Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

Jun sneezed. He rubbed the tip of his nose and frowned. He felt irked for some reason though he couldn’t point out why. It wasn’t because of thinking about his parents and the celebration, but something still bugged him.

Why am I feeling so annoyed?

He read Ai’s note again and sighed.

Where is that woman? What is taking her so long?

The dinner had already turned cold, but Jun was in no mood to reheat and eat. He impatiently tapped his index finger on his phone.

Should I call her?

They had finally exchanged numbers when Ai had fallen sick.

He clicked on her number, and it rang. It kept ringing, but Ai didn’t answer.

Jun narrowed his eyes. He felt more uneasy now.

She is not in any trouble, right?

Finally, the call clicked. Relieved, he said, “What are you-“

“Hohoho! I knew it! Jin is perfect for you, isn’t it?”

Jun froze. Nobody had to tell him that it was his grandfather’s voice on the other end. He suddenly pushed back the chair and stood upright.

Why is Grandpa’s voice…What is this about Jin?

“My eyes can never be wrong. When I look at Ai and Jin together, you two-“

The call abruptly got cut.

“Hello? Hello!?”

Jun hastily dialed her number again and again but to no avail. He blankly stared ahead, his body trembling and his fingers clenching into a fist. His gaze was unfocused.

‘Jin is perfect for you!’

‘When I look at Ai and Jin together, you two-‘

What…what was he saying? What is this about Jin and Ai? Look good together? Huh? Where is this coming from? T-they don’t even know each other.

Why, why, why? What is going on? Why did Jin suddenly come into the picture? How is he related to Ai?

A million questions barraged his mind one after the other as if a fully loaded gun was set to auto. His breathing became ragged with an onset of a familiar fear twitching every fibre of his muscles. His stomach churned in disgust, and sweat trickled down the side of his ear.

What is Ai even doing at my house?

Jun tried to think about the reason for her presence at his house, but he couldn’t come up with any.

Then he stiffened. Widening his eyes, he ran towards his bedroom. He opened the drawers but didn’t find his gift anywhere.

I remember I kept it on the table…

Then he recalled the time he came out of the shower. He felt he had noticed as if something was missing from its place, but his attention was more focused as to why his room’s door was left open when it was supposed to be shut.

No…She couldn’t have possibly gone to…

Jun grabbed his keys and scrambled out of his condo the moment the realization hit him.

—

A few minutes before, Jin wasn’t too sure what was happening. The woman he saw Jun accidentally kissing was in front of him for some reason.

Is it a coincidence?

Not just that, his grandfather was even setting him up with her. If it was another woman, he wouldn’t have given it much thought.

But seeing Ai strangely made him uncomfortable. He felt as if there was Jun’s presence lingering around her.

On the other side, Ai’s expression was somber, too, as she looked at him. This was the man Jun’s ex-girlfriend was in love with, and he was in love with her too. Jun’s confrontation with Shui got refreshed in her mind.

There was a strange atmosphere between them.

Ai then noticed her phone flashing with Jun’s number, and she stiffened.

He shouldn’t know I am here.

She was about to cut it when Liu Hai’s booming laughter startled her, and she pressed the green option by mistake. She immediately disconnected a few seconds later and sighed in relief.

I hope he didn’t hear anything.

Liu Hai patted her shoulder. “How about you consider Jin? He is tall, handsome, polite and well-behaved unlike that Nian brat!”

Ai wanted to reject it, but he pushed her towards Jin and laughed. “Why don’t you two get to know each other? I know you will definitely like each other! After all, I am the best cupid, hoho!”

Jin cleared his throat. “Grandpa, it’s-“

“It’s such a happy occasion, right!?” He gleamed. “It’s Jinhai and Nana’s wedding anniversary, and I also found the perfect bride for you! Double celebration! Let me share this great news with Chunhua! Jin, you show her around and learn more about your future wife.”

Liu Hai winked at them and ran away to find his wife.

Silence.

Jin finally faced her. “I am sorry on my Grandpa’s behalf. He gets…way too hyper sometimes. Don’t mind him.”

Ai shook her head. “I know he meant well.”

Silence again.

Jin stared at her with an important question wandering in his mind.

Why is she here?

He smiled. “Should I show you around? Of course not in the way Grandpa meant. The banquet will start soon.”

“No. Actually, I am not here to attend the banquet. But, can I request you something?”

“Sure.”

“Can I meet your parents?”

He blinked. “Mom and Dad?”

She nodded.

“Now?”

“Yes.”

“Hm…right now, it will be difficult. They are getting ready, and then the banquet will start.”

Jin squinted his eyes. Now he contemplated her presence even more.

What does she have to do with Mom and Dad?

Their attention shifted as the Han family entered the mansion. Jin stared at Shui, who gracefully stepped in with a beautiful smile on her lips.

Ai glanced at Jin and noticed his gaze at Shui. She felt a tinge of sadness for Jun.

She smiled. “It’s okay. I will wait.”

Jin looked back at her and nodded.

“Jin!” Nuo’s came from afar. “Come here. I need your help!”

Jin apologetically said, “My sister needs me.”

“Yes, please.”

As he left, Ai gave it a thought.

There is still some time before the banquet starts…

She knew Jinhai and Nana were busy getting ready now, but she had a feeling she wouldn’t get the chance to meet them privately once the party started. It was inevitable with so many guests tonight.

My best chance is only right now.