1 In The Name Of Lightning

Shanghai, City God Temple, Antique Street.

Guyun Pavilion was an old antique shop. It mainly dealt in imitation porcelain and handicrafts from the three dynasties of Yuan, Ming, and Qing. As it took the premium route and coupled with the reputation and resources accumulated by the boss over the years, this old shop was surviving quite well.

Li Mo walked into this old shop and saw a thin middle-aged man writing. He walked closer and did not disturb him. Instead, he stood at the side and watched quietly. The man's handwriting was smooth, agile, and fast.

A moment later, the middle-aged man retracted his last stroke and felt that he had exhausted a lot of energy. He wiped the fine sweat on his forehead and looked at himself with a smile. "How is it? Is it still pleasing to the eye?"

"Your brushwork is thin and hard, and your brushwork is exposed. The stroke is thin but it doesn't lose its body. Master, you've already imitated 70 to 80% of the Slender Gold Script[1.It is essentially a form of kaishu standard script, placing extra emphasis on where the brush rests and changes direction, using slender, vigorous brush strokes. Large characters of slender gold script were difficult to write, and each character in this poem is over 10 cm tall. The forceful brushstrokes almost appear to have been carved out with a knife. The script, with its large, vigorous and elegant strokes, convey the fearless spirit one would expect of an emperor.] charm created by Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty. Your calligraphy has really improved in the past two years," Li Mo said as he clapped. "However, this is too taxing on your mind. You still have to take care of your body."

"My calligraphy skills are only at this level. It's almost impossible for me to improve further. Come, let's have tea over there. We haven't seen each other for a few days."

The middle-aged man was the boss of Guyun Pavilion, Liu Chuanqing. He had come to Shanghai to work more than 20 years ago. Although he did not make a fortune, his life was very comfortable.

"Master, it's rare for me to come here, but you don't want to take out the Biluochun1 before Qingming2. You're becoming more and more stingy."

"Pre-Qingming tea is as expensive as gold. I only have a little stock. When did your taste become so picky? You don't even like the tea before the rain. If you don't want to drink it, forget it. Just sit at the side and serve me."

"I will drink!" Li Mo hurriedly smiled and said, "It's only May and it's already so hot. I even heard thunder in the sky on the way here. Isn't it a little abnormal to have thunder in this season?"

Liu Chuanqing sat leisurely on the recliner and said casually, "If there's a phenomenon in the sky, there will definitely be a demon."

Li Mo skillfully brewed tea and held back his laughter. "Master, although you're good at antiques and miscellaneous knowledge, when did you learn to observe the weather? Could it be that you still have something up your sleeve?"

"Bullsh*t. You know what I know. You've already learned what I don't know without a teacher. What backup plans can I have for you?" Liu Chuanqing scolded jokingly. He knocked on the table with two fingers on his left hand. "Do you know that Yingying secretly participated in the art exam behind our backs?"

Li Mo was stunned. He said in surprise, "She really participated in the art exam? With her results, she can choose any top famous school in the country. Why can't she figure it out?"

Liu Chuanqing looked at his surprised expression and most of the doubts in his heart disappeared. He sighed and said, "She's too willful. It's not easy to control a grown woman."

Li Mo heaved a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Liu Yingying had spoken to him a few hours ago. Otherwise, she would have most likely exposed himself just now.

"Master, did you call me here for this?"

"Isn't this important?" Liu Chuanqing glanced at him. "Of course, there's something more important to tell you. Have you heard of Zhu Changping?"

"Zhu Changping?" Li Mo put down the teapot and thought for a moment before saying, "He's Professor Zhu from Beijing University, the archeologist? You've worked with him a few times before. Why are you suddenly mentioning him?"

"Little Mo, Master once told you that our lineage is taught by Liu Yishou, the super appraiser in the Mid Qing Dynasty. He can tell the difference with just a glance."

"However, after generations of inheritance, this craft has gradually become desolate in the peaceful times. Your grandmaster often sighs about it. I've known Professor Zhu for many years and talked to him about this. Professor Zhu said that if you're willing, you can apply to the Archeology Department of Beijing University this year. Perhaps you can pass down the Grandmaster's craftsmanship better in the future."

Li Mo shrugged and said, "Master, you know my results. I have no chance of getting into Beijing University."

"Professor Zhu said that he can meet you first. He probably wants to test your basic skills. If you pass the interview, there's a high chance that he will specially recruit you."

Li Mo stood up and asked in disbelief, "Master, is what you said true?"

"How can I lie to you? Kid, you have to seize the opportunity this time. If you can become Professor Zhu's student, then our unorthodox path will have a chance to become orthodox and famous."

"Master, what should I do now?"

"Go back and tell your parents first. See what they think. If they support it, I'll bring you to the capital to visit Professor Zhu in a few days."

Li Mo waved his hand and said, "They said that Shanghai has been too stuffy and hot recently. Five days ago, the two of them went to Iceland in the Arctic for a vacation. I don't think they'll be back for a month. As for the call, don't even think about it. They said that they want to spend some alone time together. I've been used to it since I was young. Master, I'll make the decision myself."

