Rebirth from the Ashes

Back in the bedroom, Fu Qingli quietly sat with his thoughts for a long while. He then turned to the frame on the ground that was tossed aside. After an internal struggle, he carelessly got off his bed and picked up the frame. Feeling overwhelmed, he lost all energy and slumped against the cold wall.

Color washed off his face as he endured the immense pain. It only took a short distance and time for sweat to drench his entire outfit. With downcast eyes, he studied the frame.

The photograph in the frame was of a newborn baby. The little fella was so tiny and heartbreakingly skinny. The baby may have a tiny face, but the delicate facial features were beginning to show.

“Lil’ Xi, talk to your big brother.” Fu Qingli’s slender fingers touched the frame gently. With disappointment and helplessness buried in his tenderness, he spoke, “Do you think I was wrong? But how could they say that about you? There’s no way I can’t find you.”

Amid the silent background, it was unclear whether Fu Qingli was mumbling to himself or talking to the photograph.

“She’s not you. How can they fall for another girl before finding you?

“Don’t worry. I will never give up on you. I will find you and before I do, please take care of yourself, okay?

“That girl is the daughter of Mom’s twin sister. She and Mom look alike. Come to think of it, she should be your cousin so please don’t be angry with Qingye and Qingxuan for acting this way. It’s not that they don’t love you. They simply feel sorry for her.”

…

Only at this moment could he completely let loose and speak his mind, talking about random things. His voice may be hoarse, but it carried endless affection and hope.

Through the huge bedroom window, the sunlight shone onto him, casting a gentle beam on that forever poker face. His sharp and cold eyes were filled with adoration.

Afternoon came.

Fu Junqiu was home for dinner. Not long after she stepped into the living room, Fu Qingye drew close with a bruised face. She rushed over with a worried expression. “Ye, what happened? What’s up with your face? Who picked on you?”

Fu Qingye calmly looked at her. “I knocked onto the table.”

It was best not to mention the fight since it was embarrassing.

“Knocked onto the table?” Fu Junqiu frowned. As if she would believe that. She whipped out her authority as an elder. “Tell me, who did this to you? Who hit you? I’ll avenge you!”

Who had the audacity to hit her nephew and pretty hard too? Were they not aware that Ye earned his living with his looks? It was a ruthless move to attack his face!

Even if Ye was a gentle softie, it was no reason for him to be pushed around. No, Fu Junqiu had to get back at them.

“Aunty, it was really an accident.” Fu Qingye helplessly sighed and said, “Hurry up and wash your hands. It’s time for dinner.”

Fu Junqiu looked at the feast on the dinner table and asked, “Where’s your big brother?”

Fu Qingye replied, “He’s sleeping in his room.”

“What?” Fu Junqiu was shrieking at this point. “No way! What’s wrong? Is he sick? Why is he still in bed?”

It did not sound right!

Her eldest nephew rose earlier than the cuckoo doodle doo and slept later than the hoot. Working harder than a mule, Fu Qingli’s routine was terrifyingly strict. There was never a time Fu Junqiu saw him overslept, even when he was sick.

“He broke his rib,” Fu Qingye casually mentioned before heading to the kitchen.

Fu Junqiu was weirded out by Fu Qingye’s nonchalance as if he was talking about the weather. She then made a move towards Fu Qingli’s bedroom and knocked on the door. “Fu Qingli, what are you doing? Are you there? Why is your rib broken?”

Fu Qingli had fallen asleep against the cold wall while holding onto the photo frame. Hearing the knock on the door, he held onto the wall and struggled to stand before placing the photo frame back onto his bedside table. He gave it a good pat and softly uttered, “I got to go. Thank you for listening to me.”

Panicking, Fu Junqiu was still knocking and knocking hard. “Hello! Fu Qingli! Are you alright? Are you dead? Say something! Are you trying to get me worried sick! Open up!”

Fu Qingye might say he was not worried, but he too, came over since there had not been an answer from inside the room. He stood by the sidelines and coldly commented, “Even a bomb can’t kill him.”

Fu Junqiu could smack his head. “You’re asking for it. Please be a human being. That’s your brother we’re talking about. His rib is broken. Can’t you keep an eye on him? If you don’t want to, you could at least call Xu Xu over.”

Man, she was beyond furious.

What was going on? This one was bruised in the face. He said it was an accidental bump, but it was clearly gotten from a fight. His face was covered in bruises.

Why would his sensible and obedient nephew, who never said no, get into a fight?

The other had a broken rib and was sleeping in his room.

The more Fu Junqiu thought about it, the more things did not seem right.

Fu Qingli opened the door and stared at her. “Aunty, what’s the matter?”

Fu Junqiu took a look at the bruises on Fu Qingli before turning to the similarly bruised Fu Qingye. With perceptions about her nephews thrown out the window, she inquired in disbelief, “Did you two fight?”

By the looks of Ye’s facial injuries, she thought he fought with someone else!

“No!”

The pair shouted in unison.

Acting like nothing ever happened, Fu Qingye walked off.

Fu Qingli was about to do the same.

With worry written all over her face, Fu Junqiu pulled him back. “Is your rib okay? Did you go to the hospital? Are you allowed to move about?”

Fu Qingli replied, “It’s fine. Qingxuan took care of it.”

“Why did you fight?” Fu Junqiu took a glance at him before pointing at Fu Qingye. “Did he break your rib?”

Fu Qingli remained composed. “No.”

“Why did you fight?” It was not as though Fu Junqiu believed them. Who were they fooling after getting each other beaten up? Nevertheless, Ye sure had the balls to challenge Li and even broke his rib. That was a heartless move.

“No.” Fu Qingli took steady strides to the loo. It was hard to tell that he had a broken rib judging by his commanding steps.

Fu Junqiu was utterly puzzled. What were the brothers hiding? This was the first fight, and a severe one too, between them. Things were not as simple as they seemed.

“Aunty, do you know that Meanie is here?” Fu Qingxuan came running from the courtyard.

With her thoughts interrupted, Fu Junqiu looked back at him strangely. “What Meanie?”

Fu Qingxuan answered, “Shen Xi. Qingli said she’s here, but where is she?”