"AHHHHHHH!"
Screaming, Madam Zhang woke up with sweat drenching her body.
"Mom!"
"Honey!"
Madam Zhang turned over to see her husband and Zhang Yuxi staying by her side.
"Mom, Are you okay?" Zhang Yuxi asked worriedly as she placed her hand on her forehead.
Heaving a huge sigh of relief, Zhang Yuxi stared at Master Zhang "Finally, Mom's fever has subsided."
Hearing that, Master Zhang also felt relieved. Madam Zhang stared at them in bewilderment.
"Fever?" She mumbled.
Master Zhang sat by her side as he grabbed her hand. "Honey, Two days ago at the party, When Yuxi was going to take you to your room, you suddenly collapsed. You were unconscious and had a high fever for the last two days. It has only subsided now. I am so reassured right now."
Madam Zhang was appalled by what she heard. "Two days?!"
This time Zhang Yuxi replied "Yeah, The doctor said that it might be because of overstressing. Father mentioned that you have been working by yourself preparing for my arrival. Mom, you should take more care of yourself, okay?"
Master Zhang added "Yuxi is right. She has been staying by your side taking care of you last few days. You mustn't overstress yourself and your body. No, I won't allow that to happen. I will take care of you."
"Oh, and Honey, It looked like you were having nightmares. You would mumble, grunt and now when you woke up you even screamed. Did you see anything frightening?"
Yuxi also stared at her, waiting for her reply while Madam Zhang lowered her head. After a while, she answered "I don't remember much. However.."
Yuxi tilted her head curiously.
Placing her hand on her head, Madam Zhang continued "I saw a giant spider chasing after me, and I was running and screaming. Maybe, I shrieked due to that."
"It must be because you hate spiders more than anything." He nodded his head.
"Since, Mom is awake now. Dad, you should call the doctor. I am going to visit the company. Bye. Take care, Mom." Yuxi spoke, getting up to leave.
Master Zhang interrupted "Yuxi, You must be tired taking care of your mother. I think it would be nice if you take some rest."
Yuxi shook her head "I am fine, Dad. I have to discuss some important matter with them and something else to do. Take care of mom. I think I would be a little late and directly return before dinner. Then, we could have a nice dinner together. Okay, Mom?"
Madam Zhang smiled, nodding her head "Of course. That sounds great. Maybe I should prepare it myself."
"Mom!" "Honey!"
Madam Zhang laughed peering at them getting annoyed. Afterwards, Both Yuxi and Master Zhang also giggled with her. Eventually, Zhang Yuxi left.
---
*Chirp Chirp*
Sounds of birds chirping resonated in Zhang Yuxi's room.
A soft voice followed afterwards "Thank You, Master, for reviving me. I shall vow to protect and serve you all my life."
Inside the room, a girl wearing a colourful dress was bowing deeply to Zhang Yuxi.
"Rise." Zhang Yuxi enjoined as she changed her clothes.
The girl rose to her feet. She spoke with lowered head "Master, since I have recovered, I hope I will of good use."
Sitting on the chair, Zhang Yuxi cupped her face, staring at the girl in front of her, she spoke
"Back then, I was appalled when you agreed to offer your body to me without any reluctance. And why would you want to be a bird when you can be human? Just to notify you, Cause you know I can find it out myself, still, I want to hear it from you."
The girl smiled. Scratching her head, she replied
"I guess I always wanted to be free as a bird. Fly high without any worries. As an obese teen actress, I was bounded by many shackles. Even though my acting was decent, it didn't hide the fact I was obese, had a bad personality, anger issues, rude, foolish, in total a disgrace as a human. But, that's just what rumours were about."
"Besides everything, the only right thing was me being foolish. I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism, which made me gain massive weight. No one knew besides my family, why? Since I didn't want it to hamper my acting career. I was depressed, always wanted to run away. Yet, those shackles stopped me again and again."
"Then, I was truly blessed. The god herself came to me. How could I hesitate? Instead, I am full of guilt for not being able to give you a better body."
Zhang Yuxi remarked casually "It's not like I am trying to comfort you but your body was perfect for me. The birthmark for instance. "
"Everyone knows it looks like the mystic creature that rises from ashes, Phoenix. I don't think I have to tell more about that. Don't feel guilty. Worry about the present when you can't live freely as you want since your fate is already determined."