Chapter 030: From a Prestigious Lineage, Soon to Ascend
Zhou Zhongdang laughed heartily, "That's right. However, I never publicly announced that this seemingly inexpensive painting, 'Fun in the Lotus Pond,' is actually a 'painting within a painting' with hidden depths."
"During the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War in the Republic of China, your grandfather, as a real estate magnate in old Shanghai, worried that the famous paintings by Bada Shanren might fall into the wrong hands amidst the chaos. So, he spent a large sum of money to hire highly skilled artisans to attach this Republic of China painting to the repatriated painting, 'Fish in the Pond.'"
"So that's how it is," Zhou Mengyao smiled gracefully.
Zhou Zhongdang continued, "Many Master of Appraisal in the antique world have admired this Republic of China painting, 'Fun in the Lotus Pond,' at Zhou Residence, yet none discovered the hidden secret that it was a priceless 'painting within a painting.'"
"Mr. Lin just glanced at it and said it was a 'painting within a painting.' That surpasses thirty years of appraisal skill. He truly is a gifted Master of Appraisal!"
Lin Lang humbly replied, "Uncle Zhou, you flatter me. I just got lucky and guessed correctly. I'm not some Master of Appraisal, really~"
Zhuang Jingxue saw that her husband, Zhou Zhongdang, wanted to take Lin Lang as a disciple, so she spoke for him, "Mr. Lin, the antique appraisal world, like the crosstalk world, is a traditional profession that emphasizes lineage."
"Without lineage, one cannot gain recognition and will not be truly accepted by the mainstream appraisal community."
"Your Uncle Zhou is Shanghai's foremost appraisal expert, a well-known Master of Appraisal in the country, and he intends to take you as his direct disciple. What do you think?"
Zhou Zhongdang looked at Lin Lang with anticipation, seemingly ready to be Lin Lang's master, just waiting for Lin Lang to kneel and kowtow in gratitude for his mentorship.
Zhou Mengyao smiled, "Lin Lang, this is a great opportunity! What are you hesitating for?"
Unexpectedly, Lin Lang politely declined, "I am deeply grateful for Uncle Zhou's high regard, but I am unruly by nature and accustomed to freedom. I am not suited for the constraints of a sect's rules."
"I appreciate Uncle Zhou's kind intentions, but I'll have to decline becoming a disciple!"
"Uh..."
Zhuang Jingxue looked surprised, not expecting Lin Lang's refusal.
"Uh..."
Zhou Zhongdang's smile froze. He never expected Lin Lang to disdain becoming his disciple, which felt somewhat like a slap in the face.
"Uh..."
Zhou Mengyao exclaimed in surprise, "Lin Lang, are you crazy?"
"After you become my father's disciple, you'll be from a prestigious lineage and can quickly make a name for yourself in the appraisal world."
"With our Zhou Family's social connections in Shanghai, and with a sect as your backing, not only will important figures in the antique world show you respect, but even prominent figures from all walks of life in Shanghai wouldn't dare to underestimate you!"
Lin Lang replied, "Mengyao, how could I not understand what you're saying?!"
"Since one inherits the glory of a sect, one must abide by its rules and not disgrace it. I, Lin Lang, have been alone for many years, without ties, and accustomed to freedom. I am not suited to be bound by sect rules."
"Uh..." Zhou Mengyao's eyes showed a hint of disappointment.
Zhuang Jingxue looked at her husband, Zhou Zhongdang, worried he might be embarrassed, but unexpectedly, Zhou Zhongdang not only wasn't angry, but laughed heartily instead.
"Mr. Lin, I, Zhou, admire young people like you who are both talented and have strong personalities."
"I've decided to take you as my disciple today!"
"As your master, I will make an exception and not set any sect rules for you. As long as you abide by the law and do not harm society or disgrace the sect, that will suffice. Do you still have any excuses to refuse to become a disciple now?"
Lin Lang sighed wistfully, "Uncle Zhou, I deeply respect you, but how can something like taking a disciple be a forced transaction?!"
Zhou Mengyao couldn't help but laugh, "It's always others begging my dad to take them as disciples and being rejected. I never expected today's extreme reversal, where the one being politely refused is Appraisal Master Zhou Zhongdang. Interesting!"
