Rebirth: Once Again With You

Shao Jingfei could tell that she was calming down and felt relieved. "Come on. You are the biggest gem I have ever found. If you are pathetic, then what does that make me?"

"....Jingfei, I'm sorry for lashing out like that. My emotions have been volatile lately. You saw such an embarrassing sight of me."

"It's okay. I'm used to it by now. Anyway, don't overthink it. People come and go; that's normal. There are times when you must let it go before you ruin yourself."

"You are right." Li Caiyi smiled bitterly. In the end, letting Dai Zhiqiang go was her only option. "I will slowly try to get used to it."

"That's good. I heard that some people can create a masterpiece after facing hardships in life. If you must cry, then at least make something out of it."

Li Caiyi had been having a severe major block for weeks now. She hadn't tried to write again after the last time Feng Nian suggested she do it. Perhaps she would feel better after writing down her mixed feelings in words now.

"En. I'll do as you say."

"Alright. Then you sure rest more. I won't disturb you anymore."

"Thank you, Jingfei. For everything today." Li Caiyi smiled sincerely at him, which was replied with his usual boyish grin.

"No problem. That's what friends are for. I'll see you later."

Watching as he left the house, Li Caiyi felt complicated once again. She leaned her back against the backrest and covered her eyes with her hand.

"It's really not good trying to prolong good things. I must stop regretting what happened if I want to move on."

Second life, second chance, and second heartbreak. Li Caiyi snorted in a self-deprecating laugh at that.

She should end her excessive attachment to Dai Zhiqiang. He saved her before, and she helped him a lot in this lifetime. They didn't owe each other anything.

It would not be easy, but she had to try.

Li Caiyi closed her eyes slowly, feeling weariness seeping into her bones.

She felt so alone for the first time in a long time.

***

The next day, Li Caiyi felt her body had recovered. Not a complete recovery, but she felt 80% alright. She went to the hospital to check on Li Chunhua.

As usual, Su Suyin was there, and she looked happy to see her. "Xiaoyi, are you sure you are fine already?"

"Yes, Mother. I feel like I will get sicker if I stay in bed longer. How is Xiaohua?"

Su Suyin sighed gloomily. "There is no change from her previous condition. I should have been grateful that her condition doesn't get worse, but I'm anxious to see her sleep like this for a long time."

Li Caiyi patted her back to comfort her. "It's okay, Mother. Despite her weak physique, Xiaohua is very stubborn and strong inside. She will wake up soon."

"I hope so too," Su Suyin patted her hand gently before saying, "Can you look after your sister for a while? I remember there was a store selling delicious braised pork near the hospital. Mother will buy some for you."

"You don't have to—"

However, Su Suyin didn't want to hear 'no' as an answer, so Li Caiyi could only oblige. When her mother left the room, Li Caiyi sat beside her sister's bed with a melancholic expression. She missed Li Chunhua so much.

"Hey, how are you? Sorry for not being able to visit. I got sick a few days ago."

"It's strange, right? I usually don't get sick easily," she grinned sheepishly and continued talking, "Do you want to know the reason? You probably would laugh at me if you heard it."

As expected, there was no answer. Li Caiyi smiled bitterly before saying, "Xiaohua, it turns out you are right. It seems like Dai Zhiqiang and I wasn't a perfect match for each other. We broke up a few days ago, just like you predicted."

Li Caiyi laughed dryly. "I got dumped by him. He even went so far as to transfer schools so we won't see each other in the future again. It seems I have inconvenienced him so much that he couldn't stand me anymore."

Thinking about how Dai Zhiqiang treated another girl with the same gentleness crushed her heart. Still, at least she didn't cry anymore whenever she remembered it.

"Xiaohua, I think I am not suited to this kind of thing. I'm not confident I can love someone else again after this."

"There are many more things I want to tell you, so just wake up already."

Li Caiyi clasped Li Chunhua's cold hand in hers as if trying to share some of her warmth with her.

To her surprise, Li Chunhua's fingers, which were very still before, twitched a bit.

Li Caiyi turned her head to check on Li Chunhua, and she saw her eyelashes fluttering slightly. She rose from her seat and stared at her expectantly. Her hand was still clutching Li Chunhua's hand tightly. "Xiaohua? Are you awake? Can you hear my voice?"

A second felt like forever. Li Caiyi almost forgot to breathe when Li Chunhua's eyelid slowly opened.

Tears formed in her eyes to see Li Chunhua regain her consciousness. She felt like dancing in happiness and crying in relief simultaneously. "Xiaohua!"

"Xiaoyi?" Li Chunhua's unfocused eyes began to take in her surroundings. The light in her eyes dimmed as she asked, "How many days this time?"

"A month. You have been unconscious for almost a month."

"What?" Li Chunhua exclaimed in shock. "Did I really pass out for that long?"

Li Caiyi nodded with teary eyes. "Yes. You slept for so long. We are so worried about you."

She couldn't contain her happiness anymore and threw her arms around Li Chunhua. "Thank goodness you are okay. I'm so scared you won't wake up again!"

"Ugh, Xiaoyi, you held me too tight." Li Chunhua almost choked from her bear hug, but she was happy inside to be warmly welcomed. If only she wasn't so weak, she would raise her hand and stroke her twin's head. But like this, she could only stay still while Li Caiyi hugged her tightly.

"Did someone bully you again while I'm not here? You are really helpless without me. I can't take my eyes off you even for a bit."