It Seems I’m Not The Only One Who Reincarnated

Upon closer observation, she finally identified the source of the contradiction.

It was her expression!

Yes, her expression was too cold!

Even a faint smile would have mitigated the harsh impression she gave off.

For example, even if Tian Shui wasn’t dressed provocatively, her every move and expression exuded a seductive charm.

In contrast, this girl’s open attire couldn’t mask the ‘keep away from me’ aura emanating from her cold expression.

So, who could she be?

Was Shi Hai startled by her outfit?

Actually, no.

Shi Hai was simply caught off guard.

If you ran into an old classmate with whom you didn’t have a good relationship, would you awkwardly greet them or just ignore them?

Most people would choose the latter.

Shi Hai felt the same.

Rather than forcing a stiff smile and greeting her, it was better to pretend he hadn’t seen her.

She had changed so much—he only remembered her in the blue and white school uniform.

Did she dress up like this because she started college or has a boyfriend now?

Girls really do change quickly, unlike boys, who seem unchanged even after ten years.

Having made up his mind, Shi Hai resumed walking downstairs.

Jian Sichun, surprised that he didn’t even greet her, followed curiously.

“Eh?!”

She looked at him, her eyes questioning, ‘Aren’t you going to say hello? Isn’t she someone you know?’

Shi Hai returned a look that said, ‘Don’t say anything unnecessary; we’re just passing by.’

Shi Hai walked past Zhu Lingjie without a glance, as if they were strangers…

But then, he felt his sleeve being tugged.

Her anxious voice followed, “Wait—!”

Shi Hai reacted dramatically, yanking his sleeve free and taking a step back.

Even Jian Sichun gave him a ‘was that necessary?’ look.

But Shi Hai knew this was the right way to deal with Zhu Lingjie.

He knew how severe her cleanliness obsession was—just a glare from her could haunt him in his nightmares.

However, this was the first time she had ever called out to him.

Shi Hai thought back to their few interactions over more than ten years.

Occasionally, they’d bump into each other on their way to school.

Shi Hai would awkwardly raise his hand in greeting, “Yo… morning.”

Zhu Lingjie would stand there for five or six seconds, expressionless, before slightly nodding and almost inaudibly responding, “…Mm.”

The wait always felt like an eternity to Shi Hai.

So, he started going to school earlier just to avoid her and those cringe-worthy morning greetings.

Yet he’d still see her at least once a week…

It really seemed like they were bound by some sort of karmic tie.

“Hey, what are you thinking? Snap out of it!”

Jian Sichun nudged him with her elbow, bringing him back to reality.

Since she had called out to him, he couldn’t ignore her anymore.

So, like before, he awkwardly raised his hand in greeting.

“Uh… long time no see…”

This time, Zhu Lingjie responded almost immediately.

“Mm… long time… no see.”

Shi Hai sighed in relief.

It seemed she had improved, at least a bit more communicative now.

“So, why are you suddenly back?”

“I… moved back.”

Shi Hai had noticed that no new family had moved into the opposite apartment, so the house hadn’t been sold.

He knew Zhu Lingjie’s family was wealthy.

They had bought a house near the school just to ensure she didn’t get tired from commuting.

That’s what it meant to be rich.

But why move back? Were they going to be neighbors again?

Could it be that their karmic tie was still ongoing?