Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu-Chapter 1218: Shattering illusion

The cafe was closed for business today so they had a free evening to spend. Apart from Shui, Cai and Ruyi had also returned. They returned the minute they heard what happened today. The conversation between the two brothers didn’t stretch any longer when Lin assured him that everything was fine.

They returned to the table side with Cai seemingly in a dispirited mood.

Shui asked, "What’s wrong?"

"Bro keeps saying that he is fine, but I know he is not."

"Because I am really fine."

He glared. "I know Dad would have definitely spouted some nonsense about you. How can you be fine about that!"

"Because we won’t be meeting them again. It was just a coincidence."

Cai was about to speak more of his mind when Lin stuffed an apple in his mouth, blocking it. Ruyi couldn’t help but crack into laughter.

Lin said, looking at Shui, "Let’s have dinner and then I will drop you home."

"Wait."

"Yes?"

Shui and Ruyi exchanged silent glances and looked back at them. Shui beamed. "I have a great idea! How about we have a sleepover today?"

The two brothers blinked twice.

"I mean...Ruyi and I stay for the night here," she cleared her throat.

Their eyes widened at once.

"Bushabdkdfff?" The apple was still blocking Cai’s mouth.

Lin translated. "Stay the night here?"

They nodded.

"I see. We do have a guest room where you and Ruyi can sleep," he nodded.

"Huansjskiadghff!?"

Cai grabbed his arm and pulled him aside. "Bajsfijsisuywwjjj??"

"Do I really want them to stay here?" He blinked. "Why not? They asked. We have an extra room, so I don’t see a problem."

"Gsheis kaiiweuh aiwjhshe shsueie anshsuengff!?"

"Miss. Han and I have just started going out keeping something more in your mind about our relationship, so is it really alright for her to be staying here?" He expertly translated, to which his response was, "Yes. So? Why is that a problem?"

"Oonehe ahaj andjjhs oness owngsge ahsjsj ususu..."

In the distance, Ruyi slightly pursed her lips as she observed Cai making frantic gestures while talking to Lin.

"He knows that...he can remove that apple, right?"

"And Lin can also tell him that. Sometimes common sense is not so common," Shui sighed.

Lin stared at him. "Are you asking that about me or yourself?"

"..."

"Will you feel restless if Ruyi stays here?"

"Bo...bsjsukk...?"

"Why would you feel restless at all? Correct. There is no need to be anxious. So it’s fine if they sleep over, right?"

Cai glared daggers at his brother, but eventually, his fume deflated.

"Enn..."

"Good."

Lin returned to their table and said, "It’s fine to stay back."

They brightened. "Perfect!"

"Bosieh mhshs louma permksghhus?" Cai asked, his shoulders dropping.

"Seriously, just remove that apple already..." Ruyi finally spoke her mind."

He finally did and said, "Will your family be really okay? We are two guys, you know?"

Shui grinned. "I will drop a text to sister-in-law~ She will handle it."

"I..." Ruyi was definitely concerned as she forgot to think about this point before. She wasn’t too comfortable sharing her plans to her brother or father.

Suddenly, she felt envious of Shui for having such a supportive sister-in-law. She had nobody on her side to share her secrets with.

"You can text Mr. Zhong. You were with him today, so I know he will know how to take care of it," Shui shrugged.

"...Really?"

"I was surprised to see you two together. You form quite an odd pair, but I think you are getting closer to him."

Her lips stretched into a thin line. "I kind of imposed myself. After the exhibition, I felt guilty that I had come across Grandpa’s painting in his room. Clearly, it was private to great-uncle, and I intruded. I just want to make up for it. I also wouldn’t have liked it had I been in his place."

Shui smiled. "You have a good heart. You should definitely text him. He is a smart man," she rolled her eyes, "I totally believe he wouldn’t even drop a sweat before lying to your parents."

—

Zhong Sihan’s phone buzzed and he said, "Stop."

He read the message, casually sipping onto his boba tea and raised a brow. He typed back.

’Tell them yourself.’

He kept his phone back when it buzzed again.

’I am not good at making excuses. Please...?’

’Translation - I am good at lying so make me the scapegoat.’

There was no response which Zhong Sihan took as a yes. His brow twitched with annoyance.

What a pain...

’Whatever. Just this once. Don’t get too comfortable with me. You are my gofer, not the other way around.’

Ruyi’s immediate reply was a cute teddy bear hug sticker with hearts floating in the air.

What the hell? Does she want to make me puke? He shuddered with terror.

He kept his phone back and looked back at the couple.

"Are you crystal clear?"

"This is ridiculous!" Hou Luli exclaimed. "We are still alive and you are talking about some nonsense papers to make him your son? How in the world can any of that be legal!"

"I am Zhong Sihan. I can do anything. You don’t wanna test it," he smiled.

"There is no way we will allow this. We will fight this in court," Hou Fa’s jaw clenched.

Zhong Sihan arched his brow. "Huh? Why is the father suddenly getting so emotional? If my memory serves me right, then your last words to your son were how ashamed you are of him. Now, you want to talk about fighting tooth and nail for the son you never cared about?"

"He is still our son!"

"Blood doesn’t matter anymore. Lin is an adult and he will decide for himself. I am sure he will soon come around to my proposal. What’s there to not have Zhong Sihan as your father~? When you had the chance to be good parents, you threw it out of the window. And now you acted like some tearful reunion was going on? Oh, I know. You have gotten old now. Suddenly, you realize it’s too lonely to live without your children."

He looked away in the distance. "Everybody feels they are undefeatable when young. Old age...shatters that illusion now, doesn’t it?"

There was a long silence. Hou Luli quietly stood up and left the table side, walking farther away.

"We are done talking here so you can accompany your wife in leaving." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Hou Fa said, "...Luli has only five months left to live."