Chapter 68: The White Moonlight Touched by the Spring Breeze
The next morning.
Longhua Funeral Home, Shanghai, farewell hall.
The memorial service for Chu Jincheng, Chairman of Chu Group.
The mourning hall was solemn; the portrait of the Hu Merchant magnate Chu Jincheng was quietly placed in the center of the hall, his face peaceful and serene, as if he had escaped the worldly troubles and moved on to another world.
On either side of the portrait were elegiac couplets with white backgrounds and black characters.
The first line: 【The human residence has lost its loving kindness】
The second line: 【The celestial court has gained a benevolent immortal】
The horizontal inscription: 【Merits illuminate future generations】
The mourning hall was filled with wreaths and elegiac couplets sent by well-known figures from all walks of life in Shanghai and business friends, who came to mourn and express their regret and deep farewell for Chu Jincheng's unexpected passing.
White flowers and black elegiac couplets intertwined, filling the hall with wreaths, creating a solemn and respectful scene.
Chu Group had hired Shanghai's renowned symphony orchestra at great expense to perform mournful music on-site, which showed that the deceased, Chu Jincheng, was a prominent Hu Merchant magnate during his lifetime.
The air was filled with heavy and sorrowful mournful music, as if even time slowed down in this melancholic tune.
Most of the prominent figures in Shanghai attended the memorial service for the Hu Merchant magnate Chu Jincheng, which demonstrated the Chu Family Consortium's strong influence and connections in Shanghai.
The filial son, Chu Tiannan, knelt on the left side of the mourning hall, clad in mourning attire.
The filial daughter-in-law, Gu Keqing, and the filial daughter, Chu Yiren, knelt on the right side of the mourning hall, clad in mourning attire.
Male relatives on the left, female relatives on the right.
The filial son Chu Tiannan, the filial daughter-in-law Gu Keqing, and the filial daughter Chu Yiren, offered return bows to the attendees from all walks of life, kneeling in return one by one.
Chu Yiren, who had been kneeling for a long time, looked extremely haggard and tired, silently shedding tears in her deceased father's mourning hall, showing how filial she was.
Chu Yiren, who was experiencing the pain of losing her father and was deeply saddened, was very pitiable.
AI generated beautiful image of Chu Yiren kneeling in the mourning hall.
The funeral director announced in a loud voice, "Please welcome the next chief mourner, Mr. Zhou Zhongdang, the renowned Master of Appraisal from Shanghai."
Lin Lang, dressed in a black suit, supported his master Zhou Zhongdang, and slowly walked into the mourning hall, stopping in front of Chu Jincheng's portrait. Zhou Zhongdang's face was filled with sorrow and respect.
Zhou Zhongdang gazed at the portrait of his old friend Chu Jincheng and said with deep sorrow, "Old Chu! How could you leave so suddenly?"
"The Shanghai business community has lost a trailblazer. I hope your children can inherit your will and pass on your spirit and resolve, inspiring generations of Hu Merchants to move forward."
"I will always remember you, my old friend. May your soul in heaven find peace!"
The attendants handed incense sticks to Lin Lang and Zhou Zhongdang respectively.
Under the guidance of the funeral director, Lin Lang and his master Zhou Zhongdang offered incense and then bowed to Chu Jincheng's portrait.
After the ceremony.
The family returned the bows.
The filial son, Chu Tiannan, who had been kneeling on the left side of the mourning hall, performed the family's kneeling bow.
The filial daughter, Chu Yiren, and the filial daughter-in-law, Gu Keqing, who were kneeling on the right side of the mourning hall, simultaneously performed the family's kneeling bow.
Lin Lang accompanied his master Zhou Zhongdang and approached the filial son, Chu Tiannan.
Zhou Zhongdang consoled him, "My virtuous nephew, the dead cannot be brought back to life. You must restrain your grief and accept the change!"
Chu Tiannan choked back, "Uncle Zhou's hand still has the tape from the IV drip. It moves me deeply that you came to mourn my father while still unwell during your hospitalization. Thank you, Uncle Zhou, for seeing my father off on his final journey."