Liu Chuanqing took a sip of tea and chuckled. "Your parents truly love each other, and you're just an accident. Alright, I'll arrange this as soon as possible."

Boom! Boom! Boom! Thunder suddenly exploded outside, and the rumbling echoed in the sky.

Li Mo walked to the door and looked out through the glass. The sky had darkened and dark clouds were surging, as if a storm was about to come.

"This weather is really a little strange."

"Don't stand there muttering. Come and pour tea."

As soon as Liu Chuanqing finished speaking, there was another clap of thunder outside, accompanied by net-shaped lightning. The sky hung upside down and instantly shone.

"You really don't know that Yingying is participating in the art exam?"

At this moment, Liu Chuanqing mentioned this matter again. It seemed like he was still brooding over his daughter secretly participating in the art exam.

Li Mo turned around and looked at him. He raised his hand and said solemnly, "I swear in the name of lightning that if I lie, I'm willing to be struck by lightning."

Boom, the glass of the door behind him suddenly exploded. A bolt of lightning pierced through the world, and it was as if the sun was shining in front of him.

Li Mo instinctively closed his eyes, but he could still clearly feel two hot streams of air rushing into his eyes. His body was numb and he could not feel anything. The moment he fell, there was only one thought in his mind.

"Don't swear so easily."

After everything was calm, Liu Chuanqing came back to his senses and scrambled towards Li Mo, who was on the ground.

***

After an unknown period of time, Li Mo slowly woke up. His chest and back were a little numb and itchy, making him feel extremely uncomfortable. He turned his head to look. He was in the hospital and the ward was quiet. Only an instrument at the head of the bed made a regular beep.

He could still sense airflow in his eyes, but it was not hot. Instead, it was very cool and comfortable.

"I'm still alive and not blind."

Li Mo heaved a sigh of relief. It was really terrifying when he thought about it. He could be struck by lightning even when he was indoors in broad daylight. He had never seen anyone so unlucky in 5,000 years.

Someone was talking outside the ward. Judging from the voice, it was his master.

"Director Wang, how's Little Mo?"

"From the results of the examination, there's no life-threatening danger. The young man is lucky. He should wake up soon. However, there will be traces of a lightning kiss on his body. It's even my first time encountering it. It's rather strange."

"Doctor, are Little Mo's eyes fine too? My father said that when he was first sent to the hospital for emergency treatment, his eyes were blood-red as if they had melted."

This was Yingying's voice. This girl still had a conscience. It was worth it for him to escape death.

"That's caused by the blood in the eye membrane. It's fine now."

"It's good that he's blind. It saves him from staring at those beautiful female classmates every day. Dad, go back to the shop first. I'll stay here to take care of him for the night."

"No, your studies are more important. Get your mother to come over to take care of him tonight."

"It's just one night. I'll still get first place even if I don't go to class for a few days. Comrade Old Liu, what's there to worry about?"

"Alright, call me if you need anything."

A moment later, a tall and fair lady pushed open the door and walked into the ward. She had a ponytail and was wearing a shawl cardigan. Her casual jeans vividly displayed her long legs.

"Eh, when did you wake up?"

Li Mo frowned and pursed his lips. "Help me take a look at my chest and back first. It's itchy."

"The doctor said that it's a lightning kiss. When the nurse comes over later, she'll add some medication to ease the itch to your drip." Liu Yingying sat on the chair by the bed and giggled. "How does it feel to be struck by lightning? Seriously, you don't have to be so ruthless even if you swear."

Li Mo said angrily, "You're making sarcastic remarks. It's all because of you."

"I know you're undertaking the disaster for me, but you can make some insignificant oaths, such as not being able to find a girlfriend in your life, not being fated with beautiful girls in your life, or being bullied by me for the rest of your life."

"I'd rather be struck by lightning." Li Mo rolled his eyes. This girl's mind was filled with hostility. "You should give me some mental comfort first, such as a kiss."

"Tsk, how can I let you have my first kiss?" Liu Yingying blinked her big bright eyes with a hint of slyness. "But on account of you risking your life for me, I'll give you a chance. Guess what color my underwear is today? If you guessed correctly, I'll give you a fragrant kiss."

Are you teasing me?

Li Mo was playful. He looked at her chest with a smile on his lips and his eyes widened, as if he was trying his best to see through her.

Two cold streams of air appeared in his pupils again. Suddenly, a strange scene appeared in front of him. His gaze pierced through Yingying's coat.

Dumbfounded.

Li Mo instinctively blurted out, "Light purple."

Liu Yingying's sly smile instantly froze. She looked down and saw that her clothes were still proper. This guy was lucky. However, she reacted quickly. She covered her chest with both hands and stood up from the chair.

"Hooligan."

With that, she turned around and ran.

I'm a hooligan? Pfft! How can you be so shameless? You were the one who teased me first, okay? With your conservative dressing style, others won't even have a chance to take advantage of you.

Li Mo was extremely depressed. What a pity. What a good opportunity.

Then, he could not remain calm. A wisp of doubt surged into his heart. What had just happened was definitely not an illusion.