A Sand Sculpture in the Red Dust - Chapter 20

Chapter 20 – An Invitation to a Birthday Party

　　Facing the mobile phone that was placed in front of him at some point, Li Xiangfu was silent for a moment.

　　It seemed a bit unreasonable that Li Anqing came all the way to the ancient village to find him on a rainy day, but he was playing the guqin happily here to celebrate the recovery of his psychological discomfort.

　　Li Huaichun was still urging him on the other end of the phone. Li Xiangfu’s lips moved, and after thinking for a while, he said, “I’m working hard to survive.”

　　He didn’t know what Li Xichun said. At this time, Li Anqing had turned off the speakerphone and was communicating with the other party in the form of a normal conversation.

　　Li Xichun was obviously the talkative one. After about half a minute, Li Anqing ran out of patience: “I witnessed his hard work.”

　　After saying that, he hung up the phone.

　　The room suddenly became quiet. The breathing was suppressed by the sound of rain falling on the eaves, and the atmosphere fell into a depressing state.

　　Li Xiangfu did not shy away from looking at Li Anqing, and the two of them were truly reunited after a long separation. In the two years before he went abroad, he could occasionally see Mr. Li and others in video calls, but Li Anqing was elusive and he had not seen him even once in the past four years.

　　Time has not brought any changes to Li Anqing, even his eyes, which are most likely to be affected by the passage of time, remain the same.

　　Their eyes met. Li Anqing just looked at him briefly and quickly looked at Qin Jin on the other side.

　　Li Xiangfu looked over and found that Qin Jin had been sitting on the chair eating cakes as if nothing had happened.

　　“…”

　　As if he noticed he was being watched, Qin Jin wiped the snack residue off his fingers, raised his eyelids and asked, “What’s the matter?”

　　”There are a lot of things to do,” Li Anqing said very bluntly, “When Mr. Qin has time, we can talk.”

　　This style is essentially similar to Qin Jin’s. They like to use a declarative tone, which seems polite and considerate, but the conversation is based on the premise of helping others make choices.

　　Qin Jin didn’t answer. He stood up and walked out the door. When he was about to leave, his voice floated to the back: “It will take three days to go back by train. There is plenty of time.”

　　He left cleanly and neatly, and when Li Xiangfu reacted and was about to remind Qin Jin that he was still here, he had already gone far away.

　　Li Anqing casually touched the wood of the guqin and made a judgment: “You keep the guqin. No need to chase him. I will transfer double the money to him later.”

　　“…”

　　Li Xiangfu also wanted to have the simple happiness of the rich.

　　Knowing that Li Anqing didn’t like to talk nonsense, he helped pour a glass of water and got straight to the point: “How likely is it that someone like Qin Jin would contradict himself?”

　　Li Anqing picked up the teacup and glanced over: “Give me a specific example.”

　　”I took the initiative to mention Qin Jiayu, but his attitude was very indifferent.”

　　Assuming it wasn’t for the purpose of stimulating himself to recover his memory, there was really no need for the other party to go round and choose this place as the location for the field trip. What was the point?

　　Li Anqing lowered his eyes to look at the water ripples in the cup and whispered, “It means you have other uses.”

　　When Li Xiangfu looked at him, Li Anqing said calmly: “Just wait and see what happens.”

　　Recalling the meeting a few minutes ago, Li Xiangfu seemed to be lost in thought… His second brother was different from the other people in the family. He did not show any fear when facing Qin Jin.

　　Li Anqing happened to put down his cup, and their eyes met inadvertently. Seeing what he was thinking, Li Anqing kept silent at first, and then said: “Many people like to put your disappearance and Qin Jiayu’s disappearance together.”

　　”Shouldn’t it be?”

　　After all, the two of them set out together.

　　”I have a very bad impression of Qin Jiayu. If there is any fault, it should be his.”

　　This may sound overly arbitrary, but Li Anqing usually evaluates people in terms of good or bad. It is very rare for him to describe someone as “very bad”.

　　When Li Xiangfu asked for the reason in detail, Li Anqing simply summed it up with one sentence: “They just don’t like each other.”

　　It happened that the wind was blowing outside, and when he saw the raindrops being blown onto the surface of the guqin, he walked to the window to close it.

