Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

A few days later, it was Chyou and Yin's first appointment with the doctor and psychologist who would be helping Yin combat his addiction. Since Yin was a big A-listed star, the matters were kept extremely private. Rumors could spread if it would be out that Yin was seen frequenting the hospital.

Dr. Zhong smiled. "Rest assured, Mr. Cheng, Miss. Zhu. Fighting addiction is difficult and it requires a lot of encouragement and mental strength. But as your doctor, I will guide you every step of the way."

Yin gratefully thanked him. "I really appreciate it, Dr. Zhong."

They left his office with Chyou immediately hopping to hug him. She whispered, her chest overwhelmed with pride. "I am so proud of you, Yin. You were so great."

She squished his cheeks and pecked it. "I love you."

Yin grinned and kissed her forehead. "It's all because of you, Chyou. I wouldn't have come this far if not for you."

Instead of hurriedly leaving the hospital, they decided to take a stroll outside. It was a small but pleasant garden with not many people to disturb them.

"Chyou, can I ask something?" He asked with a trace of doubt.

"Sure."

"Is it alright if I meet your parents after I manage to curb my addiction?"

Her eyes slightly widened but she kept listening.

"I know your family wants to meet me. I also wish to meet them and properly introduce myself. But...it would be pathetic if I go there while still being an addict. Which family would like to give their daughter's hand to such a man? So I thought a lot and felt that it would be only proper to greet them once I am clean."

"Yin..." her eyes ached with his thoughtfulness.

"I feel sorry that they would have to wait some time for it but..."

She shook her head and squeezed his hand. "You don't have to be sorry, Yin. It really makes me happy to know that you care so much about me. If that's how you feel, then I support you. Don't worry about my family. I will talk to them and make them understand."

Yin brightened. "You are the best, Chyou."

She chuckled with a small tear wetting her eyelash. "It's because you are the best."

--

Yating exhaled a deep breath as he stood at some distance from the restaurant where Ma Dong worked. His hands were trembling inside his pockets and his shaky breaths couldn't stabilize no matter how much he tried. He remembered Chyou's words and tried to bring courage and confidence in himself.

I can do this. She is right. I need to talk to him.

He lifted his gaze and saw Ma Dong stepping out of the restaurant. He was busy managing the board sign at the door, presumably writing the special menu for the day.

Okay, this is it.

Yating made up his mind and crossed the road towards the restaurant.

Ma Dong, who was hanging the board, felt footsteps from behind him. Thinking it to be some customer, he turned with a pleasant smile. "Good morning. Welcome to-"

He froze at Yating's sight. His lips remained parted at the same position in shock.

"...Hey," Yating said after much laborious effort. He had an urge to just turn on his feet and walk away, never to see Ma Dong again.

But I promised Chyou, he reminded himself.

Ma Dong pressed his lips hard. He tried to lift his lips into a smile. "Hey…Are you here to eat?"

"No. Actually…" he cleared his throat, "I-I came to…I was wondering if we could talk."

Ma Dong's expression tensed up further. He looked aside and glanced at the manager who was busy at the cash counter.

"I don't think we can…I am on my shift right now so…" he said with a hoarse voice.

That was enough of a signal for Yating to understand that perhaps Ma Dong didn't wish to talk to him. Maybe the shift was just a convenient excuse.

He closed his eyes for a moment and opened them again. "I understand, Dong. This is difficult and awkward for both of us. But I really…need to talk to you."

He stiffened.

"I just cannot ignore the fact that we met again after so many years only to be avoiding each other all over again. There are things which need to be sorted out between us and I am able to bring this courage in me after a long, long time. I know I could have called you in the past years, but I didn't. I couldn't. But now that we have met, I don't wish to…run away from this anymore. Please."

Ma Dong bit his lip hard. Eventually, he gave up and said, "Okay. If you can wait till my break time then…"

"That's not a problem," he was quick to assure him. "I will wait."

—

They were seated on a table at the far side of the restaurant after Ma Dong got his break. He brought some refreshments and smiled. "Please have some. It's on me."

"That wasn't really necessary, Dong," Yating hesitated.

"Don't be so uptight."

"Thanks…"

Yating sat straight, his heart pounding in his chest. He had rehearsed in his mind all the things he wanted to say and ask Ma Dong. But now it was as if all his rehearsal was escaping

him with blankness taking its place.

After a long moment of awkwardness hanging in the air, Yating finally asked, "How have you been Dong?"

Ma Dong looked away. He couldn't immediately answer.

"It's good."

It was obvious that it was far from good or else why would he be working at a restaurant as a server?

But Ma Dong didn't emphasize more on that and kept his silence. Yating wished he could ask but thought this wasn't the right time for his career conversation.

Ma Dong smiled. "You are doing well, huh? You are the Chief Editor at Dream High, right? I am happy for you. You were always passionate about books and reading even back in the day."

"Yeah."

Silence hung again. Yating steeled his heart and said, "Dong, I wanted to…talk about that night."