Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

  At the hotel.

  In the private room.

  When Lin Fan pushed the door open to enter, Zheng Zhong Shan and the others came to welcome him. “Master Lin, you’re here.”


  Initially, those members of the association who hadn’t seen Lin Fan before didn’t pay much attention to a young chap like him. However, when they saw that the president of the association standing up to greet him, they knew that this person was someone special. When they heard ‘Master Lin’, they were shocked.

  They knew who ‘Master Lin’ was. President Zheng, Yue Qiu Ju Shi, Tao Shi Gang, and some others kept talking about Master Lin, especially about those two artworks. Yue Qiu Ju Shi and Tao Shi Gang had been showing off those two artworks.

  Those two artworks were extraordinary and meaningful. They all wanted them but didn’t even stand a chance.

  Lin Fan smiled. “You’re too courteous, President Zheng.”


  “Everyone, have a seat. I’ll introduce the other Masters to you later,” President Zheng said while smiling. He was the association’s president and the host of the event.

  He had been extremely shocked by Lin Fan’s talent in drawing and at the same time, very impressed.

  In terms of technique and the ability to convey the meaning of the artwork, it surpassed their levels.

  Every single chair in the room was filled and there were twelve people.

  Besides Lin Fan, the youngest person there was at least fifty years of age.

  Lin Fan believed that his status in the association must have been pretty high since he had been invited to an event like this.

  Zheng Zhong Shan sat beside Lin Fan and introduced them to him one by one. Lin Fan didn’t know these Masters at all but they were renown in the arts industry. If a person that could appreciate arts were to see them, he or she would definitely be shocked.

  Because these elderly men were extremely difficult to meet. Needless to say, it was even harder to request for an artwork from them.

  Some people collected the artworks of these Masters and displayed them in their homes. They didn’t do it just for show. It was a form of collection and obviously, the most coveted pieces were their personal artworks.

  Lin Fan nodded at the others. Although he was young, his artworks spoke for themselves and nobody there had any doubts about him.

  Zheng Zhong Shan smiled, “Master Lin, will you have alcohol or non-alcoholic beverages?”


  Lin Fan looked at the bottle of wine in Zheng Zhong Shan’s hand and smiled. “Do I have a choice? However, I can’t drink too much. I’ll just have a few glasses with all of you.”


  Zheng Zhong Shan began to pour the wine. “Young man, you have to develop your alcohol tolerance. You can’t make it if you can’t drink alcohol. In the past, I couldn’t drink alcohol and it was difficult to be invigorated.”


  Yue Qiu Ju Shi smiled. “Our President is talking about the past again. However, his alcohol tolerance now is really bad now. It probably isn’t even 10% of his alcohol tolerance in the past.”


  Tao Shi Gang just laughed. “Master Lin, just drink minimally. Elder Zheng has drunk for a few decades and his alcohol tolerance is not comparable. Since everyone’s happy today, he naturally can’t control his alcohol intake.”


  “Elder Zheng finished it with one gulp. I have to give him face, I’ll drink it.” Then, he drank it immediately. His throat started to have a burning sensation and it rushed to his head. However, it became milder after entering his stomach. Then, he gasped, “This is unlike what I have been drinking.”


  “Rubbish, I can probably down a litre of alcohol into my stomach and my face wouldn’t turn red,” Zheng Zhong Shan smiled.

  Lin Fan just listened and didn’t say much. Then, the feast began. Everyone didn’t treat Lin Fan as an outsider. They just discussed arts with him.

  Zheng Zhong Shan smiled. “Elderly men like us would typically talk about these things when we are gathered. It is unlike the lively gathering of the youths. Come, let’s have another cup.”


  Then, he just downed a cup.

  Lin Fan just stared at him. If he were to drink like that, he would probably collapse after a few glasses.

  Zheng Zhong Shan smiled. “This wine can’t be bought elsewhere. It’s specially imported and an average person wouldn’t be able to get it.”


