Rebirth: Once Again With You

For a few seconds, which felt like forever, Li Caiyi and Dai Shenqiang faced each other in silence. Each observed the other's reaction intently.

The wind suddenly blew inside the room through an open window behind her, causing the curtain to flutter, blocking Li Caiyi's eyesight for a moment.

Li Caiyi instinctively put her hand to hold her hair down. When the wind finally subsided, and the curtain fell to its place, Li Caiyi felt like she could see Shen Qiang sitting in front of her.

The same pair of black eyes which could see into the depth of her soul.

The same smile which stole her heart.

Li Caiyi's breath hitched as tears pooled in her eyes. The person she was looking for was now sitting in front of her.

He's alive and breathing.

Li Caiyi's body had moved before she knew it. She was so lonely, anxious, and worried all this time. No matter how much she tried not to think about it, she always felt that she did not belong in this world and timeline. She often felt helpless and did not know what to do, but the thought of Shen Qiang was the only thing that drove her forward.

Now she met him, and these feelings she had been holding for a long time just gushed out in the form of tears. Was it tears of joy, relief, or frustration? Li Caiyi did not know.

Dai Shenqiang's eyes widened when Li Caiyi suddenly rushed toward him and pulled him into her embrace tightly. The familiar warmth and softness enveloped him like a silk blanket. He still remembered how Li Caiyi protected him like this against men who were twice her size bravely. At that time, he even thought that if he could die in the arms of such a kind and warm person, then it might not be so bad.

Dai Shenqiang did not know what Li Caiyi was thinking, but her whole body trembled. His shoulder was wet with her tears.

"S-Shen Qiang! It's you…."

His body temperature was lower than hers, and he was so unresponsive. If not for the heartbeat sound that slightly accelerated at their contact, Li Caiyi probably would have thought she was embracing a wall. This quick heartbeat, was it hers or his?

Dai Shenqiang raised his uninjured left arms, intending to embrace her back. Usually, he would feel repulsed if the opposite sex touched him because they reminded him of his mother. However, Li Caiyi did not repulse him. On the contrary, her touch and scent were so pleasant he wanted to pull her closer to him.

More...

It was just a coincidence Dai Shenqiang glanced toward the entrance for a moment.

Dai Zhiqiang had rushed to the hospital as soon as he took care of his affair. He bought his little brother's favorite steamed bun on the way and wasted no more time. Dai Shenqiang must be waiting for him.

Thinking back, he should have walked slower or bought more things on the way. That way, he would not have to see his little brother and Li Caiyi hugging each other tightly.

Dai Zhiqiang could feel a painful sting in his heart. Li Caiyi was a good girl, so it was no wonder if his little brother was attracted to her. Furthermore, she had saved his life. It was understandable if some romantic feelings grew between them.

Dai Zhiqiang bit his lips, trying to ignore the uncomfortable feeling in his guts, and quietly closed the door.

"Big brother, wait!"

His movement halted when he heard his brother calling him. At the same time, Li Caiyi also pulled out from her reverie. She raised her head and, upon seeing Dai Zhiqiang, who stiffly stood on the entrance, her face burnt in shame.

Li Caiyi quickly took a step back from Dai Shenqiang and erased traces of tears in her eyes. She scolded herself inwardly for being too careless again. How could she do that in a public place like this? Not only did she make a move on an injured person, but the older brother of the said person also witnessed her shameful behavior. She was so ashamed she wanted to bury herself to the ground!

Meanwhile, Dai Shenqiang was also at a loss about what to do. He could not deny that he was tempted to respond to Li Caiyi's advance, so much that he momentarily forgot that Dai Zhiqiang held some feelings for Li Caiyi.

If his brother did not arrive on time, he might have done something irreparable.

Dai Zhiqiang was not that dull to notice that his presence was unwanted there. He should have known his place and left the room that instant….

But the steamed but would get cold if he waited for too long. If it got too cold, it would not be so delicious anymore.

Dai Zhiqiang walked over and put the plastic on the bedside table with that thought in his mind. "I bought some steam buns for you. How are you feeling?"

Dai Shenqiang coughed once before he replied. "I'm fine now. Thanks for the steam buns."

After that, Dai Zhiqiang said nothing else, and the room fell into a deafening silence. Li Caiyi glanced at Dai Zhiqiang, but he looked like he was in deep thought. He was frowning, with his lips pressed into a hard line.

Oh, no. Li Caiyi could not let this person have a poor opinion of her. If she wanted to pursue Dai Shenqiang, then she would also need to win over his family's heart!

That was why, as embarrassed as she was, Li Caiyi forced herself to smile. "Dai Zhiqiang, I brought ice cream today. Do you want to eat some, too?"

Dai Shenqiang could also sense his brother's foul mood and hurriedly added, "That's right! It's a mint choco flavor. Very delicious!"

"Mint choco?" Dai Zhiqiang echoed his words inquisitively. It was not that long since they met, but Li Caiyi already knew Dai Shenqiang's favorite type of ice cream? They seemed to be much closer than he thought.

Dai Zhiqiang's frown deepened, and Li Caiyi was panicked. What if he was angry at her for bringing his injured brother a cold dessert like ice cream? Li Caiyi was too focused on finding Shen Qiang; she did not think this through.

"I-I'm sorry," Li Caiyi apologized sincerely. Now that Dai Zhiqiang had seen everything, there was no other way to salvage the situation but apologizing honestly.

The Dai brothers were confused. Why did Li Caiyi suddenly apologize?

Dai Shenqiang was the first one to realize it. He tugged his brother's sleeve and pulled him closer so he could whisper in his ear. "Big brother, do something about your face. Your frowning face scared her!"

Dai Zhiqiang did not even notice he was frowning. He was not angry, just feeling a bit uncomfortable. He stared at Li Caiyi, and the latter smiled wryly at him. It seemed his little brother was right.

Dai Zhiqiang changed his facial expression to his normal one and said stiffly. "Mint choco ice cream is good."

"O-oh?" Li Caiyi was taken aback by his words. She later realized that Dai Zhiqiang had given her a way out, so she enthusiastically responded, "Yes, it's one of their signature flavors. Let me open a cup for you!"

However, when she opened the cup, the ice cream had melted and turned into cold mint-choco milk instead. The visual of the melted ice cream looked like a poodle of greenish slime with dirt in it. Definitely not appetizing.

"I'm so sorry…." Li Caiyi humbly handed over the cup with both hands, feeling that today was not her day at all.

She finally found her prince charming, but she performed poorly in front of her soon-to-be-brother-in-law. Li Caiyi could only hope that Dai Zhiqiang was generous enough to let it go.