A Sand Sculpture in the Red Dust - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 – Meeting Luo An

　　In the living room, Li Huaichen was surrounded by darkness, and the whole person was shrouded in shadows. Old Master Li sat opposite him, and talked about business with a serious expression: “Have you confirmed the identity of the child?”

　　Li Huaichen: “They look quite similar.”

　　Before the old man got angry, he said calmly: “It’s been such a long time, and my younger brother was mischievous at that time. He couldn’t be seen for a whole day. How can I investigate it? Besides… there may be other people behind the scenes.”

　　Li Xiangfu’s biological mother has been instigating him to fight for the family property. It would be difficult for him to complete many of the child’s procedures alone without someone else to handle them.

　　Speaking of Li Xiangfu’s mother, Mr. Li couldn’t help but have a headache and leaned back on the sofa, thinking.

　　The power supply was restored a quarter of an hour later.

　　Li Xiangfu really couldn’t control his hands and re-buttoned several buttons. Before he walked in, he saw a long slanted shadow under the light.

　　His expression changed slightly and he walked straight to the living room.

　　When he saw the two people sitting there, Li Xiangfu’s throat was a little dry: “Dad.”

　　Mr. Li’s usually stern face softened for a moment and then quickly tightened: “I thought you would continue to fool around outside after graduation. Why are you willing to return?”

　　Li Xiangfu was silent for a moment and sat on the other side of the sofa.

　　But Mr. Li stood up at this time, obviously not wanting to talk to him more, and his steps when he went upstairs were heavier than usual.

　　Li Huaichen glanced at Li Xiangfu who was still sitting there motionless and sighed: “Tell me what you want to do before next month. If you want to join the company, I will arrange it.”

　　Li Xiangfu had no intention of joining the company at all and had other plans for his life, but he did not say it on the spot and just nodded.

　　The breakfast the next day was particularly sumptuous.

　　Aunt Zhang is very attentive. All dishes are served elegantly, and some bowls do not contain chili peppers.

　　Li Shasha was too sensible and didn’t need Li Xiangfu to say anything more. He sat down and started to eat quietly.

　　Mr. Li took a sip of tea and said, “Saturday is the wedding party for the youngest son of the Lin family. Prepare a decent set of clothes for the child in advance.”

　　Li Xiangfu: “He doesn’t need to attend that kind of event.”

　　Being contradicted, Mr. Li subconsciously opened his mouth to teach him a lesson, but suddenly stopped talking. It was too dark last night and he didn’t pay much attention. In the past few years since he left, Li Xiangfu’s spirit has improved in almost all aspects.

　　Mr. Li was not used to seeing men with long hair and had scolded him for it many times in the past, but he had to admit that long hair was just right for Li Xiangfu’s current temperament.

　　”Think before you speak,” said Mr. Li in a bad tone, “If he doesn’t go this time, his future identity will be very embarrassing.”

　　”Shasha is my adopted child,” Li Xiangfu sighed, “If you don’t believe me, we can go for a paternity test.”

　　Li Huaichen, who had been eating silently, suddenly said, “50,000 for hair, plucked out x1.5 inches now; 100,000 for blood drawn from a real person on the spot?”

　　“…”

　　Mr. Li frowned: “What’s this mess?”

　　Li Huaichen glanced at Li Xiangfu and said, “Someone’s new way of making money.”

　　Seemingly too lazy to find out what was going on, Mr. Li continued eating. When they were almost done eating, Mr. Li asked, “Have you contacted the others?”

　　By others, he was naturally referring to Li Xiangfu’s brother and sister.

　　He shook his head.

　　Before the old man lost his temper, he explained: “I don’t know what to say on the phone. The last time I left, things were not very pleasant.”

　　After all, he didn’t dwell on the past. Mr. Li said in a deep voice, “Don’t make any plans for the day after tomorrow. Come with me to the wedding party on time.”

　　The atmosphere finally eased a little, and Li Xiangfu did not choose to force it, but nodded.

　　After dinner, Li Xiangfu took Li Shasha upstairs. Aunt Zhang was originally going to clean the table, but Li Huaichen asked her to wait a moment and she went to do something else for the time being.

　　”If he goes to the wedding party, there’s a high chance that he’ll run into Qin Jin.”