　　Li Anqing behind him suddenly emphasized again: “Although Qin Jin is gloomy, his behavior is logical. Qin Jiayu is different from his brother. He always gives me a sense of absurdity that ignores life.”

　　While the two were talking, footsteps were heard in the corridor. The person seemed to be deliberately stepping lightly. Li Xiangfu’s eyes moved and he made a gesture to keep quiet. He skillfully pulled out a stick hidden on the edge of the bed, turned his head and found that it was the owner of the house who carefully put half of his head in.

　　The owner of the house smiled awkwardly and said, “I saw a stranger came to see you, so I was worried and decided to come up to check.”

　　Li Xiangfu thanked him for his kindness, and then explained: “It’s my brother.”

　　The owner was stunned for a moment, and after a closer look, he found that the two people’s outlines were somewhat similar, especially the eyes. However, the teardrop mole under the corner of one eye made his eyes more charming, while the other one was cold and indifferent. At first glance, it was difficult to connect them together.

　　After making sure he was okay, the homeowner left with peace of mind.

　　Li Xiangfu put the stick back and said to Li Anqing, “The people here are quite tough. How about I prepare one for you?”

　　The few thugs who broke into Qin Jin’s place last night were quite fierce. It should be a warning to them that they should be careful to protect themselves when they go out.

　　Upon hearing this, Li Anqing looked at him deeply and shook his head.

　　Li Xiangfu looked down at the time and found that it was already late. He said, “I’m going to cook. I have to send it to Qin Jin later to repay his favor.”

　　Thanks to the other party, he could still play the guqin in the village.

　　The sound of footsteps coming down the stairs gradually faded away, and Li Anqing sighed softly… It can be seen that life is not easy for him.

　　•|•

　　Rainy days can actually arouse Li Xiangfu’s mood even more.

　　He was even better at cooking than painting, and in less than an hour, he came back with the food. When he opened the door, he saw Li Anqing frowning, tapping his fingers impatiently on the table. In another space, Li Xichun was bombarding him with phone calls.

　　After a quick glance, Li Anqing saw the steamed ribs with millet and cumin chicken wings. He hung up the phone directly, a hint of surprise flashing across his eyes: “You made it?”

　　Li Xiangfu nodded: “This is for you.”

　　You can smell the tempting aroma before you taste it. Eating hot millet steamed pork ribs on rainy days is a real pleasure.

　　Li Anqing took a bite and suddenly stopped, looked up and asked him: “Have you ever cooked at home?”

　　”Aunt Zhang wasn’t around for a few days.”

　　The lingering aroma of the ribs in his mouth lingered, and Li Anqing squinted his eyes: “I remembered that our father liked this dish very much.”

　　”He hasn’t eaten it.” Li Xiangfu said truthfully, “Dad and Big Brother didn’t come home when Aunt Zhang had taken leave.”

　　That means only Li Xichun has tasted his cooking skills. Li Anqing didn’t know what he was thinking: “Did you notify them that Aunt Zhang is not here?”

　　Li Xiangfu shook his head.

　　When Li Anqing heard this, his lips actually curved slightly, which was chilling.

　　Li Xiangfu looked over suspiciously: “What’s wrong?”

　　”Nothing.” Li Anqing took a photo with his mobile phone and said something inexplicable: “I just suddenly thought of how to deal with phone harassment.”

　　He wondered what the old man would feel when he knew that Li Xichun was enjoying delicious food alone at home.

　　Use noise to solve noise. With the old man nagging over there, someone should stop calling and asking questions.

　　Li Xiangfu did not disturb him while he was eating, and went to see Qin Jin with an umbrella and food.

　　•|•

　　Li Anqing always had a plan in mind, but this time he was wrong.

　　Mr. Li did not talk about Li Xichun, but talked seriously with his daughter.

　　Li Xichun was quite helpless: “Do families who raise sons all think their sons are the best in the world?”

　　Old Master Li slammed the table, and Li Xichun sat up reflexively. She didn’t dare to continue being presumptuous, and said slowly: “I support you wanting him to go on a blind date, but can we be down-to-earth? Bian Shiqin is the only child in the Bian family, who was raised in pampering. How could she agree to go on a blind date with Xiangfu?”

　　The reality is that when the Bian family chooses a son-in-law, they will never allow the other party to have a bad record in the past.

