Chapter 731 - 334: Gu Weijing’s Little Troubles (Part 2)

Apart from a select few in the industry with the foresight to identify talent, who managed to carve out a 20-30% commission from contracts with artists who have grown from little-known painters to renowned ones, who would be willing to play with such a big toy? And who can afford it?

Old Yang swallowed his saliva for half a minute, nearly choking, before painfully tearing his eyes away from the yacht at the dock. He then turned his head with dignity, stating that since it’s a gift from a disciple to a teacher, he couldn’t make a decision and would relay the message to Mr. Cao Xuan.

Old Yang wasn’t particularly noble or impervious to wealth.

He was just smart.

He knew which things could be accepted and which would cross the line.

Were they really giving a yacht for Old Yang to play with because they had money to burn?

Old Yang was nobody!

It was only because of his position as Elder Cao’s exclusive personal assistant.

Going out to sea with pretty model girls to catch some fish—those kinds of sweet temptations are trivial. After enjoying them, Old Yang could demand more. Mr. Liu wouldn’t mind, and neither would Old Yang.

Elder Cao knowing about it could also overlook it.

But eating it all up and taking their big yacht would change everything.

If you accept favors, you owe a debt, and Old Yang would invariably become one of Liu Ziming’s people, constantly whispering sweet nothings to Elder Cao?

It sounds strange, but that’s roughly the idea.

Did they really think one could take the yacht so easily?

Collectors in the art world respect Liu Ziming’s noble origin from the grand family in Malaysia, and they call him "Master Liu," "Boss Liu," "Mr. Liu," or such; Mr. Cao also uses these titles jokingly with his disciples.

But Old Yang knows clearly inside.

If he dared to accept today, tomorrow the other side would actually become his "Master."

Before accepting an extravagant gift, he could dine on caviar, sip champagne with Elder Cao’s disciples, and chat about life equally while watching bikini-clad girls on the deck.

After accepting it.

He would immediately be marked as their subordinate.

The Liu family owns vast mountains of gold and silver, with container ships daily crossing the Malacca Strait fetching fortunes with every whistle blast from their smoke stacks spewing money—a family making millions in minutes.

Mr. Liu himself is generous and bold, passionate about painting.

In "Farewell My Concubine," he would be someone akin to Fourth Young Master Yuan.

From the depths of his heart, Old Yang wouldn’t mind being Mr. Liu’s subordinate as long as he knocks him out with a wad of cash—even being a dog would be fine!

Unfortunately... this money is too hot to handle.

He can see it but not touch it, just a fleeting illusion.

Even if he wants to be Liu Ziming’s dog, he couldn’t hold that position for long.

Does he take Tang Ning, Lin Tao, and others for vegetarians, or is Old Mr. Cao really muddled and unclear-minded?

Risking unemployment for a yacht he barely has time to enjoy wouldn’t be worth it.

His value in other people’s eyes comes from his job, not his uncle-face.

When Mr. Cao would eventually kick him out.

Just watch.

This Mr. Liu, who pats his shoulder every day claiming brotherhood ordained by destiny, wouldn’t bother giving him another look.

Being a personal assistant to a great artist.

No formal education necessary, no art expertise required, even being clumsy can be practiced away—these are inconsequential.

The one thing you cannot afford is an ignorance of human affairs.

Similarly, on the Jesus Crucifixion Day, a public holiday in all of Germany before the Easter weekend in April, Mr. Cao Xuan planned to give Old Yang a short vacation as well.

Lady Tang Ning invited him to visit Xiangjiang for a few days, which Old Yang politely declined.

Those near power often mistake proximity to power for possession of power, which is infinitely dangerous.

Old Yang always kept his position crystal clear, knowing it’s Mr. Cao Xuan who holds the power, without Elder Cao, he’s nothing.

That’s his brilliance.

The more he acts this way, the warmer the disciples become toward him.

Sometimes, Old Yang felt like, damn, it’s the 21st century, yet he actually felt like a favored imperial eunuch in a palace drama, courted by princes in a succession struggle...

The most darkly humorous thing is that those disciples believe Old Yang knows something of the teacher’s intentions.

But Mr. Cao is no ordinary person!

He values the mentor-student relationship so highly that he wouldn’t even greet Old Yang while signing autographs for big lecture classes.

Regardless of what Elder Xuan is contemplating and deciding, would he still consult with an assistant, inviting him to be involved?

Is he worthy?

Mr. Cao Xuan’s succession concerns are as curious to Old Yang, this "Li Lianying," as they are to the others.

Otherwise.

Old Yang wouldn’t mind enjoying some benefits from one household.

"Oh, do you need me to say something to the admissions office about Gu Weijing’s enrollment?"

With this in mind, Old Yang casually asked.

"Say something what?"

Mr. Cao Xuan casually asked in return.

"Well, there’s a problem with the enrollment issue. The competition to get into the Hamburg Academy of Fine Arts has been particularly fierce in the past couple of years. Many excellent students find it challenging to get accepted. Moreover, the slots allocated for Southeast Asian students by the admissions office are already limited, I saw the data. Over the past decade, our department has only enrolled three Thai students and one Vietnamese student."

"His application might not be easy."

German universities, unlike prestigious North American schools, don’t have strict limits on the percentage of Asian student admissions.

The number of Southeast Asian international students accepted is also objectively small, and often the admissions office doesn’t approve a single application in a year.

However, objective facts are just that.

If Gu Weijing were to face troubles with schooling due to enrollment policy and admission numbers, preventing him from getting into HFBK, it would be a colossal joke.

German universities are the hardest in the European Union to graduate from, with professors wielding the greatest power in the European academic community.

If they fancy any kid, essentially a word to the administration can disregard scores and grant special admissions.

Old Yang had already dealt neatly with this as a usual practice.

Not only dealt with it but aimed to handle it beautifully as well.

Have this Brother Gu’s university acceptance letter ready, ensuring all scholarships that should and shouldn’t be there are ticked and prepared, all necessary applications for immigration assessment tests ready, even researching the suggested course schedule for the freshman year.

Even Brother Gu’s university dormitory, ensuring it’s the most spacious and comfortable.

Just waiting for this kid to show up with his bag and move in directly.

Old Yang felt it wasn’t inconvenient at all, rather he enjoyed it, willing to rack his brains to make Brother Gu’s university life comfortable and smooth.

Then in an unintentional way letting him know that all these efforts were running errands and arranged by Old Yang.

What is social grace? This is social grace.

He always cherished opportunities to water young saplings.

The favor of casually watering a sapling is much deeper than the laborious sweat of pruning a towering tree for an afternoon.

As Mr. Cao Xuan showcases favor toward the young person, even in a dismal future, they can’t go too wrong.

Social networks build slowly over time, eventually becoming connections.

Fruit won’t fall on its own to his head.

If you take care to water, fertiliz, and protect a sapling while it’s still a blade of grass, only then will the future tree bear bright red fruits, ripe for you to jump up and bite.

Old Yang happily even finished the emails to the admissions office.

Having received a call from Tang Ning, however, made him slightly change his mind.