Chapter 301: Fighting from Childhood to Adulthood, Long Since Subdued

"The He-material pendant is like gold, moist as grease, sounds like a chime, and inside it is like wispy clouds..."

"The Russian material is light, with sand inside, and sounds dull like earthenware... The edges of the Qing material are as clear as ice, with water-ripple patterns inside..."

Xu Qin muttered silently, as if trying to brand these few sentences into her mind.

Tang Nanyan, however, was not convinced.

She just felt that what Lin Sicheng said was too simple.

But if it were really this simple, how could so many people be deceived by scammers?

Just as she was secretly suspicious, she froze for a moment:

Lin Sicheng turned off the microphone and packed up his notebook. As soon as he stepped off the podium, he was surrounded by a group of Persons in Charge from the Appraisal Center.

The saying goes that different trades are like different mountains: the little tips Lin Sicheng taught indeed sounded simple. But in this era, just the microstructure of these three types of jade would require at least tens of thousands of tests and tens of thousands of arguments and summaries to reach a relatively accurate result.

To give an analogy: what separates you is not paper, but a steel plate. And without any tools, you are just given a wooden stick; you have to find a way to drill through the steel plate to know what is behind it.

Never mind those who were deceived; even among those who make fake jade and sell fake jade, how many can summarize it so incisively?

And the group that truly understands it relies on this to earn extra money; who would speak it out?

Lin Sicheng did not intend to be a saint; first, he didn't need to, and there was no need to hide things. Second, he thought that it wasn't easy for ordinary people to earn some hard-earned money, so if he could catch a few more scammers, he would.

But in the eyes of a group of technical Police, he felt as if his whole person was glowing.

Lin Sicheng was surrounded three layers deep inside and out, with a group of Police asking questions incessantly; Xu Qin couldn't squeeze in at all.

"That's roughly it; what I haven't mentioned is all in the materials... As for the quality standards, you teachers can summarize them slowly. I'll just say one thing: different internal structures inevitably lead to differences in transparency, refractive index, and even density and hardness."

"Teacher Lin, can it be considered that the data performance of these three types of jade materials in laboratory analysis tests is mainly reflected in these aspects!"

Lin Sicheng paused, then smiled: "More or less!"

There were still people who wanted to ask, but a leader from the Technical Detachment stood in the middle: "The food has already been fed to your mouths, why are you still not satisfied? What, do I have to chew it for you too?"

The group of people were sheepish and speechless.

They were too excited and had forgotten: even if one is thirsty for knowledge, there must be a limit.

Several leaders invited Lin Sicheng to the lounge to rest, but there was no sign of the meeting hall dispersing.

Especially the members of the Technical Detachment, who surrounded the Deputy Detachment Leader:

"Deputy Liu, is this the Lin Sicheng from the Xijing Tomb Robbery Case?"

"It's him... didn't you hear the General Captain's introduction: Director Lin of the Xida Cultural Relics Research Center?"

"The same Lin Sicheng who discovered the Uranium Yellow Antique Porcelain?"

"Otherwise? How many Lin Sichengs are there at Xida?"

"The fake jade case and the fake Jadeite case in Xijing were solved with his help?"

"Nonsense, did everything he just said go into a donkey's ear? Use your dog brains to think: besides him, how many Experts would take out their bottom-of-the-box secrets to share?"

The group talked all at once, getting more excited as they asked, chattering like they were arguing.

Tang Nanyan, however, became more confused the more she listened.

The Xijing Tomb Robbery Case should refer to the Zhang Anshi Tomb Robbery Case, right?

The Uranium Yellow Antique Porcelain should be that time when the Ministry gave instructions, and the Municipal Bureau, Customs, and Cultural Relics Bureau carried out a joint operation.

Including the final Xijing Fake Jade Case, the General Team's Education and Training Division had organized police officers to study these three cases, and she had an impression of them. But she didn't remember what they had to do with this person today.

Seeing what she was thinking, Xu Qin sighed: the Detachment organized studies, but they only learned about criminal patterns and relevant technical content, basically never mentioning specific case details. Tang Nanyan's rank was not high enough to access key Information.

Even the name Lin Sicheng was unknown to her, so of course, she felt completely bewildered.

She thought for a moment: "Do you remember a period when our Detachment Leader loved to scold people?"

Once reminded, Tang Nanyan suddenly had an impression: during that time, the General Team held meetings every few days, and every time they came back, the Detachment Leader and Deputy Detachment Leader would have long faces, and then scold everyone from top to bottom.

In those days, even the flies in the office didn't dare to flap their wings.

