Chapter 307: Excessive Nervousness

Several men were burly and thick-set, charging forward aggressively with a menacing aura.

Jing Zeyang stood on his tiptoes: "Cousin Lin, these few don't look like they have good intentions, do they?"

They certainly didn't look well-intentioned; as soon as someone pointed over here, the gazes of those men pierced straight toward them.

Afterward, they walked over with cold faces.

The leader was a man of about fifty, tall and thin, with sharp eyes. Before he had even stopped walking or stood steady, he cupped his hands in a salute:

"Friend, from which mountain do you hail, and which tomb gate are you dismantling?"

Lin Sicheng's heart skipped a beat.

This was grave-robbing jargon: Friend, where are you making your fortune, and what business are you in? It meant to ask if you were a grave-robber or a dealer in illicit goods.

Slang is easy to learn, you can memorize it by rote, but the "mountain gate seal" (hand gesture) cannot be faked.

Looking at the man's three fingers pressed together, and the thumb and pinky joined like two "person" characters, Lin Sicheng narrowed his eyes: This man is a Jianzuo.

To translate: An intermediary group that specializes in fencing stolen goods for grave-robbing gangs or taking orders for cultural relic smuggling syndicates, also known as a "middle-man."

Without ability and connections, one cannot do this. The strange thing is, why would this group use underworld slang on them?

Lin Sicheng was completely confused, and the others understood even less; they looked at each other: What does that mean?

Just as Jing Zeyang was about to say something, Lin Sicheng stepped in first: "Gentlemen, is there something you need?"

The man narrowed his eyes: You don't understand?

Being able to hang out with that ghostly woman, it's impossible not to understand.

The man cupped his hands again, this time just a standard salute: "My subordinates were blind and failed to recognize a superior, not knowing that a Bai Xian (specifically referring to a woman engaged in grave-robbing and trading goods) had come to the shop. We had a moment of poor judgment and Zouleilei (lost a treasure), letting go of several Dishi (copper coins), six rare artifacts (out-of-print ancient coins), and three yellow dragons (gold, gold coins).

I hope you can pass a word to Wang Zhiguo: ask her to be lenient and let my brothers off the hook. To show our apology: the Dishi are a gift, and for the six rare artifacts and three yellow dragons, my brothers are willing to pay three buckets of water to settle the account!"

Lin Sicheng's heart couldn't stop thumping twice.

Translating the man's words: That woman had picked up many copper coins from the man's shop at a low price, among which were six extremely rare out-of-print coins, as well as three gold coins.

He blames his subordinates for having poor eyes, he admits defeat, and asks the woman to show some face: he will give the copper coins for free, and he is willing to pay 300,000 to buy back the six rare coins and three gold coins.

Combining the man's words with the woman from earlier and the box of copper coins she was holding, Lin Sicheng finally understood:

Why was that woman in such a hurry, looking so panicked?

Because she hadn't just picked up a bargain, but a huge one. And precisely because she knew this group was not to be trifled with and would surely discover it soon, she ran as fast as she could.

Why did this man use underworld slang on them?

Because after the copper coins spilled onto the ground, that sentence Jing Zeyang shouted to the tourists: "Everyone make way, there are gold coins in here."

Isn't that a coincidence?

So many people heard it, there are plenty of witnesses; no matter who the man in front of them is, he would take them and that woman to be in the same group: If you aren't in the same group, how did you know there were gold coins in the box?

Lin Sicheng even suspected that perhaps even that woman didn't know there were gold coins in the box. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so calm when Jing Zeyang shouted...

One has to say that Brother Jing's mouth is more effective than a consecrated charm: his words became a prophecy.

Don't look at it as just three gold coins; even if they are from the Qing Dynasty, one is worth at least a million.

It's also their bad luck: just taking a stroll through an antique street, and they manage to stir up such big trouble?

Secretly changing his mind, Lin Sicheng put on a blank expression: "Old master, we really don't understand the things you are saying."

The man didn't believe him at all and sneered: "Then I'll be blunt, where is Wangguixiang?"

"Sorry, don't know her!"

"Don't know her, then how did you know there were gold coins in her box?"

"Gold coins... are you looking for the big sister who was holding the box?"

Lin Sicheng put on a look of sudden realization and pointed at Tang Nan Yan, "My friend accidentally bumped into her, and the copper coins all spilled onto the ground. We were afraid others would steal them, so we said that on purpose..."

"Bullshit, do you think I believe that? If it could be such a coincidence, why don't you go buy a lottery ticket?"

The man's face darkened, "I'm warning you, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"

Lin Sicheng's expression turned stern, his tone indifferent: "I also advise you not to look for trouble where there is none. The longer you delay here, the further that big sister gets. Besides, we are all people with proper jobs; we don't have time to mess around with you here."

Pausing slightly, Lin Sicheng looked at Xu Qin and Tang Nan Yan.

