Rebirth: Once Again With You

The library was quiet, with no one in sight. Surrounded by books and the silence, Dai Zhiqiang's voice sounded louder than what was supposed to be a mere whisper.

"When I'm with you, it feels like I can breathe easier. Even though I know I shouldn't indulge myself in this feeling, I can't help but wish that I could stay by your side. Even a minute more is fine."

Li Caiyi had never witnessed Dai Zhiqiang so vulnerable like this before. His voice lacked his usual composure and sounded fragile.

"Zhiqiang, I'm sorry I didn't notice it sooner. Now that I'm here, we can spend more time together."

"Even when I did nothing but keep you by my side without confirming what our relationship is, you are still patient with me. You are too good for someone like me."

"What are you saying? Don't forget you have helped me a lot too before. If you continue speaking that way again, I'll get mad." Li Caiyi huffed.

Dai Zhiqiang let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Really, I can't win against you."

There was a brief pause before he continued. "I should be the one saying sorry. I'm the cowardly one and have to rely on you to approach me first every time. You said you wanted to be as strong as me, but I think you sell yourself too short. You are much stronger and more courageous than I am."

It was clearly a compliment, but Li Caiyi felt pain in her chest when she heard that. "Don't say that. You are also selling yourself too short."

"No, I'm telling the truth. I might be kind to you, but I'm not a good person. If only you know how much I want to chain you by my side so you won't leave me."

"Zhi-Zhiqiang?"

When he said the last sentence, the sudden drop in his tone took her aback. But before she could ask about it, Dai Zhiqiang had raised his head and separated his hand from hers.

"I'm talking gibberish. Thank you, my charging is complete now. Shall we go back to our classroom?"

She could tell he was trying to avoid talking about this topic by saying that. Li Caiyi bit her lips while having a mixed feeling inside.

"You are right. The exam will begin soon. How about I meet you again at the library after school?"

Contrary to her expectation, Dai Zhiqiang shook his head. "No, you should go ahead because I will be busy sorting out everything here."

"Even more reason for me to come, then. I can help you with it."

"You should take a good rest after the exam. I think the charge will be enough to move me for a week, so let's focus on the exam for now."

An invisible barrier had been cast between them. Li Caiyi could sense the words left unsaid in the air. That was his way of telling her not to come searching for him.

Li Caiyi bit her lips again. She was thrilled before because she thought she could spend more time with him from now on, but it seemed he was adamant about creating some distance between them.

They were so close, yet he felt so far away from her. Just when she thought she had taken a step closer to him, he would take two steps away from her, ensuring she stayed at arm's length.

This situation was frighteningly similar to her past relationship with Meng Renshu. She wasn't fond of re-experiencing days of waiting anymore.

"Zhiqiang, I—"

Before she could finish her sentence, the bell signaling the start of the school rang.

'This rotten luck of mine!' Li Caiyi screamed inwardly.

"It's time already. Let's go," Dai Zhiqiang said with a faint smile on his lips.

Li Caiyi had no choice but to swallow back all her words and wait for the next opportunity to talk about it again.

***

That was what she thought.

Li Caiyi thought she could talk to Dai Zhiqiang a bit after the exam had finished, but who would have thought that many people would be there in the library when she arrived? When she found out that most library visitors were female, she sighed helplessly.

Beauty is a sin indeed.

Li Caiyi followed those girls' line of sight and found the person she had looked for was sitting in his usual spot. His eyes cast down on the book in his hand while his finger would flip the page occasionally. Utterly unbothered by people's stares, his skill in ignoring people could be comparable to Li Junjie's.

She walked over to him, but someone got ahead of her. A girl with short hair and a cute face trudged toward the librarian's desk while hugging a book in her arms.

"I want to borrow this one first," the girl said while putting down the book. Her eyes glowed when she looked at Dai Zhiqiang. Her adoration toward the boy was apparent, but the said boy only moved his hand to check out the book without acknowledging the girl's presence.

"Please make sure to return the book within two weeks," Dai Zhiqiang said robotically while handing over the book and her student ID.

The girl looked a bit disappointed by how quick it went.

She reached out to receive her things, but doing so caused their hands to brush against each other slightly. She yelped softly with a blushed face while looking up at Dai Zhiqiang with a shy smile, making her look cuter.

Li Caiyi almost wanted to roll her eyes looking at the scene. What was with that? If she kept doing that, it would cause a massive queue behind her and inconvenience others!

Li Caiyi wanted Dai Zhiqiang to do something, although she wasn't sure what she wanted him to do. Chasing away that girl while cursing? Or scold the girl for wasting his time? Both didn't sound right.

The girl deliberately stalled for more time to catch Dai Zhiqiang's attention. Unfortunately for her, Dai Zhiqiang couldn't care less about it.

Noticing that the girl didn't take her things, he simply put down the book on top of the desk before returning to his seat and continuing reading.

"Uhm, excuse me. I have a question. Do you have some time?" The girl asked in a sweet voice.

"No." Dai Zhiqiang replied curtly, without raising his head from his book.

The girl's face turned crimson at his cold and ruthless response. He didn't even look at her, and it hurt her pride.

"This is regarding the librarian's job. Do you happen to know where I can apply for it?"

Li Caiyi's cheek twitched when she heard that. Unlike her innocent appearance, this girl was actually pretty bold and straightforward. She seemed to have no intention of hiding her attraction at all.

Dai Zhiqiang finally looked up, and the girl's smile bloomed like a fresh flower in the morning. She stared at him expectantly, but that smile immediately fell when she heard Dai Zhiqiang's following sentence.

"Take your book and ask the teacher instead of me. This will be the last time I will respond to you. Please don't talk to me after this."