Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

"Tell me the truth, did you create a fake video?"

Jin demanded an answer as soon as they left Jing's room, his expression a mixture of fury and disbelief.

Alix frowned. "You are always so doubtful and suspicious. Of course, it's a real video. Would I be stupid to bet on his help for a fake video?"

"How come nobody knew then?"

"That's why it's called a secret and a secret which only Shui knew," she smiled.

His eyes slightly widened.

Shui?

"She was very helpful when I asked something to be used in my favor to convince Mr. Jing."

"And she told you Uncle Yukito's secret just like that?"

She shrugged. "I can be very persuasive."

I cannot believe her…

He chuckled with a hint of loss and frustration. "Aren't you so crafty?"

"I promise I want to live a straightforward life but I cannot help it if these methods are quicker to show the results."

She scrolled through Jing's supplier contacts which were now safely saved in her phone with also a cloud backup and smiled in satisfaction.

The first step is success, she thought.

"Ah. The taste of victory is sweet~"

"Victory?"

Suddenly, she felt a shadow loom over her and a chill spread through her back with somebody's low voice reaching her ears. She turned with a slight jolt and saw Jinhai standing behind her. His eyes blinked at her, puzzled.

"Miss. Ren was here today?"

Alix stared at him, not knowing what expression to make.

"...To meet Mr. Liu Jing," she responded as neutrally as possible.

"Jing?"

Jinhai was confused for only a moment before it struck him why.

"Oh. I understand now. Smart call."

She blinked once.

Jin made a grumpy face. "Don't praise her Dad."

He raised his brow. "I have taught you that it's business. Making profits is secondary when you know how to use your connections. I must say she did a fine job knowing that Jing is going to retire and that you are his nephew. Sound business acumen."

Jinhai slightly tilted his head, a thought coming to his mind. "But only Jing's contacts and support isn't going to help you. With the state your company is in, you need money and capital."

Jin - "..."

Alix replied. "Liu Jin was very generous in giving me a hefty check."

Jinhai glanced at his son with Jin averting his gaze at the same time. The question he shot with his eyes was crystal clear.

'What does she have on you that made you grudgingly agree to help her?'

Jin cleared his throat with sweat beginning to form on his forehead.

Dad will kill me if he learns about smoking…! Ren Alix, you better keep your lips zipped!

"A magician doesn't reveal their cards," she smiled.

He let out a breath in relief.

Jinhai arched his brow. "True. Sound business acumen indeed."

Ugh Dad, don't be so impressed with her.

"You cannot complain, Jin if you have weaknesses that could be exploited."

"..."

Jin said, "Ah yes I forgot Dad. I wanted to talk to you about the fintech company's merger deal."

"Hm. Come to my study," he then glanced at Alix and asked, "Are you leaving?"

"Yes."

"My wife has baked some cookies. Have some before you leave."

Jinhai said with a smile and left with his hands in his pockets. Jin was about to follow his father too when he turned and said, "Do eat the cookies. Mom's are the best."

Alix didn't reply to that and watched them leave in silence. She then released her breath very slowly, her heart pounding in her chest. She stared at the empty space ahead with no particular thoughts gripping her. But she felt extremely awkward and strange.

I won't visit the Liu villa next time…

She then felt a poke at her shoulder and she gasped in shock. "Ah!"

"Ah!! You scared me!" Liu Hai exclaimed back and clutched his chest. "And my precious cookie was going to fall!"

Alix's heart was speeding in her chest like crazy. She didn't hear when Liu Hai crept behind her at all, just like she didn't realize Jinhai's presence.

Do all these people walk like ghosts?

Alix breathed out and tried to compose herself.

"Thank God my cookie is safe! Or else it would have been so difficult to steal another one!" He cried.

Steal?

Liu Hai looked at Alix and chirped. "How are you, my granddaughter-in-law's savior!"

She blinked at his hyperactive zeal. "...I am fine."

What's with that way of addressing?

Yes, she had saved Ai from Cai Lingyun's attack but was that going to be her nickname now?

"Good, good!" He brightened. "So, so! What is Jini-boy's secret that you know of~ I was listening to you before from behind the pillar. Please tell me, please tell me!" He made puppy eyes to make himself look pitiful.

Her brow twitched. "Why do you want to know?"

"Aye? What's more fun than knowing your grandchildren's unspeakable secrets and then threatening them with it to milk out your needs~?" His eyes sparkled.

She stared at him and recalled Jing showing over enthusiasm to know Jin's secret too just like Liu Hai. Like father, like son.

"...You want to threaten your own grandson?"

"Yup! A golden chance hoho~!"

Alix failed to understand his motivations which he was telling with such a straight and beaming face.

She smiled amidst that confusion. "It's a deal between Liu Jin and me so I will pass."

Liu Hai sniffled and said, "I-I will give you my cookie in exchange…"

Why is he crying over a cookie?

"You think I will tell his secret for a cookie?"

He replied, munching on one. "Why not? Cookies are delicious and strong enough to break a person's will!" He flared his nostrils.

Her brow twitched.

What is wrong with him?

Alix gave it a thought and sneered. "Let me have that cookie in exchange for not ratting you out that you stole them."

"..."

Liu Hai looked at her, aghast. "Y-You are threatening the threatener?"

Is that even a word? She wondered.

"Well threatening is fun indeed as you said. I have done it countless times~" she chuckled evilly.

He pointed his trembling finger at her and then suddenly patted her shoulder hard, laughing heartily. "Yes, yes! That's what I am talking about! Smart woman."

Alix wasn't sure how to react. But her shoulder was going numb with his furious pats.

Liu Hai waved his hand at Nana, who he found passing by from a distance. "Nana! Nana! Come hereeee!"

Alix slightly stiffened.

Nana was taken aback and she quickly trotted to their side. She greeted Alix with a bright grin. "Hello dear!"

"...Hello."

She then looked at the cookie in Liu Hai's hand and put her hands on her waist. "Dad! You stole them again! Mom is seriously going to get pissed off, you know."

He waved his hand. "It's okay, it's okay. I will grovel at Chunhua's feet for her forgiveness. But first things first! Nana, are you sure I have only four grandsons?"

"Huh?" Nana gave him a blank look.

"I am saying if there is a fifth grandson you might be secretly raising?" He asked beamingly.

Nana stared at the cookie she made. "Did I…accidentally add some drugs into the mixture?"

"Oof! I am not high, my dear. It's a very genuine question," he seriously nodded.

"...Whether or not there is a sixth child I am secretly raising is your genuine question?"

"Yes!"

"Why?" her mouth twitched hard.

He chirped and pointed at Alix. "I like her! She is smart and zesty~ So I was thinking that she could marry the fifth secret grandson and become our family's daughter-in-law!"

Nana and Alix after puking three liters of blood - "..."

THIS CHAPTER UPLOAD FIRST AT NOVELBIN.COM