Zhuang Jingxue gave her daughter, Zhou Mengyao, a meaningful look.
"Ah..." Zhou Mengyao tried hard not to laugh.
AI generated Zhou Mengyao's beautiful image.
Zhou Zhongdang laughed heartily, "Our master-disciple bond is already formed. Today, I, Zhou, will be stubborn and insist on taking you, young man, as my disciple."
"A famous Master of Appraisal falling from the sky, insisting on taking me as a disciple by force – there's no one else like him!"
"Uncle Zhou, it's not impossible for you to insist on taking me as your disciple, but a man's knees are worth gold. I swore before my deceased parents' graves that I would never kneel to anyone for the rest of my life."
"Kneeling to Heaven means the constant way of Heaven, which is the rule."
"Kneeling to Earth means the Earth nurtures all things, which is the environment."
"Kneeling to parents means parents gave birth to me and raised me, which is human ethics, and one should be grateful."
"Entering a sect as a disciple requires the kneeling ritual, but I am unable to humble myself and bend my knees to become Uncle Zhou's disciple!"
Zhou Mengyao retorted, "Old classmate, why does your excuse sound like a polite refusal?"
Zhuang Jingxue had initially thought that Lin Lang was deliberately trying to become her husband Zhou Zhongdang's disciple, coveting her daughter and the Zhou Family's wealth. She never expected Lin Lang to be so ambitious, disdainful of entering a sect.
Zhou Zhongdang then said, "As your master, I cherish talent!"
"A Lang, you have extraordinary appraisal talent. It's fine if you don't kneel when entering the sect. Your master doesn't care about those formalities. As long as you can inherit your master's legacy and ensure Zhenbao Pavilion has a successor, your master will have fulfilled a wish."
"Your master will make an exception for you again, allowing you to enter the sect without kneeling. Do you still have an excuse to decline now?"
"Alas~" Lin Lang sighed and shook his head.
"It seems Uncle Zhou is sincere in taking me as a disciple, and his kindness is hard to refuse. If I were to decline again, it would be ungracious." Lin Lang was somewhat reluctant.
(Explanation: Lin Lang has a system and is joining a master while already skilled. Not only does he need the background of a prestigious lineage, but most importantly, he wants to marry the campus belle, his white moonlight, as his wife.)
(He feels that Zhou Zhongdang is his future father-in-law, so even becoming his disciple isn't a loss.)
(Of course, as Lin Lang's ambition grows in the future, it's uncertain who he'll marry...)
(But at least at this moment, Zhou Mengyao, the wealthy fourth-generation young lady from a prominent Shanghai family, is the campus belle, his white moonlight, whom Lin Lang dreams of marrying.)
Zhou Zhongdang was overjoyed and laughed heartily, "No time like the present. We'll simplify the discipleship ceremony and begin the formal apprenticeship now."
"Uh... Uncle Zhou, you're not afraid I'll go back on my word, are you?"
"That's right!"
"Your master doesn't want to miss out on having a rare Master of Appraisal like you as a disciple. Everything will be simplified. You can write the apprenticeship letter now and prepare to formally enter the sect." Zhou Zhongdang couldn't stop smiling.
"Uh... Alright!"
Lin Lang somewhat reluctantly picked up the brush in the study and immediately wrote the apprenticeship letter with flowing strokes.
Zhou Mengyao, looking happy, stood by, grinding the ink for Lin Lang, and praised, "Lin Lang, your calligraphy is quite good~"
While writing with the brush, Lin Lang chuckled, "When I was five, my parents enrolled me in calligraphy classes. This is my childhood training~"
"Hehe..." Zhou Mengyao smiled sweetly.
Zhuang Jingxue saw her husband, Zhou Zhongdang, finally find a beloved disciple, and with a smile, she instructed the servants to prepare the tea sets, discipline rulers, and other items for the discipleship ceremony.
Zhou Zhongdang had already prepared the red envelope for accepting a disciple and was overjoyed at finding a beloved one.
Soon, Lin Lang finished writing the apprenticeship letter.
After everything was ready, Master Zhou Zhongdang and Shiniang Zhuang Jingxue took their seats at the head of the study, and the simplified discipleship ceremony officially began.
The auspicious time arrived.
