Rebirth: Once Again With You

Now, this was big news. Li Caiyi has heard some bits about what happened after her death. Still, she never expected her father would ask Meng Renshu that bold request after everything that happened.

"So, what was your answer?"

"Of course, I can't give such an important position to anybody. Not to mention, I never trusted your father from the beginning."

"Well, he is that kind of person, so I guess that's to be expected." Li Caiyi couldn't help but agree.

Meng Renshu closed his eyes regretfully before he continued, "I couldn't forgive him for what he did to you three. I have always felt sorry for you guys. Even if I wanted to intervene, there was only so much I could do."

"Brother Renshu, you don't need to feel responsible. You have done plenty to help us." Li Caiyi said firmly. "We are indebted to you."

Meng Renshu felt gloomy whenever he recalled the past. If only he had moved faster and helped his friend get rid of their father more quickly, then Li Caiyi and Li Chunhua wouldn't have had to live miresably. Although he also played a part in that, Li Jirong ruined everything with his two hands first.

After turning everything into dust, he still had the gall to come to Meng Renshu to ask for a favor. Li Jirong really thought Meng Renshu was someone he could order around just because he used to be his son-in-law. The audacity.

Meanwhile, Li Caiyi could sense intense hostility from Meng Renshu. It looked like he was deep in thought, but she had no idea what he was thinking. She reckoned it might be something he didn't wish to remember.

She cleared away her tongue to shift his attention back to the topic at hand. "So you admitted my father into his current position because you wanted to see what he was planning?"

Meng Renshu nodded. "When you told me that Junjie planned to confront your father, I knew that the past had changed because he is supposed to do that much further in the future. Coincidentally, I knew what your father wanted the most, so I prepared everything beforehand."

"We asked you about this before, but how could you prepare something like that on such short notice?"

This time, Meng Renshu chuckled darkly as if he was expecting her to ask that. "It just happened that I remember a little information I supposedly found out in the future. So I used that information to pull some strings."

In other words, he used his future knowledge to blackmail someone. Li Caiyi shuddered while silently raising a candle in her heart for that unfortunate person who was unlucky enough to be remembered by Meng Renshu. He wouldn't be able to escape now.

"Previously, I didn't really believe that my dreams were actually my past life memories. However, once I tried threatening someone using that knowledge, I couldn't deny it any longer. It was real, and that means everything I achieved in my previous life, I could do better in this timeline."

Meng Renshu also hinted at this previously when they talked in her house. Li Caiyi married Meng Renshu as soon as she graduated from college. She witnessed his struggle to climb up and earn his rightful position.

He had a rough time getting past people who tried to drag him down. Even with his full ability, it still took him around two years before he could finally stabilize his position and power.

"Are you sure you want to do this? It won't be easy," Li Caiyi couldn't help but feel concerned.

People kept saying that Meng Renshu was lucky and gifted, but she was there by his side through thick and thin. Perhaps she was the only one who knew how much he worked hard to live up to people's expectations, as Meng Renshu was the type that refused to reveal his weakness to anyone.

"I'll be fine, Xiaoyi. I won't be as clueless as my first time since I already knew a few things that happened in the future beforehand. It should be easier this time. If I reach my previous position faster, I will be able to help you better."

There was nothing wrong with what he said. Meng Renshu was the heir of Meng Pharmaceutical and was fated to stand above others since he was born. Having him rise to a greater position to help Li Chunhua would be the best help she could hope for. But a part of her heart couldn't keep up with her mind.

If it was him, she had no doubt he would be able to make it, but that meant he would even have less freedom than before. Involving himself in his family business earlier was equivalent to dedicating himself entirely to his role as the heir, and it would considerably cut into his time.

Previously, Meng Renshu refused to study abroad because he wanted to experience college life with Li Chunhua, but now he didn't even have a reason to stay back anymore.

"Don't push yourself. It's okay even if you want to take a break occasionally." Li Caiyi said while looking down. She couldn't face him for some reason.

"Yeah, thanks for worrying about me." Meng Renshu smiled fondly. Her thoughts were clearly shown on her face, even if she said nothing. He always found this side of hers endearing.

Despite everything, Li Caiyi still cared for him deeply. She sometimes hurled cold and hurtful words, but she never wished for him to suffer. That was just the kind of person she was.

"Xiaoyi, I will be okay. As long as I don't have to experience regret as I did before, then I don't mind even if I have to dive in the fire pit faster."

Li Caiyi was still skeptical, but she knew she wouldn't be able to stop him anyway. Not that she had any right to intervene in the first place. "I understand. Just be careful."

"I will be fine since I have you with me," Meng Renshu smiled brightly. "It's like the old times. We are helping each other through thick and thin. How nostalgic."

Li Caiyi didn't know why, but her chest tightened looking at him smiled happily like that.

"When I am tired, you will encourage me, giving me strength. When I am stuck, you will listen to me and give me the push I need. When I'm hurting, you will comfort me through your gentle words and action," Meng Renshu was only reciting every little thing she did for him in their previous life, but his heart ached as he continued talking.

Li Caiyi had done a lot for him, but what did he give her in the end? A cold betrayal. Even if he sacrificed himself for her this time, it still wouldn't be enough to atone for his sin.

Thick gloominess hung in the air as the room fell into deep silence. Meng Renshu wallowed in his self-blame, while Li Caiyi didn't know what to say.

"At that time, I took everything you did for me for granted. You cared for me unconditionally, but I failed you when you needed it the most."

"Stop it," Li Caiyi quickly rebuked him. Talking about this always brought an unpleasant mood. "Didn't I say that we shouldn't talk about the past except when necessary? It's not like talking about it will make everything better."

Meng Renshu smiled bitterly. "You are right. I promise I will do better this time."

"Huh?" Li Caiyi raised her head in confusion, but Meng Renshu had already stood from his seat.

"Sorry for taking so much of your time. I will take you home."

Then, he walked out of the room first before Li Caiyi could ask what he meant by that.

Li Caiyi sighed while rubbing her temple. She didn't mean to make him feel like he had to do something for her to make up for what happened.

His behavior was unpredictable, and he grated on her nerves sometimes, but Meng Renshu had done a lot to help her, and he planned to do even more after this. He didn't owe her anything, but the other party certainly thought otherwise.

"I only wish for you to live freely. Out of all things, why can't you see through this one with your brilliant mind?" Li Caiyi muttered quietly to the emptiness of the room.

***

After that day, things finally calmed down a bit. With the end-term exam around the corner, she didn't do anything but study and occasionally watched over Li Chunhua in the hospital.

Unlike before, Li Chunhua hadn't regained consciousness even after a few days had passed. It was concerning; Li Caiyi had to take her books to the hospital so she could study while watching over her. Because she was anxious.

Days passed in the blink of an eye, but Li Caiyi still couldn't bring herself to face Dai Zhiqiang just yet. He would text her from time to time to ask about her well-being, to which she replied succinctly before using a vague excuse to avoid further conversation.

Their relationship was very sweet after they spent some time together on her birthday, but now it has become lukewarm.

A part of her repeatedly warned her that she couldn't avoid him forever, so she was determined to talk to him after the end-term exam ended. She would have time to prepare herself before then.

Filled with various thoughts in her mind, Li Caiyi failed to notice that the sinister shadow was looming over her faster than she expected.