20demayo Chapter 292 The Essence of Gold - Introduction!
Chapter 292 The Essence of Gold - Introduction!
A light frost blanketed the streets of Paris's 8th arrondissement on Christmas Day. Three black sedans slowly pulled up in front of the cast-iron gates of 77 Rue Courcelles. Albert, dressed in a dark gray overcoat, stood waiting. As Lin Yan alighted from the car, he nodded slightly: "Young Master, lunch is ready."
Daniel and his family carefully stepped onto the cobblestone path, while Mike and Tom murmured in admiration at the stone carvings above the porch. When the heavy oak doors opened, a double-height foyer, retaining the essence of Haussmann's architecture, came into view, with Venetian crystal chandeliers casting dappled light on the terrazzo floor.
"This mansion was built during the reign of Napoleon III," Albert said, leading the group through a corridor adorned with Impressionist paintings. "After purchasing it last year, only necessary repairs were made; most of the decorations have been preserved in their original state."
In the living room, a Louis XV-style gilded wall mirror reflected the snowy scene of Park Monceau outside the window, while oak firewood crackled softly in the marble fireplace. Tom curiously touched the silk curtains by the window and discovered that the fabric was embroidered with delicate iris patterns.
"The restaurant is this way." Albert pushed open the double doors, and Christmas decorations were already set on the long table of Boulder Crafts, with holly and mistletoe adorning the silver candlestick in the center.
Mike noticed the soft glow of the Sèvres porcelain displayed in the sideboard, while Daniel's father gazed admiringly at the Eral piano in the corner. Sunlight streamed through the tall arched windows, casting geometric patterns of light on the parquet floor.
"The culinary team is from the Ritz Hotel," Albert reported to Lin Yan in a low voice. "They've prepared traditional Christmas dishes as requested, as well as Chinese pastries."
As everyone took their seats, the waiters began serving appetizers. The gentle clinking of silver cutlery against porcelain was occasionally punctuated by hushed exclamations of admiration for the details of the mansion's architecture. Lin Yan sat at the head of the table, gazing out at the frosty garden; the Christmas lunch was proceeding smoothly.
As Albert was pouring Lin Yan her afternoon tea, Daniel's father put down his napkin and said somewhat apologetically, "Lin, thank you for your hospitality these past few days. However, Daniel's mother and I have limited vacation time and plan to return to New York tomorrow."
Tom and Mike exchanged a glance, then said, "Lin, we want to go back with them too."
Lin Yan gently set down his teacup, a warm smile in his eyes as he teased, "What? Just received a generous reward, don't you want to spend a few more days in Paris? Haven't you finished exploring the shops on the Champs-Élysées yet?"
Tom shook his head, his expression unusually serious: "On the contrary, Lin. It's precisely because these few days of experience were so precious that we saw so many things clearly." His gaze swept over the exquisite gilded decorations in the restaurant, finally settling on Lin Yan. "We witnessed a true fashion extravaganza, participated in world-class events, and stayed in the most luxurious hotels... all of which we will never forget."
Mike continued, his voice unusually clear: "But it is precisely these experiences that have made us see the gap between ourselves and the world. What we need is not to spend a few more days in Paris, but to go back and seriously think—think about what we really want and what we are good at."
"That's right," Tom nodded. "Instead of wandering around aimlessly here, we should go home and start working hard. The shock we've experienced these past few days is enough for us to process for a long time."
Mike scratched the back of his head and gave a slightly shy smile: "And... to be honest, we miss home. We miss our mom and dad, our noisy younger siblings, and even the hot dog stands on the streets of New York in winter."
These candid words brought knowing smiles to everyone's faces. Lin Yan looked at his two friends and saw a maturity beyond their years in their eyes. The most valuable gain from this trip to Paris was not the $500, but this rare clarity and determination.
"Alright." Lin Yan raised his glass. "Then I wish you a safe journey. Remember what you've learned tonight; I look forward to seeing you find your own direction."
An hour later, Albert handed over the prepared envelope containing the plane tickets: "Young Master has arranged a flight for tomorrow morning, and the driver will pick you up from the hotel on time."
On the morning of December 26th, just as the winter sun was shining over the rooftops of Paris, there was a gentle knock on Lin Yan's door.
