“This child resembles his father so much when he was young,” Mr. Li reminisced, his eyes showing a hint of nostalgia.
Li Xiangfu was an exceptionally bright boy in his youth. While others played in the mud, he eagerly gazed through an astronomical telescope. In first grade, he wrote an essay titled “To Live or Die,” which caused quite a stir, leading to a concerned call from the teacher to his parents.
At that time, Mr. Li nearly believed that their family was about to welcome a true genius. Regrettably, Li Xiangfu’s intelligence didn’t manifest academically; instead, it led to truancy and risky behavior.
The conversation shifted: “Even if he could fulfill his potential a bit…”
Li Huaichen furrowed his brows and finally interjected, “Let’s put the past behind us.”
Recalling the distasteful incidents from the past, Mr. Li’s lips quivered in anger. “To put it lightly, he…”
“Dad,” Li Huaichen’s tone carried weight, cutting off his forthcoming words.
Mr. Li’s chest heaved violently a few times. After regaining composure, he advised, “You should keep a close eye. Qin Jin is even more ruthless than I was in my youth. He’s extremely cunning. If the blame for his brother’s misdeeds falls on that rascal, there will be repercussions.”
Li Huaichen reassured, “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”
At this moment, Li Xiangfu entered with his guqin and greeted, “Good morning.”
Mr. Li nodded slightly, and upon glancing at Li Shasha, he frowned, “Is this all? Did you bring the clothes he purchased?”
Li Xiangfu confirmed.
“In the summer, what kind of shirt and trousers should a child wear? Don’t smother the child.” Mr. Li was accustomed to saying, “Buy a new set.”
The extremely twisted life of a protagonist led Li Xiangfu to develop obsessive-compulsive disorder and occasionally scrutinize others.
Even wearing short sleeves, he attempted to connect the sleeves. During this period, he struggled to adjust his condition, but the feeling of suffocation persisted.
The failure to change clothes this morning made him realize that certain changes can only occur gradually.
Suppressing some feelings of helplessness and self-disgust, Li Xiangfu offered an explanation, “It’s more appropriate to wear formal clothes for the wedding.”
“Is he getting married?” Mr. Li responded bluntly.
“Actually, I have an issue. When I see something empty, I feel compelled to fill it up.”
Mr. Li retorted icily, “The last one to do this was Jingwei.”
“…”
Communication was a challenge, and Li Xiangfu tried again in the afternoon. Li Shasha had gone to the clothing store yesterday.
The pseudo-father and son were both wary of complications and had no inclination toward customization. Li Shasha picked out a few less extravagant outfits to try.
The sales assistant beside him showered them with compliments, though not entirely genuine. She believed the father and son were the most attractive individuals she had ever seen, yet there was an oddity about them.
Li Xiangfu appeared to be patiently assisting the child in organizing his clothes, yet his eyes occasionally darted to the section where they displayed men’s short-sleeved shirts and trousers.
Li Shasha asked, “Dad, do you want to give it a try?”
Recalling the morning’s ordeal of attempting to wear short sleeves, Li Xiangfu felt as though his fate was being strangled, so he shook his head, “Not interested.”
Li Shasha pointed to two sets, indicating his choice.
At this point, the sales assistant finally grasped what was peculiar. It was the first time she had ever seen a couple who seemed in harmony yet inseparable from each other. It was also the first time she encountered a father and son who were so inseparable.
Children at this age should sound endearing when they speak in a childish manner, but every time the child addressed him as daddy, there was no emotion in the words, somewhat resembling the facially expressionless robot in a movie.
However, witnessing Li Xiangfu smoothly swiping his card, the sales assistant’s favorability towards them increased, considering today’s shopping a success.
In a rare outing, Li Xiangfu took the system along to visit the mall for a while.
Li Shasha looked up and asked, “Am I really going to the engagement party?”
Li Xiangfu nodded.
Li Shasha said, “You won’t embarrass us, will you?”
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.
Li Xiangfu suddenly stopped and looked at him, beginning to contemplate other aspects. Having a child could effectively deter any future desire for marriage. He had no current interest in love.
“Ktfc sbe’ii yfmbwf ws ylbibulmji rbc.”
Cr ojg jr atf rsrafw kjr mbcmfgcfv, atlr wfjca jiafglcu j raglcu bo rfdefcmf vjaj lc atf ybvs.
Ol Vtjrtj lcdelgfv, “Jgfjalcu mbcoerlbc jybea atf yibbvilcf?”
