Rebirth from the Ashes

Left with no time to respond, Li Yuan watched the girl on the wall take the jump. He pushed his wheelchair forward and stretched out his arms.

Falling right into his arms, Shen Xi coiled her tender arms around his neck and asked amid chuckles, “Brother, am I heavy?”

Li Yuan had the fright of his life. His heart was in his mouth. Pulling a long face, he deflected the question and chided her through clenched teeth, “Do you know how dangerous that was? What if you fall?”

Had he not reacted on time and caught her as she came jumping from a high place…

“But you’ll catch me.” Looking ignorant and innocent, Shen Xi reflected complete trust in her tone.

Li Yuan’s heart melted as he looked into the girl’s bright eyes and her unreserved trust in him. No longer with the heart to lecture her, he sighed helplessly. “Don’t do that again. Let me know if you want to get down.”

She was a good girl. Shen Xi bobbed her head and answered sweetly, “Got it.”

Li Yuan was getting the tingles to hear the girl’s smooth-like-butter voice. Her sweet scent hit him in the face as the girl’s supple body clung close to his, sending a rush to his blood. Breathing hard, he solemnly muttered, “Get off.”

Shen Xi was sensitive to his heavy breathing and racing heart, albeit his complexion remained the same. However, the pink on his earlobes under the sunset was inviting a nibble.

Still, Shen Xi had no guts to act on impulse. She quietly took a gulp and bounced off his embrace. Acting as though nothing happened, she pushed his wheelchair into the house.

An indistinct flare danced around Li Yuan’s profound eyes. Along with the wind, the girl’s scent penetrated all his senses, leaving no stones unturned. He gulped and took a deep breath to calm the ants in his pants.

Shen Xi secretly took pleasure as she stared at his earlobes.

It was fun to flirt with Li Yuan since he could not take the heat. How adorable!

Following behind, Xuan Yuan practiced caution in his movements. He was a living being standing here, and yet they paid him no attention. Boss should at least introduce them.

Toffeecito, on the other hand, jumped off the wall and was tactful enough not to spring to its exclusive seat. It marched alongside Xuan Yuan.

Xuan Yuan took a look at his company – Boss’s baby. It was evident by the fact that no one else had the guts to touch Boss’s lap.

However, it was only because it had a good owner. This was a case of “love me, love my pet” for Boss.

Shen Xi only realized someone was trailing behind when she arrived in the living room. Initially, she thought it was Kun Lun. Now that she had a good look, it was a wickedly handsome young man and she happened to recognize him.

It was him!

He was the young man she and Song Wenye bumped into in the library. Song Wenye did mention his name was Xuan Yuan.

It hit her that Li Yuan must have sent him to protect her. Shen Xi had no idea how long he had been protecting her in the dark. Nevertheless, he must be an expert since she never did notice despite always keeping a watchful eye.

“Hello, Ms. Shen. I’m Xuan Yuan.” Xuan Yuan broke the ice. It was not like he had the honor and privilege for Boss to make the introduction.

“Hello.” Shen Xi greeted in return politely.

Despite his young age, the young man was quite a stunner. His face alone could attract many fans if he were to enter showbiz.

Xuan Yuan only got a word in before Li Yuan tasked him with taking orders for the food. Dinner was going to be delivered from Li Mansion. After a phone call to Li Mansion, Xuan Yuan plucked up the courage and shamelessly went up to start a conversation.

Struck by a thought, Shen Xi jolted up from the sofa. “Brother, I need to step outside.”

Li Yuan said, “Dinner will be ready in a bit.”

Shen Xi replied, “My watermelon peel is still on the wall.”

Li Yuan looked at Xuan Yuan.

“I’ll retrieve it, Ms. Shen.” Xuan Yuan immediately jumped in.

“Hold on.” Li Yuan called him back.

Xuan Yuan turned around.

Li Yuan commanded, “Don’t forget the spoon.”

Xuan Yuan was in tears. “…”

Shen Xi happily took her seat and chewed on an apple. She waved at Xuan Yuan and blurted with a smile, “Thanks!”

Li Yuan dotingly shook his head at the girl who was always chomping away. Never mind because who was he to stop her when she was eating delightfully?

Half an hour later.

The food was delivered.

Shen Xi’s order of mushroom and stewed chicken was specially packed in a disposable food container so she could snap photos. Her heart was full, knowing well that Li Yuan put in the instructions to do so. She took a picture and sent it to Yun Jinping.

The photo of the food put Yun Jinping at ease. She sent a voice note to Shen Xi, telling her to enjoy her meal and that she would be home the next day for a two-day break.

The next day, Yun Jinping and Shen Zhangqing arrived home one after the other at nightfall. With Shen Zhanglin, his wife, and Shen Tang also visiting, it was lively at the house at last.

Lights out.

Shen Zhangqing held Yun Jinping and asked worriedly, “Honey, is something on your mind?”

Her mind had been running ever since the call from Fu Qingli. Still, Yun Jinping had not collected her thoughts on how to come clean with her husband. She turned to look him in the eye. “Honey, does Xixi look like the Su family?”

Shen Xi made a face and snorted. “No. My daughter looks like me!”

Yun Jinping nudged him. “I’m asking a serious question here. What are you saying?”

Shen Zhangqing put on a somber face. “Xixi looks like Li Jingran, but in terms of character, Xixi’s not like them at all. Why are you asking this?”

The Su family was real b*stards. How could his daughter be like them? They were nothing alike. To hell with them!

Yun Jinping shook her head. “Nothing. I’ve been thinking recently if Xixi picked up her personality from her parents or acquired it through life.”

“Human nature is the reflection of their environment. I believe we raised Xixi to be who she is today. She has nothing to do with the Su family nor does she take after them in any way.” Shen Zhangqing was fuming at the mention of the Su family. He refused to link his daughter with the Su family.

“Okay,” Yun Jinping responded. She stayed true to her words since she promised Fu Qingli to keep mum. Although she would think about it, Yun Jinping was not going to inform Shen Zhangqing of a groundless suspicion.

She knew her husband was not one to keep things inside, especially in front of his daughter.

The couple engaged in talks for a while until Shen Zhangqing dozed off.

Yun Jinping tossed and turned, unable to settle into her sleep as imagination ran wild. Xixi looked identical to Li Jingran and they had done the DNA test. Nevertheless, Li Jingran was also a copy of Madam Fu.. Who was to say Xixi and Madam Fu did not look alike either?