Long Fantasy Romance Novel

〈The Reissued Youth〉13

56. A Sleepless Night

It was late at night. Wave after wave of the tide crashed against the shore. The sound of the surf drifted through the half-open window, mingling with the soft rustling of leaves outside to form a tranquil nocturne. Yet such a peaceful night did nothing to soothe the turmoil in Cai Shinans heart. He lay in bed, staring at the dim ceiling, tossing and turning like a fish frying in a cold pan. His blanket had long been kicked into a tangled heap. Every time he closed his eyes, Shi Meilins smiling gaze, her long red hair dancing in the sea breeze, and the playful yet confident smile on her lips appeared in his mind again and again. Most of all, he could not stop hearing the words she had suddenly spoken by the seaside at Beauty Cave:

"Id like to ask you... to play the role of my boyfriend."

The sentence echoed in his ears like a tightening spell, repeating itself over and over until the more he thought about it, the more unbelievable it seemed, sending a tingling chill across his scalp.

"Sigh..."

He let out a long, heavy breath and finally sat up in bed. Running both hands through his hair, he vigorously ruffled it before shaking his head irritably, hoping to fling all those tangled thoughts away. But the harder he tried, the clearer the images became. A wry smile crept across his face.

"Am I dreaming? Playing someones boyfriend?"

"I dont even want to be her fake boyfriend..."

The thought suddenly stopped him.

After a moment of silence, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifted into a faint, self-mocking smile.

"If I had to be one... Id rather be the real thing."

The moment the thought surfaced, he froze in surprise. Raising a hand, he lightly slapped his forehead and muttered with a self-deprecating chuckle,

"Cai Shinan, what kind of nonsense are you thinking?"

Yet the more he denied it, the more real that subtle flutter in his heart became.

Shi Meilin was not only strikingly beautiful and delightfully witty, but also independent, confident, and refreshingly straightforward. After spending just one day with her, she had become like a brilliant ray of sunshine, quietly illuminating a corner of his heart.

Still, one question continued to puzzle him.

"Why did Shi Meilin choose me?"

He got out of bed and switched on the bedside lamp. Warm yellow light immediately filled the room. On the desk still lay the sketchbook from his afternoon drawing of the harbor, with several pencils and paintbrushes resting in the corner. Pulling out the chair, he sat down and opened the diary that had accompanied him for years. He slowly spun his fountain pen between his fingers, yet for a long while, he could not bring himself to write.

His eyes rested on the blank page, but his thoughts drifted back to everything that had happened that day.

"With someone like her, how could there possibly be no men pursuing her?"

"Her looks, her family background, her abilities—every one of them is outstanding."

"And yet she chose me. She even wants me to help her put on an act... and tomorrow shes actually coming to stay overnight at my house..."

At the thought, he could not help laughing and shook his head.

"Good grief... Even a TV romance drama wouldnt dare write something this over the top."

After the laughter faded, his expression gradually became calm again.

At last, he picked up his pen and slowly wrote todays date on the first page of his diary. The pen glided across the paper with a gentle scratching sound.

Carefully, he recorded everything that had happened between him and Shi Meilin that day—from their reunion at Baisha Fishing Harbor, the wishing plaque at Lovers Temple, their heartfelt conversation in front of Beauty Cave, to her request that he pretend to be her boyfriend, and finally the kiss that had caught him completely off guard.

As he wrote, a faint smile unknowingly spread across his lips.

He suddenly realized that what should have been just another ordinary day in his life had become unusually long and unforgettable simply because he had met one particular girl.

Finally, he set down his pen and gazed at the pages he had just filled. Softly, he murmured to himself,

"By agreeing to help her today... am I also acting my own life into the story?"

Outside, the night remained deep and still. The sea breeze gently stirred the curtains, carrying the distant sound of rolling waves into the room.

Cai Shinan closed his diary, knowing full well that tonight, sleep would probably continue to elude him.

57. Conversations by the Sea at Night

Night quietly enveloped the Haban Bay Resort.

Outside the window, the sea had been washed in a soft silver glow by the moonlight. In the distance, several fishing boats lay anchored upon the dark blue sea, their scattered fishing lights gently swaying with the waves like stars strewn across the night sky.

Only a bedside lamp illuminated the room.

Shi Meilin sat at the desk. An issue of a fashion magazine lay open before her, with several fashion design sketches casually stacked beside it. Yet her eyes were not on the stylish outfits printed in the magazine. Instead, they drifted past the window toward the tranquil sea in the distance.

