"You are so mean."

That was the only thing she could say. Li Caiyi wanted to wave a white flag now. Facing a natural flirt like him, she couldn't stand a chance at all. It was foolish of her to try to compete with him.

"Haha, don't make such a face. I'm pleased you are trying your best for me," Dai Zhiqiang gazed deeply into her eyes. "It makes me want to put more effort into this. I mean, in our relationship. Although I know, I shouldn't."

"Zhiqiang?"

"Caiyi, give me some more time. I will make sure to take care of everything first. When that time comes, and if you still have the same feeling towards me, we can..." Dai Zhiqiang's words trailed off because he couldn't finish his sentence.

However, Li Caiyi understood what he was trying to say. She could feel his grip on her hand tighten, and her heart swelled with affection at this clumsy and awkward young man.

"You want me to wait for you?" Li Caiyi asked.

Dai Zhiqiang nodded his head slowly. His face was like a child that was afraid of getting scolded, and it took her all not to hug and comfort him.

"No."

Li Caiyi's decisive answer shocked Dai Zhiqiang. His eyes widened, and the light in it dimmed fast. He slowly released his hand from hers, looking extremely hurt and dejected.

"I see. I understand it's unfair of me to ask you that. Thank you for answering me honestly." He said with a slightly shaky voice, revealing his reluctance.

"No, you don't understand. What I mean is I won't wait alone. You have to wait for me, too."

Dai Zhiqiang raised his eyes and gazed at her with apparent hope in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Li Caiyi smiled gently. "While you are busy doing what you must do, I will do that as well. I also have a lot of things I want to do, like writing. I want to write a best-selling book one day. Before I do that, I won't pester you for anything, but just don't push me away because it makes me sad and lonely."

"Caiyi, I'm sorry for making you feel that way. I won't do that again, I promise."

Li Caiyi giggled and walked past him, so she stood under the sunlight shining through the window.

"As you should. Who knows? Maybe you have completed what you need to do earlier than me in the future. At that time, you will be the one who has to wait for me. Serves you right."

Dai Zhiqiang couldn't take his eyes off the brightly shining girl in front of her. She shone so beautifully that it was almost surreal. The light behind her made him see something akin to a halo on top of her head.

He was confident he could never forget the sight of her smiling mockingly at him while being surrounded by light. It was breathtaking and almost ethereal.

"I won't forgive you if you back down on your promise and run with some other girl when the time comes. Prepare yourself because I will probably be that famous successful woman in the future, and my boyfriend can't be any less than excellent. Hmph!"

Li Caiyi stuck out her tongue jokingly before breaking out in a burst of crisp laughter.

Dai Zhiqiang felt his heart squeezed in a bittersweet pain.

Once again, she saved him from the shackle that was binding him. Her laughter sounded like an angel's singing in his ears, and he was the devil that could corrupt such an angel but desperately yearned for her light all the same.

"Caiyi, I like you." Dai Zhiqiang blurted out. "That's why I will wait for you. No matter how long it takes. Even if you don't like me anymore, I will only like you in this lifetime."

Li Caiyi was stunned by his words. It was almost like he was saying an oath.

Again, she seemed to see the same man who held her close in the last moment of her life, overlapping with Dai Zhiqiang. It was like the continuation of the promise they exchanged on that fateful morning.

Li Caiyi smiled softly. "En. Me too, Zhiqiang."

***

Her cheeks hurt from smiling too much but recalling the sweet moment she had with Dai Zhiqiang just knew she just couldn't stop the flutter in her heart.

"Xiaoyi, what are you doing?"

Li Caiyi almost jumped in shock.

She quickly jerked her head and saw Li Junjie standing behind her while looking at her curiously. Seeing her brother's face felt like cold water poured on her head because her steaming head instantly cooled down, and her heartbeat returned to its neutral pace.

"Brother Jie, you have finally come!"

"Why are you here instead of the infirmary, with a goofy smile on your face at that."

Li Caiyi pressed her heated cheek with her palm. Thank god Dai Zhiqiang had left already. If her brother arrived even a few minutes faster, then he probably would see the scene of how they had made out in the shadow just now. Just thinking about the possibility was enough to make her temperature rise again.

"Nothing. More importantly, shouldn't we wait until Brother Renshu recovers before talking about this? I feel like we are troubling him again."

"What 'we'? It was just you who had a problem with him. I don't know what problem you have with him, but don't be unreasonable."historical

Suddenly, being called out like that was like a slap on her face. "What? When did I ever act unreasonably?"

"Good, if nothing happens so far. And don't make a fuss over simple things. It's his leg that is injured, not his mouth," Li Junjie cut the conversation short with that and turned away. "Let's go get the injured person. He must be bored waiting for us now."

Li Caiyi was dissatisfied with how Li Junjie called her out. Easy for him to say because he didn't know how much trouble Meng Renshu had caused her. To be fair, he had saved her many times before, too. However, this and that were different.

"Brother Jie, why do I feel you are siding with Brother Renshu more than me? I'm your sister," Li Caiyi pouted.

"I don't take any side. I also said the same thing to Renshu when he had gone overboard with you. You are the one who used to adore him more than your biological brother. Don't turn white into black now."

"Ugh.."

Li Caiyi couldn't say anything back. Even now, she still had that lingering regret for being too attached to Meng Renshu, and Li Junjie just had to rub the salt on her wound.

"It's not like I adore him more than you. You are just scarier than him." Li Caiyi said that before hastening her steps, too afraid to hear her brother's response.