“Yeg ojwlis vbfrc’a tjnf j remmfrrlbc ab j atgbcf. Snfc lo tf’r ageis jvbqafv, tf ralii tjr atf gluta ab lctfgla bcmf tf’r gfulrafgfv. Zs rtjgf klii yf sbegr lc atf oeaegf,” Ol Wljcuoe rlutfv.
Li Shasha added, “But I still have sixty more years of life. Dad, if you live to a hundred, you’ll still be here for me.”
“…”
The two sides were on the verge of engaging in a debate about the theme of life and death. Li Xiangfu spotted a resting area from the corner of his eye and went over to sit down.
Observing everyone around engrossed in browsing their mobile phones, he tried to blend into the environment, but it didn’t hold much appeal for him.
Li Shasha also looked down, his interest hardly piqued.
After scrolling for a while, Li Xiangfu raised his eyebrows. Short videos were currently trending with catchy intros and narratives. Several began like this: “Qin Jin once said this.”
The bgm accompanying them instantly created an inspirational atmosphere.
Li Shasha asked, “Who is this person? He talks so much nonsense?”
Li Xiangfu humorously replied, “I guess the person involved doesn’t even know what he said.”
As they conversed, his smile faded, and upon reaching Luoxia Pavilion, Liu Yu’s mention of the Qin family seemed somewhat strained.
Could he have clashed with them before?
Considering it, there didn’t seem to be any point of intersection between the two parties.
A swarm of people sought taxis outside the shopping mall, enduring the scorching heat for nearly a quarter of an hour. Both the adult and the child let out a sigh of relief after getting into the car.
Li Shasha stated, “Dad, I want you to buy a car.”
Filtering out those who couldn’t afford it, Li Xiangfu pursed his lips and said, “Later, once my second brother…”
Before he could finish, he shook his head. “My second brother is even more difficult to talk to.”
In contrast to Li Huaichen’s rigidity and precision, his second brother, Li Anqing, had a very cold temperament. To put it plainly, when you stood in front of him, he looked at you as if you were as insignificant as the dust beside you.
As for their only sister… Thinking of her fiery temper, Li Xiangfu couldn’t help but straighten his posture.
The driver, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, glanced in the rearview mirror. He noticed the man in the back seat had strikingly beautiful hair even at his temples. He couldn’t help but comment, “If you tried modeling, big companies would surely snap you up.”
Li Shasha concurred, turning his head and suggesting, “Being more visible is good for mental health.”
The driver was amused by the child’s words and thought it was impressive for such a young individual to use idioms, although the phrasing was a bit peculiar.
Remaining the focal point of the conversation, Li Xiangfu rubbed his temples, finding no relief from his headache. He pressed his head against the car window and began to rest with his eyes closed.
He remained in a dazed state until they disembarked.
No one was at home. Aunt Zhang mentioned that Mr. Li had arranged a fishing trip with someone. Li Xiangfu went straight to his room and laid on the bed to rest, occasionally humming.
Seeing that he seemed uncomfortable, Li Shasha asked, “Do you want to go to the hospital?”
Li Xiangfu shook his head.
The injuries from that year had left some lingering effects, and occasional headaches were one of them. His condition was peculiar—not just a random loss of memory fragments, but rather a specific detail within a memory being extracted. It felt like he could remember his experiences when he and Luo An were friends, but couldn’t recall the adventures they had during the same period.
Due to the intermittent headaches, Li Xiangfu had been avoiding contemplating long-term matters. However, returning to China seemed to open a Pandora’s box. He would have peculiar dreams from time to time, and upon waking up, memories would engulf him.
Li Shasha suggested, “Embroidery, cooking, playing chess—there are many activities to divert your attention.”
Li Xiangfu responded noncommittally, indicating that he could consider these after a two-day break.
As the weekend approached, the atmosphere at home became relatively harmonious, a relief for Aunt Zhang, who had initially feared things might turn chaotic. Li Huaichen and Mr. Li were often not at home. Although the old man was retired, he was presently preoccupied with negotiating for his children’s education.
Li Shasha remained oblivious to all of this.
Time swiftly arrived at Saturday, presenting exceptional weather. The scorching temperatures seemed to give way for the wedding scheduled on this day.
The wedding reception was held at the renowned LUX Hotel in the city, and the parking lot was nearly full. Mr. Li instructed the driver to circle around for a while and pick them up upon arrival.