Her fingers slowly turned a few pages of the magazine before coming to a stop again.

What filled her mind was not the fashion runways of Paris, nor the work awaiting her tomorrow, but the man who had ridden a heavy motorcycle and taken her all around Xiaoliuqiu that day—Cai Shinan.

She remembered how earnestly he had made his wish in front of Lovers Temple. She remembered the focused expression on his face as he sat at the bow of the boat sketching. Unconsciously, a faint smile appeared on her lips.

"This Cai Shinan..."

Leaning back against her chair, she murmured softly,

"He really feels like an honorable gentleman."

Lowering her eyes to the magazine on the desk, she lightly tapped its cover with her fingers.

"And hes not only good at drawing—he also has a technology background and knows how to write software..."

A spark lit up in her eyes, as though a new possibility had suddenly occurred to her.

"What if I could persuade him to come back to Taipei with me?"

She picked up a pen from the desk and absentmindedly sketched a few lines on a blank sheet of paper. Another vision of the future gradually began to take shape in her mind.

"If we worked together, wed probably make a great team."

She paused for a moment, and the smile on her face softened.

"Maybe... even if our fake relationship became a real one, it wouldnt be impossible."

The moment the thought surfaced, she herself was taken aback.

Shi Meilin had always been a rational woman. Whenever she made a decision, she carefully weighed the advantages and disadvantages, rarely allowing emotions to override her judgment.

Yet today, she had developed an inexplicable sense of trust toward a man she had only recently met.

She lowered her head with a quiet laugh and gently shook it.

"Shi Meilin, are you getting into the story a little too quickly?"

She flipped through several more pages of the magazine before stopping once again.

What if Cai Shinan doesnt want to leave Xiaoliuqiu?

What if he only wants to remain friends?

She pondered for a while before giving a slight shrug.

"Thats all right too. Staying friends would be nice as well."

She spoke lightly, but a trace of reluctance showed in her eyes.

A moment later, she stood up and walked over to the backpack resting against the wall. From inside, she took out a portable voice recorder.

It was a habit she had developed over many years.

Whenever something important happened, she liked to record her thoughts with her own voice.

Returning to the desk, she placed the recorder before her and pressed the record button.

The small red indicator light came on.

She remained silent for a few seconds, gathering her thoughts before she slowly began to speak.

"Shinan..."

Her gentle, low voice filled the room.

"Coming here for a vacation and unexpectedly meeting you... I truly treasure this chance encounter."

She looked out toward the sea beyond the window. The distant fishing lights were reflected in her eyes, as though they concealed an unspoken hope.

"Because of the pressure from my elders to get married, I made that unreasonable request and asked you to play the role of my boyfriend."

She paused.

She knew that, for Cai Shinan, the request was not really fair.

"I suppose, deep down, you must feel somewhat wronged."

Lowering her head, her fingers gently traced the edge of the recorder.

"But my career has only just begun to take off. I still have so many dreams I want to accomplish. I dont want to be forced into marriage at this stage simply because of family pressure..."

Her voice gradually became softer.

"I know Im being selfish by asking this of you. But for some reason..."

She gazed out at the sea again, a gentle smile appearing on her lips.

"The very first time I saw you, I felt you were someone I could trust."

The waves softly lapped against the shore.

The recorder continued running.

Shi Meilin fell silent for a moment, as though considering how to say the next sentence.

"Shinan, if one day... you feel this performance has become too exhausting, and you want to walk away, I wont blame you. Because..."

She paused briefly, and her expression became even gentler.

"I want you to stay with me because you truly want to—not because you feel too embarrassed to refuse me."

She reached out and pressed the stop button.

The room returned to silence.

Leaning back in her chair, Shi Meilin gazed at the sea outside the window.

At this moment, she was no longer merely arranging a "fake romance."

Deep within her heart, the role she had originally intended only to make use of seemed to be slowly transforming into someone truly worth cherishing.

58. Matters of the Heart Between Mother and Daughter

The morning sunlight streamed through the wooden lattice windows of the Japanese-style guesthouse, spilling across the tatami mats in the living room. The air was filled with the faint scent of the sea breeze.

The Cai familys guesthouse was already bustling early in the morning.

Several baskets of freshly washed towels and bathrobes were placed in the center of the living room. Qiu Xiuduan and Cai Shifen sat nearby, folding and arranging them while preparing to welcome todays guests.

