact with people clearly didn’t suit her.

‘Maybe I should run away?’

A bold idea suddenly popped into Li Xingya’s mind.

Jiang Chiyue didn’t seem like someone you could reason with.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have directly captured her and brought her here.

Earlier, she had said so many times that she wasn’t “Li Xingya,” but Jiang Chiyue simply wouldn’t believe her.

…What a hassle.

‘So, why not try running away?’

Li Xingya got up and walked to the east window sill to look outside.

When she saw the black-clad guards standing all over the yard, she instantly abandoned the idea.

‘There’s no way to escape.’

Rather than attempting a futile escape, it was better to think of a way to convince Jiang Chiyue to give up on making her an idol.

But in the end, it all came down to this body—Li Xingya looked at her reflection in the window, at her current self.

Her black hair fell like silk, the natural waves giving it a slight fluffiness, the ends curling a little.

Unlike most people, she had pale amber pupils.

At first, Li Xingya didn’t like them, but after seeing them for a while, she got used to it.

Her skin was fair—no, pale—probably from not eating properly?

Come to think of it, her height of only 5’5″ was also likely due to malnutrition.

Li Xingya lowered her head.

“Hmm, the figure is quite thin too.”

But still.

This face was beautiful, after all beautiful.

No matter the angle, Li Xingya would commend it as “truly pretty.”

“Sigh, with such a pretty face, why did she have to learn online romance to scam money, and then spend all the money on expensive cosmetics and clothes—she’s only sixteen, at this age she should be in school studying.”

Muttering to herself, Li Xingya suddenly froze.

‘Come to think of it, which school am I supposed to be attending now?’

‘Counting today, it’s the fourth day since rebirth. I haven’t been to school at all.’

‘But no teacher has come looking for me so far.’

‘…So, am I even really going to school?’

‘Damn, “Li Xingya” isn’t some delinquent girl who dropped out of school, is she?’

‘Tch, it’s really troublesome not having the original owner’s memories.’

As she thought, Li Xingya noticed the time on her phone had reached ten at night.

All the messy thoughts in her head stopped.

She went back to bed and pulled the covers over herself.

Ten o’clock.

Time to sleep.

As a mature adult, she should adhere to a strict routine to better face tomorrow’s work.

As soon as Li Xingya closed her eyes, she fell asleep quickly.

***

The next morning, even without setting an alarm, long-term habits made Li Xingya open her eyes at the usual time.

She checked her phone—no surprise—it was ten in the morning… ten?!

Damn.

Overslept.

Li Xingya got up, threw on a loose white shirt (it was Jiang Chiyue’s), paired it with equally loose casual pants (also Jiang Chiyue’s), rushed to the bathroom, grabbed a toothbrush (this one wasn’t Jiang Chiyue’s), and started washing up.

After she finished and came to the living room, she saw Jiang Chiyue sitting on the sofa on the phone with someone.

The weather in September was hot, but Jiang Chiyue’s house had the air conditioner running nonstop.

Jiang Chiyue was wearing the same white shirt as Li Xingya, and her glasses had been swapped from sunglasses to gold-rimmed ones.

Seen like this, Jiang Chiyue looked more like a corporate heiress on vacation than a mafia princess.

“Can’t come back in the middle of the month?”

“Okay.”

“I see.”

With just a few words, Jiang Chiyue hung up.

“You’re awake?”

Jiang Chiyue looked up at Li Xingya.

Li Xingya nodded.

“Yeah.”

“Then eat.”

Jiang Chiyue pointed toward the kitchen.

“The food is in the fridge. Grab whatever you want.”

Li Xingya went to the kitchen and opened the top shelf of the refrigerator.

Inside were all kinds of… sandwiches, all vacuum-packed, different flavors and brands, filling the fridge completely.

Was this what Jiang Chiyue usually ate at home?

Considering her status, this was too shabby.

Li Xingya used to buy two steaming buns from a breakfast stall before work in her previous life.

‘Forget it. I shouldn’t be picky. It’s good enough to have something to eat.’

Thinking this, Li Xingya grabbed a salad sandwich.

As she returned to the living room, she saw Jiang Chiyue looking at her—or more precisely, at the sandwich in her hand.

“Go change it.”

Jiang Chiyue said suddenly.

Li Xingya was startled.

“What?”

“I said go change it. Get a ham and egg one.”

Jiang Chiyue frowned.

She seemed very dissatisfied with Li Xingya’s choice of flavor.

Li Xingya just nodded without saying much.

Alright, so Jiang Chiyue’s “Sister Li Xingya” preferred ham and egg.

Looks like Jiang Chiyue hadn’t given up on forcing her to be a substitute.

Probably for some time to come, Jiang Chiyue would keep instilling “Li Xingya’s” preferences and habits into her.

‘Fine, I’ll treat it as part of the job.’

Li Xingya thought.

She swapped for a ham and egg sandwich, sat down beside Jiang Chiyue, tore open the packaging, and took a big bite.

Jiang Chiyue: “Do you like this flavor?”

“It’s okay.”

“Next time, learn to say you like it.”

“Okay.”

Li Xingya responded.

Li Xingya didn’t show any resistance, because she didn’t really have any likes or dislikes for food.

As long as it had salt, as long as it wouldn’t upset her stomach, she didn’t mind.

“By the way,” Jiang Chiyue suddenly said, “I found out you got expelled from your old high school. But the agency still has requirements for education. So I’ve found you a new school. Get ready—tomorrow I’ll take you to start school.”

Li Xingya paused mid-bite, her mouth full of sandwich.

Going back to school?

Really?

And high school at that?