Rebirth: Once Again With You

Dai Zhiqiang waited with bated breath. He even raised his hand to wave at her when that girl walked past him, completely ignoring him.

His body stiffened. Even more so when he heard the girl's cheerful voice behind him.

"Brother Renshu, can I ask you to teach me again? There is a question I don't understand."

"Of course, Xiaoyi. You don't have to run, and I'll wait for you."

Dai Zhiqiang could feel his face burn in embarrassment; he wished he could disappear.

How could he be so delusional, thinking that Li Caiyi would know him, much less call him out? This was the biggest mistake he had ever made, and he wished Li Caiyi didn't see him react stupidly just now.

Before he could make a fool of himself again, he quickly leaned his back to the wall, pretending to wait for someone. While at it, he also took a sneak peek at the pair.

"But won't I be a bother? You also have to study for the exam."

"No problem. Teaching you will be a good studying experience for me too. Speaking of which, where's Xiaohua?" Meng Renshu asked while looking around.

"Xiaohua said she has something to do after this, so she'll join us later."

"She didn't tell me anything about it. Did she tell you where she was going? Why don't we wait for her before starting our study session? It will be more fun like that rather than doing it with just the two of us."

Dai Zhiqiang witnessed how her beaming smile slightly stiffened at his question. She hugged her book more tightly before answering, "I don't know where she is going. But I don't mind waiting for her first."

"Xiaoyi really is kind," Meng Renshu stroked her head affectionately, causing a faint blush to appear on her face. Gloominess left her eyes as she looked up fondly at him.

Dai Zhiqiang had known for a long time that Li Caiyi harbored some feelings for her childhood friends. The only time where she could smile sweetly like that was whenever she was around him. He knew because he had seen it many times, he lost count.

It shouldn't be nothing new anymore, but there was discomfort in his chest when he looked at them.

His gaze was nailed on Meng Renshu's hand on top of her head. Such affectionate gestures came naturally to them as though they had been doing that since forever.

A throbbing and stuffy feeling washed over him, knowing he would never see Li Caiyi again after this.

She didn't even notice his presence and only had her eyes on Meng Renshu.

It vexed him, even though he didn't have any right to feel like that. Dai Zhiqiang didn't even know why he was so upset.

"Then, shall we go to the library now?" Meng Renshu smiled.

"En. Let's go."

They left while chatting, but Dai Zhiqiang wasn't relieved at all. He had missed his chance to talk to her.

"What should I do? I don't have much time," Dai Zhiqiang muttered as he thought hard.

Dai Zhiqiang could go to the library and interrupt her plan for a bit, but she probably would think weirdly of him since they didn't know each other.

Come to think of it, he came here without a plan at all. Dai Zhiqiang only wanted to see her for the last time, but when he saw her, he became greedy and wanted to talk to her too.

While he was deep in thought, a student passed by while jotting something on his note. Dai Zhiqiang suddenly had an idea and tapped his shoulder.

"Sorry, but can you lend me a piece of paper and a pen?"

***

Dai Zhiqiang thought of this on impulse. At first, he thought it was a brilliant idea, but later, when he stood in front of her shoe locker, he noticed this might be the dumbest plan ever.

It would be ideal if he could wait until she finished her study in the library, but unfortunately, the time wasn't on his side this time. He had to hurry.

"What am I doing? I should be satisfied with just looking at her from afar like I always do."

Li Caiyi didn't know him, but he really wanted her to remember him somehow. Although the chance of a future encounter with her was slim, he still wanted to let her know of his presence. If not, this unsettling feeling would never go away.

Perhaps the fact that he never had the chance to properly thank her bugged him more than he thought. That was why he couldn't stop thinking about her like this.

However, it didn't feel like that was all to it. He kept feeling restless for no reason.

If there was a way to find the reason, he only got this one chance.

Chasing away his hesitation, Dai Zhiqiang put the paper in her shoe locker. He prayed inwardly that Li Caiyi would see this and answer his call.

***

After Dai Zhiqiang left, a figure emerged from behind the locker, like they had been waiting for a chance to come out.

Li Chunhua felt unpleasant and had a grim look on her face as she opened Li Caiyi's locker. Immediately, she noticed a piece of paper being put conspicuously inside.

She took it and opened it with a flick of his hand. As she read a few sentences written there, her frown deepened.

'What a persistent guy. I thought it was strange that he was loitering in front of Xiaoyi's locker after being absent from school for a long time. It turns out he still hasn't given up on my sister? Presumptuous!'

Li Chunhua cursed him before tearing the paper into pieces. "You want my sister to meet you outside while she is on my watch? Dream on!"

Li Chunhua tore the paper like she was venting her anger until she couldn't tear it anymore. She dumped the trash into the bin before her lips curled up in a twisted smile.

"What a pitiful guy. You can keep waiting for her forever, but she'll never come or know you."

Dusting her hands together, Li Chunhua's mood finally uplifted again. She was supposed to go somewhere after this but changed her mind.

"I cleared another pest today. Now, I should return to my Xiaoyi as soon as possible."