Was this a dream?

It was not a dream.

Wen Ying had never had such a long and clear dream.

The clearly-visible test paper.

Her mother's continuing nagging.

The pungent smell of disinfectant in the hospital.

Her cheeks were burning hot. She pinched her arm and it hurt a lot.

She didn't feel anything in her dream, but now she could feel everything. Wen Ying initially shied away from the truth, hoping it was just a dream. But eventually, she had to come to terms with the reality - she had actually been reborn, and that she had been reborn in the room of the 2004 high school entrance exam!

Even though Wen Ying thought that she had seen some big scenes in Shanghai, her mind still raced with anticipation.

Her first reaction was not joy and excitement, like "I've picked up more than ten years of youth for free' or something like that."

Wen Ying was thinking about the river-view room in the inner ring that she had just paid the down payment.

A down payment of 4 million!

Wen Ying had saved up this 4 million over the course of nine years since graduating from college. She didn't mind purchasing a house at a high price, nor was she concerned about the potential risks of a real estate bubble or property value fluctuations; all she wanted was a home that truly belonged to her. It wasn't about her parents or her boyfriend, He Zhen. However, the thought of He Zhen made Wen Ying's heart ache.

Wen Ying and He Zhen had been dating for three years. Wen Ying came from a humble family in a small city, while He Zhen was a rich second generation.

The two met at work. They had been friends for a year before they became lovers. They had been in love for three years. Their three-year relationship wasn't exactly a romantic one, it was definitely stable.

He Zhen had even proposed to her, but Wen Ying felt that she needed more time. She believed that if she didn't achieve something significant in her career, it would be difficult to marry into the prestigious He Family. He Zhen was fine with waiting, but Wen Ying had concerns. She knew that He Zhen's mother wasn't entirely satisfied with her, so she, being a self-respecting girl wanted to prove that her intentions were pure and not driven by the He Family's wealth.

It was challenging for Wen Ying to accumulate her first four million in her life. However, she had already gained some recognition in the Shanghai industry and subsequently, earning the second four million was not as difficult. Furthermore, there were numerous opportunities to accumulate another four million. Considering her young age of 31, the possibilities were endless for her.

If the He Family continued to oppose their union, Wen Ying would consider dating He Zhen without pursuing marriage.

In the new era, women no longer required a marriage certificate.

However, she was uncertain about He Zhen's willingness.

Wen Ying hadn't found an opportunity to discuss this with He Zhen before she was reborn!

Yes, she had been reborn.

She had lost not only her river-view room but also her enviable boyfriend. Would she have another chance to experience a pure first love with He Zhen once more? Wen Ying was hoping that. But she could barely get a chance to meet He Zhen!

He Zhen was three years older than her. He was now studying in England. Wen Ying realized that she couldn't be He Zhen's first love, as he had left the country at a young age. At nineteen, he might have possibly experienced his first intimate encounter, let alone his first love.

Wen Ying had never been jealous of these things before she was reborn. For some reason, she felt a little uncomfortable when she thought of these things now.

Even if she can forcefully bring He Zhen back home, there was a high probability that the 19-year-old He Zhen would belittle the 16-year-old Wen Ying. As they say, water from afar does not quench a thirst.

Moreover, how could Wen Ying have time to think about falling in love now!

She returned to 2004, at the age of only 16, about to embark on the most difficult three years of high school life, and also had to face two overbearing parents who had high expectations and exerted excessive control over her.

Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong, the couple, Wen Ying graduated from college and spent nine whole years away from them. Now they were back in her life at the blinking of her eyes. All these kinds of things were weighing on Wen Ying's heart, how could she rejoice at being reborn!

After she had completed her lamentation for the river-view room and the love affair she hadn't had the opportunity to experience, the ward door swung open.

A man in his thirties came in. He was wearing a suit pants and a short-sleeved shirt. The shirt was folded into the waist of the pants, and there was a briefcase under his armpit. He was full of energy from the root of his hair to the tip of his leather shoes.

This was the father of Wen Ying, Wen Dongrong.

