Epiphanies of Rebirth Chapter 90 (Part 1)
Translated by Pure
Chapter 90.1 Extra [Sixteen years later V]
When Grandma Xiao had climbed out from under the altar table, an inadvertent collision left her with a throbbing pain in her head.
Upon Lin Jingzhe's discovery of two baskets of candies, Grandma Xiao pursed her lips in clear displeasure. However, her usually gentle grandson-in-law unapologetically confiscated the candies and sternly reprimanded her.
The old lady’s recent ploy was truly cunning! She feigned mobility issues, all part of an elaborate scheme to mislead others and hoard extra candy. Given her age of nearly a hundred years, it's typical for individuals at this stage of life to face challenges in self-care. Despite Grandma Xiao's consistently good health and normal health indicators, none of the younger family members suspected her pretense. Lin Jingzhe observed the old lady's increasingly unsteady movements and felt a profound sadness, almost to the point of shedding tears. Lately, he intensified his efforts to discreetly send chocolates to the old lady behind the backs of the other Xiao Family members.
In reality, everything was a clever charade!
Lin Jingzhe was deeply concerned, feeling as though he had unexpectedly acquired an additional child. He questioned with severity, "Will you do this again next time?!"
The mildest child's temper turned out to be the most overwhelming; Grandma Xiao immediately yielded, whispering in an aggrieved tone, "No."
Here stood a white-haired old lady before him, head drooped in acknowledgment of her mistake. Lin Jingzhe felt a pang of distress at the sight. Seeing the other party scolded to the verge of tears, he maintained a stern expression, yet his tone softened considerably. Stepping forward, he took Grandma's hand and retreated to a corner to explain, "It's not that I won't let you eat sweets, but you need to be mindful of your sugar levels. With so many children in the compound, shouldn't you set a good example for them?"
Grandma Xiao pondered for a moment and then nodded.
"Alright, then tell me," Lin Jingzhe grabbed a large box of unopened chocolates from the basket. This certainly wasn't a gift from him, and it was undoubtedly something the Xiao Family wouldn't approve of. The family had meticulously restricted Grandma Xiao's snack and candy consumption, allowing her only two pieces per week. Lin Jingzhe was keenly interested in identifying the source of this box of chocolates. "Who gave you this box of chocolates?"
Grandma Xiao lowered her head and sneakily glanced at his face. After a brief pause, she whispered, "I bought it myself..."
Even though the elderly lady had retired a long time ago, her children never shorted Grandma Xiao of money. Additionally, the elderly could move about freely. While she seldom ventured outside, an occasional trip to the compound wasn't out of the question. Lin Jingzhe nodded, accepting this explanation. However, he remained firm in his stance, stating, "It must be confiscated, and you can't do this again."
Grandma's eyes betrayed obvious reluctance, but when she considered the potential consequences of her son and daughter-in-law discovering the truth, she could only nod reluctantly after a moment.
They had spent quite some time in the Buddhist Hall. Upon emerging, Yu Shuyuan, who had been calling everyone to eat, couldn't help but express her curiosity, "What took you guys so long in there?"
Xiao Chi, who had risen, guided him to sit beside him. His plate was promptly furnished with a meticulously deboned piece of fish. Lin Jingzhe glanced at the elderly lady, who sat at the main seat as if nothing had occurred; she had returned to her usual cheerful demeanor. Unwilling to expose her, he simply remarked, "It's nothing. I just took the opportunity to offer incense for Bodhisattva."
With that, he produced a box of chocolates and handed them to Zhuangzhuang, who had eagerly sprung out of her chair and rushed over as soon as she spotted him.
Fang Wenhao observed his daughter laughing like a little sparrow and couldn't help but express discontent, "Don't spoil her. We are trying to control her weight. We can't let her indulge in sweets, snacks, and chocolates every day."
Hu Shaofeng promptly interjected, "Didn't you claim your daughter isn't fat? Why bother controlling her weight if she's not fat?"
Fang Wenhao set down his chopsticks and remarked, "Give me an honest answer. Are you looking for a beating?"
Hu Shaofeng, taking advantage of his father's recent absence from Yan City, disregarded such threats. Without the support of reporting to his father, Fang Wenhao's fighting prowess was that of a novice. On a good day, they might be evenly matched in a fight, so he was not afraid of getting the short end of the stick.
