Fortunately, Li Shasha wasn’t tall; otherwise, he’d have had to practically shove the business card into the opponent’s face in this posture.
Qin Jin didn’t extend his hand to take it, instantly making the atmosphere tense and rigid.
The onlookers, who had been eagerly anticipating the spectacle, were now breaking into a sweat. Watching a verbal showdown was exciting, but the palpable tension in the air was another matter.
At this critical moment, Li Xiangfu suddenly embraced Li Shasha and placed him back on the stool. “The child is naive and just fooling around. Let’s not engage with his antics.” After a lingering stare, Qin Jin subtly curled the corners of his mouth and departed from the table early.
There were no further disturbances for a while.
As the wedding concluded, some guests took photos with the newlyweds, while others rose and made their way out. The previously jubilant venue now looked a bit weary due to the remnants of food on the tables and departing guests carrying their bags.
A waiter approached to clear the table, and Mr. Li went to converse with his business associates. Li Xiangfu hesitated for a moment, then picked up the business card and tucked it into his pocket.
Li Shasha was the sole witness.
“So, not showing much interest doesn’t mean you’re completely disinterested.”
Li Xiangfu sighed, “Don’t overthink it.”
Li Shasha said in an expressionless manner, “As long as you’re happy.”
The two conversed a bit audibly, and Mr. Li glanced in their direction. After a brief observation, Li Xiang changed the subject, “Should I call the driver now to pick you up?”
The elderly man nodded.
While walking downstairs, passing by the trash can, Li Xiangfu paused. The business card in his pocket seemed to emit a faint warmth, tempting him to discard it.
Li Shasha, having worked alongside him for so many years, could discern this hesitation. “What’s so special about Qin Jin?”
“His eyes,” Li Xiangfu admitted plainly this time, “His eyes are strikingly beautiful.”
It was much akin to his approach with women. The stars he saw during his overseas service, half obscured by clouds and mist, made one desire to uncover the truth and hold onto hope.
But that was all.
He refrained from divulging the actual reason. The joyous wedding ambiance in the banquet hall seemed to have influenced his thinking. When Li Shasha mentioned the notion of a secret crush, Li Xiangfu didn’t harbor many doubts. It was only when they stepped outside, and the fresh breeze hit his face, that he snapped back to reality. Qin Jin didn’t strike him as someone prone to love at first sight.
The act of offering a business card could have another motive.
…
Upon entering the community, a familiar car pulled into the garage ahead of them. Shortly after, Li Huaichen emerged, questioning, “Did the wedding end so quickly?”
Mr. Li nodded.
Upon opening the door, the aroma of a cooked meal filled the air.
Mr. Li inquired what Aunt Zhang was up to and mentioned that they had already eaten at the wedding.
Aunt Zhang smiled, “Xiao Chun is back.”
Li Xiangfu, who was changing shoes behind them, froze momentarily. Xiao Chun, mentioned by Aunt Zhang, referred to his second sister, Li Xichun. The last encounter between them before he went abroad wasn’t very pleasant due to Li Xichun’s boyfriend.
Given Mr. Li’s disapproval of her relationship, the father and daughter had a heated argument in the hospital room. At that moment, Li Xichun suddenly asked him if he shared the same views as the old man.
Li Xiangfu remained silent and eventually nodded after being pressed repeatedly.
Li Xichun stayed with him for two days during his hospitalization. Throughout this time, her boyfriend never made a single phone call. Li Xichun even called him once, hinting for him to come and visit. However, for some inexplicable reason, the call turned into a quarrel and ended abruptly, hanging up on her.
At that point, Li Xiangfu suspected that his sister might not hold much significance in her boyfriend’s heart. Otherwise, a dispute wouldn’t have erupted at such a critical moment involving a relative. Furthermore, his father, though stubborn, possessed good judgment of character, implying that there were deeper reasons for repeatedly stopping him.
Li Xichun, with her fiery temper, promptly stormed out, slamming the door after he nodded.
