Rebirth: The Comeback of the Girl
Chapter 35: Self-Taught

Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Self-Taught

Zhen Yu’s hamstrings hurt from the stretch; her body untrained and unable to even knock a man out with a kick, it was high time she started learning self-defense technique from scratch!

After some haggling, Zhen Yu and her mother went over the details and finalized the list for the second round of stock purchasing.

They also had a lengthy conversation with the wholesale boss, subtly pointing out a few issues in the process.

Eventually, both parties negotiated and reached a verbal agreement for a long-term supply; they would sign a contract the next time they restocked.

He would offer Sincere Shoe City the lowest wholesale market prices, and Sincere Shoe City must ensure to purchase exclusively from him starting now until the end of next year, with a minimum purchase amount also agreed upon.

Zhen Yu let out a long sigh of relief. After accompanying her mother a few more times and once Mrs. Zhen got the hang of the market and could choose the styles well, Zhen Yu could offload the responsibility and wouldn’t have to meddle anymore.

This was the wholesale market. Mrs. Zhen carefully kept the supply list and receipts, then started a shopping spree with her children.

-

Zhen Yu was at that awkward age, where girl’s clothing was too childish for her taste—pink and frilly with lace edges! With every item her mother picked up, she vigorously shook her head.

Even the smallest sizes in women’s clothing were too big for her.

Ultimately unable to win her over, Mrs. Zhen bought her a set of boy’s clothing...

Zhen Yan was easier to please, just grabbing a set in the same style as his sister’s, just a few sizes larger, and that was OK.

On the return trip by bus, Zhen Yu slept like a pig, while Mrs. Zhen complained non-stop to her son, "I didn’t give birth to twins, so how could it look good for you and your sister to wear matching clothes?"

"She’s a young girl but rejects pink or red, only wanting those muddy and dull colors, how could those be better than my choices?"

"This child is getting weirder by the day, always wearing a straight face as if someone owes her money, not nearly as charming as when she was little."

"Mm-hmm!" Zhen Yan withheld his opinion, only nodding occasionally to echo, while keeping his real thoughts to himself.

"Oh dear! Didn’t your sister say she wanted to buy some extracurricular books? We don’t come to Qi City often, and we forgot to browse Xinhua Bookstore! Tch~ Neither of you thought of it..."

"...We have a bookstore in our town too, we can always find a few books." Zhen Yan finally chimed in, thoughtfully adding, "I heard, I heard that you can also order by mail, like subscribing to books monthly, just like the newspapers. We can ask Xiao Yu when we get home~ It’s for her to read anyway."

Zhen Yan had heard about the mail order from Han Jiayang, but he caught himself in time before mentioning Han’s name, feeling a wave of relief.

Mrs. Zhen, frustrated as if trying to forge steel from iron, slapped her son on the back, "What do you mean it’s for her to read? You should read them as well! Didn’t the teachers talk about you, too?!"

Continuing her scolding, Mrs. Zhen said, "All day long, you just want to run around outside~ School is about to start, have you finished your summer homework? From tomorrow on, you’ll study at home with your sister!"

Zhen Yan, caught in the crossfire over the books, rolled his eyes and agreed under the relentless barrage of his mother’s nagging.

-

It was late when they got home; they made some hanging noodles for dinner.

The trio, mother and her two children, sat around in the living room on the large kang bed. Mrs. Zhen started to check out the day’s finds, having also bought herself a couple of pieces of clothing.

"Girl, does Mom look good in this one?"

"Pretty."

Mrs. Zhen then tried on another piece, "And this one? I think this color suits me better."

"They’re both nice."

Mrs. Zhen’s purchases today were selected by Zhen Yu, which were good at hiding body flaws without appearing too gaudy.

Zhen Yu closely observed her mother and suggested, "Mom, you should grow your hair out."

"Huh?" Mrs. Zhen was a bit stunned, "We were talking about the clothes, why did you suddenly bring up my hair?"

"This curly hairstyle makes you look older."