Later, when the General Team organized a study for all staff, the people below learned: a major tomb robbery case had occurred in Xijing, but both the organization and planning were completed in Beijing. This included funds, stolen goods, and firearms, all of which were transported through Beijing.

To put it bluntly: if the Xijing counterparts hadn't saved face, many leaders would have been in trouble.

After another period of time, until the case was closed, news finally came out: it was said that a student from Northwest University went deep into the tiger's den and turned the tide.

At that time, she would often hear Director Xu Qin muttering: in this day and age, there are actually still people like this...

Tang Nanyan's eyes widened bit by bit: "He is that lone hero?"

Xu Qin nodded: "Yes!"

If Lin Sicheng were just an Expert, would the Persons in Charge of several Major Crimes, robbery, and fraud brigades be so excited, even more excited than a bunch of technical people?

To put it bluntly: a bunch of rough men, what do they know about technology? No matter how authoritative an Expert is, it doesn't have much to do with them.

It is because this Expert is not only an Expert, but also does things that most Police cannot do. Because they had admired him for a long time, his name had long been like thunder to their ears. Now that they had finally seen the real person, they had to pay their respects no matter what.

"Do you know why Xijing was repeatedly praised by the Ministry's leaders during the year-end summary and commendation last year? It's because these three cases were handled so beautifully."

"Especially the Uranium Yellow Antique Porcelain and the Zhang Anshi Tomb Robbery Case: such a serious case with such great social harm, yet not a single person died, not a single person was injured, and it didn't even cause any negative impact on society? Tang Nanyan, as a Police officer, you should know what this means?"

Tang Nanyan certainly knew: she was not only a Police officer but also a Police officer from a military family.

She moved her lips and muttered to herself: "Because of him, that Expert Lin?"

Xu Qin nodded again: "Yes!"

Anyone who understands the case details can foresee: if it weren't for Lin Sicheng, how much loss would these two cases have caused, and how terrible would the impact have been?

Thinking secretly, Xu Qin looked at her watch again: "It's just past ten, it's still early for lunch. He should be in the lounge right now..."

"The main leaders won't stay too long; it should be the Office Director, the Division Chief of the Education and Training Division, and Deputy Detachment Leader Yan of the Fifth Detachment accompanying him."

After a slight pause, she looked at Tang Nanyan, "You are quite familiar with Deputy Detachment Leader Yan, do me a favor: ask Deputy Detachment Leader Yan if that Teacher Lin has time now!"

Tang Nanyan was still dazed and spoke without thinking: "Why, invite him to dinner?"

"Eat your head? We have no relatives or connections, in what capacity would we invite him? Besides, I would like to invite him, but it depends on whether it's my turn..."

Xu Qin was between laughter and tears, "I'm asking you to help me ask if I can ask Teacher Lin a few questions. It won't take up too much of his time, ten minutes... oh no, five minutes is enough..."

Barely twenty, and you call him Teacher?

Xu Qin usually seems amiable, but in reality, she is arrogant about her talents. Yet now, just to ask a few questions, she is so humble?

And whenever Lin Sicheng is mentioned, her eyes light up, as if she has seen an idol?

But once she thinks about the things that Teacher Lin has done, Tang Nanyan suddenly understands...

She takes out her phone: "Sister Xu, how about I ask his assistant first? The one standing next to the podium during the training, that's my classmate, my elementary and middle school classmate..."

"Oh, that's wonderful!"

Isn't asking Lin Sicheng's assistant more convenient than asking Yan Wenjing?

No sooner said than done; the phone rings twice before being answered, and Jing Zeyang's voice comes through: "Big Bird Tang, why are you calling?"

Tang Nanyan lets out a "Ha": "Jing San'er, you're quite cocky? Is your skin itching..."

Before she can finish, she is tapped by Xu Qin. The meaning is that since you are asking for a favor, speak properly.

Tang Nanyan wrinkles her nose: "Jing Zeyang, I'm asking you for a favor; please ask Teacher Lin for me: if he has time, could our Division Chief ask him a few small questions? It won't take long, ten minutes at most."

"Huh, you're at the training too?"

"Of course, I'm sitting in the fourth row, watching you stand there like an idiot..."

"Heh, is that your attitude when asking someone for a favor? Not helping..."

"Fine..." Tang Nanyan sneers, "Don't blame me for bringing Fang Qing to your building to block you!"

"I'll be damned... fine, Big Bird Tang, you're something else!"

After cursing, a cold snort comes through the receiver, "Wait there!"

After about two minutes, the phone calls back: "Come up, third floor!"

Tang Nanyan hangs up triumphantly: You little punk, I can't handle you?

