Chapter 83 Blood, Blood, Blood

The 28th day of the lunar calendar.

After dinner, my brother-in-law said, "Shanhong, come to my study and take a look."

"You wrote Spring Festival couplets?"

He smiled and said, "I have written the Spring Festival couplets and also gave you a painting."

I opened my eyes wide: "When did you learn to paint?"

My sister hinted at something: "He even found a master. I'm the only one in charge of the shop, and he's just a hands-off boss."

My mother was blunt: "You're controlling too much. Isn't he just a hands-off boss?"

I think what my mother said was very good. This mother-in-law is smart and often speaks for her son-in-law.

My sister teased my brother-in-law, "You have to become a famous painter. Otherwise, you can manage the shop while I learn to paint."

I couldn't help laughing.

My brother-in-law asked, “What are you laughing at?”

I still couldn't stop laughing.

It wasn't until we walked into his studio that I said, "I had a responsibility at the time. I just wanted to sell her, so I didn't tell you anything."

"Keep your voice down! If she hears you, she'll beat you half to death."

My brother-in-law pointed to a landscape painting on the wall and introduced it: "It's a four-foot vertical painting. What do you think?"

I asked, “How long have you been studying?”

My brother-in-law smiled and said, "Half a year."

"You've already learned to paint so well in just six months. You're truly extraordinary. You're an artistic genius. Trust my judgment. You'll become a true painter and calligrapher in the future."

As for this small business, you don't have to worry about it. Let that outstanding female entrepreneur take care of it, and you will be wise to focus on your art."

My brother-in-law smiled and said, "You're not a genius, but you're a kindred spirit. So, I'm giving this painting to you."

I was stunned and instinctively resisted.

This painting is magnificent with its winding paths and colorful forests, but there is one thing I don’t like: the top of the mountain is covered with red clouds, a sea of ​​blood red.

He thought of festivities, and I thought of blood, blood, blood.

Seeing that I was silent for a long time, my brother-in-law explained, "It has a good meaning. The mountains are all red."

"Nowadays, we are talking about environmental protection. Painting it with lush green trees, clear water and green mountains is even better."

He shook his head. "That doesn't suit your name."

I insisted, "Draw another one, a picture of spring, and the red mountains are the scenery of autumn."

My brother-in-law was a little disappointed. After all, it was his work that he put so much effort into, but I didn't appreciate it. So he said something with a hidden meaning: "Shanhong, since you followed Master, I've discovered that you have become very particular."

I shook my head. "Being particular is actually a form of self-soothing. It doesn't mean your painting is bad. If you can reach this level in just six months, you will truly become a master in the future."

My brother-in-law said, "Tian Daiqi, you are quite knowledgeable about this."

Fortunately, I had read a few sentences of the book, otherwise I would have been confused by what he said.

The so-called "Tian family replaced Qi" refers to the Warring States period, when a fortune teller predicted that when the State of Chen declined, the Tian family would rule the country. Encouraged by this, the Tian family continued to strive and eventually won the world.

The meaning of this sentence is to encourage people, and they will work towards this goal.

I said, "I'll empty your wastebasket for you from now on. The nanny at Qigong's house picked up Mr. Qigong's discarded works and later made a fortune by emptying his wastebasket."

He laughed heartily: "Thank you for the encouragement, brother. I will definitely produce a good work, otherwise your sister will say that she wants to paint and I will go to manage the shop."

I laughed too.

After leaving the studio, the two of them walked downstairs together. I received a call from Director Ming, chatted for a few words, and then hung up. Then I said to him:

"Don't get me wrong and think that I don't like your painting. It's just that I had a hunch after seeing your painting."

"What intuition?"

"There's been a murder."

"Huh? You can predict a murder based on a painting?"

I nodded seriously: "Don't tell anyone."

After saying that, I left, and my brother-in-law stood alone in the wind, looking disheveled.

After sitting in the room for about ten minutes, Director Ming arrived as promised.

Without saying a word, he opened the trunk of his car and walked towards my tea room with his things.

