Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

Coming back to his own condo after dropping Ai back home, he sat on his couch. It was his dinner time and he was hungry, yet he didn't wish to eat anything.

He touched his lips in a stupor where he could still feel the light taste of chocolate lingering on them. Unconsciously, he licked his lips and swallowed the faint traces of chocolate in his mouth.

His stomach was rumbling with hunger, but he was afraid to lose the taste of Ai's handmade chocolate still present at the tip of his tongue. He wished to eat more of them.

Once again, her chocolates weren't perfect. In fact, it was a blend of sweetness and bitterness. Yet, he found it strangely addicting. Ever since Ai stepped into his life, the imperfections in things that she brought with her felt appealing and enjoyable.

His phone buzzed with a message, and he saw it was a message from Chyou.

'I am ready.'

A glint passed through his eyes. Yating had attacked Sky's systems, and Jun wanted his own revenge to drag Dream High down too.

When he thought about how Yating did it for Ai's sake, his body trembled in rage. He threatened him openly at the wedding anniversary banquet, and then attacked Sky - all because he wanted to protect Ai.

The feeling that another man fought for Ai didn't sit well with him because he knew how Yating felt about Ai. At least for now, he liked her though five years later, he would dump Ai.

But at this moment, Yating challenged Jun to protect the woman he loved.

His trembling fingers dug in his palms.

You are nobody to her. You have no right to fight for her…

Jun took a slow, deep breath and gave it a long thought.

He wanted to destroy Dream High for sure. It was the reason why Sky was led to its downfall.

But he thought that now wasn't the right time.

The Authors Summit is coming closer, he narrowed his eyes.

There were already tensions about Ai's name and reputation. He didn't want others to drag Ai unnecessarily between Sky and Dream High's war. He wasn't afraid of the keyboard warriors because he could shut them up with a snap of his finger.

But this was a crucial time for Ai to prove herself at the Summit. Any tension in Dream High or Sky would inevitably affect her concentration too, and Jun wanted her to give her very best.

Jun typed.

'Don't do anything. For now.'

Chyou's reply came a minute later. 'Sure?'

'Hundred percent.'

Jun sneered.

Once Ai comes to Sky, I will have all the time in the world to deal with Dream High. Slowly but surely.

—

Liu villa.

"Jiaaaan~~"

Jian, who was grinning to himself while texting his girlfriend Leina, made an annoyed face.

His twin jumped upon him with a wide smile on his face. Jian narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?"

"Aww, you know me so well~"

"Is this about the mysterious woman you met that evening?"

Nian coughed. "Yes."

"Hey, you created that mess. You solve it on your own!" He snorted.

"You are my twin! We are supposed to help each other! Don't make me remind you just how many times I disguised myself as you to suffer Uncle Xu's wrath! You made some pretty good use of our same faces."

Jian cleared his throat in embarrassment.

He harrumphed. "Anyway. Do you remember Zhou Ai?" His gaze darkened.

"How can I forget the woman who jabbed popsicles in our mouths?" He chuckled.

He burst into tears. "She…she murdered my sweets today!"

"Ah?"

Nian sobbingly told him the entire story, and Jian only laughed like crazy. "Oh…oh my God…That's hilarious! Ah, how I wish I was there," he lamented.

"Shut up!" Nian glared at him. He reigned his anger and continued. "The point is that she told me to confess my mistake and apologize to Xing Bi."

"Xing Bi?"

Nian grinned. "It's her name. Even the name is so cute. Just like her."

"So cheesy," Jian sneered.

He rolled his eyes. "As if you are any less cheesy with Leina. So where was I? Yes! I feel that Ai is right. So, I have decided to do as she says."

"Cool. Good luck."

"What good luck!? I need your help! I have planned to apologize to her on Valentine's Day. She works in Dream High as an editor, and there is going to be an Author Summit on 14th Feb. She is going to be there."

Jian was taken aback in surprise. "Isn't Dream High Sky's rival? Interesting."

He shrugged. "Yup. Well, that's where she works."

"So what do you need me for?"

Nian scratched his chin. "You see. I will do my best. But she was quite…quite furious. I am not sure if she would really forgive me or strangle my neck. So, I need you to back me up in case I fail to appease her, hehe. Butter her up for me please~"

Jian widened his eyes. "Dude, are you crazy? It's Valentine's Day. I have plans with Leina."

Nian grabbed his arm and begged him. "Jian, please! You have to do this for me! Just once! I really need your help!" He cried. "You atleast have a girlfriend! I can kiss my beautiful love life goodbye if I fail!"

Jian shrugged off his arm. "Nope. My plans with Leina are fixed. She will kill me and dig my grave if I cancel our plans."

"I will talk to her-"

"Don't even think about it," he warned. "You have no idea just how I passed her Trial of Judgment by hair's breadth," he sweated. "She was pretty mad. If I screw Valentine's Day, I will kiss MY love life goodbye."

Nian felt extremely aggrieved. "You…you! You have no place for your brother anymore! Fine then! I will ask Jun-"

"He will throw you out before you get to complete your sentence. He must definitely have plans with Shui too."

"..."

"Then my lovely sister Nuo! She will definitely help her big brother!"

Jian chuckled. "Forget about it. Obviously, she has plans with Siying too. Plus, it's their first Valentine's as a couple. No way she will come with you."

"..."

"But I need a backup! I know!" His eyes gleamed.

Just at that moment, Jin stepped in. "Bro Jian, here is your-"

"Jiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnn!" Nian hopped into his brother's hug. "My sweetest brother of all! My cutest brother of all!"

Jin stared at him and then turned to leave. "I am not-"

"No, no!" Nian grabbed his elbow and dragged him back. "You are the only single sibling available right now. You have to come! That's my order as the eldest brother! You will come to the Author Summit with me! That's final!"

—

On the day before 14th, Ai could feel her heart hammering in her chest, thinking of the important day to come.

Tomorrow…

She clenched her fists and took a deep breath. Her phone buzzed with several messages. Dream High wanted to meet all their authors before the Summit would begin tomorrow, especially Guiying and Ai.

But Ai declined all their requests. She refused to step into Dream High, especially since the Authors' Summit was just tomorrow. She thought back to her past life.

I got sick after returning from Dream High and couldn't participate in the Summit anymore. I won't do anything to jeopardize it this time, her eyes narrowed with determination.

I have to win tomorrow's Summit. I will win the Summit.