Chapter 203: Thorough Discussion

The chandelier hung in mid-air by a snapped chain, the light tube leaking a sizzling sound of electricity. The round table was overturned beside a pillar, half a braised fish stuck to the upturned table corner.

The floor was covered in broken porcelain shards, food and soup everywhere, and shattered wine bottles stuck into the carpet like shards of ice.

Chen Wenchang leaned against a table leg, his glasses long since flown off to who knows where, his face swollen like a pig's head.

Chen Jiayu had half her face swollen, and Chen Jiayi's face was covered in blood. The second aunt sat sprawled in the soup with a swollen corner of her mouth; Chunmei had several finger marks on her face, and several tufts of hair had been torn out, beads of blood seeping from her scalp.

After a round of tugging, Lin Chengzhi's jacket was torn into several pieces, the buttons of his cotton shirt had popped off to parts unknown, leaving his chest half-exposed.

Jiang Yanfei's hair was disheveled, and her upper body was drenched in what was either tea or soup, dripping down continuously.

The others were no better off, hair in disarray, covered in vegetable soup. Only a few of the elders were slightly better off; at least they hadn't gotten into the fray.

On the other side, a dozen or so women from Sanyao Village were still cursing and swearing, while about twenty young, able-bodied men were scattered around, some holding sticks, others carrying clubs.

A man in his forties sat arrogantly on a chair, his triangular eyes slanted as he stared at Lin Zhangqing opposite him: "A professor, right? In this township, you're nothing but a..."

"Do you know what your grandson did to my kid? His nose is broken, the bones in his face are broken, and his eyes are so swollen he can't open them..."

The man gave a grim laugh again: "If you can't come up with a number today, I'll bring people here every day to tear down this rotten pigsty of yours..."

Lin Zhangqing's face turned livid, his whole body trembling: "Fine, I'll pay!"

"You want to try not paying?"

The triangular-eyed man counted on his fingers, "Fifty thousand for the kid who was beaten, twenty thousand for each person who went inside, and then tomorrow you go to the Public Security Bureau to drop the case, saying it was your grandson who cursed first and threw the first punch... If the people aren't released, I'll settle the score with you again..."

He beckoned, and a young man behind him handed over a pen and notebook: "If you can't withdraw the money right now, that's fine, write me an IOU, and go withdraw it the day after tomorrow when the bank opens... Old fool, I know your grandson is in college; if you dare to welsh, I'll bring a group of women to make a scene every day..."

Lin Zhangqing's gaze turned cold: "Fine, I'll pay, I'll pay half first!"

Oh? Quite wealthy, aren't we?

The triangular-eyed man slanted his eyes: "Bring the money!"

In this day and age, who keeps over a hundred thousand on hand at home?

The Lin family does.

For example: if you suddenly run into a good item, if the bank isn't open, are you going to go pry it open?

So, it wasn't just Lin Sicheng and Lin Zhangqing; anyone who deals in antiques basically keeps a hundred or two hundred thousand for emergencies.

And since they had been staying at the old house for these five or six days of the New Year, Lin Sicheng felt it wasn't safe to leave it in the city, so he had Lin Zhangqing bring it over...

Counting stack by stack, note by note, exactly one hundred and fifty thousand.

The man was satisfied, stuffing the stacks into his coat, then pointing at Lin Zhangqing: "Another hundred and thirty thousand, the day after tomorrow!"

With another wave of his hand, he shouted to leave, and the dozens of men and women followed behind in a grand procession.

Just as they reached the living room door, "Hah... ptui..."

A thick glob of phlegm was spat onto the door god of the security door, and the man sneered: "Damn professor, what the hell are you teaching..."

"Hahahaha..." the group of women laughed like mad.

Lin Zhangqing watched coldly until the people from Sanyao Village had left the living room.

"Chengzhi, go close the door!"

Lin Chengzhi gritted his teeth and closed the security door of the living room.

The nephew from the fourth uncle's side looked at Lin Zhangqing with red eyes: "Third Uncle, are we just going to let it go like this?"

"Shut your trap!" the eldest uncle cursed, trembling as he pulled out his phone. After dialing, he roared: "Hit them!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a "Bang!" sounded as the courtyard gate was kicked open from the outside, and countless young men surged in.

