Rebirth: Once Again With You

The girl's face blushed in a mixture of embarrassment and fury. Her sweet smile was gone as she snorted scornfully.

"What are you getting conceited about? If it weren't for your scholarship, you wouldn't be here, anyway. Forget it. I'm done talking with a plebeian." She spat out venomously before snatching her things and stormed her way out of the library, walking past the astounded Li Caiyi.

Dai Zhiqiang noticed her standing, and a subtle smile crept out on his lips. "You are here."

Li Caiyi could feel the prickling gaze of every girl in the perimeter as she walked over, but she paid it no heed.

"Zhiqiang, are you okay? Don't mind what she said," Li Caiyi said with concern.

"Hm? Ah, you mean about her insult? I don't care about it."

"I can understand if she is angry, but she is being too much by saying that!" Li Caiyi puffed her cheeks in anger.

Dai Zhiqiang chuckled. "If I care about what people say about my status as a scholarship student in this school, then I won't continue studying here."

Li Caiyi's jaw dropped in disbelief. "You mean that wasn't the first time you heard such a thing?"

"I don't hear it often, but she is not the first to say that."

"What's with that? These people should learn how to spend their time for better use!"

"I already said I don't care about it," Dai Zhiqiang paused briefly before asking, "Why are you here? I thought I already said we should watch ourselves during the exam period?"

Blinded by her anger, Li Caiyi almost forgot her real purpose. "I came to continue our last conversation. As expected, I don't feel right leaving it that way. Can we talk alone just for a bit?"

Dai Zhiqiang sighed helplessly. "There is nothing to talk about. It is what it is."

"But why do I feel you are trying to push me away?" Li Caiyi asked sadly. "Did I say something wrong? Or is it something you can't tell me again?"

"Caiyi, let's not talk about this now. I have to do my duty as a librarian. And be more aware of your surroundings next time."

At his stern reprimand, Li Caiyi looked around. As he said, pairs of eyes and ears looked this way with curiosity and jealousy. It was indeed not an ideal place to talk about this. Her face burned in embarrassment.

"If you understand, you can leave first. I will contact you later, okay? I'm sorry."

She could tell he was trying to coax her, but she could also feel that the invisible wall between them kept getting thicker and higher.

However, even if she forced him to talk to her, she bet he wouldn't budge. Retreating was the only choice then.

"Alright. Promise me we will talk after the exam ends, okay?"

Dai Zhiqiang didn't reply and only gave her a faint smile. "Go on. You must be tired. Take a rest when you are at home."

With a heavy feeling in her chest, Li Caiyi reluctantly left.

***

Dai Zhiqiang's refusal to talk to her put her in a gloomy mood, but at least she could focus on her exam better. Every day she had to remind herself not to search for him and that she should wait for a good opportunity.

Today, that chance finally came because it was the last day of the midterm exam.

Li Caiyi packed her stuff at lightning speed before walking out of the classroom. She wanted to wait outside Dai Zhiqiang's class and told him, 'good job on the exam'.

After that, she would test the water again to see if they could continue their last conversation.

The distance between their classes was only a few steps, so she thought this plan would work. However, when she heard from Li Chunhua that Dai Zhiqiang had left after finishing his exam in less than an hour, she realized she couldn't use her regular strategy on geniuses.

"Say, aren't you going to ask me how I was doing on my exam?" Li Chunhua pouted. "You ran here as soon as the bell rang for that guy. Do you like him or something?"

Li Caiyi had no time to answer Li Chunhua's question. "There's no need to ask because I know you'll do well, anyway. I have a business with him, so I'll leave first!"

"Xiaoyi, wait!"

Li Caiyi felt bad, but she pretended not to hear her sister's call and ran toward the library.

Unfortunately, Dai Zhiqiang was nowhere to be seen. Li Caiyi even peeked in the archive room, but he wasn't there.

Another guy was sitting behind the librarian's desk, so he shouldn't be on the shift today.

"Didn't I tell him we will have to talk after the exam? Don't tell me he is avoiding me." Li Caiyi bit her lips in frustration.

Looking around, there were only a few people in the room now, probably because Dai Zhiqiang wasn't there. Li Caiyi walked out of the library only to bump into Li Junjie and Meng Renshu. They were about to enter the library.

"Xiaoyi!" Meng Renshu exclaimed happily. "Are you here to return a book, too?"

"Huh? No, I'm not, but I'm in a hurry now." Li Caiyi replied in a rushed tone.

"Is it that urgent?" This time, it was Li Junjie who asked her a question. "Tell me when you have time, then. I need to talk about Father since you aren't staying at our house right now."

Li Caiyi's steps halted when she heard that. Part of her wanted to stay and listen to Li Junjie's explanation since she had been waiting for more news since her brother returned to the school.

'But then, what about Zhiqiang?' She contemplated inwardly.

Her inner turmoil didn't last long because her reason quickly won over her emotional need.

Li Caiyi needed to know about the aftermath of her brother's confrontation with their father that day. It was a shame she couldn't split her body in two, but this was more important now.

"On second thought, I think my business can wait. Please tell me what happened after that, Brother Jie."

Meng Renshu observed the two carefully before saying, "Have a pleasant talk, you two. I'll go first, so I won't bother you."

"Why?" Li Caiyi had blurted out that question before she could stop herself. Meng Renshu's brows were raised, causing Li Caiyi to feel self-conscious.