I'm The Protagonist?! 14

Unlike the bustling center of the city, Feng Shi stood at the edge of it where the tallest building can be seen at her left, which was only six stories high.

Even the crowd was thin, with the occasional people passing by her in between.

This should be the biggest change to her since in her first life, as an artist, she was always crowded by fans and hater alike. And in this world, she was also admired due to her name and status.

Amazingly though, no one knows her in this part of the city. This is the first time that she is being treated like an ordinary person. Which was a very pleasant change.

The area was simple, with a small park where children’s laughter can be heard.

The houses nearby are simple, but this only made the place look like a sleepy town instead of an out skirt part of the city. The place is simple, but it has its own peaceful charm. Like a small little society overshadowed by the bustling city life.

She double checked the GPS to see if she is heading in the right way. Seeing her dot showing her location, she continued to head straight to her destination while keeping her eyes on her phone.

Seeing as her dote final reached her destination, Feng Shi glanced up at the building in front of her. She looked down at her phone just to make sure before smiling.

In front of her was a small yet adorable and homey place. The small café restaurant was painted in blue and was modeled after ancient Chinese architectural designs but mixed with a bit of modernization. “Xin Fei Diner Café” The sign read as it was written in elegant calligraphy.

Feng Shi stepped through the door making the chimes ring and was immediately hit with the savory smell of the food inside the building.

She swallowed hard before focusing back on her main objective. Food comes second, her mission must come first. She tried convincing herself blushing slightly as she heard her own stomach rumble in protest. Fortunately, only she heard it.

Currently, as she looked around, there are only three tables that are occupied. A family of four near the counter, two chatting girls by the window and one man reading the newspaper at the far back.

She walked to the counter and rang the bell. She didn’t have to wait long for a staff to come out from which she assumes to be the kitchen.

The girl slid the curtain on the door to the side and smiled at her cheerfully. She was wearing a pink apron with fluffy bunny designs and matched with a white spotted dress. She had her hair tied in a pony tail and her face had some freckles with brown eyes and a bushy brows.

The girl is not ugly but just average. Truthfully, the girl have no admirable features but her innocent and beaming smile seems to heighten up her charm.

“Hello, welcome to Xin Fei’s diner café where we serve heart-warming teas and coffees and food that can also fill the heard. What can I get you today?” The girl beamed their usual greetings towards her.

Feng Shi could not help letting her lips quirk up a little as she look at the girl that reminds her of the girl she funded in the previous world.

Back there, with her willingness to advertise, the sweet shop have boomed but the mother-daughter pair remained humble and kind. It really is a shame that she can never have some of those sweets again and a certain part of her is also yearning for the people she got to know along the way in that world.

She had to look away from the girl as she crushed that reluctant part in her heart as she knows that she cannot be attached to anything in this world because it would only burden her farther. It is already bad enough that she actually have lingering emotions such as this, she can’t tolerate it farther but indulging into such trivial thoughts.

To keep her mind away from thinking deeply, she looked at the menu in front of her. She is already here anyway, might as well see what this place has to offer. She didn’t come here to dine but who would say no to trying something new along the way?

“Hmm” She hummed in thought before looking up. “I will have some pancakes with strawberry syrup. As for drinks, any recommendation?” Feng Shi asked looking back at the girl.

“I would recommend the hot Choco or the strawberry swirl milk tea. These are our specialty” The girl at once replied before going into details on how soft and warm the hot Choco is with the right blend of sweetness while the strawberry swirl is cold and refreshing while bursting with sweetness.

Thinking of the fact that she had not eaten any breakfast yet due to her hurry, she decided for the hot Choco instead.

“Got it, Pancakes with strawberry syrup and hot Choco coming right up. Please give us a moment” The girl smiled taking her list and giving her a number.

“Wait! Can you also tell the owner of this place that Feng Shi is here to see her?” She requested at once when the girl turned around and headed back to the kitchen.

She did not expect for the girl to abruptly stop and almost trip however.

The girl turned around again, her eyes as big as the saucer and jaw dropping to the ground, “Your mis Feng Shi?!” She asked awestruck, leaning excitedly on the counter making Feng Shi step back immediately at the instant closeness between them.

“Yes, you know me?” Feng Shi asked in confusion, titling her head slightly with a frown trying to remember just who this girl is supposed to be bewildered at the fact that this girl is really not in the previous host’s memories at all.

“Oh! My! Gosh! You’re here! I’ll go get my sister immediately” The girl shrieked excitedly heading to the kitchen and… crashing the curtain…

“Pfft” Feng Shi laughed, amused at the girl’s antics but still wondering who exactly is she since she never appeared in any memories and she can’t use the plot to know since she forgot to ask the name of the girl.