Without a word, they raised their sticks and started swinging.

The triangular-eyed man was stunned and turned to run. The group of women trembled in fear, scurrying in all directions.

But the courtyard was only so big, the living room's security door was already locked, and the windows all had security bars.

The courtyard wall was a full three meters high; where could they run?

For a time, there was wailing and howling.

Lin Zhangqing stood by the window, cold light in his eyes, until every single person, regardless of gender or age, had been beaten to the ground.

"Chengzhi, call the Police!"

By the time the Police arrived, everyone was stunned: twenty-some men from Sanyao Village were covered in blood, lying or leaning, squatting or crawling. Some were clutching broken arms, some were holding heads that had been cracked open, and others had their eyes tightly shut, life or death unknown.

A dozen or so women huddled in the corner, hair disheveled, not even daring to cry out loud.

In the large courtyard, not a single person was standing.

The problem was, where were the people who did the beating?

Glancing around, Hu Chenguang felt his scalp tingle: Why hadn't anyone mentioned when calling the Police that the ones causing trouble were the Sanyao Village gang? And that the place where the trouble was happening was Lin Zhangqing's home?

Otherwise, he would have reported to Chen Peng immediately and sent the Riot Vehicle over...

Who paved the cement road in the village? Lin Zhangqing.

Who repaired the canals and bridges in the village? Still Lin Zhangqing.

The village school, the children without fathers, the elderly without children or family—it was all paid for by Lin Zhangqing.

And yet, you bastards come to someone's house to smash things on New Year's Eve?

In an instant, Hu Chenguang guessed most of it: This group arrived too suddenly, and the Lin family was indeed caught off guard. But what kind of discipline could a bunch of local thugs have?

Could you stop people from making phone calls or sending word?

On New Year's Eve, every household's children were home for the holiday; this village alone had over a hundred households. Gathering fifty or sixty young men probably wouldn't even take three minutes.

Look at the organizational ability: afraid of hurting the old and young inside, they waited until people left the house to strike. After the beating, they scattered, and you wouldn't even know who did it.

They even waited until after the beating to call the Police...

He looked again at the triangular-eyed man kneeling at the door.

One arm hung limply, clearly broken. His chin was dripping blood, his mouth was leaking air, and he was mumbling and groaning, no one knowing what he was saying.

His forehead bulged high, looking like the God of Longevity. A door god poster lay on the ground, its pattern already obscured by bloodstains.

Just how many teeth were knocked out, and how many kowtows were forced to get to this point?

In an instant, Hu Chenguang guessed seven or eight parts of it: Zhang Riyan, hearing that the one being beaten was Lin Zhangqing's grandson, was probably grinning from ear to ear, right?

A great philanthropist, wealthy, kind-hearted, and easy to extort.

But why didn't he think about whether the people of Dongqujiangchi were kind, or whether those who had received his favors were kind?

If they were kind, could they have been at odds with your Sanyao Village for decades? So, you damn well deserve it...

While he was secretly cursing, the man stumbled and sat down hard on the ground. He mumbled something in his mouth, though it was unclear what he was saying.

Hu Chenguang was still wondering what the son of a bitch was muttering about when the man reached into his bosom. Subsequently, several stacks of cash fell out.

In an instant, Director Hu felt not just his scalp go numb, but his entire person go numb: at noon, Lin Sicheng had just performed this exact scene for him in Sanyao Village.

Whether the father and son counted as committing robbery was hard to say, but the son held a knife, and the father gathered a mob...

Immediately after, the living room door opened, and Lin Chengzhi's eldest uncle and the old village chief walked out.

The eldest uncle raised his phone: "I called the people, I called the old village chief first."

The old village chief patted his chest: "I called the young men, I just stood at the street gate and shouted once. But it was pitch black, I don't even know who all came..."

Hu Chenguang hung his mouth open, stunned for a long time, not knowing what to say.

These two old men, one seventy-five and one seventy-seven, even if you locked them up, what could you possibly do to them?

Subsequently, seven or eight police cars and three ambulances raced into the village at lightning speed.

Lin Sicheng felt as if his heart were about to burst. All along the way, he had been thinking about how to kill these people, to kill them all without a single one left.

