Rebirth: Once Again With You

KATHUNK!

Li Caiyi's eyes widened, looking at the mess she had made. Dozens of books just fell in front of her, and she miraculously teleported in an instant. If she didn't, she probably would have been crushed under those heavy and hardcover encyclopedia books.

No, she wasn't teleporting. Someone was helping her.

She raised her head, only to find Dai Zhiqiang looking down at her with his usual expressionless face. However, there was a trace of worry in his voice when he asked her, "Are you okay?"

Li Caiyi suddenly felt déjà vu. When they saved Li Chunhua from those loan sharks, he helped her stand like this after she got dizzy from alcohol, too. At that time, even though it was only for a split second, she didn't know why but he reminded her of Shen Qiang.

Perhaps it was because they got a similar quiet vibe around them. It felt like they always secretly watched over her and protected her.

"Why were you just standing there and doing nothing? If you know the books are going to fall, then you should have avoided them."

His words woke her up to reality. Li Caiyi quickly steadied her posture and took a few steps away from him in embarrassment. "You're right. I'm too slow at reacting."

"Why are you even trying to work by yourself? You should have waited until I came."

"I thought I could clear up some space here so we can work easier," Li Caiyi glanced guiltily at the disorganized pile and mess she had just made before saying, "But it seems I only make this place messier. I'm sorry."

Dai Zhiqiang sighed. "That's not the point. And I'm not scolding you; I'm just saying it's dangerous."

To be lectured by a teenager much younger than her, Li Caiyi felt embarrassed deep down. "Yeah, I know. I will be more careful next time."

"Good. Then, let's get to work, shall we?" Dai Zhiqiang said as he took off his blazer and laid it down on the nearest chair. Next, he rolled up his shirt sleeves to his elbow, showing a lean muscular arm with blue veins popping under the skin.

Li Caiyi couldn't get her eyes off those arms for some reason. If she didn't experience it firsthand, she would never have thought that arms had enough strength to haul her at lightning speed. Dai Zhiqiang's hold around her back then was firm and secure.

After a few seconds, Li Caiyi regained her focus and moved her hand as she observed his work. Still, her mind wandered to her conversation with Dai Shenqiang some time ago. Didn't he say that Dai Zhiqiang used to chase away people who bullied him in the past?

Dai Zhiqiang also displayed a fair amount of fighting skills when they rescued Li Chunhua. Was that why he was so strong?

"Caiyi, that's wrong."

Li Caiyi turned her head automatically when she heard him calling her, only to find him leaning in through her shoulder from behind, to reach out to the book she was holding.

His face was just beside hers, and it made her unconsciously hold her breath.

"This book isn't supposed to go in that box. If you see it closely, the serial numbers are...."

Li Caiyi couldn't focus on his explanation at all because of their awkward posture. But then again, she would look like a weird person here if she made a big deal out of this, right? It wasn't like he was doing this on purpose, either. The space was just not enough for him to move around!

"Do you understand?"

"Huh? Oh, um, y-yes…." Li Caiyi replied as she avoided his eyes.

Dai Zhiqiang squinted his eyes suspiciously. "You are not listening to me, aren't you?"

"N-no, that's not true…."

"Then why are you avoiding my eyes?"

Li Caiyi felt like a cornered rat now. She wanted to take a step away, but she probably would nudge on another pile of books if she moved carelessly.

While Li Caiyi was panicking and trying to find a way out, Dai Zhiqiang's corner of mouth secretly curved up in a smirk. He thought her flustered expression was lovely and couldn't help but be a bit mean. Naturally, he was aware of what she was thinking, but her reaction was so cute that he wanted to see it longer.

"Look, you don't even dare to look me in the eye. Do you hate me that much?" Dai Zhiqiang asked lightly, without knowing it would elicit a powerful reaction from the girl whose height didn't even reach his chin.

"How could that be?!" Li Caiyi retorted while raising her head, looking ready to argue back. Dai Zhiqiang was taken aback by her firm gaze, but her soft voice betrayed that expression.

"How could I hate you when you are the one who always helps me? I…I like you very much, as a friend."

Dai Zhiqiang's heart couldn't help but jump at the sudden confession. Well, it wasn't a love confession per se, but hearing her saying she liked him, even as a friend, was enough to lift his spirit.

Day by day spent by her side made him greedy. Although he knew he shouldn't hope for more since they came from different worlds, he couldn't deny his yearning for her.

Dai Zhiqiang raised his hand and caressed the side of her face with the back of his hand like he was in a trance. He wanted to etch that surprised but adorable look of her in his memory forever.

"Zhi-Zhiqiang?" Li Caiyi's voice that called his name shook slightly, showing the owner's nervousness. Her pupils were dilated when he slowly leaned in to look at her face more clearly. With every inch he got closer, he could hear the sound of her rapid breathing.

His hand, which touched her skin, felt like it could burn from the heat of her cheeks. Or was it him whose temperature increased? But the texture of her skin against his calloused hand felt so good. He wanted to caress it forever.

Li Caiyi, who was left with nowhere to move, finally couldn't take it anymore.

"Zhiqiang, wait!" She yelped and in her fluster, bumped her shoulder to the nearest pile of books, causing it to topple to the ground. Thankfully, the pile didn't fall their way.

Dai Zhiqiang immediately tried to shield her, but it only made her feel even more in danger instead! Her heart was beating erratically in her ribs, and she thought she would have a heart attack.

"Wait, don't come any closer!" She said as she pushed him away.

"Huh?"

"W-what are you doing? Suddenly getting closer like that!"

Dai Zhiqiang's expression barely changed as he tilted his head in confusion. "There is some dust on your cheek, so I thought of wiping it for you."