Rebirth: Once Again With You

Li Caiyi went to school with terrible dark circles under her eyes. Shao Jingfei even teased her that she looked like a sleepy panda.

She could not sleep well after Meng Renshu's revelation yesterday. Thinking about how there was another person who remembered the past she wanted to forget made her feel on edge.

'Since when did he remember? If he remembered, then why didn't he confront me directly? My death should be causing a major problem for him because it would cause a huge scandal.'

[I didn't mean to corner you like that. Please believe me. I love you]

For some reason, those lines bothered her since last night. Now she knew he meant every word when he sent her that weird message. He probably sent that in a daze due to his fever.

Li Caiyi spent a whole night thinking about what she should do but decided that the old plan was still the best move. She should be on guard more towards Meng Renshu. There was no need to hold back out of guilt anymore.

"Xiaoyi? I think you have watered it enough."

Li Caiyi shifted her gaze, hearing Shao Jingfei's voice. She followed his line of vision and noticed that she had poured too much water on the flower pot.

"Ah, I didn't notice."

"Something in your mind? You have a deep frown there."

There was no way she could tell it to Shao Jingfei, so she shook her head lightly. "I'm fine, just lightheaded because I'm lacking sleep."

Shao Jingfei only nodded his head before continuing to wash the dishes. Li Caiyi looked down at the flower Meng Renshu gave her. Out of habit, she took care of the flower like nothing had happened.

[I'm glad I can finally give it to you in this timeline]

Again, his voice bounced around in her mind. It was annoying how easily his words affected her mind.

Li Caiyi didn't want to dwell on the what if's story, so she cast away any other thoughts before putting the watering can down.

"Jingfei, let's go now."

***

"How was your visit to Senior Meng's house yesterday?"

Li Caiyi's movement halted for a moment when Dai Zhiqiang asked that. It was only a moment of hesitation from her, but the boy could tell something did happen yesterday.

She was so silent, unlike her usual. Her hand kept moving, but her mind was elsewhere. Dai Zhiqiang was vaguely aware of Li Caiyi and Meng Renshu's complicated relationship, so he couldn't restrain himself from asking.

"Nothing really. I went there with my siblings to check on him, then we went home after talking a bit."

"Is that so? Then why are you so absent-minded today?"

"I'm not, though?"

Dai Zhiqiang pointed at the row of shelves that Li Caiyi had just organized. Some of the books were inverted or out of alphabetical order. She grimaced upon noticing her mistake.

"Sorry. I didn't sleep well last night, so my mind can't concentrate."

Dai Zhiqiang walked over to Li Caiyi and leaned down to inspect her face closely. "No wonder you have panda eyes this morning."

After he pointed it out, she became self-conscious and tried to cover her face with the book she held. "I know. My face is terrible today."

He chuckled and lowered the book from her face so their gazes met each other. "No, you are still cute in my eyes, either way. But can you tell me what's bothering you to the point you can't sleep? Please?"

'Ugh, why does he have to look this handsome?' Li Caiyi grumbled in her heart.

She couldn't bear to reject him when he gazed at her with a pleading look, but she also couldn't tell him the truth. Faced with a dilemma, Li Caiyi's brain quickly came up with an excuse.

"I was just thinking about how I would go after this. My family's condition is stable now, and my book is selling well too. Perhaps it's about time I search for a new place."

Dai Zhiqiang stared at her, and she was worried if he had seen through her. But then, he replied in a concerned tone. "Would you be alright living by yourself?"

"Oh, of course! I'm confident I can survive well." Li Caiyi puffed out her chest proudly.

"But I'm still worried. It's dangerous for a high-school girl to live alone."

Li Caiyi was an adult inside, so she didn't see anything strange in her decision. However, knowing that her boyfriend was concerned for her well-being warmed her heart.

"Then, do you want to live with me? You can keep me safe that way."

Thud!

The book he held slipped from his hand, hearing Li Caiyi's bold statement. Dai Zhiqiang blinked his eyes a few times in disbelief before a playful smirk appeared on his face.

"Will you keep me in your house, then? If you take care of me well, I can scare away the bad guys for you."

His hand snaked around her waist and pulled her closer as he said that.

Li Caiyi was flustered when the situation escalated so fast. What she thought was a harmless joke actually elicited an enthusiastic response from him. It made her heart race when she visualized them living together for real.

"You are getting bolder with each day passed. I didn't expect you to invite me first."

She felt like her knees grew weak every time he whispered sweet words to her ear like that. He had both arms encircled her body now, and they were so close together she could smell the peppermint smell coming from him.

"Zhi-Zhiqiang."

"What?"

"Shouldn't we finish this first? We still have a lot of things to do."

"That can wait. Before taking care of books, I have to take care of myself first, don't you agree? I demand a recharge."

Li Caiyi was distracted all day because she was busy thinking about what happened yesterday, but when Dai Zhiqiang did this to her, everything felt mundane. It reminded her that not everything that happened in her past life was terrible.

She could meet Shen Qiang or Dai Zhiqiang precisely because of everything she had gone through.

Her life could be better, but she was content at the end of her life. Being with him gave her a sense of security that no one else could provide. In him, she found solace and a place to respite.

As long as he was here, she believed she could overcome anything.

Li Caiyi raised her head to look at his face clearly. She smiled softly when she saw her image reflected in his eyes, full of tenderness and love towards her.

They gazed at each other fondly until they felt a magnetic force pulling them together. Completely submerged in their feelings, they slowly leaned their faces toward each other.

Ring!

Until the sound of a phone ringing broke the silence of the library.