Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

Chapter 260 Shanghai Fest Arc (14) : Hiding Behind A Mask

Once again, silence reigned. Xing Bi fidgeted with her fingers with the awkward atmosphere surrounding them. She glanced at Ai, who seemed to be cold and not bothered about talking to Jin at all. There was definitely a sense of distance she felt in her gaze.

She talks to President Yunru and that annoying Liu Nian in a friendly way. So why not with him? She wondered.

Jin flashed a warm smile. "I am Liu Jin, Bro Jun and Bro Nian's younger brother. I saw you two at the Authors' Summit, but I guess this is the first time we are officially meeting."

Xing Bi was visibly surprised. "You were there?"

"Yes. With Bro Nian as his buttering machine to speak some nice words about him to soothe your rage in your heart," he ruthlessly disclosed Nian's secret plan.

"..."

That fool wanted to use his brother too!? How shameless!

Her smile cracked and so did her fingers with a violent urge to strangle him. "I see…It's nice to meet you."

Shi Huan slightly bowed. "I am Shi Huan or the author MysticMidnight. Nice to meet you too."

He nodded. "So Miss. Xing Bi. Does my brother have any chance?" _{Bi smiled, but her gaze didn't match the vigor of her smile. "Right now, not in a million years."}

"Cool. Keep torturing him like that," he shrugged.

Wow, even he seems to be like Liu Jun who is annoyed by Liu Nian. Hoho~ good for me. I have a big team.

Jin eyed Ai and pointed out. "How cruel, Zhou Ai. They are your friends, and you know me too. But you didn't even bother to introduce us."

"There is no need for them to know you," Ai didn't mince her words at all.

He chuckled. "Why not? Don't you remember how Grandpa paired us together as a couple? Sure, you are dating Bro Jun now, but it hurts if you ignore me so blatantly."

Xing Bi, who was sipping her water, almost spat it out as she coughed hard.

Say what!? Liu Jin and Ai together? Wait, wait. Does that mean that Liu Jin likes Ai?

She gasped.

Shit, is this a love triangle!? Is that why the atmosphere was so awkward?

p、and a-n、o、vel Shi Huan blinked and cocked her brow.

Ai remarked. "That is the only way to open your eyes to the fact that I will never look at you more than anything but simply as Jun's brother. Also, I know that you don't like me, so you can stop lying."

"I do like you. Why is it so difficult to believe in that?"

"Perhaps because your real face is hiding behind a mask. What you think and what you act lies on polar opposite sides of a spectrum. Until you are willing to let go of that mask and reveal your true feelings, nobody will believe you," she replied, unperturbed.

Jin stared at her with an expressionless gaze.

My true feelings you say…

"Am I not expressing my true feelings?" He tilted his head and raised his hand towards her gradually.

Ai straightened up in attention and thought he was going to touch her cheek. "Don't you-" _​

Instead, he went further back and dusted off something from her hair dangling on her shoulder. "There was a small leaf stuck inside. What did you think I would do?" He smiled.

A moment of silence later, Shi Huan said in a stern voice, "You could have just told her."

Jin narrowed his eyes and looked at her.

Since Ai stood up for her during the Summit, Shi Huan wanted to help her too today. She could also see like Xing Bi that something tense was going on where Jin was concerned.

Xing Bi also frowned with this behavior. He kept saying that he liked her, but she couldn't feel his sincerity at all.

How dare he play with my Ai as if she is some toy!? Her body burned with imaginary flames of anger as she glared at him.

At that point, the trio returned with their cooked dishes.

Jun has made a delicious chicken spaghetti with barbeque sauce, Nian was grinning while holding a chocolate tart on his plate, and Yunru was really nervous with the fried rice he had prepared. The drooling fragrance coming from the dishes dissolved the stiffness from the atmosphere.

Ai beamed. "This is the first time I will be having Spaghetti cooked by you."

Jun smirked with pride. "You will definitely like it. I have perfected this dish like a pro."

Jin stared at his brother, serving the plate with chicken spaghetti in front of Ai and subconsciously clenched the fork in his hand. It was an action that didn't go unnoticed by Ai. His black pupils seemed icier and cruel as opposed to the fake smile.

Nian hopped towards Xing Bi's side and slid the chocolate tart towards her. "Xing Bi. This is my creation where I have poured all my love and heart into. Now eat it and fall in love with me!"

"..."

Yunru just quietly sat down and nervously offered Shi Huan his plate of fried rice. "Do you want to try it? I am a good cook too…" his forehead broke into a cold sweat.

Shi Huan blinked at him in surprise. "Are you sure?"

"Yes!" He nodded hard until his neck threatened to break.

Xing Bi grudgingly took a bite of the chocolate tart because Nian refused to leave her side.

It cannot be that good-

"Damn this is delicious! It just melts on my tongue," She blurted out in amazement.

"..."

She stiffened, wanting to bite her own tongue.

Why did I say that? But damn he has skills! I never tasted such fluffy sweets before…

Flowers bloomed around Nian's head. "I knew it! Hehe from now on, I will feed you delicious cakes every day until you will be forced to say yes to me," he blushed.

She was speechless.

Make sweets for me everyday and make me gain weight?

Shi Huan took a bite of the fried rice, and Yunru awaited her judgement. Her eyes widened in delight. "This is really splendid. Very flavorful. I love it. You are a good cook."

Yunru sobbed with happiness. All the days I trained to become a good chef paid off!

He was dazzled by her smile and stared at her as she continued to stuff more rice into her mouth.

She looks cute like a squirrel, he giggled.

But where there was a warm atmosphere between the four of them, a different cold war was being fought between Jun, Ai and Jin.