Rebirth: Once Again With You

Ye Zhong slept peacefully after playing for hours. He sprawled on the couch, clutching his favorite blanket. Dai Zhiqiang and Lin Xiang sat on both sides of the little boy. They leaned their back against the backrest in exhaustion.

"He finally fell asleep," Lin Xiang muttered between exhaustion and relief.

"Yeah." Dai Zhiqiang replied. Playing with kids really consumed a lot of energy.

Lin Xiang stared down at Ye Zhong. After making sure the kid was fast asleep, he shifted his glance to Dai Zhiqiang. "Did you talk to the boss about creating a second name?"

"Sure enough, it was your idea, Senior Lin."

"Don't get me wrong. The boss asked me if there was a chance that your close one would be harmed if you continued to be associated with us. I only gave him my input based on my personal experience."

"Senior Lin, did something happen to your closed one in the past?"

"You wouldn't find anyone without a somewhat messy past here. I used to be a thug before Boss Ye decided to take me in. However, I wasn't a decent human being then, so I kept making trouble, and it gained me a lot of enemies. It almost cost the life of the dearest person in my life."

Dai Zhiqiang sensed his reluctance to tell more about this, so he didn't pursue the topic. "I heard you were one of the original members when the group was established. What makes you decide to bind yourself to this group?"

"My reason is simple. It's because Boss Ye is someone worthy to devote myself to." Lin Xiang replied without a shred of hesitation.

The members of Ye Group held Ye Huizhong in the highest regard, and it wasn't Dai Zhiqiang first time hearing someone boldly declare their devotion to him. He couldn't understand them.

"Well, you'll understand over time. First of all, how is the wound on your stomach?"

Dai Zhiqiang caressed his belly through his clothes. "It's getting better. I still feel discomfort if I move too much, but the pain is bearable."

"Is that so? I'm glad to hear that." Lin Xiang paused briefly before looking at the younger man curiously. "By the way, about that girlfriend of yours, is she doing well recently?"

Dai Zhiqiang's posture became stiffer at the mention of Li Caiyi, and Lin Xiang almost couldn't suppress his laughter.

The cheeky young man barely batted an eye towards the threatening words or violent sight from people here, but he was flustered at the mere mention of his crush. He found it funny and ridiculous at the same time.

"Why do you want to know?" Dai Zhiqiang asked with a scowl.

"Woah, easy there, tiger. I'm not coveting her or anything; I'm just curious."

"I never said that. Why do you people always think like that?"

Lin Xiang smirked playfully at his remark. "It seems the boss also said something along that line. Well, it's not our fault that you act like a protective husband who doesn't want anyone to know how charming his wife is."

"You are delusional. I'm just acting like the usual," Dai Zhiqiang denied.

"Sure, whatever you say," Lin Xiang shrugged. "If what you said is true, then it shouldn't be that big of a deal to tell me a little about her, right?

I'm curious because she was very polite to me at our first meeting. Most girls would find me scary and not dare to meet my eyes. Forget about averting her eyes; she even smiled at me."

Dai Zhiqiang felt conflicted. He felt happy and dissatisfied simultaneously hearing Lin Xiang praise Li Caiyi.

He was happy because someone acknowledged her good points, but at the same time, he was pissed by the fact that Lin Xiang actually paid attention to her to that extent.

Unbeknownst to him, Lin Xiang only asked this because he was interested in learning more about his life, not in Li Caiyi herself.

"She is doing well." Dai Zhiqiang replied curtly.

"Her name is Li Caiyi, right? She has a pretty name and face. She seems to be a good girl too. I can understand why you like her."

Dai Zhiqiang straightened his back before narrowing his eyes dangerously towards Lin Xiang. "How do you know her name? Did you do a background check on her?"

"Little brother, chill down for a bit, alright?" Lin Xiang groaned while caressing his chest because Dai Zhiqiang honestly looked scary right now. He was like a tiger ready to pounce on his target, and Lin Xiang understood best who would win in a brawl if a fight were to ensue.

"I didn't do any check on her. I'm not that deplorable to go to such an extent. When we first met, the girls crowded around us mentioned that name a few times, so I just assumed that was her name."

Dai Zhiqiang's shoulders visibly loosened hearing that. Lin Xiang shook his head helplessly.

"After all this time we spent together, you still have this much distrust towards us. It's disappointing."

"We only know each other for a month at best. It's not even enough to build a house, much less trust."

Lin Xiang: "...."

Dai Zhiqiang leaned his back against the backrest again. As long as this group didn't mess with his beloved, he wouldn't mind sticking with them longer. Maybe because he was relieved, he felt like talking more than usual.

"Caiyi is my first love and my savior. I liked her very much and wanted to protect her at all costs."

"I understand that feeling. But you know that our work line will make it difficult for you to have a romantic relationship with anyone?"

"I already told her about it, and she understood my position."

Lin Xiang whistled lowly. "Not only she is well-mannered and pretty, but she also has a big heart."

"Yes, that's why I don't want to disappoint her. I intend to return to her someday, so I can't devote myself to the boss like you guys." Dai Zhiqiang muttered with a lowered head.

"Hey, raise your head, kid! No one will blame you for prioritizing your girlfriend or family. As long as you didn't betray the boss, we wouldn't ask for more from you. Almost everyone here is those who already lost the home which they could return to, but you are different. You still have a bright future, so live confidently!" Lin Xiang smacked Dai Zhiqiang's back, making it tingle with burning pain.

However, for the first time after a month of knowing his senior, he didn't feel annoyed by it. He found it comforting instead. A subtle smile escaped his lips before it quickly disappeared.

Right when he was about to speak something to Senior Lin, the door slammed open in haste, startling both men. Even Ye Zhong stirred in his sleep uncomfortably.

Lin Xiang's facial expression darkened, and he scolded darkly in a restrained voice to not wake the Young Master.

"What are you doing? Can't you knock on the door like any other normal person?"

"Senior Lin, I'm sorry for the disturbance, but we need you outside now," said the man standing at the door with a panicked expression, "We are under attack!"