C1 Rebirth!

"Chen Hao?"

As Chen Hao came to, a tear-streaked yet strikingly beautiful face came into focus against the backdrop of the hospital ceiling.

"Jiang Shi?" he whispered her name.

Jiang Shi dabbed at her eyes, chiding him, "Include 'teacher'! Honestly, didn't I tell you to avoid those people? I nearly panicked when the hospital called today. How am I supposed to explain this to your parents?"

"Those people?" Chen Hao, still in bed, tried to sit up, his head swirling with confusion.

"Lie back down! You have a mild concussion and various bruises. You need at least half a month's rest!" Jiang Shi insisted, pushing him back down, but Chen Hao caught her wrist, pulling her down with him.

She lay against Chen Hao's chest, feeling the warmth of his strong hand, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red. She quickly sat up, scolding playfully, "Are you trying to get us both in trouble? What if someone sees? Remember, I'm your homeroom teacher!"

Homeroom teacher? Of course.

Clarity washed over Chen Hao as he pieced together his current reality.

His body was supposed to be more resilient than steel, so a concussion was out of the question, and bruises were even less likely.

And Jiang Shi... hadn't she passed away twelve years ago?

"Stay put for now. I'll go get the doctor to check on you," Jiang Shi said, her urgency clear as she hastened out of the room.

Once alone, Chen Hao sorted through his thoughts and grasped the full extent of his situation.

He had... transmigrated.

At this moment, he was still a senior college student living in Irethhone, with his scientist parents conducting research abroad.

Just the previous night, he had been harassed by a gang of thugs and, outnumbered, ended up in the hospital.

This meant he was still just a regular person, lacking a body impervious to firearms or the ability to take to the skies.

"Chen Hao, the doctor has arrived," Jiang Shi announced, returning with the doctor as Chen Hao gathered his thoughts.

After a thorough examination, the doctor nodded and advised, "There's no danger now, but it would be wise to stay in the hospital for observation a bit longer. For the next couple of weeks, make sure to maintain a nutritious diet and avoid any vigorous exercise."

"Thank you, doctor," Jiang Shi said as she saw the doctor out, then let out a sigh of relief. "I'm finally at ease. Oh, and I have a class tonight, so you better stay put in the hospital. I'll come back to check on you tomorrow."

Chen Hao remained silent. Jiang Shi pouted slightly, feeling a touch of annoyance as she headed for the door.

But just as she reached the doorway, Chen Hao's unexpected voice stopped her in her tracks, "Shishi, I like you."

Jiang Shi shivered, her cheeks flushing with warmth.

Watching Jiang Shi flee as if in flight, Chen Hao couldn't help but smile.

Jiang Shi, his homeroom teacher, was only slightly older than him and had a youthful spirit, making their interactions feel as comfortable as those with the girl next door.

And for someone as beautiful as her to still be single, she naturally drew a lot of attention.

In his past life, Chen Hao harbored ambiguous feelings for Jiang Shi, and her feelings towards him were equally unclear.

But they had always been teacher and student, and before graduation, neither had broached the subject.

Chen Hao hadn't realized that before he could graduate, he and Jiang Shi would be worlds apart, leaving him with a profound regret.

Now, having returned to twelve years earlier, he was determined not to let that regret happen again.

Once Jiang Shi had left, Chen Hao removed the IV from his wrist, changed clothes, and swiftly left the hospital.

The pain in his body was trivial to him, barely affecting his actions.

As he walked home, Chen Hao pondered his situation.

Had he truly transmigrated, or had he simply gone back in time twelve years?

If it was transmigration, then the events of this world might not unfold as he remembered.

But if it was a mere rebirth, he knew he had to be ready for anything...

"Hey, kid, out of the hospital so soon? You must be in good shape!" A mocking laugh echoed from ahead as he passed through a dimly lit alley, prompting Chen Hao to look up.

In front of him stood a trio, all roughly his age, sporting clean, neatly cropped haircuts. They carried themselves with an air of arrogance.