Sponsored chapter (3/3)
Double-sided embroidery?
Qin Jin initially glanced at Li Xiangfu’s jade-like fingertips and then shifted his gaze to the plate after a moment.
The rice was delicious, and even the presentation was exceptionally beautiful. The carved radish flowers on the side fell gracefully on the edge of the plate, cleverly concealing the oil stains left by the ribs.
Regardless of the appearance, it could stimulate one’s appetite.
Recalling yesterday’s inlaid bean candy, Qin Jin pursed his thin lips and remarked, “If you had followed the trend and entered the entertainment industry, you would have never clashed with other celebrities.”
Li Xiangfu chuckled, “A virtuous character?”
Qin Jin quipped, “Intangible cultural heritage communication machine.”
After confirming that he had finished eating, Li Xiangfu was about to leave with the plate, but his hand was halted in mid-air: “I’ll get it.”
Li Xiangfu raised his eyebrows.
Qin Jin explained, “It’s raining outside, so it’s hard to hold an umbrella while carrying things.”
Seeing his insistence, Li Xiangfu did not persist in refusing.
The rain was so heavy that it could splash several centimeters when it hit the ground. As they walked back, the umbrella tilted towards Li Xiangfu. Initially thinking Qin Jin was a considerate person, he suddenly realized something was amiss, “You went out without an umbrella?”
Qin Jin responded casually, “Forgot.”
Back at his residence, Li Xiangfu had to lend him his umbrella.
As Qin Jin’s silhouette disappeared in the pouring rain, Li Xiangfu lowered his eyes and turned around, unexpectedly locking eyes with Li Anqing.
Almost instinctively clenching his fist, Li Xiangfu released a long breath upon clearly seeing the person behind him, “Second brother, why are you here?”
Li Anqing didn’t answer but inquired, “Did you lend him an umbrella?” Naturally, Li Xiangfu nodded.
After using his hand to ward off the raindrops falling like bead curtains on the door, Li Anqing remarked, “The last person to do this was the White Snake. She initiated the countdown to being imprisoned in the tower from the moment she lent her umbrella to Xu Xian.”
Li Anqing added in a monotone, “Consider this a warning.”
Li Xiangfu retorted, “…I think there’s something off with your interpretation of art.”
Rainy days are conducive to sleeping. After Li Xiangfu entered the room, he reclined on the bed. Judge Zhao sent a collective text message to the contestants, advising them to rest early and head out early the next morning for news collection.
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.
Having slept poorly the previous night, Li Xiangfu checked for any updates and then tossed his phone aside. Covering his eyes with his hands and accompanied by the soothing sound of rain, he quickly drifted off to sleep.
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Qin Jin, wearing a mask and occasionally coughing, claimed to have caught a cold the previous night. Concerned faces among the judges prompted suggestions for him to rest, but Qin Jin insisted, “I’ll buy some medicine; you guys go ahead.”
The judges, showing a hint of concern, eventually set off with the contestants.
As they walked away, Qin Jin removed his mask, still showing signs of discomfort. He seemed to sense something and raised his eyes to gaze at a particular spot.
Li Anqing stood not far away, hands in his pockets. “It seems we don’t have to wait until we’re on the train; we can talk now.”
With limited seating options nearby, they finally settled on a hospital bench.
Seated, Li Anqing got straight to the point, “Have you ever sent cactus flowers?”
Qin Jin, engrossed in a newspaper, replied without looking up, “I’ve already answered that question to your brother. No.”
After a moment of silence, Li Anqing, as if deliberating the veracity of the statement, eventually uttered a name, “Qin Jiayu.” Li Xichun had mentioned a card accompanying dried flowers with the inscription ‘Welcome back, my friend.’ Li Xiangfu had numerous acquaintances, but only one close friend.
Qin Jin remained unfazed by the mention of Qin Jiayu’s name. In a cold tone, he stated, “I’ve hired people to monitor the Cangyang train station day and night. If he shows up alive, I’ll be informed immediately.”
Observing Qin Jin’s detached attitude towards Qin Jiayu, Li Anqing began to question the authenticity of their supposed deep brotherhood. Analyzing various possibilities, he frowned, contemplating what if someone orchestrated the contestants to harm Li Xiangfu?
Considering this, he rose and walked away.
Qin Jin clarified, “I have more than one of my people among the judges, and they are top-notch.”
Clearly, this possibility had been thoroughly considered.
Li Anqing paused, comprehending the need for a comprehensive approach, and pondered, “Are you feigning illness to make the orchestrators relax their guard?”
“The orchestrators?” Qin Jin sneered, setting the newspaper aside. “These are baseless speculations. I’m merely being cautious.”
…
The hiking distance turned out to be slightly longer than anticipated.
After more than an hour of walking, Judge Zhao, leading the way, finally stopped, turned around, and smiled, “We’re here.”
Everyone gazed upward to behold an exceptionally translucent lake surrounded by a winding road. The ravine was divided into two areas, each forming a perfect oval shape. From a distance, it resembled a pair of large eyes on a human face, swaying when the wind brushed through.
Putting down his heavy backpack, Judge Zhao declared, “Please use this lake as the theme for your creation.” As a result of the extended walk, the judges allowed a break, with the competition scheduled to commence in thirty minutes.
Eliminated contestants from the first round, like You Fang, were also present, affording them the freedom to spend most of their time taking photos and chatting.
Given their proximity, You Fang approached and inquired, “Need to use the restroom?”
Li Xiangfu responded, “There are no public restrooms nearby.”
You Fang insisted, “I saw one when I arrived. It’s still early; let’s go together?”
