Chapter 034: Debut at the Peak
Shanghai Television Station.
The recording studio for the show "Appraising Heirlooms."
On the Master of Appraisal seats, two middle-aged and elderly Masters of Appraisal were seated, discussing in low voices.
Gong Jiarui, the middle-aged, balding Master of Appraisal, said, "I heard that Zhou Zhongdang was temporarily hospitalized due to illness and will be absent from this episode's recording. He recommended his disciple to step in and record the show as a Master of Appraisal, replacing Old Zhou."
Cai Guosheng, the white-haired Master of Appraisal, said, "When did Old Zhou take on a disciple? How come I didn't know about it?"
"Exactly!"
"I also don't know where Old Zhou's disciple popped out from?!" Gong Jiarui shrugged.
"According to the staff of the production team, Old Zhou's disciple just graduated from university. He's just a young man in his twenties, yet he dares to appear on the show as a Master of Appraisal. Isn't this ridiculous?"
Cai Guosheng sneered, "After only learning appraisal for a few days, he dares to appear on television as a Master of Appraisal. Isn't this just a scam?"
"When the show officially starts recording later, let's deliberately have Old Zhou's disciple appraise first and see if this kid can say anything substantial."
Gong Jiarui echoed, "Yes, yes, yes!"
"If Old Zhou's disciple makes a mistake in appraisal on the TV show, Appraisal Master Zhou Zhongdang's reputation will be completely ruined by his disciple."
Cai Guosheng said, "Other professions might allow for some incompetence, but a young man who hasn't even fully matured dares to openly impersonate a Master of Appraisal on television. I'd like to see what skills Old Zhou's disciple will use to muddle through later."
Gong Jiarui whispered a reminder, "Stop talking, Old Zhou's disciple is coming over."
Lin Lang approached the Master of Appraisal seats and greeted them courteously, "This junior greets both senior uncles!"
"I am Lin Lang, Mr. Zhou Zhongdang's closed-door disciple. Both uncles are old colleagues and friends of my master. Working together today, I hope for your continued guidance."
Cai Guosheng replied with a forced smile, "My nephew is a talented and promising young man. I look forward to your performance during the appraisal later."
Gong Jiarui, like a smiling tiger, maliciously said, "Nephew, since this is your first time on an appraisal show, we two uncles will try to speak less this episode and give you more opportunities to appraise and speak, so you can showcase yourself in front of the national audience."
The exceptionally intelligent Lin Lang naturally saw that these two old foxes underestimated him and definitely had ill intentions, hoping he would make a fool of himself during the appraisal in front of the national audience.
Therefore, Lin Lang replied with a smile, "Thank you, both senior uncles, for your kindness. This junior will certainly not disgrace the sect and will perform well."
After hearing this, Cai Guosheng exchanged a look with Gong Jiarui. Both of them feigned smiles in unison, mistakenly believing they had successfully set a trap for Lin Lang, unaware that they would soon be severely humiliated on the show for underestimating him.
At the same time.
Sister Marry Yang had already entered the recording studio and sat in front of the camera monitor. She saw Lin Lang sitting upright in the Master of Appraisal seat, looking incredibly handsome in his Armani white double-breasted suit, appearing exceptionally photogenic.
AI generated image of Sister Marry Yang
The audience seats in the studio were already filled with live audience members, men, women, and children of all ages, all eagerly awaiting the official start of the show's recording.
The cameraman asked through his earpiece, "Why is the Master of Appraisal sitting in the center C-position this episode a young handsome guy?"
(The show's setting is three Masters of Appraisal.)
The young and handsome Lin Lang, sitting between two middle-aged and elderly Masters of Appraisal, stood out even more handsomely, like a conspicuous figure.
Sister Marry Yang replied into her walkie-talkie, "Originally it was Appraisal Master Zhou Zhongdang in the C-position in the Master of Appraisal seat, but because he was temporarily hospitalized due to illness, his disciple Lin Lang had to step in."
