Rebirth: Once Again With You

After that, everything became hectic and happened so fast that Li Caiyi had trouble keeping up with it. She was currently sitting in the hallway of the M Hospital in exhaustion.

She felt like she had aged ten times faster in a span of a day. So many things happened today, and she was at her limit.

A cold sensation on her cheek jolted her from daydreaming as she unknowingly yelped out.

"Haha, did I surprise you?"

Li Caiyi felt her cold cheek while raising her head, only to find Meng Renshu smiling at her with two bottles of cold tea in his hand. He offered one to Li Caiyi.

"Drink this first, and you'll be better."

At this point, Li Caiyi was too tired to argue with him. Not to mention, Meng Renshu was indeed the savior of today. She didn't know how her brother could handle his father's fury if it weren't for him.

Not only that, but he also used his connection to make sure her brother got the first and best treatment in this hospital. His consideration in not taking Li Junjie to the hospital where Li Jirong worked was a tremendous help for them.

"Thank you," Li Caiyi said as she accepted the bottle from him.

It turned out easily when she tried to unseal the cap, meaning that Meng Renshu had already opened it for her beforehand.

Again, his thoughtful action caused a prickle in her conscience. No matter how cold or harsh she was to him, he would return and treat her with care. His way of doing things was questionable and infuriating sometimes, but he was always there to help her when needed.

"What's wrong? Aren't you thirsty?" Meng Renshu sat down beside her and asked.

"No, I am." Li Caiyi took a few mouthfuls of the cold tea before sighing in relief. She felt so much better already.

"Don't worry too much. Junjie's injury wasn't severe, so everything will be just fine."

Li Caiyi stared at him skeptically. "What did you do exactly? Because of Brother Jie's condition, we didn't have a chance to talk about this. What happened back there?"

Meng Renshu's corner of lips raised in a mysterious curve. "Junjie did most of it. I didn't do anything worth mentioning, except stopping them from fighting and keeping the discussion civil."

"Lies. Tell me the truth. Father is not the type to be convinced with just anyone, even if it's Brother Jie."

"But I'm not lying, though? You are too suspicious of me." Meng Renshu chuckled. "I won't do anything that can harm Junjie or your family."

"I know you won't do that," Li Caiyi sighed. "Forget it then. You won't answer no matter how much I ask you."

"Giving up so soon? Maybe it's not the 'quantity' you should think about, but the 'quality' of the question, instead."

"What are you talking about now?"

Meng Renshu propped his chin with his hand, looking very charming with his magnetic smile. "Depends on how you ask, I might answer it, you know?"

Li Caiyi's eyebrows twitched after hearing that. "You just love to play around, aren't you? I'm asking you seriously."

"But, I'm also serious, though? I had helped you this much, so I deserved to do at least this much. I'm happy you are so comfortable with me that you take my help for granted."

The jab in his words knocked the words out of Li Caiyi's mouth. Meng Renshu was skillful with his words, indeed. He hit where it hurts the most.

"I'm sorry. Thank you for all your help today, Brother Renshu. I didn't mean to be rude." Li Caiyi said in a defeated tone.

"It will be nice if you can prove the sincerity of your words with action too, but since you are tired today, I'll let you off the hook. Don't forget you still owe me one."

Li Caiyi sighed. "I know. I will try to pay you back for what you did for our family today."

"Huh? No, I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about the favor I did to you the other day. What I did today is purely out of my volition, and there's no way I will charge you for it."

"Huh?"

"Silly Xiaoyi. I was helping my best friend; why would I charge anyone for that?" Meng Renshu shook his head helplessly. "This just means that your view of me is still that bad. I guess I need to try harder."

"Uh…no, I was thankful for your help. I didn't mean to offend..." Li Caiyi awkwardly said.

"No, it's fine. You don't have to console me. I won't be discouraged just by this. I still haven't shown my sincerity enough to you, that's all."

Li Caiyi wanted to say more, but Meng Renshu stood abruptly from his seat.

"Now, not let's not talk about this. I will go to check something. You should enter and accompany Auntie. I think she is still in shock. See you later."

After saying that, Meng Renshu took his leave. Li Caiyi watched his back until he disappeared from her sight with conflicted feelings. She shook her head to chase away her unnecessary thoughts and went inside Li Junjie's ward.

***

Li Junjie was currently lying down with a bandage wrapped around his right hand inside the VIP room Meng Renshu had prepared. There were gauzes on the right side of his forehead and his left chin.

Li Chunhua sat beside his bed while Su Suyin talked with the nurse.

The nurse left soon, and only the Li family members remained inside.

"Jie, how are you feeling?" Su Suyin also sat beside his bed and asked worriedly.

"Mother, I really am fine. I don't need to be hospitalized." Li Junjie said in his usual composed tone, albeit it sounded a little weaker than normal.

"Brother Jie, don't say you are fine at times like this. I told you before, right? You should rely on us more." Li Chunhua reprimanded him with a harrumph, trying to act tough. Still, her reddened eyes and hoarse voice after crying betrayed that front.

"Xiaohua is right. If it weren't for Xiaoyi bringing back Renshu with him, you probably could end up in a worse condition than this! Don't forget to thank Renshu after this. He is such a good friend."

Li Junjie felt it was useless to argue with two agitated women, so he chose to keep his mouth shut. Among them, Li Caiyi was the only one who hadn't spoken a word yet. She only spoke after Su Suyin and Li Chunhua had finished their share of ranting.

"Brother Jie, what happened back there? Did you succeed?"

Su Suyin and Li Chunhua, who finally remembered why Li Junjie ended up like this, straightened their backs, expecting his answer. The young man stared at Li Caiyi. His lips curled into what could be considered as a smirk.

"I win, of course."