Chapter 100: 098 Bowing to Ying Zijin as a Master in Front of Zhong Manhua [1 Update]

This is great, now the embarrassment has gone international.

Besides this, Zhong Manhua really couldn’t think of any other reason for a distinguished professor from the Royal Academy of Arts in the Ancient O Continent to personally visit Verdant Middle School.

Of course, she had heard of the great name Berg Blaine.

Once, when she was selecting a painting teacher for Xiao Xuan, that painting teacher had highly praised Berg.

It could be said that Berg represents the pinnacle of Baroque oil painting in the Ancient O Continent nowadays.

Just at the Royal Academy of Arts alone, countless students wish to study under Berg.

However, Berg has a very quirky temperament, even more so than Sheng Qingtang, and has never taken on any apprentices. He just occasionally offers some guidance to younger artists.

Now, the thought of going out and being gossiped about makes Zhong Manhua’s heart and lungs ache with pain.

It’s the same story again.

If it were Xiao Xuan, she would never let herself lose face like this.

“Sister-in-law, what’s wrong with you?” Ying Luwei looked at Zhong Manhua’s complexion changing from green to white and asked with concern, “Are you feeling unwell?”

“I’m fine.” Zhong Manhua pressed her temples and steadied her breathing, “Is Mr. Berg still at Verdant?”

“When I left the school, the principal was with him.” Ying Luwei said, “They must have gone to look for Xiao Jin by now, they might still be there.”

“Prepare the car.” Hearing this, Zhong Manhua stood up and made a decision, “We’re going to Verdant now.”

She must apologize before the issue blows up.

“I’m familiar with Verdant, I’ll go with you, sister-in-law.” Ying Luwei handed the medicinal diet to the butler and instructed, “Make sure to take good care of the Old Madam.”

The butler respectfully said, “Miss Luwei, rest assured, there will not be the slightest mistake with the Old Madam.”

After giving the instructions, Zhong Manhua and Ying Luwei set off for Verdant together.

**

Verdant Middle School.

The principal, hearing the report from the errand boy, felt as if he was splitting apart.

With Berg’s status, not to mention coming to Verdant, even if he went to Imperial Capital University, all the students studying painting would surely be scrambling to see him.

This…

However, to the principal’s surprise, Berg’s mood was surprisingly good this time.

He waved his hand generously, “No problem, just ask her when she’s free, and I’ll wait for her here.”

The principal, sensing some double standards: “…”

He was thoroughly splitting apart now.

“Oh.” The errand boy didn’t recognize Berg, he scratched his head, “Are you in a hurry? If you are, I’ll go back and talk to her again.”

“Not at all, not at all.” Berg was in a very good mood, “I will be staying in Shanghai City for a few days, so whenever she has time, I will be available.”

Principal: “…”

You didn’t say that just now.

“Alrighty.” The errand boy thought this foreigner was very easy to talk to.

Just as he was ready to scurry back, he heard Berg say, “Hey, wait, ask her if she’s a big fan of Qinuo Feng.”

**

After the errand boy conveyed this message to Class 19, he saw Daddy Ying raise those lovely phoenix eyes, yet his expression remained very indifferent.

“Not a fan, he talks too much, I want to bury him.”

“Then let’s bury him.” The errand boy offered his services, “Daddy Ying, where is he? Me and the guys will go up there and bag him right now.”

Xiu Yu spoke indifferently, “He’s been dead underground for hundreds of years, go ahead.”

The errand boy was confused: “…”

“Daddy Ying, you really have a great sense of humor.” Xiu Yu rested a hand on the girl’s shoulder, “You’ve never even met him, how do you know he’s a chatterbox?”

There are many records about Qinuo Feng, but most of them praise how well he painted.

He was born in 1623 and died in 1709.

He left behind hundreds of paintings, each one a testament to his brilliance.

Any surviving oil paintings are enshrined in various museums across the Ancient O Continent.

Imperial Capital Museum also has two, and it was there that Xiu Yu had seen the masterpieces of Qinuo Feng.

“Because—” Ying Zijin remained indifferent, “He would paint while reciting ‘The Bible’ at the same time, and he would use Latin.”

It was annoying enough to give her a headache.

Xiu Yu: “???”

No, what’s this all about?

Wait, why did she just believe everything Daddy Ying said so seriously?

Qinuo Feng has been dead for over three hundred years, even his bones must have turned to dust by now.

But on second thought, Xiu Yu remembered her visit to Qinuo Feng’s former residence in the Ancient O Continent. Indeed, she recalled that his study was filled with various versions of ‘The Bible’.

“Daddy Ying, you’re unbeatable,” Xiu Yu gave a thumbs-up, “I have to admit, you tell stories that ring with truth.”

Ying Zijin’s eyelashes drooped, her gaze slightly withdrawn.

She had never been one to dwell much on the past.

Memories were abundant but quickly forgotten and muddled.

But she did have a relatively clear recollection of those three hundred years in the Ancient O Continent.