Feng Shi didn’t wait long though. An older version of that girl appeared hastily wiping her hands on the apron, hair disheveled from what she assumes to be because of the hairnet.

As the woman in mid-30’s caught a glimpse of her, her eyes widened in shock before watering in nostalgia. “Feng Shi…” The woman breathed out emotionally.

“You look so grown up now. You’ve grown so much and grew as beautiful as your mother” The woman said as she went around the corner to hug her in a warm embrace.

She could not help stiffening at the hold of a stranger before forcing herself to relax and give a soft smile.

“Long time no see, Sister Xin” Feng Shi greeted as the woman pulled away.

Upon hearing her greeting, the woman teared up slightly in happiness as her eyes brightened. “You still remember me” She stated with a sigh of relief and melancholy.

Of course, Feng Shi remember. The woman in front of her is none other than Tang Xin, her babysitter who used to always play with her and treated her as her own little sister she used to look over and first suspect in her list.

“How can I forget” one of my own target was left unsaid.

“You were the best big sister I always played with” Feng Shi grinned instead, selling the naïve cute school girl act like a pro. Well, she wasn’t crowned best actress for nothing to begin with.”

I’m so glad to hear that. Oh my! Where are my manners? Come, sit there are a lot we must catch up on. How have you been? I haven’t heard from you since… That incident” Tang Xin pulled a chair for her, sitting on the opposite side of the table. Her joyful expression turning grim at the end of her sentence.

Feng Shi could not help narrowing her eyes ins suspicion, focusing on the term incident since the fire was marked as nothing more but an unfortunate accident. Her posture straightened a bit as she carefully and discreetly examined he woman before her.

“I’ve been good. I have lots of friends now just like how we used to pretend to when I was a kid and the I was in the area for a research and saw the sign. I was curious since this is the same name we always used when pretending to be cooks so I searched it in the internet Hehe” Feng Shi started having a reminiscing expression before smiling face turned sad.

She bowed her head just in the perfect angle for them to see her ‘trying’ to hide her expression as tears threatened to spill with her lips pout, It was an expression that she is confident that would evoke others pity unless they are completely heartless.

“Unfortunately, I could no longer step into a kitchen ever since my mother and I were locked up in there with everything burning. I could never understand how that could have happened. Everything was in top condition, mommy never locked the door in case of an emergency just like that. Mommy was also supper nice, she helped so many people so how could anyone do that to her?” As she continued to air her grievances, she looked up, her face flustered and eyes red and watery. However, behind that pitiful look was cold discerning eyes scrutinizing the others expression.

She reminded her of their happy times at first, then her vulnerability and pain before reminding the other of the favor they owe her mother and in extension her, the daughter she left behind.

“But enough of that sad topic. How about you sister Xin? How have you been?” She asked forcing a smile only to make Tang Xin think that she is just a pitiful girl trying to be strong. She had fully grasp the concept of manipulation and deception as an artist in the first world so this is a piece of cake for her.

“I’m doing fine as well. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the madam’s funeral. I had to go with my little sister abroad for her surgery. I could never thank the madam enough for paying it in advance or else Fei’er would never have survived it” Tang Xin replied sincerely, her eyes drifting lovingly to the girl that had enthusiastically welcomed her.

That’s why the little girl acted like that and why she couldn’t remember her. Because despite their similar looks, the age managed to throw her off. She have made sure never to make the same negligence again less she actually make a mistake. Looking closer, the girl did match the picture on Tang Xin’s detailed report.

“ Feng Shi, meet my little sister, Tang Fei Fei” Tang Xin introduced pulling the girl closer and holder her hand gently.

“Hello mis Feng Shi. It’s nice to finally meet you. My sister always talked about you when she had visited me in the hospital” The girl waved shyly blushing in embarrassment for how she had reacted at first.

“Nice to finally meet you Tang Fei Fei” Feng Shi smiled as she replied at the sweet girl in front of her.

“Excuse me ladies, order’s up” A jolly looking man cut in laying a tray with Feng Shi’s order in front of her.

“And this is my dear husband, Tang Won” Tag Xin introduced as the man smiled at Feng Shi.

“It’s nice to finally put a face in the adorable miss Feng Shi. My wife has talked a lot about you and your mother. Especially when we started dating” The man, Tang Won, laughed merrily, stretching his hand for a handshake.

