Rebirth from the Ashes

Hanging his head low in guilt and anguish, Great-uncle clutched their hands and wailed.

Fu Handing turned to Fu Qingye and Li Yuan. "Please take Great-uncle to his room for some rest."

Shen Xi followed them out and gave a moment to the two elders in the study.

Fu Hanji watched his old man's drooped figure leave and sighed before turning his attention back to Fu Handing. He was upset and overtaken by complicated feelings to say anything.

Fu Handing and Xixi had been through a lot and even survived death to return to the Fu family's arms because of Hannian. Fu Hanji had never doubted his older brother, nor was he aware that his amiable brother was capable of doing something so horrible.

"I believe that you and Great-uncle had no idea." Fu Handing let out a deep sigh as sorrow overwhelmed his eyes. "You and your brother have always been different."

Hannian may appear to be friendly and easy-going, but people like that tended to be dark and twisted inside once they were ridden with ill intentions.

On the contrary, the trustworthy ones were those who were unapproachable but wore their hearts on their sleeves and were forthcoming with issues.

Hannian and Hanji were blood brothers with personalities on polar ends.

"Handing." It took Fu Hanji a while to gather the words. "About my brother… My family will make it up to your family."

Either way, his brother's death did not wipe out the things that he had done. Fu Hanji's family was very much alive and should make up for the suffering Hannian had caused!

"Hannian is dead. He has already paid the price." Fu Handing was not going to hold a grudge against the innocents, especially Great-uncle and Hanji because of Fu Hannian. "Don't blame yourself. It's your brother's doing, not yours."

A man of few words, Hanji valued action over words and upheld a strong sense of responsibility. Fu Handing wanted some time alone with Fu Hanji to take the burden off him so he would not put all the blame on himself.

Now it seemed that nothing could get to Fu Hanji's head. It was best if he could see the light himself.

"My family should be responsible for my brother's vile deeds." Fu Hanji welled up in his eyes. "Had I realized sooner, perhaps it would not have come to this."

Hannian was not one to have a heart-to-heart talk while Fu Hanji was indifferent in nature to confide in anyone. If Fu Hanji had paid a little more attention to Hannian, could the outcome be any different?

Shen Xi, Li Yuan, and Fu Qingye kept watch at the door of the study. They had no idea what was said since they were not in the room.

With Great-uncle in great sorrow, Shen Xi was afraid the old man's distress might get to him, so she performed acupuncture on him. The elder was asleep for now.

She could tell that Great-uncle and Uncle Hanji were different from Fu Hannian. They genuinely wanted the best for the Fu family and treated them like family. They should not be the ones to shoulder Fu Hannian's crimes.

Heaving a sigh, Fu Qingye leaned against the wall and lifted his head to stare at the hanging lights in the living room. He was shadowed by a heavy air of agony.

Everything happened so suddenly and caught him off guard. It never crossed his mind that the perpetrator was right under his nose.

The demon in human's skin had lurked in their household. Fu Qingye treated and respected Fu Hannian as family. The thought of it sent Fu Qingye into a rage.

Qingli could have lost his life today. Fu Hannian had it easy to die like that.

"Qingye, get some rest. Brother and I will wait here." Noticing the weariness on his face, Shen Xi urged him.

"I can't sleep." Fu Qingye curled his lips bitterly and sighed. "Xixi, you and Li Yuan should rest. I'll wait for Dad."

She could not know or experience the emotions he had had. The betrayal and hurt from those closest were the most painful.

Li Yuan squeezed the girl's hand and muttered softly, "Listen to your brother. We should rest our heads and relieve him of waiting later."

She had been through a tensed, harrowing, and frightful day. It was time to catch her breath.

Giving a nod, Shen Xi glanced at Fu Qingye and reminded him to take a break once Dad was out before taking off with Li Yuan.

After entering the bedroom, Shen Xi lay in bed and soon fell asleep in Li Yuan's arms.

Li Yuan heartbreakingly embraced the girl and tucked her under the covers before slipping away. The girl was so tired that her hands reached out to grab him at random. In the end, she snuggled up against the covers and fell into a deep slumber.

He watched her by the bed for a long time and tiptoed his way out. Shutting the bedroom door, he went downstairs to look for Fu Qingye and the rest.

Fu Qingxuan wanted to check on Fu Qingli with Shangguan Yanqiu, but since Lu Li and Lu Guoguo were there, the mother and son decided to leave them some space.

At present, the family sat in the living room wide awake. No one could sleep after the series of events.

"Is Xixi asleep?" Watching as Li Yuan trod down the stairs, Shangguan Yanqiu inquired in hushed tones.

"She's asleep." Li Yuan responded and took a seat next to Fu Qingye. "How is it going with Dad and Great-uncle's family?"

Fu Handing sighed. "Your Uncle Hanji is too stubborn to let go of the matter. He's resigning from his position in the company and intends to see the world. It's quite a blow for your Great-uncle. I'm afraid he might not make it through."

Although Fu Handing considered Fu Hannian and them as separate entities, the episode stuck out like a sore thumb to Fu Hanji and Great-uncle. It would be easier for them to come around.

Li Yuan nodded in understanding of where Dad was coming from. They were family. With the wicked dead, the living should carry on living.

Nevertheless, Fu Hanji and Great-uncle had a conscience that would ride on them for life.

The sky outside had turned from dusk to dawn.

Lu Li walked out of Fu Qingli's bedroom and gazed at the family in the living room. "Mr. and Mrs. Fu, he's awake."

This guy was a freak to regain consciousness so quickly despite his severe injuries.

Hearing that, Shangguan Yanqiu immediately got up and ran over.

Fu Handing picked up the pace to hold her steady.

Li Yuan and the rest followed behind.

Fu Qingli looked at the crowd surrounding him and gestured to keep it quiet before pointing at Lu Guoguo who was sleeping next to him.

Since it was not a time for questions, Shangguan Yanqiu took the chance to get a grip on herself and looked at Fu Qingli with concern. She then turned to Fu Qingxuan and gave him a look to examine Fu Qingli.