His reminiscence was disrupted by a sneer.
Mr. Li commented irritably, “She must have had another argument with her boyfriend. Do you want to talk to her?”
Li Xichun changed into her casual attire and descended the stairs. When she saw Li Xiangfu, she deliberately averted her gaze. After a brief exchange, she handed a red envelope to Li Shasha.
There was a stir outside, indicating that she was evidently aware of the child’s existence.
“I’ll give you a red envelope when you break up,” Mr. Li retorted in annoyance.
Li Xichun held her anger back.
Over the years, Mr. Li had gradually perfected a method to deal with his troubled children. Rather than coercion, he preferred a combination of gentle persuasion and firmness. He personally took out a cup from the cupboard, poured water, and handed it to her. “I noticed this on the roadside last time. I recall that you adored this brown bear pattern as a child.”
After saying that, his expression tightened again. “Did that guy mistreat you? I’ll go deal with him!”
Li Xichun hesitated but eventually decided to reveal the truth. “I asked him about his annual leave plans so that I could book tickets in advance for a trip, and he was very impatient.” She sat on the sofa, clutching the cup, and spoke somewhat dejectedly, “He also mentioned that it was easy for me to start a studio, not understanding the challenges he faced dealing with customers. There’s really no easy job in the world, and I don’t know how it got tangled up in this.”
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 refrained from scolding the man; he simply remarked, “Stay at home for a couple of days and gather your thoughts.”
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“Qin Jin?” Li Xiangfu raised his eyebrows, never expecting this additional layer of complexity.
Similar to Mr. Li, Li Huaichen wasn’t overly verbose. He was a classic workaholic. He headed to the study to retrieve a document, preparing to return to the office for overtime work.
Once the meal was served, Aunt Zhang intended to go to the supermarket for some shopping. The living room fell into an uncanny silence.
Li Xichun was the first to break the silence, saying, “You’re really heartless and young. You’ve changed a lot over these years.” Her complexion was so radiant that it almost overshadowed the young girl.
Li Xiangfu replied, “I’ve been maintaining good health.”
Li Xichun walked over to the dining table, picked up her chopsticks, and said nothing.
Siblings couldn’t remain at an impasse forever. Li Xiangfu tentatively proposed, “Shall we co-parent starting from tomorrow?”
Li Xichun laughed in exasperation, “Alright, remember to remind me.”
…
Li Xiangfu did just that.
The following day, Li Xichun experienced firsthand what it meant not to speak rashly. At dawn, Li Xiangfu stood outside her room, knocking on the door, holding a guqin.
A few strands of Li Xichun’s hair stood on end, whether due to irritation or static electricity.
Outside the door, Li Xiangfu calmly explained, “Waking up early gives you a sense of having more time in the day.”
Li Xichun, disheveled and somewhat disarrayed, followed him to the courtyard, resembling a phantom, with her beautiful eyes almost burning with fire.
She didn’t explode immediately but prepared to seize the moment when the melodious sound filled her ears.
In the courtyard, Li Shasha was waiting for them early in the morning, holding a cup of warm water.
After Li Xiangfu sat down, he played a soothing piece of music.
Just as the title of the song suggested, the music was tranquil, and its rhythm subconsciously made one cast aside worldly distractions. Several trees in the courtyard swayed with a rustling sound, and Li Xiangfu’s long hair danced in the wind, as if he were a handsome man from another era.
Li Xichun didn’t realize when she had closed his eyes, listening intently. It took quite a while after the lingering sound had faded for her to regain her awareness.
Li Shasha remarked, “Dad, your heart… is still restless.”
Afterward, he turned to Li Xichun and commented, “Aunt, your heart is in a whirl too.”
“Is it because of emotions?” His gaze moved through the trembling leaves, observing the sparrows perched close on the branches. “Inquiring about love in this world, it’s what makes us agree in life and death.”
Li Xichun choked on her saliva and started coughing.
Li Shasha shook his head and left. Just before entering the house, he turned back and said, “Dad, I’m waiting for the day when you can truly unleash the power of meditation music.”
