Chapter 170: Can't Understand?

Not much alcohol was consumed; it was very much like a simple family dinner.

But the conversation was extremely lively, the mood was high, and before they knew it, it was past ten o'clock.

Including Ye Anning's two classmates, no one mentioned Lin Sicheng's family or background from start to finish, and there wasn't even a single curious glance.

One can only say that those who can be friends with Ye Anning are no simple characters...

Only Wang Qi Zhi couldn't figure it out all night: he felt that Lin Sicheng was even more familiar with the Forbidden City than he was. It was as if he had been living there for these past two months?

The problem is, could he not know whether Lin Sicheng had been to Beijing or gone to the Forbidden City to study?

So, why is it that this kid sounds more like he's telling the truth even when he's lying than when he's actually telling the truth?

It wasn't until Dan Wangshu went to pay the bill, and Ye Anning and her two classmates went to the restroom, that the teacher and student finally had a bit of private space.

"Teacher, that seal..."

"Guessed it, right? That was a gift from Youjian's grandfather. When you actually go to Beijing, just bring a bag of fruit and go take a look."

"Are you thinking: how could it be so casual? But it really is that casual. When the time comes, I'll take you there, and you'll see!"

Wang Qi Zhi waved his hand and squinted his eyes: "Lin Sicheng, you're quite good at making things up, aren't you?"

He repeated what he said, and Lin Sicheng froze, caught between laughter and tears: "No... Teacher, you just gave in as soon as the General Manager bluffed you?"

Wang Qi Zhi didn't speak; he glared at him.

He also realized it later: Dan Wangshu didn't know the full story and might have asked out of curiosity, but it would be a miracle if his father-in-law had told her.

Not only would he not say it, but he would absolutely give her a sound scolding.

It was his own fault, too; he had been distracted for several days after being shocked by Chen Peng's phone call, and he had let it slip without paying attention...

But upon recalling what Chen Peng had said, Wang Qi Zhi furrowed his brows again:

"If these things were done by someone else, I, as your teacher, would certainly give a thumbs up, praise you from the bottom of my heart, and call you impressive... but, Lin Sicheng, you are my student, and those people are vicious Grave Robbers!"

Wang Qi Zhi tried to persuade him patiently, "The two of us, teacher and student, should just focus on Artifact Research, the World Heritage Application, and appraisals, and occasionally pick up a bargain—isn't that better than doing whatever it is you're doing?"

Lin Sicheng paused: "It was a coincidence!"

"I'm not talking about this time; I'm talking about the next time... and besides, this is already the second time, isn't it?"

Wang Qi Zhi glared at him, "Lin Sicheng, don't tell me that when you went to Hangzhou in October, knowing full well that those people had dug up the Southern Song Six Mausoleums, you pretended not to see it and did nothing?"

Lin Sicheng opened his mouth, not knowing how to respond.

He wanted to say he hadn't done anything, but Wang Qi Zhi had to believe him: just after October ended, Mrs. Wang went to Shaoxing. Then, less than a week later, the National Cultural Heritage Administration sent a working group.

Indeed, no one knew it was him, but Wang Qi Zhi was already convinced that it was him...

Seeing Lin Sicheng remain silent, Wang Qi Zhi looked pained, as if he had a toothache: sure enough, it was him?

For a moment, Wang Qi Zhi didn't know whether to praise or scold him.

If he praised him, this donkey was bold enough to reach the heavens. He dared to play with the lives of underworld figures who had been famous for years and had countless deaths on their hands. If he praised him any further, would he dare to poke a hole in the sky? Do you believe it?

If he scolded him, given the things he had done, which teacher could bring themselves to scold him?

Wang Qi Zhi didn't even know how to advise him...

After a long while, he sighed despondently: "Lin Sicheng, your life is your own, isn't it?"

"Teacher, it's not that dangerous."

Lin Sicheng smiled, "Those who needed to be arrested have already been caught clean. There aren't many people within the Police who know I was the one who set the bait, and besides, there was a gag order, and documents were signed... Director Chen was afraid you'd settle the score with him if you found out, which is why he specifically called you..."

"And Director Chen also said that he would try his best not to have me involved in the future... he even took back the contact information (the number used to contact Yu Dahai)..."

"Heh..." Wang Qi Zhi let out a cold laugh, "You believe the words of the Police?"

Lin Sicheng paused and said nothing.

Of course, one can believe the words of the Police, but Director Chen's guarantee was indeed too full of hot air. Not to mention anything else, he would have to send two experts to study those underworld ciphers for a month or two.

But could Yu Dahai wait a month or two for him to make contact?

With the slightest carelessness, the fish that had finally taken the bait would get away...

