Rebirth from the Ashes

Song Wenye gazed at the clothes enviously and begrudgingly. Was Mrs. Shen annoyed by her presence in the house or was she noisy and tiresome? Where was hers? Song Wenye wanted new clothes too.

“This is for you,” Shen Xi stuffed a sky-blue package into Song Wenye’s arms and smiled. “I bought you a whole outfit, including shoes and socks.”

“I knew it. Mrs. Shen can’t resist since I’m so cute.” Feeling over the moon, Song Wenye held the clothes against her chest and pulled Shen Xi along. “Come with me. I want to change into the new clothes.”

Shen Xi gave a look of contempt, “These clothes are for the New Year.”

Song Wenye replied, “Isn’t it the New Year now?”

As Song Wenye changed into new clothes, Shen Xi asked her, “Where are you celebrating the New Year?”

Song Wenye was fixated on the clothes, grinning from ear to ear. “My mom and her boyfriend went abroad for vacation. My dad and his new wife are heading back to the wife’s home. I made an arrangement with Alpha Xu to spend the New Year’s together.”

Granny Yu even told Song Wenye to come to her place for the New Year.

Nevertheless, an outsider like her should not disrupt other people’s family time together.

Song Wenye may sound happy, but only she would know the bitterness she felt. It was always a lively scene at home during the New Year with the family gathering around. It must feel awful to spend the New Year alone.

Having put on the new clothes, Song Wenye was joyful as a little kid as she twirled around in front of the mirror. She turned back and enquired, “Who is the fairy in the mirror? She’s so cute.”

Shen Xi was amused by her antics. Sometimes, it was best to live life carefreely. Song Wenye was an example. She found pleasure and joy in the mundane.

By the time Song Wenye and Shen Xi got downstairs, Pei Xu was already in the living room.

Pei Xu greeted them and turned to Song Wenye. Naturally, nothing nice ever came out of his mouth. “Hey, it’s only the first month of the lunar year and Mrs. Santa has already began her work. You’re really hard-working.”

Yun Jinping gave Song Wenye a red wool sweater. The color was festive and looked good. Song Wenye also pestered Shen Xi for a white knitted hat. She did look a bit like Christmas.

Song Wenye snapped back, “What do you know? You have no fashion sense.”

Yu Yuanxi’s eyes lit up. Song Wenye was cute to begin with and the red sweater accentuated her rosy cheeks. The white hat with two fluffy balls, in particular, was an adorable sight to behold as they dangled as she moved.

Pei Xu finally said something nice, “You should dress like this more often. It’s cute. Put on some girly clothes. Otherwise, no guys would want you and you will die alone.”

She dressed like a boy every day and that made him worried for her.

It would be great if she dressed cuter and more ladylike. Girls should dress up.

“Why are you here?” Song Wenye asked him.

“I need a word with him,” Pei Xu took a glance at Fu Qingxuan. “Fu Qingxuan, can I have a minute?”

Fu Qingxuan did not feel that there was a need to have a chat. However, he nodded and stood up when Pei Xu tipped him the wink and mouthed the words “Su Mushi”.

Having missed Pei Xu’s little gesture, Shen Xi thought it was weird. The guys did not see eye to eye since getting off the plane. What was there to talk about?

Pei Xu and Fu Qingxuan soon returned.

Fu Qingxuan gazed at them. “Mr. Shen, Xixi. Pei Xu and I have to get going. We will be back before our trip tomorrow.”

Pei Xu had an arm around Fu Qingxuan’s shoulder like they were best buds. He smiled innocently, “Don’t worry. I will watch over him.”

Shen Xi had a feeling that Pei Xu was up to no good. However, what on earth did he say to Fu Qingxuan for him to go along with Pei Xu? The young master may be naïve, but he was not stupid. He would not just tag along.

Once they were gone, Song Wenye enquired, “When did those two get acquainted?”

Shen Xi retorted, “They met on the plane.”

Finding it odd, Song Wenye frowned. “Are you okay just letting Fu Qingxuan and Pei Xu leave together? It’s not like you don’t know what kind of person Pei Xu is. Not something nice as we know it.”

Shen Xi answered, “It’s fine.”

Fu Qingxuan was not a kid who needed to be tended by his parents. He could do whatever he wanted, and she had no say over it.

Moreover, she had faith in Pei Xu.

Yu Yuanxi and Song Wenye did not stay for long.

Shen Zhangqing looked at poor Toffeecito longingly who was meowing in the carrier. Tears were welling up in his eyes as he was reluctant to part with this little thing. “Toffeecito, you’re going to your sister’s place for two days. Wait for Grandpa to come back and pick you up!”

Shen Xi quickly stopped Shen Zhangqing from opening the carrier. She shot him a helpless look. “Dad, it took quite an effort to get it into the carrier, so don’t open it. What if Toffeecito runs out and we lose it?”

She called Song Wenye here mainly to board Toffeecito with her.

Shen Xi and her dad were leaving tomorrow. Li Yuan was not around either. Toffeecito was young and the long journey on the road might spook it. Since they were not comfortable boarding her in a pet hotel, Song Wenye volunteered to pet sit the furbaby at her place.

After much consideration, Shen Xi’s best bet was Song Wenye.

“Mr. Shen, don’t you worry. I have three babies at home and they are all alive and kicking under my care. I’m more worried that Toffeecito might get too comfortable at my place and refuse to come home,” Song Wenye patted her chest and gave her word.

“Okay. Sorry to trouble you,” Shen Zhangqing gazed at Toffeecito tearfully. “Toffeecito, be a good baby. Grandpa will be back soon.”

Song Wenye and Yu Yuanxi took Toffeecito with them. Finally accepting its fate, Toffeecito lay in the transparent corner of the carrier without making a peep. With its furry little ears drooping, the cat’s bright eyes flickered a shattered glimmer as it gazed at Shen Xi and Shen Zhangqing.

Feeling upset, Shen Zhangqing ran two steps before stopping at his tracks. He watched as the distance between him and Toffeecito widened.

Shen Xi let out a long sigh. “Dad, we’re only going for a week. We will be back in a jiffy.”

Shen Zhangqing replied, “Do you think Toffeecito will forget about me?”

Shen Xi uttered, “No. I left for a week and did it forget me?”

It was a hard pill for Shen Zhangqing to swallow. “You won’t understand. It’s not like you put in the blood, sweat, and tears to raise it.”

Shen Xi, “…”

Fu Qingxuan was back before the break of dawn.

Gazing at Fu Qingxuan’s receding figure, Pei Xu called out to him and offhandedly took strides towards him. Pei Xu extended his arm to him. “I look forward to our next partnership.”

Fu Qingxuan scoffed coldly, “There won’t be a next time.”

Pei Xu grinned. “Well, you’d never know. Young Master, nothing is absolute.”

Fu Qingxuan was enraged. “Don’t address me as the young master.”

Letting out a whistle, Pei Xu proceeded to poke more fun. “Young Master.”

Fu Qingxuan’s eyes were burning. “Pei Xu, don’t you think I won’t dare to lay a hand on you.”

Pei Xu dodged Fu Qingxuan’s incoming fist while smiling wickedly. “I was only kidding. Bye now. Send my regards to Xixi and Mrs. Shen. I hope you have a smooth journey.”