Xu Qin didn't expect it to be so easy and is curious: "Listening to your conversation, I thought you two didn't get along?"

Tang Nanyan says nothing.

A friendship forged through fighting since childhood; it's not that they don't get along, but it's not exactly great either.

With these thoughts, the two enter the elevator.

They arrive in an instant; as soon as they exit the elevator car, they see Jing Zeyang and the assistant wearing glasses smoking at the elevator entrance.

Jing Zeyang dodges back a bit and points: "Assistant Fang, that's her!"

Fang Jin smiles: "Officer Tang, I'll take you in!"

It's actually not far, just next to the elevator; Fang Jin knocks on the door, and after pushing it open, inside, besides Lin Sicheng, are Yan Wenjing and the Division Chief of the Training Department.

After the two enter, Fang Jin closes the door and returns to light the half-finished cigarette.

Having hung out for a few days, they are somewhat familiar, so Fang Jin says half-jokingly: "Brother Jing, why do I feel like you're quite afraid of this Officer Tang?"

Otherwise, Jing Zeyang wouldn't have specifically found an excuse to hide out here; it must be that he is afraid of running into that Officer Tang.

"Afraid!" Jing Zeyang sneers, and just as he wants to say a few polite words, he loses heart at the thought of Tang Nanyan's fierce face.

From childhood to adulthood, how many of their peers haven't been beaten by Tang Nanyan?

In school, those in the same grade, lower grades, or even a year or two above—who isn't afraid of her?

"That woman is a lunatic... don't look at her as being quiet and gentle, or that she looks pretty; it's all an act."

Jing Zeyang points to the stainless steel ashtray by his feet, "Something like this, do you believe she can punch a hole in it?"

Fang Jin opens his mouth wide: "No way, right?"

"What's impossible about it?"

Jing Zeyang still has lingering fears, "In the summers when we were kids, when we climbed trees to snatch bird eggs, she was practicing punches. When we went down to the river to catch fish, she was still practicing punches?"

"In the winter, we'd go ice skating or play with spinning tops, and she was still practicing punches. Just practicing and practicing, her whole brain turned into muscle..."

Fang Jin suddenly understands and suppresses a laugh: "Have you been beaten?"

Jing Zeyang says nothing and rolls his eyes.

Never mind when they were kids; he even got beaten once last year: the time he broke up with Fang Qing.

Get this straight, it was Fang Qing who wanted to go abroad, okay? I'd have to be brain-damaged to not stay in Beijing and go be a foreigner with her?

So, Big Bird Tang not only loves to meddle in other people's business, but she's also damn unreasonable...

In the lounge, Xu Qin's attitude is humble.

"Teacher Lin, I would like to ask: what is the essential reason for the internal structure and appearance of these three types of jade materials!"

This question is quite professional, and because it requires destructive analytical experiments, it is of little use to the police, so he didn't mention it, and it wasn't written in the materials.

But if someone asks, Lin Sicheng is of course happy to instruct: "First, the difference in mineralization temperature leads to different tremolite content. Second, the structural differences and visual effects caused by different impurity compositions..."

"Teacher Lin, wait a moment, let me take notes!"

Lin Sicheng smiles: "Alright!"

After Xu Qin takes out her notebook, Lin Sicheng begins to explain: "Hetian Jade has the highest tremolite content, reaching over 95%, which is the fundamental reason for the felt-like interwoven structure inside Hetian Jade.

Specifically regarding visual perception: it is what is usually called moist and fine, meaning it has the highest oiliness and the best transparency. Specifically regarding tactile sensation: when rubbed with the palm, Hetian Jade has the strongest sense of resistance."

"Second, impurity minerals: the tremolite content of Russian Jade is in the middle, at around 90%. Because it contains a small amount of graphite, it leads to a porridge-like internal structure with a noticeable grainy feel. Besides this, because the actinolite content is higher, it has the highest whiteness, but the worst transparency, which is what is commonly called Porcelain White..."

"Qinghai Jade has the highest impurity content, reaching about 20%, mostly wollastonite, which causes a unique water-line structure to appear inside. Secondly, it contains quartz, so occasionally there will be stone flower images. And it has a small amount of Ti (thallium), leading to a grayish-white color, or it appears Duck Egg Blue... but it has a strong water-permeable feel..."

Xu Qin writes "swish, swish, swish": "Teacher Lin, may I ask: what is the fundamental reason for the different tremolite and impurity contents?"

"Of course!" Lin Sicheng says without hesitation, "Because the characteristics of the surrounding rock are different: the surrounding rock of Hetian Jade is a White Marble interlayer, the surrounding rock of Qinghai Jade is an Acidic Volcanic Rock contact zone, and Russian Jade is an Ultrabasic Rock alteration zone..."

