Rebirth from the Ashes

Not wanting to wake Shen Xi from her sleep, Li Yuan entered the room with a room key. To his surprise, she still was woken up by the noise. Li Yuan walked into the room to find the girl darting a dangerously wary look at him, like a leopard on a hunt. However, realizing that it was him, the girl loosened up her tensed muscles.

Li Yuan approached for a closer look at the girl in bed. Before he could say anything, the girl suddenly gave him a tug and held him tight, burying her head in his chest.

With his heart going out to her, Li Yuan gently stroked her hair and rested his chin on her head as he sighed. “Can’t sleep?”

Shen Xi nodded and snuggled up in his embrace. Feeling the chills from his body, she pulled the covers over and looked up to him. “Let’s sleep on the bed.”

Li Yuan leaned forward to nuzzle her forehead. “I need a shower.”

He knew that she was ill at ease today. Following their video call, he took a flight to come for her and needed a shower after the journey.

Shaking her head, Shen Xi dully said, “You’re fine.”

As though to prove she was right, Shen Xi burrowed against his neck and lifted her head to kiss his chin. His stubbles tickled her to laughter.

Li Yuan looked at her. “What’s the matter?”

Shen Xi nuzzled his chin. “Brother, you have facial hair.”

Li Yuan burst into laughter. “I always have facial hair.”

He shaved this morning, but the stubbles had grown now that it was in the wee hours of the next day. He wondered if she hated it.

“Itchy.” The drowsy throatiness in Shen Xi’s mews could melt his heart. She then nuzzled his chin again like a curious child.

“Don’t touch it if it tickles you.” Li Yuan placed his forehead against hers and gruffly said, “I’ll be back after a shower, okay?”

“Sure.” Giving a nod, Shen Xi compliantly let go and watched the man get up to leave together with the duvet. She nestled on the sofa while fixing her gaze at the bathroom.

Soon, the trickling of water was heard from the bathroom. She blinked and blinked her eyes before sneaking over there. Although tempted to push the door open, she failed to muster the courage. Hence, she ran back to the sofa and covered her face with a blanket, revealing only her eyes that refused to look away from the bathroom.

Li Yuan came out of the shower to find the girl lying on the sofa. She propped her chin on her arm while her dazzling eyes were fixated on him. He smiled. “Is it nice to watch?”

Shen Xi incessantly bobbed her head. Waddling in her slippers, she fetched the hairdryer and plugged it on before grinning at him. “Brother, let me blow your hair.”

The man, fresh out of the shower, wore a white bathrobe, revealing his long neck and exquisite collar bone. His dewy face brought out his alluring charm so much so she could not take her eyes away.

Feeling delighted, Li Yuan drew close and leaned forward to check the girl out. “Aren’t you tired?”

Shen Xi shook her head and pulled him to sit down on the sofa. She nagged, “I want to blow your hair.”

With his eyes reflecting growing joy, Li Yuan could feel the gentle breeze blowing against his head and the girl’s tender hand caressing his hair every now and then. The numbing and tingling sensation went from his physical body straight to his heart.

Quietly and gently, Shen Xi touched his hair as she carefully blew dry his scalp and every strand of hair. Since he used her shampoo and body gel, they now shared the same bodily scent.

There was an indescribable serenity in the picture of them together in the living room. Only the sound of the hairdryer at work and the soft breeze echoed in the background.

A while later, Li Yuan broke the silence. “Are you tired?”

Shen Xi shook her head and scoffed. “I’m not a sheltered girl. What’s holding a hairdryer and blowing hair going to do to me?”

“You’re my sheltered girl.” Li Yuan chuckled heartily with an allure that could make her knees go weak.

Shen Xi believed Li Yuan’s voice was like a dancing music note playing at her heartbeat. “Brother, did you eat something sweet?”

Li Yuan abruptly lifted his chin and seized the girl’s hand with the hairdryer to put it down. With his other hand, he held the back of the girl’s head and met his lips with hers. It took a while before he let her go. Li Yuan deeply laughed. “Yes, I did.”

Shen Xi’s breathing turned ragged while her face was flushed red. Gazing at the man’s rosy and moist lips, she gave him a pouty look and spitefully uttered, “I want to blow your hair.”

Heeding the call, Li Yuan quickly returned the hairdryer to her and sat up straight. “Please continue.”

Shen Xi suddenly bent over and bit his lips in revenge. Feeling the stiffening of his body, she let out a smug laugh. “You’re not the only naughty one.”

Li Yuan chuckled with glee.

They then quieted down until Li Yuan’s hair was dry. Shen Xi leaned over to put down the hairdryer and was getting back up when she was suddenly carried away. Out of instinct, Shen Xi fastened her arms around him and gazed at him with watery eyes. “Brother.”

“Time for bed.” Li Yuan carried the girl to the bedroom and placed her in bed before tucking her in. He then went to retrieve another set of duvets.

Shen Xi longingly gazed at him. “Brother, my heart hurts.”

From a standing position, Li Yuan looked at her.

Holding onto the bed covers, Shen Xi pleaded with a melting voice and tear-filled eyes, “It’d only stop hurting if you hold me to sleep.”

It was a look Li Yuan could not refuse. His knees just buckled in. Sighing to himself, Li Yuan turned around and put the duvet back in the closet before turning to the girl. “Scooch over.”

Shen Xi moved a little to the side to give him space. She threw off the covers and gazed at him.

With Li Yuan lying down by her side, the girl took the opportunity to roll into his embrace and snuggle up. Clasping his waist, she spoke in a muffled voice, “Brother, it’s not good for you to come this late. You’ll spoil me.”

Li Yuan kissed her hair. “I’d like that.”

He wanted to spoil her and give her whatever she wanted.

Shen Xi laughed out loud. “I’m actually fine. It’s a great thing to have found my real family. It’s not a bad thing. At least I know I don’t share the Su family’s foul blood.”

She should be happy. In fact, she was relieved as in the past, the only thorn in her flesh was her bloodline. Shen Xi had the blood of Li Jingran and Su Yi, the vile couple, running through her veins.

Now she was aware that this was no longer the case.. She was the daughter of Uncle Jin Yu and Mama Fu, and no other fact made her happier than this.