Rebirth from the Ashes

Chapter 648: The Surprise Out of Nowhere

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The gift box lay quietly at the most prominent spot in the living room. There were also cats on top of it. Toffeecito and Song Wenye’s Song Xiaomi rested on all fours there.

With Shen Xi and Song Wenye coming down to a huge box sitting in the living room, Shen Xi was baffled. “Who is that for? What’s inside?”

Ruan Sisi raised her hand and chuckled in delight. “Teacher, it’s a gift from me and your teacher to you. What’s inside is a secret.”

Following Mrs. Shen’s arrangement, Ruan Sisi and Jiang Yin were assigned to present the gift.

Shen Xi walked over and got on her tiptoes but was unable to reach Toffeecito as the present was too big and tall. Wondering what junk her teacher and Ruan Sisi got her, Shen Xi tapped on the box. A hollow sound echoed.

In the back, Song Wenye snickered cunningly and gazed at the box in amazement. She always thought her love life went on too smoothly, which made Xixi and Toffeecito’s relationship all the more interesting.

People were shuffling about in the living room.

Shen Zhangqing was carrying a dish out when he saw his daughter dolled up in a gorgeous red fish-tail gown. She was as beautiful as an angel. Still, he could not shake off the blues.

This was not a wedding. Xixi was having a family get-together for her eighteenth birthday, not some ball. What was with the formal outfit? Was it to show the kid?

Since Shen Xi was the birthday girl, she was off duty from any chores. She could not do much as Song Wenye made her wear an evening dress. Hence, Shen Xi sat on the sofa to watch the TV while stuffing her face with junk food.

Fu Qingxuan did not lend a helping hand and stayed by her side instead. Without a word, he drew a stoic and blank face and frowned at her every now and then.

Shen Xi picked up some seed shells and tossed them at him. “What’s with you? It’s my birthday today, you know.”

Fu Qingxuan was pretty happy when he came in this morning. What changed him? He was acting like someone owed him a fortune.

Still holding his tongue, Fu Qingxuan scoffed and kept his eyes on the TV. By the corner of his eye, he peered at the huge box in the living room and cursed that the person inside would suffocate to death.

Shen Xi would take a glance at the gift from time to time, curious about what was inside. Anything from her teacher could not be surmised with common sense.

The family worked together and soon a whole spread of feast was ready. A spot right smack in the middle was left empty for a birthday cake. They were going to have a cake before dinner.

“Where’s the birthday cake? Did any of you buy the cake? We have a lot of people here, so I expect a big one.” Shen Xi looked around but could not find the cake. She asked, “Mom, are we having longevity noodles today?”

Jiang Yin took a glance at Yun Jinping then at Shen Zhangqing, giving them a look at how to handle the matter. Who was going to take charge of the question?

With a gentle smile on her face, Yun Jinping nodded at Jiang Yin to give her full reins.

Shen Zhangqing kept a straight face, but the dreary mood got to him.

“Your birthday cake’s inside the present.” Jiang Yin pointed at the present in the living room before instructing Shen Xi with a grin, “Open the box and take it out.”

Getting a weird vibe from Jiang Yin’s smile, Shen Xi approached the box while mumbling to herself if Jiang Yin was trying to prank her on her birthday. It was something her teacher was likely to do.

The birthday cake must be more than ten feet tall judging by the size of the box. Surely, the cake must be expensive too, probably around several million yuan. Her teacher sure spent a fortune.

“Open it up.” Jiang Yin was on edge for her, seeing that Shen Xi was taking her time. She urged Shen Xi. “Hurry up. The food’s getting cold.”

Amid unfurling the ribbon, Shen Xi suspiciously looked back at Jiang Yin before ripping off the ribbon. She was trying to figure out how to unbox it when suddenly, the front popped open like a door from inside.

Shen Xi tried to get out of the way in case something was to explode in her face. However, a charming man emerged with a smile while holding a three-tiered decorated cake.

Frozen on the spot, Shen Xi stared at the person in disbelief. She had to blink multiples to ensure her eyes were not deceiving her.

Why was Li Yuan in the present? Why was he at her home?

“Happy birthday.” Li Yuan blissfully gazed at her with adoration written all over his dark eyes. He could only see her in his line of vision.

The red gown the girl wore today brought out her exquisite allure.

“Brother,” Shen Xi exclaimed in delight before running to his embrace. As she got closer, she realized he was holding a big cake.

Shen Xi did not want to think about the reason he was here right now as there was no question that he wanted to give her a huge surprise. She was hot with emotions.

Holding the cake, Li Yuan drew close and nodded at everyone in the room. He uttered with a smile, “I should formally introduce myself. I’m Li Yuan, Xixi’s boyfriend.”

“Hello.” Song Wenye was the first to wave back. Having seen Toffeecito’s Dad before, she was likely the first to meet him in person. She was thrilled beyond words, trying to stop herself from screaming at Xixi to kiss him as she held onto Ruan Sisi’s arm.

Dumbstruck, Ruan Sisi goofily waved her arm and drooled over the handsome man. Oh, gawd. He was such a dreamboat. Only a man with such looks was worthy to stand next to her teacher.

Jiang Yin nodded her head. She had crossed paths with Li Yuan once, but it was only a fleeting glance. Jiang Yin already knew that he was a good-looking man, but the fact that he was crippled outplayed his Greek God facial features. With the disability out of the equation, Jiang Yin was blown away by his appearance. Humans were visual creatures after all. Everyone would take a second glance at pretty faces.

The man had a golden ratio of a physical structure. With long legs and looks like that, he would sweep the competition away and reign on top of the modeling world.

Pei Xu and Yu Qiubai had never met Toffeecito’s Dad before. Although they believed they were hotties, they paled in comparison to Toffeecito’s Dad.

As for Yun Jinping, Shen Zhangqing, Yu Yuanxi, and Fu Qingxuan, they were lost in their own thoughts, dwelling in unspeakable feelings that only they knew.

Having gotten over the pleasant shock, Shen Xi knew the surprise could only happen with the blessing of her parents. She turned toward them.

Yun Jinping hung her head low to hide her crying eyes. She was choking up, feeling a lump in her throat. Yun Jinping did not want her daughter to see her in such a state because her daughter should be happy during her birthday.

Shen Zhangqing was tempted to turn his head away yet held it all together.. He gazed at her and smiled, but the shimmering tears gave it away.