Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

On the second and third take too, Chyou fumbled in her lines. At this point, even the director was flabbergasted to see her failed takes.

"Are you not in your form today?" He curiously asked. More than annoyed, he was simply interested to know what was going on. "It's surprising to see Gu Yating performing flawlessly against you."

Yating's mouth twitched. But it was true that Chyou's focus didn't feel to be in the zone. He stared at her, who was awkwardly scratching her head.

"Hehe…I…"

Yating whispered, "Should we cancel today's shoot? You don't look alright."

"No, no, we don't need to-"

She didn't want to but her gaze accidentally met his. It shook her to see his eyes solemnly watching her with a hint of concern.

'You don't have to lie to me to keep me out of your life.'

Her lips formed a tense smile. "Maybe yes…"

He held her gaze for a moment and nodded. He let the director know about it and the latter agreed as well. "No probs. Everyone has their bad days. Take rest, Zhu Chyou."

"Thank you."

The shooting wrapped up with that and Yating, too, packed up. He headed outside towards his car when a hand suddenly grabbed his arm. His eyes widened with the sudden force and he looked back, confused.

It was Chyou holding his arm, albeit breathlessly as if she had run a marathon.

"Actually I want to…"

"First take a deep breath, Chyou. Why are you huffing so much?"

She awkwardly cleared her throat and eventually calmed down.

"Yes, tell me now."

"I just came to thank you for telling the Director…"

He blinked, taken aback. "There is nothing to thank me for, Chyou. You shouldn't force yourself to work if something is bothering you. Just go home and take a rest."

"...Thanks."

He smiled and said, "See you later."

He turned and had just taken a step forward when he felt the familiar force pulling him back. This time, he almost lost his balance.

Chyou inwardly bit her tongue. "Sorry…I had something else to say too."

"No problem," he steadied himself. "What is it?"

Her lips parted, but words didn't come out. "Um so…"

His gaze encouraged her to speak, but she kept fumbling.

"I am really sorry for what happened before."

His brows slightly drew in closer in puzzlement. "Before?"

"For…lying to you. I am sorry. I shouldn't have. It was hurtful and insensitive of me."

Yating said with a light smile. "It's alright, Chyou. I later realized I shouldn't have intruded now that…"

"No, please. It wasn't your fault. I was just…"

She couldn't exactly explain the situation between her and Yin to him. She failed to grasp the words she was supposed to speak.

"Chyou."

She looked up.

"I sincerely hope that things are fine between you and Cheng Yin. I simply want to see you happy. So it's okay if you lie to me as long as you don't lie to yourself."

She shook.

"Also," he stared at her acutely as if peering right through her soul. "No matter what decision we have taken, if you ever feel you need my help, please never hesitate to come to me."

His gaze held a mixture of distance yet determination at the same time.

"Even if you hesitate, I will just barge in anyways," he then shrugged.

"..."

"I won't turn a blind eye to your troubles just because we have ended our friendship. My care and concern is much more than that."

She froze, feeling as if something just dropped in her chest.

Was he confessing?

She stared into his eyes to find the answer but she didn't. It didn't look like he was yet it felt to her that way.

"See you later."

She watched him leave as she remained standing till his car disappeared from her sight.

—

A few days passed by and the ice between Chyou and Yin broke through one day when he initiated the conversation with her for the first time. It was after the movie shooting that he asked her for some private time.

They headed to the beach late in the evening. They walked barefoot on the sand as the beach air made them feel a chill.

"How are you doing, Chyou…?"

She paused and spoke with a light smile. "Fine."

There was a bit of silence after which Yin said, "I am sorry for ignoring you for all these days, Chyou."

Her eyes slightly widened.

"I…" he pursed his lips. "I am sorry. Seeing you and Gu Yating together just flipped my mind. I didn't want to. Really. I know you are also keeping your distance with him but I couldn't help but still feel insecure.

I shouldn't have lashed out at you like that. I am sorry for saying all those rude things."

She stared at him, surprised. It had been almost a month since the scandal and honestly, she had thought that Yin would keep ignoring her for some more time. The way she had witnessed his rage, she didn't think it was possible to end this invisible ice between them so easily.

He gently took her hand and asked, "I would really like us to get back together, Chyou. If you don't mind…can we?"

Chyou stiffened.

Technically, it should have been a joyous moment for Chyou. She had been desperate for Yin's attention but whenever she reached out, she only got his furious back.

Now he wanted their relationship to go back to how it was.

But why was it that Chyou didn't feel so sure anymore?

She felt uneasy. She felt burdened. This wasn't how she was supposed to feel.

Not getting an immediate response from Chyou panicked Yin. "Chyou…I-I promise I won't ever hurt you like this ever again! I will never question your love for me. I was too agitated that day. But it won't happen again!"

Her breaths trembled. For the first time in her life, she didn't know what to do. She really wanted somebody to give an answer to her.

What should be her answer?

"If you are that bothered to agree, doesn't it already mean that you disagree?"

They jolted with the sudden voice and looking back, they saw a woman casually sitting on the sand with a can of beer in her hand. Her face wasn't really visible in the late night's darkness but they could sense an amusing smile on her lips.

"It's rude to listen in to conversations," Yin grimaced.

She laughed. "Oh my how cute when you don't even know just how much ruder I can get."

His gaze darkened.

She didn't stay much longer and chuckling, she dusted her dress to shake off the sand and left the beach. "Cheers~"

Yin frowned. "Strange."

He looked back at Chyou. "Yes so…what is your answer?"

Chyou watched the mysterious woman leave. She looked at Yin and said, "I…need some time, Yin."

—

Zhan Yahui finished the last sip of her beer and threw it in the trash. She turned and looked back at Chyou at the beach and arched her brow.

"People can get so stupid in love."