Rebirth: Once Again With You-Chapter 531 Unnecessary Rivalry (2)

Without the two troublemakers distracting her, Li Caiyi could move easier and managed to make two simple dishes in fifteen minutes. It wasn't much, but it should be enough to alleviate their hunger. She put them on the dining table as the boys stared at them with a glimmer in their eyes.

"Go on. Help yourself," Li Caiyi said before putting a spoonful of soup into her mouth. It was warm and seasoned perfectly; she was very satisfied with it.

"Wow. This is really delicious." Meng Renshu said in awe. "I'm usually picky with my food, but I think I can eat this forever."

"Xiaoyi is just that capable. I'm fortunate to have a girlfriend like her," Dai Zhiqiang added, continuing with the boyfriend/girlfriend/lovers charade.

Li Caiyi was pretty much fed up with them and hoped they would leave as soon as they finished their meals. "I'm glad to hear you like it. Eat a lot. This is my thanks for looking after me last night."

They behaved pretty well after that. Besides chomping down on the food, they barely utter a word. Li Caiyi was happy to see them eating well; it brightened her mood.

After breakfast, Li Caiyi prepared a cup of warm tea for them as they sat together to digest their food.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention before, but I'm surprised that the plants I gave you grew bountifully. It was twice bigger than the last time I saw it." Meng Renshu said.

Li Caiyi flinched a bit. How could she forget about that? f𝒓𝑒e𝙬𝒆𝚋𝘯૦𝘷𝐞𝑙.c𝑜𝐦

She was worried it would dry out if she left it in her apartment, so she brought it here. The kitchen got more sunlight than her room, so she put the flower pot from Meng Renshu beside the big window in the kitchen.

Dai Zhiqiang, who knew nothing about this, furtively glanced in the direction Meng Renshu looked at, and inexplicable emotion flashed through his face before he calmly sipped on his tea again.

This subtle reaction didn't escape Meng Renshu's eyes; he smirked in satisfaction seeing him trying to fake his cool. "You looked troubled when I gave it to you, so I thought the plants had dried out by now. But I'm glad to see you taking care of it well."

Li Caiyi could feel a prickling gaze from her other side, where Dai Zhiqiang sat, waiting for her to respond. She felt pressured.

"The flower didn't do anything wrong. I have accepted it, so, naturally, I have to take care of it well." Li Caiyi answered casually. To begin with, this wasn't something that required her explanation, but why did she feel the urge to do just that?

"I remember the two of us often go to the rooftop and take care of the plants together. It was a happy time. Shame that I will graduate soon."

Li Caiyi saw a chance to get out of the tricky topic and took her opportunity. "Come to think of it, what's your plan after graduating? Brother Jie is very busy nowadays preparing himself for the college entrance exam. How's your study?"

Meng Renshu took a sip of his tea elegantly before tracing the edge with his finger. "I will do everything like I used to, but I plan to hasten the process."

That reply would normally confuse people who heard it, but not Li Caiyi. She raised her head to gaze at him thoughtfully. "Are you sure? It will be harder than before."

"Yes, but I'm more prepared this time." Meng Renshu smiled meaningfully. "I'm more worried about Junjie these days."

"My brother? What's wrong with him?"

"He acts as if nothing happened, but I can tell he is confused about which path to take after this. You know, since Uncle is not here anymore, there's no reason for him to pursue a medical path again. If it's him, there's no doubt he can fit in any field he wants."

Li Caiyi didn't notice at all. Li Junjie studied like there was no tomorrow, so she thought he had already decided to be a doctor like in her previous life. But that was a goal forced upon him by their father, not his true will.

There was a reason why Meng Yaoshu was so wary of her brother. He acknowledged Li Junjie as a genius doctor, posing a threat to him.

If Li Junjie stopped pursuing the medical path, she wondered if this was a piece of good or bad news instead? That must be what Meng Renshu wanted to ask her.

"Then, I'll try asking my brother about it later. Although, I believe you will have a better chance of finding that out than me."

Meng Renshu chuckled. "I think the opposite. If I asked him, he would just tell me to mind my own business."

Li Caiyi could imagine that, but she didn't believe Li Junjie would tell her anything.

"Oh yeah, how about the birthday present I gave you? Was it helpful?"

Ah. Li Caiyi almost forgot about that. "It's easy to bring it everywhere, but I haven't had the chance to use it yet."

"That's fine. I really hope you wouldn't have a chance to use it, but since you may be attacked again, keep it close to you every time."

"What are you guys talking about?" Dai Zhiqiang uttered his first words after minutes of silence.

Li Cayi realized he had no chance to speak due to the nature of the conversation. It wasn't like she didn't want to talk to him, but more like she didn't know how to talk to him after their argument last night.

"Ah, I forgot you are still here. Sorry about that. We seem too immersed in our conversation and accidentally leave you out." Meng Renshu spoke regretfully, but his expression looked rather pleased.

Dai Zhiqiang ignored him and stared at Li Caiyi instead. She didn't know what to reveal, so she could only grimace. "I'm sorry. I will tell you about it later."

Dai Zhiqiang looked down in disappointment. That inferior feeling resurfaced again. After taunting Meng Renshu last night, he felt pathetic for not being able to say anything now. They were like living in a separate world when they spoke about stuff he didn't understand.

"Zhi, don't you think you should return to the hospital soon?" Li Caiyi asked carefully. She felt guilty because it looked like she was chasing him out, but she was already behaving selfishly by asking him to stay with her all night.

Besides, she couldn't face Dai Zhiqiang right now. She also wanted to talk more to Meng Renshu about what happened last night. Hu Jian clearly wasn't a normal person, and she dreaded thinking about what he might do next. She needed to consult with someone.

However, for the dejected Dai Zhiqiang, those words were like a thorn in his heart. He wanted to bring her back to the room and lock her inside so she wouldn't be able to see anyone else but him. But that crazy thought was interrupted by the phone ringing.

It took a few seconds to realize it was his phone that rang. He picked up the call dispiritedly and hung up after a few "Yeah" and "I see".

Next, he turned hesitantly at Li Caiyi. "Yi Yi, I…"

"I know." Li Caiyi smiled reassuringly. She knew who had called him just now from the faint voice she heard. "You should return now. Your family needs you. I'm fine by myself."

"No, you are not alone because I will be here with you." Meng Renshu added before shifting his gaze at Dai Zhiqiang. "Worry not. She will be fine as long as she is with me."

Hearing him say that made Dai Zhiqiang not want to go, but he had no choice.

He rose from his seat before staring pitifully at Li Caiyi. "Take care of yourself. Call me if anything happens, and I'll run to you no matter what. Let's talk more after everything settles down."

Li Caiyi nodded, feeling a bit stuffy inside. Dai Zhiqiang smiled weakly before walking out of the house.

It was a very stiff parting that left a bad taste in her mouth.

Li Caiyi bit her lips while staring at his lonely back. He had just left, but she had already missed him.

"Hey, I don't want to pry, but if you want to talk about it, I'm ready to listen." Meng Renshu offered with a gentle smile, which responded with a roll of the eyes from Li Caiyi. She could tell he was enjoying himself.

"You can stop provoking other people now. Let's talk about our business."