Rebirth from the Ashes - Chapter 699

Chapter 699: His Baby with His Fair Lady Would Be Cuter

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Song Wenye split her sides when Xixi told her the story. Xixi even joked that Toffeecito preferred Dad over Mom since it only left good stuff to its dad.

Fu Qingli was as cool as a cucumber. “Should I get Xu Xu to buy Toffeecito some rats and cockroaches?”

Shen Xi took the snappy remark like a champ, or so she thought. Fu Qingli was only doing unto her as she did to him. “Hold on, I’ll go and grab some.”

Watching as she stormed off, Fu Qingli patted Toffeecito’s fluffy head and curled his lips. “The food’s coming.”

Song Wenye looked at Shen Xi and then at Fu Qingli. This pair of siblings never saw eye to eye, yet there was an indescribable sense of harmony about them. In short, their relationship was strange.

Stroking a cat for the first time ever, Fu Qingli started to get hooked on petting the cat. He would feed Toffeecito and tease it with a toy sparrow by twirling it around the living room.

Song Wenye’s jaw dropped. Oh, gawd! It did not take long for an unapproachable Greek God to turn into a cat slave. No one could resist the charms of the felines.

Shen Xi munched on snacks while childishly calling Toffeecito from time to time to interrupt them. Nevertheless, the cat pretended to hear nothing nor was it tempted by its favorite multi-vitamin cream. It appeared Toffeecito was caught up playing games with Fu Qingli.
Having taken notice, Shen Zhangqing cheerfully told Li Yuan, “My Toffeecito is so lovable.”

Struck by a thought, the smile on his face froze. It slipped Shen Zhangqing’s mind that Toffeecito was a gift from Li Yuan to Xixi. Still, it did not change the fact that Toffeecito was cute.

“Yes.” Li Yuan nodded with a smile.

Shen Zhanggqing did not continue the conversation. He wiped his hands. “I’m going out to make a call to ask if my wife and the rest are back. They should arrive by now.”

“Sure.” Li Yuan responded. He lifted the lid and checked on the braised pork trotter.

‘Walking to the door, Shen Zhangqing yelled, “Toffeecito, come to Grandpa.”

Li Yuan looked back to Toffeecito having mad fun with Fu Qingli in the living room. It was not known whether Toffeecito was not listening or simply tuning him out as it engaged in springing up and down to catch the sparrow.
Grandpa, huh?

His baby with his fair lady would be cuter.

Shen Xi turned her head and met the tenderness in Li Yuan’s narrow eyes. Letting out a bright smile, she got up and ran to the kitchen.

She was not the only one given the cold shoulder. Toffeecito was rejecting Old Shen too, and that gave Shen Xi peace of mind. However, what sorcery did Fu Qingli possess? Was he a human catnip? Toffeecito brushed off everyone else just to play with him alone.
Approaching Li Yuan, the girl poked his arm and stared at the food in the pot with sparkling eyes. Li Yuan warmly uttered, “It has to be braised for another ten minutes before it’s ready.”

Shen Xi drooled as she stared at Li Yuan, licking her lips.

“You can taste a small piece.” Li Yuan dotingly smiled as he lifted the lid to scoop a small piece into a bowl. Before he could hand her a pair of chopsticks, the girl got right down to business and picked it up with her hands, like a thieving kitten. After blowing on the meat twice, she leaned in for a bite.
The pork trotter fresh out the pot was hot. Shen Xi took a bite only to stick out her tongue in a grimace. She wanted to take a second bite when she was seized by the wrist.

Li Yuan drew close and puffed at it. “Give it a few minutes before you eat.”

By then, Shen Xi had gobbled the meat up and swallowed. She was craving for more. “It doesn’t taste as good if it’s cold.”

“Your stomach’s going to hurt if the food’s too hot.” Li Yuan brought the pork trotter close to feeling it with his lips. Feeling that the temperature was just right, he let go of her hand. “Does it fall off the bone?”

“It’s alright.” Shen Xi delivered the pork trotter to his mouth. “Have a taste.”

Li Yuan nibbled. “It’s not soft enough that it falls off the bone. I should let it simmer for longer.”

Shen Xi enjoyed her piece while gazing at the pot. “I think it’s good. Get me another piece.”

Li Yuan said, “Have some later.”

Shen Xi commented, “No. You took one bite out of mine. You have to pay me back with another piece.”

Li Yuan paused for a bit. “I took one bite out of yours?”

Shen Xi did not get the message. “You took a mouthful.”

‘With Li Yuan abruptly sidling up to her, his scorching breaths brushed against her ear. His breathing was ragged. “You can take one bite out of mine.”

Shen Xi stopped chomping on the pork trotter and turned red in the face. As the man’s handsome face loomed up in sight, Shen Xi opened her mouth and came close.

However, Li Yuan suddenly took a step back and nodded at the person coming in with a smile.

Song Wenye came into the kitchen to grab some beverages. It never crossed her mind that she would become the third wheel to kill their lovey-dovey mood. She partially covered her eyes. “Um… Please carry on. I saw nothing.”
Shen Xi had her back facing the kitchen entrance. Hearing Song Wenye’s voice, it struck Shen Xi the reason for Li Yuan’s sudden withdrawal. She cleared her throat.

With beverages in her hands, Song Wenye cried out loud, “Mr. Shen, what do you need? I’ll retrieve it for you.”

Shen Xi was rendered speechless by Song Wenye’s deliberate high-pitched voice. Did she think they would continue doing their thing in her presence? There was no need for that poorly disguised attempt to warn them as it would only raise Old Shen’s suspicion!
As expected, Shen Zhangqing stepped into the kitchen following Song Wenye’s words. His eyes were like radars, scanning them for any suspicious activity. He let it go once he was satisfied that nothing was out of the norm.
Shen Xi moved to the front and gave him a half-eaten pork trotter. “Dad, do you want to have a bite?”

Shen Zhangqing might be talking to her, but he was looking at Li Yuan. “Is it cooked? All you do is eat.”

Li Yuan nodded his head and replied to him. “It’s cooked but isn’t at the point that the meat falls off the bone. I’ll let it simmer for a little longer.”

Shen Zhangqing leaned in for a look. Without a word, he walked around the kitchen before turning to Shen Xi. “Come out with me so we can have a game of chess.”

Shen Xi shoved Li Yuan to him. “Dad, he can play a round with you.”

Shen Zhangqing remarked, “Who’s going to watch the fire?”

Shen Xi pointed at herself. “Me!”

Shen Zhangqing snorted. As if he did not know the daughter he raised. “You? The dish won’t ever leave the kitchen.”

Li Yuan snickered. “Tl keep an eye on the fire. Go and enjoy a round with Uncle Shen. The food’s about to be ready.”

Uncle Shen was right. She would finish the pork trotters before the food could leave the kitchen if she was left in charge. Nevertheless, he took pleasure in making food while she nipped here and there. It gave him a feeling of happiness.
Shen Xi turned back to glare at him. Walking with Shen Zhangqing to the door, she looked back. “Deliver two pieces over when it’s ready.”

Li Yuan answered, “Sure.”

In the living room, Toffeecito’s breath finally caught up to it after going at it for half an hour. Lying on Fu Qingli’s lap. Toffecito closed its eyes and snored.

With Shen Zhangqing and Shen Xi bringing out the chessboard, Fu Qingli carried Toffeecito to watch.

Shen Xi looked at him.. “Do you know how to play?”