These are all highly professional pieces of knowledge; in the past, Tang Nanyan would have fallen asleep just hearing the beginning.

Today, however, it is strange: she feels that she can actually understand it?

If she had had a teacher like this when she was in school, why would she have joined the army after graduating from high school?

Tsk, I have to say, don't look at how young he is, he really has that air of a teacher...

Feeling awkward about staring at him constantly, Tang Nanyan listened for a while and grew bored.

Yan Wenjing was chatting with the dead-faced Division Chief from the Education and Training Division, and she couldn't be bothered to look that way, so she could only glance around.

Huh, what is this?

Right on the coffee table lay a few photocopied sheets; they didn't look like reference materials, but rather copies from some old book.

The key was the little figures on them: having practiced this since she was small, Tang Nanyan recognized at a glance that this was a boxing manual.

Looking closer: Six Harmonies True Essence, Four Tips as Blades, Ten Forms Refining Beasts, Three Sections as Weapons, One Qi Penetrating Through...

Ha, Xingyi Quan?

It was placed right by Lin Sicheng's hand; he must be the one doing the Artifact Research.

But looking up at him again: clear-browed and bright-eyed, with delicate skin and tender flesh, he didn't look like someone who would be into this?

Just then, Xu Qin finished asking her question, and Lin Sicheng subconsciously looked up; their gazes collided.

Heh... this look, it's quite aggressive.

Lin Sicheng smiled: "Officer, is something the matter?"

"Oh, nothing!" Tang Nanyan withdrew her gaze and pointed at the papers on the coffee table, "I've practiced boxing since I was a kid, I was just curious: I have a copy like this at home, it's also quite old, but the content seems a bit different."

Lin Sicheng was taken aback: what a coincidence, right?

These past few days, he had been researching the dissemination trajectory and lineage system of Xingyi Quan after Ji Jike.

The modern lineage was quite complete, but the key was that the middle part was missing, specifically the period between the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China.

He had been thinking about going to Panjiayuan or Liulichang to ask around after the training ended.

"Officer Tang, it's a woodblock print, right? Do you know specifically from when it dates?"

"I don't know, my grandfather found it; it's all in traditional characters."

"Which branch is it from?"

"Huh?" Tang Nanyan looked bewildered.

She only knew how to practice; how would she know anything about "branches"?

Tang Nanyan tried hard to recall: "My grandfather always practiced Health-Preserving Stakes (Zhan Zhuang Gong); he learned it from the old master Wang Xiangzhai, and the old master Wang practiced Xingyi Quan..."

Wang Xiangzhai?

He remembered now; this man was a disciple of Guo Yunshen and served as the Group Leader of the Wushu Group under the General Administration of Sport after the founding of the nation. In the sixties and seventies, the Health-Preserving Stakes he created were incredibly popular in Beijing.

Then this branch must be the Hebei Guo family, exactly at the transition between the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China.

Lin Sicheng became interested: "Officer Tang, you still have the book, right? Could I borrow it to read?"

It was just an old book, what was there to borrow or not borrow?

"Of course!" Tang Nanyan replied, looking him up and down, "You practice boxing too?"

"Just occasionally. But I'm currently doing research on Republic of China martial arts, and I'm short on materials."

Tang Nanyan didn't hear the second half at all, her eyes lighting up: "What level?"

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment.

He realized that the look in Tang Nanyan's eyes wasn't aggressive at all, but rather a probing curiosity.

Was she some kind of martial arts fanatic who wanted to spar the moment she heard someone practiced boxing?

Lin Sicheng shook his head: "No level, I just practice slow boxing!"

Sure enough: just like a lightbulb with its switch turned off, Tang Nanyan's eyes dimmed in a "whoosh."

"Alright, I'll bring it to you this afternoon!"

"No need for the trouble, Officer Tang, just give me an address and I can have my Assistant go pick it up!"

Assistant?

Thinking Lin Sicheng meant Jing Zeyang, Tang Nanyan gave a forced smile: even if you gave Jing Zeyang three guts, he wouldn't dare come.

Fang Qing had just returned to the country and was hesitating whether to rekindle things with Jing San'er...

"It's not far anyway, you still have training this afternoon, I can just bring it by..." Tang Nanyan took out her phone, "Leave me a number, I'll call you when I arrive!"

"Alright, then thank you, Officer Tang!"

Afterward, the two said their goodbyes.

Once out of the room, Jing Zeyang was nowhere to be found, presumably hiding somewhere, so Fang Jin saw them to the elevator.

Entering the elevator and closing the door, Tang Nanyan waved her phone: "Sister Xu, am I smart?"