After his figure disappeared, Li Xichun took a while to find her voice. “Do you think this child…”
“Is very intelligent, isn’t he?” Li Xiangfu smiled faintly. “There was once a child prodigy who could memorize Tang poetry and Song lyrics at the age of three. His talent is nothing.”
Li Xichun wore a complex expression after hearing this, silently stood up, and headed straight to the second floor, knocking on Li Huaichen’s door.
Before she could speak, Li Huaichen nodded slightly. “Dad has already spoken personally; the matter of re-education is urgent.”
No one uttered a word at the breakfast table this morning.
Both Mr. Li and Li Huaichen had matters to attend to, so they left one after another after breakfast.
Li Xichun had arranged to discuss an art exhibition. She was dressed smartly in a business suit, carried her branded bag, and left in a hurry.
Being the most idle person in the family, Li Xiangfu began tidying up the room. He first pulled out a large box from under the bed and caught sight of a few high school books. He flipped through them reflexively and was surprised to find that he had taken thorough notes in the past.
Li Shasha suddenly lay down and pulled out a crumpled booklet with sharp eyes. “Exploring the Limits?” The book mainly introduced mysterious scenic spots, ranging from jungle wetlands to snow-capped mountains and glaciers, with many in between. It had post-it notes to record routes.
“Dad, you were quite adventurous when you were young.”
Li Xiangfu took one out and looked at it. He wasn’t particularly impressed. He hesitated and placed the book back into the drawer without sorting it amidst the clutter.
The door was ajar, and someone knocked in a perfunctory manner.
Li Xiangfu turned around and saw Aunt Zhang standing there, wearing an embarrassed expression.
“My son just came back from out of town and wants to take a few days off,” Aunt Zhang explained.
Li Xiangfu responded with a smile, “Of course, let him take the time off.”
Aunt Zhang breathed a sigh of relief, took off her apron, and left, visibly content.
Listening to the brisk footsteps rushing downstairs, Li Xiangfu let out a quiet sigh.
Influenced by his family background, his mother held a dismissive attitude towards family connections and had no interest in vying for family assets. They only maintained occasional contact.
Just like tidying up the clutter around him, Li Xiangfu swiftly sorted out his emotions: “Go check what’s in the refrigerator. I’ll prepare lunch.”
Li Shasha was enthusiastic about this.
Aunt Zhang had just been to the supermarket the day before and had bought a variety of ingredients. Li Shasha listed them out one by one. Li Xiangfu suggested two dishes, “Boiled pork slices and fish-flavored eggplant?”
“Both sound good.” Li Shasha added proudly, “I’ve already thawed the meat.”
Li Xiangfu washed his hands and entered the kitchen to fetch a kitchen knife. After a quick assessment, he shook his head, “It needs to be sharpened.”
Aunt Zhang still used the same old whetstone. He adjusted the angle between the blade and his line of sight, poured some water on the stone surface, placed his hands on it, and closed his eyes, preparing for the sharpening.
“Dad, you look like you’re about to perform surgery on this knife,” Li Shasha remarked.
Li Xiangfu confessed, “I’m not skilled at physical work.”
Li Shasha cheered him on, “Boys who dance well have strong waists.”
As Li Xiangfu leaned down and focused, the sharp sound of the knife being sharpened resonated throughout the house.
“Thirty degrees! The angle is too high!” Li Shasha directed like a conductor, “Gently push and firmly pull, stay focused.”
“Shift your center of gravity forward, don’t cross your legs.”
“Change the whetstone and polish it!”
These stringent instructions floated outside, leaving Li Xichun, who had just returned home, stunned.
Having dealt with a difficult client that morning and still grappling with the problem, she came back mentally and physically drained. Initially mistaking the instructional tone for a conversation with herself, she finally realized she was not the intended recipient.
“What are you up to?”
Li Xiangfu held up the knife, admiring the gleaming blade in the sunlight. “Sharpening the knife.”
