Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

During the time 'Guiying' talked with Zixin, Guiying felt herself floating in a never-ending void. She dazedly looked left and right only to find nothing. Strange black swirls and whorls confused her and she held her temple in a disarray.

She heard some mumbling and talking, but she couldn't pinpoint the source of it. She thought what she felt like Zixin and 'her' talking, but she couldn't make out the words they spoke. It all felt gibberish to her.

What is happening…

Why am I not able to hear them?

She recognized the dark abyss where she was in. It was the same endless void where she would stay until 'Guiying' was out in her body acting as Cai Guiying. Similarly, 'Guiying' would stay here when it was the other way around.

But today, the place emanated a strange presence. Guiying placed her palm on her chest, feeling breathless.

What was the last thing that happened?

Guiying sorted her memory and it struck her. She had confessed her answer to Zixin, so it was possible that 'Guiying' took over to confess 'her' side as well.

Apprehension set inside Guiying as she clutched her dress. She wanted 'Guiying' to say her real feelings to Zixin and not hide away and hurt him again.

Will everything be alright?

The worry only heightened as she couldn't make out what was going on outside either. She only hoped that 'Guiying' would clear the misunderstanding between them and free Zixin of the guilt he was burdened with.

She kept waiting patiently in hopes to hear the good news. But as more time passed, a more disconcerting emotion caused a violent shaking of her body. She looked down and hugged herself to placate her pounding heart. As she lifted her gaze once again, she stepped back in surprise, seeing a blurry white apparition in front of her. It was in the shape of a woman, its image distorting like a broken TV set. Guiying blinked.

"Who are you…?"

Guiying questioned her which the figure didn't answer. The more she looked at her, the more she felt a strong familiarity with herself. Her eyes slightly widened and a soft gasp escaped her lips. "'You' are 'her' right?"

The apparition said nothing. But Guiying knew in her heart that it was 'her' only. She beamed and ran towards her. She moved her hand to hold 'hers' but it simply passed through. There wasn't any substance in 'Guiying' for her to be able to hug 'her' or hold 'her' hand.

She felt disappointed a bit but she let it go. "'You' came out to talk to Zixin, right? How did it go?" She anxiously asked with a nervous edge to her voice. "Strangely enough, I couldn't see or hear anything here. But everything is sorted now, right?"

'Guiying's' apparition didn't speak for a long time. But eventually, 'she' gave a small nod. 'Her' answer brightened the light in Guiying's eyes and every last strand of tension seeped out from her shoulders.

Zixin must be so happy now…

She saw 'Guiying' lift her hand up towards her face. 'Her' was devoid of any facial features like eyes, nose and lips, yet Guiying strongly felt 'her' gaze staring at her.

"Everything…is sorted out. That's why…it's my time to leave."

"Hm? What are you talking about?"

"I didn't wish to face you before disappearing. I told Zixin the same thing. I wanted to be a coward. But…I couldn't."

Guiying frowned. "Why are you talking so cryptically today? And don't talk ominous things about disappearing and all. You will scare me, you know?"

"You don't have to be afraid anymore. Zixin will be beside you forever. You don't need me anymore. My responsibilities towards you come to an end here, Guiying. You are now free."

At first, Guiying thought 'she' was joking, but 'her' eerie words brought a sense of dread in her heart. "What are you-"

"I don't have much time. I am disappearing from within you forever. You will now be solely Cai Guiying and you will love Zixin the way you are. I enjoyed being with you, Guiying. There were some dark days and there were some happy days. I am glad to see this world and experience all sorts of feelings and emotions. I am just another personality, something unseen. But I got to live my own life through your body however for a short time it was. You grew into an amazing woman, Guiying."

Guiying stared at her, the realization dawning upon her like poison. "You cannot be serious…Where…Where are you leaving? Why?"

The apparition distorted further and the dark abyss seemed to gradually collapse. "I am leaving to just let you be Cai Guiying. How everything was originally supposed to be. I am an outlier that isn't supposed to exist in this world in this first place. So I will gracefully accept the end that awaits me."

"No!!"

Guiying urgently tried once again to hold her hand or make any kind of physical contact with her, but 'her' figure only kept dissipating. "Wh-why are you doing this to me!?"

She burst into tears as the realization of the final goodbye evoked nausea within her. "I-I don't want you to leave! I-Is it because I got mad at you today? Please, please forgive me for it. 'You' know me, don't you? I didn't mean anything bad by it!"

'She' said nothing and 'her' silence only reinforced 'her' decision.

The once sparkling eyes lost their radiance only to look like two soulless orbs. "'You'...why do 'you' want to leave my side as well? Like my parents at first, then Bro and then Zhan Yahui…Haven't I lost enough dear ones already…? Why would 'you' do this to me?"

'She' stayed silent and hurt. Guiying's tears were the reason why 'she' didn't wish to face her.

"Because I cannot live a life like this, Guiying. If you ever respected me as a person then please…I urge you to also respect my feelings that I cannot accept living a life as a second woman. You and Zixin are meant for each other. I don't have a place in that relationship nor do I want it even if I might love him. Tell me Guiying. Who is Zixin supposed to love? You or me? Who is he supposed to marry? Both of us? Who is he supposed to make love with? Both of us? Who would be the mother of his child? Both of us?"

Guiying felt stumped.

"These are very difficult questions. I am sorry Guiying. I cannot accept living a twisted life as such. I cannot see Zixin dividing his love between us and not because I am possessive but I understand that it was always supposed to be you and you only. I don't want you to share any of your rights with me either because that would be unfair.

And lastly, I don't wish to burden you two into accepting me. There can never be a place for a third person in a relationship. Zixin and I can only be good friends, but I cannot be his friend at the same time as you would be his wife. We cannot have two different relationships with Zixin with the same body."

Guiying trembled hard.

"That's why I am leaving. Not because you don't need me to protect you anymore but to let you two live in peace and happiness. You might miss me for sometime. You will cry. You will feel lonely, but eventually you will move on. Time will make sure of that. Time heals all the wounds."

'Guiying's' figure began to dissipate in the dark space as it crumbled further. Small star-like glitters rose up in the air as 'her' body disintegrated.

"Don't…Don't go…Please don't go…" Guiying broke down, trying to cling on to her.

'Guiying' smiled though it wasn't visible. "Always be happy, Guiying. I love you a lot. Thank you for everything."