Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

A few days later at Dream High, Zhan Yahui finally received the story drafts which she had been waiting for from Guiying. It was just the first few chapters, and Guiying was working on more of it.

Zhan Yahui raised her brow. “Something seems to have changed in your style.”

‘Guiying’, who was eating an apple, shrugged. Her memories rewinded to the time of her meeting with Zixin.

“Can I be your friend?”

Was the question Zixin had asked that day to which ‘Guiying’ wasn’t sure of how to answer.

What is a friend? Why does he want to be this idiot’s friend?

“I don’t understand this friendship thing, so no. Not until I actually get what you are talking about,” was what ‘Guiying’ had answered.

Zixin nodded and said, “A friend is someone who supports you and is always there for you in your time of need. They like and trust each other, and they are someone with whom you can always share your pain and difficulties.”

“Why do you want to be someone like that to me?”

“It’s natural to be friends when you have mutual interests and have a good opinion of the other person. You write books and I garnered an interest in stories because of them. For me, you are a good person as well, so I want to be your friend.”

‘Guiying’ raised her brow, amused. “I am a good person?”

“Yes.”

‘She’ shrugged. “Friendship is when you trust the other person, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Then you need to gain mine. I don’t sell trust like candies.”

‘She’ narrowed her eyes.

Plus, you are Liu Jun’s cousin. I don’t know what you are plotting or even if you are scheming something against me. I won’t be fooled by your innocent face.

I will just wait for you to take one wrong step and game over.

Zixin earnestly agreed. “I will do my best.”

‘She’ shrugged again. “So you can lea-“

“Let’s start with discussing your new story ideas,” his black orbs were gleaming expectantly.

“…”

Presently, ‘Guiying’ grimaced thinking of that day. ‘She’ had asked him to leave. He stayed back to help her, claiming that the brainstorming won’t take much time. ‘She’ had no clue about stories, so ‘she’ had to take Guiying’s help here and there.

How the hell did a simple discussion take five hours!? Just how much were we talking about stories!?

‘Guiying’ gritted her teeth, annoyed. For some reason, ‘she’ felt like she was fooled into spending a long time with him.

“Guiying?” Zhan Yahui snapped her out of her daze.

“Hm? Yeah, the drafts…well, she is just trying out something new. I don’t know,” ‘she’ was uninterested in sharing her meeting with Zixin to her.

I don’t think it will last for longer anyway.

Zhan Yahui cocked her brow. “She seems to have gotten a good inspiration. There are some changes in her descriptions which are not necessarily bad. But a lot of editing work is required. I will take care of that.”

She was making some notes as she worked.

‘Guiying’ observed her more closely and remarked. “You are very sincere with your work.”

She halted and looked up. “Sorry?”

“Nothing. You give an odd feeling at times. Sometimes, it feels that you will do anything to make Guiying the best writer, even if it’s unfair to others. But sometimes, I feel that you are not someone to take shortcuts.”

Zhan Yahui smiled. “I am serious about my work because I want Guiying to become the best and the most popular writer. For that, I need the talent which she has. For that purpose, her editor needs to know what she is doing as well. So, I cannot slack.”

“Cool.”

“But it’s not just pure hard work that gets you successful,” she chuckled. “People are so naive to think that.

‘If I work hard, I will get the results one day for sure.’

That’s a childish way of thinking. The world is more practical. You don’t just need talent and hard work. Connections, opportunities and exposure – you need everything hand in hand. You have to grab everything that comes your way. Otherwise, there is no meaning in doing just hard work. That’s just acting like a donkey.”

‘Guiying’ had to admit she sounded right.

Zhan Yahui stretched her arms. “For that purpose, it is necessary to pull others down to carve your own way. You have to step down on people…” she narrowed her eyes, “so that you can climb the ladder. Higher and higher until there is nobody left to defeat you. The world was, is and will never be fair.”

She tilted her head with a calculating smile stretching on her lips. “So, I will use Guiying’s talent to the fullest. But I will also make a path for her to shine even if I have to drag others down and make them sink in the bottom of the ocean.”

“Heh. You are scary.”

“I am not scary,” she shrugged. “That’s how the world has always worked.”

From the corner of her eye, she saw Yating passing by from outside her office. From his expression, he seemed a little worried.

She then asked, “How are things going between Zhou Ai and Liu Jun?”

‘Guiying’ sneered. “Wonderful. Just like I wanted.”

“Is that so…?” She muttered to herself, thinking about something.

She stepped out of her office and called him out. “Gu Yating.”

Yating stopped and turned. “Zhan Yahui. What’s up?”

“I should ask you that. Why are you walking like a zombie?” She folded her arms.

“Me? Oh, it’s nothing. I was just thinking about work,” he smiled.

Is it work or is it Zhou Ai?

“I…heard some whispers here and there of your canceled project.”

Yating stiffened.

“Who knew you loved Zhou Ai so much?” She smiled.

“…It’s a thing of the past now, Zhan Yahui. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“If it’s a thing of the past, then be careful not to let these things slip up like that. You wouldn’t want to cause problems between Zhou Ai and Liu Jun. Make sure to keep these things properly hidden, Gu Yating.”

His eyelashes trembled. “Y-Yeah…I know.”

On the big LCD TV hung on the wall, Yating then noticed a news flashing by as his gaze recognized a familiar figure.

“The queen and king of entertainment industry, Zhu Chyou and Cheng Yin are now in a relationship!”