The door opened, and Tom, Mike, and Daniel's family were already dressed and standing in the hallway, their luggage neatly packed at their feet. Tom scratched his messy blond hair, a rare shy expression on his face: "Lin, we've come to say goodbye."
Mike stepped forward and gave Lin Yan a tight hug, his voice a little muffled: "This trip... has changed me a lot."
Daniel's parents stood a little further back. Mrs. Li's eyes were slightly red: "Lin, we really don't know how to thank you. This is the most unforgettable Christmas our family has ever had since Daniel was born."
"We've decided," Mike said, pulling a delicate velvet box from his backpack. "We're using our first paycheck to buy gifts for the family. I bought my sister a small painting by an artist from the Seine and a doll, and my brother a French soldier doll."
Tom excitedly added, "I picked out a Chanel No. 5 for Mom and bought Sean a suit. It cost most of my salary, but it was worth it!" He paused, his voice softening, "I used to take the allowance my parents gave me for granted, but now I realize how hard it is to earn money."
Daniel adjusted his glasses and said seriously, "After returning to New York, I plan to apply for a summer research program at Columbia University. Meeting so many outstanding people this time has made me realize that I can no longer be content with the status quo."
Lin Yan handed Daniel a letter of recommendation. "Daniel, you actually have a lot of talent in aerospace. If you ever want to change your mind and study this major, I have a letter here. Go to the California Aerospace Center and find Professor Williams. He's a good friend of mine. Show him this letter, and he'll arrange everything for you!"
Daniel looked at Lin Yan with red eyes, without saying a word, but stepped forward and gave him a gentle hug.
Lin Yan watched these friends who had quietly grown up in just a few days, a subtle smile playing on his lips. He turned to Charles, who was standing nearby, and instructed, "Prepare the car. Take them to Orly Airport."
The elevator doors at the end of the corridor slowly opened. Tom turned back one last time, raised his hand, and made a phone call gesture: "See you at the start of school! Remember to bring Chinese snacks!"
As the first rays of sunlight broke through the Parisian dawn in December, Lin Yan, wrapped in a black cashmere coat, joined the first group of visitors to enter the Louvre. He had no specific destination in mind, simply strolling through the Richelieu Gallery, letting his footsteps echo beneath the vaulted ceiling.
After pausing briefly in front of the Mona Lisa in the Denon Museum, we moved on to the Winged Victory of Samothrace statue.
In the 13th-century French section, he stopped before the sword of Saint Louis. Inside the glass case, the gold iris pattern shimmered under the spotlights. "Divine Right of Kings..." he murmured the label, his fingertips tracing the outline of the hilt through the glass. This ceremonial weapon, which had never tasted blood, bore the heaviest will to rule.
Turning into the Renaissance gallery, the hunting sword of Francis I took his breath away. On its gilded silver scabbard, the eyes of the unicorn depicting the hunt were inlaid with sapphires. When he discovered the craftsman's inscription "B. Cellini 1528" on the side of the display case, he couldn't help but chuckle—did this goldsmith know that four hundred years later, an Eastern monk would be here to comprehend the essence of gold?
Napoleon III Hall
The 140-carat diamond on the coronation sword refracted countless cones of light, and he lingered there the longest. While observing the angle of the blade and the setting of the gemstone, he suddenly recalled the words of the old man during his foundation-building: "Gold is not sharpness, but the capacity to bear sharpness." This masterpiece, which simultaneously symbolizes power and art, gave him a new interpretation of the symbiosis of "sharpness" and "tenacity".
Second floor of Denong Hall
Time seemed to stand still when he saw the German two-handed sword in the weapons section. The 1.8-meter-long blade was displayed in a specially made case, and under the dim light, the cold steel still gleamed with the chilling light of the battlefield.
Metal represents tools and weapons!
Of all the weapons, only the sword resonated with Lin Yan the most. The swordsman—one who is fearless and unyielding!
True essence quietly gathered in his palm, and a golden light flashed in his eyes. The exhibition hall alarm suddenly emitted a faint beep. As the security guard checked the circuit with suspicion, Lin Yan had already turned and left.
In the cold wind along the Seine, he gazed at his reflection in the water. Within his sea of consciousness, seven-colored points of light revolved around the newly formed golden starlight.
The essence of gold – completion.