Chapter 011: Graceful Figure, Motorcycle Goddess
"It was just a stroke of luck," Lin Lang said with a slight smile.
Zhou Zhongdang put down the rhinoceros horn cup, picked up the lacquer wine cup on the appraisal table, and appraised it, saying, "Mr. Lin is truly young and promising!"
"I, Zhou, have been engaged in antique appraisal for over thirty years and am one of the few appraisal experts in Shanghai. Even with my naked eye, I couldn't discern the hidden mystery within this lacquer wine cup, which perfectly disguised an antique rhinoceros horn cup."
"From this, it's clear that Mr. Lin's appraisal skills far surpass my own. I, Zhou, am truly ashamed of my inferiority!"
Lin Lang replied with a smile, "Uncle Zhou, you flatter me!"
"Uncle Zhou, you are a Master of Appraisal, a prominent figure in Shanghai's antique collection circle. I am still young and inexperienced, and I need to learn much more from you."
Zhou Zhongdang laughed heartily and said, "Uncle likes talented, steady, and humble young people like you."
"Mr. Lin, if you have time tomorrow at noon, you must come to my humble abode for a simple meal. We, uncle and nephew, can exchange appraisal techniques and make progress together."
Lin Lang was somewhat surprised that Appraisal Master Zhou Zhongdang would appreciate him so much, inviting him to a family dinner at his home. This was definitely giving Lin Lang, a junior, a lot of face.
Zhou Mengyao was also somewhat surprised, not expecting her father, Zhou Zhongdang, who was highly respected in the antique circle, to condescend to invite Lin Lang, a junior, to their home as a guest.
AI generated Zhou Mengyao's beautiful picture
Lin Lang replied humbly and politely, "Since the invitation is so sincere, I respectfully accept and will definitely arrive on time."
Zhou Mengyao sweetly smiled and said, "Lin Lang, we haven't even parted ways from our second meeting, and our third meeting is already scheduled for tomorrow!"
"My father appreciates you so much; he probably wants to take you as his disciple, to be the last disciple of Zhenbao Pavilion's appraisal lineage. It seems we Old classmates will have many more opportunities to catch up in the future!"
"Uh..."
Appraisal Master A Cheng listened with envy. Being able to inherit from a renowned master would not only make it easier to gain recognition in the antique appraisal world but also allow him to leverage the master's connections to befriend powerful figures and climb the social ladder.
Lin Lang asked curiously, "Uncle Zhou has been famous in the antique appraisal world for a long time. Has he never officially taken on a disciple?"
Zhou Zhongdang replied with a smile, "Taking on a disciple and imparting knowledge is about fate. To achieve success in the current appraisal world, while knowledge accumulation and hard work are important, talent is also indispensable."
"Although I, Zhou, have been famous in the antique appraisal world for a long time, I have never encountered a gifted disciple, so I have been slow to officially take on a disciple and impart knowledge."
"Now I, Zhou, am over fifty, and my daughter, Mengyao, is not interested in antique appraisal. The future inheritance of Zhenbao Pavilion can only rely on a final disciple to pass on the knowledge."
Lin Lang said after hearing this, "So that's how it is. Then I wish Uncle Zhou an early discovery of a beloved disciple!"
Zhou Zhongdang replied politely, "Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Lin!"
Appraisal Master A Cheng, who was standing nearby, said, "General Manager Zhou, Mr. Lin is preparing to sell these rhinoceros horn cups. Please appraise them and give an estimated price."
Zhou Zhongdang replied, "If the antique rhinoceros horn cups hidden inside this seemingly old lacquer wine cup, after peeling off the oil paper and lacquer shell disguising its exterior, are also in perfect condition, our Zhenbao Pavilion is willing to pay ten million chinese yuan to acquire Mr. Lin's pair of Tang Dynasty antique rhinoceros horn cups."
Gu Keqing, who was standing by, was shocked. She never expected that the pair of lacquer wine cups her lover, Lin Lang, had bought at an antique stall for only 385 chinese yuan, would hide such a secret, a bargain worth ten million chinese yuan.
Zhou Mengyao exclaimed after hearing this, "Dad, are these antique rhinoceros horn cups really worth that much money?"
Zhou Zhongdang replied, admiringly, "Currently, there are fewer than 4,000 antique rhinoceros horn cups in existence nationwide, and most of them are from the Ming and Qing dynasties."
"This pair of rhinoceros horn cups, hidden within the lacquer wine cups, are gifts presented to the imperial family by foreign envoys during the Han and Tang dynasties. They have circulated among the common people and are preserved in perfect condition to this day. Being a matched pair is extremely rare and they have high appreciation potential."
Zhou Mengyao looked at her Old classmate Lin Lang after hearing this, and playfully teased, "Old classmate, this time you've really hit the jackpot and made a fortune!"
Lin Lang replied modestly, "Just so-so."
Appraisal Master A Cheng said enviously, "It seems our Shanghai antique circle is about to add another fascinating tale: finding a Tang Dynasty rhinoceros horn cup at an antique stall, resulting in a profit of ten million chinese yuan."
Under everyone's gaze.
Lin Lang once again picked up the tea knife and carefully used the blade to scrape off the old red lacquer from the lacquer wine cup until the oil paper layer inside was exposed. Lin Lang, as if meticulously peeling silk from a cocoon, very cautiously used the tea knife to gently pierce the oil paper.
With the previous experience, Lin Lang smoothly peeled off the oil paper layer that perfectly adhered to and wrapped the rhinoceros horn cup, removed the lacquer shell, and took out a Tang Dynasty rhinoceros horn cup.
