Brother Wolf had a habit of driving in silence, concentrating and never talking .
Li Du liked to have discussions with others when he looked through the documents,
especially when the information was unclear .
All he could do was talk to Sophie, who was making him frustrated in many ways . "Wow,
this guy has big specs!"
"Wow, he's so cool!"
"Wow, that handsome boy's legs are so long!"
When Li Du stopped talking to her, Sophie kept laughing .
Li Du's parents' flight arrived in the evening . Sophie's parents showed up, both of them
dressed very formally . Mr . James wore a suit with a jacket, and Mrs . Martin wore a suit
with a long skirt .
After meeting them, Li Du hugged them, gave them welcome gifts and said with a smile,
"I'm really sorry that I didn't accompany Sophie to pay you a visit when I came back
from Africa . "
His gift to the Martins was two rings . One of the rings was as red as fire and the other
was black with colorful reflections . The first was a fire opal, and the second a black one .
The faces of the two rings were shaped like wings, but each had only one side .
Mr . James laughed brightly . "You young people have a fast pace of life . Get busy with
your own things . Don't worry about us, we are busy too . "
Mrs . Martin was a collector of art, and she knew the value of the gift .
Although the gems used in the rings were small, their texture was very good and the
color particularly clear, which signified the best quality in opals .
In addition, the wing carving was excellent . The edge had platinum inlay, and the
feather pattern was very clear . The ring itself looked like a tree with branches around it
and the lines of bark etched into it .
She looked at the gift happily and said, "They are so beautiful, Li . Why are their wings in
opposite directions? What's the story in here?"
Li Du smiled and said, "There is a famous poem in our culture . It goes, in the sky . . . "
"In the sky let us be two lovebirds flying ever together, and on earth, two trees with
branches interlocked together . I know this poem . It's beautiful, even more than these
rings," Sophie interjected .
Li Du nodded and continued to explain . "Yes, the lovebird is the bird god in our ancient
legend . This bird has only one eye and one wing, and the male and female stay side by
side to fly, so this image is often used to praise a loving couple . "
"And the interlocking branches, that's an image more familiar to Americans . This is an
acacia, and the branches of two trees grow together…"
Mr . James nodded and said, "I know how this happens . Between the bark and the
xylem, there is a layer of cells called cambium . If two tree trunks collide in windy
weather, the cambium of both comes in contact, which causes the proliferation of new
cells, and the trees continue to grow together . "
"Why is there no romance in your explanation?" sighed Mrs . Martin .
Mr . James felt wronged and said, "You have to let me show off my knowledge . Oh, I
forgot . You are an expert in biology . "
He patted his forehead with a look of chagrin .
She held up her ring and said, "Is this a combination of a lovebird and a tree, then? It is
wonderful . "
Sophie mumbled, "This is an impressive gift… more than any you had ever given me,"
She added with a smile .
"It is not worthy of you," Li Du whispered in her ear . "I'm trying to think of something that
is . "
The words made Sophie happy and she put her arm around Li Du, smiling sweetly .
Mr . and Mrs . Martin were pleased with Li Du's gift, and they were even more satisfied
when they learned that he had found both of the stones himself .
The couple exchanged their wedding rings for the new rings on the spot, saying that
these rings were more meaningful than their old ones .
In the evening, they left the hotel for the airport .
At the VIP exit, a few laughing and talking JP Morgan uniformed staff members turned
up, leading Li Du's parents were among them .
Mr . Li carried a mountaineering bag and pulled a wheeled suitcase, while Mrs . Li had
suitcases in both her hands .
Li Du's father was dressed in a suit and tie, and Li Du's mother wore a camel knit vest
with white trousers and shoes .
They were looking around . Li Du excitedly waved and said, "My parents are looking for
us, they must miss me!"
Mrs . Martin smiled . "Yes, it's the heart of all parents . "
Even though he waved as hard as he could, Li Du's parents did not see him . Both of
them were looking around and whispering to each other but did not see him .
Only when both parties came close did Li Du's parents see them . They walked over,
carrying their luggage and wearing a surprised expression .
Li Du went up and gave each of them a big hug . Sophie followed suit, hugging them
too .
Li Du's father's arms were rather stiff as he hugged Sophie .
Li Du was entertained upon seeing this . He smiled and said, "Father, are you imitating a
zombie?"
Li Du's father was embarrassed and said in a low voice, "Isn't it off-limits to hug my own
daughter in law?
"You're so old-fashioned, that's American etiquette," Li Du's mother said mercilessly .
Mr . and Mrs . Martin shook hands with them, and Li Du translated as they greeted each .
Sophie also brought flowers and gave them to Li Du's parents . "Welcome to America,
Mr . and Mrs . Li," she said with a smile . "Li and I have been missing you so much . "
"Oh, Sophie, you speak better Chinese now . Your Mandarin is so good," said Li Du's
mother happily .
When they video called each other, Sophie spoke Mandarin, so it didn't surprise them
too much .
Li Du's father coughed and winked .
Li Du's mother quickly opened her backpack and took out a box with two jade statues .
One was a statue of Guanyin, the other a cross with an image of Jesus .
Li Du's father said, "Sophie, we did not bring anything much for you . We only brought
the statue of the god that we prayed to in the temple for you and Li Du . An extra
blessing, extra peace of mind, yes? The two of us have no other thought than hoping
that both of you are safe . "
Li Du clapped and gave a thumbs-up . "Dad, what a great speech!"
Li Du's father smiled shyly, while his mother mercilessly revealed, "Your father had
been rehearsing this for the past two weeks . "
"Don't talk nonsense, it was just a few days," her husband argued .
Sophie smiled and accepted the cross . She also took out a gift bag and gave two
parcels to both her parents . She said, "This is a small gift I prepared . It doesn't cost
much . Hope you will like them . "
Mr . James heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Fortunately, we have come ready . Come
on, let's get our presents . "
Mrs . Martin took the presents they had prepared for Mr . and Mrs . Li from her handbag .
Finally, with a jolt, Li Du realized that he had not prepared any presents for his parents .
However, with a presence of mind, he took Sophie's arm and brought her forth . "This is
my present for you, your daughter-in-law . "
Chapter end
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