Chapter 164: Chapter 163: Birthday Banquet (2)

Li Jain sat down at the table and said: "I was thinking of hosting a banquet."

Li Yuhan’s eyes brightened slightly: "A banquet for their birthday? That’s awesome!"

"Yes, the family has been busy recently, and Cheng’er just came back safely. Their birthday is a good reason for everyone to gather properly."

Li Yujian thought for a moment and nodded: "This is a good idea. Our family has gained some reputation because of the Spiritual tavern. But the influence is mostly in Qingyang town. Hosting a banquet will let others understand that our branch of the Li family is no longer the same as before."

Li Yuhan smiled: "Ah... I see. It’s a good way to establish footing in South River City."

Li Juanxin looked between them with confusion in his eyes: "So it is not just for fourth and third brother’s birthday?"

Li Jain rubbed his head: "It is still for their birthday. Everything else is secondary."

Juanxin nodded, feeling satisfied with that answer.

Li Jingxuan suddenly raised his hand: "Then we should start planning. There has to be lots of food, entertainment, and we can put on a performance."

Li Jain looked at him with interest: "A performance? What do you have in mind?"

Li Jingxuan said excitedly: "I haven’t thought about it yet, but since it is a birthday banquet, we cannot just invite people to eat and leave. We should put on a surprise show. That way, Brother Zhang and Brother Cheng will definitely be happy."

And brother Zhang would be jealous when he sees us having fun without him. Li Jingxuan thought secretly: that’s what you get for making fun of me.

Li Yuhan leaned back in his chair. "Are you sure you’re doing it for them, or you just want to show off?"

Li Jingxuan answered honestly: "Both."

Li Jingsheng sighed: "At least you are honest."

Li Jain thought about it and felt it was not a bad idea. The children had been practicing really hard recently, and a small family performance could make the banquet both fun and relaxing.

"What kind of performance do you want?" he asked.

Li Jingsheng immediately looked at Juanxin: "Xin Xin can sing. He has a lovely voice."

Li Juanxin froze: "Me? Are you sure? I’ve never sung in front of many people." Juanxin was a little nervous.

Li Jain looked at him gently: "You do not have to if you don’t want to."

Li Juanxin hesitated, then lowered his head and said: "If it makes Daddy happy, I can try."

Li Jain smiled helplessly: "It’s for your brothers, sweetie."

Li Yuhan continued with growing excitement: "Sheng Sheng and Xuan can do a sword and spear dance with the song. While the rest of us can play instruments. It’s going to be a musical performance."

Li Jingsheng immediately frowned: "Why am I partnering with him?"

Li Jingxuan replied as if the reason was obvious: "Come on, it’s the best thing that can ever happen to you. With your sword, and my spear, we’re going to look good."

Li Yuhan laughed: "If the two of you do not start fighting halfway through, it might indeed look good."

Jingsheng wanted to refuse, but after thinking that it was for Li Cheng and Li Zhang’s birthday, he finally swallowed the words.

"Fine," he said, pointing at Jingxuan: "But you have to practice seriously."

Li Jingxuan patted his chest: "Of course, you can count on me."

Everyone looked at him meaningfully...

Li Jingxuan’s voice became smaller: "I will try."

Li Jingsheng was speechless: I am more worried now...

Li Jain looked at Yujian and Yuhan: "Then the rest of us will play instruments. What instruments can you play?"

Li Yujian shook his head: "We have never played an instrument before."

Li Yuhan looked interested: "What about you, father?"

Li Jain lifted his hand and took out a zither from his space.

The zither was long and simple in appearance. It was made from dark spirit wood, with faint golden lines along the body. The moment it was placed on the table, the pressure became obvious. It has a presence that one wouldn’t dare ignore.

"I will play a few songs, and you guys can choose which one to learn."

Li Juanxin leaned closer with wide eyes: "Daddy can play?"

Li Jain smiled: "A little."

LiYujian looked at the zither and said: "Father’s ’a little’ usually means a lot."

Li Jain pretended not to hear and positioned himself before the instrument.

His fingers touched the strings lightly. The first song he played was lively and bright. The melody rose like morning light over flowing water, carrying a cheerful feeling that made people unconsciously think of children running through a courtyard. The sound of young birds spreading their wings for the first time.

Li Zhang was stunned when he heard the music. His eyes widened in disbelief: "We were sent out in the hot sun to train, while they enjoyed themselves inside? This is not fair, you know. We are still the same family."

Li Cheng was also curious about what was happening inside, but he wasn’t curious enough to go find out.

He said to Li Zhang who was complaining bitterly: "If you want to enjoy the cool air, then improve your skills. Honestly, what have you been doing all these times? You are lacking far behind, I even suspect that the only reason father told me to train is because he doesn’t want you to be lonely."

Li Zhang frowned but didn’t refute. He thought he should put more effort into training.

Meanwhile inside, after the first song ended, the children clapped to show their approval.

The second song was gentler.

It began slowly, like wind passing through bamboo leaves, then gradually grew warmer. There was joy in it, the kind of sound that soothes the heart. It sounded more like a family sitting together under a waterfall, after a long journey.

When the final note faded, the children were quiet for a moment. How lovely, if they knew their father could play like this, they would ask him to play for them every afternoon.

Li Jain asked: "What do you think, which one?"

Li Juanxin was the first to speak: "The second one."

Jingsheng nodded: "The second is better."

Li Yuhan smiled: "I also think the second one would make a good performance. Although I like the first one more.."

Li Yujian agreed: "The first is good, but the second has more feeling. I like the melody a lot."

Jingxuan hesitated for a moment, then also nodded. "Then the second. It will surely make Brother Zhang cry, when it soothes his heart."

Li Jingsheng looked at him: "You want him to cry?"

Jingxuan said seriously, "It would be a successful performance. He is always smiling, it’s not to want him to cry for a bit."

Li Jingsheng nodded in approval: "I, for once, agree with you."

Li Jain laughed and accepted the result: "Then we will use the second song, Seven Little Stars. Which instruments would you two want to play?"

"Father, did you make that title up?" Li Jingxuan asked suspiciously .

"Don’t read too much into it." Li Jingsheng pulled him back.

Li Yuhan thought for a moment and said he would play the Pipa, while Li Yujian said he would rather play the flute.

No one doubted that Li Yujian would be able to play the flute within a week. Once Li Yujian decided to learn something, even if he did not sleep for several nights, he would force himself to learn it properly. Li Yuhan was determined to not be left behind.

Li Jain put the zither away and said: "After dinner, I will take you out to buy the instruments. I will also find private music tutors for you to learn the basics quickly. There is only one week, if we want the performance to look decent, we cannot waste time."

Yuhan smiled: "Father is even more serious than us."

Li Jain said gently: "It is your brothers’ birthday. Since we are doing it, we should do it well."

The children nodded one after another.

"Father, what about me and Sheng?"

"Don’t worry, I will teach you guys, and Xinxin too."

Outside, Li Cheng and Li Zhang were still training hard, completely unaware that while they were sweating under the evening sky, the rest of their family had already begun planning a birthday banquet that would pull them into the center of everyone’s attention.

And perhaps that was exactly how it should be, they deserve it.

Apart from the food and their little family performance, there was still a lot to be done to transform the yard. But Li Jain was sure that he’ll be able to do it. This is the first time any of the children had a chance to celebrate their birthday, and he was going to make sure, for everyone to remember it.