Rebirth: Once Again With You

"So you suspected this Lu Ruan girl has something to do with this?" Detective Tang asked after Li Caiyi had told him everything.

"My sister found out about this, and I think there is a chance that the man Lu Ruan has been hanging out with has something to do with it. It may be just a false alarm, but there is no harm in checking."

Detective Tang took a deep breath before saying, "Little Miss, are you sure you still don't want to call the police? If that's true, this malicious person is closer to you than you think. This is dangerous, and even though I'm competent, I can't watch you 24/7. Wouldn't it be better if the police help you in this?"

Li Caiyi rubbed her arm, looking conflicted. She avoided direct eye contact with Detective Tang before responding, "I don't trust them. The police, I mean."

After all, she was pushed into the corner in her last life because the police investigation concluded that she was the evil girl who poisoned her sister out of jealousy. She didn't do anything, yet more evidence and witnesses against her kept coming out, putting her in a difficult position.

Li Caiyi would be lying if she said she didn't suspect anything. Up to this point, she didn't know who was behind Li Chunhua's poisoning case. By some chance, if the person who plotted against her then related to the one who harassed her this time, she wasn't sure if contacting the police was a wise move.

Li Caiyi didn't even want to recall those times anymore. She only asked for a peaceful and happy life for herself this time, yet her past returned to haunt her.

"You made a very dark face there, Little Miss."

Snapping out of her daze, Li Caiyi retook a deep breath. "Detective Tang, I want to entrust this case to you. We can terminate our agreement here and now if you can't do this."

"Hey, now. I didn't even say anything, but you want to dismiss me just like that? Little Miss, you have an unpredictable temper." Detective Tang chuckled while gazing at her meaningfully. "Though, I can understand where you are coming from. There is a lot of bad police out there, indeed."

It was like he could guess what she was thinking. Li Caiyi felt uncomfortable.

"Little Miss, you are my employer. If you want me to investigate this girl named  Lu Ruan, then I'm up to the task. Don't worry about anything, and wait for further information from me."

Li Caiyi was stunned when a big hand landed on her head. A warm and strong hand. She slowly raised her eyes only to find Detective Tang with his usual confident smirk on his face.

"Leave it all to me. I'll make sure to find out whoever is behind this. One me is worth more than a hundred police. You are in good hands."

"What's with that? You are too confident in yourself."

"Hahaha, but I'm not speaking nonsense. As you can see, my skills are the real deal."

Li Caiyi: "...."

From an objective perspective, Detective Tang merely comforted a little child. It was a gesture of kindness and proof of his concern for her.

However, in actuality, Li Caiyi was actually around the same age, or probably even older than him. She felt complicated being treated like this.

'But it's still nice knowing that I'm not alone in this,'

A small smile escaped Li Caiyi's lips, and Detective Tang's smile deepened. Ever since she asked for help with her father's affair, he knew that this little girl wasn't simple, but she looked very innocent at this moment. It softened his heart.

"If there's nothing, then this uncle will leave first. There are many things he has to investigate."

"Yes. Please don't mind me and go ahead."

"Heh. You reverted to your usual self so fast. That's a bit unfortunate."

"Ah? Whatever do you mean?"

"Nothing. I'll see you later, Miss."

Detective Tang winked at her before walking away. Li Caiyi looked down at the pictures in front of her before carefully slipping them into her bag.

***

Li Caiyi sat on her bed with a towel draped over her shoulder. Beads of water fell from the edge of her hair to her pajama, but she didn't care and was busy fiddling with her phone.

[Li Caiyi: I understand. You can't make it because of work, so don't blame yourself :)]

[Dai Zhiqiang: I'm sorry. We promised to have a date at least once during summer break, but I broke it again. I'll make it up to you somehow.]

[Li Caiyi: No need. But it seems you have become busier. Is everything alright with your workplace?]

[Dai Zhiqiang: En. Everything is fine here. It's late. You should go to sleep]

[Li Caiyi: You too. Sleep well, Zhi.]

There was no reply after that. Li Caiyi sighed and let her body fall back to the comfy bed.

At first, it was very awkward for her to contact him. After his last visit, Li Caiyi felt embarrassed whenever she thought of him. Her response toward him became awkward, and she often didn't know what to say to him.

It wasn't like that was her first time. And doing stuff like that between couples wasn't weird at all. But Dai Zhiqiang was still a teenager, so she felt like she had committed a grave sin.

'Get yourself together, Li Caiyi. You are a teenager too right now, remember? It's legal, and it's not like you are the only one who enjoyed it. There is absolutely nothing for you to feel bad about!'

Li Caiyi had to admit that they moved too fast. It didn't matter how much she missed him and how lonely she was; it was her who seduced him first. If her past self saw her like this, she would probably feel mortified by how impatient she was.

They were dating, yet the day they could spend together was limited. Dai Zhiqiang had made it clear to her that he couldn't be by her side all the time, so she had no right to complain, but still, she didn't expect it to be this hard.

"It feels like I'm back to the days when I can only wait for the person I love to look at me."

Li Caiyi stared at her phone and saw her reflection on her phone screen.

She had become one with the person she loved and loved her dearly. What else could she possibly ask for?

This time it was different from those bleak days when she spent herself doubting her worth. Dai Zhiqiang unmistakably loved her very much. This was the sacrifice she had to make for their love. It wasn't a pointless effort like before.

"I know that, but what's with this sadness inside me? Love is so difficult to understand."

Li Caiyi shook her head to chase away her thoughts and clenched her hand into a fist.

"Zhi is trying hard out there, so I can't lose to him. I'm a busy person too. I even have a party to attend next week. This will be my debut in the writing circle, so I have to do my best!"

She opened her wardrobe and pulled out some of her dresses. Except for a few that Meng Renshu had given her, she barely had any dress. Unlike Li Chunhua, social gatherings were never her forte, so she didn't have many dresses.

"No, I can't wear these to such an important event in my life. It's time to use the money I earned to treat myself."

Li Caiyi grinned to herself while planning everything in her head. She had to make a reservation at the beauty salon and do some shopping this week. How long has it been since she had time for herself? This would be fun!

"Oh, I know! I should ask my friends to come with me. Summer break is almost over. It will be fun to return with the same hairstyle."

She had to cancel her plan of treating them to the limited ice cream the other day. This could be the perfect chance to make it up to them.

Giggling to herself, Li Caiyi had forgotten about her previous gloominess.