Rebirth from the Ashes

Chapter 566: No Longer the Face She Knew

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Shangguan Yanqiu’s son had brought up a kind man named Jin Yu who he had gotten acquainted with during his last travels here. Her son intended to pay the man a special visit now that they were here as well.

Judging by her son’s reaction, Shangguan Yanqiu knew things were not as simple as she thought. She knew her son well to know that he was not one to connect with people easily.

Over the years, only Xixi was welcomed to his world. No one else had such pleasure.

Fu Qingxuan was unable to gather his thoughts as he had a lot on his mind. It was a rare moment for him to keep to himself in the presence of Shen Xi and Shangguan Yanqiu.

Without a word, Shen Xi was inattentively playing her mobile game. Try as she may, but she had a hard time concentrating. Shen Xi stared blankly at her phone until her character was clawed to death before quitting the game.

In the end, Shangguan Yanqiu broke the strange silence in the car. She looked at Fu Qingxuan and softly asked, “Xuan, what’s Uncle Jin Yu like?”

Her son might not talk much about Jin Yu, but she could observe Fu Qingxuan’s fondness and respect for the man. By right, Fu Qingxuan would not avoid mentioning him.

“He’s a good man.” Affected by the ridiculous idea he had in mind, Fu Qingxuan answered curtly. He tried to shrug it off before looking back at his mother to return a smile. “Mom, you’ll know when we meet him.”

Really?

Could it be?

He clenched and unclenched his fists repeatedly, unable to pace his breathing. Fu Qingxuan remembered every detail, every moment, and every feeling he had when he first met Mr. Jin Yu and the times they spent together.

Those feelings began to intertwine with those he had with Dad in his younger days. The familiar sensation overwhelmed his senses, sending a rush to his blood.

Suspicions would only grow once a seed of doubt was planted until it was proven to be real.

That feeling overtook every inch of his being, occupying his head and urging him to find clarity. Yet, he was afraid it would be for nothing.

“What’s wrong? Are you alright?” Shangguan Yanqiu was worried to see him out of character. She inquired, “Do you have a fever? Your face is flushed.”

“Mom, I’m okay.” Fu Qingxuan kept telling himself to get it together. He did not want to tell Mom until he was sure.

She could not go through another blow.

“Really?” Despite her asking so, Shangguan Yanqiu knew he was far from okay. She knew her son best.

Ever since Jin Yu’s name was mentioned at Li Mansion, Fu Qingxuan had been acting weird.

Anticipation was tingling in the pit of her stomach.

Perhaps Jin Yu was…

However, was it possible? Xuan would not have missed the signs if it was Jin Yu.

Fu Qingxuan was good at hiding his emotions in front of outsiders, but it was useless to keep a blank face before his family. Hence, he sought Shen Xi for help.

Shen Xi was aware that Fu Qingxuan picked up on something. He was anxious, scared, and expectant. Since he was gazing at her with a lost puppy look, Shen Xi decided to lend him a hand. She grinned at Shangguan Yanqiu and interrupted before another round of questioning. “Madam Fu, the variety show featuring Song Wenye’s group is on tonight. Let’s watch it together.”

The silent interaction between Shen Xi and Fu Qingxuan did not go amiss. Nevertheless, Shangguan Yanqiu was happy about the invitation. She nodded and drew close to watch together.

To ease Fu Qingxuan’s nerves and the tension in the air, Shen Xi played the program on loudspeaker. The light-hearted show and Song Wenye’s presence made the program nothing short of a comedy.

Shangguan Yanqiu laughed alongside Shen Xi without actually paying attention to the show. Her mind was filled with her brief encounter with the car and passenger from this afternoon.

Fu Qingxuan’s eyes stared ahead in a trance as every second and every minute went by slowly yet quickly at the same time.

He was caught between conflicting emotions. He wanted to hurry back home to see that person and ascertain his identity.

Yet, he was afraid that all of this was nothing but a delusion and an absurd assumption. What if he went through the meetup and hopes were dashed thereafter?

Behind the wheel, Yu Qiubai observed everyone’s reaction through the rear-view mirror and figured.

He was aware of Uncle Jin Yu’s existence. He was the neighbor in the wheelchair Yu Qiubai saw during the day of college applications. He was a suave and modest man.

Could Madam Fu and Fu Qingxuan be looking for him?

Was that man Fu Qingxuan’s father? That did not sound right. It was not like Fu Qingxuan had not met him. How could he not recognize his own father?

The car soon drove into the neighborhood.

Since it was summer, the neighbor was bustling with people taking a stroll after dinner around 8 o’clock to cool off.

With the car pulling over, Fu Qingxuan was the first to get down and bolt towards Li Yuan’s house. Feeling the tension in his muscles, he pressed on the doorbell.

Shangguan Yanqiu followed him.

Shen Xi bade farewell and thanked Yu Qiubai before sending him on his way.

Yu Qiubai was driven away before he could join the fun. It was not like he could shamelessly insist on staying.

Shen Xi had gotten down from the car when she saw a handsome man dumping the trash into the bin. The man waved at her and cheerfully cried, “Xixi.”

After a short trance, she waved back to greet him.

Jin Yu took out the trash and caught sight of Shen Xi in a daze. He looked over and found Fu Qingxuan standing at the door. Beside him stood a petite figure.

For a moment, a ripple stirred within and sent a familiar wave from his core. He could not take his eyes away.

He had seen her.

In his dreams.

Since Jin Yu did not speak out loud, the nervous Fu Qingxuan who was lost in thoughts did not notice and kept his eyes on the door.

Shangguan Yanqiu, on the other hand, had a feeling and suddenly turned her gaze over. She saw a familiar shadow she longed for and dreamed of a lifetime with, under the streetlight.

Even though the surrounding was dimly lit with his back against the light amid the darkness, she had a good look at his face.. He bore the same presence, the same figure, and the same feeling, but it was no longer the face she knew.