Before Li Huaichen could utter a word, the living room was filled with silence. After a long pause, Li Huaichen let out an unusual, subdued sigh. “There’s no need to do anything special, just maintain the status quo,” he advised.
Li Xiangfu interpreted this as the ‘three no’s principle’ – not making the first move, not refusing, and not taking responsibility.
“Just wait until the day he formally confesses, then decline.”
Li Xiangfu found this approach sensible, acknowledging the remote possibility that Qin Jin was merely seeking amusement when he was bored.
“It’s getting late,” Li Huaichen reminded him. “Get some rest early.”
As Li Xiangfu stood up and was about to take a step, he abruptly paused. “Qin Jin mentioned this to me not long ago…” He stopped in thought. “He mentioned having a younger brother, but there’s no information about his family online. Could it be that their relationship isn’t good, and he’s seeking emotional support from me?” The moment he uttered the first part of the sentence, Li Huaichen’s eyes darkened slightly, and he didn’t provide a response.
Eventually, Li Xiangfu retired upstairs, still harboring doubts. Once he was certain he had entered his room, Li Xichun leaned back in her chair, seemingly sinking into the upholstery. “Why not go with the flow and tell the truth?” she suggested.
Li Huaichen replied casually, “What do you want me to say? You could have mentioned it earlier.”
However, Li Xichun couldn’t shake off what the doctor had said back then:
“The possibility of some of these injuries resulting from a fight can’t be ruled out.”
“Especially the ones on the back of the head; they don’t appear to be the result of bruising.”
Regardless of how disappointed she was with Li Xiangfu, Li Xichun believed she understood her brother’s nature well.
…too straightforward and naive, which is why he was easily swayed by his mother to employ clumsy methods to probe their father’s thoughts on the distribution of the family’s assets.
As for Qin Jiayu, she had encountered him on several occasions, and he was a very sharp individual. If he truly found himself in a dire situation, he would probably resort to more ruthless means to survive before Li Xiangfu would.
Qin Jiayu had always been a thorn in Li Xichun’s side. This missing person situation brought with it a sense of crisis that even vaguely surpassed that of Qin Jin. The recent incident with the parcel didn’t seem like a mere coincidence.
Contemplating these matters, she couldn’t help but let out a sigh. Their father was too old to handle the stress, and Li Huaichen had to manage all the company’s affairs on his own. She could only notify Li Anqing, hoping he could uncover some information.
Except for Mr. Li, who was still in the dark, no one in the household slept well that night.
Li Xichun lay on her bed, tossing and turning, occasionally entering Gao Xun’s number, hesitating whether to call and inquire about Qin Jin. In the adjacent room, Li Huaichen engaged in a serious conversation with Li Anqing. Meanwhile, at the center of this dilemma, Li Xiangfu was engrossed in thoughts, pondering how to turn down Qin Jin.
“Beauty can sometimes be a curse.” It was 4 o’clock in the morning, and he was still gazing at the ceiling, wide awake.
During breakfast the next day, Mr. Li almost believed that there were four phantoms residing in his home. As they descended the stairs one by one, their footsteps were light and graceful.
Li Xiangfu finally received a text message, which seemed to uplift his spirits.
Li Shasha, who could keenly observe the subtle changes in his expression, inquired, “What’s the good news?”
Li Xiangfu replied, “I got selected.”
Mr. Li paused mid-bite and asked, “Selected for what?”
Aunt Zhang, who was busy wiping a vase in the corner, still seemed to have lingering fears from the previous spinning incident. “Dancing again?”
Li Xiangfu almost choked on his food and replied seriously, “It’s a legitimate competition, but it looks like I’ll be out of town for a few days.” He had checked the locations for previous competitions, and without exception, they were all out of town. In one case, it even involved going abroad.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Mr. Li seemed lost in thought, and he halted his son with a stern expression. “I just sent you some money, so don’t run around.”
“P mjc’a ilnf boo 200,000 sejc. Ujlcalcu tjr yfmbwf ws cfk qjrrlbc.”
Ktf mbcnfgrjalbc gfjmtfv jc lwqjrrf.
Ol Wljcuoe qgfrrfv tlr ilqr abufatfg. Pclaljiis, tf mbeivc’a ojatbw kts tlr ojwlis kjr mbwobgajyif klat tlw agjnfilcu jygbjv, yea cbk, fnfc j rtbga vbwfralm aglq gjlrfv mbcmfgcr.
“Pa’r vloofgfca,” Zg. Ol ogbkcfv, rffwlcuis ecvfgrajcvlcu tlr atbeutar.