Two splendidly carved stone pillars stood at the hotel’s entrance, adorned with bright, sparkling dragon eyes. A guide was stationed at the door to direct attendees, alleviating concerns about entering the wrong direction.
The interior venue was decorated in a traditional Chinese wedding style, exuding an antique charm. Even the ordinary lighting fixtures had been replaced with meticulously crafted small lanterns.
Li Xiangfu couldn’t help but glance around. This place evoked a fleeting sense of familiarity, as if he could glimpse the past through these trinkets.
Li Shasha tugged on his cuffs, bringing him back to the present, and they continued walking forward following the waiter.
“Just returned, and everyone’s keen on chatting,” Mr. Li advised him as they entered the elevator. “If someone comes over and strikes up a conversation, just exchange a few words. No need to say much.”
Li Xiangfu nodded, finding this explanation somewhat redundant, as if it concealed a hidden agenda.
They arrived at a reasonable time. Upon reaching the banquet hall’s entrance, someone greeted Mr. Li. After a few polite words, others joined the conversation. Initially not too far, but despite a few minutes passing, they still hadn’t arrived.
Li Xiangfu’s presence undeniably attracted attention, and hushed conversations buzzed around many tables.
“I almost didn’t recognize him. He looks so good after not being seen for a few years.”
A woman remarked, discreetly snapping a photo, ready to share it with her friends.
“What a potential catch! It’s a shame I didn’t notice back in school!”
“Is that the legendary adopted child next to him?”
The pronunciation of the word “adopted” was subtly emphasized, indicating an underlying implication.
Amidst the subdued chatter, Li Xiangfu noticed some white specks on Li Shasha’s clothing from the corner of his eye.
He gently patted the corner of his clothes, a strand of hair falling from his forehead. Casually, he re-tied his hair. His nimble and slender fingers elicited soft gasps.
Once you’re captivated by the sight, it’s hard to look away.
While most attention focused on appearances, a few eyes were fixed on Li Shasha, and Luo An was among them.
The individuals seated at his table were familiar faces. Just a few minutes ago, they were jesting about Li Xiangfu’s supposed anonymity, mocking the child for going unrecognized. Little did they know, a sharp turnaround was about to occur.
Luo An stood up, the chair scraping harshly against the floor. “I’m heading to the restroom.”
Silence filled the air as everyone exchanged puzzled glances.
As he made his way to the door, Luo An phoned the department supervisor. Immediately upon connecting, he reprimanded in a low voice, “Didn’t you assure me that the matter was taken care of?” The supervisor was bewildered by the scolding.
Luo An continued, frustration evident in his tone, “During today’s dinner, the old man not only brought Li Xiangfu but also his grandson.”
He gritted out the last part.
The supervisor struggled to respond, finally managing, “How is that possible? The person in charge…”
Luo An cut him off, “Don’t finalize the project negotiated with that fool. Get a few professionals to review the contract. Meddle with it.”
He was about to berate the supervisor further, but the elevator doors opened, revealing Qin Jin and his bodyguards stepping out.
Luo An quickly swallowed his anger, hastily ending the call and proceeded towards the restroom, feigning composure.
He had no official business engagements or meetings with Qin Jin, and there was no exchange of greetings. Luo An wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but every time Qin Jin passed by, he felt like he was being targeted by a venomous snake.
With Qin Jin’s arrival, fewer people approached Mr. Li. Everyone tried to avoid offending either party and settled back into their seats.
The lighting gradually dimmed, and the front projection displayed photos and carefully edited videos of the couple.
The waiter swiftly served the food. Li Xiangfu used his chopsticks to offer Li Shasha a piece of braised pork. Li Shasha took a cautious bite and commented, “It lacks tenderness, it’s too salty, and the ingredient choice is average.”
He delivered the critique with a serious demeanor, evoking laughter from several others at the table. Even Mr. Li, who was usually stern, couldn’t help but slightly curl his lips.
Li Shasha began to yearn for Li Xiangfu’s culinary skills, contemplating how to persuade him to cook.
Unaware of his son’s thoughts, Li Xiangfu’s attention was not on the dishes, but he glanced at the nearby table from the corner of his eye.
The first few rows were occupied by influential individuals, not far from Qin Jin. Li Xiangfu had only heard about Qin Jin before, but this was his first time seeing him in person.
Amidst the flickering lanterns, discerning a face was not difficult. Compared to the ordinary person, Qin Jin’s eyes were unnaturally pale, lacking the charismatic air one would expect from a big boss who commanded authority. Instead, there was a lingering gloom, as if the light was deliberately avoiding him.