To hell with staying calm, to hell with being rational... If he couldn't even protect his family, what was the point of his rebirth?

He was even thinking about where to find a knife...

Chen Peng did not break his word; he really called Captain Pi and brought three vanloads of Riot Police. Before getting into the vehicle, Chen Peng gave Pi Xingchang a wink, and then the two of them flanked him, one on each side, pinning him in the middle.

It was the same after getting out of the vehicle; as soon as he jumped out, Chen Peng wrapped his arm around his neck: "What are you panicking about?"

Those are my mom and dad, that is my grandfather, you tell me why I'm panicking?

He subconsciously struggled, but couldn't break free; Pi Xingchang's hand pressed down on him again.

But immediately, the three of them froze: the Riot Police who had entered the courtyard weren't shouting or yelling. Instead, they were helping people out.

There were men and women, old and young, and not one of them was without injuries.

Chen Peng and Pi Xingchang's hearts skipped a beat: beaten to this extent, wouldn't Lin Sicheng go crazy?

But looking at him again, he seemed as if he were stunned.

It was likely that he was so angry he couldn't even cry.

Turning the thought over, Chen Peng gave a wink, and the two of them gripped him even tighter.

Lin Sicheng blinked his eyes and stared hard: that's right, there were a lot of injuries, but the problem was, he didn't recognize a single one of them?

Just as he was feeling suspicious, Hu Chenguang came out of the courtyard, his lips twitching, not knowing how to explain.

Chen Peng's eyelids twitched: "Did someone die?"

Hu Chenguang shook his head: "Not that!"

Zhang Riyan had come to extort money, but it had just gotten a bit chaotic. The group in the village had been instructed beforehand; although they didn't go easy on the blows, they didn't strike any vital points.

So, while there were quite a few broken arms and legs, they were basically all minor injuries.

What he found difficult was the mess inside the house...

After hesitating for a long time, Hu Chenguang pointed inside: "Director Chen, see for yourself."

Chen Peng looked suspicious, and with Pi Xingchang still on his left and right, they pinned Lin Sicheng in the middle.

Entering the living room, they all froze in unison: cups broken and plates shattered, the place was a mess, it couldn't be described as anything but chaotic, as if a battle had been fought.

But fortunately, although most of the people had been beaten, they basically had no serious injuries.

Chen Peng took a careful look around and grew suspicious again: these should all be Lin Sicheng's relatives, right?

Then who were those people outside who were injured, those limping and hobbling ones?

He muttered to himself, seeing the two old men sitting on the sofa, guarded by four Police officers, with handcuffs on their wrists.

"Who are these two?"

Hu Chenguang glanced at Lin Sicheng: "This one is the former village chief of Dongqujiangchi, Zhao Yuwen, and this one is the former Group Leader of this group, Lin Zhanghai!"

At first, Chen Peng was still secretly muttering: aren't these just the old village chief of this village and Lin Sicheng's relative?

No... why are you handcuffing them?

But then, he suddenly froze, his neck turning bit by bit:

In the courtyard, the Riot Police were still escorting people out... oh no, helping people out.

At the living room entrance, below the steps, hair and bloodstains were everywhere.

Looking back at the two old men, then looking at the chaotic living room, Chen Peng's eyes widened: those being helped out were all people from Sanyao Village.

With so many broken arms and legs, one could see how brutal the beating had been. If it had happened in the living room, the scene before his eyes wouldn't look like this...

In an instant, he had guessed nine-tenths of it.

No wonder even Wang Qi Zhi, who was far away in Beijing, knew about it, yet he and his master, guarding the Municipal Public Security Bureau Branch, hadn't heard a whisper?

It was simply that the fight outside had finished first, and then Lin Zhangqing had called the police.

And then, he had pushed it onto the two old men: handcuff them if you should, sentence them if you should.

Even Lin Sicheng had been kept in the dark...

Suddenly, Chen Peng felt like he had a toothache.

Just as he was thinking about how to handle this matter, Hu Chenguang leaned in: "Director Chen, the ringleader is named Zhang Biao, the father of the kid who held the knife at noon. His character is quite malicious; he's been processed several times, but he never learns..."

