Rebirth: Once Again With You

'I don't care at all, but it will be bad if this girl distracts him too much from his work. Jingfei is Xiaoyi's editor, after all. I can't let their relationship hinder my sister's work!'

Li Chunhua convinced herself repeatedly to prevent herself from chickening out and went home right that instant.

She was currently standing in the alleyway near Shao Jingfei's cafe, with her head poking out from behind the wall. The sun shone above her head, so she wore a broad hat and black sunglasses to cover her head and face.

After ending her call with Shao Jingfei, she quickly changed and bolted out of the house as soon as possible. But when she arrived near the cafe, she finally realized how stupid her action was.

"Even if we are friends, I don't think this is right." Li Chunhua mumbled, trying to reason with herself. However, she couldn't move a step from where she stood.

Shao Jingfei's words kept bouncing in her mind. He was supposed to go out with a woman who was very important to him. Suffice to say, this woman must be someone he loved dearly.

Li Chunhua always had this impression that Shao Jingfei liked to work more than spend his time dating, so the news was very unexpected. She was very curious about the identity of this mysterious woman who stole his heart.

'But why do I care so much about this? Whatever he does with other people is not my business.'

Li Chunhua thought about it and finally concluded that it was because she was worried this woman would give a bad influence on Shao Jingfei. If she was the type that demanded too much of his time, then wouldn't it be very inconvenient for her sister?

While busy with her thoughts, Shao Jingfei walked out of the cafe. His outfit usually leaned more toward a casual style, but today he looked very neat, with a white shirt and jeans. He even had his hair combed to the back, exposing his forehead.

"Look at him. He is clearly trying to impress someone by going out like that. Hmph, it's not like he looks any different than usual. What a waste of effort." Li Chunhua huffed in disapproval.

Sneakily so he wouldn't notice, Li Chunhua followed him closely from behind. He stopped a taxi, so she did the same.

"Uncle, follow the taxi in front of you. Quickly! I won't pay you if you lose sight of it!"

"O-okay, Miss."

Li Chunhua thought that he would go straight to the date spot, but apparently, he took his time and stopped by a flower shop first. She sneered inwardly.

"Oho? How come I never knew he was such a romantic person? That thick-headed, nosy guy with zero delicacy?"

It would be bad if he found out she was following him, so Li Chunhua stayed in the car until he finally came out with a bouquet of sunflowers in his hand. She then commented how he had no taste in flowers before telling the driver to follow him again.

Li Chunhua didn't feel good about this. That serious and calm-looking Shao Jingfei was very different from the one she knew.

'Is he only showing this side to that woman? Because she is his 'important' one?'

There was that dull ache in her chest again. By now, she could tell that this discomfort was probably not because of her medicine but something else. However, she hadn't finished her thought when she realized where they were.

"Uncle, isn't this road heading away from the city's center?"

"Yeah, I suppose so. But I'm only following the taxi in front of us, just like you said."

The city's center was always bustling with life and had a lot of famous dating spots. Li Chunhua was sure he would head there today, but she was apparently wrong.

"Strange. There aren't many places to go if he goes this way. Is this part of his date plan or something? I wonder if he knows what he's doing."

Li Chunhua had no idea what he was thinking but was curious nonetheless.

Fifteen minutes later, the taxi finally stopped. Li Chunhua almost couldn't believe what she saw.

"Isn't this… a cemetery?"

"That's right, Miss. It seems your boyfriend is not having an affair, after all. Good for you."

"Huh? What are you talking about, Uncle? He is not my boyfriend!"

The driver wasn't prepared for her outburst, so he scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Ah, really? I thought you were following him because you wanted to catch him red-handed."

Li Chunhua had no time to deal with the driver, so she quickly paid him and left. All while considering what he had told her so far.

[I have a date today.]

[She is the most important woman in my life.]

There was a sinking feeling inside her when she thought about a particular possibility, so she hastened her pace while looking around for Shao Jingfei.

When she finally found him, she regretted following him here.

Shao Jingfei stood in front of a grave with a bouquet of sunflowers in front of it. He had a profound and somber expression on his face. Li Chunhua need not ask to know what he felt at the moment.

She quickly hid behind the nearby tree before he spotted her. Shao Jingfei probably wouldn't like it if someone had come and interrupted him at the moment.

It wasn't her intention to eavesdrop, but since the tree position wasn't too far from where he stood, she could hear what he said clearly.

"Mom, how are you?"

It was only a sentence, but Li Chunhua could hear the tremble in his voice. She felt like she shouldn't be here, but he probably would find her if she came out of her hiding now.

"I brought your favorite sunflower again this year. You have always liked sunflowers, haven't you?"

'His words were akin to a slap to Li Chunhua's face. She felt terrible for talking badly about sunflowers and everyone who liked them before.

"I'm sorry for not coming here so often recently. There is so much work for me to do. But I will never forget our promise to celebrate my birthday together every year."

Li Chunhua was surprised and almost exposed herself when she heard that.

'Today is his birthday? Then, today is also his mother's death anniversary?'

From behind the tree, she saw Shao Jingfei light the candle on top of the cake. It was small and decorated with cream in the shape of a sunflower.

'When did he prepare that? I didn't notice the cake at all. Did he make that himself?' Li Chunhua thought and felt her heart ache for him.

She wondered what was in his mind when he made that cake. Today was supposed to be a happy day, but he celebrated it alone in front of his mother's grave.

No matter how you look at it, he was just too pitiful. Li Chunhua almost couldn't bear to see it.

Her questions were left unanswered, and she watched how he tried to keep a wide smile on his face as he said, "Then, shall we start our party?"