I Inherited 5,000 Years of Family Property

"Respected Mr. Zhang? Which Mr. Zhang? That's a Huaxia surname, right?"

"Did any famous Zhang surname painters emerge in Huaxia during the 16th century?"

"Zhang Menglong is also surnamed Zhang, and so is this painter; could it be his ancestor?"

"Damn! It's not impossible, right?"

"Why do I feel like this has been a setup from the start? Could this story be something his family made up just to create a sensation?"

"Exactly, what with all this talk about there being 12 'Mona Lisas' and tributes. Isn't that just what they claim?"

Once the mystery was unveiled, the onlookers were all talking at once. Events from 500 years ago are almost untraceable, and without any evidence, it really lacks any credibility.

"Could it be that I have such a badass ancestor?" Zhang Menglong, who had already known a bit about the tip of the iceberg that was his family history, didn't doubt Cao Yushan's words, he just couldn't imagine. His ancestor could earn money, that was true, but how did he end up painting on the side? And even earn such respect from someone like Da Vinci? That's not scientific!

"Could it be that magic school again?" Mulling over it, Zhang Menglong could only attribute everything to that school. Since it was called a school, it surely must teach some skills, right? Perhaps his ancestor's painting abilities were acquired from there?

"Damn it!" Thinking of this, Zhang Menglong slammed the table hard. He had already spent money fiercely. How had he not spent that 100 billion US dollars yet?

Never mind not allowing donations, every time he spent a large sum of money, by the next day it was back in his account again, as if all the enterprises in the world belonged to his family.

"Hiss! Ah!" The solid wood made Zhang Menglong grimace in pain.

"Zhang Menglong, what are you going on about?" Lu Yiyao, who was nearby, was utterly confused, wondering why he suddenly started hurting himself. Could it be that the story about his ancestors was such a big shock to him?

"It's nothing, just that I can't seem to spend the money, and it's making me anxious!" Zhang Menglong blew on his reddened hand.

"Such a problem to have," Lu Yiyao was rendered speechless. "If anyone else heard you say that, they'd want to kill you!"

"I'm really annoyed!" said Zhang Menglong with a helpless face. "I've been desperately spending, but it's still so slow. I'm losing my mind over it!"

"My mind is breaking too!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

...

"Mr. Cao, what about my ancestor's paintings?"

"Of course, we brought them too!" Cao Yushan said. "Your ancestor dabbled in various styles and subjects including Huaxia's ink paintings and foreign oil paintings. It's just that he did not leave many works behind, and he kept them close. Otherwise, the world would have had another unparalleled painter."

"That's true. To get such an evaluation from a master like Da Vinci, I imagine his realm must be unmatched."

"Mr. Zhang, since these works really exist, why not exhibit them for everyone to see?"

"Yeah, Boss Zhang, let us have the honor, please!"

Some people were hopeful, while others were more sarcastic, but everyone was curious about this authentic 'Mona Lisa'.

"Then bring it out," Zhang Menglong instructed.

"Bring it out!" With a wave of Cao Yushan's hand, a supremely delicate box was carried up by two people, a far cry from those famous paintings stored in battered boxes—this one was luxurious!

With a metal shell, adorned with glittering gemstones, the box alone was probably worth a fortune.

"Isn't this way too exaggerated?"

"Mr. Zhang is quite particular about his own creations. This box was made with the most outstanding craftsmanship available back then. Under those conditions, it couldn't be opened by any external force. Even now, it couldn't be cut open with temperatures below 5000 degrees."

"That awesome?" Zhang Menglong inspected the box from all sides, "How could such a thing seem achievable with the craftsmanship from over five hundred years ago?"

"Mr. Zhang, your ancestors were already wealthy beyond measure thousands of years ago. With the extra time they had, some traveled around the world while others started researching various things. The achievements they attained are beyond the reach of modern people."

"Forget it, let's not talk about that. Let's look at the paintings first," directed Zhang Menglong.

Cao Yushan walked up to the box and gently tapped it a few times. Unbelievably, a refined button appeared on its flawless surface. Accompanied by the sound of "click, click" from the mechanics, the top of the box actually began to disassemble!

"Is this... Is this really something from 500 years ago?" Not just anyone else, even Zhang Menglong was shocked by this scene. Never mind 500 years ago, could modern technology create such a thing?

"We must uncover the secret of that academy as soon as possible!" Zhang Menglong resolved silently.

The box was large, but inside there were only a few paintings. On a well-preserved wooden panel, there was indeed a "Mona Lisa"!

"There truly are other versions of the 'Mona Lisa'!" The people around excitedly gathered.

Cao Yushan hung the painting, "This one is quite special. I hope everyone will be civilized in their observation."

"Oh my God! What kind of premiere painting is this?"

"I've seen Da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa.' No matter which angle you stand in front of the original, you feel those eyes watching you, but I'm standing behind this one! Why do I feel a gaze on me?"

"This is unscientific!"

"Look, her lips are smiling! They're really moving! How is this possible?"

"Although Da Vinci's painting also captures Mona Lisa's smile, it requires changing perspectives and focus, seeing the smile through the combination of various details. I've been staring at the same spot on this painting, and she is actually smiling!"

"Incomprehensible, just too incomprehensible!"

The audience members may not necessarily be outstanding painters, but their ability to appreciate art is beyond reproach. This painting seems even more magical than Da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa'!

It feels like this isn't just a painting, but a real person!

"This painting was done by Mr. Zhang Jingzhi when he was 21 years old. Back then, it only appeared in a small circle in Europe. Those who saw it were amazed, and even many nobles at the time wanted to purchase it for a high price."

"But my ancestor didn't sell it?"

"Of course not. That amount of money didn't interest Mr. Jingzhi at all. During the Renaissance in Europe, after that painting was exhibited, countless painters wanted to emulate and refer to it, including Da Vinci. However, in the end, Mr. Jingzhi only lent it to Da Vinci for three days."

"Why only lend it to him?"

"It is said that at that time, Mr. Da Vinci pleaded outside Mr. Jingzhi's residence for three days and nights. He was so bothered that he finally lent the painting to him."

"Keep it up, I can take it." The idea of Da Vinci, one of the triumvirates of the Renaissance, begging outside his own ancestor's door for three days and nights was hard for Zhang Menglong to imagine. Isn't that a bit too sensational?

"Back then, Mr. Da Vinci was actually just starting out," Cao Yushan continued, "Later on, Mr. Jingzhi thought Da Vinci had some talent and gave him a few minutes of guidance, and only after that did the great master of art emerge."