Rebirth from the Ashes

Fu Qingxuan had been tailing Shen Xi in a car when suddenly she turned around. Since it was too late to make a U-turn, he attempted to drive straight ahead when she was not looking. Putting pedal to the metal, the car sped away.

Across the road.

The girl’s tiny figure dashed straight towards the car.

Looking serious, Fu Qingxuan picked up the speed. He trusted she would get out of the way.

However, it enraged him that she did not scoot aside. As the distance closed in, she stood still in the middle of the road without moving an inch.

With his eyes burning with rage, Fu Qingxuan hit the brakes and turned the steering wheel abruptly so that the car missed her. Following a loud screech, the car drifted before coming to a full stop.

Shen Xi watched the car stop before her. The young master was indeed a racer. He had full control of the car despite the short distance and speed. One second later and she would be hit.

“Shen Xi, do you want to die?” Fu Qingxuan got down from the car and yelled at her furiously.

Lifting her chin, Shen Xi looked at the fuming young man and said, “You looked for me yesterday.”

Fu Qingxuan blushed. “No. When did I? I never looked for you!”

Shen Xi gazed at him with utmost sincerity. “The Huo family’s butler told me. I didn’t know. I’m sorry about yesterday.”

Since Fu Qingxuan never expected an apology, he was at a loss for a moment before screaming at her. “I was only afraid that Qingye would beat me to death if I lost you.”

She nodded with a smile. Well, what she saw was his lips saying no, but his body language said otherwise. “Got it. Still, thank you for your concern.”

“That’s not it. Who’s worried about you? I hate you. Why should I be concerned about you?” Fu Qingxuan shouted until he choked up.

Why was she capable of tugging at his heartstrings, causing him to be worried and scared?

Who was she to him?

It pained Shen Xi yet at the same time, made her happy to see the shattered glimmer in the young man’s teary eyes. She extended her hand to him, “Give me your phone.”

Fu Qingxuan paused before showing his claws. “No way!”

She retorted, “Just for a second.”

He handed the phone to her cockily, “Just a second, alright!”

She replied, “Got it.”

Shen Xi entered her phone number and named the contact without much thought. “Sis.”

Fu Qingxuan did not know what she was doing, nor was he interested to pry into someone else’s privacy. Nevertheless, he lowered his gaze at the girl.

The rays of the morning sun shone down her downcast eyes, casting a warm and soft glimmer over her. Somehow, the warmth reached straight to his heart.

Shen Xi gave herself a call before handing the phone back to him. She said earnestly, “This is my number. Call me if you can’t find me next time. Don’t go running around.”

Red in the face, Fu Qingxuan snapped back in defense. “Who’s running around?”

What did she know? He could not think straight during such a distraught time. Afraid that something might have happened to her, the only thing on his mind was to find her quickly. How could he possibly remember to do this? Fu Qingxuan was only going by his instincts.

He later realized he was a fool. Fu Qingxuan should have asked for her mobile number from Qingye and called to check up on her before calling the cops.

Getting on her tiptoes, Shen Xi patted his head as though comforting a young animal with its fangs out. She soothed him like he was a child. “Young Master, don’t be angry. I apologized.”

Fu Qingxuan frowned at the girl whose smiling eyes were like shiny stars. The crescent moon-like eyes of hers when she curled her lips could make his heart melt. Letting out a scoff, he slapped away her hands in disdain. “Who’s angry? I got to go.”

Shen Xi grinned sweetly and waved her hand. “Be careful on your way back.”

Delights escaped through his lips as Fu Qingxuan headed for the car. He took two steps before turning around with a straight face. “I’m picking you up tonight. Don’t go anywhere, got it?”

Shen Xi showed her well-behaved side, “Okay.”

Fu Qingxuan may have a short temper, so he got over it quickly too. He had cooled down after Shen Xi comforted him. The meanie still cared for him and that fact left him walking on air.

…

Huo Yuping returned to the country to look for his student.

Shen Xi came to learn embroidery but after only half a day’s lesson, she found her mom a great teacher instead. It made her plans easier from then on.

Her intention in learning embroidery was to teach Mom when she got back. She was merely acting as the middle person between the teacher and the student, and now the mission was accomplished.

When Jiang Yin called in, she had to admit what a lucky star Shen Xi was. Lady Luck smiling upon her was not enough to describe her luck. Shen Xi was Lady Luck herself and was an existence beyond any divine beings.

Shen Xi was busy going through rehearsals twice a day before the performance. She brought a show ticket home and knocked on the study room door. Afraid she might disrupt his reading, she spoke in hushed tones, “Young Master.”

Fu Qingxuan’s face lit up upon hearing the knocking. He cleared his throat and sat up straight before solemnly uttering, “Come in.”

Shen Xi gave the ticket to him, “This is a ticket for tomorrow’s show. It’s for you.”

He scoffed in contempt and turned it down without a second thought. “I don’t want to watch your performance. Don’t tell me you can dance.” Unfazed, Shen Xi shrugged. “Forget it if you don’t want to go.”

She left the room with the ticket still in hand.

Fu Qingxuan regretted his actions when she took with her the ticket without hesitation. He wanted to call her back into the room but it would just make him look bad. Fu Qingxuan would never hear the end of it from Shen Xi.

She felt sad as she gazed at the ticket in her hand before looking back at the study with its door shut.

Qingye would not refuse her if it were him.

She had no clue what had gotten into her. Shen Xi started off fooling around with Fu Qingxuan until she began caring for him and be influenced by his moods.

Shen Xi was aware she should not act like this. She should not let her feelings slip or invest too much of her feelings in others.

She once told herself not to care about anyone apart from Mom, Dad, and Yuan Yu. The best way to be safe was to lock away her feelings.

However, feelings were not something anyone could control!

Shen Xi was confused by everything going on. She had no resistance against the Fu family, whether it was Fu Qingye or Fu Qingxuan.

Perhaps there was a certain attribute about the Fu family that attracted her?

Nevertheless, Fu Qingxuan and Fu Qingye were both completely different personalities.

The show would begin at two o’clock on the next day and would end at half past six. It would last for four and a half hours.

It was twelve o’clock.

Dressed in black, Fu Qingxuan put on his sunglasses and a mask before heading out secretively.