Yet it was obvious that neither of them had their full attention on the work in their hands.

After neatly folding a towel, Qiu Xiuduan fell silent for a moment. As if suddenly remembering something, she spoke.

"Shifen, your older brother is bringing his girlfriend home later."

Cai Shifen had been folding bathrobes. The moment she heard those words, her hands froze.

She looked up, her face filled with surprise.

"What? Brother... Since when does he have a girlfriend?"

Qiu Xiuduan glanced at her daughter and let out a quiet sigh.

"He told me last night. He said they met while working at Hsinchu Science Park."

Cai Shifen frowned.

The very first person who came to her mind was Zhang Yahui.

She set the towel in her hands aside, her voice carrying a sense of indignation on behalf of her friend.

"Mom, Sister Yahui has always been so considerate toward Brother. Whether its big or small matters at the guesthouse, shes almost always thought of everything for him and helped take care of it. And now Brother suddenly brings another girlfriend home..."

She paused, her face revealing a look of sympathy.

"I really feel its not fair to Sister Yahui."

Qiu Xiuduans hands slowed.

She naturally understood what her daughter meant.

During this time, she had witnessed every bit of Zhang Yahuis devotion to the Cai family.

From planning the guesthouse and arranging its interior to welcoming guests, Yahui had almost never treated herself as an outsider.

If someone claimed she had no feelings for Shinan, Qiu Xiuduan herself would never believe it.

But matters of the heart were never something that others could arrange.

Placing the folded towel aside, Qiu Xiuduan spoke calmly.

"Shifen, love is a matter between two people. Our family truly owes Yahui a debt of gratitude. Your mother knows very well how much shes done for our family."

She paused before continuing earnestly.

"But as for what kind of partner your brother chooses, thats not a decision we can make for him."

Cai Shifen opened her mouth, still wanting to argue.

"But Brother..."

Qiu Xiuduan gently patted her daughters hand, interrupting her.

"No buts. You know your brothers personality. Ever since he was little, once hes made up his mind about something, when has he ever listened to anyone else?"

Cai Shifen fell silent.

She knew her mother was right.

Although her brother, Cai Shinan, appeared gentle on the outside, he was deeply independent.

Once he had made up his mind, very few people could change it.

Qiu Xiuduan picked up another towel and continued folding it.

"When your brothers girlfriend arrives later, we mustnt be rude. No matter what happens in the end, shes still our guest."

She looked at her daughter, her voice becoming even gentler.

"As for Yahui... thats something your brother has to face himself. Since he made this choice himself, he must also have the courage to accept whatever consequences come with it."

Cai Shifen lowered her head and nodded softly.

Even so, she still felt heartbroken for Zhang Yahui.

She turned her gaze toward the window.

In the courtyard, the sea breeze rustled through the leaves, creating soft, scattered whispers.

She could not help but think—

If the one standing at the doorway today were Sister Yahui instead of another unfamiliar woman, how wonderful that would be.

But the path of love had never been one that anyone else could walk for another.

59. A Beautiful Visitor

On Xiaoliuqiu that afternoon, sunlight filtered through the green leaves in the courtyard, scattering patches of golden light across the ground. In front of the Cai familys Japanese-style guesthouse, several pots of blooming flowers and plants swayed gently in the sea breeze, filling the air with a faint fragrance.

Today was a special day for the Cai family.

Cai Shinan was officially bringing his girlfriend home to meet his mother and younger sister.

Although he kept telling himself that this was nothing more than an act of "playing the role of a boyfriend," he could not help feeling nervous as he drove home. Especially whenever he thought of Meilins bright eyes filled with anticipation, he found himself under the strange illusion that they were no longer acting at all.

At the entrance of the guesthouse, Qiu Xiuduan and Cai Shifen had already changed into neat clothes and were standing in the courtyard, waiting to welcome their guests.

Before long, a car pulled up in front of the house.

Cai Shinan stepped out first and opened the passenger door for Shi Meilin.

Meilin slowly got out of the car.

She had dressed up especially for today. Her soft pink-and-white dress accentuated her tall, graceful figure, while its gentle colors made her already well-defined, almost mixed-heritage facial features appear even more radiant. Her low heels brought her to just about shoulder height beside the tall Shinan, making them look like the perfectly matched leading couple in a romantic drama.

The moment Cai Shifen saw her, she could not help widening her eyes.