“An it’s nice to officially meet the man that had siter Xin giggling on her own” Feng Shi joked finding the scenes in her memory where the previous host had caught Tang Xin giggling over some messages. Back then, the little host had thought that she had gone insane at first.

“Feng Shi!” Tang Xin scolded blushing madly while Tang Won looked at his wife in amusement.

“Is that so?” He asked teasingly taking a chair on their left and looking at Tang Xin with so much love and adoration despite being married for a couple of years, his love never waned.

“Oh, shut up you!” Tang Xin swatted his shoulder playfully before looking at Feng Shi.

“Anyway Feng Shi, try our food. It’s on the house” Tang Xin urged wanting to know what she thinks on her cooking now.

Feng Shi nodded before taking a piece dipping it with strawberry syrup. Raking a bite, she slowly savored the flavor, finding the sweet taste to be sweet but not to the point that it was too much.

The strawberry scent was also strong and the flavor was perfect.

“Hmm” She could not help reacting, poking her pink tongue out to wipe the syrup in the corner of her lips.

“It’s delicious sister Xin. How come you never cooked for me before?” She complained light naturedly eating more bites faster but with enough grace as to not look too unsightly.

“I’m glad you like it. Come by whenever your around. It would always be on the house for you” Tang Xin invited pleased that Feng Shi have liked it.

She did not forget why she came here though.

While talking with Tang Xin, Feng Shi tried to subtly extract the information of what she knows about the fire years ago.

She is certain that it wasn’t Tang Xin, but she can tell that she knows something. An information that might just give her a clue on who the culprit is.

Knowing That Tang Xin was trying to avoid anything with fire for fear of bringing back painful memories but that is exactly the reason why Feng Shi came here in the first place.

Having no choice but to be frank, Feng Shi looked at tang Xin in hesitation making it so that she won’t be able to see through the reason of her visit. However, before she could go through that she saw something in tang Xin’s eyes, fear , worry and deep concern. An idea popped in her mind seeing that new information. Perhaps being discreet isn’t hopeless yet. She internally grinned at that new information.

She knows that Tang Xin cares deeply for her so…

Feng Shi stood up and smiled at Tang Xin. “It was nice meeting you again sister Xin and to you as well Fei Fei, mister Tang Won. Unfortunately, I have to go. I don’t want my step mother to worry about me” Feng Shi said ready to go out and true enough, Tang Xin’s expression became complicated.

“I’ll walk you out Feng Shi” Tang Xin offered also standing up.

Feng Shi simply smiled and thanked her, walking towards the door with no hurry but as she stepped out of the door, Tang Xin grabbed her elbow to stop her.

“Sister Xin?” She asked confusion clear in her expression and voice. “Is something wrong?’

Tang Xin looked at her innocent face before her expression turned guilty. “Feng Shi, be careful. That day, when I cooked breakfast nothing was wrong but I saw someone lurking near the kitchen then. If only I looked into it more but I had my family to look after. That wasn’t an accident Feng Shi and perhaps even now, the perpetrator could still be around you. You said it yourself, your mother never had an enemy but there is only one person who had a motive.”

With one last smile, her expression shooing her concern and pity, Tang Xin turned back inside with her parting words. “It was nice seeing you again little Shi, goodbye and be careful”

Feng Shi looked blankly at the closed door as if shocked and bewildered, her face blanked and clouded over before she also turned back and walked away.

She glances at a corner slightly before heading to the secluded alley that she found when she was walking towards the shop.

She made sure that her phase was steady and nothing seems strange but as she turned in a corner, she immediately ducked towards the boxes before throwing a rock into a, fortunately, unlocked door to make it seems as if she entered it.

True enough, her instinct did not deceive her because a moment later, a man wearing an ordinary clothes with a face mask and a hat hastily entered the building.

She didn’t manage to see anything that might identify her stalker because despite the inconspicuous clothes, it was baggy enough to hide his general frame and weight is still something that she could hardly count on because he could be either too short for his age, average which means they are about the same age or taller than his peers. Either way, Feng Shi did not plan to find out since she is not certain that she would be able to out run the male.

So, without wasting a second, she at once run towards where her ride was, not looking back but keeping the incident in mind.

Clenching her fist she swore to herself that she will push herself and become stronger and stronger until no one would be able to block her path towards her goal, towards her memory.

As she closed her eyes tiredly from the back of the car, her mind wondered towards her little friends.

With a fond smile, she wondered how he is fairing.

In another place and time, a realm with nothing but cluster of lands and junks floated in place. In that silent area with no sign of life, a best roared so loud it reverberated in the whole realm. It was full of power and untold strength yet within that howl was a hint of loneliness.