　　”So I asked you to act as a matchmaker.”

　　Li Xichun tilted her head and rubbed her temple, saying with a headache: “She and I are just classmates, and our relationship is average.”

　　”Don’t be too deliberate. I heard that this girl is going to have a birthday party next month. You can take Xiang Fu over then.”

　　Li Xichun didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “Isn’t this deliberate?”

　　Mr. Li got the news from somewhere: “It is estimated that there will be many young talents present on that day.”

　　Li Xichun couldn’t resist and nodded reluctantly.

　　Although she received a birthday invitation, she felt it would be too rude to bring someone along rashly, so Li Xichun called ahead to communicate.

　　Bian Shiqin was a stunning beauty, with a first-class education and family background. When she heard that the other party wanted to bring her brother, she understood the meaning. In the past two days, many people proposed to bring friends or relatives, and she smiled and agreed. The essence of a birthday party is actually to make more friends, and meeting the right man is the icing on the cake.

　　But she was not happy at the moment. Li Xiangfu’s reputation in the circle was not very good, and he even had a child. In this situation, Li Xichun still wanted to match them up. How could Bian Shiqin feel comfortable?

　　Li Xichun knew what the other party would think, so he said in a teasing tone, “It is difficult to disobey my father’s order, so I’m just bringing him along for the sake of formalities. It just so happens that my younger brother is out of town, so I can bring back anything that interests you.”

　　Bian Shiqin’s tone softened a little after hearing this, and the two of them began to be polite again.

　　Li Xichun: “Let’s add WeChat and chat. Maybe we can arrange a marriage for each other after we become friends.”

　　Then she sent a photo of Li Shasha carrying her schoolbag.

　　Now Bian Shiqin was completely sure that the other party had no intention of matchmaking, the barriers were dispelled, and she added Li Xiangfu’s WeChat.

　　After the call, Li Xichun sighed. She had done her best and the rest could only be left to fate.

　　•|•

　　At the same time, Li Xiangfu received a friend request and felt puzzled when he saw the note “I am Bian Shiqin”.

　　Soon Li Xichun sent a text message explaining the reason.

　　Only then did Li Xiangfu frown and pass by.

　　He guessed the other party added him as a friend in a quite speechless state, but after all, it was the girl who took the initiative to add him first, and it would be impolite for him not to say anything.

　　After thinking for a while, Li Xiangfu sent a message: [Hello, I heard that it is your birthday soon, I wish you a happy birthday in advance.]

　　A thank you emoticon was sent over there.

　　The two of them tacitly chose to bring the communication to an abrupt end.

　　Just when he thought the matter was over, Li Xichun called him not long after. Li Xiangfu suddenly understood the helplessness of his second brother who was bombarded with phone calls.

　　However, unlike talking to Li Anqing, Li Xichun spoke to him earnestly: “You must come to Bian Shiqin’s birthday party. I have already informed her, and I can also give an explanation to Dad…”

　　After five full minutes, Li Xichun finally finished speaking and hung up the phone.

　　Seeing him shaking his head helplessly, Qin Jin put down his chopsticks and smiled: “So difficult?”

　　”It costs money.” Li Xiangfu said seriously.

　　You can’t go empty-handed, and it’s even more unreasonable to compete with others for a gift.

　　Qin Jin: “You can go to Luoxia Pavilion to choose.”

　　”The stuff there costs at least 100,000 yuan.”

　　Just as Qin Jin was about to offer a half-price discount, Li Xiangfu thought about it and made a decision: “Forget it, I’ll just buy some needlework and do some handicrafts.”

　　Hearing his serious tone, Qin Jin said with a smile, “It’s not right to give away knitted items like gloves and scarves.”

　　Li Xiangfu simply shook his head: “No, I will give away a double-sided embroidery.”

　　“…”

　　The author has something to say:

Li Xiangfu: Friend, have you heard of Along the River During the Qingming Festival?

T/N :

Although this novel is fun to work with, I realised a while ago that somebody has already bulk mtled it in fanmtl. The views aren’t that great so I’m deliberating whether or not to keep going. If y’all want me to continue, lemme know in the comments. If I don’t get any response by the time I hit ch25, I’ll consider dropping this novel. :⁠’⁠(