Rebirth: Once Again With You

The next day, Dai Zhiqiang stood before Ye Huizhong with a grave look on his face. "What did you say? Someone is targeting my brother?"

"That is the most likely possibility. I heard a disturbing rumor these days, and that may have been related to the accident you faced yesterday."

"What rumor?"

"About the traitor. Apparently, he came back to this city. The kidnapping attempt of Ye Zhong last week was also master-planned by that traitor."

Dai Zhiqiang had heard about this 'traitor' Ye Huizhong talked about. In fact, all of Ye Wang's men knew about it. It referred to the boss' former right-hand man, who was probably the culprit of the late Master's passing.

"You are talking about Huang Zhen? But why would that person target my brother?"

"I have no slightest clue. But since you are the one who chased away his men from touching Ye Zhong last time, don't you think he can hold a grudge against you?"

Dai Zhiqiang frowned. "So you want to say this is all because I protected Young Master?"

Ye Huizhong shrugged before sarcastically adding, "I only give you a possibility. Huang Zhen was famous for his unpredictability. You'd better not think about the reason for his mind is too profound for regular people like us."

"What are you going to do about it? Didn't you promise to guarantee my family's safety as long as I obeyed your order?"

Simply put, Dai Zhiqiang demanded his responsibility as the leading cause of this. He only protected Ye Zhong because it was his job, but if it threatened his family in the process, then it wouldn't be fair anymore.

Ye Huizhong folded his fingers together as he leaned forward. "Regarding that matter, I have a proposition for you. Let me hear your thoughts."

Dai Zhiqiang raised his brows curiously. "I'm listening."

"Actually, I recently got news about your uncle's whereabouts. We have been searching for him all over, and he was recently spotted in a small bar in downtown N country."

Dai Guang was his uncle who scammed him and took half the loan money with him, leaving his family with a huge debt to pay. Consequently, the loan sharks assaulted his brother and injured him badly, to the point he had to give up on his dream and passion.

When Dai Zhiqiang agreed to be Ye Zhong's bodyguard, he gave two conditions.

First, Ye Huizhong had to ensure his family's safety and prosperity (which meant he would also cover Dai Bolin's medical expenses). Second, he would help him to find Dai Guang.

In exchange, Dai Zhiqiang was ready to put his life on the line to obey whatever he ordered.

It was a very dangerous deal, considering how significant the influence of Ye Wang was in the underworld business.

Dai Zhiqiang was ready to dirty his hand if necessary. He knew that to beat evil, he had no choice but to be a greater evil. However, the recent happening made him anxious.

It wouldn't have any meaning if his family were in danger because of this. The more he thought about it, the more furious he became. All this misfortune happened because of one person.

Dai Guang would pay for causing his family so much suffering. He would make sure he wouldn't have an easy death.

"My proposition is: how about if you go abroad with Ye Zhong?"

Dai Zhiqiang stared at his boss skeptically. "Is this another scheme of yours to make me join your group?"

"At this point, do you still think you have a choice? Huang Zhen had laid his eyes on your brother. The same 'accident' could happen again when you aren't looking."

"Remember, his main purposes are you and Ye Zhong. Once you go abroad, I will put Ye Wang's honor in line to keep your family safe. Such occurrence like yesterday will not happen again." Ye Huizhong said firmly.

Dai Zhiqiang was silent, calmly weighing his options. Indeed, it would be better if he took some distance from his family.

Once Ye Zhong moved abroad, Huang Zhen shouldn't have any reason to stay behind anymore.

"But, will that really work? What if he takes my family hostage? As the closest person to Ye Zhong, he probably wants to get rid of me first. He could threaten me using my family to give Ye Zhong to him. Are you ready to face such a high risk?"

"Of course. I plan to move your family to another country secretly as well. That way, no one should know their whereabouts. Huang Zhen wouldn't have time to care about them since he had to track you and Ye Zhong too."

This old man basically made a gamble using his and his grandson's life. Coming up with such a bold plan meant he had sufficient confidence that they could pull this off somehow.

"Then what about you? Won't you feel worried if Ye Zhong is in a place far away from your sight?"

Ye Huizhong closed his eyes solemnly before answering. "As the heir of Ye Wang, he is destined to live his life surrounded by danger. As much as it pained my heart, staying with me forever isn't the correct answer to ensure that child's safety. I can only put him away from harm as far as I can while clearing up the mess here."

Considering how much he doted on his grandson, it must be difficult for him to decide this too. But just like him, Ye Huizhong also wished for the best for his family.

Dai Zhiqiang was also concerned about leaving his family so far away from him. Still, this proposition was probably the best option he had now.

Steeling his mind, he raised his head with a new resolve. He understood what he should do.

"I understand. Let's do this as you say, Boss."

***

It had been a long time since Dai Zhiqiang came to school. Has it been 2 or 3 months? He couldn't remember exactly.

Ye Huizhong should have already sent the formal request for him to leave the school by now, but Dai Zhiqiang still wanted to visit this place for one last time.

There was someone he wanted to talk to before he left, no matter what.

It was break time in school, and the students were either grouped together or busy doing something alone.

Standing among them, Dai Zhiqiang felt out of place.

After doing so many things under Ye Wang, the ordinary life they had seemed like a distant past to him. No one seemed to pay attention to him, and he couldn't be more grateful.

Dai Zhiqiang walked around the school, searching for the only girl who showed him genuine kindness throughout his short high school life.

He barely did anything in school except studying. Still, the black-and-white memories became more colorful every time that girl came into the picture.

Dai Zhiqiang checked on her classroom, but she wasn't there. He turned around to search some other places when she heard that soft and feminine voice behind him.

"Wait!"

He turned around and finally saw her. She was still exactly the same as he remembered, with her cute glasses and ponytail.

She ran his way from the other end of the corridor while clutching a book in her arms. Her eyes sparkled in excitement as she looked straight at him.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion as the distance between them gradually decreased.

Thump.

His heartbeat accelerated while his body petrified in place. He suddenly became nervous, with his face burning up.

Even more so when she started smiling brightly at him. Dai Zhiqiang saw her hair flutter behind her, and the sight was so beautiful it took his breath away.

What happened to him? It was the first time he had ever felt like this.