　　”No matter what, he has to go,” said Mr. Li. “This is a statement that proves that this kid has not been completely abandoned by the family.”

　　Once Qin Jin wants to settle old accounts, he will at least have concerns.

　　Li Huaichen: “I am worried…”

　　Mr. Li shrugged his eyelids and said, “Don’t worry, no matter how unruly Qin Jin is, he won’t cause trouble at other people’s happy events.”

　　Thinking of Qin Jin’s sinister style of doing things, Li Huaichen frowned slightly: “I hope so.”

　　Ignorance is bliss.

　　When Li Xiangfu was rescued four years ago, he lost his memory. He has no idea about the grudge between him and Qin Jin. He even forgot that there was someone who went on the adventurous trip with him at that time and that person’s whereabouts are still unknown.

　　Li Shasha: “I don’t want to be the heir to a wealthy family. From the perspective of survival science, I am here to take care of the elderly.”

　　Li Xiangfu: “Don’t worry too much. I have two older brothers and an outstanding sister. It will never be your turn.”

　　Li Shasha hit the nail on the head: “They all work in the company?”

　　Li Xiangfu pondered for a moment and said, “Except for my eldest brother, they are all engaged in different industries.”

　　“…”

　　Li Xiangfu: “Want to play chess?”

　　The topic change was too abrupt. Li Shasha looked at him deeply.

　　Li Xiangfu: “By the way, I will also take you to get the clothes.”

　　”Let’s play chess.” Li Shasha made the decision immediately.

　　Playing chess and getting clothes do not conflict with each other. After being checked several times in the morning, Li Shasha was taken to a brand store with a good reputation in the afternoon. The store has clothes for both adults and children and accepts customization.

　　As time went by, Li Xiangfu unexpectedly ran into Luo An here.

　　The moment their eyes met, Luo An was slightly startled.

　　Although someone had been investigating Li Xiangfu’s movements in the few days since his return, photographs are far less impactful than the real person. This appearance and figure don’t look like the person studied abroad, but more like he was reborn.

　　Compared to him, Li Xiangfu doesn’t have so many thoughts.

　　He used to really consider Luo An as a friend, until the old man said that Luo An bribed the media to publicize the rescue and criticize it from the perspective of wasting public resources. In addition, Li Huaichen collected some embarrassing things that Luo An had done behind his back in the past, so Li Xiangfu blocked him at that time and never contacted him again.

　　”Xiang Fu.” Luo An walked over with a smile, as if the unpleasantness in the past had never happened.

　　Li Xiangfu said coldly: “Excuse me.”

　　Luo An: “Listen to my explanation, what happened back then…”

　　With a sneer, Li Xiangfu stopped the next words and said, “No matter how much my father dislikes me, he will never lie, and he will never wrongly accuse you.”

　　In fact, he didn’t know that Mr. Li had indeed lied, and Luo An actually wanted to make a fuss about Qin Jin’s brother’s affairs.

　　”Everyone has made mistakes when they were young…”

　　”Please stay away. I’m afraid the scum’s aura will infect my son.”

　　Luo An was a petty person to begin with. After being treated coldly twice, he immediately said angrily, “I am a scumbag, what about you? You want to win favor by relying on your child, but be careful that you may end up with nothing.”

　　After saying this, he left without waiting for the other party to speak.

　　After getting in the car, Luo An cursed and vented his anger on the driver: “Didn’t I pay you? Turn up the air conditioner.”

　　After a moment’s pause, he called the department manager and asked, “Are you sure everything is OK with what I asked you to do last time?”

　　”Don’t worry.” The voice on the other end was quite flattering: “The old man said it in the restaurant at the time that he didn’t know anything about his grandson and obviously didn’t want to acknowledge him.”

　　Luo An’s anger subsided a little after hearing this, and after a while, the corners of his mouth slowly curled up: “Very good.”

　　He couldn’t wait to see Li Xiangfu become a lost dog.

　　After he finished speaking, he pressed his eyebrows.

　　Being smart is one thing, but a six-year-old child who discusses the philosophy of life with a straight face and can quote from classics is not something that can be easily described as weird.

　　The author has something to say:

　　Li Shasha: The villain is still waiting to see your performance.

　　Li Xiangfu: Does it affect me from playing guqin?

　　Li Shasha: Not at all.

　　Li Xiangfu: Oh, then let him be.