Rebirth: Once Again With You

While she was doing her job, Li Caiyi couldn't help but admire how sturdy his back was. Dai Zhiqiang's body type was more on the lean side, and since she had only ever seen him in school uniform, she didn't expect his body to be so hard and sturdy.

Now that his upper body was bare for her to see, she could definitely see firm muscles in the right spots. It was not too much and not too little, just on the perfect amount. A pair of strong arms, broad shoulders, and a mighty-looking back. These traits made Dai Zhiqiang look extra manly now, and Li Caiyi blushed unknowingly.

She shook her head to chase away that weird thought. This wasn't the time to be thinking of that!

Desperate to divert her attention, Li Caiyi attempted to converse with him. "Zhiqiang, I really want to thank you for everything you did today."

"You already said that before."

Li Caiyi smiled when she recalled how she whispered thankful words to him this afternoon. She didn't expect Dai Zhiqiang would actually receive her message well in that perilous situation. "That one isn't official. This one is the official one."

"I see. If so, you're welcome." He paused briefly before he continued, "Actually, I want to thank you as well for saving my little brother. I just recalled that I haven't actually thanked you properly."

Li Caiyi giggled, "You're welcome too. Zhiqiang, I never realized you were this awkward in expressing yourself. I thought you disliked me at first."

"I don't dislike you," Dai Zhiqiang replied immediately, completely denying Li Caiyi's previous statement. Then, he added in a small voice, "There's no way I would dislike you."

"Is that so? Thank goodness then. I was worried for a second." Li Caiyi said sheepishly.

"Is it because of Shenqiang?"

Li Caiyi's hand froze when she heard that. The sudden change of topic caught her off guard. "Ah? What does it have to do with Shenqiang?"

"Didn't you say you like him? Isn't that why you don't want me to dislike you? Because I'm his brother?"

Li Caiyi couldn't see his face because he had his back on her, but he sounded a bit gloomy.

'Is he upset because he thinks I'm using him to get close to his brother?' Li Caiyi thought, kind of regretting her actions now. No matter the reason, it must feel unpleasant to be used like that. Li Caiyi couldn't deny that she was using Dai Zhiqiang to confirm her suspicion regarding his brother.

"You are right and wrong at the same time," Li Caiyi spoke softly, "While it was true that I wanted to be closer to you because of Shenqiang at first, I have changed my mind. Now, I genuinely want to get closer to you as a friend because I know how kind of a person you are."

Dai Zhiqiang slightly stirred, listening to her, but he said nothing in response. Li Caiyi thought he was still upset, so she quickly added, "I think you are very amazing, Zhiqiang. The way you take care of others silently without expecting anything in return is very admirable. You never fished for anyone's recognition and only strive to do your best in anything you do. When I see you, I think I can also work hard because I want to be as strong as you someday."

Those words came out so smoothly it even surprised Li Caiyi herself. Yet, she didn't feel she had said anything wrong. That was her genuine thoughts, and he wanted Dai Zhiqiang to know that.

However, his following sentences rendered her speechless.

"I'm not that strong. I was just desperate to make everything right again."

Li Caiyi was stunned when she sensed the vulnerability in his words. His back, which seemed so big and strong until a moment ago, suddenly looked lonely and sad. When she thought about the weight of burden this tattered and bruised back had to carry, a sour feeling arose inside her chest.

This might be the first time she ever heard Dai Zhiqiang's raw and unguarded emotion. He always had this calm look on his face that brought a sense of security to others. He did that so naturally that everyone thought he was special. But behind his strong front, who could guess what kind of struggle he must overcome to achieve that?

Can anyone give him the same sense of security he gave to everyone?

Thinking it like that, she became even more determined to help him in any way she could.

"Have you finished yet? Your hand stopped moving."

Li Caiyi was snapped out of her daydream upon hearing his question. Flustered, she hurriedly answered, "N-no, not yet! I'll finish it soon."

As she moved her hand again, she suddenly recalled something she wanted to confirm with him. "Zhiqiang, you were lying about your reason for not telling Brother Renshu about those loan sharks' base, didn't you?"

"....Why would you think that?"

"I just feel like it didn't suit your personality. You aren't the type that cares what other people think about you. Besides, since you are a very good and responsible big brother, I thought you definitely wouldn't let my sister in danger if you could help it."

"It sounds like you put me in high regard, but what if your judgment of me is wrong?"

Li Caiyi smiled. "I will still believe you, either way. I believe you are a kind person."

Dai Zhiqiang: "...."

"You did it for me, right? Because Brother Renshu would definitely ask why those loan sharks targeted my sister if you told him where their base was. You don't want me to be blamed for it, so you hid it from him and planned to save my sister by yourself. You even lied about your reason, so I won't feel bad about it."

"I see you are indeed an excellent writer. You have a powerful imagination." Dai Zhiqiang said sarcastically, but Li Caiyi was no longer affected by it.

"Are you saying my guess is wrong?"

"It's completely wrong. I just don't want to get blamed for it. Everyone in school knew how protective Senior Meng was towards the two of you. There's nothing he can't do to me if he wishes for it."

A reasonable answer, as expected of him, but Li Caiyi was still not convinced. "Then why did you help me when I fought with Brother Renshu back then?"

Dai Zhiqiang was silent for a few seconds before he finally replied in a small voice like he was embarrassed, "No reason. I just thought he was going overboard."

Li Caiyi couldn't contain her laughter anymore. She never imagined she would find a stoic and cold person like him as cute, but he acted exactly like that!

After her laughter subsided, she leaned down and whispered in his ear with a teasing smirk. "You are so cute. Thank you, Mr. Villain."