"Really?" Mrs. Zhen rushed to the mirror to examine her reflection from every angle, then turned to ask her son, "Does my hairstyle make me look old?"

"Mm-hmm~" Zhen Yan nodded to every question, whether it was right or wrong.

Seeing her children’s unified opinion, Mrs. Zhen immediately switched sides, "Then I’ll grow it out, it’s almost autumn anyway, and it’s not too hot to have longer hair."

After Mrs. Zhen dolled herself up, she grabbed some clothes and nagged her children to try them on for her to review.

"Why do we have to try them on when we’ve already tried them at the store?" Zhen Yan didn’t want to, dragging his feet and reluctant to change.

"Just go do it when I tell you to! Why so much backchat?" Mrs. Zhen’s eyebrows shot up, and Zhen Yan obediently went to do as he was told.

"And you! Go try yours on too." Mrs. Zhen barked at Zhen Yu.

Zhen Yu remained seated and changed the subject, "Mom! Are you able to stock up on your own yet? Do you know when the seasons change and what styles to get?"

"Eh?" Mrs. Zhen’s train of thought was immediately derailed, and she honestly replied: "I have no idea~ When it’s time to stock up, just come along with me during the weekend~"

Zhen Yu covered her head with her hand; people talk about being childlike in old age, but her mother’s only middle-aged, isn’t she?

She felt like she was raising a daughter herself...

Mom~ Let’s get it straight, who’s the mom here, huh!

"I’ll make a list for you! Which month to stock which season’s shoes, how to pick the styles. Starting from the next stock-up, pay more attention! It’s not like I can always go with you to stock up, you will have to do it yourself sooner or later."

Mrs. Zhen nodded, "Alright, I got it! Write it down in detail~ I’ll follow your list when I stock up!"

Zhen Yu sighed, "Mom! Styles are always changing, I can’t write them all down. You need to pay more attention to what others are wearing, what styles are selling well in the stores! You’ll slowly get the hang of it."

Mrs. Zhen took the advice to heart, nodding while her gears began to turn.

Seeing her mother fall silent, Zhen Yu stood up and went back to her small room to study.

-

After a good night’s sleep, rising early, she felt refreshed and clear-headed.

After a set of basic exercises, Zhen Yu realized that she was not very flexible, but she had to endure the pain and keep stretching.

Regardless of the Martial Arts one learns, it’s necessary to open up one’s muscles and tendons; while reaching the level of a yoga master was not necessary, being able to do the splits was a must.

Starting this day, Zhen Yan was ordered to stay at home, and indeed, it was time for him to start on his summer homework.

Zhen Yu tidied up quickly after meal, her readiness clearly indicating she was about to leave.

Zhen Yan, very reluctant, inquired: "Going to the Han Family again?"

"Just heading to the bookstore to browse around."

"Oh." Zhen Yan didn’t know why, but felt instantly relieved.

He cautioned, "Then go early and come back early!"

"Okay."

Zhen Yu, with the money Mrs. Zhen gave her the night before, stepped out the door and headed straight to the Han Family’s home.

"Xiao Yu~ Come over and have a chat with Uncle Han~" Mr. Han unexpectedly called out to Zhen Yu who was greeting him, catching her off guard.

She slowly dragged her feet over and sat outside the counter, asking across it, "What’s there to chat about?"

Mr. Han pulled up a stool to the front of the counter, patted Zhen Yu’s head and said, "Xiao Yu~ Uncle Han heard that you know Martial Arts? When did you learn it?"

Zhen Yu was panic-stricken, how could she have forgotten about this? Now what should she concoct?

The thing she was worst at was making up stories...

After struggling for a long while, she blurted out just one sentence, "I’m self-taught."

After saying it, she wanted to cover her face; even ghosts wouldn’t believe such a lame lie!

Han Youliang looked at the tense little face in front of him and couldn’t help but laugh, thinking that this child was still so bad at lying.

If she doesn’t want to say, then so be it~ He didn’t necessarily need to know where she’d picked up her skills.

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