Li Xichun glanced at Li Shasha, feeling a bit perplexed. “And he…”
Li Xiangfu clarified, “He’s the ultimate master of theory.”
More surprises were yet to come. Li Xichun watched in astonishment as her younger brother, who had never dabbled in cooking before, expertly sliced the meat into thin, uniform pieces, set them aside to marinate, and simultaneously started preparing the other ingredients.
Initially, Li Xichun observed playfully. As the red oil sizzled in the pot and the aroma of Sichuan peppercorns filled the air, she couldn’t help but ask, “When did you learn to cook?”
“When I were studying abroad,” Li Xiangfu responded with a quite reasonable explanation.
His actions resembled those of a precise instrument, accurately measuring the grams of each seasoning required.
“Can you give me about 150 grams of bean sprouts?”
Li Xichun nonchalantly grabbed a few handfuls, placed them on a plate, and handed them over.
Li Xiangfu picked them up, weighed them with water, and furrowed his brows, “About forty grams short.” Amused, Li Xichun actually challenged him, found a scale to measure them accurately, and fell silent for a few seconds. She then handed over some more bean sprouts.
Li Xiangfu cooked the bean sprouts and arranged them neatly in a beautiful large bowl at the bottom. He then skillfully scooped the fried sauce, added water, and swiftly cooked it until it bubbled. The meat changed color as it was tossed in the pot, and though the range hood was on, the fragrance still wafted through from time to time.
Li Xichun couldn’t wait and peeked over his shoulder.
“Stay back a bit.” After sprinkling some Sichuan peppercorns and minced chili peppers, Li Xiangfu finally poured a spoonful of hot oil on top. The aroma of the peppers instantly spread, and the glistening meat slices were tantalizing. Just looking at them was satisfying.
Li Xichun, unbothered by the heat, picked up a piece with chopsticks and tasted it. The meat was incredibly tender, smooth, and the tingling spiciness made her squint her eyes.
“Why is it so delicious?”
The same dish used to feel oily and heavy, yet now, she used clean chopsticks to fill a small bowl and finished it without any discomfort.
Li Xiangfu explained, “It’s best to pair it with rice or bread; otherwise, it might cause indigestion.”
As one person couldn’t get enough of the flavors, Li Xichun was politely asked to leave the kitchen.
In their family, like Mr. Li, who favored noodles followed by rice, everyone quickly enjoyed a plate of fish-flavored eggplant. Li Xichun quickly finished it with steamed buns. Li Shasha also expressed her satisfaction with the meal and gave it a glowing five-star review.
Li Xichun had no intentions of leaving any leftovers. Not only that, upon learning that Aunt Zhang was taking a week off, she promptly sent private messages to Mr. Li and Li Huaichen.
Li Huaichen saw the message and replied that he would be back next week.
Mr. Li swiftly rushed back to the resort and decided to stay away for a week first.
Li Xiangfu couldn’t help but remark, “It seems Aunt Zhang is the backbone of our family.”
Li Xichun elegantly wiped the corners of her mouth, adding, “Now, it’s you.”
After the satisfying meal and pleasant conversation, the day quickly passed.
The next morning, a knock on the door interrupted her dreams.
“Are you up?” Li Xiangfu inquired, standing at the door with his guqin as usual.
Li Xichun rose from bed, jesting, “Am I up? Why am I up? Don’t you know?”
The rare cool morning breeze rustled through the air. Li Xichun lounged on the rocking chair, toying with her slippers, devoid of makeup, presenting a sharp contrast to Li Xiangfu, impeccably dressed and playing the guqin.
She couldn’t resist capturing her profile in a photo, posting it on WeChat Moments, captioning it: “[A good day begins with cultivating sentiment.]”
After a musical interlude, Li Xichun went to freshen up. When she returned, breakfast was already laid out on the table. It took her aback for a moment. In the past, she used to prepare breakfast for her boyfriend herself.
Because Gao Xun was apprehensive about her aunt’s presence at home, he wanted her to have a good breakfast, so she usually prepared it herself.