Zhou Zhongdang said sorrowfully, "Indeed, life is impermanent, and fate is often unkind!"
"Thinking back, I first met your father twenty years ago. At that time, your father was full of vigor and drive, already a leader among Hu Merchants. Now, he has passed away and returned to the heavens."
Chu Tiannan's eyes welled up with tears upon hearing this, and he sighed.
Zhou Zhongdang continued, "Your father also stored several valuable paintings and calligraphies at our Zhenbao Pavilion. In a few days, I will send someone to deliver them back to the Chu Residence."
Chu Tiannan replied, "Then I will trouble Uncle Zhou."
Lin Lang presented the white envelope with the condolence money to Chu Tiannan with both hands, saying politely, "A small token of my esteemed master's regards. Brother-in-law, please restrain your grief!"
Chu Tiannan nodded slightly in acknowledgment, took the white envelope with the condolence money from Lin Lang's hand, and handed it to the funeral staff.
The funeral staff walked to the side, opened the white envelope, counted the amount of condolence money, and recorded it in the ledger, which was essentially the funeral gift money.
In China, regardless of wealth or poverty, giving gifts at funerals is a custom.
"Master, please wait for me outside the mourning hall. I'd like to say a few words to Miss Chu and Keqing, my cousin, to express my condolences."
Zhou Zhongdang replied with a single word, "Good."
Chu Tiannan rose to see off the guest, slowly escorting Zhou Zhongdang to the entrance of the mourning hall. The custom is that the filial son sees off guests without leaving the mourning hall.
Lin Lang walked to the right side of the mourning hall and stopped in front of Chu Yiren and Gu Keqing.
Seeing Chu Yiren's haggard face, red eyes, and almost chapped lips, it was clear she hadn't eaten or drunk. Lin Lang felt a pang of heartache.
Chu Yiren knelt in front of the mourning hall, looking at Lin Lang with tearful affection. Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but was overwhelmed by grief and said nothing.
When two people are in love, a single glance of understanding is enough; everything is understood without words.
Lin Lang, in front of Gu Keqing, could not say much, so he offered comfort according to etiquette: "Restrain your grief, don't be too sad. Sister Yiren, you must take care of your health!"
Chu Yiren nodded tearfully, and tears rolled down her exquisite face.
"Sister Yiren, please restrain your grief!"
Lin Lang really wanted to stay and comfort Chu Yiren, to wipe away her tears, but his current status was merely that of an outsider. After nodding to Gu Keqing, he walked out of the mourning hall.
Because there were many guests offering condolences and time was limited, Lin Lang could not delay.
Immediately after, the funeral director's loud voice was heard: "Please welcome the next chief mourner, Mr. He Yuanchao, the Deputy Mayor of Shanghai, to enter the mourning hall for commemoration."
After leaving the mourning hall, Lin Lang accompanied his master Zhou Zhongdang and slowly departed from the funeral home.
As the master and disciple reached the funeral home parking lot, Lin Lang's phone vibrated and rang.
The caller ID showed Li Manager of Shanghai Auction House.
"Master, please get in the car first. I need to answer a call."
"Okay." Zhou Zhongdang got into the Audi A6.
Lin Lang answered the phone and greeted, "Hello, Li Manager!"
"Hello, Mr. Lin!"
"I have good news to tell you!"
"The Imperial Green Jadeite rough stone you entrusted to our auction house for sale a few days ago was successfully bid for at the Shanghai Summer Jewelry and Jade Auction this morning by Mr. Li Jiacheng, a wealthy Hong Kong businessman, for the astronomical price of 67 million chinese yuan."
"Our auction house charges a 10% commission. The remaining 60.3 million chinese yuan from the auction proceeds has been arranged for our financial personnel to transfer to you. It is expected to arrive within 2 hours, Mr. Lin, please check for its receipt."
Lin Lang snapped his fingers upon hearing this and replied with a smile, "OK!"
"Mr. Lin, if you have any more antique art pieces to sell in the future, remember to contact me anytime. I guarantee to be available at your beck and call. I look forward to cooperating with you again, Mr. Lin."
"Alright, Li Manager, goodbye!"
