Rebirth: Once Again With You

As soon as she arrived at the school, she seemed to understand the meaning behind Meng Renshu's last line.

In front of the S International High School, there was a spot where banners for promotional purposes were usually hung.

It was typically used to congratulate students with exceptional achievements or to show collective support of the whole school for those who were about to compete at the regional or national level.

Li Caiyi had tried to make it as low profile as possible to not cause unnecessary commotion around herself. Still, Meng Renshu decided to take it to another level by creating a giant banner about it.

[Congratulations to Little Bird for its very first published book. May the road toward your dream be blessed with joy and passion. As a fan, I will always support you].

"What is that? A new banner?"

"That's a strange one. Who is the Little Bird, anyway?"

"How should I know? Since someone requested to put it there, it should be someone from our school."

Li Caiyi covered her mouth before a fly could enter because she was too shocked by it. Meng Renshu really knew how to celebrate by how big he made this.

She was grateful that he still had some sense of not revealing her identity without her permission.

Looking up at her author's name being displayed like this somehow made her heart shake uncontrollably.

"He is really too much, sometimes," Li Caiyi muttered to herself before chuckling. A gush of warmth flowed from her heart to her entire body, knowing there was someone who would go to such an extent for her.

Even if it was Meng Renshu, she could tell he was being genuine about this.

For a person who was used to being neglected and forgotten, this was already asking for too much. Even if she had changed for the better, there was always a part within her that would remain the same. And that sensitive part of her was touched by Meng Renshu's display of support.

'This is exactly why he always got you in his palm. Don't think much of it, Li Caiyi.'

"Caiyi, are you okay?"

Li Caiyi looked up to find Dai Zhiqiang staring down at her worriedly. "You only stood there without moving. Are you looking at the banner?"

Dai Zhiqiang looked up at the banner, utterly oblivious to her sad smile.

"I was, but it didn't matter now. Because you are here already."

"What? Are you waiting for me, by chance?" Dai Zhiqiang asked, looking pleasantly surprised by that.

Li Caiyi didn't answer and only smiled at him. "Shall we go in? The bell will ring soon."

Then, they went into the building without looking back even once.

***

It turned out the surprise hadn't ended just like that. As usual, Li Caiyi prepared her things before the class started. That was when she noticed a small, rectangle red box in her desk drawer.

It was wrapped beautifully with a pink ribbon. Li Caiyi looked around to see if someone had put it there by mistake. After making sure no one was acting out of the ordinary, she carefully untied the ribbon.

Inside, there was a gorgeous-looking bookmark with a little bird shape made from the leaf and yellow flower petals. Under it, there was an expensive-looking pen with jewels embedded in its cap.

There was also a small card inside, which she took out and read inwardly.

[Congratulations once again. This is a gift for you. Don't think about it deeply, and just accept it. I'll be glad if it can be of some use to you].

The sender put this card into the box without leaving their name as if they were confident she would know who gave her this without needing to do that.

That confidence was well-deserved because Li Caiyi couldn't possibly mistake Meng Renshu's handwriting with someone else. The box felt heavy in her hand, but her eyes were glued to the two things he had just given to her.

"It's pretty." She muttered to herself as she caressed the bookmark and pen.

These two gifts were better than a bunch of extravagant dresses or flowers Meng Renshu ever sent to her through his assistant.

Thinking about it like that gave her a mixed feeling inside.

'It was the thought that counts. There is no harm in accepting a gift from a fan.' Li Caiyi reassured herself before shoving the box into her bag and didn't take it out until the school was over.

***

After school.

Li Caiyi beamed when she spotted Dai Zhiqiang, who was waiting for her at the school entrance. They had promised to go to the bookstore today, but looking at him made her feel giddy.

This would be the first date wearing their school uniform. Li Caiyi had always longed to go out somewhere with the person she loved while wearing their school uniform. Sadly, she couldn't fulfill that simple dream in her previous life.

"Look at that smile. Someone is eager to fly to the sky now." Feng Nian smirked teasingly.

"Are you jealous, Nian Nian? Then you should find yourself a boyfriend too." Zhou Ya giggled from the side.

"No way. That's too troublesome."

"When will the two of you become official already? You two are practically husband and wife by now!" Chen Ruolan groaned. "Forget dating; just get married already!"

Li Caiyi stuck out her tongue to her friends jokingly. "We will reach there in time. You guys can just wait for the wedding invitation. See you guys tomorrow!"

"Oh my god, how our Caiyi had matured up so quickly. I'm very happy." Zhou Ya wiped the non-existent tears on the corner of her eyes, looking at Li Caiyi's back.

"Are you her mother?" Chen Ruolan chuckled. "But I understand how you feel. It's hard to believe she was the same girl who trembled and stuttered when speaking up until a few months ago."

"In my opinion, Caiyi is the type that can do well when people are supporting her. She only needs the right push."

"Yeah, you are right. I'm glad everything will turn out better for her." Feng Nian smiled. "I am kind of envious of her sometimes."

"What? Because she has a boyfriend?"

Feng Nian glared at Chen Ruolan. "Of course not. I'm envious and admire her for her perseverance. Her book will be published today, and I'm sure she'll reach another height soon."

Zhou Ya nodded. "I agree. Looking at her, I feel like trying my best too."

Oblivious to her friend's thoughts, Li Caiyi smiled brightly at Dai Zhiqiang, "I'm sorry, did I make you wait for too long?"