Lin Lang first tidied his attire, then respectfully presented the apprenticeship letter with both hands.
Mr. Zhou Zhongdang: Greetings!
Disciple Lin Lang, having long admired your exceptional antique appraisal skills, and being granted acceptance into your lineage, I am willing to observe the rites of a disciple, diligently follow your teachings, inherit your legacy, adhere to your instructions, unite with fellow practitioners, diligently research, and uphold and promote national culture!
I sincerely present this letter and respectfully perform the discipleship ritual!
Lin Lang clasped his hands, first raising them high above his eyebrows, then bowing and saying, "First bow, entering the sect, may it be as enduring as the sun, moon, and Big Dipper, forever and ever."
"Second bow, respecting the master, may master and disciple walk hand in hand, illuminating all lands."
"Third bow, upholding the master's teachings, forever remembering the master's kindness, with merits for a thousand autumns."
After three bows to his master, Lin Lang began to serve tea according to the ritual.
"Master, please have some tea!"
Zhou Zhongdang couldn't stop smiling. He took the teacup, drank a sip of tea, put down the teacup, and handed Lin Lang a red envelope containing a transfer check for eighty-eight thousand chinese yuan.
"Thank you, Master!" Lin Lang accepted the red envelope.
"Shiniang, please have some tea!"
Zhuang Jingxue smiled as she took the teacup, drank a sip of tea, put down the teacup, and handed Lin Lang a red envelope, which also contained a transfer check for eighty-eight thousand chinese yuan.
"Thank you, Shiniang!" Lin Lang accepted the red envelope.
The tea-serving segment of the discipleship ceremony symbolized the respect and inheritance between master and disciple.
Next, Master Zhou Zhongdang held the discipline ruler and admonished, "First tap on the head, for a clear mind and dedication to the group."
"Second tap on the shoulder, for courage to bear heavy responsibilities and dare to innovate."
"Third tap on the body, for moderation in actions and gradual progress."
Lin Lang respectfully replied, "I will diligently follow Master's teachings, and your disciple will certainly uphold tradition and bring glory to the sect!"
The ceremony concluded.
The beautiful Zhou Mengyao happily exclaimed, "Congratulations, Dad, on gaining a beloved disciple!"
AI generated Zhou Mengyao's beautiful image.
Zhou Zhongdang couldn't stop smiling and laughed heartily, "Today's family dinner has turned into an apprenticeship banquet. A Lang, you must have a few drinks with your master to celebrate properly."
"Master, there's something that might spoil your mood. Your disciple doesn't know whether to say it or not?"
"As the saying goes, 'master and disciple are like father and son.' From now on, we are family. A Lang, just say whatever you need to!"
Lin Lang said mysteriously, "Master, you must not drink alcohol at today's apprenticeship banquet!"
"Why?" Zhou Zhongdang was puzzled.
Lin Lang, of course, couldn't say that he had discovered through the Omnipotent Entry System that Zhou Zhongdang had two narrowed coronary arteries with over 70% stenosis, and drinking alcohol could easily lead to myocardial infarction, requiring a heart stent.
So, Lin Lang lied, "Your disciple has a slight understanding of traditional Chinese medicine. Through facial diagnosis, I noticed that Master's face and eyelids are somewhat swollen, there are horizontal lines on the bridge of his nose, his complexion is red, and his lips are purple. This indicates that Master has insufficient heart blood and stagnant heart meridians, so he absolutely must not drink alcohol."
"Master, have you recently experienced symptoms like chest tightness, shortness of breath, palpitations, which improve on their own after rest?"
Zhou Zhongdang exclaimed in surprise, "A Lang, you're right! I've recently often had chest tightness and shortness of breath, and I feel fatigued when I move around a lot. Occasionally, I even experience a few bouts of angina. Could it be that I have heart disease?!"
Lin Lang said in alarm, "Master, you need to seek medical attention promptly for an examination, a coronary angiography. It's highly likely you'll be diagnosed with cardiovascular stenosis and require stent treatment."
"Uh..." Zhou Zhongdang's face instantly changed upon hearing this.
Zhou Mengyao wiped away cold sweat and said weakly, "No way?"
"My mother is a famous cardiac surgeon in Shanghai. If my father really has heart disease, wouldn't my mother be able to tell?"