Li Xiangfu declined, shaking his head, “The dry toilet is not safe, especially in a place like this. It could pose a risk, whether it slides down or if people are hiding in it. It causes trouble every day.”
You Fang’s eyelids twitched, “Fine, let’s go to the woods then.”
Li Xiangfu cautioned, “There may be snakes in the woods.”
Feeling he might have come off as overly cautious, Li Xiangfu smiled apologetically, “Go ahead; I don’t really need to use the toilet.”
He ascended to a higher point to choose the ideal angle for his painting.
Landscape painting was Li Xiangfu’s forte, and he quickly located the perfect spot, including distant glaciers in his composition.
After confirming the position and awaiting the competition’s start, he used tree branches to outline a double-sided embroidery pattern on the ground. About to commence work upon his return, with a slight exertion of his fingers, the fragile tree branches instantly snapped.
Li Xiangfu frowned, noticing the two foreign judges seemingly observing this side from the corner of their eyes.
Recalling the earlier conversation with You Fang, one of the foreign judges happened to pass by, holding a camera and capturing the surrounding scenery.
Before he could dwell on it, Judge Zhao clapped his hands, signaling the start of the competition.
With ample time, Li Xiangfu composed himself and began sketching after conceptualizing the idea. Other contestants followed suit, some closing their eyes for a few minutes before focusing on their creations.
A few judges even spontaneously began painting.
Judge Fang, however, was an exception, displaying impatience, pacing with hands behind his back. Observing Li Xiangfu’s concentrated expression, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of jealousy, believing that Qin Jin was merely using Li Xiangfu to provoke him. Once the situation settled upon their return, he planned to find a way to claim Li Xiangfu for himself.
As the sun’s trajectory shifted in the mid-sky, altering the angle of refraction, the lake surface bathed in sunlight, reflecting sparkling blue waves.
It was uncertain how much time passed, but Li Xiangfu was the first to set down his pen. Unconcerned about the paint on his sleeves, he patiently waited for it to dry.
The other three contestants also wrapped up their work one after another. Mo Yijing, passing by Li Xiangfu while drawing, took a glance and had a sudden conviction that this person undoubtedly deserved the first place.
The four judges circulated the works separately, exchanging a few hushed words. About a quarter of an hour later, Judge Zhao announced, “We’ve completed scoring. We’ll report to the association to ensure the final result is convincing before announcing it the next day.” The results were indeed revealed, marking the end of the competition process, and everyone felt much more relaxed on the journey back.
As they neared Tianxi Ancient Village, You Fang’s enthusiasm remained undiminished: “I’ll treat everyone to a barbecue tonight.”
Some contestants felt awkward and insisted, “No, I’ll treat you. You’ve already paid for the first day.”
You Fang waved it off casually, “We’re all fated to know each other. Tonight, we can’t say goodbye without getting a bit drunk.”
In the village, people seldom ventured out to restaurants, and when they did, only one table of customers would be present. The evening unfolded with chatting, drinking, and exchanging amusing anecdotes.
As darkness settled in, You Fang rose once more, taking the initiative to refill everyone’s wine. Passing by Li Xiangfu, he noticed him swaying a bit, suppressing a sinister expression with his head bowed.
Returning to his seat, You Fang opened a newly received text message: [The car is at the village entrance. Find a way to bring the person out. No more mistakes. Payment will be settled on the spot.]
You Fang promptly replied: [Okay.]
The atmosphere was warm, with rounds of drinks, and almost everyone seemed intoxicated. Li Xiangfu suddenly rose unsteadily, prompting You Fang to assist him, asking, “Are you okay?”
Li Xiangfu waved his hand, walked unsteadily to the side, and made a call. After hanging up, he sat down unsteadily. As dinner approached its end, he lay motionless on the table.
When most had departed, only the inebriated Judge Fang remained. You Fang seized the opportunity, offering, “I’ll take you back.”
Surprisingly, Li Xiangfu firmly declined, saying, “I can’t send you off without someone.” With a wave, he called out, “Here!”
A particularly handsome man approached from a distance.
You Fang was puzzled, asking, “Who is this?”
“My second brother.” Li Xiangfu stood up, draping his arm around Li Anqing’s shoulders, even in his intoxicated state speaking earnestly, “It’s late now. As a guy, it’s unsafe to drink and walk alone at night. You need to be picked up by your family.”
Silence hung in the air.
“Don’t talk nonsense and go back quickly.”
Li Anqing supported the person and was about to leave when Li Xiangfu halted.
Li Xiangfu warned You Fang with kindness, “I wanted to tell you earlier when you were using the dry toilet in the suburbs. You have a poor sense of safety… You’re irresponsible…”
Li Anqing never glanced at You Fang throughout the walk. After covering some distance, he asked, “What if I hadn’t come to the ancient village?”
Li Xiangfu vaguely responded, “At least two people would have gone back together. I also carry emergency anti-wolf spray…”
After a pause, he added, “Guys must learn to protect themselves outdoors!”
Unbeknownst to them, a person was hiding behind the wall.
The foreign judges, observing the situation covertly and preparing to take action, called Qin Jin to report. Different from his usual performance, he spoke Chinese fluently, “The contestant named You Fang is very suspicious. Li Xiangfu has been picked up by his second brother.”
As he spoke, he couldn’t help but sigh, “Boss, I’ve never seen a man who can protect himself like this in my life.”
He had no role to play in the entire process.
“…”
I’m unable to access novel page.
Oh! I forgot to input novel chapter… sorry!
Thanks for the chapter! Our MC is just the weirdest duck ever, lol
Thanks for the chapters!
Thanks for the chapter !
Thanks for the chapter~~
Omg!! Virtuous Xiangfu! He will teach the men they also have flowers to protect 🤣😂