Rebirth: Once Again With You

When she finally returned to the surface, Li Caiyi felt like she could breathe again.

Anyone who had claustrophobic tendencies probably would have cried if they had to walk past that dark tunnel. No, even an average person would freak out if they had to go through there alone. Li Caiyi was glad she had Detective Tang with her.

"You looked so relieved. Is Kong really that scary?" Detective Tang chuckled in amusement.

"No. Mr. Chu is a decent person. I just can't stand that dark and cramped tunnel."

"Well, you'll get used to it if you come here often."

Li Caiyi was silent for a moment before saying, "I have nothing against Mr. Chu, but I'd like it if I don't have to visit his place again."

"Hahaha, I knew you'd say that. Don't worry. I won't ask you to go there again unless necessary."

Detective Tang turned on the engine and took Li Caiyi home. Unlike the first time, there was no 'racing' session, so they reached her apartment relatively fast.

"Thanks for taking me home, Detective Tang."

"I should be the one to thank you. You have been nothing but cooperative so far."

"If there is any update regarding Mr. Chu's research, please tell me immediately."

"Of course. And I will also look into this stalker of yours. Don't ignore your gut feeling. Once you notice something is amiss, you must call me at once." Detective Tang said in a grim tone.

Li Caiyi nodded. "I'll do that. Come to think of it, did you especially dress up because we will meet Mr. Chu today?"

"Why would I dress up for him?" Detective Tang replied disdainfully. "I have an appointment after this, and that person is quite important. I can't look shabby in front of him."

Li Caiyi knew better not to ask further, so she kept her question to herself. "I see. Good luck with your appointment. I'll go inside now."

"Do you want me to come up with you? That stalker probably still roams around here."

"No. Up to here is fine." Li Caiyi refused politely.

"But I can't calm down. How about this? I'll wait here until you arrive in your room safely. Text me when you have entered your house and locked the door."

Li Caiyi chuckled at his protectiveness. Whether it was because he didn't want to lose his precious olive branch or not, his attentiveness still warmed her heart.

"Alright. Then, be careful on your way, Detective Tang."

"You too."

Li Caiyi got out of the car and went into her apartment building. She didn't let her guard down even after she arrived at the floor where her room was.

Then she saw someone standing in front of her house, making her flinch.

"Who is there?" She asked coldly while gripping her phone tightly, ready to call Detective Tang if necessary. Thank god she had put his number in her emergency call.

That figure turned around, and all the tension suddenly left her when she saw his face.

"Zhiqiang…"

"I kind of hope you will welcome me warmly, but it seems you don't like my presence here," Dai Zhiqiang chuckled.

Excluding the fact that Li Caiyi had met him in Ye Wang a few days ago, they hadn't officially met ever since the summer break started. Her longing for him had reached the maximum. So she couldn't stop herself from running to him and leaping into his embrace.

Dai Zhiqiang was unprepared, so he got pushed back a few steps. He stared at Li Caiyi in confusion.

Usually, Li Caiyi would avoid any kind of PDA with him, so he was surprised. Not that he complained, though.

"Caiyi?"

Meanwhile, Li Caiyi had a hard time calming down her raging emotion. The last few days she spent in worry and anxiety stressed her out. But those negative feelings disappeared as soon as she saw him.

Dai Zhiqiang had no idea what happened, but he wrapped his arms around her and patted her back gently without saying anything. And that was all she needed from him.

Li Caiyi closed her eyes and relished the warmth of his embrace. If only time could stop here.

Unfortunately, that tranquil moment was interrupted by the sound of her phone.

Li Caiyi checked on it and saw that Detective Tang had called her. She was so happy to see Dai Zhiqiang again after a while that she had completely forgotten about him.

"Wait, Zhiqiang. Let me take this phone first." Li Caiyi pushed him away gently before taking some distance from him to pick up the call.

Dai Zhiqiang's gaze lingered at her for a few moments before he shifted it to the parking lot below. His expression darkened slightly as he tapped on the railing several times with his fingers.

"Sorry to make you wait." Li Caiyi said behind her. He turned around, and his previous coldness had gone without a trace.

"It's okay. I bet it was an important call."

"Yes." Li Caiyi thought he would ask who it was, but he didn't. It puzzled her, but she soon forgot about it and invited him to her house.

"Come to think of it, this is the first time you've ever come to my house." Li Caiyi said in a mixture of excitement and bashfulness.

Dai Zhiqiang swept his gaze across her room and nodded approvingly. "You choose a good place. I felt bad because I wasn't here to help you move in."

"I had the moving service help me. And my friends were there to help me, so don't worry." Li Caiyi took his hand and pulled him to sit in the middle of the room.

"I wanted to put a couch, but then I thought it would take too much space."

Dai Zhiqiang sat on the floor covered with a soft white rug. This was the first time he had ever entered a girl's room. One glance, and he could see the vast difference it had with a boy's room.

Being inside the space where Li Caiyi spent most of her time made his heart race. This place was filled with a feminine smell, and he liked it. If he closed his eyes, he would surely fall asleep within a minute.

Li Caiyi hummed happily while making a drink for him. Having her boyfriend come over made her nervous but also equally put her in a good mood. She furtively glanced at him and found him staring at her bed. There was nothing special about her bed, though.

"What are you thinking?" Li Caiyi said while carrying two glasses of ice lemon tea.

"Ah, nothing." Dai Zhiqiang smiled at her while accepting the glass. "Come to think of it, where did you go today?"

There was no way she could tell Dai Zhiqiang she had just visited an underground laboratory of an eccentric researcher, so she quickly made up an excuse.

"I had some business with a friend of mine."

"Really? What kind?"

"Hm, it's hard to explain, but nothing for you to worry about." Li Caiyi scooted closer to him and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Why did you suddenly come here, though? If you had told me beforehand, I could have returned faster."