Rebirth: Once Again With You

Talking with Shao Jingfei never failed to lift her mood. She was worried for a second about what would happen with her promise with Dai Shenqiang if she just went ahead and submitted her works, but it seemed Shao Jingfei had expected this outcome. Thanks to him, Li Caiyi was reassured and couldn't wait to tell the good news to Dai Shenqiang.

Li Caiyi opened the door to the library and immediately spotted Dai Zhiqiang, who was currently sitting behind the librarian's desk while reading a book. She smiled while walking over to him.

"Zhiqiang, I come again today."

Dai Zhiqiang raised his head, and the corner of his eyes softened slightly when he saw Li Caiyi. "Caiyi. What can I help you with today?"

Recently, she spent more time in the library to complete her novel than she usually did. Thanks to that, she encountered Dai Zhiqiang many times, and he would occasionally recommend her a good book for reference. By now, Li Caiyi had become entirely accustomed to his presence, and she was sure Dai Zhiqiang was also the same.

Dai Zhiqiang had helped her a lot, so she wanted him to be the first one to know about this good news. She hadn't even told this to her friends yet.

"I already showed my novel to Jingfei earlier, and he complimented me a lot," Li Caiyi said enthusiastically, without being able to restrain the big grin on her face.

Dai Zhiqiang also smiled faintly before replying, "Is that so? That's great."

"It's all thanks to your help. If it weren't for your help, I probably wouldn't be able to finish it so fast. Thank you, Zhiqiang. You always helped me a lot. I don't know what I can do to repay you."

"You also helped me a lot. There's no need to feel burdened."

The library was silent, with only a few people inside, so they had to slightly lower their voices to speak. Li Caiyi leaned forward to the desk as she asked him, "Can I go to your house today?"

Dai Zhiqiang's heart jumped a little when he heard that. "You…want to come to my house?"

Li Caiyi nodded her head. "Yeah. There is something I need to talk to Shenqiang face to face."

Dai Zhiqiang couldn't help but feel disappointed when he heard that. Even he thought he was being silly for expecting something else, so he covered his disappointment with a stern look.

"Even if you don't ask me, I'm sure Shenqiang wouldn't mind having you coming to our house."

Li Caiyi giggled after hearing that, causing the young man to look at her in puzzlement. Noticing his bewilderment, she waved her hand lightly.

"Ah, sorry. For some reason, I just knew you were going to say that. That's why it feels funny when you actually said it."

The disappointment he felt immediately dissipated hearing that. To be able to make her laugh was akin to achievement to him because he knew he could be a pretty boring person to be around. He felt proud if he could make her smile.

"Shall we go home together then, after this?"

Dai Zhiqiang's automatic response was to reply with "yes" to her every request, but then he remembered something and shook his head.

"No, you can just go first. There's something I need to take care of first."

"Is it regarding your librarian's duty? I can wait until you finish."

"Well, yes. But today I have to sort out some old books and put them into boxes. It's going to take a while, so you can go on ahead."

"What are you saying? Wouldn't it be faster if it was done by two people? Let me help you!" Li Caiyi offered.

"Huh? You will? But it's going to be boring," Dai Zhiqiang said reluctantly. If one asked him what he truly wanted, of course, he would enjoy sorting books with Li Caiyi rather than doing it alone.

"I don't mind at all. This is an excellent learning opportunity because I have always been curious about your librarian's job. I might get some inspiration for my story, too."

If Li Caiyi had already said that much, Dai Zhiqiang would be a fool if he refused her kind intention. "Then please help me later."

"Yes! After that, we can stop by the grocery store first before going to your house. I'll make something for you two!"

In Dai Zhiqiang's eyes, she beamed even brighter than the sunlight slipping past the window right now. Her words were like something a newlywed wife would say, so it made him embarrassed but happy at the same time. She probably would creep out on him if she found out what he was thinking.

***

After school, Li Caiyi bade her friends goodbye before going to the library. She was surprised to find the plate sign was already flipped to CLOSED. The library was usually open for two more hours after school, but perhaps it was closed earlier, so Dai Zhiqiang could focus on sorting the books.

Li Caiyi pushed the door open, only to find it empty.

"Zhiqiang, I'm here. Where are you?" Li Caiyi called out, but there was no answer.

"Stange. Is he not here yet?"

Li Caiyi put down her bag and walked towards the room in the deeper part of the library. It was where the old books were stored. There were already several stacks of books and boxes on the floor. Someone put them haphazardly that it looked like a massive mess from where she stood.

Li Caiyi couldn't even see the floor anymore like this. Sorting out all these books would take a long time, indeed.

Without Dai Zhiqiang, Li Caiyi didn't know where she should start, but she thought she could at least tidy it up a bit before he came just so they could walk easier in this cramped room. She tip-toed her way around and avoided touching books that were stacked so high they towered over her. Slowly, she began to clear up some space.

However, moving around in that cramped space proved to be easier said than done because she accidentally nudged against a stack of books, causing it to sway dangerously from side to side. When it finally toppled on her way, Li Caiyi had no space to run, so she shut her eyes close, bracing herself for the impact.

Li Caiyi thought she would be buried under a sea of books, but she was suddenly yanked to the side by her hand and engulfed in a warm embrace.