Chapter 26: The Hidden Depths of Him

Out of concern for the food recipient, Jiang Lili casually asked: [Xiaopang, what happened?]

[Zhang Xiaopang: Hey, my dad’s aquaculture business has a major project, and he needs to build a good relationship with the project leader to secure it.]

[Zhang Xiaopang: The project leader likes landscape paintings, so my dad decided to bring out the landscape painting by Master Luo that we’ve been keeping in the family, planning to give it to the project leader during lunch the day after tomorrow.]

[Zhang Xiaopang: But last night, we found out that our competitor had already given the project leader a painting—it was by Master Luo’s teacher! This is awkward!]

[Zhang Xiaopang: Master Luo’s teacher has been out of the painting scene for years. The piece he painted this time is priceless, even if it’s available on the market! We’re definitely going to lose this competition. We’ll have to shut down a branch, and now we’re really stressed about it!]

With the seafood business already struggling due to nuclear wastewater pollution, having to shut down a strategic branch would put even more pressure on Xiaopang’s family business.

Jiang Lili felt a headache coming on after reading Xiaopang’s message.

This competitor was really ruthless. They must have guessed that Xiaopang’s family would give the project leader a painting by Master Luo, so they immediately invited Master Luo’s teacher out of retirement for a painting. It was a total blow to their competition!

And with a lunch meeting scheduled the day after tomorrow, there was no way Xiaopang’s family could present Master Luo’s painting—it would only make the situation more awkward for them.

Wait, blow to the competition?

Jiang Lili slapped her forehead. I’m in ancient times!

Any renowned painter she could find would also be a blow to modern Chinese painting, right?

Not to mention, the wife of Marquis of Zhaoping, Madam Yang, was the daughter of a grand scholar. In her youth, her paintings at the Hundred Flowers Banquet had earned her fame in the capital, and the late emperor had praised her as “the first talented woman in the capital.”

[Jiang Lili: Xiaopang, don’t worry! I’ll get you some help!]

[Jiang Lili: My mother-in-law in this era is the daughter of a grand scholar, and when she was young, she was the most talented woman in the capital. I don’t believe her paintings will be worse than Master Luo’s teacher’s!]

[Zhang Xiaopang: Whoa, Sister Li, say no more! I’m going to worship you!!]

[Zhang Xiaopang: I’m going to get the materials for Chinese painting ready for you right now!]

[Wait, don’t rush! I’ll go back and ask Madam Yang if she has any specific requirements!]

Jiang Lili thought about how the tools for painting in the ancient world must be different from those in the modern era. Since she wasn’t a professional, she needed to ask Madam Yang’s opinion first. She wasn’t sure if Madam Yang, who was ill, would be able to paint, but she would have to check and see if it was convenient. In any case, she needed to go back and figure it out.

At that moment, they suddenly had a task. Jiang Lili’s group split into two teams.

Jiayu and Guan Yue went to buy new clothes and other necessities for Jiang Lili’s journey during exile.

Jiang Lili, meanwhile, asked Li Sicong in the group chat about shops in Linzhou City that sold painting materials and then rushed to the store to buy supplies.

Being as meticulous as she was, Jiang Lili feared that the painting materials in ancient times might differ from modern ones, so she made a backup plan.

With Li Sicong, the clever person he was, leading the way, the shopkeeper at the materials store didn’t dare to deceive them, and brought out the best materials.

After finishing their shopping, the four of them met up at the city gate. Their purpose in coming to Linzhou was complete, so now they were ready to head back to the bandit camp.

This time, because they left later than planned, it was already late at night by the time they returned to the camp.

As the horses approached the camp gate, Jiang Lili spotted a figure holding a lantern standing atop the tower at the entrance to the camp.

The warm yellow light from the lantern illuminated his face—it was Xin Che.

His features were calm, like still water, and he stood quietly in the dark night. When he noticed Jiang Lili’s horse approaching, his expression softened, and he descended from the tower.

Guan Yue remembered how Jiang Lili had teased her earlier that morning and couldn’t help but grin, teasing Jiang Lili in return, “Who is that? Looks like he’s turning into a stone statue, standing there waiting for his wife.”

Jiang Lili shook her head. “Maybe he just couldn’t sleep and came out for a stroll.”

Cheng Jiayu was surprised to see Xin Che. His master was standing at the entrance of the camp so late at night—was he waiting for him to return with news? It was rare for his master to be so concerned! Considering the news he brought back, it made sense that his master would be so worried.

However, waiting here for him was a bit too obvious. Neither Guan Yue nor Jiang Lili knew yet about the relationship between him and his master.

Cheng Jiayu watched as Xin Che walked straight past him, feeling awkward when he wanted to greet him but was left hanging in the air.

Xin Che approached Tai Zhi’s horse, where Jiang Lili was just about to jump down.

The horse’s back was too high, and Jiang Lili was holding a heavy bundle of painting materials in one hand.

She jumped down with a stumble, and Xin Che reached out to steady her, naturally taking the bundle of materials from her hands.

“What’s in the bundle?”

“Painting materials.”

Jiang Lili, recalling Xiaopang’s troubles, quickly pulled Xin Che towards the camp while explaining, “I really need a landscape painting right now!”

Recalling Xin Che’s reputation as both a scholar and a warrior, and knowing it was too late to disturb Madam Yang, Jiang Lili figured it would be perfect to have someone as clever as Xin Che help her select the painting materials.

After pulling Xin Che into the room, she explained the reason she needed the painting: “My mother appeared in a dream and asked me to paint a landscape as an offering of filial piety.”

Seeing Jiang Lili’s anxious expression, Xin Che picked up the teapot on the table and poured her a cup of tea. “In a hurry?”

“Very much so, especially so!”

Jiang Lili dumped the bundle of painting materials out of her bag, then took out the rice paper she had been carrying on her back.

“Do you have any specific requirements for the landscape painting?”

“No, anything with scenery will do!” Jiang Lili recalled Xiaopang’s description.

“Can you help me choose the materials first? I’m not sure which brushes, rice paper, and paints are the best.”

As she spoke, she gulped down large sips of tea, clearly exhausted after the long journey with no rest.

“Alright,” Xin Che nodded, crouching down to start sorting through the large pile of brushes, paper, and paints on the floor.

“Should I be the one to paint it?”

Xin Che asked halfway through picking the materials, but when no one answered, he turned around to find Jiang Lili had already fallen asleep, her head resting on the table.

She was still tightly clutching her mysterious basket, a clear sign of her vigilance.

Xin Che couldn’t help but smile, both amused and helpless.

He didn’t touch the basket in her arms but gently moved her to the bed and covered her with a blanket.

After ensuring Jiang Lili was settled, Xin Che packed away the selected materials, took the rice paper, and left the room.

Jiang Lili slept soundly throughout the night, while the light in the next room stayed on all night.

Exhausted, Jiang Lili slept until nearly noon. When she opened her eyes, she saw the scene in the room and rubbed her eyes, not quite believing what she saw.

<< _ >>

**TN

Merry Christmas! °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖° Wishing you a blessed and joyful holiday season.

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