Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu-Chapter 1182: Birthday gift

"Are those your sketches?" Alix pointed at the wall and asked.

But she noticed that Shui was holding her temple, distressed as if thinking about something really hard. Alix gave it a thought and poked on her shoulder.

Shui looked up. "Oh, yes you were asking something?"

"The sketches on the wall...did you draw them?"

She scratched her chin awkwardly. "Yeah. I was doodling a bit. I didn’t know that he would frame it."

"They are frameworthy obviously."

She looked back at them and through those little strokes of the pencil could feel the warmth of the picture.

"It has been a long time since they are back together like this. I’m happy for them."

Shui smiled. "I know. It feels nice seeing them work together."

"Better that Zhong Sihan gives up," her eyes narrowed. "I don’t know what he wants, but I just want Lin and Cai to live peacefully now. His family seems far from it."

She glanced at his side, who was comfortably inserting himself in between Lin and Jun’s conversation. As expected, Jin’s expression was far from amicable.

"He has his own situation to be honest," she looked back at Alix. "Sometimes, he makes me think that he is quite similar to Jin in many aspects."

"I hope Jin suddenly doesn’t propose the idea of adopting a grown man someday."

The sarcasm made her laugh. "No, he won’t. More from a familial standpoint."

"I see..."

Though Alix didn’t completely understand it, she did get a hazy picture of where she might be getting to.

"Whatever he is like, it’s not going to be fruitful. Even if Lin agrees to be adopted in the Zhong family, he won’t do it without Cai. He won’t leave him behind and I don’t want this situation stressing them out. It’s already been.." she looked away, "hard enough for them." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Because of me, she added in her mind.

Shui thought back to all those times she had spent with Lin until now. "I think they will be fine. They have grown strong enough to weather any unpleasant situation."

Alix glanced at their side again, especially toward Cai.

"He was just a brat. Now he is all tall and strong. Apparently, in love too. I cannot imagine it. What about her?"

Shui blinked once and chuckled. "Your big sister side is leaking out."

Her brow twitched. "I am just being cautious because he is naive. Always was."

"It’s complicated, but I believe it will clear out."

Alix shrugged. "It better be or I will launch all kinds of missiles and grenades at the Zhong family."

"Your big sister side is actually adorable."

"Topic change," she said expressionlessly, "What were you mulling about before?"

"Ah," her face dropped. "I was thinking about what to give Lin for birthday gift. That idiot Jun! He didn’t even tell me! You all bought gifts for him and here I am visiting his cafe almost everyday, and I am empty-handed. Ugh..."

She shrugged again. "Not that he will really mind about it, but you don’t have to think too hard. Lin is a simple man. He will be happy even if you give him a pen. As long as it’s not too daunting like..shareholder papers a certain someone gave."

Shui choked.

Clearly, Zhong Sihan had heard it because it was meant to be heard by him. He sneered. "Clearly, the Liu family seems jealous of my brilliant idea."

"Which Lin is rejecting over and over again but guess you are a little slow in some areas," she sneered back. "Can’t help it if age is getting to you."

Oh God this will start a war...Shui thought.

Zhong Sihan snorted and ignored her because he had a more important question to ask Shui. "What about you, dear? I remember somebody confidently claiming to win me over with her art. Poor Yang fella must be turning bald."

She smiled. "Just a few more days of wait, Mr. Zhong. The art exhibition is held at the same Blooming from where you will gracefully back off once you see my paintings, oh, and also get a surprise gift."

"Hoo...I’m looking forward to it," he smiled back. "Let’s see what you have got."

—

After everybody left, Cai peeked at his brother in the distance, who seemed to be lost in a daze. He pursed his lips.

Is he thinking about sis Yah- Alix?

He wondered if seeing Jin and Alix together had made him uncomfortable. He was very good at hiding his emotions that way. He wasn’t ignorant of his feelings towards Yahui, but she was now married to Jin. Watching them together was bound to hurt him in some way or the other.

He hesitated. Just like how he chose to not share his pain in regards to Ru Yi, Lin was similar in that way too. He quickly hid when the door chimed and he saw Shui coming.

Oh? She is back?

"Lin!"

Shui rushed over to his side, and he turned, surprised. "Miss. Han...did you forget something?"

She glared. "Of course I did. Your birthday gift. All because of idiot Jun who didn’t tell me..." she mumbled.

She cleared her throat and handed him a box. Lin took it, slightly taken aback. "You didn’t have to-"

"A birthday is a birthday and gifts are an important part. So open it," she put her hands on her waist.

Lin saw her standing slightly breathless. Her forehead was lightly moist with sweat.

Was she running around to buy a gift for me?

A strange feeling welled in his chest for some reason and he slowly unwrapped the ribbon and gift paper. It revealed a delicate music box. Under the lid was a small illustration of a happy boy wearing boxing gloves and punching through a wall.

"That’s Lin, the boxer."

"...Why am I punching the wall?"

"Because you are strong enough to punch your opponents~ Also real life’s problems, haha! Oh, oh, turn the lever and see!"

Lin held his breath and slowly turned the lever at the side. A soft and pleasant melody echoed in the air. He then realized that it was familiar to the song Cai and he used to often listen when they were little. It was their favorite song.

Shui smiled. "Whenever you feel down, this song will help you remember the happy memories."