Rebirth from the Ashes

Shen Xi was taken aback for a moment. This should not be the case. A silly billy like Fu Qingxuan would not have problems with anybody. “I don’t think so.”

Jin Yu paused before adding. “He seemed hostile to me.”

The kid looked at him as though he was the enemy and had done something he should not have. The contempt appeared to come from the bottom of Fu Qingxuan’s heart.

“Huh?” Shen Xi carefully recalled before it dawned on her. “That dummy thinks you’re Li Yuan!”

It was not just Fu Qingxuan, but even Alpha Xu had a strange look on his face. Both Mom and Dad mistook Jin Yu for Li Yuan as well.

“So, he thinks you and I are an item?” Jin Yu knew what this was about. The only thing that stood between Shen Xi and Li Yuan was a confession. The pair had feelings for each other.

“I guess so.” Shen Xi was pretty sure. It was a good thing Young Master Qingxuan kept it to himself rather than blurting it to the whole world. Otherwise, she was dead meat.

“The kid has a good heart.” Jin Yu concluded.

“He’s nice.” Shen Xi nodded and added in her mind ‘And a little silly.’

“What happened to his legs?” Jin Yu felt that it was a shame if the kid was bound to the wheelchair for life.

“He broke his leg in a car accident.” Shen Xi thought Uncle Jin Yu’s concern for Fu Qingxuan was odd since he kept asking about the young master. “His cast will be removed next week. He’s going to be fine.”

It put Jin Yu’s mind at rest. So long as the kid’s condition was not permanent.

Shen Xi then waved her arm. “I should get back, Uncle Jin Yu.”

“Okay.” Jin Yu did not walk her to the door and merely saw her off before wheeling himself to the dining room. His mind flew back to when the kid was staring at him with a weird and complicated look.

The kid had a pair of cat eyes – beautiful and bright. Jin Yu could tell that he was an innocent good child without a bad bone in his body.

Still, did he look like an animal who would lay hands on an underaged girl?

Shen Xi came home to have dinner served on the table. Everyone was waiting on her.

Toffeecito jumped out of her embrace and ran up to Pei Xu, meowing incessantly and slapping his foot with its paw.

Pei Xu looked at it strangely before tapping its tiny head. “What are you up to? There’s nothing for you here. Should I open another can for you?”

Since Toffeecito was not proficient in the human language, it continued to meow at him and slapped his leg with its furry paw.

“Duh, you’re sitting on its seat.” Shen Xi looked askance at Pei Xu.

Pei Xu stood up to find a paw-shaped cushion on his chair. No sooner had he got on his feet than Toffeecito jumped right on the cushion. It scoured the table of food like a king.

“Toffeecito, your grandpa is here.” Shen Zhangqing strode into the room, bearing a bowl of shelled shrimps, boiled chicken breast, fish, and bits of beef.

Pei Xu watched with mouth agape. Toffeecito was a pampered little thing to have every meal individually prepared with fresh meat!

Song Wenye was envious. “Mr. Shen, can I board Song Xiaose and my pets with you when I start work two days later?”

Shen Zhangqing was reluctant. “Sure, you’re welcome to board them with us, but the wife and I are often away on business. I don’t want them to starve.”

“What about Toffeecito?” Song Wenye was insistent. She believed Song Xiaose and the other pets would be in heaven to be cared for by an attentive boarding family.

“Toffeecito begs for food next door when we’re not around.” Shen Zhangqing was no stranger to this fact as he often came home to Toffeecito’s absence. Toffeecito would come creeping up the wall from the other side when he called out to the little furry.

There was nothing more Song Wenye could say since it was far-fetched to ask Toffeecito’s dad to look after Song Xiaose and the other pets. “I guess I’ll board Song Xiaose and the rest at a pet kennel.”

Song Wenye would put them in a kennel when she was not around. Sure, it was a kennel, but she had a good relationship with them, having bought all the toys plus cat and dog foods from that place.

“You can board them at my place!” Yu Yuanxi offered out of the blue.

Nearly choking on her soup, Song Wenye tried to pull herself together. “I don’t want to bother you. Granny Yu is not in the best of health.”

Um…

It never crossed her mind.

“Granny can take care of cats and dogs. She wants to be kept busy.” Yu Yuanxi was a little worried to have Song Xiaose and the rest to be boarded at the kennels. There was no telling the kennels would be attentive even if it was a paid service.

Moreover, Granny was doing a lot better now. It would be hard on the old lady if she was sitting around with nothing to do.

Song Wenye remained hesitant.

Yu Yuanxi made further comment. “Song Xiaose and the pets could keep Granny company.”

“Alright then!” Song Wenye bobbed her head and agreed to the idea.

Granny Yu loved the little furry friends. She was delighted to host Song Xiaose and the rest during the New Year. The affection was mutual as well.

Pei Xu’s eyes danced around between Yu Yuanxi and Song Wenye. Now that Yu Yuanxi managed to get Song Xiaose and the pets to his pad, Song Wenye should be next.

Shen Xi gave Pei Xu a tug before secretly pointing at the two. There was a thing going on between the pair. However, Song Wenye might be straightforward with people, but she sure took her time when it came to relationships.

Pei Xu grinned and nodded his head, echoing Shen Xi’s view. They would make a great couple because Yu Yuanxi’s easy-going and congenial nature could take on Song Wenye’s surly temper.

After lunch, the bunch hung out for a bit before taking their leave.

Fu Qingxuan was asked by Yun Jinping to stay. There was no way she was going to let him stay at the hotel alone and handicapped now that he was here at the capital. He would be left to his own devices at the hotel.

Shen Xi sniffed at the decision. Hotel, her *ss. Fu Qingxuan should be Pei Xu’s business since he picked the former up. How did Fu Qingxuan end up at her place?

Nevertheless, Pei Xu must be on Fu Qingxuan’s side. They both seemed to get their stories straight as Pei Xu got a call and had to leave in a rush right after lunch.

Yu Qiubai was the last to go.

Shen Xi saw him off the door before getting down to business. “I’ll come tomorrow.”

Yu Qiubai bobbed his head. “Thank you.”

“Take care.” Shen Xi exchanged pleasantries before turning to find Fu Qingxuan who was roaming in the courtyard. His eyes were focused next door. She asked him, “What are you looking at?”

Fu Qingxuan turned back. Instead of answering her question, he pointed at the vegetable patch. “I’m craving for a tomato.”

Since he had been in an accident, Shen Xi was not going to fuss about it. “Hold on, I’ll pick one for you.”

Her courtyard was occupied with vegetables or flowers no matter the season. Madam Yun and Old Shen would plow every bit of soil to create a piece of heaven. Commonly found vegetables were grown here too.

“I’ll do it myself.” Fu Qingxuan was not having it. He proudly gazed at her. “Push me there.”