Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

Jin's eyes narrowed.

She knows Shui's name. She knows she is Bro's girlfriend. She knows a lot more about bro than I had imagined.

Then there was a question she asked. Until now, nobody had sensed the ambiguous feelings between Jin and Shui. Yet the way Ai sharply asked the question surmised that Jun and Ai's relationship wasn't so simple. Jin couldn't really imagine his brother sharing his deepest feelings to a stranger. He wasn't a person to talk about these things so easily to anyone.

Yet somehow Ai seemed to know about Jun and Shui's relationship.

Yet she had Jun's gift with her.

He smiled. "You are wrong. There is nothing between us. There can never be anything between us."

Ai narrowed her eyes. "Are you sure?"

"What do you mean?"

"Because it feels like more than telling me, you are trying to convince yourself."

Jin stiffened.

"And trying hard to convince yourself of something which might be true otherwise never ends up in doing good for anybody."

His gaze slightly flickered, but he said nothing. A second later, he smiled. "I will keep that in mind."

—

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Jun asked Shui with his deep voice. Watching Ai and Jin together, he wasn't really in the mood to have this conversation.

Shui looked away. "I couldn't because I realized that the news of our breakup could create problems for others. Like Bro Siying and Sis Nuo. Or Bro Jian and Sis Leina. We will put them in a difficult position, and I don't want them to agonize over taking sides. Though I know that it cannot go on forever."

Jun paused.

How could he forget that the strain of his relationship with Shui had broken other relationships?

Nuo's heartbroken face was still fresh in his mind. Siying respected Jun a lot but as a brother, he couldn't bear any hurt to Shui, which brought differences between him and Nuo.

Jian had completely drowned himself in alcohol when the fights increased between him and Leina, causing constant frustration.

Their mothers, Nana and Xinyi, were beyond miserable by how things took a turn.

He took a silent breath.

"Things are different now…"

"What?"

Jun looked back at her. The past life was different. This was another life with a different situation.

"We cannot hide this forever. I don't want to. Otherwise things will go out of hand, and I won't tolerate it." His dark gaze landed on Ai, something foggy swirling in his irises. "Not again…"

"You will-"

"Not tonight," he icily cut her off.

He didn't have to explain further as she understood that he didn't want to spoil the banquet's atmosphere.

"But not forever either…" he narrowed his eyes, his dangerous gaze landing upon Jin.

—

Xing Bi wasn't interested in watching the couples dance, and she didn't bother with them either. Her focal point was Yunru, who was a part of the group which she assumed to be his family. There was a young woman who looked exactly like him, definitely his twin sister. There was another man, taller and slightly older than him, who resembled Yunru.

That must be Chen Zixin I have heard of.

Then of course, his parents Chen Jianyu and Chen Serena, were also present who seemed to be bickering with each other.

The question was how to drag Yunru out of that group.

"What are you thinking?"

She gasped and jerked her head back, feeling somebody's warm breath tickle her right ear. "Y-you!"

Nian watched her with a sparkled gaze, clearly upto no good. "I will help you, I will help you! Just tell me what you want."

Her chest expanded in disbelief. "I don't want any help from you!"

Nian got the shock of his life. "Why? Didn't I help you get inside the house? I thought you would thank me with a dance," he showed a hurt expression.

She glared at him. "Thank you? I want to beat you up! Why did you give me such an expensive dress? I feel like I am falling into a debt trap! One scratch on this dress and I am dead!"

"Oohh," he waved his hand at her concern, "Don't be so tense. Nothing will happen. You won't fall into any trouble. I promise. This dress is designed by my un- *cough* Master Liu Jing. He is a very kind and happy-go-lucky man," he chirped.

Xing Bi widened her eyes in horror. "Designed? This is a custom made dress!?" She could hardly keep her voice in check.

"Yeah," he casually shrugged.

She trembled. "Aren't you a little too bold for a servant? How could you hand me a custom made dress!?"

Nian dismissed her worry and asked with his dog ears popping out on his head, elated. "Scratch that. Tell me what you want."

Xing Bi warned him. "If I fall into trouble, then I swear I will make you wear this dress and force you to loiter around in front of everyone!"

"..."

Isn't that too harsh?

"Oof. You won't. Pinky promise. Now tell me," he expectantly waited.

Xing Bi sighed and pointed at Yunru. "I want to meet him. But how to get him to talk to me privately?"

Nian's mouth twitched in annoyance.

Why is she so focused on that brat? Can't she see my handsome and charismatic self?

"I will just look like a seducing bitch if I approach him."

Nian choked. That was straightforward.

He gave it a thought, and his dog ears perked up. "I have an idea."

"What?"

"Nothing fancy but which works all the time."

Saying that, he disappeared. Xing Bi couldn't see him anywhere but a few minutes later, she noticed a maid approaching Yunru. She stumbled, and the wine spilled on his coat. The maid profusely apologized. Yunru shrugged and excused himself towards the bathroom.

"See?" Nian reappeared behind her with a grin on his lips. "It wasn't that difficult, right?"

Xing Bi was speechless.

He is really too bold for a servant. He didn't hesitate planning against a guest at all. Though why do I feel that he is enjoying this?

"Thanks…" she gave a questioning smile.

She turned and rushed to follow Yunru before she would lose this chance. "Okay! I will be back!"

Nian was displeased with her going after Yunru.

I will drown that brat's head in the water once the banquet is over, he sneered.

—

Cooling down his head after the disturbance caused by meeting his father Gu Rong, Yating entered the Liu villa once again. He threw a quick glance for any sign of Jun, and he found him.

He noticed a man present with the Liu family members. He wasn't there previously before Yating had left. Jun's facial features, without a doubt, resembled his father and siblings.

Yating's cold eyes narrowed, and he walked towards him with heavy steps. "Mr. Liu Jun."