Rebirth from the Ashes

Toffeecito leaped onto the wall and longingly looked back at the courtyard next door when Shen Xi called it to come down. Toffeecito then followed closely behind her.

Song Wenye was looking for Toffeecito. With Shen Xi and Toffeecito entering the room, Song Wenye patted Song Xiaomi’s head. “Look who’s here.”

Toffeecito seemed a little despondent, but the sight of Song Xiaomi cheered it up. It zipped its way over.

A standoffish cat as it was, Song Xiaomi dignifiedly lifted its head in and glanced at Toffeecito as if unimpressed by Toffeecito’s intimate antics. Nevertheless, Song Xiaomi’s eyes reflected idleness, an expression exclusive to when it was relaxed.

Song Wenye turned to Shen Xi. “Why couldn’t you adopt Toffeecito sooner?”

Shen Xi glanced back at her with question marks written all over her face.

“I had Song Xiaomi spayed two months before you adopted Toffeecito. It would have babies by now if it didn’t go through sterilization.”

Shen Xi nearly choked. She knew nothing good ever came out of Song Wenye’s mouth. Why did she bother to listen? “My darling Toffeecito doesn’t get on with just any feline.”

Song Wenye gave Shen Xi a coy look as though she was in the know. Drawing close, Song Wenye spoke in a hushed tone, “I know. Looking for a boyfriend and giving birth are huge deals. I’m sure I have to ask Toffeecito’s dad beforehand, right?”

Shen Xi looked askance at her. “Toffeecito isn’t even a year old. What is in that filthy mind of yours?”

“I know better than you.” Looking puffed-up, Song Wenye let her in on the science. “Cats can go in heat at about six to seven months old and give birth then.”

Shen Xi, “…”

She won.

Shen Zhangqing called Shen Xi to the kitchen to serve the dishes.

Shen Xi ran off only to find Song Wenye staying. She called her over. “Come on. Are you a guest?”

Pursing her lips, Song Wenye meekly walked along and mumbled, “I’m a guest.”

Song Wenye had no idea why, but she was not herself at the thought of meeting Yu Yuanxi. Her heart began to race and her cheeks burned.

With a smile, Shen Xi gave her a lingering look and responded with an elevated intonation, “Hmm?”

Despite feeling hot and bothered, Song Wenye pushed Shen Xi ahead and changed the subject. “Let’s go serve the dishes.”

With Song Wenye stepping into the kitchen, Yu Yuanxi carefully pored over her from head to toe, feeling at ease after making sure that she was unharmed.

Although he knew she was not hurt in the incident that happened before his eyes, Yu Yuanxi was not able to calm his heart. He could not stop himself from wondering if he missed any injury inflicted on her.

Not willing to back down, Song Wenye returned to the gaze.

Yu Yuanxi could not resist bursting into laughter.

Song Wenye let out a cough. What was with the laugh? Why could she not return the favor if he could look at her? She carried a dish out.

“Hang on,” Yu Yuanxi cried.

Song Wenye stopped in her tracks. Why of all people did he have to stop her? There were many people in the kitchen.

As bliss deepened in his eyes, Yu Yuanxi helplessly carried a dish over and pulled on the plate in her hands.

“What are you up to?” Appearing wary, Song Wenye glared at him.

“Not this one.” Yu Yuanxi’s smooth voice was like a cool stream in the summer.

Lowering her gaze, Song Wenye turned red in the face. It was an empty plate. What was up with her? Why did she carry an empty plate out?

She sneaked a peek around, only to realize that they were alone in the kitchen. With silence befalling the room, she could feel her heart thumping out of her chest. Unable to hide her burning cheeks, she looked away.

Yu Yuanxi unaffectedly switched the dishes and took over the empty plate before turning to scoop the rice in the cooker.

Song Wenye let out a hack to disguise her awkwardness as she swiftly made her way out. She was grief-stricken and out of her mind. Godd*mn Yu Yuanxi. It was his fault that she was acting all weird.

Shen Xi was back for a second dish when she bumped into Song Wenye’s blushing face. Since Song Wenye walked by without stopping, Shen Xi had to quietly ask Yu Yuanxi. “What’s wrong with her, Brother?”

Yu Yuanxi grinned. “Nothing.”

Shen Xi did not buy it. Why was her face red?

While carrying the rice out, Yu Yuanxi’s eyes were filled with delight to see the back of the dainty figure. She might be a goofball, but the bashful side to her was too cute.

Fond of Song Wenye, Granny Yu would love to have her as her granddaughter-in-law. In the past, Granny Yu was afraid to drag her down or that her family would not agree to it since they were not well-to-do. It simply put the kids in a difficult position to keep their opinions to themselves.

Now that Yuanxi found his parents, their families were of equal standing. Granny Yu could not be happier for the pair to be together.

The blossoming love between two unknowing teenagers did not escape the eyes of the happily married couple of two decades – Shen Zhangqing and Yun Jinping. They exchanged glances and smiled.

Lil’ Ye was a good kid. She was cheerful, sensible, kind, and knew her way around words to show she cared. It would be great if she could be their daughter-in-law.

Song Wenye felt that there was something about the way everyone at the table was looking at her. It appeared no different from any other day, and yet she had the feeling that something was off.

After dinner.

Shen Zhangqing talked about buying eye drops and asked Yun Jinping to come along.

Shen Xi sneaked away, saying something about taking the cats and dogs out for a walk with Granny Yu.

Yun Jinping turned to Song Wenye. “Lil’ Ye, Mr. Shen and I are going out to get something. Leave the stuff in the kitchen as they are. I’ll be back to clean up. Take a shower and a rest if you’re tired.”

Returning from a phone call, Song Wenye volunteered herself. “Mrs. Shen, I can tidy up. I promise you I won’t break any plates.”

Yun Jinping’s foot was halfway out the door. It was unclear whether she heard Song Wenye as she shouted, “We’ll be back soon.”

With the Shen couple gone, Song Wenye looked around the room and realized no one else was there. Where did everyone go? Song Xiaose, Song Xiaomi, Toffeecito, and the other fur babies were nowhere to be found either.

Yu Yuanxi popped out of the loo and found the living room quiet. Song Wenye was alone, staring into a blank space.

Staring at him, Song Wenye blurted, “Where’s Xixi?”

Yu Yuanxi replied, “I heard she went with Granny to walk Song Xiaose and the rest.”

Song Wenye looked at him and pointed at herself. If Xixi and Granny were walking the pets and Mr. and Mrs.. Shen were out to pick up stuff, would that not leave them both in the entire house?