Rebirth: Once Again With You

Li Caiyi had to blink her eyes several times to ensure her eyes did not play tricks on her. However, it did not seem the case because she could see Dai Shenqiang standing there leaning his back against the gate wall and watching the passing students as clear as day.

Why would he be here now? Was he waiting for Dai Zhiqiang? Hasn't he heard from him yet about those loan sharks roaming around the street, waiting for them?

Li Caiyi pulled her arms from Li Chunhua's grip and ran over to the boy. She had to make sure everything was okay.

Dai Shenqiang also quickly noticed her and sighed in relief when he knew Li Caiyi did not avoid him this time.

"Caiyi, you are here."

"What are you doing here? Don't you know our school's area is dangerous?"

Dai Shenqiang had heard from his brother, so he immediately figured out what she meant. He gave her a knowing smile before answering. "It's okay. I used a mouse path that not many people knew to reach here. My brother told me about it before."

His explanation did not put Li Caiyi at ease because she got to be the first witness of Dai Shenqiang's sorry state after those loan sharks had their way with him. She frowned in disapproval.

"Even so, how can you waltz your way around here, knowing well there are dangers everywhere? This can't do. You should go to your brother now—no, wait, let me call him here." Li Caiyi was about to take out her phone when she realized she did not have Dai Zhiqiang's phone number.

"Shenqiang, can you tell me—"

"Wow, is he your friend, Xiaoyi?"

A sweet and cheerful voice came from her side. Li Caiyi jerked her head to the side and saw Li Chunhua scrutinizing Dai Shenqiang curiously.

'Oh crap, I totally forgot about her,' Li Caiyi cursed herself inwardly.

Meanwhile, Dai Shenyang was astonished to meet someone who bore a striking resemblance to his savior. He doubted he could tell them apart if not for Li Caiyi's glasses and ponytail. He instinctively knew that the girl who had just come was Li Caiyi's blood relative, so he quickly flashed a polite smile.

"I'm Caiyi's friend. My name is Dai Shenqiang. It's a pleasure to meet you," he said as he outstretched his hand for a handshake.

Li Chunhua's eyes widened slightly before she smiled brightly, like a sun. "I'm Li Chunhua, Xiaoyi's twin sister. Nice to meet you too," she said as he clasped Dai Shenqiang's hand. Her long eyelashes fluttered bashfully when she looked up at the boy, making her look more charming.

Dai Shenqiang was at a loss for words. He had seen many girls before, but he had never met someone as beautiful as Li Chunhua.

Li Caiyi was, of course, beautiful too, but the vibe they gave off was completely different. If Li Chunhua could be described as a vibrant peony, then Li Caiyi was a pure lily. Both were beautiful, and seeing them standing side by side was just a feast for sore eyes.

Li Caiyi, who witnessed their exchange, had a complicated smile on her face.

Li Chunhua finally met with Dai Shenqiang. Li Caiyi still could not say for sure if he were the Shen Qiang she was looking for, and considering how protective Li Chunhua was to her, she had nothing but a bad feeling about this.

Li Caiyi cleared her throat. "Xiaohua, I'm sorry, but I need to talk to him about something. Can you please leave us first?"

Li Chunhua's eyes dimmed. She smiled sadly. "Can't I stay here? I won't be a bother to you."

"This is very important. I can't talk about it with you here."

"But you promised me we would go home together today. It's been a while…."

Li Caiyi sighed in exasperation. "Xiaohua, it's not like today will be our last day. We can still go home together tomorrow."

Li Chunhua lowered her eyes with an aggrieved look on her face. Looking at her, Dai Shenqiang felt somehow guilty because he knew Li Caiyi was ditching her sister for him.

He came here today to talk with Li Caiyi about her strange behavior last time. Her reaction bothered her, and Dai Zhiqiang also gave him an earful of scolding after that, so he wanted to apologize if he made a mistake.

He did not think that his sudden arrival today might disturb her schedule.

"Uhm, Caiyi. Actually, we can talk on another day. It seems you already have a prior appointment too, so I'll just return next time."

"Don't!"

Before Li Caiyi had a chance to reply, Li Chunhua had exclaimed while grabbing on Dai Shenqiang's arm. Both of them were surprised, and Li Chunhua took a step back embarrassedly when she realized what she was doing.

"I mean, you don't have to. Xiaoyi and I can walk together next time. I don't want to disturb you guys," she said with a lowered head. Dai Shenqiang felt even more guilty now.

"No, it's okay. What I need to talk to her about isn't that important. It can wait for another day."

"Really?" Li Chunhua looked up reluctantly with watery eyes. The glaze on her eyes reflected the sunlight, making it more sparkly. Dai Shenqiang gulped nervously.

"Y-yes. So don't worry and have fun with your sister."

"Yay! I'm so happy. You are very kind, Shenqiang! I'd love it if you could become my friend. Xiaoyi's friend is my friend too, after all. Can I have your contact information?"

Dai Shenqiang did not mind, so he quickly pulled out his phone from his pocket. Li Caiyi, who saw that, immediately alerted. She raised her hand in reflex and stopped him from giving his phone to Li Chunhua.

"Caiyi?" Dia Shenqiang looked at her in confusion.

Meanwhile, Li Chunhua's face turned several shades darker when she saw Li Caiyi voluntarily hold the boy's hand. She had not even done that to Li Junjie and Meng Renshu. Since when did she become so bold?

However, her facial expression quickly reverted to a normal one. Unfortunately, Li Caiyi did not miss that slight change.

"Xiaoyi, what are you doing? Why are you stopping him?"

"I should be the one asking you. Why are you asking him for his contact? What are you planning this time?"

Li Chunhua was shocked by her accusation and bit her lips with a wronged expression. "I just want to befriend your friend. Am I not allowed even that?"

Dai Shenqiang, who did not know about these girls' side stories, could only look at this scene as Li Caiyi being too harsh on her sister, so he gently retracted his hand from hers.

"Caiyi, it's okay. I don't mind at all, and I'd love to get to know your sister as well. We all can become friends and hang out together next time."

Li Chunhua stared at Dai Shenqiang gratefully for a while before she glanced back at Li Caiyi hesitantly. Then, with a scared look resembling a small animal, she took a step backward. "As expected, I shouldn't. Xiaoyi hasn't given me her permission yet."

Dai Shenqiang was surprised. "Why would you need your sister's permission for that?"

"Th-that's…." Li Chunhua's eyes darted around uncomfortably as if she wanted to answer but could not.

Dai Shenqiang looked back at Li Caiyi, who kept her silent and realized for the first time that perhaps there was more to these siblings' relationship than what they let on.