Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu-Chapter 1184: The strokes of warmth

"Then it was Sir Jun," Lin said, reminiscing his days at Sky. "Working with him was an experience that solidified my voice. He gave me my own space to figure out what was right and wrong for the company and trusted my decisions. He is a good leader who always encouraged me."

He looked at the music box, thinking about his betrayal. Jun had given him nothing but respect, but in the end, he had betrayed that trust.

Yet Jun specially came to his cafe to give him birthday wishes.

And then...

Shui nodded. "Jun is a good boss to work with hehe."

Then she asked, "What about Mr. Zhong?"

"He also played an important part. Prison life naturally doesn’t sound appealing, but meeting Zhong Sihan and spending my time helped me in a different way. I don’t agree to all of the methods he uses to achieve what he wants, but he has a certain knack of...getting things done. He is like that teacher who will make you understand through punishments which you will never forget."

He turned the lever again and replayed the song. A smile formed on his lips.

"It’s like...listening to this song reminded me of the happy moments of my life when I met the important people who made me become who I am. Cai and I used to listen to the song whenever we were left alone."

She smiled softly.

"..Did your parents never come to understand you?"

"Not until I lived there. Once Yahui had moved out, I moved out too. I tried living with them but realized that nothing was going to change. They had no time for their children, at times they constantly argued over me and everything just became pointless. I moved out but kept in contact until eventually, everything just fizzled out. Cai had also left to start living in the dorms. I wanted him to stay back, but he didn’t listen to me."

"He is a good brother."

She saw his gaze shine with a hint of pride. "Yes, he is. He is a good and strong man. I...don’t know how the years went by for him. Without Yahui and me. We had lost contact with our parents long ago. He stayed strong all this time, met a girl who he thought he could spend his life with but even then, I became a roadblock for his relationship."

No, you didn’t!

Cai had almost blurted out as his heart hammered against his chest. Tears had already pooled in his eyes as Lin talked about the past. He didn’t want Lin to blame himself, but he remained in his place, trembling. He sensed her shouldn’t barge into their conversation. He wiped his aching eyes.

Shui folded her arms as if scolding him. "You’re still thinking negatively."

"No, I am not. Not this time. I am just what I felt when I heard about Ru Yi. But today.." he couldn’t express what overwhelmed him but his chest felt too full of something.

"You asked Sir Jun to back Cai’s relationship with Ru Yi."

"Oh that..." she scratched her chin, awkward. "It’s nothing really. I just had a thought that your previous Boss speaking up for you would help understand Zhong Heng more about you and Cai. Then he would probably at least sincerely try to consider Cai instead of having just a one-sided notion."

"It’s a lot, Miss. Han," he trembled. "I am someone who has hurt you the most, yet you are.. selflessly doing everything you can to help us. You have a very kind heart, Miss. Han."

He couldn’t speak more because he was too overwhelmed for the words to come out.

"Okay, okay! Y-you are just making me embarrassed now!" She coughed with the rain of compliments.

She glanced at Lin, who seemed even more thoughtful than before for some reason.

"What are you thinking about?"

Lin looked hesitant and unsure. But eventually, he moved his chair back and got up from his seat. He walked toward the counter and shuffled something among the drawers. Shui curiously watched him return, carrying a box in his hands.

Lin considered for a moment and slid it towards her. "It’s for you."

"Huh? For me? It’s not my birthday."

"Not as a birthday gift. I wanted to thank you for everything you did for me. Defending me in front Mr. Zhong Heng and then in the underground ring..you helped me a lot. It’s just a small token of my gratitude if you don’t mind," he cleared his throat.

Her eyes sparkled. "Oh, I like gifts! I mean-" she coughed. "You didn’t have to bring anything for me b-but I will gladly accept it!"

She grinned and opened the box. Lifting the top lid of it, her gaze fell on a beautiful paint brush that laid neatly atop a soft pillow. She stared at the brush for a long time before she slowly lifted it between her fingers. The long handle was a beautiful mix of black and brown that held a pleasant golden ferrule. The firm bristles at the head of the brush felt the perfect texture to touch. At one side of the golden coated ferrule were embossed the letters - H.S.

Lin slightly clasped his hands together, nervous. "I hope you like it."

He had wracked his brain over what would make a good gift for Shui. He was a simple man who liked useful things whether to give or receive, so he wondered.

She might like it if it’s a paintbrush. She could use it to paint.

"It’s not very expensive, but I did a thorough research and asked the store owner. This brush is definitely high quality. The bristles will give very good strokes while painting and the grip at the ferrule will be firm too," he nodded.

Shui looked up at him, watching his sincere eyes holding anticipation and hope that she liked it. She gripped the handle, unable to form her words.

"I-It’s really thoughtful..." her voice choked.

Though Lin said that it wasn’t very expensive, Shui figured out at one glance that the paint brush was pricey enough at the very least to create a significant hole in his wallet. They had known each other for a short time only, yet he thought about a gift that he knew she would surely appreciate as an artist.

Lin blinked and saw tears form in her eyes and his own widened. "W-Why are you crying?"