Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu-Chapter 1120: Moment of truth

Three months went by in a flash - but for the rest of the world, not for Alix, who was diligently absorbed into her studies. Yet the journey wasn’t so hard. With her experience as an editor and already possessing a good knowledge in a variety of subjects, cracking the study code didn’t prove to be so tough.

Amidst that, she had the constant support of Jin and her family. He wouldn’t even show his face in the room during her study time and would strenuously drag his grandfather away from disturbing her.

"But I want to play with my granddaughter-in-laws!" He whined.

"Okay first of all, that sounds totally misleading. Second of all, she is studying! She needs some quiet time," He glared. "Don’t you want her to pass the exam?"

He snorted. "You are the dumb one if you think she needs studying. She’s smart as hell! She can give the exam with her eyes closed!"

"..."

Though the hardest part was keeping the kids away. It wasn’t like play time with Alix was completely cut off, but it had definitely reduced. Aang, Taio and Yina had almost stopped talking to Jin. Only Ailun, albeit with a very heavy heart, understood the situation and refrained from meeting her.

In the course of this time, the wall between Alix and the Liu family was seemingly cracking down bit by bit. Nana, Liu Chunhua, Leina, Xing Bi and Ai would often take turns to bring in some warm, refreshing tea to help her concentrate, including Shui and Nuo. Though tea time often ended up extending to gossip time and yet again, Jin took it upon himself to drag the women away.

It was a month ago when Alix had successfully cleared her written examination, which brought them to today - the day of the practical exam.

Alix breathed out. She could feel drops of sweat forming on her forehead.

Jin said, "Don’t be nervous. You will do great! You practiced so well Aunt Xie and the kids! The examiners will definitely like you," he bobbed his head.

"I don’t know, I feel too stiff. What if they don’t like me?"

He frowned. "I’ll need to have a word with them then."

Alix knew what kind of ’word’ he would have with them.

"You would do no such thing."

"Nobody can bully you."

She arched her brow. "You think somebody can bully me?"

He grinned. "No, they don’t."

"Hey, hey, I’m here! All the best!" Shui came hopping by, which left them surprised.

"How come you are here?" Jin asked.

"It’s the final test. I dropped by to give a good luck charm~" she handed her a phoenix shaped keychain.

Dragons and phoenixes were considered to be good fortune.

"Thank you," Alix genuinely expressed her gratitude. "It’s pretty."

She then noticed another figure slowly follow Shui and stand beside her.

"Hello," Lin greeted her.

"Hey," Alix smiled.

"You were with him?" Jin asked Shui, raising a curious brow.

The discomfort and uneasiness Jin used to feel towards Lin before was nowhere to be seen. He genuinely appreciated him as Alix’s good friend.

"We were just returning from a video games contest!" She said with pride, "And to give you the good news, I finally - FINALLY won!"

"That ’finally’ sounds deep," Alix tilted her head.

"You don’t understand my pain," he is too talented. "He even excels in bow and arrow. He is ridiculously good at all kinds of games and activities. He is very frustrating."

"Way to go saying that in front of him," Jin sneered.

"He is used to it."

"Miss. Han has improved though."

She scowled. "That ’though’ sounds like I’m still far away from beating you. Don’t forget, I won today."

"Hope you can continue the streak tomorrow."

"Don’t get too full of yourself," she scoffed.

Lin then handed Alix a closed cup of coffee and said, "I made this for you. It’s a new coffee recipe I’m trying out. Good for keeping away the jitters. All the best."

"Oh," she took it and took a whiff. "Yeah, it smells delicious. Thanks."

He gave a nod.

Shui and Lin didn’t stay for long and parted ways. Jin took a curious look at the coffee cup and cleared his throat. "Can I have a taste too?"

"Sure."

Jin took a sip and his eyes widened. "Wow, it’s really good. Not too sweet and not too bitter. Definitely drink this first before you head inside. Has he thought of expanding his cafe?" He tilted his head.

"Don’t know. He’ll do great, won’t he?"

He smiled. "Like you’ll do great today."

He bent and dropped a kiss on her lips. "Good luck."

—

The month that followed the practical exam was the most unnerving one for Alix. Results were to be announced soon and she was suddenly having second thoughts.

"I acted too stiffly in front of the examiners. I had to pretend I’m in front of some imaginary children but I came out too serious. I think I wasn’t smiling enough either. How will the kids like me? I don’t think they are gonna select me."

Jin’s jaw dropped dumbfounded.

"Don’t you see our niece and nephews following you like a cult? Baihu has already started with it and soon, Junxi will follow you too. You have a wonderful charm with the kids. Don’t underestimate yourself."

She stared at her laptop screen with knitted brows. The results were to be posted on the official website and she swore her heart would come out of her chest soon enough if this suspense didn’t drop. Her mouse hovered over the page refresh button but she hesitated to click it.

Jin hugged her from the back and pecked her cheek.

"You’re getting stressed over nothing. The results are definitely gonna be positive."

*Meow*

Jun-kun and Ai-chan expressed their own positivity as they stretched their furry bodies.

"I will disappoint Miss. Xie if I don’t pass."

His brow twitched. "You’re not gonna disappoint anybody so just click the button."

"I can’t-"

The door suddenly banged open with Ailun practically throwing himself in her embrace.

""Pastry auuuuuuunt!!! You passed the exam!!!" His eyes glittered gold.

"..."

"Where did you see?" Jin was stumped.

"On the website, where else Uncle Jin?" Ailun’s brows scrunched up. "I was refreshing the page the whole time! Finally it came out and pastry aunt passed!"