Wen Dongrong looked like a young gentleman, but he was actually 40 years old. However, he looked a few years younger than his actual age. He was very handsome when he was young, so much so that Chen Ru fell in love with him at first sight when she was on a blind date. Wen Dongrong was still a poor boy then.

What Wen Ying appreciated most about Wen Dongrong was the looks she inherited from him.

Wen Ying was a little baby fat now. She was no more than 1.6 meters tall, but she weighed more than 60 kilos. Because of her lack of exercise, her body was rather flabby. At 60+ kilos she could visually gain another ten kilos or so in a school uniform, and there are those who would believe it that she was 70 kilos.

During adolescence, she still liked to eat high-sugar and high-calorie foods. Her oil secretion was strong, and the acne on her face kept coming and going.

Therefore, at the age of 16, Wen Ying was not given preferential treatment because of her appearance. It wasn't until she started college and gradually shed some weighs that the distinct contours of her facial features became apparent and she altered her eating habits. As a result, the acne on her face never resurfaced, and she realized that Wen Dongrong had inherited her strikingly beautiful visage.

To establish oneself in a metropolis like Shanghai, besides having solid professional skills, having a good appearance was also essential.

Even love won't come without a reason. As a rich second generation, He Zhen had encountered a plethora of women in his life. His acquaintance with Wen Ying stemmed from their professional ties, and his subsequent pursuit of Wen Qing was partly propelled by her stunning beauty.

Wen Ying didn't know how to face her father, Wen Dongrong.

Before she was reborn, she and Wen Dongrong had not seen each other for more than two years. Because she did not listen to the arrangements of Wen Dongrong, she insisted on going to Shanghai. At the age of 31, she was not in a hurry to get married. Wen Dongrong was ashamed of her and unilaterally announced that he had broken off the father-daughter relationship with her!

Chen Ru did contact Wen Ying, but her intention was to make Wen Ying admit defeat.

"Your father has already legally adopted your youngest cousin. If you don't return, the family assets, which we have worked hard to build, will be left solely for your cousin's benefit."

"You can give the family assets it to whomever you desire. I can earn it myself."

Wen Ying remembered that this was how she answered at that time.

By 2019, the combined value of Chen Ru's and Wen Dongrong's house and storefront in the provincial capital was worth at least over ten million yuan. In Shanghai, ten million yuan was not considered a significant amount of money; it could merely afford a house. However, in the small city where Wen Ying was raised, a family with such wealth seemed quite stable. Moreover, Wen Dongrong and Chen Ru had decent careers.

One was working in the state-owned business while the other was working in the bank.

If Wen Ying had really listened to her parents' arrangements, she would not have been so tired.

But there must be gains and losses. After taking her parents' money, she had to be controlled by them. At the thought of this, Wen Ying was almost suffocated!

There was a 31-year-old soul living in a 16-year-old body. The intense mental conflict made Wen Ying look dull. Wen Dongrong rushed to the hospital after receiving the call. He had a lot to say, but when he saw Wen Ying in a daze, his heart softened.

He pulled out a chair and sat down. The doctor warned him not to get too close to Wen Ying, so Wen Dongrong sat two meters away from Wen Ying.

"Why didn't you greet me? Are you still not feeling well? You've been administered an intravenous infusion, and your body temperature will soon decrease. Your mother went to settle the hospitalization fee for you. She would purchase you a meal. Don't you enjoy eating hamburger? She went to meet Dicos!"

In 2004, no one had joined KFC in the small city where Wen Ying lived. The most authentic Western fast food in the entire small city was from Dicos.

Wen Dongrong's and Chen Ru's salaries can afford to buy Dicos for Wenying. In fact, they had never mistreated Wen Ying when it came to food. Otherwise, Wen Ying wouldn't have grown to more than 60 kilograms.

What made Wen Ying feel unfamiliar was the tone in which Wen Dongrong spoke to her.

Was Wen Dongrong trying to coax her?

Wen Ying felt very uncomfortable with Wen Dongrong's behavior, and she rolled on the hospital bed.

"Why don't you ask me about my English exam?"