Zhou Mengyao watched in amazement and praised, "I truly admire the wisdom of the ancients. This rare rhinoceros horn cup is also perfectly preserved and in excellent condition!"
Zhou Zhongdang exclaimed, "This pair of rhinoceros horn cups, with their perfect condition and lustrous glow, can be compared to luminous jade walls and bright moon pearls. They are truly rare and precious treasures!"
Appraisal Master A Cheng clicked his tongue in wonder and said, "To have the fortune of witnessing this pair of Tang Dynasty rhinoceros horn cups emerge from their lacquer shells and regain their brilliant luster in Mr. Lin's hands, I have truly learned a lot!"
Gu Keqing looked at Lin Lang, who remained calm and unperturbed despite having found a ten-million-chinese yuan treasure, and secretly marveled, "It seems A Lang is very shrewd, definitely not an ordinary pretty boy. He will surely achieve great things in the future."
Zhou Zhongdang instructed, "Immediately write out the pawn ticket and process the pawn redemption for Mr. Lin."
"Yes, General Manager Zhou." Appraisal Master A Cheng hurried to comply.
The financial staff of Zhenbao Pavilion began writing the pawn ticket and the pawn redemption disclaimer agreement, and reminded, "Since it's an absolute pawn, it means the pawner neither redeems nor renews the pawn."
"Money for goods."
"Once you leave the door of our Treasure Pavilion Antique Pawnshop, there's no turning back!"
"The pawn ticket is proof, no regrets." Lin Lang signed his name on the pawn ticket and the disclaimer agreement.
Zhou Zhongdang took out a checkbook from his person, wrote a transfer check for ten million chinese yuan, with Lin Lang as the payee and the purpose as commercial payment, and then handed it to Lin Lang.
Ding! Omnipotent Entry System friendly reminder: This Shanghai Bank ten million chinese yuan transfer check is real and valid.
After Lin Lang received the transfer check, he smiled and said, "Uncle Zhou is paying so eagerly, are you afraid that I, a junior, will go back on my word and not sell this pair of antique rhinoceros horn cups?"
Zhou Zhongdang admired the pair of Tang Dynasty rhinoceros horn cups he had just acquired at a high price, unable to hide his joy.
"During the Ming and Qing dynasties, single antique rhinoceros horn cups were common, but a perfectly matched pair from the Tang Dynasty is extremely rare and precious."
"Therefore, I, Zhou, do not intend to sell this rather legendary and perfect pair of Tang Dynasty rhinoceros horn cups. Instead, I will keep them as a private collection, to be passed down as an inheritance to future generations."
"Uncle Zhou is truly a master antique collector, with unique vision and generous spending!"
"No wonder it's widely rumored in the antique collection world that 'North has Ma Weidu, South has Zhou Zhongdang,' both top-tier collectors of China." Lin Lang said, offering polite compliments.
"Ma Weidu is an Old classmate of mine in the antique circle. Next time he comes to Shanghai from the capital, I'll host a dinner and introduce you, Mr. Lin, to him."
"Uncle Zhou has extensive connections, and I, a junior, would be delighted."
Zhou Zhongdang said with a smile, "Mengyao, your high school Old classmate Mr. Lin is very excellent. In the future, you two should interact more, and keep in touch often. The bond of classmateship shouldn't be neglected."
Zhou Mengyao gave her father a fake smile and replied with one word, "Okay!"
After a brief exchange of pleasantries.
Lin Lang stood up and said, "Uncle Zhou, if there's nothing else, then I'll take my leave first!"
Zhou Zhongdang instructed, "Mengyao, you see Mr. Lin off on my behalf!"
"Okay!"
"Let's go, Old classmate, I'll see you out!" Motorcycle Goddess Zhou Mengyao squinted her eyes and gave a sweet, cool smile.
AI generated Zhou Mengyao's beautiful picture
Zhou Mengyao, chatting and laughing, saw Lin Lang and Gu Keqing to the main entrance of Zhenbao Pavilion, and smiled, "Old classmate, then we'll see each other tomorrow at noon."
Lin Lang replied, "Okay!"
"I'll text you later. Send me your home address, and I'll arrive on time tomorrow evening to visit Uncle and Auntie."
Zhou Mengyao replied, "OK!"
"Goodbye, Old classmate!" Lin Lang bade farewell with a smile.
"Bye bye!"
After Zhou Mengyao watched Lin Lang and Gu Keqing walk away, she raised her wrist and checked the time on her Audemars Piguet diamond luxury watch. It was already past noon.
In the afternoon, Zhou Mengyao, China's top professional female racer, needed to rush to an announcement and accept an exclusive interview for Shanghai Television Station.
So, Zhou Mengyao put on her cool helmet, got on her Agusta supersport motorcycle, and with a gentle twist of the throttle after starting the engine, the sound of speed and passion roared out.
"Vroom..."
"Vroom vroom..."
The sweet and cool Motorcycle Goddess Zhou Mengyao, riding one of the 100 limited-edition Agusta supersport motorcycles worldwide, was both alluring and fierce. Her incredibly graceful figure on the motorcycle made people involuntarily fall for her.
The cold and stunning Motorcycle Goddess Zhou Mengyao, riding her cool motorcycle and speeding away, was like a flower blooming at high speed, looking absolutely awesome.
A girl riding a motorcycle could actually be this cool.
Zhou Mengyao, riding her cool motorcycle and riding the wind through the streets of Shanghai, made people unable to take their eyes off her, deeply captivated and unable to extricate themselves. It had to be said, this top professional female racer in China was unforgettable at first sight.