Rebirth: Once Again With You

The Meng Residence always looked splendid, no matter how often she looked at it. She remembered the first time she went there as a child and the first time she took a step into the house as Meng Renshu's wife.

Both times made her legs tremble because of the house's majestic and extravagant atmosphere. It felt like a whole other world beyond the gate. So she was very nervous, but this time she went in a hurry.

Li Caiyi didn't want to delay as he knew Meng Yaoshu was a busy person. She had already heard from the company that her father-in-law was taking a day off today to settle the current incident.

The servants recognized her and led her to the study room where Meng Yaoshu was.

Li Caiyi fixed her appearance for a moment before knocking on the door. "Father, it's me, Caiyi."

"Come in."

She opened the door, and her gaze met Meng Yaoshu's sharp one. He smiled faintly as he waved his hand, beckoning her to come closer. "Considering how you race here as soon as the interrogation has ended, I take it that it doesn't go so well?"

Li Caiyi shamefully hung her head. It pained her to admit her husband's affair directly, especially to her father-in-law, but the situation worsened.

"Father, I'm sorry. I made a grave mistake."

"My child, you seemed to be so distraught. I specifically asked them to treat you nicely. Did they perhaps bully you?"

Li Caiyi shook her head. The officer who handled her was rude, but if it weren't for Meng Yaoshu's influence, they could have roughed on her. They already decided that she was the criminal, after all.

Her nose felt sour, knowing she would again be a burden for her sole supporter. "No, they treated me well."

"Then what bothers you so much that you rushed here?"

Li Caiyi shut her eyes tightly before hesitantly admitting. "I…I have lied to you, Father. What I told you the other day wasn't the complete truth. I have been hiding something from you."

Meng Yaoshu looked at her meaningfully. He stood up from his seat and gently held her hands in his. The warmth seeped from her skin to her heart.

"Caiyi, if it's you, I'm sure you have a good reason for that. Please do not worry and tell me the truth. I'll help you in any way I can."

The interrogation room was dark and cold. The officer's accusation and his hostile attitude stifled her, but she was powerless against all that. She promised him she would do her best to prove her innocence, but she made it worse instead.

Li Caiyi had never felt so pathetic and worthless before. Yet, despite all that, her father-in-law still warmly reached out to her. He didn't disdain her and was willing to listen to what she had to say.

She was so grateful that tears began to drip from her eyes. "Ugh…"

Meng Yaoshu patted her shoulder sympathetically. "It must have been hard for you. People's words could save someone, but it was also the sharpest weapon a human could hold. You don't have to hold it back."

"Father, I… I'm sorry. I shouldn't cry, but I was so frustrated and tired by all this."

"I know. I'm not surprised if you see the whole world as your enemy now."

"No. Not everyone is my enemy," Li Caiyi smiled gratefully. "Because I still have Father by my side. Someone still believed in me, giving me so much strength. So I won't give up just yet!"

Meng Yaoshu laughed boisterously. "Haha, of course! Who would protect my daughter-in-law except me? I'm relieved you seem to still have a fighting spirit in you. Now, can you tell me everything?"

Wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes, Li Caiyi nodded. "Yes. Let me start from the beginning."

***

"That's bad news, indeed. They tricked you completely and put you in the worst position possible." Meng Yaoshu sighed.

"Father, about Renshu's matter…."

"Ah, you don't have to worry about that. I will make sure none of that would leak outside."

Li Caiyi sighed in relief. "Thank you."

"But is this the time to be worrying about someone else? You are in a much more difficult situation than before. Yet, that unreasonable son of mine is still nowhere to see. Does he really not care about you at all?!" Meng Yaoshu grumbled angrily.

His words stung her heart. She was used to being neglected, but it didn't make it any less painful.

Truthfully, she felt ashamed talking about her marital problem with her father-in-law. It was like admitting her failure as a wife. However, Meng Renshu and Li Chunhua would be implicated if she stayed silent.

With Meng Yaoshu's power, the rumor could have been suppressed earlier and minimized damage. Now, she could finally focus on herself.

"Father, what do you think I should do now?"

Meng Yaoshu pondered thoughtfully for a moment. "Hmm, I think it's best to lay low for now. If you must, answer their question, but don't divulge too much information. Don't be discouraged by what people say about you either."

"I understand," Li Ciayi's body felt much lighter after talking it out with Meng Yaoshu.

"You became thinner in such a short amount of time. Please don't worry too much and take care of your health. I will help you to the best of my ability. Remember, you are not alone in this."

"Father, I appreciate your help very much."

"Why don't you stay for dinner? I know there are servants in your house, but I can't relax until I see you eat well with my own eyes."

Li Caiyi giggled. Compared to her spacious but empty house, it probably would be better to eat here with Meng Yaoshu. "Yes, I'll do that, Father."

"Great. Then how about you have a bit of rest first until dinnertime? I have already asked someone to prepare a room for you."

He was so kind that she was at a loss for words. It was sad how Meng Yaoshu could treat her better than her biological father could ever do. She even envied Meng Renshu and Meng Shuchun a bit. They were really blessed to have someone as wonderful as him as their father.

"Then, I'll look forward to dining with you, Father. I will not disturb your rest time anymore."

Li Caiyi politely bade him goodbye before walking out of the room. A young maid had been waiting for her outside and invited Li Caiyi to follow her.

The guest room prepared for her was twice as spacier than her room in her house. Li Caiyi felt much more relaxed after escaping that gloomy interrogation room, and talking with Meng Yaoshu lifted the burden off her shoulder.

The young maid said Li Caiyi could take a bath to refresh herself if she wanted to because they had prepared spare clothes for her. Her father-in-law was so considerate; she felt a little bad about it.

However, the idea of taking a dip in a warm bath did sound appealing. Li Caiyi saw no reason to restrain herself after the master of the house had allowed her to, so he quickly went into the bathroom after the young maid had left.

She took her time, and when she finally finished and changed into comfortable-looking clothes, she finally felt alive again. As she dried her hair, she couldn't help but think about her sister, who still hadn't regained consciousness.

"I should have asked Father about it. He is the only one willing to tell me anything," Li Caiyi regretted a bit.

She wondered if it would be too much to go back and ask him again. Would she be a bother? Meng Yaoshu had to take care of the mess she made, and she didn't want to disturb him further.

Li Caiyi paced back and forth in the room before finally deciding to go and observe the situation first. If her father-in-law was busy, then she wouldn't bother him.

With that in mind, Li Caiyi walked out of the room. She saw no servants around, but it was alright since she remembered the way to the study room.

It didn't take long before she arrived in the study room. Li Caiyi raised her hand and was about to knock on the door when a piercing and fierce shout could be heard from inside.

"HAVE YOU FINALLY GONE SENILE?!!"