Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

At the entrance of the same hotel where Zixin's party was held, two figures stepped in to have a small party of their own.

Yating sighed and asked, "Guiying, why did you bring me here?"

'Guiying' cocked her brow with a smile at the corner of her lips. "Because somebody was moping in too much sadness in his office. It was so depressing that assistants were complaining about mushrooms growing wherever you walked."

His mouth twitched. "It wasn't that serious. I was just tired," he looked away. "You know Dad is in jail, and I am working in Gu Corps. It's just exhausting."

Such a good actor, she sneered. If I hadn't heard the real reason behind your odd behavior, I might have believed you too.

'She' shrugged. "It's exhausting and that's why I brought you here. You are working too hard, and you need some time to chill."

He weakly smiled. "I really don't."

If I relax, then it just gets harder to forget Ai...

'Guiying' could read his emotions like an open book. She pulled his arm towards the counter. "I say you do and that means you do. Let's have some drinks and unwind."

Heading straight to the counter, 'Guiying' placed a order of their drinks. As they held their wine glasses, Yating asked, "By the way, how are things going with him?"

"Him?"

"The person you like. You told me at the Summit that you like someone, right?

The sip she was going to take stopped just at her lips. "Ah."

'She' clenched the glass in her palm, with fury reflecting in her irises. "Nothing really. He turned out to be a cheater. All the little things he did for me were just a lie."

Yating widened his eyes. "What? That's awful. Fucking bastard..." he whispered in anger.

He pursed his lips and patted her hand. "I know it's tough, but I am glad you learned it sooner than later. Don't lament for a cheater like him. You will find someone who will love you a lot. I am sure of it. Seriously, cheaters like him should burn in hell."

'She' chuckled. "I am very vengeful. Who knows if I really show him hell?"

"That's much better."

'She' caught a figure walking at the far and narrowed her eyes. "I will be back in a minute."

"Sure."

--

On the other side, Ai was walking with slow steps back to where the party was, contemplating about the past and Shui.

"Hey, Ai."

The long trance of her thoughts broke, and she looked at her right. She blinked. "Guiying? What are you doing here?"

"Hey. Quite a coincidence to see you here. Just brought Yating here to relax. He has been..." 'she' tilted her head, "quite low today."

Ai furrowed her brows questioningly.

Low? Is this about Mr. Gu?

"Why don't you come with me for a while? You can meet him too."

"Sorry, I cannot. I am here for-"

'Guiying's' gaze dimmed. "Ai, I know that you have left Dream High, but does it mean that Yating and I cannot be friends with you anymore?"

She said nothing.

"Or is it because of what Bro did in Shanghai?" 'she' held her hands with a remorse filled gaze. "Ai, please let me apologize on Bro's behalf. I don't know what got over him. You know he is not like this. He has always adored you so much. But still, he was wrong in how he behaved."

Ai shook her head. "It's not your fault. It's Bro Lingyun who should apologize, not you."

'She' smiled in relief. "Thanks. I knew you would understand. I have already talked to him," she then said after a pause, "It feels like a long time since we have talked like this, right? Things are Summit changed so much..."

"Indeed."

Ai was maintaining her distance with her since she was reborn but after the Summit, it felt like they were just two strangers who never met before.

'Guiying' sighed. "I am sorry for stopping you. I saw you and thought that we trio can spend some time just like the old days..."

Ai gave it some thought and said, "Okay. Let's go."

--

Yating stared at his own reflection on the wine glass as he swirled it in his hand.

Was I really looking that depressed?

He took a breath and shut his eyes, thinking of the project he had just canceled. As he opened his eyes, he couldn't believe the person standing beside Guiying.

"Ai?"

"Surprise!" 'Guiying' grinned. "Ai is here for some other party, but I dragged her here for sometime, haha."

Yating fumbled on his seat and straightened up. "I see. You shouldn't have bothered her."

"Hey, you might know her for a little time, but I am her friend since high school. I have the right to be a little bothersome at least."

He quickly said, "Please sit," as he ordered a fruit punch for her.

After a period of short silence, he slowly asked, "Are you here with Liu Jun?"

"Yes," she nodded.

He slightly shifted in his seat uncomfortably, but he tried to mask his pain.

"...I see. I hope he knows who brought you here because I don't want him accusing me of kidnapping you," he sneered, thinking of Jun.

Ai's brow twitched. "That won't happen."

She then observed the light bags under his eyes and his complexion that didn't shone with the vigor he had before.

He really looks so tired.

"You shouldn't work so hard."

'Guiying' snorted. "That's exactly I am saying. But he doesn't listen to anybody. Forget about listening to me, he doesn't even share stuff with me anymore. Like the new publishing company project that he just canceled today."

Yating froze. He shot her an astonished gaze mixed with panic.

"Right, Yating?"

Ai looked at him in confusion. "New publishing company that he canceled? I don't understand."

"It's nothing!" With an uneasy smile, he swiftly ignored that topic. "It's not something so major-"

'Guiying' narrowed her eyes. "Not major? But that wasn't what I heard when I came to meet you. I was standing outside your office today when I heard your conversation with somebody on phone."

He stiffened.

"From what I understood, you were working to build on your own publishing company. Ai Publishing."