Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

The lights dimmed in the main hall as it got darker. The happy couple, Jian and Leina were thoroughly taking advantage of this as they held hands.

Jian kissed her cheek. "You look beautiful."

Leina grinned and kissed him back. "And you look handsome. Look at all the women ogling you."

"Do you see the men peeking at you? I wish to poke their eyes-"

"Ssh! No violence talks!" She chuckled. "Tonight is a lovely evening. No bloodshed."

He narrowed his eyes. "Indeed. What do you say we…"

Her cheeks blushed furiously. "Be careful. Don't underestimate Dad's ears."

"Don't underestimate your boyfriend either~"

On the other side, another couple was in their own dreamy land. Nuo was a little shy and nervous as she stood closer to Siying. Siying, on his side, wanted to hold her hand.

He lightly brushed the back of his palm against hers, making her face turn redder. She softly tugged at his finger, and their hands intertwined.

Siying cleared his throat. "We will be like this one day too."

At first, Nuo didn't understand his meaning, but a second later, she did.

We will be like this one day too…Just like our parents, happily married.

Her heart raced, and she quickly looked away. Siying chuckled, finding it cute.

He looked around and asked, "Oh yeah. I don't see bro Nian and bro Jun anywhere."

"Ah, bro Nian was here only," she furrowed her brows trying to find him. "Ugh, don't tell me that he is secretly stuffing food somewhere!"

"I bet he won't. He wouldn't want to incur his little sister's wrath," he laughed and pinched her nose.

She harrumphed. "He better not. As for bro Jun, he is not coming."

"Huh? Not coming? But it's Uncle and Aunt's anniversary," he was confused. "It's such a huge event."

She sighed. "Yeah. But he said he is busy."

"What could be more important than this celebration tonight?"

She shook her head, expressing her cluelessness too. "I am really worried. Bro Jun has never acted like this before…"

Siying wondered the same thing.

It's been a long time since he and Shui have met. They were never away for this long.

His heart ached, noticing Nuo's downcast gaze. He squeezed her hand, giving her reassurance. "Everything will be fine."

Though he said that, he couldn't help but get worried for Shui.

Bro Jun wasn't at the New Year's party and now too.

He glanced at his right where she was standing with Xinyi and Zhiyuan. He softly exhaled.

Shui will be so disappointed again…

—

Xinyi asked, "I don't see Jun anywhere."

Shui stiffened and lowered her gaze. Thankfully the hall was quite dark, so they didn't notice her expression. She fidgeted with her fingers.

Zhiyuan sneered. "It's better if he isn't here."

"Zhiyuan! Don't be so mean!" She scolded him.

"Shui, did he say anything to you?" Xinyi asked. "It feels as if I haven't seen Jun in a long time."

"N-no," her smile faltered. "I don't know."

She coughed. "I am thirsty. Let me get a drink."

"Be careful, okay? It's dim here."

"Yeah."

She walked a short distance and already bumped into someone. A firm hand caught her arm, and a voice breathed into her ear. "Careful, Shui."

Shui froze, feeling warm and ticklish at her earlobe. Her breath hitched in the darkness.

"J-Jin…"

"Hm."

His low throated voice hung in the air with a tinge of huskiness in it, making her crumple a part of his black coat in her fist. Her heart sped unusually faster, and she quickly took a step back.

A sense of guilt filled her as these questionable feelings enveloped her chest. It was as if what Jun accused was right, which she didn't want to admit.

She raised her head and traced the outline of his clean-cut and attractive face. His black eyes felt duskier under the faint lighting.

"Don't move around. It's dark."

She parted her lips to speak but only bobbed her head in the end.

Jin took a step closer to her and faced the other side as he waited for his parents to enter. Shui preferred to keep her distance from him, nevertheless she quietly accompanied him.

—

The golden light from above shone on the top of the stairs as Jinhai and Nana slowly stepped down with a graceful smile on their lips.

Everybody clapped and cheered hard as the main couple for the night made their way towards the center.

Jinhai took the mike and faced Nana. "It's a big night for us. Nana, it's been twenty-six years since the day you became my wife. Twenty-six years, and I still love you to the ends of this world. I always had, and I always will. Forever. I just have one request from you."

Her eyes were slightly wet, feeling this great milestone sink in her heart. "You know I will do anything for you, Jinhai."

Jian and the others teasingly whistled at that. They earned a glare from his grandmother, Liu Chunhua.

"Shoosh! Don't disturb their moment!" She scolded.

They grumbled and kept quiet.

Jinhai smiled. "Well, my hair is getting all gray now. But you are still as beautiful as you were when I first met you. I humbly request to ignore my wrinkly side and keep loving me as always. I will be heartbroken if you find someone else."

The guests laughed hard. They had never seen Jinhai cracking humor.

"And that someone else will be heartbroken to die by my hands."

"..."

The guests couldn't laugh anymore. A series of coughs echoed in the hall.

Nana was left speechless. She shook her head and smacked his forehead. "You are impossible, Jinhai. My heart is filled up with you. All of it. Whether it was before or now or in the future. Even if you start walking with a stick, I will never leave your side. I will never stop loving you even if you get a hunched back."

"Hahaha," the air was filled with laughter and joy.

Jinhai's eyes twinkled, and he kissed her lips. She smiled and softly kissed him back.

Everybody clapped once again. A butler wheeled in a big table with a beautiful cake sitting atop it, made by none other than Nian.

Jinhai and Nana cut the cake together as the crowd sang.

Liu Hai cheered. "Hohoho! Cake! Cake!"

His wife elbowed him. "You have to control yourself!"

"You are cruel, Chunhua!" He cried.

Jinhai raised a toast, and the banquet officially started.