After he arrived, he made Professor Lin take out 150,000 yuan and write an IOU for 130,000... and also..."

Hu Chenguang pointed at the floor again, "Professor Lin says that among the things smashed, there are four pieces of Famille Rose from the Xianfeng period, and several pieces of Secret Color Porcelain from the Kangxi and Qianlong Period... Director Chen, I don't understand this, should we invite the Shijian over?"

After a slight pause, Hu Chenguang pointed to the four corners of the room: "Professor Lin says there is surveillance throughout, should we invite the technical department..."

The muscles on Chen Peng's face kept twitching, kept twitching: They really are grandfather and grandson, is this routine exactly the same?

Never mind Lin Sicheng, just talk about Lin Zhangqing, what does he do?

A professor of Ceramics famous in the provincial and municipal education and academic circles, a well-known collector and appraiser in the local Antique Trade.

Keeping a few treasures at home, isn't that just like playing around?

Moreover, there is surveillance, and it caused such a big scene; since Lin Zhangqing said it was Famille Rose and some Secret Color Porcelain, then it certainly wouldn't be fake. It must have been smashed after that group of troublemakers came in.

But the problem is, how could such things end up on a dining table?

It couldn't be that Lin Zhangqing guessed this group of people was coming to cause trouble?

Truly, having been a Police officer for half his life, Chen Peng has handled many cases. But he has really never seen many criminals who could react so quickly and be so meticulous in such a short amount of time.

Subconsciously, Chen Peng's eyeballs rolled around, darting between Lin Zhangqing's and Lin Sicheng's faces.

A sentence Wang Qi Zhi said after drinking flashed through his mind regarding Lin Sicheng: Either don't do it, or do it thoroughly...

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Immediately, he felt both hesitant and fortunate: No wonder Lin Sicheng said that from childhood to adulthood, Professor Lin treated him as if he were picked up; whenever he made a mistake, it was a beating with a stick at best, or being hung up and beaten at worst.

Perhaps Professor Lin knew exactly how much of his genes Lin Sicheng inherited, and if he had been even slightly lenient, he would have gone down the wrong path.

Fortunately.

Otherwise, how much trouble would he have caused the public security?

Secretly sighing with emotion, Chen Peng waved his hand: "Investigate and handle it as quickly as possible, severely and strictly!"

The Municipal Public Security Bureau Branch leaders who came with him stood at attention: "Yes!"

The tea tray was dark brown, and the sandalwood was Floating with fragrance. Gauze curtains hung in front of the window, and the sunlight was sifted into fuzzy golden mist.

A buzzing sound rose, several columns of mist gushed out, and the charcoal stars jumping in the clay stove were reflected on the Purple Clay Teapot.

In the White Porcelain Covered Bowl with plain flowers, a few strands of Wudong Dancong were curled at the bottom. Wang Qi Zhi held the rim of the bowl and poured water; the leaves unfurled, fine and moist without a sound.

Receiving the tea bowl into his hand, Ye Xing'an took a shallow sip and laughed: "Third brother, your temperament can actually calm down enough to fiddle with this? Rare. It couldn't be that you were influenced by that student of yours, could it?"

Wang Qi Zhi smiled: "Lin Sicheng doesn't have the time to fiddle with this? But he is indeed steady enough, and sharp enough! I just feel that since the student is like this, I, the teacher, cannot be too bad; I really should calm my heart and steady my temperament..."

Dan Wangshu glared at him.

"Why are you glaring at me?" Wang Qi Zhi picked up the tea bowl, "Did I say something wrong?"

"Lin Sicheng is only twenty-one, how is he sharp?"

"Sharp isn't a derogatory term, is it?" Wang Qi Zhi didn't care at all, "Just like Anning, isn't she also quite sharp?"

Why bring up the pot that isn't boiling?

Dan Wangshu kicked him.

She turned her head again, revealing a faint smile: "Brother-in-law, don't listen to Wang Qi Zhi's nonsense!"

Ye Xing'an nodded: "Third brother wasn't wrong, this kid is indeed quite sharp!"

If he weren't sharp, he couldn't have fought back and forth with vicious Grave Robbers and remained at ease.

If he weren't sharp, he couldn't have acquired the Rhino Horn Cup and so many national treasures...

