The feeling was fleeting for Fu Qingxuan as it was outweighed by the hostility and spite he had for the man. No matter what, he was an animal for laying a finger on a high school girl!
Meanwhile, Pei Xu and Song Wenye were whispering into each other’s ears. He could relax now knowing that this person was not Toffeecito’s dad. The middle-aged man in the wheelchair was not a good match for Xixi.
Moreover, he had seen Toffeecito’s dad at Situ family’s pharmaceutical manufacturing factory the other day but Pei Xu did not get a good look at his face because the man remained in the dimly lit car.
After the exchange of introductions and greetings, Jin Yu went on his way.
Fu Qingxuan kept an eye on him until he stepped into his house before unhappily turning away.
This was a major and beautiful misunderstanding. While there were long faces, there were also people in delight. A contrast from Fu Qingxuan who bottled up all his questions, Yun Jinping and Shen Zhangqing were both merry.
Yun Jinping looked at Shen Zhangqing and whispered in his ear. “Honey, do you feel better now?”
“Yes.” Shen Zhangqing was beaming. Having met the neighbor, at last, he felt relieved.
It was a huge family celebration for Shen Xi to submit her college application. If they were back in their hometown, they would be laying out tables and inviting the whole neighborhood to celebrate.
Shen Zhanglin and his wife Du Juan came early to help out. Since it had been two weeks since the opening of their restaurant, things had started to calm down a bit. It would not do any harm if they left for a day or two.
Shen Tang was not around. Ever since her arrival at the capital, she had been keeping to a routine, clocking on and off work punctually every day, but she was recently occupied with helping Qi Xiu to work on the rookies’ debut album.
On his summer break, Shen Feng followed his professor to the capital two weeks ago to work on a project with Capital University. He just got off the phone with the professor when he saw the group entering the house.
He recognized two people among the group – Yu Qiubai and Fu Qingxuan. Upon closer look, Fu Qingxuan was in a wheelchair. He went up to greet them with a grin.
Song Wenye licked her chops at yet another hottie in the house. Although Shen Feng’s physical attractiveness did not take her breath away, he was still a hunk on par with Pei Xu and Yu Qiubai.
When Shen Feng came out, Yu Qiubai’s eyes peeked behind Shen Feng, but Shen Tang was nowhere to be found. Still, he said nothing.
Yu Qiubai tended to take things lightly as nothing was of importance to him except his mother. Nevertheless, the girl with a warm smile left a lingering impression on him.
Shen Feng sympathized with Fu Qingxuan after learning about his car accident. All that mattered was he turned out fine and his legs would be as good as new in no time.
Yun Jinping and Du Juan entertained the kids, serving them a whole spread of fruit platter, beverages, nuts, and seeds.
Having been to the Shens’ residence more than once, the group loosened up and made themselves at home, apart from the quiet Yu Yuanxi.
Yu Yuanxi looked around for things to do. Taking a glance at the rowdy group, he got up and went to the kitchen.
“Lil’ Yu, go and have fun with them. What are you doing here?” Shen Zhangqing chased him out of the kitchen. The child was honest and well-behaved with a heart of gold. In short, he was a good boy.
“I’m just sitting around. Just tell me what to do.” Yu Yuanxi smiled.
Shen Zhangqing had to say something since it was not proper to have a guest helping in the kitchen.
Welcoming the help, Yun Jinping gleefully turned to him. “Lil’ Yu, trim the greens for me. Honey, grab two radishes from the garden.”
“Sure.” Shen Zhangqing was on his way to the door when he looked whiningly at Yu Yuanxi for taking his seat. Why did he have a feeling that his wife thought he was more a bother than help?
Everyone in the kitchen was handling the labor work, apart from Shen Zhanglin. As a chef, no one else was best suited to do the cooking.
On vegetable chopping duty, Du Juan turned to glance at Yu Yuanxi who sat quietly opposite Yun Jinping. She had to say, she was fond of the quiet and handsome young chap.
She took notice of him from the start. With the boy’s discreet and quiet nature standing out among the cheery and boisterous bunch, Du Juan could tell he had a good temper.
“Mrs. Shen, I’m here to help.”
With Shen Zhangqing gone, there was extra room in the kitchen. All excited, Song Wenye came running in when she saw Yu Yuanxi. She was caught between entering and retreating.
She was told that Yu Yuanxi and Mr. Shen were in the garden picking radishes. Yet, here he was in the kitchen!
“Run along, you two. We have enough people here.” Yun Jinping smiled helplessly. It was a happy problem to have people fighting to help.
“I can wash the vegetables.” Song Wenye volunteered because that was all she knew. She had been to the Shens’ residence a few times and washed the vegetables. She was never usually found in the kitchen.
“Out, you.” Shen Zhangqing came bearing radishes he had hoisted outside. The white radishes looked adorable. “We got this. I’d have nowhere to stand with you guys in here.”
He then said to Yu Yuanxi, “Lil’ Yu, go and have a good time with them.”
Yu Yuanxi had no choice but to comply. He put down the potato, washed his hands, and went off. One step ahead of him, Song Wenye ran off.
With the kids gone, Du Juan and Yu Jinping sat together. Nothing made them happier than the sound of kids having a blast.
“Lil’ Yu is so nice and handsome,” Du Juan commented with all smiles.
She took to quiet and sensible children, especially boys. Rarely would there be a child so mature for his age.
The remaining kids were just as nice, but of course, there was bound to be a little favoritism in play. Not everyone was the same after all. Du Juan had a good first impression of Lil’ Yu.
“Yes.” Yun Jinping nodded in agreement and replied, “He’s nineteen this year. The same age as Zhifei.”
Du Juan stopped chopping the vegetable following the mention of the name, nearly cutting herself. She cautiously glanced at Yun Jinping before lamenting. “Oh, Jinping.”
No one in the family dared to bring up this name, afraid that it may evoke sad memories in Yun Jinping. However, not a day went by without them thinking of him, the Shen family’s child – Shen Zhifei.
Speaking of which, Zhifei was also a quiet and sensible child who never kicked up a fuss like his peers. Sigh, what a shame.
He would be as big as Lil’ Yu if he was still around.
“I’m okay.” Yun Jinping was only briefly letting her feelings out. She knew that one day, she would find her son and reunite with him.
Listening in on the conversation, Shen Zhangqing and Shen Zhanglin fell silent.