His excessively somber presence often made people overlook his good complexion.
Suddenly, Qin Jin tilted his head and mouthed something. The bodyguard accompanying him then proceeded in their direction.
Tables nearby displayed various expressions as their gazes involuntarily shifted.
The bodyguard intended to reach Li Xiangfu, but Mr. Li intercepted him, casually toying with his cup: “Is there something you need?”
Surprisingly, the bodyguard only handed over a business card, saying, “My boss wanted me to pass this on to you.”
It was quite evident to whom he intended to give it.
Sensing that accepting this business card might not be wise, Li Xiangfu glanced at Li Shasha.
Li Shasha, feigning a chilly demeanor like a disobedient child, demanded fish.
Li Xiangfu skillfully removed the fish bones for him, portraying the image of a good father.
It would be inappropriate to accept the business card with his hands greasy from the food. Mr. Li stayed still. The bodyguard regarded them deeply, placed the business card on the table, and departed.
It was essentially a “closed door.” Anticipating the boss’s unpredictable temperament, the bodyguard instinctively slowed down slightly on his way back.
“He didn’t accept it.”
“I noticed,” Qin Jin smiled subtly, leaving people puzzled. “It would be surprising if he did.”
The faint curve of his lips didn’t dispel the darkness. While other tables buzzed with conversation and laughter, the atmosphere at this table remained chilly due to his presence.
When the bride made her entrance into the inner court, the lighting changed, and petals fluttered from both sides of the extended stage. The bride embodied the epitome of delicate grace, even a hint of blush showing through her powdered face.
A live band was gracing the occasion, and every song they played was imbued with sincerity and genuine emotion.
Li Xiangfu meticulously wiped his fingers one by one with a wet wipe. He surmised that everyone was captivated by the bride, so he turned his head slightly and glanced to the other side.
As he looked up, he was taken by surprise, ensnared by a pair of light-colored pupils. Li Xiangfu’s heart skipped a beat, as if he had stumbled into a hunter’s trap.
After a moment, his gaze fell upon the lone business card lying next to the plate, and he narrowed his eyes.
From the moment Qin Jin handed over his business card, the surrounding guests discreetly observed their reactions.
Li Shasha picked up a piece of fish and tasted it. After swallowing, he spoke softly: “Dad, that man glanced at you three times from the corner of his eye. He’s sitting rigidly and continuously tapping his fingers on the table, betraying his inner agitation. It’s not as composed as it seems… Tsk, another infatuated fool who has a crush on you.”
In the past, Li Xiangfu had encountered numerous admirers in the realm of romantic pursuits, both from the female populace and, after revealing his bold ways, even from males. The system could often detect those spying on him right away, and he had long grown accustomed to it.
Just as the emcee on stage concluded their words, the atmosphere instantly became lively. The bride went to change outfits, and the groom stood beside the table to offer toasts.
With many people moving around, Qin Jin also stood up. When the onlookers observed the direction he was heading, many held their breath, anticipating that a dramatic moment was about to unfold.
Simultaneously, the furrow between Mr. Li’s brows lessened, and his gaze fixed directly on Qin Jin.
As if he had not received this warning, Qin Jin approached, looked at Li Xiangfu, and spoke a bit slower than usual: “It seems this card is quite sought after.” Li Shasha turned his face slightly and cast an inquisitive glance at Li Xiangfu, who then shrugged, indicating his lack of interest.
Seeing that his advances were met with indifference, Li Shasha hopped off the stool and stood in front of Qin Jin, presenting the business card with both hands. He feigned deep regret and addressed the other person: “No chance, sorry, mister, we’re not available for dating.”
The author has something to say:
Li Xiangfu: Falling in love will only affect the pace of my guqin playing.
Li Shasha: Impossible, give up.
Qin Jin:…
???? Everyone thinks qin Jin hates LXF but he actually has a crush on him? Or am I confused?
If qin jin still likes and want to pursue LXF even after he was a child that’s real love~~~~Thanks for the chapter ~~~
Ok so confusing, does Qin Jin hates him or likes him? Or used to like him but turns into hatred?
Li ShaSha pronouns keep jumping from he and her throughout the chapter, it keep putting me off my imagination
Fixed!
There are still two lines across the chapter when li shasha’s pronoun is her. Other than that, everything else seems perfect!
Oh! Thanks for telling me! ♡