Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

*Knock knock*

"Guiying?"

Guiying heard Zixin's soft voice from outside her room as she calmed down her erratic breaths. "Yes?"

"Are you okay, Guiying? I was passing by when I heard a sharp gasp. Can you please open the door?"

There was urgency in his voice. Guiying opened the door and looked into his concerned gaze. Zixin widened his eyes, surprised. "Were you crying? Your eyes look red."

"Ugh no…"

"Don't lie," his eyes then narrowed. "Let me check on you. Are you hurt anywhere?"

She shook her head. She let him inside and gently closed the door behind him. "I just happened to take a nap."

He tipped his head sideways, still not understanding the reason behind her tear-stained eyelashes.

"I had a strange dream. It was actually a happy one. You know, I met myself. I mean 'her.' It was the first time I talked to 'her' like a separate person. It was a nice place. We walked and I talked. 'She' mostly just listened to me and scolded me as usual."

"But?"

Her shoulders dropped at a downward angle. "I am not sure. At the end, it felt strange when the dream was breaking apart and 'she' was disappearing. I don't know if it was my imagination but I couldn't make out if 'her' smile was a happy or a sad one. It made me feel anxious. Plus, these days 'she' doesn't talk to me so often. 'She' hardly comes out…"

Zixin nodded in understanding. "You miss her."

"Indeed," Guiying's gaze flickered with an unknown emotion. "These days, 'she' feels distant to me. I don't know if I did something wrong."

"You did nothing wrong," he immediately said.

Her eyes welled and her voice broke, "...I don't know. I feel heavy and uncomfortable in my chest. 'She' is there, yet I feel 'she' isn't."

A sudden gush of loneliness tore her heart thinking of 'her' mixed smile in the dream.

Zixin anxiously wiped her eyes. "Please don't cry. It was just a dream. Everything is fine."

She sniffled. "I am sorry for crying for such a silly thing."

"Nothing is silly if it makes you feel hurt and in pain," he then asked as he thought of something, "You should eat. You must be hungry."

"I am not really feeling hungry-"

Zixin seriously cut her off. "I won't let you sleep in hunger."

He dragged her out of her room and made her sit on the chair at the dining table.

"Did everybody else already have dinner?"

"Yes. We figure you must be tired so we didn't wake you up."

She felt embarrassed. "I am really sorry for not being here."

"You don't have to be sorry. It's nothing unusual. The twins sometimes eat separately in their room too."

Zixin made sure that she had a filling dinner. To get some fresh air, they took a walk outside in the garden. They headed back inside after thirty minutes and Zixin suggested she go to sleep early tonight.

"I don't think I feel sleepy."

He thought for a moment and said, "I will help you."

She blinked. "How?"

"I will pay your head till you feel sleepy. If you want, I will sing for you too."

"..."

She looked away for a moment, imagining Zixin singing a song. She suddenly had an urge to listen to his singing voice.

"Will you really sing a song for me?" She asked expectantly.

Zixin nodded hard. "I will do anything for you. If you want, I will dance for you too."

She coughed. "I am fine with singing for now."

Guiying sat on the bed, waiting for him but he simply frowned. "You should lie on the bed. I am here to make you fall asleep."

She took off her slippers and was made to lie back on the bed. Zixin took his seat on a chair beside her. He cleared his throat and began to sing.

Surprisingly, Guiying found his voice to be very melodious. The soft hum in his tone was gentle and pleasing to hear akin to the beautiful melody of a waterfall. Usually, the notes as he would speak would always feel deep and husky. The contrast was so refreshing that Guiying felt she could hear his voice forever and never get tired.

The song ended and Guiying clapped hard. "That was really unexpected. I really didn't think you would have such a good voice."

Zixin tilted his head. "Really?"

"Yes! I loved it. I mean, you could have definitely made a career in singing if you had gotten professional training."

Seeing her small face light up with stars and smile made his face shine too. His gaze softened. "I am glad you like it. Do you feel sleepy?"

"Not yet. It will take a few more songs to feel drowsy. But you don't have to take the trouble."

Mischief set in Zixin's gaze as a thought came across his mind. "I will sing as many songs as you want. But I have an idea to make them more effective."

"What?"

"How about I lie beside you and then sing? You will fall asleep faster if you hear my voice closer to your ears."

"..."

"You…"

Shameless! I know the trick you are trying to pull!

"I only have the best and the purest intentions," he looked at her solemnly.

Guiying controlled the urge to roll her eyes. Before she could protest, Zixin sneaked onto the bed beside her, almost causing her heart to stop beating. His chest was suddenly up front. Her once calm breaths turned ragged in the matter of seconds.

"I think this is the optimal distance."

Her brow twitched hard seeing the negligible gap between them. Their chests almost bumped into each other.

Is this even considered to be distance? She seriously questioned.

His warm breath that kissed her forehead made her stiffen. She felt his face leaning closer and closer until he dropped his husky voice next to her ear.

"Shall I start with the next song?"