Rebirth from the Ashes

Chapter 734: His Past (5)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The alley resumed its dead silence as the little girl’s footsteps faded away. Li Yuan could not feel the howling wind brushing against his body.

He slowly closed his eyes while his body was no longer susceptible to the cold.

Time appeared to pass slowly yet fast at the same time. The sound of footsteps reemerged in the alley. Instead of at a hastened pace, someone was approaching slowly and step by step.

The light footsteps belonged to a young child.

Judging by the careful treading, the child seemed afraid of him yet put on a brave face to draw close. He could even hear the child’s heart pounding out of her chest.

By the time she paused in motion, Li Yuan caught a whiff of food. He opened his eyes and looked into the little girl’s crystal-clear and bright eyes. Just like that, she crash-landed into his mind and soul.

Her tiny figure shivered in fear. After he scared her stiff, the little girl mustered the courage and put a bag of bun and hot soy milk by him before fleeing.

Li Yuan gazed at the food that was placed nicely on the floor. She did not toss the food aside because of the fear.

The little girl’s scurried footsteps were exactly like the first time he met her. Soon, she stopped in her tracks again.

From the corner of his eye, he observed the back of her figure as she paused in motion as though to make up her mind. The little girl put down her backpack and took off her red padded jacket before running back.

This time, she did not seem as scared anymore. Advancing, she gently placed the jacket by his feet and smiled. The little girl then got up and ran off.

He knew that she was terrified of him. Still, she came back to give him food, beverage, and clothes.

It was close to New Year’s back then. Her red padded jacket was new, so it must be her New Year’s gift.

Li Yuan found the will to live there and then, With a burst of energy overwhelming him, his stiffened body gradually recovered its sensation.

‘Mom was right. There was light and beauty in the world. He came across it the moment he was about to give up.

Because of her, Li Yuan overcame the darkest, most anguished, and most painful moments in his life. She was the last light and last defense line of his moral compass as a decent human being.

Her existence held him back from losing his mind from revenge and becoming the devil like that animal.

Shen Xi suddenly stirred a little in Li Yuan’s mind, pulling him out of his thoughts. With downcast eyes, Li Yuan looked at the girl in his embrace and his memory merged into one. Curling his lips, he held her tight.

He once thought he might never find her again. Their paths may not cross until the end. However, God was kind to him, and here she was in his arms.

“Brother.” Shen Xi mewed. His voice was hoarse.

“Yes?” Li Yuan softly responded as he lowered his gaze to her swollen eyes. He gave her light kisses.

“Brother.” Shen Xi cried while her clear eyes locked onto his, as if afraid he would suddenly disappear before her eyes.

“Tm here.” Meeting forehead to forehead, Li Yuan rubbed against her nose.

“Brother.” Shen Xi leaned in for a peck on his lips before swiftly backing off to bury her head against his chest. She moaned, “I’m tired.”

Li Yuan spoke in a tone so low and affectionate it came straight from the heart. “It’s a little chilly. Sleep in the car. You don’t want to catch a cold.”

His fair lady stopped talking and simply snuggled up in his embrace. Her head found a nice spot in his wide coat.

The car cruised along the road and pulled up on the driveway of Li Mansion half an hour later.

Li Yuan faintly called the girl’s name but received a quiet murmur and another snuggle in return. Since she was sleeping like a baby, Li Yuan did not have the heart to wake her. He carried her down the car.

Uncle Li had been waiting at the door for quite some time as a thick layer of snow had amassed on his umbrella. With them getting out of the car, Uncle Li quickly came up to them and held the umbrella over them.

Li Yuan nodded at him with a wide smile.

Uncle Li grinned back without a word. However, his eyes took a quick glance at the person in Li Yuan’s eyes. This was the first time the young master brought Ms. Shen back to Li Mansion.

He knew they had gotten their marriage license, but he could not be there to give his regards.

Uncle Li could finally rest, knowing that he could deliver the good news to the family for when he was to depart from the world. The young master’s legs were all better, and he had found a partner worth spending his life with. Things could not be better.

With heavy snow enveloping Li Mansion, the pavilion and garden bridged over water streams, embedded with a strong sense of history, gave an illusion of going back in time.

Li Yuan placed the girl on the bed and tucked her under the covers. He then proceeded to the study next door as he had an important meeting to host.

Shen Xi opened her eyes to a quaint room and his orchid scent. Stretching herself, she got off the bed and noticed a pair of fluffy rabbit slippers by the bed. The rabbit fur was soft and toasty.

She knew where she was. Sneaking out the door, she caught a glimpse of an old man sitting on the sofa in the living room. It was the same old man who talked to her and gave her an umbrella when she first visited Li Mansion. She let out a polite smile at the old man.

With Shen Xi emerging from the room, Uncle Li got up and wanted to speak, but the former gestured for silence. She quickly approached him.

“Hello, Grandpa.” Shen Xi whispered a greeting with a warm smile.

Looking at the little sunshine, Uncle Li kept his voice low too. “The young master is in the study. You can look for him there.”

“Grandpa, I’m not looking for him.” Shen Xi gleefully gazed at the old man. “Can you tell me about him?”

The old housekeeper of the Li family’s home must know a lot more than her. There were many things Li Yuan would not tell her since he could not bear to share his painful struggles with her.

Uncle benevolently nodded with a grin.

Shen Xi pointed to the outdoors.

Uncle Li pointed at her clothes for Shen Xi to layer up as it was snowing outside. He did not want her to freeze out in the cold.

Taking the hint, Shen Xi tiptoed to the bedroom and soon came out with a huge black coat that reached her ankles.

Uncle Li thought the girl was the most adorable little thing as she seemed to shrink inside the coat and only her cute face was poking out.

Despite the harsh elements outside, the night view of the landscape was simply a sight to behold..