  Tao Shi Gang smiled. “Elder Zheng has brought out a fantastic bottle of wine. Only the senior managers get to drink this. Today, we’re in luck.”


  Lin Fan smiled. He knew about Zheng Zhong Shan’s identity but he hadn’t expected him to have joined the Chinese Arts Association. Perhaps this art association would be extremely powerful under his guidance.

  There weren’t a lot of people there but it was a lively place.

  Zheng Zhong Shan drank a few glasses and Lin Fan drank slightly more than a glass. It was extremely high in alcohol content but he felt great after drinking.

  Then, a piece of paper appeared in front of Lin Fan. Lin Fan was a little taken aback. “President Zheng, what’s this?”


  Zheng Zhong Shan smiled. “Master Lin, when you sign it, you’ll be part of our association. You’ll have great welfare benefits and you’ll get a bonus at the start of every season. Furthermore, everyone can keep in touch. How should I put it? After you join us, the association will be your biggest pillar of support.”


  Yue Qiu Ju Shi smiled. “President Zheng used to be in the military when he was young. Now that he’s old, he hasn’t changed his style. We’re all artists and there won’t be any problem here. You won’t regret joining us. Master Lin, join us. After that, we’ll be family.”


  Lin Fan looked at everyone and smiled. “I’m part of a lot of associations, do you guys mind?”


  “We don’t mind. You’re so talented. There’s no difference since we’re all on the same soil.” Zheng Zhong Shan said with a smile.

  “Alright, I’ll sign it then,” Lin Fan said as he took the pen and signed.

  Zheng Zhong Shan clapped. “Alright, let’s give Elder Lin a toast!”


  “Huh?” Lin Fan was stunned. Then, he hurriedly added, “Wait, I’m only in my twenties and you’re calling me Elder Lin? That isn’t right……”


  Yue Qiu Ju Shi tapped Lin Fan’s shoulder. “Master Lin, when you sign the form, you’re part of the association. Look at Elder Chen, he’s only in his fifties, that’s about the same age as President Zheng’s eldest son. However, we still call him Elder Chen. We don’t look at age here. We only look at artworks. If you’re good, then you’re considered one of us.”


  “That’s interesting.” Lin Fan smiled. “Alright then, please prepare ink and a brush. I’ll paint a portrait of someone here.”


  “Okay……” Zheng Zhong Shan was extremely elated. He anxiously said, “Quickly prepare some.”
……

  At a certain clubhouse in Shanghai.

  Wu Yun Gang had brought Wang Ming Yang to a grand and luxurious clubhouse.

  “Yun Gang, this place is not bad,” Wang Ming Yang said after looking around.

  Wu Yun Gang laughed. “Of course, this is the best private clubhouse in Shanghai. An average person wouldn’t be able to come here.

  It wasn’t filled with flashy and shiny objects. It just had a beautiful interior which made people feel as if they had entered somewhere luxurious. It was something to be felt.

  There were two rows of prominent ladies. Then, two beautiful ladies walked out. Their smiles were mesmerizing and the clothes that they wore weren’t too revealing but it showed enough skin.

  “Sirs, do you have an appointment?” One woman asked gently with a beautiful voice.

  Wu Yun Gang nodded and told her some particulars before following them inside.

  Wang Ming Yang said, “Yun Gang, this place is amazing. Why haven’t I come here before?”


  Wu Yun Gang laughed. “This isn’t a place where you can come just because you’re rich. What do you think Shanghai is? It’s filled with wealthy men. The main factor is this……”


  Wang Ming Yang suddenly understood what he was saying. Then, he replied sternly, “I understand now.”


  They had been hustling in the society for quite some time and he knew what Yun Gang was referring to.

  One might not have power even though he or she could be rich. However, when one had power, he or she would definitely be rich.

  Today, Yun Gang had brought him along and it meant that he wasn’t a simple man.