Rebirth from the Ashes

Chapter 713: Ward Off Intruders or Her?

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Apart from Li Yuan, Fu Qingxuan, and Fu Handing, who were introduced to the food by Shen Xi already, it was the first time everyone tried out a self-heating hotpot and river snail rice noodles.

Fu Qingli, especially, put himself on a strict diet and saw fast and convenient food as junk. He would not cast a glance at this type of food in the past. Yet, it became quite fascinating to enjoy it with the whole family.

Fu Jungiu ate and enjoyed the food the most. She took a bit of time from stuffing her face to ask, “This stuff is amazing. How come I never knew about it? It’s delicious and the ingredients are fresh.”

Shen Xi had a lot of time on her hands as she ate the food the others had given to her after several rinses. “Aunt Junqiu, you think it’s great too? Do you think that there’s a market for it here?”

Fu Jungiu had not had the chance to reply.

As helplessness flashed past his eyes, Fu Qingli tapped the table with his chopsticks and cleared his throat. “No business on the dining table.”

It seemed she had not had enough even though they chatted for a long time in the study. Here she went again.

Shen Xi shut her mouth but quickly put it briefly. “Our company launched this product last year. We’ve only started on the market, so we hadn’t made a name for ourselves yet. The ones that I brought here were produced on the same day. The ingredients are fresh for sure.”

Alright, no business talk at the dining table. However, she believed the self-heating hotpot, river snail rice noodles, rice, and sort were mainly targeted at the Chinese community. This type of food did not appeal to or suit the palates of foreigners.

Besides, a large company like the Fu Corporation was into big deals with huge returns. Maybe she should stop talking since this business transaction was only a small change to the Fu family. Once the market took off nationally, a lot of work would be waiting for Shen Xi.

Nevertheless, the competition was fierce in the country. This sort of thing did not come with a patent. Many companies would follow suit and want a piece of the pie the moment she got the publicity out there.

‘The supper was a night to remember for the family. After filling their bellies, they chatted a while in the living room before returning to their respective rooms for bedtime.

Standing by the window, Shen Xi carefully looked around to make sure there was no one before opening the window. She had gotten to climbing down when the window beneath was opened. She lowered her gaze and saw a hand reaching out and gesturing to her to go back inside.

Shen Xi’s face fell. “…”

Was this person keeping an eye on her and waiting for her to make a move?

Shen Xi sulkily went back to bed and held the blanket as she rolled around. She then sent Li Yuan a text message. [Shen Xi: Brother, I can’t sleep.

Li Yuan sent over a request for a video call. He looked at her. “Do you fancy a bedtime story or a lullaby?”

Snuffling, Shen Xi lay in bed and smooshed her face against the sheets. Her voice was muffled. “Can I have my pillow?”

“No pillow for you.” Li Yuan sighed and softly uttered, “Your eldest brother is next door. He saw you just now. Behave yourself and tough it out.”

With puffed-up cheeks, Shen Xi bit her lips and agreed to it. “A lullaby, it is.”

She recalled that there were no anti-theft windows the last time she was here. Why was security added to the windows now? Was it to ward off burglary or her?

Her thoughts made sense, albeit absurd. Shaking her head, she tucked herself under the covers and held a pillow as the man’s alluring voice lured her to dreamland.

Perhaps she was exhausted or maybe the man’s voice was hypnotizing, it did not take long before she fell asleep.

Li Yuan listened to the girl’s steady breathing for a long while and ended the video call. Then, the window next door was shut. Li Yuan helplessly shook his head and smiled to himself. Here was to all the brothers in the world.

The night was quiet, leaving only the howling wind in the background.

‘The New Year’s holiday was for three days.

Shen Xi came to Fu residence a day before the holidays commenced. She spent two days there and was due to leave in the afternoon of the third day. Shen Xi had been absent from school for far too long, so it would be inexcusable if she skipped the term exams too.

Li Yuan did not spend every day at Fu’s residence. He had work to do and knew better to give the Fu family and Shen Xi some space to bond.

Fu Handing and Shangguan Yanqiu were appreciative and grateful for the gesture.

It was a different case with the Fu brothers. They had a bone to pick at whatever Li Yuan did. They would prefer if Li Yuan could disappear altogether.

Like Shangguan Yangqiu, Fu Jungiu gradually warmed up to Li Yuan during the past few days. Li Yuan just about made the cut to stand by their precious princess.

Shen Xi spent her last morning in Fu’s residence while Li Yuan left after having his breakfast. He was coming back to pick Shen Xi up later in the afternoon for their return to China.

The whole family, including Fu Qingli the workaholic, remained at home to spend more time with their sister.

Fu Qingye pushed all his schedule back for a week and terminated the contract of work that could not be delayed. To him, showbiz was not more important than his sister.

Fu Qingxuan arranged his own work to his own will. If it were not because he had an important experiment at hand, Fu Qingxuan would fly with Shen Xi back to China.

The Fu brothers were busy in the kitchen as afternoon approached.

Fu Handing and Shangguan Yanqiu sat with Shen Xi in the living room to watch TV.

Shen Xi was knitting a scarf for Fu Qingxuan. Having the basic needlework pat down, the knitting itself became an easy and quick process. A scarf was the easiest of them all too. The one in Shen Xi’s hands was near completion.

Shangguan Yangiu had gotten way ahead of herself, discussing with her husband about plans to return to China. Their daughter’s career was in China and not here after all.

Even if Shen Xi had the time or off days to visit them, they would only see her a few times a year. It was also a hassle to travel back and forth.

The couple might as well move back to China and buy the villa next to hers. If Shen Xi planned to stay in the same house after marriage, they could also link the villas together.

As for their sons at home, Shangguan Yanqiu and Fu Handing believed the boys could leave the nest and be free to do whatever they wanted to. Qingli would not be able to go to China since the family business was here. Qingye’s career and Qingxuan’s workplace were established here too.

“Mom, Dad, aren’t you thinking too far ahead?” Shen Xi was helpless. They were already planning up a storm even though nothing was mentioned yet..