Seeing Dan Wangshu's expression was unnatural, Ye Xing'an smiled again: "The antique industry is inherently a mix of dragons and snakes; without a bit of scheming and depth, how could one succeed?"

Therefore, upon hearing that result, Ye Xing'an was unperturbed: If that Professor Lin were truly a pushover who let others manipulate him, he would have been cheated until not even his bones were left long ago; how could he have built such a great reputation?

On the contrary, it was Lin Sicheng who truly made his eyes light up: A good person is not equal to an honest person; morality has never been synonymous with scheming and depth.

An honest person cannot survive in the Antique Trade, let alone in officialdom.

But he really hadn't seen anyone like this in their early twenties...

Perhaps fearing that she would leave a bad impression, Dan Wangshu explained patiently, and Ye Xing'an listened patiently.

He could also see that the kid had truly won the favor of his brother-in-law's family: Not to mention Wang Qi Zhi, if his own son encountered trouble, it would probably be just like this.

Even Dan Wangshu defended him everywhere, and even when Wang Youjian mentioned him, it was with a look of longing; just how good must this kid be?

Ye Xing'an was even more curious...

Brewing another cup, he looked at Wang Qi Zhi, who was calm and indifferent. Ye Xing'an smiled: "Qi Zhi, are you not worried at all?"

Wang Qi Zhi nodded: "I was indeed very worried at the time; as the saying goes, concern leads to chaos. When I heard he was almost stabbed, I really lost my composure that day. Thinking about it afterwards: even if I hadn't intervened, and you, brother-in-law, and grandfather hadn't made those calls, he could have handled it very well..."

Ye Xing'an nodded: That is indeed true.

With conclusive evidence and a clear case, not making those calls that night might have made the process slower, or perhaps the outcome lighter, but it basically wouldn't have affected the final direction of the situation.

Wang Qi Zhi sighed again: "Grandfather was right to scold: It is easier to change rivers and mountains than a person's nature. His personality is just like this: the more he encounters trouble, the more he pushes forward. Could I even steer him back?"

"And isn't he so compatible with me, to the point that even grandfather wants to applaud him, precisely because of this personality? It can't be changed, and there's no way to change it... I can only guide him slowly..."

"That's not what I'm talking about!" Ye Xing'an thought for a moment and decided to be direct: "I'm talking about him and Anning!"

Wang Qi Zhi paused, looked at Dan Wangshu, and slowly straightened his back: "Brother-in-law, since Anning isn't here today, I'll tell you the truth, please don't be angry!"

Ye Xing'an nodded: "Fine, go ahead!"

Wang Qi Zhi was even more direct: "Brother-in-law, I actually don't favor it. In fact, from the very beginning, I wasn't very supportive..."

Dan Wangshu's eyes went wide, and just as she was about to say something, Wang Qi Zhi glanced at her: "Don't speak yet, sit still!"

She was stunned immediately, gritting her teeth: Wang Qi Zhi, you just wait for me...

Wang Qi Zhi said slowly: "Lin Sicheng doesn't lack ability, perseverance, talent, and even less does he lack intelligence and emotional intelligence... Without his grandfather's help, and without my support, he would still be thriving."

"From an objective standpoint, he doesn't lack this connection, and in fact, he doesn't need it. And from my standpoint: having me as his teacher is enough... So, why bother putting a shackle on himself?"

"The key lies in his personality; not to say he would rather break than bend, but at least he seeks the straight within the curved. Just like this time, but the gap between families does indeed exist? So, rather than having an unpleasant time, it is better to leave some room and some sense of proportion for both sides from the very beginning..."

Ye Xing'an understood, a smile on his face: "According to what you say, at least it's not a one-sided effort?"

How is that possible?

Can't you tell whether your daughter likes him or not?

Lin Sicheng likes her too, and Wang Qi Zhi can tell that as well.

But to say there are no concerns, that's impossible, especially given Lin Sicheng's personality?

Ye Xing'an smiled again: Leaving some leeway is good, of course, but leaving some sense of proportion is even better.

Therefore, he became even more curious...

"So when are you two heading back to Xijing?"

