Chapter 80: Shuilu Paintings part 1
In the end, even Shen Hu, who was dressed in his ceremonial Taoist robes, joined several leaders in their formal suits for a group commemorative photo. Only then did Jiang Si realize why Shen Hu had dressed so formally todayâit turned out he was there specifically for the publicity photos.
The commendation ceremony concluded quickly. Curator Song, carrying the Suihou Pearl, was in a hurry to perform an appraisal and certification, so he promptly hopped into a car and departed.
Jiang Si was left holding his newly issued certificate and merit pennant as the remaining crowd gradually dispersed.
“Jiang Si!” Old Zhao saw that he was about to leave and ran a few steps forward to call out to him. “I haven’t seen you for a few days, and you’ve gone and done something big in secret!”
He was so startled that he hadn’t even noticed his local accent slipping out.
Jiang Si smiled. “It was just good luck.”
“Too modest! I could tell from the start that you were extraordinaryâdefinitely someone capable of great things,” Old Zhao said with a jovial laugh.
Jiang Si still remembered the manâs previously nitpicking attitude and found the change in behavior quite stark. He decided to cut straight to the point. “Is there something you wanted to talk about?”
“Ahem.” Old Zhao cleared his throat and gestured with his phone. “Itâs a bit of a private matter. There are too many people here; let’s chat in a moment.”
Jiang Si raised an eyebrow and nodded. Satisfied, Old Zhao dragged him into a quick selfie before finally heading off.
Shen Hu mentioned he had other matters to attend to, so Jiang Si waved him off, telling him to get back to his business.
On the way back, the sky had already turned dark. Two rows of streetlights receded rapidly in the background, their warm yellow glow piercing through the car window to illuminate half of Jiang Si’s face.
The car glided smoothly. The driver remained silent from start to finish, and in the quiet cabin, Jiang Si nearly drifted off to sleep. Suddenly, his phone buzzed with two incoming photos, followed by a message from Old Zhao.
[Old Zhao: Can you make this kind of Shuilu painting?]
Shuilu paintings?
Jiang Si felt a spark of interest. He enlarged the images and studied them for a moment before asking: “What do you intend to use the Shuilu painting for?”
Old Zhao felt that typing was too slow and switched directly to a phone call. “Why else would I want a Shuilu painting? For fun? Of course itâs for a purpose.”
Jiang Si remained silent for a few seconds before explaining, “Shuilu paintings are divided into those for worshipping gods and those for making offerings to ghosts. Depending on the specific Shuilu Rite being performed, the content of the paintings differs. Which type of ritual are you planning?”
“Hahaha, I see. I misunderstood,” Old Zhao laughed, smoothing over the awkwardness. “Itâs for commemorating the family ancestors. The Double Ninth Festival is coming up, and my family plans to hold a large ritual to wash away this year’s bad luck. Keep this a secret for me; after all, I hold a public office, so itâs not good to go around telling people.”
Jiang Si gave an affirmative hum. “I can paint them. Which kind do you want? What size, and do you want a hand-painted version or a digital one?”
Old Zhao was puzzled. “Thereâs an electronic version for this stuff too?”
“This is a modern society; even electronic incense has become popular. Whatâs so strange about a digital Shuilu painting? Besides, you can print a digital version as many times as you want, whereas hand-painted ones are easily damaged. Think about itâif you don’t store it properly at home and a child touches it or gets it wet, you’d have to get it repainted all over again.”
“That makes sense. Then I want the largest one, person-sized,” Old Zhao said, determined to dissolve his streak of bad luck. “Don’t worry about the money; I only want the best!”
Jiang Si agreed. “Alright, I’ll send you the price list in a bit.”
Just as he was about to hang up, Old Zhao hurriedly added, “What software do you use to paint? I heard from Xiao Luo that the popular one these days is called P… Pâ”
“PS?”
“No, more letters than that. Itâs two words.”
Jiang Si had a sudden realization. “Photoshop?”
