Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

Beijing.

Even from far away, the still and grave air stabbed Jun hard as he rushed towards his families. He abruptly stopped in his tracks, watching Serena and Yubi trembling and crying as they waited in front of the operation theatre.

“Mom…” Yunru dashed towards them and bent on his knees. He held her face with his reddened eyes bawling out tears. “Bro. W-where is Bro? He is o-okay, right? Bro Nian said that he will be just fine. He is very strong!”

Yubi jumped into her brother’s embrace and sobbed loudly. “Yunru, you are back…Bro is st-still in the operation…” she gasped as she cried. “Why is it taking such a long time?”

Chen Liling hushed her granddaughter and gently caressed her head, wiping her eyes continuously. “Th-there is nothing wrong with taking more time. We want to see Zixin all fine and safe, right? As long as…” tears brimmed in her eyes, “he stands on his feet safe and sound, I-I don’t care how long it takes. We should be patient.”

Jianyu watched his family agonizing, and he couldn’t do anything to assure them. His son was battling for his life and his wife and twins were distraught over the whole tragedy that had befallen upon them. The fear for Zixin’s life ran deep in his heart too, but he had to stay strong. If he broke down too, then who would give them the strength?

Chen Guiren quietly put his hand on his shoulder. “Don’t hold back your tears, Jianyu. You are his father. You have every right to cry.”

Jianyu took a silent breath and trembled. It was excruciating to control his tears from falling. “…There is n-nothing to cry for, Dad…Zixin will be…He will be alright…”

Shui and Nian were already over at the Liu family’s side, talking to Jian and Nuo. Nana was by Serena’s side as she consoled her while Jinhai was at the other corner, talking to somebody on the phone with a chilled countenance on his face.

Huan pursed her lips and clasped her hands together. She stared at Yunru and wished to stay here with him, but she wasn’t really close to their families. She had hardly met him three days back, so she thought it was inappropriate to be here at such a sensitive time.

“I think I should leave…” she lowered her head.

Xing Bi felt a bit awkward too. She naturally wanted to be with them at this difficult time, but she had similar concerns as Huan.

They wouldn’t want a stranger hanging around them at this time…

“You two aren’t strangers,” Jun quietly said as if reading their minds, “Stay.”

It was just a few words from him, but Xing Bi and Huan felt overwhelmed and emotional. They silently nodded and slowly walked towards Nian and Yunru.

Jin stared hard at the lit red bulb which indicated that Zixin’s surgery was still in progress.

Why did this still happen…?

He glanced at Jun and with the way his eyes looked dead and bleak, he knew he was inwardly blaming himself for this tragedy. His trembling fist expressed the storm that was messing his heart.

Ai entwined her fingers against his and threatened Jun with a steely voice, “I won’t forgive you if you spiral yourself in guilt and blame. You did nothing wrong. So stop whatever you are thinking or I won’t talk to you anymore.”

Jun slowly lowered his gaze and faintly smiled at her. He kept his silence but pulled her head against his chest.

Jin took off with two large strides, not wanting to stay beside Jun anymore. But he stopped. With numerous thoughts swirling in his head, he finally said without looking back at him. “Stop wasting your time with the blame game, Bro. If you have so much energy to be depressed, then pour at least half of it into finding the culprit,” he then whispered after a pause, “I am also reborn, and I also knew what was going to happen. But I couldn’t protect Bro Zixin either. Does that mean you blame me too?”

Jun widened his eyes. “Of course not, Jin-“

“Then don’t blame yourself either,” he cut him off mid-sentence. “Rebirth or having past memories gives us an advantage for sure, but it doesn’t make us invincible against fate. We are still humans. There is only so much that we can do.”

He sneered and walked away.

Jun watched him leave with his lips slightly parted in shock.

Ai peeked at Jun and softly smiled. “He said it rudely but you sensed it too, right? His concern. He doesn’t want to see you feeling guilty over Chen Zixin’s accident.”

“Jin…hates me.”

“Then he wouldn’t have cared about you and tried to ease your guilt. He wouldn’t have taken the hit for you otherwise. He still loves you a lot though he won’t show it.”

A tiny ray of hope illuminated his heart.

Was it really possible for them to reconcile?

—

The surgery got over with Nana’s elder brother and a prestigious doctor, Liang Shin, conveying that Zixin was out of any fatal danger. It brought great relief to everyone and they only needed to wait for a few more hours until Zixin would wake up.

Which he finally did after nine hours had passed by. He groggily opened his eyes and looked at the blurry shapes and the outlines of the figures standing next to his bed.

“Zixin…!” Serena tremblingly held his hand, smiling through her tears. “Y-you are awake…You are finally…”

Jianyu softly pressed her shivering shoulders. “Sshh.”

Yunru and Yubi stood on either side of his bed. Zixin slowly raised his gaze and noticed the tears in their eyes.

“Bro, we missed you!” Yunru wiped his cheeks. “I-I am here now, Bro. I won’t let anybody hurt you!”

“Me too!” Yubi flared at her nostrils.

Chen Liling scolded the twins. “Oof, don’t talk so loudly. He has just woken up! Sshh!”

Standing in front of his bed, Jun watched every single expression with extreme scrutiny that Zixin made as he saw his family. His heart raced faster, waiting for Zixin to speak.

Zixin took a glance at everybody and weakly parted his lips. “Who are you all…?”