Rebirth from the Ashes

The group who was fast approaching carried themselves in grace. It was so breathtaking that the public could not take their eyes away from them.

The woman was stunning, showing off her curves in her qipao[1]. The makeup only complimented her looks.

The suit the man was wearing drew out his towering build. The dashing and handsome man was chatting with the beautiful woman in smiles.

The girl beside the woman was like a beautiful angel descended from the heavens. Her beauty was mind-blowing despite only wearing a simple pleated dress.

A tall and fine young man walked alongside the girl. Sophisticated in demeanor, he had a warm smile capable of melting hearts.

The group seemed to belong to one unit. Blessed with good looks that could invoke jealousy, the whole family were such eye candies. People could not resist stopping at their tracks to take a second glance.

Xiao Ran’s daughter clicked her tongue in disdain as jealousy sat in when she saw the family across from her. What was so great about them? Their need to be pretentious on a high profile would one day bite back.

Most people would be fascinated, envious, or taking pleasure in admiring beautiful things. However, there was a small percentage of human beings who were madly jealous and annoyed towards things that were prettier than them.

Coincidentally, Xiao Ran’s family belonged to the minority.

Xiao Ran’s husband unhappily let out a cough as Xiao Ran was gawping at the man in the suit. “Honey, call and ask your friend why they aren’t here yet. It’s almost twelve. Don’t waste my time.”

Xiao Ran could not recognize that the one walking toward her was Yun Jinping since it could not click in her brain that a privileged family equaled Yun Jinping and her family.

The way she saw it, Yun Jinping was a rural woman, and her husband was a farmer. Her daughter was likely a poor village girl.

Taking her husband’s orders, Xiao Ran whipped out her phone and gave Yun Jinping a call. She was irritated because she was giving Yun Jinping face by treating her family to lunch.

Yun Jinping should know better than to keep Xiao Ran’s family waiting. She was showing Xiao Ran disrespect by embarrassing her in front of her husband.

Before Yun Jinping had a chance to greet Xiao Ran, her phone started to ring. She picked up her phone and noticed it was Xiao Ran calling. Instead of answering the call, she took a few steps forward and approached the family with a smile. “Xiao Ran.”

It dawned on Xiao Ran just as she dialed the number. The lady in qipao was Yun Jinping whom she thought less of. Xiao Ran was 100% sure of it when Yun Jinping came nearer.

Xiao Ran’s husband widened his eyes in disbelief. Was the beautiful lady the country bumpkin his wife was talking about?

This was no country bumpkin. She was a babe!

Did she not say that the husband worked on a farm? The man did not seem to be the laborious kind.

Was the angellike girl supposed to be the village girl mentioned by his wife?

Xiao Ran’s daughter was merely fixated on Shen Xi and Yu Yuanxi while turning into a green-eyed monster.

What was up with Mom? What rural girl?

She was expecting a tacky country bumpkin with pigtails.

However, the girl’s beauty got her so riled up she wanted to scratch and scar her face.

Who was the fine young man next to her? Was he her boyfriend? The girl must be bad news since she was dating at such a young age.

No one was more shocked than Xiao Ran. She smiled sheepishly. “Oh, Jinping. I didn’t really dress up for our reunion. I nearly couldn’t recognize you over the makeup and change of clothes.”

Xiao Ran quickly got over it after the initial shock faded. Clothes made the man. With the right attire, one could go from zero to hero.

Yun Jinping probably put on her best clothes because she was afraid to make a fool of herself. That was vain of her. Xiao Ran wondered if she spent every last penny to get the whole outfit.

“My daughter said this is how it’s done for reunions nowadays. Otherwise, it would be disrespecting you,” Yun Jinping replied with a grin.

Xiao Ran intended to boast about her good family to Yun Jinping, but now her daughter and husband were already defeated in terms of looks. It never occurred to her that Yun Jinping would have found an attractive husband and given birth to such a beautiful girl. Xiao Ran curled her lips and asked, “Is this your daughter and her boyfriend?”

“No, these are my daughter and son,” Yun Jinping explained.

“Are you here to drop your daughter or son off at school?” Xiao Ran was confused.

“Both my son and daughter. They’ve enrolled into Capital University this year.” Yun Jinping maintained a gentle smile.

“You’re so blessed.” Xiao Ran might acknowledge that fact, but she was gritting her teeth inside. Still, she found comfort that Yun Jinping and her husband must pay a fortune to send her children to university. Could they afford it with their livelihood on the farm?

Xiao Ran put on a front, not letting up her scorn and contempt for Yun Jinping.

Women, especially at their age, enjoyed flaunting skincare, husband, children, and wealth. They had to be number one in everything.

The families exchanged greetings without introducing themselves. They would leave the introduction to the dinner table.

“My husband has booked us rides. It’s just over there. Let’s get going,” Xiao Ran cheerfully uttered.

“We drove here.” Shen Zhangqing interrupted.

His darling daughter was a bit of a germaphobe and did not like sitting in other people’s cars. Nothing beat riding in her family’s car.

Xiao Ran pulled a sour face.

Yun Jinping gave Shen Zhangqing a bump before saying with a smile, “Our car isn’t here. We’ll take the ride you ordered.”

Xiao Ran’s heart sank when she heard from Shen Zhangqing that they owned a car. However, Yun Jinping’s nudge did not go amiss. Xiao Ran sneered at Yun Jinping for trying to put up window dressing. Surely, there was no car, to begin with.

What kind of man did Yun Jinping marry? The whole family was a bunch of liars. Who were they trying to kid? No game slipped past her eyes. Well, she was going to call their bluff later.

Xiao Ran’s husband ordered two cars and they were all Mercedes-Benz worth at least a million.

Xiao Ran and her daughter along with Yun Jinping and Shen Xi took one car, so the old mates could catch up.

Shen Zhangqing, Yu Yuanxi, and Xiao Ran’s husband sat in the other car.

Xiao Ran’s husband studied the man dressed to the nines. His wife secretly told him that her old university mate’s family was trying to play out as though they were rich so as not to lose face. Turning up his nose inside, Xiao Ran’s husband was about to find out whether they were faking it. Hence, he inquired, “What do you do for a living, Mr. Shen.”

“I do a bit of construction.” Shen Zhangqing practiced humility.

“What construction? Are you a foreman or something? Construction as in renovations?” Xiao Ran’s husband kept up with the questions.

“You can say that.” Shen Zhangqing remained modest.

[1] Qipao is a type of Chinese form-fitting garment of Manchu origin. It is a high-necked, closely fitted, and often short-sleeved dress with a side slit..