Rebirth: Once Again With You

Li Caiyi was awakened to the sound of something loud in the middle of the night. She thought the thief had snuck in.

However, when she looked at the kitchen counter, she saw her man standing with a silly look as he frowned at something on his phone screen. In his hand was a knife, and her pink apron wrapped around his figure.

Li Caiyi immediately knew what he was trying to do, and her lips curled up in a fond smile.

"What are you doing?"

Dai Zhiqiang was startled. He jerked his head while trying to hide the knife behind him.

"Did I wake you?"

"With all the noises you made, it's impossible to stay asleep." Li Caiyi giggled, making him immediately look dejected, like a lost puppy.

"I planned to wake you up after I prepare something."

Li Caiyi rose from her seat and glanced at the mess on the kitchen counter. It appeared he was trying to cut the vegetables, but the shapes were quite funny. There was some salt spilled, and the bowls were placed haphazardly.

It was like a war had descended on her kitchen. She recalled how clumsy Dai Zhiqiang was and couldn't stifle her laughter.

Dai Zhiqiang sighed in defeat. "I made a mess in your kitchen. My bad. I will clean it up later."

Li Caiyi reached out and pinched him on the cheek, catching him off guard. She laughed, even more, seeing the foolish look on his face.

"You should have woken me up, then. How can you leave me out like that?"

"But, you look tired. I don't want to disturb you. Also…"

"Hm?" Li Caiyi tilted her head, waiting for him to finish.

He avoided her eyes before adding in a low voice. "I wanted to surprise you. I have practiced a bit since you came to our house last time."

Li Caiyi was overwhelmed by his cuteness, and she couldn't speak a word. He looked so sweet, and she suddenly wanted to take a bite of him.

How could he be so adorable? This should be a foul!

'Let's calm down here, Li Caiyi. Are you that frustrated you want to pounce on him?'

She tried to hide her fluster by clearing her throat. She just hoped she didn't look foolish now.

"Heh, I see. You deserve praise, then."

He nodded firmly, this time with a proud expression like he was trying to fish for a compliment. Her heart banged loudly in her chest. Li Caiyi couldn't handle his cuteness.

"B-But you still have some way to go! Let me teach you the proper way!"

Dai Zhiqiang noticed how her face turned red while she tried to busy herself with the vegetables. He secretly smiled triumphantly to himself before wearing an innocent look again.

***

"Thank you for the food." Li Caiyi sighed in satisfaction as she leaned back. She didn't feel it before, but she realized how hungry she was after she finished her food.

She stood up and gave her bowl and utensils to Dai Zhiqiang, who proceeded to wash them. It was cute how he was so careful with them. Since it was made from plastic, she wasn't afraid of him breaking them.

'Looking at his back, Li Caiyi couldn't help imagining the future. If she were to marry in the future, it would be with him, right? Would he take care of her like this, too, in the future?

The thought was so flattering and tempting that she basically swam in it. She only snapped out of it when he patted her shoulder.

"Yi Yi, what are you thinking? You didn't respond when I called you."

"Huh? Ah, sorry! I was just lost in thought," Li Caiyi grimaced. She couldn't possibly tell him she was imagining how many kids they would have later, right?

"What did you say just now?"

"I was asking if something had happened to you in school." Dai Zhiqiang stared at her inquisitively.

The inevitable question finally came out. Dai Zhiqiang was bound to know sooner or later once he returned to school. Thinking back, it was silly of her to try to hide it.

​ It was just; that Li Caiyi wasn't sure how he would react to this. He waited for her to continue earnestly, and it hurt her when she recalled his upset look earlier.

"Is it something you can't tell me either?"

Li Caiyi shook her head. "No, I will tell you. But let me say this in advance, I have nothing but a clear conscience. So, please let me finish my story before you say something."

"Sure. Tell me."

Li Caiyi took a deep breath before nervously tucking her hair behind her ear. She recounted the rumor circulated in school and how almost everyone in the school looked at her weirdly now. She tried to make the situation as lightly as possible, but his face kept turning grimmer.

"Who is it? The bastard who harasses you?" He asked in a dangerously chilling voice, looking ready to kill someone.

"I don't know yet. All I know is that someone probably hired someone to follow me around. All the pictures were taken from a hidden spot."

Li Caiyi couldn't divulge everything she knew, but this much should be alright. She hesitantly studied his reaction; sure enough, he was fuming with anger. She held his hand firmly, trying to appease him.

"Zhi, I swear I have never done anything that warrants your suspicion. I would never betray you like that."

Dai Zhiqiang put his hand on top of hers. "I know. You are not a good liar. I can tell you are speaking truthfully."

For once, she was relieved that she was pretty easy to read.

"Then, what are you planning to do? Do you want me to help you?"

"Oh." Li Caiyi hadn't thought that far ahead. Although she had an idea who was the culprit behind all this ridiculous slander, it wasn't like she had any evidence to prove it.

And honestly, now that she had told Dai Zhiqiang and he didn't suspect her, she felt relaxed. She couldn't let people talk about her, but there was no hurry in making the clarification.

Having him misunderstand her was her greatest fear, but he just dissolved that fear for her. She was almost surprised at how easy it was.

"I may have a plan, but if I can, I want to handle this myself. Or that's not good?" Li Caiyi looked up at him pleadingly.

Dai Zhiqiang didn't answer immediately. "Whoever did this clearly has some grudge against you. They might hurt you. Are you sure?"

Li Caiyi nodded while smiling. "I might not be as strong as you, but I'm not a soft persimmon, either. Don't worry, I won't let anyone bully me anymore!"

She looked firm and confident about this. It reassured him, so he smiled back before caressing her head. "Just do whatever you want. No matter what happens, I will be there to save you."

"Haha, you are right. I don't know how you do it, but you always manage to find me somehow."

Dai Zhiqiang's smile stiffened for a moment. "Of course, it's because we are connected. I won't let any harm come your way as long as I'm still standing."

"Aww, how sweet of you. My boyfriend is so dependable!"

"Heh, how cute." Dai Zhiqiang's smile grew wider.

They giggled like a fool, but Li Caiyi was so overwhelmed with happiness she couldn't be bothered to care.