Rebirth: Once Again With You

"Big brother," Dai Shenqiang wanted to get up, but his abdomen was aching so badly; he grimaced in pain.

Dai Zhiqiang hurriedly came over and helped him sit up. "I want you to lie down some more, but you gotta eat."

Then he raised a plastic bag he had been holding for a while. "I bought this from Yueguang. Eat this and get better."

Dai Shenqiang had been unconscious for a day, so he was famished. He gulped when he smelled the delicious fragrance of his favorite food. However, he restrained himself and asked instead, "What about you, Big Brother? Have you eaten yet?"

"I had lunch already, so don't overthink it and just eat."

Dai Zhiqiang opened the package and poured the broth into the plastic container before twirling some noodles with a plastic fork and raising it in his brother's mouth. Dai Shenqiang did not know whether he should laugh or cry.

"Brother, I'm not a child anymore. I can eat by myself."

"With that right hand of yours? Not a chance." Dai Zhiqiang stubbornly held the fork in front of his brother's face, urging him to open his mouth. It was embarrassing, but Dai Shenqiang had no choice but to oblige, so he opened his mouth.

When the familiar and flavorful taste of chicken noodle soups spread onto his tongue, the warmth of the soup circulated throughout his body, starting from his chest, and he felt like his condition had improved a lot.

Dai Zhiqiang was relieved to see his brother eating well, so a soft smile appeared on his face. "Chew it slowly."

Dai Shenqiang finished his meal quickly, without leaving a single drop of soup. Dai Zhiqiang helped him to drink and noticed that there was an unfamiliar bag on the chair. "Did someone put their things here?"

"Ah, that girl who saved me came just now."

Dai Zhiqiang's hand stopped. "She is here?"

"Yeah. She went out to put the flowers in the vase, but she had yet to return. I wonder if something happened?"

Dai Zhiqiang looked down at the bag. He recalled a certain someone who had the same bag, but he quickly brushed it off as a coincidence. "There was no way…."

"Huh? What did you say, Brother?"

"No, it's nothing."

Dai Shenqiang watched his brother take out some apples from the plastic bag and calmly use a knife to peel the skin. He hesitated a bit before asking, "Big brother, how is Father's condition?"

"He is doing fine. Don't worry. I mentioned nothing about your condition to him."

Dai Shenqiang heaved a sigh of relief, but later, he said apologetically, "I'm sorry. I'm troubling you again."

"It's not your fault at all. It was my fault you got injured." Dai Zhiqiang's nail dug into his palm as he said that, feeling extremely upset. However, none of his feelings showed in his expression. He did not want his little brother to worry.

The door was opened again, and Li Caiyi went in while holding a vase of flowers in her hand. Both she and Dai Zhiqiang were surprised when their gazes fell on each other.

Li Caiyi was the first to recover. She alternately glanced at the two boys with similar looks and smiled faintly. No wonder she felt Dai Shenqiang's face was familiar. It turned out Dai Zhiqiang was his family member.

​ "Dai Zhiqiang, you are here too," Li Caiyi walked over to him while hugging the vase of flowers in her arms, and Dai Zhiqiang could not take his eyes off of her. Li Caiyi with the flower, he could not decide which one was prettier. He had a hunch earlier, but he was not expecting to meet her again so soon.

"Uhm… Dai Zhiqiang?" Li Caiyi looked at him in confusion. He was staring at her so intently. Did she have something on her face?

Dai Zhiqiang said nothing and only took the flower vase from her and put it on top of the bedside table. Dai Shenqiang smiled, looking at it. "They are beautiful. Thank you."

"You are welcome," Li Caiyi smiled back at him, "You guys looked similar, are you brothers?"

"Yeah. I'm Dai Shenqiang, and I see you have known my big brother."

"Yes, he helped me before, so this is a pleasant surprise." Li Caiyi glanced at Dai Zhiqiang, but the latter refused to look at her and covered Dai Shenqiang's thigh with a blanket instead. She wondered if he perhaps had forgotten about her? He had yet to say a word to her since they met.

Li Caiyi did not want to appear overly friendly since they were not that close from the beginning. She shifted her gaze to Dai Shenqiang. "Since your brother is here, I will take my leave now. I might drop by again later because I have something to ask you. Is that okay?"

"Of course! I will wait for you." Dai Shenqiang beamed. "But you have not told me your name yet."

"Oh, that's right. I'm Li Caiyi."

"Li Caiyi, it's a pretty name. Thank you again for saving me back then. I'm indebted to you." Dai Shenqiang bowed a little, but Li Caiyi hurriedly waved her hand.

"No, don't be. It was just a coincidence that I passed there after school. Anyone would do the same."

Dai Shenqiang liked her humility, and they exchanged a few more words before Li Caiyi bade him goodbye. She was about to leave when she felt Dai Zhiqiang's gaze on her.

"See you at school," Li Caiyi mouthed these words with a playful expression before she finally left.

Dai Shenqiang did not miss their last interaction and smirked meaningfully at Dai Zhiqiang, who was still staring at the entrance in a daze. "So you like that type of girl, huh?"

Dai Zhiqiang ignored the hint of teasing in his brother's tone and calmly replied, "Nonsense. We don't know each other that well."

Dai Shenqiang was not convinced because he had never seen his brother show any interest in the opposite sex before this. However, he also understood Dai Zhiqiang's reclusive nature, so he did not tease him further, except for giving a knowing answer. "Yeah, let's just say that."

He briefly paused before he said something again. "But are you sure you are not going to say anything to her? After all, she is my life savior, and she looked like she wanted to talk with you earlier, but you just shut her off. You are so cold."

Dai Zhiqiang's hand twitched a bit. He was too nervous earlier, so he subconsciously tried to avoid speaking to her lest he made a fool of himself. He did not know he appeared like he was deliberately trying to shut her off.

Dai Zhiqiang was a calm person, but now he could not stop a sense of uneasiness bubbling inside him. He thought about finding her at school tomorrow and apologized; however, he later shook his head lightly.

It might be better if he kept some distance from her. This way, she would not know how pathetic he was.