Shen Xi took another glance at the courtyard in silence.
Regardless of the reason, pressure, and burden that Fu Qingli may have, Shen Xi could only see him in a negative light.
All was quiet in the living room after Fu Qingli and Fu Qingxuan took off to the courtyard. There was not a peep from the bedroom either.
Half an hour later.
The bedroom door was opened from the inside.
Jin Yu and Shangguan Yanqiu walked out side by side.
Shen Xi looked back and smiled at them. There were no words to describe the feeling she got when seeing them standing together.
If she had to describe, she would have to say they were soulmates and truly compatible be it in temperaments or looks. They were made for each other.
It was a wondrous feeling. She sneaked a peek at the man beside her. She wondered if other people felt the same about her and Li Yuan.
Maybe one day they would become a perfect match like them.
Fu Qingxuan and Fu Qingli returned to the living room one after the other.
“Thank you, Xixi.” Shangguan Yanqiu drew close and held Shen Xi by the hands. Despite her swollen eyes and raspy voice, she was gentle all the same. “We should get going. Please relay my thanks to your parents for your hospitality.”
“You’re welcome.” Shen Xi was genuinely happy for them, especially with the cloud of gloom buried within Madam Fu’s frown lines cleared up. “Madam Fu, Uncle Ji Yu, congratulations.”
The family would be complete once their daughter was also found. It was great that good things were happening in this life.
Yet, for some reason, Shen Xi noticed a hint of bitterness and envy deep down when watching their family.
Jin Yu gazed tenderly at her. Although he had returned, their daughter was still missing. Oh, how he hoped Xixi was his daughter.
Fu Qingli was exchanging pleasantries with Li Yuan before saying his goodbyes. Xuan, the idiot, did not give a clear idea about Li Yuan’s relationship with Dad other than that they were close.
Nevertheless, Fu Qingli did not think he would change his attitude towards Li Yuan even if he knew about their relationship. He and Li Yuan were archnemeses. This was an irrefutable fact that nothing or no one could change.
Shen Xi, together with Li Yuan, walked the whole family to the door and watched them leave in a car. She was suddenly swallowed by emptiness.
Slouching against the car seat, Fu Qingxuan looked at Shen Xi through the rear window. He sniffled a little as a reflection of his sorrow. “Mom, do you think it would be hard on Meanie?”
Meanie was good at hiding her feelings and not at all insensitive as she put out. She must feel sour about the Su family!
She was born to the Su family after all. Sometimes, he resented the injustice of God. Why did Meanie have to be the Su family’s daughter? Why Li Jingran’s daughter?
Why could she not be his sister? Why not the Fu family’s daughter?
Fu Qingxuan could only afford these thoughts in his mind as guilt quickly took over. He would never say anything about wanting someone else to be his sister behind his sister’s back. This was where the line was drawn.
Confused for a moment, Shangguan Yanqiu soon knew what he was talking about. With her heart breaking to pieces, she failed to cover up the sorrow and pain in her eyes. “Xixi is a good kid.”
She was absolutely fond of the child, but Shen Xi had a tough life. Often enough, many in Xixi’s case would appear and act unbothered but no one really knew what would be going on inside their minds.
Shangguan Yanqiu had never met Li Jingran, nor did she want to. If there came a day their paths crossed, Shangguan Yanqiu would question Li Jingran for treating her own daughter in such a way. A mother would never kill her own. Was Li Jingran’s heart made of stone?
For all the time spent together with Shen Xi, Jin Yu had a first-hand experience of her carefree spirit and forging ahead despite all the hurt in the past. It only made Shen Xi value her happiness more and she made it clear to Jin Yu through her every gesture. Squeezing Shangguan Yanqiu’s hand, he expressed with emotion, “She’s doing well now.”
Her adoptive parents were good to Shen Xi and thought of her as their own. Shen Xi was an apple to their eye. Although they found their flesh and blood, they were not people to play favorites.
Like a mindless fool, Shen Xi fixed her gaze ahead. The car was long gone but she remained as she was.
Li Yuan quietly stood with her and only spoke a long while later. “Have you had dinner?”
Snapping out of her thoughts, Shen Xi shook her head. “No.”
“Are you going to wait for your parents or have it with me?” Li Yuan asked her.
It was an emotional day for his fair lady. Was she reminded of the Su family when she witnessed Uncle Jin Yu reuniting with his family?
She did not speak much of it, but the Su family remained a thorn on her side. Otherwise, she would not go after them ceaselessly.
“I’ll ask my mom when they’ll be back.” Shen Xi whipped out her phone to give Yun Jinping a call. After hanging up, she pushed his wheelchair next door with a smile. “My mom said she’d be working late tonight. I’ll have to fix dinner for myself.”
As for Old Shen, he was busy with a huge project of his own. He had flown out this morning.
Granny Yu mentioned she was lonesome and could not get used to living here as this neighborhood was quiet with barely anyone to chat with. Hence, she returned to her own home.
Elders at this age loved a good chat. There were fewer people in most villas, especially those of the golden age; unlike in the regular neighborhood where pensioners were the majority.
“What do you fancy?” Li Yuan curled his lips with delight with his little sunshine back to her old self.
“Brother, how about we enjoy a night out and have a barbeque!” Once at the door, Shen Xi beamed as she stopped and inquired about his opinion.
“Sure.” Li Yuan nodded. Her wish is his command.
“Let’s go then.” Shen Xi turned his wheelchair around and took two steps before realizing Toffeecito was still sticking around on his lap. She leaned over and poked it. “Hey, go home.”
Having just woken up, Toffeecito rolled over and revealed its furry and soft belly before letting out a coy meow.
Shen Xi gave it another jab. “Stop playing dumb. I’m talking to you.”
Li Yuan dotingly grinned. Before he could stick up for Toffeecito, he glanced upon a red Audi driving their way. His face turned solemn. “Xixi, that’s your mom’s car.”
Shen Xi looked up and discovered the same. She was too focused on talking to realize an incoming car. Turning as white as a sheet, she turned to make a run for it.