"Goodbye, Mr. Lin!"
Lin Lang hung up the call, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.
In the year 2000, the Imperial Green Jadeite rough stone that Lin Lang had cut from his stone gambling could be auctioned for 67 million chinese yuan, which was already an astronomical price at that time.
Although this top-grade Imperial Green Jadeite rough stone could easily exceed 100 million in value if collected for ten or eight years, the time cost was too high for Lin Lang.
After all, for Lin Lang, making money with money was faster.
After auctioning off the Imperial Green Jadeite rough stone, Lin Lang received 60.3 million chinese yuan in cash. If he casually invested it in the stock market for one day, with the All-Purpose Entry Prompt System assisting him in stock trading, his minimum daily profit would be 10%, and he could easily exceed 100 million in a few trading days.
As of the stock market's close this morning, the funds in Lin Lang's stock account had reached 31.05 million chinese yuan, thanks to his short-term operations that maximized profits.
The funds in Lin Lang's stock account increased by several million chinese yuan every time he woke up, which was simply making money even by lying flat.
If it weren't for the stock market being closed for the weekend tomorrow, Lin Lang's small goal of 100 million would have been basically achieved in less than a week since he traveled back to the year 2000.
After Lin Lang hung up his phone.
He opened the car door and got into the driver's seat, asking while buckling his seatbelt, "Master, should I take you back to the hospital to complete the discharge procedures now?"
"Or should we go straight home?"
Zhou Zhongdang replied, "We can go straight home. Your mistress will simply instruct the medical staff to handle the discharge procedures."
"Okay, Master."
Lin Lang started the Audi A6 sedan, turned on the turn signal, and slowly drove away from Longhua Funeral Home in Shanghai.
Having just attended his old friend Chu Jincheng's memorial service, Zhou Zhongdang was in low spirits. Looking at the scenery outside the car window, the master and disciple remained silent throughout the journey.
Upon returning to the Zhou Residence Villa.
"Hello, Mr. Lin!" The maid, Aunt Mei, respectfully greeted him.
"Hello!" Lin Lang smiled politely.
"Master, have you been discharged from the hospital?" The maid, Aunt Mei, bent down to take out slippers.
As soon as Zhou Zhongdang entered the house, he asked, "Where is young miss?"
The maid, Aunt Mei, replied, "Young miss just finished an exclusive interview with Tencent Sports Channel this morning. Now that she's free, she's playing the piano in the music room!"
Zhou Zhongdang, who had just been discharged from the hospital after surgery, said weakly, "A Lang, I am a bit tired, so I'll go back to my room to rest. Mengyao is playing the piano in the music room; you can go find her and play!"
"Master, I see you're not in good spirits today. If you're tired, go back to your room and take a nap."
Zhou Zhongdang looked at the maid, Aunt Mei, and instructed, "Since A Lang is here today, add a few more dishes for lunch. I don't have much appetite for lunch, so you don't need to call me to eat."
"Yes, Master."
After Master Zhou Zhongdang returned to his room, Lin Lang followed the spiral staircase to the music room on the second floor of the Zhou Residence Villa.
The melodious piano music became clearer and clearer with Lin Lang's footsteps.
Lin Lang stopped outside the music room door and saw Zhou Mengyao, dressed in white as pure as snow, with her long hair casually draped, yet unbelievably beautiful, sitting gracefully on the piano stool and playing the piano.
Sunlight streamed through the music room window, casting a beautiful halo around Zhou Mengyao, making her appear sacred and inviolable.
This immediate sensation of a spring breeze made Lin Lang's heart flutter.
No matter when, no matter how many years passed, Lin Lang's heart still fluttered when he saw his beautiful schoolmate and deskmate, Zhou Mengyao, just as it did when he first met her.
AI generated beautiful image of Zhou Mengyao.
What the hell is a white moonlight?
This is the damn white moonlight.
What does a white moonlight from school mean to a man?
When you're not in contact, you think you've moved on.
As soon as she appears, everything and everyone around her pales in comparison. This is what a white moonlight is.
And the beautiful schoolmate and deskmate, Zhou Mengyao, was Lin Lang's white moonlight.