Rebirth: Once Again With You

"How many times do I have to tell you? I don't want to go!"

Shao Jingfei's annoyed voice invited curious glances from his classmates. He felt uncomfortable so he walked out with an awkward smile.

"Brother, I only called you to ask how the old man is doing. I will hang up now."

"Wait! Jingfei, can you just listen to the words of advice for once?" Shao Junfei's troubled voice could be heard from the phone.

Shao Jingfei scoffed. "All I could hear is you trying to tell me what to do with my life. Yeah, I owe the Shao family for raising me, but I pay it back with my service, don't I? I even got out of the house to keep the peace within the household. I'm just an illegitimate child so stop pushing your family matter to me."

"Jingfei, you are part of our family. You have our father's blood run in your veins."

"Yeah, and that's the only reason why I'm in this mess right now." Shao Jingfei said in a ridiculing tone. "I won't ask for anything so let's not bother each other's life, alright?"

"Don't be stubborn. This is all for your well-being too."

"I can take care of myself just fine. I don't need you to patronize me. And, you don't have any right to say that to me, none of you do."

"....Is there nothing I can do to change your mind? You just have to meet the person mother had arranged for you and everything would be settled."

"Are we in ancient times or something? I'm still in high school for god's sake! This matchmaking is ridiculous! Don't you think so too?"

"Jingfei, I also started to meet my current fiance around your age. It's important to build trust from an early age. I have seen your prospect and I don't think she is a bad choice. You will lose nothing by agreeing to meet her once."

"What do you mean I'll lose nothing? I feel like my sanity is being tested here!" Shao Jingfei retorted. "Anyway, I will not go through with Madam's plan, and that's final. If you keep pestering me like this, I will cut contact with you too, just like I did with the old man!"

"Jingfei—"

Shao Jingfei hung up the call before Shao Junfei could say any word. He massaged his throbbing temple with a scrunched face. "I really can't understand why that woman is very pushy about this. This is too suspicious."

Being the living proof of her husband's infidelity, there was no way Madam Shao would treat him nicely. Shao Jingfei didn't blame her, but that didn't mean he would let her do anything she pleased. All that talk about everything for his well-being was an utter joke.

"Ah, shit. This put me in a foul mood." Shao Jingfei grumbled with a dark face.

There was no place for him in that house, so he voluntarily left when he saw his chance, but these people were pushing it. It convinced him that Madam Shao must have another plan for him. And from his experience, it spelled trouble.

"As if I'll fall for that."

Shao Jingfei put his phone in airplane mode, before returning to his classroom.

***

After school ended, Li Caiyi waited for Li Chunhua in front of her classroom. She could feel people's gaze on her, but she tried not to think much of it. It didn't take long before Li Chunhua walked out of the classroom. She looked pleasantly surprised to see Li Caiyi.

"Xiaoyi! Why are you here? Dai Zhiqiang is absent today, you know."

"I know. I came here to see you."

Li Chunhua became happier when she heard that. She playfully hung around her sister's arm. "I'm so glad! It's been a while since we went out together. What about when we go to the cafe? There is this newly-opened place with a lot of good reviews near here."

Li Caiyi shook her head. "Unfortunately, I have something to do after this. I only come here to say a few things to you."

"Oh." Li Chunhua couldn't hide her disappointment. Her sister was as distant as always. She wondered if they really couldn't go back the way they were previously. "Do you need something from me?"

"I want to thank you. It was all thanks to your information that I began to suspect Lu Ruan. Also, I apologize for my bad attitude last time. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that."

Li Chunhua was stunned. "Just for that?"

"What do you mean just for that? When I couldn't confide about this to anyone, you stuck by my side and even took a risk for me. I really appreciated everything you did for me."

"Then, why did you get so angry with me? It hurts me, you know?" Li Chunhua pouted. "I thought you were angry because I'm too meddlesome."

"Lu Ruan hated both of us. If she knew that you were going around trying to dig for information about her, she might have harassed you too. Although, that doesn't excuse my behavior."

Li Chunhua put her hand in front of her chest, "Xiaoyi, I'm so moved! Thank goodness you didn't find me a nuisance. I was so bummed when you kicked me out, but it's okay now."

Li Caiyi smiled. "I will never think of you as a nuisance."

Li Chunhua blushed slightly. "Hehe, then you should give me a reward!"

"Sure, just tell me what you want."

"I want us to celebrate our birthday together! Let's have a party in our house!"

"A…party?" Li Caiyi echoed her with an unsure look. "Xiaohua, it's not like I don't want to celebrate it with you, but I already have another plan that day."

"No! You are the one who said I can ask anything I want!"

"I never said that."

"Details, whatever." Li Chunhua waved her hand. "I'm sure Mom will support this idea, and you can invite your friends too."

Li Caiyi gave the idea some thought. She seemed like she would refuse, so Li Chunhua quickly walked past her. "Then it's settled! I will tell Mom about this!"

"Xiaohua, wait! Don't run like that!"

"It's fine!" Li Chunhua laughed as she waved her goodbye.

It was an idea she thought on the spot, but she found herself excited for her birthday now. They had never celebrated it openly before.

Li Caiyi was usually against the idea of having a party, and it wasn't like Li Chunhua wanted to celebrate it with some random people. For her, her special day was supposed to be spent with her special people. She didn't need an outsider to wish her a happy birthday.

But now that she found a friend, she was thrilled to celebrate it with him. Li Caiyi would also be by her side, so this plan was like killing two birds with one stone!

Just imagining the happy scene brought a wide smile to her face.

"That's right! I should tell him about this. I'll show Xiaoyi that there is a much more suitable person for her!"

Brimming with enthusiasm, she sent a text to Meng Renshu.

[We will hold a birthday party next week. Make sure to pick the best present for her. I will be rooting for you! ;))].