Xu Qin realized belatedly: "You got his phone number for me?"

"Of course, in the future if you want to ask for advice, Sister Xu, you can just call him directly!"

Xu Qin was both touched and amused: "I thought you had finally figured it out?"

"Ugh~" Tang Nanyan looked disgusted, "Sister Xu, why are you just like my mom, trying to force people together without caring if they're a match?"

Xu Qin didn't know what to say: "Nan Yan, you're already twenty-four!"

"So what if I'm twenty-four? I'm still six years away from thirty!"

Knowing Tang Nanyan didn't like to talk about this, Xu Qin sighed and didn't mention it again.

She thought for a moment: "According to Deputy Detachment Leader Yan, Teacher Lin won't be in Beijing for long, at most until October. Asking for advice slowly won't work, and showing up abruptly is too presumptuous..."

"Isn't that simple?" Tang Nanyan said dismissively, "Isn't he researching national arts during this time? If you bring him a book every few days, won't you have an excuse to ask for advice?"

Huh, that idea was actually pretty good.

"But where would I find them?"

"Panjiayuan is full of them, and they aren't expensive, ten or twenty yuan a book! Tomorrow is the weekend, I'll go with you!"

"What if I buy a fake one?"

"How could there be anything real in that place?" Tang Nanyan said with an expression of complete certainty, "But we aren't Experts like him; it's normal to buy fakes. As long as the sentiment is there, it's fine..."

Xu Qin didn't know whether to laugh or cry: This silly girl, if you say she's stupid, she talks about social nuances with such clarity. If you say she's smart, why is she always so clueless when it comes to relationships?

"Fine, then let's go tomorrow!"

As they spoke, the elevator reached the first floor.

Seeing the two of them exit the car, Jing Zeyang snuck inside in a furtive manner.

Thank goodness, he hadn't been caught by that crazy woman...

Returning to the lounge, Yan Wenjing and the Division Chief had already taken their leave, while Lin Sicheng and Fang Jin were hunched over the coffee table, conducting Artifact Research on the photocopied boxing manual.

Seeing Jing Zeyang, Lin Sicheng said half-jokingly, "Brother Jing, do you and that Officer Tang have some history?"

Jing Zeyang was startled: It definitely wasn't Brother Yan running his mouth; Brother Yan wasn't that idle.

But Tang Nanyan and Lin Sicheng had only just met, so it was even less likely she would have told him that?

"Cousin Lin, how did you know?"

Lin Sicheng smiled: "I get the feeling that whenever you're mentioned, she grinds her teeth!"

Jing Zeyang huffed: "A dog eating radishes—worrying about nothing!"

He gave a rough account of how his ex-girlfriend wanted to go abroad, he didn't want to go, he took the initiative to break up, and in the end, he was pinned down and beaten up by Tang Nanyan.

Fang Jin looked strange: "Brother Jing, you didn't fight back?"

Given Jing Zeyang's personality, that didn't seem right?

Jing Zeyang hemmed and hawed for a long time: "I couldn't beat her..."

Fang Jin almost laughed out loud, and Lin Sicheng felt it was even more bizarre: This was clearly a case of having been beaten since childhood and having long since been subdued.

Jing Zeyang was very clear: If he dared to resist, he would only be beaten harder. As the saying goes, those who understand the times are heroes...

Thinking Lin Sicheng didn't believe him, Jing Zeyang spoke while gesturing: "Cousin Lin, do you remember when I asked you last time: how many people can you fight once you've mastered your Qi Gong? You said if you didn't use a gun, you could take on four or five... That woman really can take on four or five..."

Jing Zeyang pointed at his own nose: "If four or five guys like me came at her, she wouldn't even be out of breath after finishing them off..."

Lin Sicheng was startled.

If it were a man, like Squad Leader He, never mind four or five—as long as they were unarmed, seven or eight people like Jing Zeyang wouldn't be a problem.

But for a woman, that really was quite formidable.

Of course, it was also because Jing Zeyang was too weak; at such a young age, his body had already been hollowed out by wine and women...

Having only asked casually, Lin Sicheng didn't pursue it further and turned back to study the boxing manual.

Jing Zeyang was bored: "After the training is finished this afternoon, where are we going tomorrow?"

"Let's go to Panjiayuan!" Lin Sicheng pointed to the papers in front of him, "It would be best if we could find a few related boxing manuals to conduct deeper Artifact Research..."

Jing Zeyang's eyes lit up: Panjiayuan was good.

He had been thinking about how to get Lin Sicheng to take him there again, but he hadn't been able to bring himself to ask...

(End of chapter)