Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

Where Jun and Ai were enjoying watching Su Lingxin and Xiong Hui's misery, Yating hadn't slept a wink for a few nights. Ever since Ai rejected him, he had lost all his will to do anything. Sometimes he felt why he was even alive anymore.

He had buried himself in work so much until dark circles formed under his eyes. He hadn't gone back home in days.

The door opened, and he heard footsteps coming in.

"Yating! Are you still working? Gosh, what's wrong with you? Zhan Yahui told me you are working like some madman."

Yating stiffened.

It was Guiying who came to check on him. He slowly lifted his gaze and watched her staring at him with dissatisfaction. Her hands were on her waist indignantly.

"What are you doing with yourself? Why are you working so damn hard? Give it a rest!"

She put down a paper bag with his lunch and sat on a chair opposite him. "Close your laptop right now and eat. Just look at your ghostly face!"

Yating remembered the New Year's night as clear as day.

'She was always there, Gu Yating. Guiying was always there because she loves you.'

He clenched his fist and lowered his gaze.

Guiying sighed. "I came back from vacation and this is what I came to know as soon as I am back? What's wrong, Yating?"

"Nothing," he coldly retorted.

She folded her arms and narrowed her eyes. "You cannot fool me. I have known you less than I have known Ai, but I can still read you. You have never worked like this before. Like a monster. Something is definitely bothering you."

His eyelids softly trembled. He parted his lips to ask Guiying about her feelings for him. But he stopped himself.

'As for Guiying…you will know it when the time is right. But until then don't ask her anything. Please respect my wishes if you treat me as your friend.'

Ai, you are wrong. Guiying doesn't like me that way. I want to prove this to you. So, why aren't you letting me?

One question…if I just ask her one question, everything will be clear.

He clasped his hands together. He felt at a crossroads. On one hand, he genuinely wanted to keep his promise to Ai about not asking Guiying anything.

But on the other side, his relationship with Ai was in jeopardy too. Until Guiying's role wasn't cleared, Ai wouldn't believe him. She wouldn't accept his confession.

How can I let you go Ai…? I really love you so much.

His eyes once again stung in tears. But he didn't let Guiying see them.

He felt a soft hand on his. "Yating? You look so pale. You will fall sick like this. Let me take you home."

He was startled and quickly shook her hand off.

Guiying widened her eyes. "Hey! You didn't have to be so mean. I care about you."

Yating's expression turned icier. "I am fine. Don't touch me like that again."

Her jaw dropped. "Huh? Don't say as if I am a pervert! I am a respectable woman!" She harrumphed. "This is what I get for caring for a friend."

He let out a cold smile.

A friend. Do you really treat me as a friend?

Yating raised his head and faced her. He fixed his gaze on hers, his mind weighing his options.

"Guiying, can I ask you something?"

She curiously raised her brow. "Sure."

"Do you…do you like someone?"

Yating knew he shouldn't be asking this question to her. But he really couldn't stop himself.

I could at least ask if she likes someone without taking my name.

He expected her to shrug him off, but her reaction made his heart stop beating in his chest.

Guiying's cheeks flushed red, and she seemed to be fidgety. She tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear nervously, feeling a little shy. She was trying hard not to panic and show any ambiguous expression. But she was failing in it.

"You…" Yating felt a lump at the back of his throat.

This cannot be true.

"N-No! Where did this question suddenly pop up from? I don't like anyone."

She darted her gaze left and right, which was a clear sign that she was hiding something.

Yating's gaze got colder. If Ai was right, then that meant Guiying indeed had feelings for him. Him choosing Ai over her would hurt Guiying's feelings and their friendship too.

This…how did I not realize it? It's impossible! Guiying cannot like me!

But Yating couldn't ask anymore questions. He already half-broke his promise to Ai. Now asking the identity of her crush would only complicate things with Ai even more.

Guiying quickly picked her bag and got up. "Don't forget to eat your lunch and go home, okay? I…I will head back. I am tired." She shut the door and hastily left.

Yating could only stare ahead in a daze. He pressed his temples, feeling a headache coming. He clenched his fists, the temperature in the air dropping.

Ai…

—

Guiying slipped out of her heels and rushed in her bedroom, locking her door shut. She took a few deep breaths. She stood in front of the mirror and noticed her pink cheeks.

Damn, I was so nervous! Did Yating figure it out? Why did he suddenly ask that question?

No, no! How could he realize it? I haven't told it to anybody, not even to Ai or Zhan Yahui. It's my secret.

"Maybe he just asked it casually? But that was really sudden. For a moment, I was afraid if he came to know about my feelings…"

Guiying opened her cupboard and took out a small box from among a pile of clothes.

Opening its lid, she glanced through a few items in it. Mostly were cards and some were gifts from a certain fan.

She softly smiled and took out one of the cards. It held a beautiful pink cherry blossom between its folds. She had received this card a few years ago, so the flower had withered.

Nevertheless, she cherished it with all her heart.

The card read,

'Congratulations on winning the Best Fiction Award, CherryBlossom. I have become your loyal reader, and I will forever follow you. I am proud of you. Hope to see you win many more awards.

You like cherry blossoms, right? Please accept this flower as a token of my love for your work.

I am waiting for your next book.

Love,

MrPerfect.'

Guiying would always feel her heart skip a beat whenever she read this card. She didn't reveal about her crush for MrPerfect to anybody. He was just an anonymous reader, after all.

"It's weird if I tell them that I like my fan, right…? I have never seen him or even talked to him. People will laugh at me for being so silly," her shoulders slumped.

But a warm smile lifted her lips, thinking about him whose support always filled her heart with bliss and encouragement.

I hope we meet someday, MrPerfect.