Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

"You were accused of drugs…?"

Alix could hardly believe her ears as she stared at them dumbfounded. They gathered at the hotel's side restaurant where Cai gave a quick recap.

Cai jumped in. "It was a misunderstanding. My brother has never touched drugs!"

"Of course he didn't," she immediately said.

Everybody blinked at her, puzzled.

Alix realized her error and inwardly bit her tongue.

"I mean it's just his face. He doesn't look like the type of the person to do substance abuse. So the man earlier was the one who did it?"

"Yes! He is finally caught," Cai harrumphed. "Now he will confess why he did this. We didn't even know him so why would he get Bro into this problem?"

Jin stared at Shui. "You just followed him all on your own?"

She averted his prying gaze. "...I was being careful."

Jin's face blackened. "You have no sense of safety at all, do you? How can you just follow such a dangerous man all alone? That parking lot had no soul passing by! People like him have knives at the very least. What if he had hurt you?"

"Lin came in time-"

"What if he hadn't?" He glared.

Alix's expression slightly twisted in annoyance as well, directing it towards Lin.

"Don't mind me but it was foolish of you to let him in your cafe."

Lin stared at her, slightly taken aback.

"It should be as clear as day to understand that that man was suspicious. Didn't you doubt his insistence at all? That's why people take advantage of you. You spent time in jail over something that was easily preventable," she said, tapping her foot in impatience.

"Why do you think that people take advantage of me?"

She stiffened.

"It's just your face. You look like the type to get taken advantage of."

Cai touched his chin and looked at his brother. "Is it really so easy to decode you with just your face?"

"Just be more alert next time. Don't let people walk all over you," she gritted her teeth. "Also what did that drug dealer say? Who ordered him to frame you?"

"...Miss. Han's cousin is investigating."

Lin felt a strange feeling gnawing at his chest, seeing the furrow of her brows and the frustration of her expression.

Why does this feel so familiar?

At the same side, a faint curiosity rang within Jin too.

For somebody who barely knew Lin, Alix looked weirdly too invested and involved. Nothing had ever fazed Alix up to this point, not even her sister.

Why does she look so anxious?

Lin rose. "I will take my leave. I will wait for Mr. Soo's call."

He glanced at Jin and slightly clenched his fist. "Can you not…tell Sir Jun about this?"

"Why don't you want him to know about it? You are not guilty."

He pressed his lips. "I know but…still."

He felt it was very presumptuous to think that Jun might involve himself in the case. He might hate him for the things he did in the past but Lin had a feeling that Jun wouldn't stay still if he ever learned about it. He had no intentions to take Jun's help for his problems when he had already shown his big heart by agreeing to his parole.

Alix sat still as he passed by but a minute later, pushed her chair away

"Excuse me."

Jin tracked her walking hurriedly in a certain direction until she stopped where Lin and Cai were. He didn't know what they were talking about but she had taken out her phone as if they were exchanging numbers.

…Why does she need his number?

His spell of thoughts broke as he looked back at Shui. He folded his arms to his chest, continuing to throw daggers at her.

Shui asked, "Are you here for work?"

"Don't change the subject. How about you become a cop rather than an artist? Clearly, investigation and stake out seems to be your forte," he sneered.

Her brow twitched. "I was just-"

The intensity of his glare shot up to an all-time high, making her sigh.

"Okay, okay. I know I was wrong. I am sorry. I shouldn't have put myself in danger like that."

Jin's scowl relaxed but only by a bit.

"But it seems strange. That dealer came to meet someone here? Here at this hotel?"

"It had puzzled me too honestly. I had imagined some quiet downtown area and him meeting somewhere in some abandoned building. But this turned out to be a luxurious hotel."

He frowned.

"And the man in the back seemed to be well-off?"

"That is my assumption. I couldn't see his face but he was seated in a very…poised manner."

"I don't understand. Does Hou Lin have enemies? Why would somebody frame him like that, even get the prison officer under his belt?"

Suddenly, a pair of palms banged on the table.

"You ask a very valid question. Who do you think it could be?" Alix's eyes narrowed. "He doesn't have any enemies."

"And how do you know that?"

Alix pressed her lips, staring at him.

"I mean it's just his face. He doesn't look like the type to make enemies."

Jin squinted his eyes. "You are a face reader or something?"

"Maybe I have started it as a side hobby."

"You want to try reading my face?" he smiled.

"What is there to read in your face? It's always grumpy and scowling."

His gaze darkened. "Say that again."

"Grumpy and scowling. And I understand why. Your idiot childhood friend almost risked her life in danger."

"Hey don't call me an idiot," Shui pursed her lips.

"Forget about that. I want some guesswork. Who could be that mystery prick?"

Jin and Shui gave her a stare and she let out a cough.

"I mean don't you find it curious that somebody is after a simple cafe owner? Doesn't it tingle your sense of mystery?"

"You want to become a detective too?" Jin sourly asked.

She paused and frowned. "You sound grumpier than usual."