Back then, several renowned high schools had refused to accept this restless student. Subsequently, Li Xiangfu was egged on to engage in many foolish endeavors. Everyone’s patience wore thin, but the real reason was an unspoken compromise.
In the eyes of outsiders, sending their incompetent son abroad could be seen as an apology to Qin Jin. However, his return had dredged up old grudges buried in the past. If he were to go to other cities now, he wouldn’t have the time to handle potential issues that might arise.
Li Xichun departed from her usual relaxed demeanor and had something to say to Li Xiangfu. “I’ve seen his paintings, and they are very spirited. He shouldn’t waste his talent.”
Li Xiangfu responded, “I’ve even found an overseas teacher. She mentioned that if I had started painting when I was young, I might be a renowned artist by now…”
Li Xichun was amused by his earnest tone.
One more person joined the lobbying effort, but Mr. Li avoided the subject, responding coldly, “Let’s eat!”
The gallery was closed that day, so Li Xichun took care of some things at home. Meanwhile, Li Huaichen, the diligent workaholic, went to the company as usual.
Li Xiangfu spent time with Li Shasha, working on model-building on the carpet. As Shasha grew tired of the activity and switched to watching TV, he happened to skip past a news mention of ‘Qin Jin.’
Li Xiangfu suddenly felt a pang of curiosity, much like that of an inquisitive kitten. He used his phone to search various keywords on the internet. The results indicated that the company likely had someone actively managing their online presence, erasing posts at regular intervals. This famous figure had no romantic affairs, no family disputes, not even a hint of scandal.
A message notification chimed in, and he checked it:
– What are you up to?
Li Xiangfu shivered, as if he were under surveillance, but still responded truthfully:
– I’m researching your family history.
Initially, it seemed the other party was typing a response, but soon, no further messages arrived. It was equivalent to a moment of silence, probably due to his blunt honesty.
Just when Li Xiangfu thought the other party wouldn’t reply, a message came through:
– The answer is hidden in my old house. You can come and visit.
After gazing at the screen for a few moments, Li Xiangfu found Li Xichun, who was working on a line draft. He hesitated briefly before speaking, “Sister.”
“Hmm?” Li Xichun was busy and didn’t look up at him.
“Mr. Qin is actively pursuing me.”
Tila –
The pen’s sharp tip pierced the white paper, ruining the drawing completely.
Li Xichun’s lips twitched, and just as she was about to say something, Li Xiangfu showed her the chat history.
The dumbfounded expression gradually faded, and Li Xichun stared at the screen before saying, “Uh…” At that moment, she realized her brother might not be overthinking it. A short while later, she added, “Those are just polite words. Responding with ‘ok’ would be a bit ungrateful.”
Li Xiangfu thought that made sense and quickly typed a message of thanks and polite rejection. Before he could send it, the other party preempted him, saying, “I have some free time today. Let’s meet under the bridge in Xinning District at two o’clock.”
The response wavered immediately. Li Xiangfu had not painted a landscape in a long time, so he decided to take some photos and use them as a preview for the art collection event.
In the end, he made up his mind and decided to go meet Qin Jin.
Li Xichun maintained her expression, but her thoughts were in disarray. She decided not to mention the cactus flower and went upstairs to talk to their father about Li Xiangfu’s misunderstanding regarding his emotions.
It rained lightly before he set out, but it quickly cleared up. After several days of sweltering heat, they finally welcomed a cooler day.
Li Xiangfu had brought a camera, but the initial photos didn’t meet his expectations. He realized he needed a higher vantage point.
Qin Jin said, “Let’s head upstairs. I live on the fourth floor.”
The unit’s door was an old wooden one, and the hallway walls were peeling and marred with graffiti. Even though this location might eventually be demolished, for Qin Jin, the compensation for the house’s demolition was a trivial matter. Li Xiangfu suspected he hadn’t sold it yet due to the sentimental value.
This suspicion was dispelled the moment the door swung open.
A dusty family portrait adorned the living room wall.
In the photo, a family of four smiled together.
Li Xiangfu stepped closer and lifted the camera. This time, the result was perfect.
After capturing five or six landscape photos, each with a different focus, he revisited the topic he’d initiated on WeChat. “About the reason you became successful…” Qin Jin turned around, briefly closed his eyes, and gazed at the family portrait on the wall.
“It’s just hanging there,” Qin Jin replied with a touch of self-deprecation.
The photo had only sentimental value, and Li Xiangfu pondered for a moment. “Is it because of your family?”
Qin Jin’s tone was tinged with self-mockery. “The initial capital for my startup came from the compensation after my parents’ plane crash.”
