Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

"I was so shocked upon learning that Bro made such a mess at the fest and began accusing Liu Jun out of nowhere," 'Guiying' carefully concocted her answer. "I was busy doing my own stuff and then I came to know how he humiliated you and Han Shui. I was so…embarrassed. I invited Han Shui to the fest and my own brother did this to her…"

Looking crestfallen and ashamed, she continued. "I just couldn't believe why he would suddenly lash out at you. When I confronted him, he confessed that…" 'she' eyed Ai and cleared her throat, "he likes Ai…"

The air turned frostier.

"When we met at the fest for the first time, he said he tried to make you understand that you wouldn't be happy with Liu Jun. But you were stubborn. He felt really jealous and out of jealousy, he took advantage of the fact that Han Shui and you were at the same place…"

'Her' gaze dimmed. "I felt terribly ashamed. I never thought he would go this far to prove his point. We even had a big fight."

Jun sneered. "So you want to say that Cai Lingyun is the real culprit?"

"...Unfortunately, yes. He had bribed a staff member to do all the work for him. But he is also my brother. I wanted to protect him as his sister, so I told that man to take my name in case anybody investigated the matter. At that time, I was just desperate. He had just returned from his trip, and he already got into such big trouble with you. I didn't want more repercussions."

"Hoo? Then why aren't you protecting him now?" He smiled.

'Guiying' gave a sad smile. "There is no point anymore. He has lost his job and I know you are behind it. Of course, I don't blame you. He is just trying to find a new job anyhow now. He is pretty depressed but even so, he doesn't want to admit his wrongdoings. I don't know what has gotten into him. But now that you brought up this topic, I decided to come clean and apologize on his behalf. I apologized to Ai too at the hotel a few days back."

'Guiying' looked solemn as she said, "I am sorry, Ai. I didn't know Bro had…feelings for you. As his sister, I feel sad for him. But I am your friend too. It's your choice, and I respect it."

Ai stared at her as if looking right through her soul. "So, you didn't mean any harm towards Jun or Shui?"

'Guiying' sadly replied. "I understand why you are asking me that question. In the end, that bribed man took my name and it's plausible to doubt me. But still, I would like you to believe me, Ai. I never had any ill-intentions."

Jun burst into a mocking laughter. "So this is your version. How about I tell you my version of the same story? I think that will be truer."

"What?"

"You called Shui as Warlord and Cai Lingyun as his sister. You planned for Shui and me to get trapped into the elevator. You told your brother to make the ruckus. Now that the man told your name, you are conveniently putting everything upon Cai Lingyun."

'Guiying' widened her eyes. "No! It's not like that. Why will I target you and Han Shui?"

Jun snarled. "That's what I want to know!"

He lamented that he couldn't ask her questions about his past life. So many things were tied to her. Her presence at Shui's birthday party, Sky's downfall just after that, Cai Lingyun working under him and the eventual family separation…

So many questions to find answers for but the only thing he could ask her about was the Shanghai Fest.

​ "You just used Cai Lingyun. He was just a means to your end. I want to know why you want to hurt my reputation? What did you want to gain by doing that?"

What do I want to gain…? Is this man seriously asking me that?

She had been having this feeling for a while now which started to grow more and more pronounced in her heart.

"Liu Jun. I understand why you might be furious with Bro. There are no excuses for what he did. But there is no reason to point fingers at me. The only reason I took Bro's blame was to protect him at that time. I never did anything to trap you and Han Shui together in the elevator," 'she' returned Jun's ferocious stare with her own glare.

The situation had reached an impasse. Jun wanted Guiying to confess her crime, which was why he didn't let Ai give her any hint about Shanghai. He wanted to throw the question she had least expected.

But 'Guiying' had wrapped the explanation in such a way that put all the blame solely upon Cai Lingyun. She looked like a caring sister trying to protect her brother.

'She' looked at Ai with a helpless gaze. "It seems that you have also made up your mind against me. I only wish for your happiness, Ai. I have nothing more to say to you."

She threw a disengaging look at Jun and walked away.

Ai asked, "What do you think?"

Jun sneered. "That she is a great actor? Should I ask Chyou to take her under her wing? She is one manipulative woman. She used Cai Lingyun's feelings for you to suit her own purpose. Some nice sister he has got there. They suit each other as siblings."

Ai pursed her lips.

"But this doesn't mean we stop here. This meeting will only put pressure on her to act more cautious."

"That's not in our favor."

Jun smiled. "It is. Sometimes, it's easier to make more mistakes when you are too careful. She knows we are watching her now. One slip up is all that we need."

—

'Guiying' ran outside, her chest heaving with breathlessness. Her gaze burned with a fury, but her heart felt messed up with confusion.

'She' stopped a cab and got in. "Take me to Dream High."