She secretly tugged at her mothers sleeve and whispered,

"Mom, Brothers girlfriend is so beautiful—she looks just like a Barbie doll!"

Qiu Xiuduan was also momentarily stunned.

She carefully studied the young woman before her, and suddenly something came back to her.

"I remember now..."

she said quietly.

"This young lady stayed here for two nights last week."

She had only thought the girl possessed an extraordinary elegance at the time. She had never imagined that she would turn out to be the girlfriend her son had been talking about.

When Cai Shinan saw the surprised expressions on his mother and sisters faces, he could not help feeling uneasy.

He knew Meilins appearance would not only surprise his family but might also bring some unforeseen complications.

But the arrow had already left the bow.

All he could do now was see the performance through.

Smiling, he made the introduction.

"Mom, this is my girlfriend, Shi Meilin."

Meilin immediately put on a warm, courteous smile.

She gave Qiu Xiuduan a slight nod and respectfully presented her with an elegantly wrapped gift box using both hands.

"Mrs. Cai, Im sorry to trouble you on my first formal visit. This is just a small gift. I hope youll accept it."

Qiu Xiuduan quickly reached out to receive the gift, her face breaking into a kind smile.

"Having you here is more than enough. There was no need to bring such a thoughtful gift."

The more she looked at Meilin, the more she liked her.

Not only was the young woman beautiful, but her manners and way of speaking were graceful and appropriate, completely unlike the spoiled demeanor often seen in some young women.

Cai Shinan quietly breathed a sigh of relief and led Meilin toward the living room.

However, their arrival had already attracted the attention of the neighbors.

Several nearby residents, who had merely been passing by, stopped in their tracks the moment they noticed the beautiful young woman standing outside the Cai familys guesthouse. Unable to contain their curiosity, they gradually gathered around.

One middle-aged woman smiled and asked,

"Ah-Duan, is this foreign-looking young lady your sons girlfriend?"

Knowing how fond her neighbors were of gossip, Qiu Xiuduan could only smile awkwardly as she tried to smooth things over.

"Shes a friend Shinan met while working at Hsinchu Science Park. Shes here visiting Xiaoliuqiu."

She deliberately chose her words carefully.

After all, even she herself was still unsure exactly what the relationship between Shinan and Meilin really was.

A man standing nearby chuckled and shook his head.

"Really? As far as I can tell, ordinary friends dont usually get invited home like this."

The middle-aged woman laughed as well.

"Exactly! Your son really has good taste. He found himself such a beautiful girlfriend."

Qiu Xiuduan merely smiled without offering any further explanation.

"Theyve only been seeing each other for a short while. Matters between young people should be left for them to decide."

After saying that, she glanced toward her son and Meilin as they walked into the living room.

Although Zhang Yahui still lingered in her thoughts, she also understood one thing—

The path of love was ultimately one her children had to walk for themselves.

All parents could do was stand nearby, watching over them.

They could never choose their childrens lives for them.

At that very moment, Cai Shinan had no idea that, within this carefully arranged "fake romance," the real test was only just beginning.

60. A Family Dinner on the Island

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the living room windows, casting soft patterns of light across the wooden floor. Because of Shi Meilins visit, the Cai familys Japanese-style guesthouse had lost some of its usual formality reserved for receiving guests and taken on the warm atmosphere of a family reunion.

Qiu Xiuduan sat on the sofa, making tea while quietly observing the young woman her son had brought home.

Meilin carried herself with elegance and spoke gently. She had none of the arrogance often associated with city girls. Instead, she possessed a warm, natural charm.

Little by little, Qiu Xiuduans initial uneasiness began to fade.

"Miss Shi, our Shinan is rather quiet by nature."

Qiu Xiuduan said with a smile, her eyes filled with a mothers understanding and affection for her son.

"He isnt very good at saying sweet things. Sometimes hes obviously concerned about someone, but he just doesnt know how to express it."

Hearing this, Meilin turned to glance at Cai Shinan beside her.

Shinan was holding a teacup. Outwardly, he appeared perfectly calm, but inwardly, he had already begun to feel nervous.

After all, he knew better than anyone that the relationship between him and Meilin had been nothing more than a hastily arranged "fake romance" from beginning to end.

Now, listening to his mother describe him in front of Meilin, he felt a strangely unreal sensation.

Meilin smiled gently and spoke on his behalf.

"Mrs. Cai, I dont think thats true. Although Shinan doesnt talk much, he actually has a mind of his own."

