Rebirth: Once Again With You

A week passed after the heart-throbbing school trip, and Li Caiyi felt like she could melt from how hot it was. The heat was getting worse each day now that summer was here.

Every student had changed to their summer uniform, but it still felt scorching hot. Studying in this heat was nearly impossible.

Thank god they didn't have to suffer for long because the summer break was just around the corner.

"How is your leg? Are you sure you want to go to school in your condition?"

Beside her, Dai Zhiqiang looked at her worriedly. They were currently sitting on the stairs leading to the emergency exit. It was empty with no one in sight, so they could eat peacefully.

"Yes. I'm getting better at using crutches, but as expected, walking without them is still the best."

"Don't force yourself too much. You should have stayed put in your house until you fully recovered."

"No, it's boring. I tried to behave for the first three days, didn't I? But I can't help but want to meet my friends and you."

"I'm sorry. I should have visited you at least once."

"No, don't feel bad. You are busy with your work and always send me messages every day. That's enough for me."

Dai Zhiqiang took the rice ball wrapped in plastic in her hand and unwrapped it. Then, he raised it near her mouth as if trying to feed her. "Here. Say ah."

"Zhiqiang, my leg is injured, not my hand."

"Can't I do this even if your hand is not injured?" Dai Zhiqiang tilted his head innocently like she was asking something stupid. He pushed the rice ball to her mouth more, leaving her no choice but to open her mouth and take a bite.

Dai Zhiqiang smiled satisfactorily. "Good girl."

"Geez, why are you treating me like a little girl?" Li Caiyi complained in embarrassment but was secretly elated inside.

"No. I just wanted to do something more for you. Unlike other couples, we can't go on dates often, and the only time we can spend together is in school."

"We don't have to go on a date every time. I am also busy writing my book and studying for the end-term exam. I hope we can be in the same class the next semester. Do you not like it?"

Dai Zhiqiang chuckled. "You are working hard for me; how can I not like it? And also, I have something for you."

Li Caiyi's brows raised in curiosity when Dai Zhiqiang pulled out something from his pocket. It was a packet with cute yellow color. He carefully opened it and dropped the contents into his palm.

"This is not an expensive thing, but I realized I haven't done anything to celebrate your book getting published."

Li Caiyi gasped in a mixture of awe and surprise. What Dai Zhiqiang had in his hand was a silver necklace with a little bird pendant with a colourful wing.

It was clear why he would choose this as the gift, and she was extremely flattered.

"No way. That's so pretty."

"Really? Thank goodness. I wasn't sure what to buy you then saw this pendant. It reminded me of you, so I bought it. I don't know if you will like it, though."

"Zhiqiang, this is beautiful. Is this really for me?"

"Who else if it weren't for you?" Dai Zhiqiang laughed. "Come here, let me help you put this on."

Li Caiyi enthusiastically turned around and slipped her ponytail over her shoulder so Dai Zhiqiang would have an easier time putting the necklace on her.

Then, his big hand went around her head towards the back, and a slightly cold sensation from the metal hit her skin.

She could tell Dai Zhiqiang fumbled with the clasp because it took him a while before he finally said, "Done."

Li Caiyi put on her sweetest smile and turned around. "How do I look? Does this suit me?"

"En. It suits you so much. You look beautiful."

"Hehe, thanks. I will treasure this. Thank you, Zhiqiang."

The boy smiled back at her before leaning down. Li Caiyi's attention was sucked into the depth of his eyes as she slowly closed her eyes and lifted her chin slightly, waiting for the familiar sensation to come.

"We should return to the class now. The break time is almost over."

Li Caiyi immediately opened her eyes and stared dumbly at Dai Zhiqiang, who was currently busy cleaning up their garbage.

"What? You suddenly went quiet. What are you thinking?"

A faint blush crept up her cheeks. Especially when Dai Zhiqiang asked that innocently as though he wasn't trying to lead her on just now.

"You did that on purpose." Li Caiyi grumbled.

"What things?"

She felt even more embarrassed now because it did seem like Dai Zhiqiang was just trying to take some garbage behind her. Feigned ignorance, she fanned her hot face with her hand, trying to play it cool.

"It is so hot here. Let's hurry up and go back to the class."

Li Caiyi didn't know how to face Dai Zhiqiang, so she kept herself busy by cleaning and missed the mischievous smirk on his lips.

***

"I can't believe this! This is like dreams come true!" Li Caiyi jumped in her place excitedly while staring at the row of numbers on her phone. "Jingfei, are you for real? All of this, for the first month?"

Shao Jingfei grinned widely. "Yeah. That was all the fruit of your hard work. Congratulations on your first payment."

"I think I'm going to cry. I didn't expect many people to like my book." Li Caiyi's hand trembled.

She was already very touched by 6000 yuan in the first week. Who would have thought the amount would increase almost tenfold in just a month?

"Well, I won't deny that your book is good. You got a lot of good reviews, and it still has room for improvement. I can say that the prospect is outstanding."

Your book got a good promotion, so it's like God is helping you with your first book. Next month, you won't have the same promotion again. Let's see if your book can perform better even without it."

Li Caiyi nodded while smiling brightly. "Of course, I'm aware of that. This is all thanks to the editorial department for giving my work a chance. If I have the chance to meet the person who recommended my book, I'd love to thank him in person."

Shao Jingfei's smile stiffened as he was perfectly aware that Li Caiyi would be unhappy if she knew the truth.

"Unfortunately, unless it was very important or you are being rewarded with some kind of award, the chance for you to meet the editor-in-chief is small."

"So it was the editor-in-chief who recommended me? No way, I'm so honored."

"Well, yeah…"

"I understand. He must be a very busy person. Just let him know that I'm thankful for the opportunity he has given me. I promise I will make a better book next time."

Li Caiyi said it with so much admiration and gratefulness in her eyes that Shao Jingfei felt a guilty slap on his face for hiding the truth.

"Haha, sure. What do you plan to do with your first payment? Any idea yet?" Shao Jingfei quickly asked to divert her attention.

"I do! This payment came at the right time, actually. With this amount, I should be able to get that place I have been eyeing for so long!"