The assistant director reminded, "Sister Marry, it's time for the official recording. The host is already backstage, ready to appear."
Sister Marry Yang held up her walkie-talkie and said, "All units, get ready!"
"3."
"2."
"1."
"Lights, camera, director, ready!"
"Countdown fifteen seconds."
"Countdown 5 seconds."
"5."
"4."
"3."
"2."
"1."
"ACTION..."
After the opening music played, the live audience began to applaud enthusiastically.
Immediately after, a male and female host, holding microphones, appeared with smiles. The female host spoke, "Bring your Baby for a date."
The male host smiled and said, "Let's share good fortune and wisdom together."
The female host said, "Welcome everyone to the nation's first collection-themed variety show, 'Appraising Heirlooms.' Good luck hotline: (omitted)..."
The male host said, "Audience friends from all over the country who wish to participate in our show can dial the registration hotline."
The female host said, "Before we invite the first item owner of this episode, please allow me to introduce the three Masters of Appraisal invited for this episode."
The male host said, "The first Master of Appraisal is Mr. Cai Guosheng, a renowned cultural relic appraisal expert in our country."
The live audience applauded warmly.
Cai Guosheng, an old-timer with white hair, waved at the camera, greeting the audience.
The female host said, "The second Master of Appraisal is Mr. Lin Lang, the chief Master of Appraisal of Zhenbao Pavilion. At the same time, the young Master of Appraisal Lin Lang is also the closed-door disciple of Appraisal Master Zhou Zhongdang."
The live audience applauded enthusiastically.
Sister Marry Yang, watching Lin Lang on the camera monitor, smiling and slightly nodding at the camera, felt a long-lost flutter in her heart.
"Uh..."
Sister Marry Yang thought to herself, "It seems I've really been a widow for too long. Why do I feel like I'm getting a crush when I see Lin Lang?"
AI generated image of Sister Marry Yang's back
As the male host introduced the third Master of Appraisal, Gong Jiarui, the audience members in the audience seats began to whisper and discuss among themselves.
"'Appraising Heirlooms' has aired so many episodes, and it has never used such a young Master of Appraisal. Can this Lin Lang win over the public?"
"Exactly!"
"Hearing the host introduce this young Master of Appraisal Lin Lang as Appraisal Master Zhou Zhongdang's disciple, I knew he was just a connected person, only trying to get famous on TV."
"Is this Lin Lang here to be a comedian?"
"Don't let him make a mistake during the appraisal later and embarrass his master, Zhou Zhongdang."
"They found a young handsome guy to fill in as a Master of Appraisal. Is 'Appraising Heirlooms' unable to invite experienced Masters of Appraisal anymore?"
"Could it be that the production team deliberately created a young and handsome Master of Appraisal to attract female viewers and boost ratings?"
"Whether it's a mule or a horse, you'll know once you take it out for a spin!"
"That's right!"
"The first treasure owner of this episode has already appeared..."
Ms. Huang, the item owner, came onto the stage with a small tortoise-shaped object, seeking appraisal from the show's experts.
The female host asked, "Ms. Huang, what would you like to say to our audience friends today?"
Ms. Huang, the item owner, replied somewhat nervously, "I am full of hope for this appraisal and look forward to the Masters of Appraisal on the show being able to uncover the value of my collection."
The male host said, "Alright, Ms. Huang, please send your collection to our Master of Appraisal seats for appraisal."
Ms. Huang, the item owner, walked towards the Master of Appraisal seats and placed the small tortoise-shaped object on the appraisal table.
Gong Jiarui maliciously said, "Nephew, you go ahead and appraise it first."
Lin Lang picked up the small tortoise-shaped object and briefly appraised it. On the virtual system light screen in front of him, green appraisal prompt entries flashed, indicating it was a genuine antique.
Cai Guosheng looked at Lin Lang, who was sitting in the C-position Master of Appraisal seat, and maliciously handed the microphone to the junior Lin Lang.