Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

Few days passed by in the blink of an eye.

Ai tirelessly worked on her drafts while taking Jun's help from time to time. The conversation at the library surprisingly had dissipated the awkwardness between them quicker than the first time they kissed.

But that didn't mean he wasn't a spartan. He was ruthless and a tyrant in his remarks as he judged her revisions at the library and back home. Ai was in hell, and she dearly missed Xing Bi.

At one such time of this torture, she had mumbled, "Not even the Sky CEO would be a devil like you…"

Her complaint caught Jun's ears anyway. He sneered. "Careful of what you say, Zhou Ai. The Sky CEO might be hearing you."

"Why would he? Chen Yunru is not here. Also, I am praising him. So, it's not a problem," she confidently asserted.

Jun sincerely had an urge to spill out his identity and enjoy the stupefied look on her face.

Ah, that will be so entertaining. Let's drop the bomb once she gets into Sky. I will click a picture of her expression and put it as my phone's wallpaper~

Although, Jun acted like a demon most of the times, it was him only who would make coffee for her late at night. Whenever Ai saw the coffee mug on the table after waking up from her nap, she couldn't control the small smile from lifting her lips. Then at one time, he had also lit an incense in the living room whose fragrance was calming and relaxing to help her focus.

It was her work. Jun wasn't even her official editor, but he kept himself awake for her anyway and silently did these small gestures that warmed her heart.

Unknowingly, working together was bringing them closer bit by bit. Sometimes, they would even forget working on her stories and start talking about their favorite books and getting into fervor discussions all over again.

One night, Ai dropped her bag on her bed and laid back, tired. She was almost done with polishing her drafts.

Her phone rang with an incoming call. She beamed seeing that it was Xing Bi.

"Xing Bi. I missed you. How was your vacation?"

"Ah my dear Ai! I am back! I missed you so much! Hawaii was great. That spa was damn amazing. I felt all my soreness fly away. I will definitely take you there sometime!"

She chuckled. "Sure."

"Alright, let's forget about me. Tell me quickly where are you staying right now. I will pick you up."

Ai blinked her eyes. "What?"

"What what? I am back in the city now. So you can live with me until your house repairs are done. That would be so great. Also, it would be easier to discuss work if we are together," Xing Bi was clearly enthusiastic.

"I already feel so guilty that I couldn't help you while I was away. But worry not. I am back now!"

She was at a loss. "Oh…"

Now that Xing Bi was back, Ai had an option to move out of Jun's condo and live with her. That way, she won't have to bother Jun anymore. As a woman, it was more feasible to stay with a female friend too.

This is the right choice, isn't it?

But strangely, she resisted this idea. She never imagined it would be so fun living with Jun. He seemed so cold at the outside. But inside these condo's walls, they had shared their love and time for books which had completely changed her perspective about him.

Jun can also laugh like that…

Was what she wondered during their late night book reading adventures.

All his small caring gestures towards her were so adorable too. She appreciated all his help to perfect her short stories.

Now thinking that this time would come to an end brought a sense of dejection in her heart.

"Ai? Ai?"

"Yes, I am here."

"So tell me which hotel you are staying at?"

Ai opened her mouth but closed it. Then she parted her lips again. "I-I will text you."

"Cool. I will be waiting."

Ai slowly walked out of her room. Jun's back faced her as he was on the couch going through her story.

She quietly took a seat opposite him.

"Oh you are here. Great. This draft seems good enough. You can finalize on this one. It's the most impressive. Oh and…"

His expression now switched from work mode to cheerful mode though there wasn't much difference overall. But Ai saw through his gaze that always sparkled when he was delighted.

"Hah! Mrs. Quan gave me this book today. It's from her secret collection. It's a very old historical fantasy book. I checked it out and damn it's good! The author is from Ancient China era. Mrs. Quan has some serious gems I must say. I will give it to you after I read it."

Ai brightened smelling the book's musky scent.

"Some parts of the story are really debatable. It will be fun to know what you think about it."

This faded away her expectant expression as she remembered what she was here for.

"Um, I have something to say."

Jun lifted his gaze off the book and raised his brow questioningly.

She cleared her throat. "My friend which I told you about on Christmas? She is back from her vacation."

"Cool. Why are you telling me this?"

"So…" she put her palms on her knees and shifted a bit in her seat. "Now that she is back, she has asked me to come live with her."

Jun froze. He blinked his eyes, realizing the implication. He quietly put the book on the table and tilted his head.

"So…you will leave?"

Ai had trouble answering this question. "I…"

Jun didn't leave his gaze off her even for a moment.

"So will you leave is what I am asking," His voice rang with bitterness this time.

"That I-"

"Was there something unsatisfactory while living here?"

Ai blinked in surprise. "Of course not."

"Then why are you hesitating so much to reject her offer?"