“Yes, yes, thatâs the one! It sounds more professional.”
Thinking of the clients he had dealt with in his past jobs, Jiang Si replied expressionlessly, “Using that costs extra.”
Old Zhao felt even more reassured now. “Extra is no problem, as long as the painting is done well. Everything must be of the highest quality.”
Jiang Si: “…”
He felt a rare twinge of guilt for deceiving an elder.
After thanking the driver, Jiang Si stepped out of the car clutching his certificate and pennant. Just as he leisurely approached the entrance of his apartment complex, he spotted a figure standing under a streetlight. Their shadow was stretched infinitely long, disappearing into the roadside greenery.
This is… Jiang Si paused for a moment before quickening his pace. Since his hands were full, he couldn’t cover the person’s eyes, so he reached out with a hand chilled by the wind and pressed it against the man’s neck. He asked with a beaming smile, “Why didn’t you call when you arrived? What are you doing standing down here?”
“Youâ” Hai Diâs dark expression instantly brightened. He took Jiang Siâs hand into his own palm and said helplessly, “I wanted to give you a surprise, but it just so happened you weren’t home. Iâve only been waiting down here for a little while.”
A few days ago, he had been called back to Ning City by Madam Hai to handle some business. He had only stepped off the plane that afternoon and had rushed over without stopping, only to be met with a locked door.
“That really is a stroke of bad luck. Shen Hu called me away this afternoon to help with something.” As Jiang Si spoke, he brandished the certificate and pennant in front of him. “The figurines and the Suihou Pearl have been handed over. Since Shi Danhang is dead, Shen Hu and the others could only list me as the donor to handle the public side of things for now.”
“Shi Danhang is dead?” This was the first Hai Di had heard of the situation. “Killed by the Infant-head Curse?”
“Mhm.” Jiang Si noted, “You don’t look surprised at all.”
“I guessed as much.” Hai Di held Jiang Siâs hand, his expression indifferent. “Once I knew the Suihou Pearl was inside him, I knew heâd end up dead at someone else’s hands even if he survived this ordeal. After all, ‘an ordinary man commits no crime, but he who carries a jade treasure invites disaster.’ The secret of the Suihou Pearl couldn’t stay hidden forever, and he had no power to protect himself. It was only a matter of time.”
“True.” Jiang Si sighed, then changed the subject. “How is your mother? Did everything go smoothly back home?”
“It wasn’t a big deal; everything is handled.” Hai Di led him upstairs. “Are you free tomorrow?”
The sound-activated lights in the dim stairwell were instantly triggered by his voice. As they stood waiting for the elevator, the display showed it was descending.
“I should be free,” Jiang Si said hesitantly, unable to think of any urgent business.
“That’s good.” Hai Di left it at that with an ambiguous tone that left Jiang Si scratching his head. Just as he was about to press for details, the elevator arrived with a ding.
By the time the elevator doors opened again at their floor, Jiang Siâs hair was slightly disheveled. The certificate and pennant lay scattered on the floor. He finally pulled his hand free and reached for his keys to open the door.
Hai Di leaned against the elevator wall and reached out to grab him. Jiang Si dodged his hand and shot him a pointed look. “Don’t forget to pick those up.”
“Tsk.” Before the elevator doors could close and descend, Hai Di leaned down to retrieve the items and followed him inside.
The moment they entered, he pinned Jiang Si against the door. He used a finger to wipe away a trace of moisture from the corner of Jiang Si’s lip and chuckled lowly. “Sisi, you were so passionate just now.”
Jiang Si was slightly dazed. He half-squinted, his long eyelashes veiling the shimmering light in his eyes. “What did you just call me?”
“Sisi.” Hai Di toyed with a strand of his hair and asked himself, “What else should I call you? Ah Si? Or Xiao Si…”
Before he could finish, he started laughing. “Those don’t sound good. Let me think of another one.”
“I have a good suggestion,” Jiang Si said with a straight face. “Come a little closer, and I’ll tell you.”
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