Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu-Chapter 1188: Traitor

Lin immediately took a step back. "No, I can’t. How can I call you by name? It’s too casual."

Shui’s brow slightly twitched. "That’s the whole point of friendship..."

But she did understand his point of view too. It wouldn’t be too easy to simply start addressing her just by her name.

"That’s fine if you can’t start right away. I am just saying to keep it in mind...If you start practicing now, you will get used to it at one point."

A trace of hesitation crept in him.

Can I really do it?

They stepped in her office and Shui quickly said, "Just sit here. I will quickly freshen up and come."

I cannot continue looking horrendous!

She dashed in the washroom and locked the door. Leaning her back against it, she heaved out a deep breath.

It was a complete surprise visit by Lin and she wasn’t ready for it. She looked at herself in the mirror and cried, seeing the state she was in.

How did he not falter even by just a step? At least half a step!

’You actually look very beautiful. I like hard-working people.’

The words came to her mind and Shui held her face, patting her cheeks with light taps, curious to know why they felt warm.

He is too genuine and serious!

Which is a good thing actually...

She breathed out, now holding her chest. Slowly, she approached the wash basin and turned on the tap. As she splashed the water across her face, the earlier weariness and paint marks were flowing down with the water.

If he complimented me so seriously, then I must have looked just a tiny bit pretty amidst all the ugliness...?

No...I looked like a ghost but it didn’t matter to him at all! He has a tough heart!

Ahhh, what am I babbling seriously? I cannot think straight at all!

’I like hard-working people.’

For a tiny moment, she felt as if it was directed solely at her, but she slapped her cheeks to stay awake.

It was just a general statement! I don’t have to take it so personally...He likes all hard-working people in general, me included. He didn’t mean just me.

Shui leaned against the wall, sighing.

Why does it feel so difficult today...

—

Why does it feel so difficult today...

Was the same question that Lin asked himself too. The basket in his hands was shaking to the point that he was worried if the contents inside would get mixed up. He promptly kept it aside and clasped his hands together, which was a much better option than ruining Shui’s lunch.

’You can just say next time that we are...friends.’

He trembled.

For all the hurt that he caused her, he felt as if he was floating in a dream. He remembered the hatred in Shui’s eyes as she accused him of her impossibility with Jin.

Yet now that same woman was giving a chance to a friendship with him. It was fine if they simply talked now and then without having a name to their relationship. But Shui gave it anyway.

A-Am I really her friend?

He adjusted his shirt’s collar even though it was already comfortable for him. He glanced at his thighs which looked to be shivering. He didn’t know why. He didn’t know what to do.

Did she say that because she wanted to spare him the awkwardness next time?

All kinds of nervous questions gripped him. He grabbed his phone and almost opened Yahui’s contact by habit. Though he had learned to decide for himself and make his own choices over time, at times, he felt he still needed Yahui’s opinion, so that she could make some sense of the emotions he was feeling.

But Lin promptly kept his phone back in his pocket. He knew that Yahui, or Alix, would still help him in her own way, but he had a strange feeling that...

I should figure it out on my own.

I don’t think...it’s right to ask her...

He couldn’t exactly pinpoint why he felt that way but all he knew was that it was between him and Shui.

He straightened as he noticed Shui walking. Compared to her previous habitat self, she now looked much more alive and fresh.

"I am back!" She said with a beaming smile. "So tell me, what brought you here? Ohhh, that’s the lunch you made, right?"

"Yes," Lin slid the basket in between them and unzipped it, while thinking what reason was there for him to drop a visit for no reason.

"Oh, oh, did you make some new menu item for me?" She shone.

He froze and stared at his lunchbox hard.

That was...actually a good reason to come here.

He could have just simply tried out a new recipe and asked for Shui’s opinion.

"...It’s not a new menu item."

"Oh. No worries!" She shrugged. "I like the food you make anyway. It’s a delicious treat!"

He felt even more awkward now. Sure, he brought lunch for her but there was really no reason to. Concern was a valid point but could he really use it? In short, his overthinking mode was on.

Shui munched on the shrimp and sparkled. "Yum! Oh God, you’re getting better and better! You can soon go toe-to-toe with Bro Jian and sis Nuo I think."

Her phone buzzed suddenly and she picked it without looking at the caller’s name.

"Shuiiiiiiii!!!"

Her eyes widened hearing a cry. "Bro J-Jian...?"

"I just felt a chill! It was a super uncomfortable chill, you know! Did you just compare this handsome and talented lord with somebody? Tell me the truth!"

"..."

Shui looked all around her office.

"Bro...have you installed cameras in my office?"

"That means it’s true!" He cried hard.

How the hell did he even know I said that? Shui was dumbfounded. And how the hell did he even know that it came from me among all people!?

"Shui, you just broke my heart! Am I not the super cool brother in your heart at the top place!"

"What about Bro Siying?"

"He can come after me and Nian," he sniffled. "But you compared me! Who is it? Tell me the name!"

Ugh...

Lin blinked at her, curious while also puzzled.

She cleared her throat. "I was just praising Lin’s food, that’s all."

"You praised somebody else’s food over mine!? You traitor!"

"..."

"I need to brainwash you into following my cult once again so don’t you and that Hou Lin escape. I am coming right away!"