Rebirth: Once Again With You

Li Caiyi didn't know what to say and looked away. Every kind of answer seemed wrong to say in a situation like this.

Even if she knew her mother wasn't a bad person, she couldn't pretend that all the hurt she had received from her wasn't there. Past experiences taught her that forgiving might be a good thing, but it would lose its meaning if given so easily.

Disappointment and sadness flashed across Su Suyin's face when she witnessed her daughter's reluctance. Li Caiyi was the kindest out of the siblings. If even she couldn't say anything to her apology, then she must have hurt her eldest daughter so much.

"I understand. You don't have to say anything for now." Su Suyin smiled. "Just don't act recklessly like yesterday. If something happens, you should rely on your brother or Renshu more."

"...Yes," that was all Li Caiyi could squeeze out of her throat.

"Good. Then, Mother will leave now. You… Be careful on your way." Su Suyin said awkwardly before leaving Li Caiyi, who was still standing there with a bag in her arms, squeezing it tightly.

It was her mother's first apology after years passed. Li Caiyi once had given up to receive a genuine apology from her.

"This is troubling," she whispered with a trembling voice. Her mother apologized to her, so she should feel happy and satisfied, but why did it feel hurt instead?

'You have gone this far. Don't waver now.' Li Caiyi told herself inwardly.

***

Before she went to the hospital, Li Caiyi stopped by the cafe nearby. There, she spotted a man with an old brown jacket, messy hair, and jaw covered with stubbles. She walked to his table and greeted him as soon as their eyes met.

"It's been a while. How are you, Detective Tang?"

"Bad as always," He chuckled, "Poverty is always bad."

"You are a detective. How can you be poor?" Li Caiyi said as she plopped herself down on the chair across from him.

"That might be so for public investigators, but not for me, especially an old and grumpy one like me."

"Is that so? But you seem pretty nice to me."

"I am only nice to pretty ladies," Detective Tang winked, and Li Caiyi didn't bother to hide her disgust. He laughed heartily at her reaction.

"Hahaha, that reaction of yours is priceless! Don't worry, I don't have a hobby of pursuing an underage kid. It would be illegal."

Li Caiyi couldn't hide her surprise. She made sure she dolled herself up to a mature look before coming here. He didn't notice anything the last time they met, so how come?

As though he could read her mind, he answered, "Actually, I already knew the first time I saw you. You talk and dress like an adult, so I bet you can fool common people like that, but definitely not me. Your disguise is fine; you just got the wrong opponent this time."

"So what? Are you going to retract our agreement now?"

"No, no. I never said it was a bad thing. I understand why you want to look like an adult because there are a lot of scammers who claim themselves as detectives out there, but I'm not among those."

Li Caiyi's tense shoulders loosened a little upon hearing that, but she reminded herself to not let her guard down too much. "If you already know, then why did you keep silent?"

"Of course, because I'm worried you will back down on hiring me if I expose you. We can't cooperate without trust, and I won't do anything that can make me lose my money."

Li Caiyi squinted her eyes. "Are every private investigator like you?"

"Hmm, not everyone is like me for sure, because there is only one special me in this world. Sucks to be them," He grinned smugly.

"No, I'm not complimenting you," Li Caiyi sighed. "Forget it. Did you bring what I asked you for?"

Detective Tang said nothing, pulled out a small cotton bag from his jacket's pocket, and put it down on the table.

"I have checked everything. These babies were olds, but they still functioned properly."

Li Caiyi opened the bag and found two small cameras and two other devices she assumed were voice recorders. Their size was smaller than her pinky finger. One could easily miss them if they weren't paying attention.

"I already set them to connect to my devices, so you just need to put them in a hidden spot that can record every corner of the room and turn it on."

"I understand. But why are there two pairs here?" Li Caiyi asked in confusion. At first, she asked him about these devices because she wanted to plant them in her sister's room. However, once she heard about his suspicion regarding her father's office, she changed her mind and focused on that room instead, so she only asked for a pair. Li Caiyi thought it would take longer to procure them, while she needed it as soon as possible.

"Your sister is hospitalized, right? A pair for your sister's room and another pair for your father's office. We should keep our possibilities open, or you won't know how much you have missed, young lady." He smirked meaningfully.

His words didn't surprise Li Caiyi anymore at this point. "You even know that?"

"Well, you are the one who told me to spy on your father. I'm just doing my job."

His personality is a bit of a problem, but at least he was good at what he was doing. Li Caiyi didn't mind getting found out as long as she still could use his service. It was worth it to spend a sum of money to hire him.

Li Caiyi stuffed them in her bag before she stood up." It seems our business here is done then. I expect an immediate report once you notice anything amiss. I want information about every single detail."

"For a kid, you sure know how to order people around," Detective Tang chuckled. "I have a hunch I'm going to see something interesting today. When women dress up, it's usually for a battle. You can't see me, but I can. I will cheer on you, so good luck today, young lady."

Li Caiyi frowned. She didn't like how this man always kept that mysterious smile on his face as if he knew everything. But then again, she would feel troubled if the private investigators she hired weren't at least this capable. She felt conflicted inside.

From his look, Detective Tang looked like he was around his late 20s or at least early 30s. Still, considering how sly he was, he might have deliberately tried to mislead her.

Li Caiyi didn't want to admit it, but he was right. There would be indeed a fun spectacle for him to see today. So instead of denying it, she smiled darkly.

"You can look forward to it. I will let you see a good show."