She had studied oil painting with Qinuo for three years, most of which she spent listening to his constant chatter.

This indirectly resulted in her being able to recite ‘The Bible’ in Latin without even looking at the text.

He was genuinely good at painting, but also genuinely annoying.

As long as he didn’t speak, he was quite a lovable old man.

When Qinuo passed away, she went to see him.

In the years that followed, she would bring a bouquet of white irises to his tombstone every year until she left the earth.

Qinuo was, after all, one of her many teachers on earth.

Unfortunately, as Qinuo was just an ordinary person, she couldn’t extend his lifespan.

Ying Zijin withdrew her thoughts and refocused on her phone.

She had used the last two days of free time to upgrade her NOK account to B-level, amassing 4000 Growth Points.

Just 1000 more, and she would be able to access the hidden section of NOK.

She already knew what would be discussed in that hidden section.

It was the true face of the world.

What ordinary people saw was only the tip of the iceberg.

Of course, world-class secrets would not be exposed to avoid causing panic.

The NOK Forum was just an organization tasked with safeguarding these secrets.

Ying Zijin looked down and considered the new B-level bounty task she had just accepted.

The client had sent her a private message.

[You’re new, right? Do you actually have a remedy that can remove the scars on my body? I’ve consulted many doctors, to no avail, and it’s only gotten worse.]

Ying Zijin was concise.

[Address, three days later, receive package.]

The client was somewhat skeptical but still sent over the address.

[If your remedy is ineffective, you won’t earn any Growth Points, but if it works well, I’m willing to add to the bounty.]

Ying Zijin glanced at the address and planned to send out the package shortly.

Xiao Jin then remembered the urgent matter: “Daddy Ying, he said he will wait for you; you can come anytime you’re free.”

After pondering for a moment, Ying Zijin stood up: “Then I’ll go see him now.”

**

Meanwhile.

Zhong Manhua and Ying Luwei had already arrived at Verdant.

A month had passed, and Ying Luwei’s facial rash had healed.

She had gone back to the hospital for a check-up, where the doctor still couldn’t find anything.

If it weren’t for the month-long torment of the rash, Ying Luwei would suspect she had been dreaming.

“Sister-in-law, Mr. Berg and his group should be over there,” Ying Luwei said with a smile, “Let me take you to them.”

“Hold on,” Zhong Manhua reached into her bag, took out a mask, and covered her face completely.

“Sister-in-law, you…” Ying Luwei paused for a moment, then understood, “I’ve heard from other teachers that Xiao Jin has been doing great at school lately, even winning awards at the art festival.”

Zhong Manhua was annoyed: “Alright, Luwei, let’s not talk about this now, let’s just go.”

Ying Luwei knew her limits, and also knew what to say and when to make it more effective.

So she didn’t say more, just pursed her lips in a silent smile.

The two arrived in front of the academic building.

It was four o’clock, just the time for a break between classes.

There were many students, and quite a few recognized Ying Luwei.

Since Ying Luwei hardly visited the school, only occasionally teaching an English class.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder, and most students liked her quite a bit.

“Teacher Ying.”

“Good afternoon, Teacher Ying.”

Ying Luwei greeted each with a smile.

Zhong Manhua felt uncomfortable and waited anxiously.

After five minutes, she finally saw a familiar figure walking out of the academic building.

“Zijin,” Zhong Manhua immediately approached and deliberately lowered her voice, “Zijin, Mom has something to tell you. Pack up your things, and leave school with Mom.”

However, Ying Zijin didn’t even glance at her.

Although she was walking in her direction, it was obvious she wasn’t there to meet her.

Zhong Manhua frowned, feeling anger surge within her.

Just as she was about to go forward and forcibly pull the girl away, an impatient voice came from behind.

“Excuse me, excuse me!”

Mr. Berg, in his haste, didn’t even notice Zhong Manhua as he rushed past her.

Zhong Manhua was nudged aside, and as she wore high heels, her ankle twisted. Thankfully, Ying Luwei was quick to support her.

“Sister-in-law, are you alright?” Ying Luwei asked anxiously, “I’ll take you to the infirmary first. Since Xiao Jin has already met him, I’ll inform the students here, and coming back later won’t be too late.”

Mr. Berg’s push was not gentle, and Zhong Manhua was in considerable pain.

Looking at her ankle, it had already swollen.

Hearing this, she didn’t refuse and allowed Ying Luwei to assist her away.

Ying Luwei took Zhong Manhua towards the infirmary, and after a few steps, she glanced back casually.

She naturally recognized that it was Berg Blaine, and she certainly wouldn’t let Zhong Manhua play peacemaker.

If her reputation was damaged, Ying Zijin wouldn’t have it easy either.

However, as she turned back, she saw Mr. Berg straighten his clothes and kneel down.

The gesture of seeking apprenticeship was sincere, learned specially from Hua Country’s classical texts.

He clasped his hands together, his expression earnest, “Master Ying, please take me as your disciple.”