Rebirth from the Ashes

Shen Zhangqing and Madam Yun were about to celebrate their ungrateful daughter’s birthday!

Yun Jinping came out of the kitchen with the dishes in her hands and caught a glimpse of her beloved daughter, who stood gawking at the doorway with streaks of tears on her face. She cried, “What are you standing there for? Help me serve the dishes!”

Like a leopard cub, Shen Xi rushed inside the house and hugged Shen Zhangqing tightly as she wailed. “Dad, I’m sorry, it’s all my fault.”

Shen Zhangqing was, at first, stunned by her actions. When he finally got a good look at her, he pushed her away sourly. “Who let you back here? Go away!”

Shen Xi refused to let go and cried even louder. “No, I’ll never go away. Don’t ever leave me again.”

Shen Zhangqing clenched his teeth as he tried to shove her away. With red-rimmed eyes, he said, “Let me go, I’m not your father. Go home now and stop fooling around.”

“Dad, the whole family ganged up on me. They hit me!” Shen Xi wept pitifully.

“Where? Show me now!” Shen Zhangqing could not hold himself back any longer and grew frantic.

“Look, Dad. On my arms, legs and my entire body.” Shen Xi rolled up her sleeves and pant legs.

Shen Zhangqing’s eyes were bloodshot. He got up and ran into the kitchen.

Shen Xi’s face was covered in tears and snot. Her vision was blurry and her voice was hoarse. “Dad, where are you going?!”

Shen Zhangqing came out of the kitchen. He had two large knives in each of his hands and appeared to be in search of a brawl. “I’ll kill Su Yi!”

That *ssh*le dared to bully his daughter!

He had always pampered Shen Xi and never laid a finger on her!

Normally, Shen Zhangqing was a mild-mannered man, but whenever there was an issue concerning Shen Xi, he would become agitated. He wanted to confront the Su family and kill Su Yi.

It took Shen Xi and her mother, Yun Jinping, some time convincing Shen Zhangqing before he put down the knives sulkily.

His age had taken its toll on him and he was fat. After the whole ordeal, he panted as he sat on the sofa. He swore, “Su Yi is a son of a b*tch!”

Shen Xi nodded in response. “Son of a b*tch.”

Shen Zhangqing muttered, “He’d better not let me see him, or else I’ll kill him.”

Shen Xi replied, “Kill him!”

Shen Zhangqing added, “He thinks my daughter doesn’t have anyone to defend her, eh? I’ll defend her!”

Shen Xi chorused, “Defend her!”

Yun Jinping watched as father and daughter engaged in a dialogue, where one barked and the other replied as if they were in a crosstalk¹. She sighed helplessly and said, “Alright, you two, stop fooling around. If this goes on, the dishes are going to get cold. Help me with the dishes.”

Shen Zhangqing wheezed and his face was tinged bright red. He shuffled towards the kitchen.

Shen Xi sniffled and tugged at his sleeve. “Dad, you should lose some weight.”

The emotional outburst caused Old Shen to perspire and gasp for air. If he continued to gain weight, he was bound to get sick. Once upon a time, Old Shen was a good-looking and energetic young man.

However, the years of doing business and drinking with his clients had taken a toll on his health. His weight had increased along with his tolerance for alcohol.

Yun Jinping nodded as well. “Old Shen, you should listen to Xixi!”

Earlier, she was worried that he would pass out due to his breathing difficulties.

When he went for a health check-up last time, the doctor told him that his weight had led to complications in his organs.

Old Shen was stressed out while Xixi was away for the whole year, and his weight rose rapidly. The doctor said that his fatness was a result of stress.

After the incident, the family finally settled down for dinner.

Shen Xi was not hungry, for she already had something to eat when she came home. She was eating a slice of cake.

Yun Jinping looked at her. “How was the neighbor?”

Shen Xi pondered for a moment and bit her fork. “Some weirdo.”

Yun Jinping asked, “How is he like?”

Shen Xi answered, “His leg is broken and he sits in a wheelchair. He’s alone and doesn’t speak, kinda tragic.”