Chapter 1109: Welcome Gift

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.

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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.”