Rebirth: Once Again With You

"I can sense you quaking and trembling up there, though. Even after years passed, you still can't speak in front of the crowd. But you are very brave for someone who thinks of her speech on the spot.. That's so like you."

"So you noticed that?"

"Hm? Ah, don't worry. I'm sure it's only me who notices it, since we have known each other for a long time. If anyone else sees you, they will just think that you are a charming and admirable young lady."

For some reason, she felt relieved and slightly happy when she heard that. It was still a bit embarrassing, but it sure felt nice to have someone acknowledge her effort. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For congratulating me, and for the flowers too. They're pretty."

"Yeah? I'm glad you like it."

No one said anything after that. Li Caiyi initially wanted to scold him for dragging her here, but when she thought about it again, he probably did that because he knew her legs almost gave up on her in the middle there.

It was quiet, but she didn't feel awkward at all. This was a very rare occasion, considering how uncomfortable she always was with him.

Li Caiyi briefly glanced at him who leaned his body on the railing. He was staring at the cityscape in front of them with a distant gaze on his face as if reminiscing something.

The moonlight illuminated his beautiful face, accentuating his prominent facial features. He looked serene and mysterious, like the Moon God.

"This is the first time we met since summer break began, right?"

"Huh? Oh, yes." Li Caiyi quickly looked at some other places when he suddenly turned to her.

"I heard you have moved out of your house and live alone now. How are you? I hope everything went well for you."

Li Caiyi's mind automatically did a flashback to the series of harassment she received, and she unconsciously clutched her bouquet tighter.

"Everything's fine. Thank you for your concern."

"I'm glad to hear that. Please let me know if you need help from me."

She wasn't in the mood for an argument, so she nodded obediently.

There was a silence between them again. However, this time Li Caiyi could feel his gaze on her. The intensity could almost bore a hole in her face.

Right then, from the big window behind them, they could hear slow music flowing out. It seemed like it was already time for dance. Li Caiyi could faintly hear footsteps getting closer.

"Did you find him?"

"No. He isn't on the first floor or second floor. We took our eyes from him for a second and he disappeared."

"And here I'm, hoping I can dance with him."

"Don't give up! He can't be that far. Search for him again."

Li Caiyi was speechless. Meng Renshu stole women's hearts like he was plucking cabbage from the lawn. Those girls were chasing after him fervently. They probably would tear her apart if they saw her alone with him on the balcony like this.

'I should make a run for it.'

Li Caiyi was about to leave the balcony when Meng Renshu wrapped his arm around her waist from behind. She was so surprised she couldn't get a scream out. Especially when he pulled her behind the big curtain, hiding them from people's gaze.

Meng Renshu's chest was pressed against her back. His breath was right behind her nape, and she could feel his warm temperature enveloping her like a blanket.

Li Caiyi's heart drummed loudly in her chest, and her face felt like it was burning.

Before she could struggle away from his embrace, two girls suddenly burst the window open and walked out.

Li Caiyi unconsciously tensed up. If they saw them sticking to each other behind the curtain like this, it would be very bad! She couldn't let that happen, so she clamped her mouth with her hands, and even lowered her breathing sounds.

"He is not here either. Seriously, where did he go?"

"There's no time to whine. Let's search in other places!"

The two girls returned inside, and the sound of their footsteps got farther away. Li Caiyi stayed still for a good one minute before she could finally breathe again.

"Brother Renshu, they are gone now. Can you let me go now?"

Meng Renshu: "...."

"Brother Renshu?"

He squeezed her for a moment before letting her go. Li Caiyi vaguely noticed that something was wrong with him, but she couldn't see his expression clearly because it was too dark.

"Sorry for holding you back. I don't want them to find me so fast, and they will bother you if you go out back then."

Li Caiyi kind of guessed that was the case so she didn't think much of it and nodded. "I know. It must be tiring to be popular guy,"

Meng Renshu chuckled. "I just want some time alone here."

"I see." Li Caiyi rubbed her arm stiffly. It was like she could still feel his warmth around her, and it made her feel weird inside.

"Uhm, I have to go now. Thanks for helping me out. Take your time and have a good rest."

"Xiaoyi!"

"Yes?" Li Caiyi looked up at him in bewilderment. Meng Renshu hesitated for a while before finally reaching out his hand to her.

"We can hear the music from here. So, what about a dance? Of course, it's only a friendly dance."

Meng Renshu said that, but Li Caiyi could see it. Hidden deep inside his gallant attitude, was a hope, threatening to spill out.

Perhaps she was just being too self-conscious, or she might get a little conceited after he confessed to her. But even if it was only a one-in-a-million chance, she didn't want that hope to grow.

Her heart sank for having to do this over and over again, but she kept a neutral face and replied, "You already know my answer, so why did you bother to ask?"

Meng Renshu's eyes widened for a moment before a bitter smile crept up his face. He retracted his hand and laughed dryly.

"You are right. Perhaps the mood of this place had gotten to me. I didn't understand why I did that either. Please just forget it."

Li Caiyi saw that forced smile on his face, and it was like seeing her past self, who yearned for his affection and kept getting hurt in the process.

'This is really uncomfortable. I don't like this.'

"Xiaoyi, I…"

"I'm sorry, but I think it's time for me to leave. If you'll excuse me."

Li Caiyi didn't give him time to prolong their conversation and dashed out of the balcony. Her emotions were in disarray.

She did the right thing by rejecting him, but a part of her couldn't forgive herself. To think she was swayed by old feelings, even for just a moment.

Recalling how close they were to each other earlier, Li Caiyi felt anxious. She was practically running away from him, for fear of what might happen if she kept talking to him.

Was it because he was so gentle to her tonight? Was it because the mood was just like he said? Was it because he looked like she wanted to hold her tightly, but he had to let her go?

Li Caiyi shook her head frantically. It was no use trying to find out the answer because what she had to do was clear from the beginning.

Dai Zhiqiang's face appeared inside her mind, and she really wanted to hear his voice right now. She felt like she could calm down if she could hear his voice, so she took out her phone from her bag and dialed his number.

Li Caiyi waited nervously, but the call was directed to his mailbox, just like usual. She was very disappointed but could do nothing but leave him a message to contact her once he finished his work.

"I should go home now,"  she said weakly, feeling extremely worn out.

Thankfully, no one was trying to block her way, so she could get out of the venue unscathed. When she was about to leave the premises, she saw a familiar figure walking past her in a hurry.

Li Caiyi was surprised to see that person here, but it didn't seem like he noticed her, as he kept walking without stopping.

"What? Why is Detective Tang here?"