She paused for a moment, as though searching for the most fitting comparison.

"If I were to compare him to a stock, Shinan would be a blue-chip stock with great investment potential."

Qiu Xiuduan blinked in surprise and turned toward her daughter.

"A-Fen, whats a blue-chip stock?"

Unable to hold it back, Cai Shifen burst into laughter.

"It means a really good stock thats expected to go up in value in the future!"

Qiu Xiuduan suddenly understood and lightly slapped her own hand with a laugh.

"So thats what it means! Im so embarrassed. Were country people—we dont know anything about stocks, so I couldnt understand."

She looked at Meilin, her voice filled with appreciation.

"But hearing Miss Shi speak so highly of my son truly makes this mother happy."

Meilin glanced at Shinan, sincerity showing in her eyes.

"Shinan is a very considerate person. Hes never lost his temper with me. Being able to spend time with him is my good fortune."

Those words caught Cai Shinan slightly off guard.

Although he knew she was saying them only to maintain the appearance of their fake relationship, hearing them still brought a faint warmth to his heart.

This young lady really knows how to make things up...

he thought with a wry smile.

At that moment, Cai Shifen, who had long been fascinated by their story, leaned forward eagerly.

"Big Sister, Im really curious. How did you and my brother meet?"

Meilin had already prepared her answer.

Naturally, she picked up her teacup and took a small sip.

"Our company hired Shinan to design our website and some business software. I was the director of the design department. After working with him for a while, I gradually realized he was someone who was very easy to get along with."

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

"When the feeling was right, we naturally got together."

Sitting beside her, Cai Shinan almost choked on his tea.

This young lady has made up quite a smooth story...

he complained silently, suppressing a smile.

Cai Shifen, however, listened with complete fascination.

Blinking curiously, she asked,

"I bet my brother was the one who pursued you first, wasnt he?"

Meilin deliberately glanced at Shinan.

A playful smile curved across her lips.

"No. I was the one who pursued him."

Cai Shinans heart gave a little jolt.

Now thats finally one true statement! Much better.

he muttered inwardly.

Cai Shifen immediately opened her mouth in astonishment.

"Wow! I never knew my brother was so popular!"

Her remark made the entire family burst into laughter.

Cai Shinan could only rub the bridge of his nose awkwardly.

Yet deep inside, he could not help wondering—

How has this fake relationship started to feel more and more real?

When dinner time arrived, the Cai familys dining table was filled with an abundant feast.

Fresh fish, homegrown vegetables, fragrant chicken soup, and one island-style dish after another filled the room with warmth under the soft lights.

Looking at the table covered with delicious food, Shi Meilins eyes shone with surprise.

Sitting beside her, Qiu Xiuduan said somewhat apologetically,

"Miss Shi, were just country folk. We dont have any fancy delicacies—only simple home-cooked dishes. You might not be used to them."

Meilin immediately shook her head and smiled sincerely.

"Mrs. Cai, how could that be? Your cooking is wonderful. Just looking at this table makes it feel like home."

She picked up a bite of food, tasted it carefully, and nodded.

"And it really is delicious."

Cai Shifen smiled as she explained,

"Big Sister, all the vegetables on the table were grown by us!"

Meilin looked around the dining table, quietly taking in the simple yet heartfelt warmth before her.

"I usually work in Taipei, where life moves at such a fast pace. I rarely have the chance to enjoy such a plentiful dinner filled with such warmth and kindness."

Hearing this, Qiu Xiuduan smiled until her eyes nearly disappeared.

"Then dont be shy. Just make yourself at home."

As she spoke, she picked up a chicken leg and placed it into Meilins bowl.

"This native chicken was raised by me. Give it a try!"

Looking at the chicken leg in her bowl, Meilin felt a warmth she had not experienced for a very long time.

She took a gentle bite.

Her eyes immediately lit up.

"Its really delicious."

She looked up at Qiu Xiuduan with a smile.

"Mrs. Cai, youve reminded me of what home tastes like."

That simple sentence made the smile on Qiu Xiuduans face become even gentler and more affectionate.

Watching the scene beside them, Cai Shinan suddenly felt dazed.

Originally, all of this had merely been an act to help Meilin deal with the pressure from her family.

But now, seeing how much his mother liked her and how readily his sister had accepted her, he found himself beginning to hope—

What if, in the end, this performance no longer remained just a performance?