Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

“I will be just fine,” she smacked the file on Nian’s head. “She is just Zhan Yahui. Don’t be so dramatic. You just want a reason to get cozy with me! Do that, and I will throw you away!”

“In your heart?” Nian dreamily grinned.

“…”

Yunru gave a disdainful look. “Bro Nian. Your cheesiness is disgusting.”

“Shut up. Don’t act Jun part two!”

Ai chuckled. “Anyway. Since we are here, let’s not waste time and look around.”

Which proved to be a tad difficult when Ai got lost. Everything was going smoothly, and they visited floor by floor to enjoy the fest. There was music and dancing and it was chaotic, but it was fun.

Ai being the curious cat, stopped at several places wherever she found something interesting. It was not just a great place to enjoy and relax, but with so much energy in the air and the different forms of art and creativity flowing in the atmosphere, it was a great source of inspiration for her as a writer.

She had a small notebook and a pen in her hand which she used to jot down any flash of imagination she got. Somewhere the music touched her heart, somewhere the dance clicked her heels in rhythm and somewhere a beautiful picture brought tears to her eyes. Along the way, she met many people who recognized her as the Summit’s winner and chatted with her._.

It was a warm and pleasant experience, and she wished Jun could be with her too.

This was when Ai got left behind as she admired a painting on the wall. She got so mesmerized with it that she failed to realize when Xing Bi, Nian and Yunru already left. The trio also didn’t notice and assumed that she was following them.

Ai at the moment – “…”

Where did everybody go?

She looked around but found them nowhere. Sighing, she took out her phone to call Xing Bi but failed to see any network. She then noticed that a few others too were complaining about the coverage area.

She thought it was better to wait rather than moving around and causing more confusion.

Maybe Yunru or Nian will come back looking for me?

So she stayed put.

“Ai?”

She turned and as her eyes fell on a particular figure who called her out, her eyes widened with shock.

“Bro…Lingyun?”

She was taken aback by Cai Lingyun’s sudden presence. She blinked her eyes rapidly. She thought back to the past life and remembered how Cai Lingyun’s affection and bias towards her resulted in Guiying’s worsening hatred for her. She was accused of stealing his affection that Guiying deserved. It was one of the reasons that brought a crack into their friendship.

It was the first time in this life that Ai was personally meeting him. “…Hello.”

Why is he here? Oh…is he here to support Guiying with her seminar?

Whatever the reason was, Ai decided to keep her distance from him. She didn’t want Guiying to see them together and misunderstand that her brother was playing favorites. This time, she won’t let the tragedy repeat.

Cai Lingyun’s demeanor brightened upon seeing Ai. “Ai! I finally get to see you. It’s been such a long time…How are you?” His voice held a trace of longing and warmth.

Ai nodded. “I am doing well.”

“Haha, I can see that. Oh! Congratulations for winning the Summit! I am so proud of you!”

“Thank you,” she eyed him, “What are you doing here?”

“Guiying told me about her seminar and that you will be here too,” he grinned. “I just returned from my business trip and wanted to meet you anyway. So we came to Shanghai together.”

He glanced around searching if he could see Jun anywhere, but he didn’t. He couldn’t help but feel relieved.

Cai Lingyun smiled. “What are you standing here for? Come with me. Guiying is on the other side. Let’s watch the fest together,” he chuckled.

Ai politely declined. “No, it’s okay. You carry on. I am already here with somebody. We got separated, so I am waiting here for them.”

He slightly stiffened and felt an uneasy itch in his chest. “Oh? Oh! It must be Xing Bi,” he laughed. “Guiying is also with Zhan Yahui after all. No worries. Why not have a coffee over there?”

“Xing Bi will get worried if she doesn’t find me-“

He waved his hand. “Come on. You are not a child. The cafe is right beside this area. She will find you easily. We have met after such a long time! I want to talk to you.”

Ai pursed her lips. With so much insistence, she found it hard to refute. She couldn’t exactly say that she was avoiding him because of her past life.

“I…”

“Why are you hesitating so much? We have known each other since you and Guiying were in high school,” he laughed. “I am the same Cai Lingyun, not a ghost.”

In the end, Ai agreed but only temporarily. She decided to give an excuse later on to quickly leave.

Giving the coffee order, Cai Lingyun asked, “So, what’s going on? I am sorry I couldn’t watch the Summit. It was too hectic at work. But I am so glad that you won. You deserve it.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh yeah! I bought a gift for you. Good that we met.”

He eagerly took out the gift from his bag and slid it across the table.

Ai stared at the gift. “No. I cannot accept this.”

“Of course you do. You won the Summit after all,” he gasped. “Take it. I have always bought gifts for you and Guiying, haven’t I?”

“That was before,” she replied without any reservation, “That was when we were only high school students. But now, I really cannot accept it. Your wishes are enough for me.”

Cai Lingyun looked at her in disbelief. “You don’t have to be so shy. You are important to me as much as Guiying is to me.”

Ai glanced at him. “…Guiying should be more important to you, bro Lingyun. She is your sister. I am just her friend. You don’t have to keep me in the same position as hers. She is your family first. That’s why all these gifts and attention…Guiying should have it rightfully. As for me,” she smiled with warmth and tenderness, “I have a very special person in my life to take care of me.”