Huang Li never asked about the book after that and decided to patiently wait for Lu Mello''s arrival.

    Soon after, the person they were waiting for finally entered the living room. Lu Mello knew that his sister was waiting for him but he never thought that Huang Li would be there too since he never received any messages from him... Well, he didn''t check his phone yet so he wasn''t able to see the message that Huang Li sent him earlier.

    "I think you should talk with your friend first." Lu Xingyan said with a small smile. "I will wait for you in your study room."

    Lu Mello nodded, giving her a nod. "Okay."

    After Lu Xingyan left, Lu Mello turned to Huang Li and smiled, "What brings you here?"

    "I was actually wondering if you can help me with my proposal for Yaoyao." Huang Li said, straight to the point.

    A grin spread over Lu Mello''s face, wide and open, showing his white teeth. "About time! So, what do you want me to do?" He walked towards the sofa and took a seat there.

    Huang Li began discussing his plans with him to which Lu Mello listened carefully and from time to time he gave him suggestions. He was happy to help him and be his wingman, after all, Fan Xiao Yao was still an important friend in his life.

    Lu Mello appreciated the effort Huang Li was giving just so he could plan the best proposal for his childhood friend.

    While they were discussing things, Lu Mello couldn''t help but remember how things were supposed to be in the past; Huang Li as the notorious villain that helped Shi Enxi with the crimes she committed and Fan Xiao Yao, the woman who didn''t have it easy when it came on her love life.

    Lu Mello had a huge part in breaking Fan Xiao Yao''s heart because of what happened in the past. He once loved her but things didn''t go well between them because of Shi Enxi. They both fell for the traps set for them and above all, he never expected to fall for her later in their life.

    After all the things she did to him, why did he forgive her? Why did he continue to love her? He could have avoided her instead in this second life. He could have stopped her plans and protect his relationship with Fan Xiao Yao but no, he didn''t do that since his feelings for his childhood friend were long gone.

    Shi Enxi affected his life so much that even up to this day, he was painfully loving her. He didn''t have to... He could just stop loving her. She was a ruthless, heartless woman who was up to this day, kept on hurting the people around her. She was evil. Truly evil and yet... He couldn''t stop loving her even if he gave up on going after her. It would take time for him to move on from her.

    "You know... Mello... I always wished for a beautiful life..."

    These were the words Shi Enxi told him in the past. In his previous life.

    "And... I''m happy that you made me experience one... even if it''s just for a short while."

    He was trying his best to give her this life now. He tried his best to stop her from doing the crimes that would shatter this opportunity in this life so why? Why was she gone now? Where did he go wrong?

    After all these hurtful things she did, after the constant betrayal she did, why couldn''t he hate her?

    "Even if it''s just you... please don''t hate me... I don''t want you to hate me."

    He could hear her voice as if she was there right now, speaking beside him. She always sounded strangely melodic. Her voice was sweet but venomous, like cupcakes sprinkled with poison.

    "Stupid Mello..."

    Yes, he was stupid. He was a fool for loving a woman like her but he couldn''t help it. He couldn''t control his heart, his love, his feelings.

    "It would be nice if Xiao Xi can come..." The words he heard came from Huang Li, snapping him out of his deep thoughts.

    A small, bitter smile escaped Lu Mello''s lips, "I don''t think she will." That was one thing he was sure about.

    Huang Li sighed, knowing that he was right.

    Lu Mello turned his gaze to him and stared at him for a while. He never thought that he would be speaking with Huang Li like this when... he was supposed to be his rival in love and yet, here he was, loving the woman Lu Mello was supposed to love in the past. It was kind of funny how fate played their lives this way. Too many unexpected things happened in this life.

    "Anyway, thank you for helping me out." Huang Li said with a smile. "I should probably get going now."

    ...

    Lu Mello entered his study and saw his sister, Lu Xingyan, waiting for him on the sofa, holding an old book. The same book that Huang Li saw earlier.

    She turned her eyes to him, a serious expression plastered on her face. She patted the space beside her. "Gege, I want to show you something."

    He blinked a few times in confusion but he still went and took a seat beside her.

    Lu Xingyan turned her gaze back at the book, "Did you know...?" She paused, giving the book cover a soft stroke.

    "Know what?" He asked.

    "The men in the Lu family only end up loving one woman in their life. It''s in our family''s history."

    "Huh?"

    Lu Xingyan lifted her head just to look at him. Her eyes impossible to read. "If the first life didn''t go well, they are given a second chance to work things out. You, dad, great grandpa... And a few more men in the Lu family."

    His brain stuttered for a moment and his eyes take in more light than he expected, every part of him went on pause while his thoughts tried to process her words.

    She opened the book and the words that Huang Li didn''t see earlier appeared on every page. "Now I understand why mom said she hated dad. I''ve read what happened to you and Enxi-jiejie too... This book is like a record of all the first lives of the men in the Lu family as well as some of the women in the family."