Rebirth: Once Again With You

A silence fell again. Li Caiyi felt bad for using a dirty trick like this, but she suppressed the urge to take back her words and persisted. In the end, she could hear a defeated sigh from the other side.

"Fine. I only have to go there, right?"

"Really? Do you mean it?"

"Yeah. Let's try this, just like you said. I don't trust myself, but I trust you, Caiyi."

Li Caiyi sighed in relief. "Shenqiang, I'm so glad to hear that. Do you want me to tell Shao Jingfei about this?"

Dai Shenqiang chuckled. "You don't have to be extra considerate of me like that. I will tell him myself."

"I see. Then I will tell Jingfei if I can tag along too." Li Caiyi smiled. "Shenqiang, everything will be fine. Don't suffer alone in a place where people can't see you. Your family, and also me, will feel heartache."

"Yeah, I feel much better now that I have talked to you. I don't want to look uncool, but in the end, I depend on you again."

Li Caiyi chuckled. "I probably will depend on you too in the future. I was just making an opportunity for myself here."

"Please depend on me anytime. I will do anything for you." Dai Shenqiang said in a serene tone as if a ton of burden had been lifted from his shoulder. "I will stop bothering you in your free time anymore then. Let's talk again later."

"En. See you, Shenqiang."

After Li Caiyi hung up the call, the smile on her face faded and was replaced by gloominess instead.

Hiding a secret from people you cared about always brought a sour taste to one's mouth. She wondered until when would Dai Zhiqiang keep silent about this?

***

Unlike Detective Tang, Shao Jingfei responded quickly to texts and calls. Not to mention, he moved fast. It wasn't long before he could secure a one-day visit for two people to Glorious Days company.

Li Caiyi couldn't say it out loud, but compared to the treatment of illegitimate children in other wealthy families, the Shao family seemed to treasure Shao Jingfei a lot. It probably had something to do with his talent. However, it would still require a good relationship with the family member to arrange something like that on short notice.

"What are you thinking? You zoned out."

Li Caiyi shook her head and turned towards Dai Shenqiang, who stood beside her. "Nothing, this place is huge, so I'm kind of nervous."

"Me too. But Big Brother Shao said we don't have to worry about anything because he had prepared everything for us."

"Yeah. Shall we enter now?"

Dai Shenqiang nodded, and both entered the building. Li Caiyi went to the receptionist's desk while Dai Shenqiang followed behind her.

"Mr. Shao has been waiting for you in the guest room on the 5th floor. Please use this visitor pass, and use the elevator there."

"Thank you."

The two teenagers went to the 5th floor and quickly found the guest room mentioned. Li Caiyi was about to open the door when she faintly heard a loud voice from inside.

She raised her head and found Dai Shenqiang also staring at her with the same confused expression, indicating that he heard the same thing as her.

The voice sounded like Shao Jingfei with one other person, so it was muffled and couldn't be discerned clearly. But Li Caiyi was almost sure she heard Shao Jingfei shout 'I refuse' in a rebellious tone.

The argument seemed intense. Li Caiyi was conflicted about whether to knock on the door or wait until it passed.

"Caiyi, I don't think we should interrupt them for now." Dai Shenqiang whispered, making her flinch.

"Yeah. I think so too. We come at  a bad time."

Right then, the door suddenly opened from the inside, and a young man in his late 20s appeared right in front of them.

The man wore an expensive-looking suit that perfectly hugged his tall and slender body. His eyes, covered with golden-rimmed glasses, slightly widened in surprise, seeing them standing in front of the door. A moment later, a smile spread across his face.

'His smile reminded me of Jingfei,' Li Caiyi thought spontaneously. 'And his face seems familiar.'

"Welcome. You guys must be Jingfei's friends? He is inside."

"That's right. But we can wait until you finish your business with him." Li Caiyi replied with a slight awkwardness.

What lousy timing to get caught standing in front of the door.

"No, that's okay. My business here is done. Have fun, you guys."

Li Caiyi didn't have the chance to ask who he was because the man had already walked past them and left. She had a vague guess regarding the man's identity, though.

"What are you guys doing? Just enter the room."

Shao Jingfei was sitting on the sofa with a bucket of chicken on top of the table. He noticed them looking at him and quickly explained. "Ah, sorry about this, but I haven't eaten anything since morning. Do you want some?"

Li Caiyi and Dai Shenqiang shook their heads. They sat side by side on the opposite side of Shao Jingfei and watched him munch the chicken greedily like a starving man.

"Big Brother Shao, it's been a while." Dai Shenqiang was the first one to break the ice.

"Yeah. I was wondering if you already forgot about me because you didn't contact me even after a few weeks."

"I'm sorry. I was preoccupied with other things."

Shao Jingfei waved his oily hand lightly while grinning. "Don't sweat it. Your timing is actually impeccable because our company happened to hold a workshop today. There is an artist I wanted to introduce you to."

"Yes, with pleasure."

"But why are you coming with him, though?" This time, Shao Jingfei turned his head to Li Caiyi curiously. "It doesn't matter if I bring one or two people more, but I haven't heard the reason yet."

"Nothing. I was just curious about the company that sheltered and showed me so much support for my work. I hope I can meet the chief editor too and thank him properly."

Shao Jingfei secretly smirked. He had a feeling that would be the case, so he deliberately made sure to take care of everything and make them visit today.

"Oh, what bad timing. The chief editor is currently out on vacation. You probably won't be able to meet him today." Shao Jingfei said regretfully.

This way, Dai Shenqiang could participate in the workshop, and Li Caiyi wouldn't bump into the chief editor. Shao Jingfei was very satisfied with this arrangement.

Although the chief editor probably wouldn't mention Meng Renshu's name, it was better not to take any risk.

"Is that so? What a shame." Li Caiyi said in disappointment. "Well, I will just accompany Shenqiang for today."

"What a kind sister-in-law," Shao Jingfei grinned teasingly, which responded with a harrumph from her.

"Anyway, we can go after I finish eating. Feel free to take some too if you want."

Li Caiyi and Dai Shenqiang shook their head. They couldn't say that they felt full just from watching how Shao Jingfei ate sloppily.