Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

Shi Publishing.

Zhan Yahui noticed the sharp descent in ‘Guiying’s’ mood and was sure that she hit a jackpot. The truth about Guiying’s split personality was always a sensitive issue for her and watching her expression turn from victory to that of fury immensely satisfied her.

She sneered. “Won’t you introduce us to the wonderful ‘other friend’ you have inside you? Oh I forgot. That ‘other friend’ is talking to us at this moment, is ‘she’ not?”

‘Guiying’ trembled but not because ‘she’ was afraid of Zhan Yahui’s taunts or the fact that ‘her’ existence was revealed. It was Guiying inside her who was terrified of the consequences.

Now everybody knew her truth and the abuse done by her brother. It won’t be long before it will be leaked to everybody in this industry and she will become the center of attention.

‘Guiying’ could clearly feel her horror and the rapid pounding of her heartbeat. The fear of criticism, judgment and ridicule had rendered her paralyzed.

Calm down, will you! You are seriously afraid of this now?

No matter how much ‘she’ tried to talk to her, ‘she’ couldn’t control her other self from going into a frenzy. It was at this moment when Zixin pulled her into his embrace without a word and silently began to pat her back.

‘Guiying’ widened her eyes. His broad chest had suddenly blocked her vision, but his sweet scent that invaded her nostrils was oddly reassuring. Guiying within her, too, felt as if she could breathe. His hug put a brake on her neverending race of trepidation and worry of her future.

“You don’t have to be afraid.”

His simple but kind words echoed in her ears. The pacifying voice with which he spoke to her in a slow and gentle tone was easing down the hyperactivity that was spiraling out of control.

“Neither you nor ‘you.’ Both of you are amazing,” his beautiful eyes shone with pride. “So even if the world will know now, there is no reason for you to stumble back.”

A few drops of tears soaked into Zixin’s coat as ‘Guiying’ shed them. “You don’t understand…” It was Guiying’s words that came through ‘her’ lips. “People will think that I am ill. Crazy. They will shun me.”

“Nobody will,” Zixin tilted his head. “You led a difficult life and suffered your brother’s abuse yet you pushed yourself to walk in the right path and become such a talented writer. You made a name for yourself. It’s an achievement to be proud of. Your words have strung the chords of thousands of hearts. Do you think those people who love your beautiful stories, who lined up just to meet you and get their books personally signed by their favorite author, will think less of you?”

Guiying strongly wished to believe in his words, but her heart resisted.

“…I don’t want anybody’s sympathy,” her quiet voice choked. “Pity is the last thing I want to see in their eyes.”

“You will never find pity in their eyes. Only understanding and admiration just like me,” he softly smiled.

“Not everybody is like you, Zixin…”

“But you don’t need everybody either.”

She shook.

“It’s enough if even some of those everybody stand by your side with respect which I know will happen. We are not here to please the whole world. The ones who show disdain to you are the ones to be pitied in actuality. It’s not just you – they are the type to be toxic to anybody who doesn’t fall into their narrowed and skewed version of reality. Just like your brother. Isn’t that just a sad life filled with only judgment and criticism? Do you want people like Cai Lingyun to surround your world?”

Even his mention sent tremors down her spine. The traumatic time of his verbal and physical abuse felt fresh in her heart.

“Or do you want somebody like Ai to be in your life forever? Even if she might be just one person to love you for who you are against ten people to ridicule you, would you want to be with those ten people or Ai?” ．

Her eyes brimmed with tears and her thoughts went back to the peaceful high school days she spent with Ai. At times, she regretted that she never revealed her alter ego to her. If she would have received Ai’s warmth and friendship after knowing everything about her, she wouldn’t have felt so threatened about Ai’s existence as a writer.

Zixin smiled. “Life will feel so colorful and warm if there are friends like Ai beside you, right? There might be a minority of such people to show you love, but it’s better to live life with them rather than the toxic majority, don’t you think?”

She buried her face further in his chest. “When did y-you learn to speak such honey-like sweet words?”

“Whenever I am with you.”

“…”

“I don’t know what to say…” she sniffled.

“It’s easy. Be good and say that you won’t falter. You will face everyone with your head held high because there is nothing to be ashamed of. Look straight into everybody’s eyes and say that I am proud to have ‘her’ in my life. It’s ‘her’ existence that helped me to become who I am today.”

It wasn’t clear if the tears rolling down belonged to Guiying or ‘Guiying.’ They knew that the only feeling left in their hearts was of immense warmth and relief.

Zhan Yahui laughed in mockery, breaking the moment they shared. “Oh God, such pathetic consolation. Guiying really is an idiot to fall for such nonsense.”

‘Guiying’s’ gaze turned icy. “Yeah for you it will be nonsense, Zhan Yahui, because your chest lacks a heart in the first place.”

Zixin gave a hard stare at Zhan Yahui once and looked at the guards. “Take her away already.”

“You fucking Chen Zixin! Who are you to throw me out!?”

Shi Zhelan gritted her teeth, finally losing her patience. “Get her out of my sight already!”

But Zhan Yahui still kept screaming despite the guards pushing her out. “Don’t think you have healed Guiying’s heart by your buttery words! It’s all because of you that Guiying is standing here and daring to face me! It’s all because of your damn interference! I will never forgive you! You…you should have just died that day of the accident!”