Knowing what he was worried about, Wang Qi Zhi sighed: "If you don't kill the snake, it will bite you back. This person (Yu Dahai) is treacherous and sinister; he must be finished off. But next time, if Chen Peng tries to trick you into taking the fall for him again, you tell me, and I'll take the fall for him..."

Lin Sicheng nodded with a smile: "Alright, Teacher!"

Of course, Director Chen wouldn't, and wouldn't dare...

The two whispered a few more words, and Dan Wangshu called out from outside the door. Ye Anning and her two classmates hadn't returned yet, so Wang Qi Zhi took the opportunity to go to the restroom.

Dan Wangshu waved her hand: "Comparing notes with your teacher again?"

Lin Sicheng smiled: "General Manager, I really wasn't!"

Dan Wangshu pursed her lips: I'd be surprised if you weren't.

It was a coincidence that, just then, the table from China State Construction also left their private room.

Lin Sicheng didn't pay much attention, assuming they were just other guests at the restaurant, and stepped aside to let them pass.

Then, a group of people walked by, and just as they reached his side, they all stopped at once.

It wasn't entirely uniform; the old man in the very center seemed to have been staring at him since leaving the private room, and when he got close, he stopped again.

Once he stopped, everyone in front, behind, and to the sides stopped as well.

The old man smiled: "Little Lin?"

At first, Lin Sicheng was a bit suspicious: I don't know him, do I?

But he still politely replied: "Hello."

So it was true?

He had only seen him a few times on surveillance footage, so he thought he looked a bit familiar, and it really was Lin Sicheng.

Li Chunnan's smile grew even gentler: "Chen Peng is my apprentice!"

Oh, Director Li?

Chen Peng had mentioned him, Wang Qi Zhi had mentioned him, and he had even just mentioned him: saying that although Chen Peng was shameless, Director Li was actually quite decent.

He even said that because he took the fall for Chen Peng, Chen Peng had been hammered by Bureau Chief Li several times.

But he really was seeing the person for the first time, and it was indeed too much of a coincidence...

Lin Sicheng hurriedly smiled; because he did not know the situation, he did not address him directly: "Hello, Leader!"

Li Chunnan nodded with a smile: "What a coincidence, who did you come with..."

"With my teacher!"

"Oh, Professor Wang!"

Just as Li Chunnan was about to say something, Wang Qi Zhi walked out of the private room, wiping his hands.

Li Chunnan smiled again: "Professor Wang is here too!"

Wang Qi Zhi was stunned: How is it this sentence again?

If this were Chen Peng, he might have already started cursing. But in front of Bureau Chief Li, he really did not dare to act presumptuously.

This person was a combat hero who came down from the old mountains (Vietnam War), and he had more than one bullet hole on his body...

Like Lin Sicheng, he hurriedly smiled and shook hands again: "Hello, old Bureau Chief!"

They just exchanged a few simple pleasantries, and both sides said goodbye.

It was estimated that they knew each other, but were not very close; that General Manager Zheng smiled at Wang Qi Zhi. Before leaving, he also glanced at Lin Sicheng, and then looked at Ye Anning, who had walked to his side and was standing next to Lin Sicheng.

After the other party got into the elevator and the doors closed, Dan Wangshu asked: "Who was that?"

Wang Qi Zhi thought very seriously for a moment and shook his head: "No impression!"

He had no impression, but General Manager Zheng had a very deep impression. When Wang Qi Zhi's father served in the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, he was only a small Section Chief...

After seeing Li Chunnan off, his face sank: "Notify the Security Department immediately to send Wang Qiwen (General Engineer) and Chen Tao (Municipal Public Security Bureau Branch General Manager) to the Municipal Bureau..."

The Assistant was stunned for a moment: "Ah?"

Isn't this just... asking them to turn themselves in?

But just before parting, when leaving the private room, General Manager Zheng was still discussing with Bureau Chief Li whether it was possible to let the local authorities make an exception.

In just the blink of an eye?

Just as she was feeling suspicious and uncertain, General Manager Zheng turned his head: "Don't you understand?"

The Assistant's heart skipped a beat: "I understand, General Manager Zheng, I will notify them immediately..."

General Manager Zheng nodded and got into the car with a cold face.

At first, when Li Chunnan stopped, he felt that the kid looked a bit familiar. When he saw Wang Qi Zhi, he suddenly remembered: the kid who was almost ambushed by Wang Qiwen (General Engineer Wang) and his men in the construction site surveillance footage was that very kid...

Professor Wang probably doesn't know yet, right?

But he will know sooner or later, and looking at the situation just now, this was clearly a family dinner.

When the time comes, Wang Qiwen won't even know how he died. Protect him? To hell with protecting him...