Having endured numerous grievances in his childhood, now that Hu Shaofeng had experienced a reversal of fortune, he couldn't let Fang Wenhao off so easily.
Hu Shaofeng seized the opportunity, knowing his father was currently away from Yan City, rendering such threats beneath his concern. Without the crutch of reporting to his father, Fang Wenhao's fighting prowess was comparable to a novice. On a good day, they might reach a stalemate in a brawl, so there was no real risk for him.
Having endured numerous hardships in his youth, Hu Shaofeng, now reveling in a turn of fortune, wasn't inclined to let Fang Wenhao off the hook so easily.
Yu Shuyuan, initially puzzled about Lin Jingzhe producing a large box of chocolates, temporarily set aside her doubts. She intervened, "Enough is enough. You're all grown men, why persist in such bickering? Shaofeng, spare us your unnecessary remarks, and Wenhao, your daughter is no longer a child. It's been ages since we shared a meal with Qi Kai. Can't you avoid making a scene?"
Qi Kai’s plate was filled to the brim with food. In response to the ongoing chatter, he flashed a warm smile and remarked, "No worries, let them stir up trouble. Haven't they been doing this for more than a decade? It brings back fond memories."
His words hung in the air for a brief moment, and the weight behind the phrase ‘more than a decade’ resonated profoundly.
Xiao Chi, who had been relatively indifferent to the exchanges, spared a quick glance at his grandmother as she emerged from the Buddhist Hall with Lin Jingzhe. Breaking the silence, he furrowed his brows and directed Hu Shaofeng and others, "Enough with the chatter. It's mealtime, so eat. Fang Wenhao, finish up quickly and take your daughter home."
Zhuangzhuang's clinginess to Lin Jingzhe, coupled with her coquettish behavior while holding the chocolate, is undeniably irksome.
After Lin Jingzhe's initial encounter with his daughter, where he offered her a hug and a kiss, Xiao Chi never bestowed any further courtesies upon him. Fang Wenhao, having grown accustomed to this behavior over the years, simply responded with a nonchalant eye roll and remained silent.
Feeling a bit awkward, Hu Shaofeng quietly focused on his meal, occasionally sneaking glances at Qi Kai's upright posture—a habit obviously formed during his extended prison stay. While Hu Shaofeng couldn't fully grasp the challenges of a life suppressed by others for over a decade, he understood it wouldn't be easy. Grappled with post-traumatic stress since the year Qi Kai was arrested, this emotion reached its peak at today's ‘welcome back’ party. Seeing Qi Kai getting out of the car, showing no sign of his former high spirits, Hu Shaofeng felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the positive influence Xiao Chi had on straightening him out when he was younger.
If not, there would have been another person added to the current 'ruined and orphaned' situation.
The atmosphere was ostensibly joyful, but matters were obviously different beneath the surface. Everyone, including Qi Kai, deliberately avoided certain topics, including Elder Qi and the vacant house adjacent to the Xiao Family residence. Xiao Shenxing, wearing a stern expression, kept the explanations succinct, "You were just released today. You must be very tired. We didn't go for elaborate rituals. Just a welcoming dinner and cleansing. After the meal, head upstairs to rest. Aunt Yu has prepared a room for you."
This arrangement was evidently to provide shelter for Qi Kai, who was currently without a home. Qi Kai held his bowl, gazing at the stern countenance of the elder—the same face that he had distanced away from during his childhood. After a moment of silence, he smiled and said, "Alright."
Amidst the ‘cheerful talk’, Lin Jingzhe raised his hand and checked his watch, estimating the time, "Tiantian and Miaomiao should be arriving soon."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the front door swung open. The outside world had already plunged into darkness. Shen Tiantian entered, stepping into the radiant glow of the lights, and called out from a distance, "I'm here!"
All eyes were immediately drawn to her. Qi Kai lifted his gaze at the sound, catching sight of a girl with long, straight black hair and a fresh demeanor standing in the entrance hall, changing her shoes. The girl was remarkably beautiful and tall, appearing to be around 1.7 meters in height. Clad in a white dress, she looked to be in her mid-twenties, emanating the indescribable innocence of a recently graduated female college student.
