Rebirth from the Ashes

It was warm and joyful in the Shen family’s villa.

Shen Xi was doing her homework at the living room table. She pricked up her ears when she heard the sound of a car arriving outside the house. Then, she took her things and ran outside.

“Xixi, it’s dark outside, be careful!” Yun Jinping cried when her daughter darted out of the house like a baby leopard.

Her daughter was on good terms with the man next door and would greet him every day.

Shen Xi climbed up the wall and realized that the car was already parked outside the entrance next door. So, she gleefully hid herself from sight.

Kun Lun pushed Li Yuan into the compound and instinctively glanced at the wall. He felt a bit disappointed when he noticed that the girl was not there.

Ever since they moved here, the girl would greet them every day and night without fail.

Whenever there was something new at breakfast, she would share her food with them. When there was nothing new, she would still say goodbye before going to school.

After coming home in the afternoon, she would greet them and tell the boss about the interesting events at school. If nothing interesting happened at school, she would sit on the wall and either memorized her texts or practiced her English.

As a result, the boss would wait for her by the wall every day and night.

However, something occurred today and they came home late. It was already past ten and the girl had to go to school tomorrow morning, so Kun Lun was sure that she would not be around.

Li Yuan wheeled himself towards the wall.

Shen Xi heard the approaching wheelchair and stood up suddenly. A light appeared and her crisp voice could be heard. “Brother, look at the bunny!”

Li Yuan looked towards the direction of the light and saw the silhouette of a rabbit on the wall. The girl was making shadow animals with her hands.

“Eagle, fly!”

“Big gray wolf, awoo!”

“Ram, baa… Baa…”

“Puppy, woof… Woof…”

“Piglet, oink… Oink…”

“Kitty, meow… Meow…”

…

“Old cow, moo… Moo…”

“Little donkey, hee-haw… Hee-haw…”

Li Yuan could not help but let out a soft laugh when he heard that.

Shen Xi thought she was imagining things and stopped moving her hands. She regarded him with wide eyes. “Brother, are you laughing?”

Li Yuan had regained his composure, so he shook his head.

Shen Xi said, “No, you laughed.”

Li Yuan turned to Kun Lun. “Did I laugh?”

Kun Lun shook his head hastily. ‘Yes, you did laugh.’ He covered for him. “It was I who laughed, Miss Shen.”

‘Laugh your heart out, it was so funny! The girl sounded so convincing when she brayed like a donkey!’

Shen Xi studied Li Yuan intently and started again without warning. “Hee-haw… Hee-haw…”

This time, Li Yuan laughed for real.

When the man laughed, he seemed like a flower that bloomed brilliantly right after winter, causing onlookers to be awed by its beauty.

Shen Xi caught him in the act and stared at him like an obsessed fool. She mumbled, “You’re laughing!”

Li Yuan nodded and quietly admitted to it.

“Brother, you look great when you laugh. Can you promise me to laugh and smile more in the future?” Shen Xi supported her chin and observed him. “If you promise me, I’ll make shadow animals for you every day.”

Li Yuan glanced at her and said, “It’s late, time for you to head home!”

“Brother, I have good news to share with you.” Shen Xi regarded him with a grin. “A director has read my script and has invited me for a discussion tomorrow!”

“Mm.” Li Yuan looked at the girl on the wall. There was a tenderness in his gaze.

“Brother, these are my gifts to you, but you must promise me that you mustn’t read them!” Shen Xi brought out her dark past.