Rebirth from the Ashes

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

(Li Yuan: You’re right.]

[Shen Xi: I came up with an idea. I’l tell you when I see you tomorrow. Good night.]

[Li Yuan: What’s the idea?)

[Shen Xi: You’ll know tomorrow. Good night.]

Completely clueless, Li Yuan sent another text message, but there was not a peep from the girl. She remained quiet and kept him in suspense.

The next day.

Shen Xi slept in, and it was bright and sunny outside by the time she opened her eyes. Shen Xi walked down the stairs and saw the note that Shen Zhangqing had left behind. ‘Breakfast is in the thermos pot. Enjoy.’

She retrieved the breakfast bought by Old Shen in the pot. It was her favorite chicken wrap. Munching in delight, she crept up the ladder and peeked over the wall.

Seeing no one in the courtyard, she let out a sigh of relief. She popped half her head out to look at the living room and study. As if he had eyes at the back of his head, the figure behind the desk suddenly turned around.

Shen Xi recoiled out of fright, nearly slipping off the ladder. However, she choked on her food. Pounding her fist to her chest, she managed to swallow the food.

With a frown, Li Yuan, who was in the study, looked toward the wall. His fair lady had been acting suspiciously since yesterday, as though she was hiding something from him. What was she up to now by observing him in secret?

Shen Xi was under the impression that Li Yuan had noticed her. She talked herself into believing that Li Yuan saw nothing. After breakfast, she rummaged through the drawers at home for a while before carefully carrying something out.

Li Yuan had been waiting in the courtyard ever since she poked half of her head out and disappeared. Nothing could be heard from the other side of the wall.

It took a long while before the girl’s footsteps gradually drew near from the living room. Then came the creaking of the ladder.

Shen Xi climbed up the ladder and bent down to make sure she still had the item before craning her neck to check the situation on the other side.

Li Yuan lifted his gaze.

Shen Xi abruptly widened her eyes and met Li Yuan’s dark but confused eyes. Smiling embarrassedly, she waved at him. “Brother, why didn’t you catch some sleep? Why are you up early?”

Li Yuan’s voice bore worry. “What happened?”

Shen Xi shook her head. “Nothing.”

Li Yuan spread his arms and looked at her. “Jump.”

Standing on the ladder, Shen Xi glanced at him and spoke nervously, “I should just use the front door.”

Li Yuan thought it was odd. What was on the girl’s mind for her to behave rather peculiarly? “It’s troublesome. Come down. I’ll catch you.”

Shen Xi tried to pull herself together. Li Yuan would only find it suspicious if she acted all flustered. Giving a nod, Shen Xi climbed onto the wall and gave him a serious look. “Catch me.”

With Li Yuan giving his word, the girl leaped and fell into his embrace. Meanwhile, something fell off her and dropped to the ground.

Realizing her thing had dropped, Shen Xi wanted to push Li Yuan away to pick it up. Nevertheless, she could not move as Li Yuan had locked her tight in his arms.

Li Yuan furrowed his brows as he noticed the fallen item was a household register. Bursting into laughter, he leaned close for his breath to linger in her ear. “The idea that took you a whole night to figure out is this?”

Now that she had stolen the household register, her next move must be to drag him to city hall to get their marriage license. No wonder she acted funny today. So, this was her plan!

His breath made Shen Xi’s knees go weak. She took a gulp as her face turned red. Was she rushing into things? However, Shen Xi had no experience on what to do in this kind of situation. Lifting her head, she pouted. “Are you saying you don’t want to go?”

Li Yuan bit her earlobe. “What do you think?”

Of course, he wanted to get their marriage license more than anything in the world, but how would they explain it to the family? She would be put in the spot.

“Li Yuan, if you’re a man, get your household register out so we can go to city hall now!” Shen Xi picked up the courage and shouted his name in full.

“It’s Sunday today.” Li Yuan chuckled.

“Oh!” Shen Xi was cocky and had everything figured out a minute ago, but the bashfulness sat in once the rush subsided. Burying her head against his chest and clutching against his clothes to hide her restlessness, she disgruntledly moaned, “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

It took a lot for her to make the decision. There was no time like the present. She made up her mind to quit obsessing about it and just get it done at city hall. The marriage license would make it legal and official that they were husband and wife.

“think I should be the one to take initiative.” Realization suddenly hit Li Yuan that he was not progressing fast enough that his fair lady got antsy. Feeling her body shaking, he tightened his grip and whispered, “Xixi, are you scared?”

‘What was she afraid of? Did he fail to give her a sense of security?

Speaking of fear, he should be the one to be afraid.

Without a word, Shen Xi held him tightly.

Was she afraid?

Perhaps.

Still, she had no idea what she was afraid of. Maybe she was so lucky in life that it felt surreal. What if it was all a dream? Shen Xi was scared she would wake up one day and find everything a dream.

If it were a dream, Shen Xi hoped she would accomplish all her wishes in the world, including becoming his bride and his woman.

Still holding onto her, Li Yuan walked to the bedroom to retrieve an item and carried her out the door. He opened the car door and put Shen Xi in the passenger’s seat before getting into the car himself.

With her mind still spinning, Shen Xi did not realize when she got in the car. Looking at the person behind the wheel in a daze, Shen Xi had never seen him drive before.

Li Yuan started the car.

Shen Xi asked, “Brother, where are we going?”

Li Yuan smiled. “You’ll know once we’re there.”

Shen Xi was itching with curiosity about where they were heading, but he would not give her an answer even if she asked. It struck her when she saw the city hall. Shen Xi furrowed her brows in confusion. “I thought the city hall was closed during the weekend?”

Li Yuan turned and faced her. “It’s too late to have second thoughts now.”

Before Shen Xi knew it, he was out of the car and standing before her. He pulled her down the car and right to the city hall..