Li Xiangfu averted his gaze from the family portrait, his eyes filled with disbelief. He had contemplated various reasons, such as wanting a better life for their family or to continue his father’s business. However, he never imagined such a tragic backstory.
“What about your brother?” Li Xiangfu inquired.
Sunlight streamed into the house, banishing the last traces of rain from the balcony. In Qin Jin’s eyes, there was a surge of intense emotions. After a lengthy pause, he uttered softly, “He ran away from home. He’s gone.”
Li Xiangfu fell silent for a while, then offered a comforting response. “Now that you’re successful and well-known, you may find your family one day.”
Qin Jin didn’t reply to this statement.
The two stood silently for a while, and the angle of the afternoon sun’s refraction shifted. Unable to resist, Li Xiangfu snapped several more photos from different angles.
During this time, Qin Jin remained silent, ensuring that he finished taking photos before he suggested leaving.
As the door closed, the family portrait once again became a miniature, sealed away in its private space.
The Li family.
Li Shasha was summoned upstairs to study, while Mr. Li and the others discussed matters downstairs.
“We’ve all agreed that it’s okay to let him misunderstand for now. There’s an event, so it’s okay for him to take a trip,” Mr. Li remarked, his brows not having relaxed all day.
Li Huaichen returned early from the company and said with his eyes closed, “Furthermore, he had a severe head injury at the time, and the doctor repeatedly cautioned against excessive stress. But now that he’s sharing the whole story, all he brings is fear and anxiety.”
Upon Li Xiangfu’s return, the tense atmosphere in the living room was palpable.
Seeing him, several people naturally halted their conversation.
Li Xiangfu’s eyes flickered a few times, and he stopped in his tracks. After contemplating for a couple of seconds, he asked, “Dad, do you know as well?”
Upon hearing this, Mr. Li was momentarily stunned before shaking his head in resignation. This son was indeed clever.
“Clever when it counts,” he muttered under his breath.
Massaging his temples, Mr. Li clarified, “Don’t worry about Qin Jin. Family arrangements are outdated in this day and age.” The patriarch of the family had spoken, yet Li Xiangfu suddenly became unusually quiet.
“Dad,” he called out after a prolonged pause, his emotions complex.
Mr. Li stood and patted his son’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I won’t allow you to make unnecessary sacrifices.”
Li Xiangfu’s expression grew increasingly peculiar. “There’s something wrong with you.”
Mr. Li laughed wryly. “Should we pack you up and send you off?”
Li Xiangfu took a step back and scrutinized the three of them. “There’s something wrong with all of you.”
“Do you have a fever?” Li Xichun, wearing a concerned expression, seemed ready to check his brother’s temperature.
Li Xiangfu dodged her and stated, “My suitor is a man, and none of you are surprised.”
Considering their father’s stubbornness, he’d likely scold Qin Jin for being impure and might even want to take advantage of his own son using his influence. In a bid to dissuade Li Xichun from the relationship, he’d even arranged an appointment with a prominent psychologist. Yet, in the face of Li Xiangfu, he had immediately transitioned into arranging a marriage.
In other families or among the wealthy, similar situations could provoke anger, insults, and even heart attacks among the older generation. The Li family’s nonchalant reaction was anything but normal.
Li Xiangfu gazed steadily at the trio before him and squinted.
Li Xichun swallowed her saliva and explained, “I’ve seen a lot about homosexual love in art…” As she spoke, she turned her head and looked at Li Huaichen. “What about you?”
Li Huaichen averted her gaze, saying, “I’ve read about similar things… a lot.”
Then, she glanced sideways at Mr. Li. “So, Dad, why aren’t you surprised?”
“…”
The author has something to say:
Li Xiangfu: There’s something off here, something very off. This was supposed to be a family drama script.
Mr. Li:…
I’m thoroughly enjoying this novel. Thank you so much for translating it. There is so much to unfold and I love a good air of mystery and unresolved questions, as well as family secrets.
The brother doesn’t sound like a good person. Injuries to the back of the head are caused by falling or objects. So is this a possible attempted murder? And he disappeared cause he didn’t want to be caught in case his victim remembered?
+1
This story has a good foreshadowing.
Additionaly i expected a headache when he saw the family portrait, but a peaceful visit was also good
I agree on the foreshadowing. But bear children quickly gain enemies, was the brother paid by someone else for something?
This will be bugging me until the reveal.
Noooo… Now it is bugging me too!!!😅
I’m sorry but my curiosity is unlimited
So wht is everyone blaming xiangfu for? Why was he sent away abroad? What is the misunderstanding??
I’ve always wondered why they weren’t angry. I guess there was a deeper story.