Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

Ai wheeled her suitcase inside her home early in the morning. She glanced around her apartment and appreciated the repairs done. Everything looked as good as new. She took a seat on her couch and stayed in silence for a long time.

It was only a month from Christmas till now, but so many events transpired in her life. From simply living together to get a roof over her head to last night…

It was as if she just stepped out from a rollercoaster. She smiled recalling how fun it was spending time with Jun about their favorite books, discussions over plots and the heated debates. Those sleepless nights had a magic of their own.

Making Jun serve her during her periods was strangely very satisfying. It's because she knew that he was annoyed by it, so she enjoyed irking him even more.

The days when Jun helped her like a spartan over her drafts revision made her grimace.

He was too cruel, she pursed her lips. It seemed as if 'Rejected' was his favorite word.

She tilted her head.

But it was actually 'Perfect.' Whenever Jun was satisfied with the changes she made, he would smirk and say, "Perfect."

After all the trials and tribulations he put her through, hearing 'perfect' for Ai was akin to getting salvation.

Ai brewed some coffee for herself in the kitchen and got back to the couch. She took out her notebook and spent some time writing down these little experiences and all the feelings they invoked within her.

But as she came to the events of last night, her hand stopped. She trembled and still felt the lingering presence of where Jun touched her. She clutched her pen, trying to discern her emotions, but she didn't get any answer. Or maybe she was, but she refused to acknowledge them.

No!

She gasped and immediately berated herself.

It's nothing. Jun and I...can never happen...Last night was just...

In the end, the page was left blank.

*Ding Ding*

*Ding Ding!* 

Ai frowned with the incessant ringing. She opened the door and froze.

"Ai!"

Guiying let out a loud sigh of relief and jumped into her hug. "Oh, God! You are finally back!"

Ai didn't move. She stared ahead for a few seconds, staggered by her sudden appearance.

Guiying withdrew from the hug and carefully looked at her up and down. She turned her backside and then front again.

"Alright. So you are not hurt," she finally felt the tension ease from her stiff body.

"Guiying," Ai whispered. "How are you here?"

Her jaw dropped. "Of course I will be here, idiot!" 

She grabbed her hand and dragged to the couch. "I returned from vacation, and suddenly, I came to know that your house blew up. On top of that, you were living with a man I have never heard of before! Can you imagine my shock? I have so many questions for you, girl!"

Her jaw clenched, feeling the need to punch something. "Did you hear how he talked to me? How dare he threaten me? I am your best friend! How is it wrong if you stay at my home? It's perfectly natural. He was talking like some goon. Ai, how did you even meet such a guy in the first place? And you agreed to stay with him? He just leaks danger! I am amazed that you are even alive!"

Ai gave her a few moments to catch her breath.

Guiying asked, "Ai, why didn't you tell me if you needed someplace to live? The hell you said you would bother me. Besties are supposed to bother each other! That's the essence of friendship," She shamelessly declared.

 Ai lied. "It's nothing. I didn't wish to ruin your vacation mood."

She tremblingly pointed her finger at her. "You-you…Ahhhh! Damn, you had me worried there so much. I was this close to going to the cops had you not stopped me."

Ai tried to put up a smile.

Guiying narrowed her eyes. "But you still didn't tell me who he is. Who is this mystery man?"

She slightly stiffened. An uneasy feeling brewed in her heart. Something urged Ai not to reveal anything about Jun to her.

"Just…just an acquaintance I met in the library."

"And just an acquaintance was ready to let you live in his home?" She touched her chin.

"He didn't mind."

Guiying sighed and pinched her cheeks. "I am pretty sure he couldn't help it. My Ai is so cute, after all. I was just worried if he was some pervert. It's dangerous to take up a man's offer."

Ai peered into her concerned gaze. There was one Cai Guiying who pushed her off the roof in her past life and snatched Yating from her, and there was this Cai Guiying who was genuinely troubled over Ai's safety and well-being.

It sometimes made Ai feel conflicted about her. Neither the past life was a lie, nor Guiying's distress right at this moment. Her gaze was without any malice.

So, why did things between two best friends turn so bitter and hateful?

Ai lowered her gaze.

In the end, their careers and their love for the same man wedged a gap between them. Their friendship was bound to break apart.

But it won't happen now, Ai thought. I won't give up on writing, but Yating…

This time, there would be no roadblock to stop Guiying and Yating from dating each other. If not entirely, Ai hoped things would at least remain civil between them.

Guiying grinned and patted her head. "Well, I am happy that you are back. You might say that you trust him, but I feel more comfortable seeing you moved out. Whatever you think, that man is nothing but a mean person to me. Anyway, now another important thing I wanted to talk to you about is the plagiarism issue that is shitting your name in the public."

"Don't worry about it. I will take care-"

"That is not the issue here, Ai. I know today or tomorrow, your name will be cleared. What I want to know is why you are leaving Dream High? Why did you pitch in your draft to our biggest competitor? Ai, I feel…that there are a lot of things you are hiding from me."