Rebirth from the Ashes

Ever since Shen Zhangqing listened to his daughter and accepted the abandoned buildings as payment, he was blessed by his daughter’s lucky stars and everything went smoothly for him.

One week ago, the bank finally processed his loan and he managed to settle his funding issue.

Yesterday, he secured two profitable business deals.

Today, he successfully acquired a few pieces of land in the suburbs at an auction at a low price.

Shen Zhangqing was on cloud nine. When he came home at night, he passed by a street and bought some of his wife and daughter’s favorite roasted sweet potatoes. He called out to them when he reached the living room doorway, “Dear, Xixi.”

Since Shen Xi came home, she loved to do her homework and work on the living room sofa. Her eyes lit up with excitement. “Mom, hurry up, Dad bought some roasted sweet potatoes.”

Shen Zhangqing sat opposite her and placed the sweet potatoes on the coffee table.

Shen Xi tried to take one but the heat burned her. She withdrew her hand and touched her ear. “Old Shen, you’re in high spirits recently!”

“I bought two pieces of land in the suburbs today.” Shen Zhangqing peeled a sweet potato and spoke happily, “Wait for your dad to get rich and buy you and Mom lots of handbags, jewelry and make-up!”

“Keep going, Old Shen!” Shen Xi eyed the sweet potato in his hands and tried to chomp on it.

Shen Zhangqing knocked on her head. “You’re just like a wolf. It’s for your mom.”

Shen Xi managed to steal a bite. “The one you peeled tastes better, Dad.”

Yun Jinping smiled. “What are you doing, Old Shen? Give it to her.”

Shen Zhangqing stood his ground. “No, it’s for you. I’ll peel her another one afterwards.”

Shen Xi whined, “See, Mom? He’s playing favorites.”

Shen Zhangqing retorted, “Any objections to your mom eating it first?”

Shen Xi felt sad and sniffled.

Shen Zhangqing fed his wife the sweet potato and glanced at her. “Keep your objections to yourself.”

“Enough, you two! You’re being all lovey-dovey in front of a singleton like me,” Shen Xi covered her eyes and complained.

Shen Zhangqing laughed. “Next time, you must find someone like your dad who loves his partner, you understand?”

He had just finished speaking when his daughter grabbed two sweet potatoes and ran out of the house.

Yun Jinping chuckled. “The neighbor’s back. Xixi has become close friends with him.”

“Mm.” Shen Zhangqing laughed as he offered the piece of sweet potato to Yun Jinping’s mouth. “Ah!”

Yun Jinping was shy and said tenderly, “Don’t keep feeding me, have a bite too.”

Shen Zhangqing smiled. “You forgot that I’m on a diet. If I take a bite, that little girl’s gonna count calories for me again when she returns.”

Shen Xi had climbed to the top of the wall.

It was a tranquil night and the silvery moonlight shone brightly.

“Brother, Brother!” Shen Xi waved at Li Yuan excitedly. She was worried that he could not see her, so she turned on her phone’s flashlight and shone it at the wall.

The first person Li Yuan saw when he got home was the girl at the wall.

She was dressed in a white down jacket and had a red scarf wrapped around her neck. Her petite face and cute, ruddy cheeks were illuminated by the light.

“It’s late. Shouldn’t you be going to bed?” Li Yuan wheeled himself to the wall and gazed at her. “What did you bring?”

Secretly, Shen Xi placed a peeled sweet potato into the basket and lowered it for him. She chuckled slyly. “Guess!”

Li Yuan took a sniff. “I don’t know.”

“Roasted sweet potato. My dad, Old Shen, just bought some and they’re still steaming hot. You’re in luck, Brother.” Shen Xi grinned as she peeled the remaining one.