He just put it down and walked out again. After a while, he came in with some more things.

After coming in, he closed the door.

I complained happily, "Cigarettes, alcohol, bacon and fish, why do you have to make things so strange?"

"It's New Year's Eve, so this little bit of stuff is nothing. I know you have everything you need, but you should at least let me show some respect."

I complained again happily, "I can't do anything about you. Sit down."

Director Ming picked up the tea, took a sip, and wiped the corner of his mouth with a tissue. His face turned red and white for a while, and he said after a long while:

"I have an unreasonable request. I'm afraid you'll be upset if I tell you, but I can't sleep if I don't."

"Is there such a thing?"

"Then I'll be frank. I've already completed the sanitation plan. The idea was originally yours, and I was just inspired by it. But I think it would be great if this idea was mine."

I immediately understood what he meant—he wanted me to keep quiet about this matter. This whole process, from conception to birth, was all the work of Comrade Mingbai. (Yes, his name is Mingbai.)

I was stunned for a moment. This was indeed a bit too much, trying to take advantage of what God had done.

Director Ming's eyes were full of pleading, and his voice was trembling:

"Master, if it's your idea, it just means you're smart. If it's mine, I'll be valued. Of course, it makes me look shameless, very shameful.

But if you think about my situation, you might feel pity and sympathy for me. I've been director for years, but I haven't made any progress. I could even be demoted. Fortunately, I met you, so I..."

After saying that, the grown man actually tore off a piece of paper to wipe his tears.

I hate to see people cry. My heart softened and I said emotionally:

"I understand your situation and your feelings. I'm happy that you can make progress."

Among the clients I've "maintained," he's the one who can produce results quickly. So, I raised my teacup and said, "Instead of wine, let me offer you tea. I wish the director's plan will be a huge success and lead to a steady rise in career."

His hands kept shaking, and the tea spilled out. He probably felt ashamed, and then, with a steely determination, he tilted his head back and drank it.

He put down his teacup and said, "Master Shanhong, I am so lucky to have met a kind person like you. I will always remember your kindness in my heart."

After saying that, he took out a red envelope from his inner pocket.

I said coldly, "I'll take the things, but no red envelope."

His expression changed so quickly. Just now he looked begging, but now he suddenly looked fierce:

"This isn't for you. It's for your parents. Your parents are also my parents. I'll come to wish them a happy new year every year."

He made his M's speech impeccable. After saying this, he stood up and left. When he reached the door, he turned around, bowed, and then strode away.

Looking at his back, I thought, this man will have a bright future.

Back in the teahouse, I closed the door and took out two full rolls of money from the red envelope.

"Twenty thousand?" I thought to myself: This guy is quite generous.

Someone knocked on the door, so I quickly stuffed the bill into my pocket and opened the door as if nothing had happened.

My brother-in-law entered the tea room, immediately closed the door, and gave a thumbs-up:

"Shanhong, if I hadn't heard it with my own ears, I wouldn't have missed your ability to predict. You are so amazing. You are simply a god."

After that, he forwarded a message from WeChat Moments to me.

It reads: I just heard the news that a homicide occurred in this city and the man was killed in a horrific manner.

Below are some pictures of the police at the scene. However, since it's almost Chinese New Year, I haven't included any pictures of the deceased.

My brother-in-law asked, “Did you really have a premonition, or…?”

I told her about the woman who came to me for fortune-telling in the afternoon and my reasoning.

He raised his thumb again: "You can go to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Public Security Bureau."

I said in a deep voice, "Don't tell my parents that I predicted this. Don't scare them."

He nodded.

I pointed at the gift from Director Ming and said, "It was given by someone else. Let's move it to the second floor together."

The two of them came into the living room carrying large and small bags. My mother couldn't stop smiling and said, "Shanhong, someone gave you something. You are promising."

My brother-in-law said meaningfully, "From now on, no one will give him local products, only gold."

My mother stared at my brother-in-law seriously: "Really?"

My brother-in-law laughed so hard that he tilted his head towards the sky and his neck hurt.