Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

Alix stared at Shui for a long, long time, eventually bursting into a hearty laughter. She waved her hand in dismissal.

"That's impossible. You are completely going off-track with this."

Shui was unaffected. "It's fine if you don't believe me. Eventually, you will get it one day and so will Jin."

The pace of Alix's laughter slowed down upon seeing Shui's no-nonsense expression.

"You…You do realize he loves you, right? I mean yes, he rejected you because of some circumstances but he still loves you. That is an undeniable fact. So…I think you should calm down with the conclusions."

Shui didn't respond to that for a long time.

"People also like to move on, Alix, because it hurts to be in a limbo. They take small steps - very small steps. So they don't realize that they are walking farther and farther away and gradually making a new path for themselves. Jin is like that. He thinks he is not moving at all but he is. He doesn't understand it but people around him do."

Alix didn't feel like laughing anymore.

"You are kidding, right?"

"I think he was a little jealous when you exchanged numbers with Hou Lin. I could see it in his eyes."

"It's impossible."

"What is impossible?"

"He is not in love with me. You are confused. Jin and I are ending up spending much time together because of the fashion show and my company business so you might feel that things are going in that direction. But they are not."

"Do you want to ask Jin if he has already disturbed somebody about testing that vial contents at ten in the evening?"

Alix almost challenged her back but seeing Shui's confident gaze, she felt her courage lacking at several levels. She let out a chuckle and patted her shoulder.

"You need another ice cream cone, dear."

She stood up and dusted off her dress a bit.

"I will take my leave. The D-Day is approaching and I see my sister's plan is already in motion. I need to gear up too. Good night."

She turned and walked a few steps away when Shui asked, "What if Jin really likes you?"

Alix stopped and stared ahead at the vacant space. She then turned and met Shui's questioning eyes.

"I sincerely hope he doesn't. There is no future between us."

"...Why not?" Shui blinked twice.

She smiled self-deprecatingly. "Because he doesn't know me at all…and so do you."

—

At some distance from the park, Alix breathlessly came to a stop. She held her chest, trying to catch her breath.

Just when I thought that she was smart, she ends up saying some stupid stuff. Where does her logic even come from?

She peered left and right and swiftly tapped on her phone, albeit after some careful thought.

'I think I have found the perfect person to help me figure out that suspicious vial.'

Jin's reply was almost immediate.

'I have already taken care of that. You just bring the bottle tomorrow."

Alix stared at his reply unblinkingly. She typed slowly.

'What do you mean by 'taken care of it?''

'I know someone who could run some tests for us. I asked him, that's all.'

'So late?'

'Ten is morning for some people.'

Another text followed by.

'What are you doing awake though? Don't you sleep around this time?'

'I came out with Shui for some ice-cream.'

The next reply took a few moments. 'Are you still outside?'

'Shui left in her car.'

'I am asking about you.'

Alix kept staring at her mobile screen.

Why is he not asking about Shui?

'I am looking for a cab.'

She felt her heart in her throat, sensing a strange tension seeing him type his message.

'Wait for me.'

—

The horn beeped at a distance, making Alix jolt in her seat. She looked up and saw Jin stepping out of his SUV in a casual sweatshirt and pants. He looked at his watch and then at her.

"Is this really the time to eat ice-cream?" He frowned.

Alix stared at him.

"Why did you not ask about Shui?"

"Shui?"

"About picking her up."

He blinked. "She comes in her own car with her family's driver. Uncle Zhi usually never lets her go out alone anyway, especially not late in the evening. You, on the other hand, always have some strange fetish about using public transport," his eyes narrowed.

"I find public transport safe."

"What is the problem in using your family's car?"

"Why did you come to pick me? I didn't ask."

"Am I not your chauffeur anyway? Why are you being so reserved today? Hop in."

As Alix followed him very slowly, a million thoughts encircled her mind.

Maybe I am just overthinking this. He must have been deathly bored and had nothing better to do so he is finding ways to entertain himself.

But then he should just go to sleep.

Maybe he is not getting any sleep for some reason?

Wait…that reason couldn't happen to be me, right?

Alix inwardly laughed in self-mockery.

Yeah, that's a good joke.

She bumped straight into a figure and looked up in surprise.

"Weren't you ahead of me?"

Jin looked at her up and down. "Are you hurt somewhere?"

"...No? Why do you ask?"

"You were walking slower than usual."

Alix squinted her eyes. "You know my walking pace?"

His brow twitched. "At this stage of our acquaintance, I believe you would know my walking pace too."

"...I was just thinking."

They resumed walking and she couldn't help but notice that Jin had slowed down his pace to match hers.

"Thinking about what?"

Whether your actions mean something or I am overanalyzing everything?

Damn it Shui put something unnecessary into my head!

"My idiot sister. The fashion show. The vial," she lied.

Jin opened the passenger seat door for her and said, "You should focus on your sister from ruining the fashion show. Saving your company is more important."

She stopped. "My sister feeding me some strange medicine over the years is less important?"

"That is the most important out of all," he stared at her with a glint of an indecipherable coldness. "Which is why I will take care of it."