After Being Reborn, I Completely Gave Up

1

"Baby, you're definitely going to win the championship this time in the competition!"

A familiar voice rings in my ears.

I almost can't differentiate whether this is a dream or reality.

But when I open my eyes and see everything around me, I realize I've been reborn, reborn to the time before I signed up for the national author competition, before anything started.

A familiar close friend hugs my arm, smiling and praising my writing style and skill.

"I looked at the previous topics of the national author competitions, they are almost all within your comfort zone, you mustn't miss this opportunity."

"Once you win the ten million grand prize this time, are you going to get married?"

"But that's fine, after all, you've been dating for so long."

Her voice seems to come from the horizon, making it hard for me to catch it clearly.

Marriage?

Oh, right.

I'm about to get married.

Unfortunately, in my last life, I never made it to the wedding.

I died before the wedding.

Died of cyberbullying.

In my last life, I participated in the national author competition as planned, but on the day of the competition, another contestant and I wrote exactly the same thing.

I knew very well who that contestant was.

I recognized her almost immediately; she was my boyfriend's sister.

Su Bingqian.

Also someone who always disdained literary creation.

I never expected her to join the national author competition with me, nor did I expect her to write something identical to mine.

The worst part is...

Our pieces were posted online for comparison, and since they were identical, one of us must be a plagiarist.

But Su Bingqian presented evidence.

Her so-called evidence included drafts of all my works, the publication backend, payments record, outlines...

Previously, because I had depression and always faced harsh criticism from readers, my boyfriend told me he could help me publish.

I believed him.

From then on, I focused on serious writing.

Yet those became evidence for Su Bingqian's counterattack.

I asked my boyfriend to testify.

However, what followed was Su Hao also standing by Su Bingqian's side, confidently saying he was just helping his sister publish articles as a brother.

And I...

Became the plagiarist!

A woman who plagiarizes other's works, steals other's creativity, counterattacks shamelessly, supported by her boyfriend, and bullies her boyfriend's sister.

Eventually, I died from a relapse of depression, jumping off the twenty-seventh floor.

And after Su Bingqian achieved success and received ten million, she withdrew from the writing scene.

Her reason was very sufficient:

"Although I don't know why my sister-in-law would do that, maybe she really loves literature."

"From now on, my pen name is officially laid to rest."

"If I had known that writing would cost my sister-in-law her life, I would rather never have participated in the author competition, and rather never have written any book."

Her fame skyrocketed like blooming flowers.

Even a TV show group specially invited her to participate in variety shows.

And indeed, she never picked up a pen again.

While I... became the one who harmed a genius girl's life, a stepping stone for Su Bingqian to climb higher.

"What's wrong? Why aren't you speaking?" My close friend waved her hand in front of me, a bit worried, "Are you having an anxiety attack?"

"It's nothing."

I came back to my senses, lightly patting her hand.

Depression and anxiety disorder followed me like shadows in my previous life. To earn money for treatment and not to disappoint my readers, I constantly took medication to fight the illness, enduring to write.

Also for Su Hao who said that once we have enough money, we can get married.

But now I don't want to marry this scumbag.

I just want to break up!

Stay away from all this misfortune!

I smiled at my close friend.

"I just suddenly feel a bit tired, I don't want to participate in the competition this time."

No matter how Su Bingqian got those things, and no matter how she plagiarized my ideas on spot, none of it matters anymore.

2

In my past life, I never could understand.

Su Bingqian was just Su Hao's cousin, not even a real sister.

Why did he help her fabricate lies?

Was it for money?

But my money was always at his disposal.

Perhaps I was too love-struck.

But, Su Hao and I met when we were at our lowest, back then I was weak and unwell, both physically and mentally. He was always there, pulling me out from my original family, which felt like hell to me.

I don't understand.

Su Hao treated me well.

But that kindness always turned strange when it involved Su Bingqian.

He always told me, "It was Bingqian's father who saved my dad, which is why her dad passed away."

"We must treat Little Qian well."

I listened.

Everything I had, Su Bingqian could have a share of.

Even when going out to have fun, I would think of her.

So I still couldn't understand why they would want to harm me like this.

But none of it matters anymore.

In fact, I had already earned enough money.