Qi Kai was momentarily taken aback, struggling to recognize the person before him. However, when he heard Yu Shuyuan joyfully stand up and welcome her with, "Tiantian, welcome!"
Tiantian? Shen Tiantian? The Shen Tiantian from the notorious tigress family in the compound, the one known for her lack of bashfulness?
For a brief moment, Qi Kai couldn't dare to believe it. Shen Tiantian should be in her thirties now. How could a woman's transformation be so drastic?
He turned his head hesitantly, only to be surprised by the expressions on the faces of Hu Shaofeng and Fang Wenhao, who, unlike the elders smiling and looking towards the Xiao Family's door, wore expressions that were complicated and not easy to express succinctly.
Shen Tiantian's big, smiling eyes narrowed cheerfully. She put on her slippers and entered the house with vibrant energy. After offering polite greetings to the elders, she turned her attention to the younger members.
When Qi Kai met her gaze, filled with innocence and joy, an unexplained chill ran down his spine. The sweet greetings of the young girl then entered his ears, "Brother Qi Kai is here? And Brother Shaofeng, Brother Wenhao, long time no see~ Sorry, there was a traffic jam on the way back from work, so I arrived late."
"It's okay, it's okay!" Before Qi Kai could return pleasantries, Hu Shaofeng and Fang Wenhao vigorously shook their heads, emphasizing that her timing was perfect, "You're right on time, we've just begun the meal!"
Shen Tiantian returned with a satisfied smile before she shifted her gaze first to her brother and then settled on Zhuangzhuang, who was clinging to her brother's legs.
"Zhuangzhuang, you’ve grown so much taller!" She stepped forward, hugged the stiff little chubby girl, and planted two kisses on her cheek. It took her two attempts before Shen Tiantian finally lifted the girl and tossed her into her father's arms. "Alas, you’re a bit skinnier than the last time Auntie saw you. It’s obvious you haven’t been eating properly; tell your father to feed you more!"
Seeing Zhuangzhuang's bulging cheeks, even Lin Jingzhe, who loved her dearly, couldn't bring himself to utter such heartless words. Lin Jingzhe gazed at the kind display of affection from his sister's back, and his heart swelled with tender love. He sighed and nudged Xiao Chi, saying, "Look at that, Tiantian adores children so much."
Xiao Chi observed Fang Wenhao, almost knocked out of breath by Shen Tiantian's enthusiastic toss, and then glanced at Lin Jingzhe, who was beaming like an affectionate father. Are you serious?
After Shen Tiantian got rid of Zhuangzhuang, she quickly took her original position, sitting next to Lin Jingzhe. Now the latter was seated between her and Xiao Chi.
After being given her own plate, Lin Jingzhe picked up a shrimp for her and asked warmly, "Are you tired? Why didn't Miaomiao come back with you?"
Shen Tiantian quickly exchanged meaningful glances with Xiao Chi. It was Xiao Chi's strategic decision not to have Xiao Miao return to see Qi Kai immediately. Although the exact reasons were unclear, adhering to their long standing cooperation agreement, she opted to temporarily conceal the news of Qi Kai's release from prison from Xiao Miao. This matter seemed to involve Xiao Miao's emotions, and it was deemed prudent to prevent unnecessary discussions. Wary of her brother's inquiries, Shen Tiantian promptly diverted attention by massaging her shoulders, evading the second question with a casual remark, "It’s been challenging; I've been deprived of a full eight-hour sleep for quite some time."
Big Brother Jingzhe's attention was promptly redirected by his younger sister's statement, displaying a distressed expression on his face. "How dreadful and pitiable! Why do you exert yourself so much? Have a meal and get a good night's sleep. Don't go to the company tomorrow. If there are any collaboration meetings, I'll have Brother Gao Sheng substitute your place in negotiations."
In a certain office building in the urban area of Yan City, the head of Gao Sheng Film, who had been laboring overnight with his staff and had not taken a break for over a month, suddenly felt a tingling sensation in his hair. He unleashed a robust sneeze into the brilliant computer screen.
Shen Tiantian, who was in a sour mood after encountering Qi Kai, was easily uplifted by her brother's caring. Despite having planned out how to navigate and gain the greatest benefits in her impending collaboration meeting with a company scheduled for the next day, she readily nodded. "Okay!"