Rebirth: Once Again With You

"Did you bring your patient card with you? Mhm, I'm on my way now. Let's meet up in the hospital lobby soon. Be careful on your way." Li Caiyi smiled before hanging up the call.

Today was the third session of Li Chunhua's therapy. Su Suyin had made appointments with one of the best psychiatrists in the city, and everything went smoothly so far.

As promised, Li Caiyi would always accompany Li Chunhua as her support. She would wait outside while her sister went through her treatment.

She still remembered the first therapy session when Li Chunhua refused to let Li Caiyi wait outside. Thank goodness the psychiatrist could convince her to relax.

Now, Li Chunhua was the first to remind Li Caiyi about her treatment schedule. She was happy with her sister's progress.

After getting out of the building, Li Caiyi planned to walk for a bit until she arrived at the main street. There, she would ride a bus to the hospital, just like she routinely did in the past few days.

Now that she was living alone, she needed to be careful about her expenses. Li Caiyi rarely used public vehicles like this in her previous life. Still, she thought riding the bus was more comfortable than the train.

Walking down the street, she would pass a daycare where children usually play. Even during summer break, the daycare was apparently open for kids whose parents needed to work in the summer. She often saw children playing happily, accompanied by a few daycare staff.

Li Caiyi loved to see it the most. She once swore that she would never mistreat them if she were about to become a mother. She would love and scold them equally. No one shall feel less valued than the others.

But again, that was just a fleeting dream. For now, Li Caiyi was content watching children play from afar.

While walking down the street, she saw one man whose appearance didn't quite fit the heart-warming scene she expected to see. That man was tall and big, with a bald head shining under the fierce sunlight. He wore dark sunglasses and looked like a villain in movies at a glance.

He stood in front of the daycare garden as if waiting for someone.

"Wait, isn't that person…."

Li Caiyi didn't get to finish her sentence because the same bald man who threatened her a few days ago suddenly turned his head her way and dashed towards her.

"Miss Li. What a coincidence to meet you here!" The bald man greeted her with a broad smile, but anyone could tell by how much he sweated just how long he had stood under the sunlight. Coincidence? Fat chance.

Li Caiyi glanced around subtly, and after making sure few people would see if this man suddenly kidnapped her, she replied vigilantly. "Uncle? What business do you have with me?"

"Ah, I know this is sudden, but please don't be alarmed. I swear I have no bad intentions."

"Then can you please make way for me? I'm actually in a hurry."

Lin Xiang quickly blocked her way when she tried to walk around him. Then he took off his sunglasses and stared pleadingly at her.

"Miss Li, can you spare me some of your time? I need to ask you about something."

"Uncle, you didn't even listen to me when I asked you for a favor. Why should I listen to you?"

Her comeback flustered Lin Xiang, who was at a loss for words to say. He appeared so out of place, like he wasn't used to this, enough to make Li Caiyi feel pity for him.

"What do you need me for? Please make it quick."

The man's eyes immediately brightened. "Thank you! I wanted to ask you whether or not you see my ring?"

"A ring?"

Lin Xiang made a gesture with his hand as he explained. "It was about this size, with a white gem on it. Silver-colored. I noticed I probably lost it at that dumpster, but when I returned to search, there was nothing."

There was no mistake. The ring he talked about was the exact ring she found back then. After some time, she completely forgot about it, but she should still keep it in the same bag she used today.

Li Caiyi smiled inwardly, feeling that this must be the chance heaven granted for her.

"Well, I might see it or not see it." Li Caiyi tested the water first by replying ambiguously.

Lin Xiang's corner of his mouth twitched before he took a deep breath. "Miss Li, I apologize for my bad manners the other day. I was in such a hurry that we couldn't finish our conversation well."

"Then how about we continue where we left off?"

"Didn't you say you are in a hurry?"

Li Caiyi thought for a bit before deciding that Li Chunhua would be fine even if she got there a little late. Her sister was already comfortable with the psychiatrist and the staff; she would be fine even if Li Caiyi wasn't there.

On the other hand, this rare chance wouldn't come twice.

"That can wait. Uncle, you understand what I'm trying to talk about, right?"

Lin Xiang averted his eyes, looking extremely conflicted. "Do you still want me to take you to Zhiqiang's place?"

"Yes! I know you'll understand quickly. If you agree to help me, I will help you find your ring. I might remember seeing something like that before."

Honestly, Li Caiyi couldn't understand what was so hard about her request. Whether Lin Xiang purposely made it difficult or was there something more they hid, she had to find out.

"Uncle, you mentioned Dai Zhiqiang's family the other day, so you should have known his circumstances pretty well. His father is sick, and his younger brother is one of my best friends. How can I face them while hiding that my boyfriend probably can be in danger anytime for them? And I'm already very pitiful for being neglected so much by my boyfriend…."

Lin Xiang grew more flustered because Li Caiyi's eyes moistened with tears. He couldn't let her cry, or who knows what Dai Zhiqiang would do to him!

"Miss Li, please don't cry! I understand your difficult position and will consider your offer in a positive light. I beg you, please don't cry."

Li Caiyi pretended to dab her tears with the corner of his sleeve while trying hard not to smirk.

If there was a very important lesson she had learned from her past life, it was that girls needed to know how to make use of their tears.

Burdened by her earnest gaze, Lin Xiang sighed in defeat. "I probably will get killed for this, but if that will refresh your memory about that ring, let's make a deal."

Li Caiyi almost wanted to jump in excitement, but she feigned a calm expression and nodded in agreement. "I'm glad we can reach a mutual understanding on this. Thank you, Uncle."

"You don't need to thank me. But I hope you won't blame Zhiqiang that much. That necklace you wore? I was there when he bought it for you. And I had never seen him looking that serious before, even when working. He thought about you that much."