Chapter 206: 204: Unexpected Gift, Elders’ Bestowment Cannot Be Refused

This old gentleman occupied a remote pavilion, with the surrounding area being just a maple tree illuminated by the afterglow under the reddish sky.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

However, after the old gentleman’s skillful splashing ink and wielding a writing brush, all the beautiful scenery came to life on paper, causing Liu Sisi to lose track of time and quietly witness the birth of an ink landscape painting.

It was not until the old gentleman finished brushing that Liu Sisi sobered up from her fascination and unexpectedly met Di Yelei’s face as she looked up.

“Eh! When did you come?”

“I’ve been here for a while. Seeing that you were so absorbed, I didn’t make a sound to disturb you.”

Di Yelei spoke softly and took two steps forward to greet the old gentleman, “Sir, please forgive us. My wife and I saw you painting and were afraid of disturbing you, so we didn’t come to greet you earlier. We hope you won’t take offense.”

The old gentleman continued to pack up his paintings and brush-pen leisurely, shouldered the sorted items, and then looked at the couple with the painting scroll in hand. After sizing them up, he chuckled.

“So you two are a married couple. That’s quite rare. I’m glad you’re so considerate. I appreciate it.”

He then turned to Liu Sisi and said, “I saw how fascinated you were with my painting. Were you able to see something special in it?”

Liu Sisi laughed and replied, “Sir, you are joking. Your junior wouldn’t dare judge the merits of your painting in front of you.”

“Ah—Just speak your mind, this old me can take it.” The old gentleman seemed a bit unhappy.

“In that case, your junior will venture to say a few words.”

I never thought this old gentleman would have such a temper! Liu Sisi thought to herself.

“Sir, your painting skills are incredibly proficient. At first, I was focused on the painting, and the more I looked, the more beautiful it appeared. However, gradually, I started to watch your brush-pen in your hand, and it seemed to move like flowing clouds and water, extraordinary and unique. Slowly, all I could see was the hand that held the brush-pen, and nothing else.”

The old gentleman looked into Liu Sisi’s eyes, which were exceptionally clear, pure, and free of any impurities.

He suddenly burst into laughter!

“I’ve heard countless compliments! There have been countless people who praised my paintings, but never anyone who praised the hand holding the brush-pen! Little Sister, your words are truly interesting.”

While speaking, he handed the rolled-up painting to them, “Well, I find you quite agreeable today, so I’ll gift this painting to both of you. Cherish it well!”

Liu Sisi was overjoyed and immediately reached out to take it.

But shortly after, she hesitated.

“Sir, my husband and I have just met you by chance. The value of your painting scroll is probably worth hundreds of taels, if not thousands. However, to give it to us so casually… We can’t accept something for nothing. Please take the painting back.”

Di Yelei next to her gasped in surprise! A single painting was worth hundreds of taels?

The old gentleman laughed heartily, “You’ve got quite a discerning eye, young wife. Although you should not accept gifts for no reason, there’s another saying, ‘One cannot refuse a gift from one’s elders,’ right? So just accept it!”

After saying that, he pushed the painting to Liu Sisi’s hand and walked away with a hearty laugh.

Liu Sisi held the painting, and it took her a while to come back to her senses.

“The old gentleman doesn’t seem like an ordinary person. This painting must be quite valuable.” Di Yelei stared at the painting and couldn’t help but say.

“All you think about is money. Where can you measure the value of such a painting with money?”

Liu Sisi glanced at him and carefully wrapped up the painting, “Weren’t you taking a nap? Don’t you need to accompany Little Sister?”

“I think I won’t go.”

Di Yelei seemed quite helpless: “The doctor said that if Little Sister’s emotions continue to be so agitated and cannot be calmed down, the child in her womb may not be saved.”

Liu Sisi sighed silently in her heart: “What do you plan to do?”

“To be honest, I don’t know what to do.”

Di Yelei frowned in irritation and shifted his stance.

“Have you ever thought… maybe, if you… if you don’t stay by Little Sister’s side and ignore her, perhaps she would be happier?” Liu Sisi tried to say.

“I understand that your logic makes sense, but I dare not gamble!”

It was a tiny life at stake! The gamble was too big; he could not and could not afford to gamble.

Liu Sisi went silent for a while, gently rubbing the surface of the painting scroll with her hand as her thoughts wandered. Suddenly, she raised her head and said, “No matter what, I will go down the hill tomorrow morning.”

Instead of discussing with Di Yelei, it would be better to notify him.

Di Yelei didn’t say anything. He looked around and let out a long sigh: “No matter what, I will go down the hill with you tomorrow morning. Is that all right?”

“Great! These are your words!”

She was inexplicably happy!

Her happiness was so infectious that Di Yelei couldn’t help but lightly flick her little nose: “Silly girl! When have I ever not fulfilled a promise I made to you?”

“I knew you’d definitely do it! Look at how smug you are!”

Liu Sisi gave him a glare, feeling as if the sky had suddenly brightened!

“Are you hungry? Let’s go find something to eat. I haven’t eaten all day, and I’m starving. I remember there being a food stall not far away; we can go take a look.”

“Serves you right! Who told you not to eat.”

While saying that, Liu Sisi didn’t stop walking quickly to catch up.

Not long after they started walking, Di Yelei suddenly stopped: “Sisi, look over there! How beautiful…”

Following the direction Di Yelei pointed, Liu Sisi looked up.

Just below, by the lakeside of Sansheng Bridge, countless torches gradually lit up. The entire lakeside was adorned with firelight, making it as spectacular as the sky. From afar, it looked like a fire dragon dancing around the lakeside, accompanied by the stars above, looking incredibly beautiful.

“It’s the dragon and lion dance team! I heard fireworks last night. I didn’t expect a fire dragon dance at Sansheng Lakeside tonight. Let’s go and have a look!”

After saying that, she hurriedly grabbed Liu Sisi’s hand and ran towards the lakeside.

“Every year on August 15th and 16th, there would generally be local gentry sponsoring the temple fair to set up a stage for lion and fire dragon dances. There’s also the tradition of drinking dragon porridge and eating dragon meals. Just listen to the commotion down there; it must be the fire dragon dance team! I just don’t know how big the scale is this year.”

“It doesn’t matter how big the scale is, as long as there’s something to watch! Let’s hurry up!”

The excitement down below was infectious to Liu Sisi, and she sprinted, holding Di Yelei’s hand.

“Don’t rush! If the fireworks haven’t started yet, it means the dragon dance hasn’t started either. Let’s wander around first, and by the time we get there, it should be just right.”

Di Yelei said happily.