The topic shifted a bit quickly, but Wang Qi Zhi wasn't the least bit surprised: "Probably the eighth!"

Ye Xing'an nodded: "The inspection team is setting off tomorrow; I have to leave two days earlier than you!"

"Hmm!" Wang Qi Zhi thought for a moment, "Then we'll be a bit later, the ninth or the tenth. Brother-in-law, you just stay by yourself for two days first. I'll call the school in a bit and get a pass for you!"

Ye Xing'an smiled: "Good!"

After drinking another cup of tea, Ye Xing'an took his leave, and the couple saw him out the door.

Then, turning around and closing the door, Dan Wangshu glared at Wang Qi Zhi, her teeth nearly grinding to pieces.

With both hands balled into fists, she lunged at him: "Wang Qi Zhi, I'm going to fight you to the death!"

Wang Qi Zhi let out a "Ha," and with a sweep of his arms, he pinned her in his embrace.

He laughed and joked: "You think Brother-in-law was angry? Dan Wangshu, you're such a fool: do you believe me that he'll be smiling all the way back?"

"Bullshit?"

"If you don't believe me, why don't you repeat exactly what Brother-in-law and I just said to Ye Anning? Do you believe that dead girl would be able to laugh out loud?"

"Do you know what it means to play hard to get, to give in order to take..."

Dan Wangshu froze, her face full of disdain: "With those few tricks of yours, you dare to show off in front of Brother-in-law?"

Wang Qi Zhi let out a "Heh": "What do you know?"

Lin Sicheng certainly has his concerns, but standing in the shoes of the second sister and brother-in-law, there are even more concerns.

Born into such a family and occupying such a position, they have even, even, even more concerns than Lin Sicheng.

With such a precious daughter, of course they need to understand things clearly, and even more so, see things clearly.

And what kind of person would meet their expectations?

Wang Qi Zhi felt that, for the second sister and brother-in-law, Lin Sicheng was tailor-made: he has character, he has ability, he has responsibility, he has brains, he has strategy, and he has courage.

Especially regarding Ye Anning's family background, he isn't ecstatic or fawning, but rather full of layers of concern.

So, Wang Qi Zhi simply told the truth: the guy doesn't need it at all.

Could Brother-in-law not be curious?

Once he meets the person, he'll know whether his brother-in-law was playing hard to get...

Releasing Dan Wangshu, Wang Qi Zhi picked up his phone again. He looked at the number, and Dan Wangshu huffed, saying nothing more.

It rang twice before being answered: "Teacher!"

"Still at the Public Security Bureau?"

"I've already returned. Director Chen said the procedures are basically done, so I don't need to go tomorrow!"

Wang Qi Zhi curled his lip: Chen Peng is something else, why go through the procedures at all?

Just as he was thinking this, Lin Sicheng's voice came through again: "Teacher, thank you. Please also thank Sister Anning's father on my behalf!"

"It's nothing!"

After replying, Wang Qi Zhi muttered to himself: Wait until you meet him and thank him yourself.

Sitting on the sofa, Wang Qi Zhi leaned back lazily: "I might be two days late, probably won't be back until the tenth. I'll call Professor Shang in a bit and let her coordinate the training with the school. Don't be nervous when the time comes, just speak with confidence..."

"Don't worry, Teacher!"

Wang Qi Zhi was certainly not worried: Lin Sicheng wasn't even nervous when meeting leaders, let alone a few teachers and graduate students from the academy.

"Alright, that's it for now, we'll talk when I get back..."

After giving a few instructions and hanging up the phone, Dan Wangshu finally remembered: "Brother-in-law is going to Xijing, why didn't you remind Lin Sicheng?"

"Lin Sicheng is already that outstanding; we haven't exaggerated a single bit from the start, so what need is there for a reminder?"

Dan Wangshu glared at him: "Did you forget there's still Li Zhen at the Center?"

Wang Qi Zhi didn't speak, looking at her with the eyes one uses for the mentally disabled.

Dan Wangshu pondered for a good while before it dawned on her: to be this outstanding, if Lin Sicheng didn't have anyone liking him, that would be the real ghost story.

Even if it were only one or two, Wang Qi Zhi would think it was too few...

Dan Wangshu punched him...

(End of this chapter)