Rebirth: Once Again With You

Li Caiyi brought him to the largest hardware store in the mall. Dai Zhiqiang immediately darted his eyes around, browsing through the neat arrangements for products there.

"Are you sure you want to buy him a shoulder massager?" Li Caiyi asked again.

"Yeah. My father has to lie down for a long time in the hospital and can't go outside for long. He complained that his shoulder often feels sore. I wonder if there is a massager for feet, too?"

Li Caiyi didn't know what to say. Of course, she thought that gift would be nice, but the question was, could Dai Zhiqiang afford it while he was still ridden by debt?

Perhaps if they split the bill, then they could buy it somehow. Her savings would be gone instantly, but that was better than letting him spend all his money.

It was just that she didn't know how to talk about it to him. She would undoubtedly hurt his pride if she asked him that.

A light flick on her forehead snapped her out of her thoughts. When she raised her head, Dai Zhiqiang looked down at her in confusion.

"You are so easy to zone out like that. What's in your mind? You are frowning."

Li Caiyi rubbed the place where he flicked. "Nothing. Just thinking if there are more interesting things here."

Dai Zhiqiang chuckled. "You are a terrible liar. I bet you are concerned about how I can pay the massager, right?"

Li Caiyi swallowed her saliva upon hearing his question. He had completely read her mind, so she hesitated no more and asked directly.

"Are you sure you want to buy such an expensive gift? Don't get me wrong, I'm just worried because of your family's debt." Li Caiyi said in a small voice.

"I understand what you mean. You don't need to be so self-conscious about it." Dai Zhiqiang smiled. "And I have separate money to buy this gift. Believe it or not, my current job paid me very well. I can do at least this much."

"Your job is to be a bodyguard, right?"

"That's right. A bodyguard."

"How much did you get paid? Is it that high?" Li Caiyi asked again curiously.

Dai Zhiqiang pressed his index finger to his lips. "That one is still a secret."

Li Caiyi pouted in disappointment but knew better not to press further. "Do you have to even hide your income from your work? Is your work that strict?"

"Well, I technically got this job through connections, and it isn't open for anybody. I don't want to risk losing this well-paying job if I can help it."

"Alright, then. I won't pry anymore. But usually, a high-paying job also demands a lot from the worker. Are you really okay, Zhiqiang?"

"Thanks for worrying, but it's really fine. I got along fine with my colleague, and the job might be time-consuming and demanding, but not that difficult. Only need those with extra energy."

Dai Zhiqiang could fight well. He was also strong and intelligent, so Li Caiyi doubted there was anything he couldn't do once he put his mind to it.

But that was also her primary concern. Because Dai Zhiqiang was so good in almost everything, she was worried he would go too far for his goal without caring about his own body. He was just that kind of person.

Li Caiyi clutched the end of his shirt, prompting him to look back at her. "What's wrong?"

"I-I will allow it."

"What is?" Dai Zhiqiang tilted his head in confusion.

"I mean the charging. You can come to me anytime when you feel tired and need charging. I'll help you."

The young man's eyes slightly widened at her agreement. Usually, Li Caiyi would shrink in embarrassment after making an advance. However, this time she stared at him determinedly, like nothing could stop her from doing what she had decided. Not even him.

"Even at midnight? Even when it rained outside?"

Li Caiyi nodded decisively. "If you can't come to me, then I'll come to you."

'This is the only thing I can do for you, after all,' Li Caiyi finished her sentence inwardly, feeling frustrated at her own powerlessness.

"Why are you so eager to make me lose control of myself every time?" Dai Zhiqiang chuckled before he took some strands of her long hair and kissed it. "You are lucky we are in the public space right now. I'm not embarrassed, but I don't want you to hate me for it later."

"Wh-what are you trying to do?" Li Caiyi felt awkward having him playing with her hair like that.

"Guess. What do you think I'm trying to do to you in my mind now?"

A surge of heat crept up her face at his provocative words. He wasn't smiling, and his eyes radiated some force that sent shivers down her spine.

"W-we should start choosing which massager is good for your father," Li Caiyi quickly averted her eyes from him and raised her hand when she spotted a staff passing by.

"Excuse me! We need your help, please!"

Dai Zhiqiang almost couldn't suppress her laughter, seeing her flustered reaction. Teasing her would never get old.

He liked to see her cheeks slowly turn crimson because of him. Today was especially hard for him to hold back, perhaps because he was so happy.

There were times when he felt thankful for having a poker face. No one could tell what he was thinking, and it saved him from a lot of trouble.

For example, when he first saw Li Caiyi in her feminine outfit today. She looked like a fairy with how her eyes sparkled and her skin glowed. The glasses she always wore were cute, but seeing her without them made him fall for her again.

If it weren't for his self-control and his expressionless face, he would probably have made an embarrassment out of himself.

He watched how Li Caiyi tried to distract her mind by talking to the staff, but the hue on her ears told him otherwise. It was easy to tell what she was thinking just from the subtle color and reaction from her.

Or maybe it was because it's her; he could guess it accurately. Dai Zhiqiang looked at her fondly before finally walking over to her.