Rebirth from the Ashes

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Yu Yuanxi watched Song Wenye with a faint smile across his lips. Clearing his throat, he looked her in the eye and said, “Go and have a rest. I’ll manage everything out here.”

Song Wenye was not going to leave him to it on his own. There was a lot of work to be done; from tidying up the table and mopping the floor to washing all the dishes. “I’ll join you.”

Knowing how she was, Yu Yuanxi did not turn down the offer. Gently bobbing his head, he had a feeling that the whole family deliberately left him alone with Song Wenye in the house.

This realization did not go unnoticed by Song Wenye either. Not one to hide her thoughts, she blurted out the question in mind. “Say, do you think they ditched us together on purpose?”

Yu Yuanxi nodded. “I think so too.”

Song Wenye was fuming. “How could they! They didn’t even ask me to join them in walking the dogs.”

As she pouted adorably like a furious hamster, Yu Yuanxi uttered, “I’ll go for a stroll with you later.”

Song Wenye frowned and moaned, “Why would I go for a stroll with you? Who am I to you?”

Yu Yuanxi suddenly drew near and gazed into her eyes. “Song Wenye, be my girlfriend.”

Song Wenye nearly dropped the plate in her hands as she widened her eyes in disbelief at him. “Wh… What did you say?”

Yu Yuanxi put on a serious face and repeated his words. “I said, I like you. Please be my girlfriend.”

Song Wenye could feel her heart racing and her cheeks burning so much it could fry an egg. She blinked. “Say that again.”

“I like you. Can you be my girlfriend?” Yu Yuanxi’s soft voice was like a melody, stringing every note straight to her heart.

Feeling the need to act up in a moment like this, Song Wenye stared at him. “No.”

A shattered glow flickered in Yu Yuanxi’s eyes. With all tenderness and affection turning into hurt, he let out a bitter smile. “I’m sorry. I must have come off abruptly. Pretend I never said all that stuff.”

He thought the feelings were mutual. Was it all in his head?

It was not embarrassing for him, albeit his heart slowly chipped away following her rejection.

“I should be the one to confess my love.” Song Wenye suddenly added as she looked him in the eye. “Yu Yuanxi, be my boyfriend.”

How could she be confessed to like other girls? Yearning to be different, she wanted to be the one to make the first move. She was Song Wenye! She needed to add her own flair when it came to professing her love.

Yu Yuanxi’s pupils dilated. “What did you say?”

“I said, I like you. Please be my boyfriend.” Song Wenye felt sorry to see the glow in the young man’s eyes crushed in an instant as though she bludgeoned him.

The young man was blessed with good looks. The tantalizing thin lips of his sun-kissed face that were wide open from the bombshell of a confession drew Song Wenye in for a deep kiss. She looked at him and solemnly declared, “That seals the deal. You’re mine now and forevermore.”

Yu Yuanxi finally knew what it was like to experience heaven and hell in a split second. Gazing at the girl who masked her tensed nerves with an attitude, he heavily nodded. “Definitely.”

With the deed done, it hit Song Wenye to check her surroundings. She was relieved that there was not a soul in the courtyard and the main door was locked. She nervously asked Yu Yuanxi, “What do we do now?”

F*ck.

What were they to do?

Since she kissed Yu Yuanxi, she must own up to her actions and commit to their relationship for the rest of their lives. She now had a boyfriend!

“We’re adults, not children.” Yu Yuanxi earnestly said, “I’ll straighten it out with Mom, Dad, and all of them.”

Granny, Mom, and Dad would be glad to see them together. He knew no one would be against their relationship. They could not be more stoked.

“I’m scared.” The fear sat in at last. “Couples meet their parents the proper way. We have to pick an auspicious day and bring gifts to meet the parents.”

Yu Yuanxi replied, “That’s for the gents to do to meet the parents. There’s no need for the ladies.”

Song Wenye shook her head, chickening out at the last minute. “I’m feeling nervous. Let’s make it public when I’m ready.”

One to go along with her, Yu Yuanxi nodded his head. “Sure.”

Song Wenye picked up the plates and inquired, “Shall we wash the dishes?”

Yu Yuanxi took over the plates. “I’ll wash and you rest.”

Walking behind him, Song Wenye checked him out openly. She murmured, “I’m not a good-for-nothing that needs taking care of. It’s not as if washing some plates would wear me down.”

Was it that simple?

Was that all it took?

It was like a heavy cloud was lifted from her after she let her feelings out. There was no more conflict to see him or not to see him.

Yu Yuanxi looked back and grinned at her. “I don’t want you to exhaust yourself.”

Judging by her dark eye circles, it was clear Song Wenye was sleep-deprived from rushing a week of a packed schedule. Her gaunt face was telling how tired she was.

Feeling all mushy inside, Song Wenye cleared her throat and did the same in return. “I don’t want you to strain yourself either.”

Yu Yuanxi answered, “Together then.”

Song Wenye waltzed right up to him with her heart pounding fast. She had to ask, “I can’t get used to my new role. Did I just go from becoming Xixi’s best friend to her future sister-in-law?”

Yu Yuanxi chuckled and nodded. “Yes.”

Song Wenye babbled to herself, “What a weird feeling.”

Nevertheless, it did not feel all that bad. Her favorite granny was still her granny while Mr. and Mrs. Shen whom she adores were now her Mom and Dad.

Oh god, her wish finally came true.

The pair scrubbed the dishes side by side. Song Wenye was curious since this was the first time she had a boyfriend. She nudged him. “Yu Yuanxi, was that your first kiss?”

Yu Yuanxi had always known that she was different from other girls. Hence, he accepted and embraced the way her brain functioned. He nodded and hummed in acknowledgment.

Song Wenye took a glance at his lips and bit hers before smiling from ear to ear. “Guess what. Me too.”

Chortling, Yu Yuanxi hit her back with a question. “Ms. Song, am I your first boyfriend?”

Song Wenye bobbed her head like a pecking chick. “Yeah.”

Yu Yuanxi smiled. “Surprise. It’s my first time in a relationship.”

All the more to get Song Wenye smiling sweetly. “Was it your first love confession?”

Yu Yuanxi replied, “Yes.”

Song Wenye retorted, “What a coincidence. Me too.”

The couple was having a blast, taking turns throwing corny questions when they heard a noise at the door. Song Xiaose barged into the house.

“Song Xiaose!” Shen Xi shouted as she went in pursuit of the dog. It was a calculated move on the little fella’s part. Shen Xi turned away for a second only for it to scamper back home. Try as she might, Shen Xi could not get through to Song Xiaose despite screaming at the top of her lungs.

Without looking back, Song Xiaose headed straight to the toilet and happily took a wee.

Shen Xi was in tears. “…”

She was in two minds whether it was a good habit or not. She took the dog out for a walk so it could let its bowels loose. Still, Song Xiaose had to do it at home.

Song Xiaose soon came out wagging its tail furiously. It tried to brown-nose by going around in circles with drooping ears as a sign of its apology.

“You’re back, Xixi.” Song Wenye rushed out of the kitchen.

Shen Xi was fixated on Song Wenye’s guilty smile and frowned in confusion. She then darted a look at Yu Yuanxi who was scrubbing the dishes with his back facing her in the kitchen.. Was she imagining things to see pink hearts overlaying the pair in the background?