It was just that I wanted to buy a house for Su Hao and me, buy the car he liked, and also worried about Su Bingqian's future. That's why I aimed for the national authors' competition.

Though I couldn't stand the harsh online comments and always asked Su Hao to post for me, I occasionally wanted to surprise him, so I had registered an author account two years ago to save up for his car.

Nobody knew about this.

I calmly announced that I would not participate in the authors' competition.

Although my best friend was somewhat surprised, she ultimately offered her blessings.

She smiled and said, "That's good too, you've been too exhausted these years. Let's go out and have some fun."

I nodded casually.

But I didn't expect that after I posted my travel photos on social media, Su Bingqian would urgently call me.

Her voice was especially sharp and piercing over the phone.

"Sis, why did you go on a trip?"

"Aren't you going to join the national authors' competition?"

"Are you crazy?"

3

Clearly, Su Bingqian was utterly shocked and incredulous about my sudden decision to not participate in the national author contest.

I pretended not to understand and asked casually, "What's wrong?"

"I have my reasons for not participating. Why do you sound more anxious than I am?"

Su Bingqian was taken aback by that question.

After a brief awkward silence, she quickly said, "Of course, it's because I'm worried about you."

"You're about to marry my brother. He and you just need a bit more money to buy a house and a car."

"If you participate in this national author contest and win the prize money, you can step perfectly into marriage."

"I'm worried for you two."

Worried for us?

A cold smile involuntarily crept to my lips.

Is she worried for me or for herself?

Even though she hides it well and makes it sound like she's wholeheartedly thinking of me, the events of the past life still feel vivid.

I couldn't help but feel nauseous inside.

I forced myself to stay calm and said, "It's okay. I'm sure delaying the wedding by a year or two won't make your brother blame me."

"How can that be the same?!"

Su Bingqian suddenly became agitated.

I casually caught her out, "How is it different? You sound strange today."

This time, Su Bingqian realized she couldn't continue speaking, in case she revealed something odd.

She took a deep breath and on the other end of the line, let out a smile filled with hatred.

"I'm sorry, sister-in-law. I'm just a bit too worried about you and my brother."

"You're right, joining or not joining is your freedom, but you and my brother's marriage shouldn't be taken lightly. I can't persuade you, forget it, I won't talk to you anymore, sigh!"

"I hope you think about it carefully!"

After saying that, she hung up the phone.

I laughed coldly at the abruptly ended call.

Feeling anxious, aren't you?

Although I don't know how Su Bingqian managed to get hold of my manuscript, in this lifetime, I would never give her the chance.

Not only will I not participate in the author contest, but from this moment, I will choose to stop writing.

I don't feel regretful at all.

Writing a book is extremely mentally exhausting for me. Once I start writing, I get confined to my home and can't go anywhere, and my depression fluctuates in frequency.

Now, by taking a break from writing, I feel my mental state is somewhat better.

Perhaps it's because I've lived another lifetime.

Some things, be they clear or unclear, I've let them go.

Things I understand, things I don't, I don't think about them at all.

This is not too bad.

But I didn't expect it.

As soon as Su Bingqian hung up, Su Hao's call came rushing in like an urgent notice.

As soon as I answered, his voice pierced through the phone.

The content was no different from what Su Bingqian said.

No.

There was a difference.

Su Hao said, "Why aren't you going to participate in the national author contest?"

"Do you know how much of an impact your fit of temper could cause?"

"Why can't you ever learn to behave? Why can't you be obedient like Bingqian?"

"I'm really disappointed in you. Prepare to participate in the national author contest immediately, or let's break up."

Break up?

I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Su Hao has the nerve to talk about breaking up with me.

In the previous life, he used breaking up to threaten me repeatedly, and because of my attachment personality and depression, plus his many times pulling me back from the brink of depression, he was like a lifesaver.

Unfortunately, some things are not worth cherishing.

For example, Su Hao.

The one who never wanted to break up was him.

He was just afraid I'd completely break free from his control, as he held the financial power.

He actually has the face to talk about breaking up.

My laughter startled me a bit. With how I used to be, I'd probably be flustered!

But,

Now, I'm no longer that love-obsessed person!

I laughed and said, "That's great, let's break up then!"