Rebirth: Once Again With You

Shao Jingfei could tell Li Caiyi did not understand him, so he explained. "To recognize unpolished and hidden gems in writing is my greatest talent. Our company was the one who sponsored that competition you joined last time. I have read the manuscript you submitted, and I liked it. As long as it's me who recommends you, my brother will never disapprove of it. I can become your editor and advisor, so take my hand right now!"

Shao Jingfei clasped Li Caiyi's hand with sparkling eyes. "I like your work very much, and I want to be the person who makes your talent soar in the sky! Please allow me to do that!"

It shocked Li Caiyi because Shao Jingfei suddenly grabbed her. However, before she could respond, their interlocked hands were pried open by another hand. That hand belonged to the boy with a darkened face sitting across from her.

Dai Zhiqiang was not amused by this at all. It was okay if he wanted to talk, but why did he have to grab her hand as well? Li Caiyi might be uncomfortable by that, but this person was just grinning like an idiot. He did not like Shao Jingfei at all.

Shao Jingfei could also feel Dai Zhiqiang's animosity towards him, so he leaned in to whisper to Li Caiyi. "Hey, is this guy your boyfriend or something? He looked terrifying!"

"H-he is not my boyfriend," Li Caiyi replied in a fluster. She hoped Dai Zhiqiang did not hear that.

Unfortunately for her, Dai Zhiqiang might not hear what they said, but his eyes worked perfectly fine. He saw how Shao Jingfei leaned on her and whispered something, and Li Caiyi suddenly turned bashful. Dai Zhiqiang hated Shao Jingfei even more because of this.

"Anyway, think about my offer. If you are interested, you can call me. Oh yeah, we did not have each other's contact. Let's trade ours now." Shao Jingfei's movement was faster than his words. "Give me your Wechat ID."

Li Caiyi hurriedly pulled out her phone, and Shao Jingfei swiftly added himself to her contact list. "Done! I don't understand the contract's trivial details, so I can't explain now. But, if you are interested in knowing more, please get in touch with me. Then, I have to go now because I'm busy. See you!"

Shao Jingfei did not wait for her response and walked out of the library without looking back. He left as suddenly as he came, like a typhoon. He was so carefree that Li Caiyi had trouble keeping up with his pace.

"Are you okay?" Dai Zhiqiang noticed her listless state and asked with concern.

"Huh? Oh, I'm fine! The news just hasn't fully registered yet for me because it was so sudden." Li Caiyi grinned sheepishly. "By the way, did something happen? You looked upset earlier."

Dai Zhiqiang flinched at that. "Nothing. I saw you looked uncomfortable, so I helped you to shake his hand off, that's all."

"I see. Thanks for that. I was indeed a bit overwhelmed by him." Li Caiyi sheepishly scratched her cheek.

"You should tell him off. He will do the same and take advantage of you in the future if you don't make it clear to him."

What he said was true, but he did not have to put it like that. He made Shao Jingfei sound like an indecent person.

Li Caiyi did not know why Dai Zhiqiang sounded annoyed. It was she who felt uncomfortable, but why did he react so strongly like that? Did he dislike Shao Jingfei, by chance?

"Well, I'll be careful next time," Li Caiyi thought it was for the best to go along with it for now. Dai Zhiqiang seemed like he was in a bad mood.

"Good," Dai Zhiqiang nodded in satisfaction before he bitterly added in a small voice, "You said you like my brother, right? Then you should be careful not to get too close to another man."

"I'm sorry I can't hear you. What did you just say?"

"Nothing. I have to return to my post now. You… Good luck with your writing."

"Thanks! Let's go to the hospital together after this. Today will be the day Shenqiang gets discharged, so let's buy a welcome home gift too as well!"

Dai Zhiqiang's heart turned sour, but he could say nothing. "Yes, let's do that."

***

After the class ended, Li Caiyi waited for Dai Zhiqiang in the library as usual. Then, they would meet up and go to the hospital together.

That was the plan…

Li Caiyi and Dai Zhiqiang were walking when he paused in his tracks with a grim face. His eyes narrowed down with a dangerous glint in them, and sensing something was wrong, Li Caiyi stopped as well.

Dai Zhiqiang could clearly see figures of those burly men wearing gold accessories from where he stood. They came to him so fast after causing so much injury to his brother. He clenched his hand into a fist, but a soft voice beside him pulled him out of his dark thoughts.

"Dai Zhiqiang, what's wrong?" Li Caiyi asked him worriedly.

"Ssh, don't speak. Come with me quickly," Dai Zhiqiang clasped her hand, then ran to the nearest narrow alley. He walked so fast that Li Caiyi was stumbling a few times, but she did not dare make any noise. Just from looking at Dai Zhiqiang's grave face, she could tell that something must have alerted him.

Dai Zhiqiang had expected this, but to think those loan sharks would be so daring to lurk around their school, they must not have been afraid of law anymore. If it were any other day, he would just confront them head-on, but today he got Li Caiyi with him, and he would not let any harm come to her while he was watching.

He knew these mouse paths like the back of his hand, so although they needed to run for a while, it did not take a long time before those loan sharks lost track of them.

Li Caiyi did not utter a single word throughout all of that. She was just silently following him with her warm and soft hand, clasping his hand tightly, putting her trust in him. Dai Zhiqiang was grateful she was so calm in this situation. He would not know what to do if she got panicked and found out by those loan sharks.

After they finally arrived on the main street, Dai Zhiqiang finally sighed in relief. He looked back and found the girl he was holding onto all this time was bending her upper body while panting. Beads of sweat were forming on her temple, and she looked exhausted. However, her grip on his hand was not loosened at all.

Dai Zhiqiang knew this was not the time for this, but looking down at their interlocking hands, he could not help but feel his heart swelled with inexplicable emotion.

It reminded him of the first time he met Li Caiyi.