Li Xiangfu didn’t eat much. After the meal, he retrieved a packed lunch and handed it to Li Xichun, who was putting on her shoes: “Well done.”
“…Thank you.”
Li Xichun spent the morning grappling with customers.
Art is priceless. When a painting is clearly priced and displayed in a gallery, the complications arise from the world in between. The artist the investor was interested in was rather pompous, and she genuinely hesitated to organize an art exhibition for such an individual.
As she was about to order takeout for lunch, she suddenly remembered the packed lunch. When she saw the smiling face made of tomato sauce on the chicken steak, a smile unconsciously curved her lips.
Li Xichun snapped a picture and shared it on WeChat Moments, customarily excluding Mr. Li and the others, with the caption: “[Thanks to my brother for this delightful lunch; I’m reenergized for work.]”
It was well into the night when I got back home after working late at the office.
The lights were on inside, and Li Xiangfu was playing a jigsaw puzzle with Li Shasha. When he noticed me, he smiled gently and said, “I made some porridge; have a moderate portion.” I remained silent after hearing this and quietly posted on my Moments:
“At night, a light was lit for me. When I returned and saw the innocent smile on the child’s face, I suddenly felt a comforting warmth.”
…
In another part of the city,
At a dining table, a tall man kept glancing at his phone.
He was Gao Xun, Li Xichun’s boyfriend. Originally here for a business discussion with clients, he found himself alone at the dinner table. Suddenly, his attention was caught by the latest post on his friend’s circle:
“Can make a bento, and also cook at home, take care of the kids, and even prepare late-night snacks. Thanks to my brother, my perspective on men has completely changed now (smile.jpg).”
Gao Xun felt a shiver down his spine upon reading it. Before he could comment, a cough came from beside him. Looking up, he saw his secretary desperately winking at him.
Most of the work was done by now, and after the client left, the room fell silent.
Gao Xun, despite his tough exterior, was feeling uneasy. Sitting across from him was a handsome young man, but the reflection in his eyes sent a chill down his spine.
“I shouldn’t have let my personal emotions interfere with work,” Gao Xun admitted his mistake.
Reaching his current position in the company hadn’t been easy, and Qin Jin was known for being unforgiving. It wouldn’t be surprising if he got transferred to another department if his temper got the best of him.
“I don’t need an employee who lets personal life affect their work.”
This understatement made Gao Xun panic, knowing that the boss’s next decision would nullify all his past efforts.
The secretary stood silently, not daring to speak. He watched the scene unfold without blinking, cautioning himself to take heed.
As Qin Jin moved his fingers, seemingly about to make the final decision, Gao Xun blurted out for some reason: “It’s because of Li Xiangfu.”
He was stunned by his own words.
Qin Jin glanced at him, a flicker of amusement in his cold eyes.
Even after being with his boss for so many years, Gao Xun still couldn’t fathom his thoughts. From an outsider’s perspective, Qin Jin should detest the Li family, yet he was willing to give a chance to someone connected to them.
At that moment, Qin Jin narrowed his eyes and spoke again: “Aren’t you in a relationship with Li Xichun? How is it her brother’s fault?”
Gao Xun’s heart eased slightly; he was willing to offer evidence, hoping for a chance. He opened his friend’s circle and placed it on the table, displaying Li Xichun’s evaluation of her brother as ‘the ideal in the world.’
The author has something to say:
Qin Jin: How many surprises do you have that I’m unaware of?
It’s nice that Li Xichun gets along with Li Xiangfu, but please correct her pronouns… I understand the system having janky pronouns, who knows what gender it is, but the elder sister… Hm.
Fixed, let me know if there’s still some mistakes left. Also, Li Shasha’s gender should be He/His since he turned into Li Xiangfu’s son
Thanks for fixing! 😊
i feel like this should be in first person I, instead of you,
[ “When you were studying abroad,” Li Xiangfu responded with a quite reasonable explanation. ]
Fixed!