The two of them didn't understand the underworld slang, let alone what gold coins were, but they could see that the reason this group was surrounding them definitely had to do with the woman from before.

They could see even more clearly that this group was not a good bunch, nor were they on the level. So as soon as Lin Sicheng looked at them, the two understood in a second: A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall.

It had nothing to do with them in the first place, so there was no need to get involved in the dispute.

As for whether this group was committing a crime and whether it needed to be reported, that was a matter for later; what needed to be avoided now was a conflict.

This group was clearly getting desperate; it wasn't impossible for them to start fighting while arguing. Not to mention hurting anyone, even if they just accidentally broke a few of the broken pots and jars on the stalls, it would be a huge trouble.

After all, this is Panjiayuan...

The two looked at each other and simultaneously flashed their Police Certificates.

The man was stunned for a moment, and the few subordinates behind him were also stunned: Police?

Tens of thousands of people come to this place every day; it's not strange at all for police to come for a stroll after getting off work.

It's hard to say about these two women showing their IDs, but to say this young man is a police officer... don't fucking joke around: If you are a police officer, I am your ancestor.

The man lifted his chin provocatively: "What about you? Are you also a police officer? Why don't you show your ID?"

Jing Zeyang was taken aback, then let out a "ha": "You dare to talk like that after seeing the police? You're pretty arrogant, aren't you?"

Lin Sicheng, however, shook his head.

Any thief, regardless of which trade they are in, is afraid of the law.

Even if they aren't afraid, they will still have some reservations.

The reason the man had this fearless attitude was simply because he was certain he wasn't a police officer.

Lin Sicheng couldn't be bothered to waste words with him: "Are you moving or not?"

Jing Zeyang followed closely behind, even faster than Tang Nan Yan, with the posture that if Lin Sicheng gave the order, he would pounce and start fighting.

The man paused for a moment, looking Lin Sicheng up and down, carefully and thoroughly. Then, he laughed again: "Fine, there are many people here, I won't mess with you, but let's see how far you can run?"

As he spoke, he leaned to the side. His subordinates behind him followed suit, clearing the aisle.

Lin Sicheng did not hesitate at all and walked straight past.

Just as Jing Zeyang was about to follow, his shoulder sank; Tang Nan Yan pushed him back: "You protect Assistant Fang!"

He was stunned for a moment, and for once, he didn't talk back: this woman's combat power was off the charts; it was indeed right to let her protect Lin Sicheng.

Secretly changing his train of thought, Jing Zeyang followed Fang Jin. The group of five exited the aisle and walked toward the gate not far away.

The man kept a cold face, staring the whole time; just then, his phone vibrated with a "buzz":

"Shan Shu, I've asked around; that woman left the market through the South Gate and got into a taxi!"

Ran away?

The man suppressed his anger and cursed, "Damn it."

Hanging up the phone, he glanced again at Lin Sicheng, who was almost at the gate.

This was the North Gate, yet that woman ran from the South Gate?

A gecko shedding its tail, a golden cicada sloughing its shell?

Making a feint to the east while attacking in the west, besieging Wei to rescue Zhao?

Playing with military strategy quite skillfully, aren't you?

The man narrowed his eyes and beckoned: "Maguan!"

A lean man walked over: "Uncle!"

The man lowered his voice: "You take some men and follow them; first do this, then do that... but don't you make a move, and try your best not to touch those two women..."

Maguan nodded and followed them.

As soon as the thin man left, another subordinate leaned in: "Uncle, what if they are real Police?"

"Those two women might be, but that kid?" The man gritted his teeth: "If he's a policeman, I'll kowtow to him."

Judging by his appearance, he was only in his early twenties. Just imagine: which young man in his early twenties could be this calm and steady when facing a group of fierce, menacing thugs?

Even if he were a policeman, it wouldn't matter.

At this age, no matter what profession one is in, when encountering such a situation, one is either hot-headed or timid. There might be a third type, but in any case, it would definitely not be like him—composed and unruffled.

Will you move or not?

Just because of that one sentence, and the aura that kid exuded at that moment, Ma Shan dared to be one hundred percent certain: this was an old hand who had seen big scenes.

It's possible to have been in the underworld since childhood, but to have been a policeman since childhood? That's complete nonsense.

More importantly, it's that kid's hands: rust and chemical solutions had almost seeped into his skin; what policeman would be so bored as to spend every day holding antiques and fake-making solutions?

Thinking of this, Ma Shan sneered again: "Son of a bitch, trying to play the amateur with me, playing the greenhorn?"

"Don't bother asking around, how many eyes does Lord Ma have?"

He became even more certain that this little thief was an accomplice of that woman.

Even if they were real Police, they were those two women; what does it have to do with you?

"Tell Xingsi to call the Police, say that antiques were lost in the shop, report a higher price..."

"Call Qingpi, take the surveillance footage to the photo studio, wash out that woman's photo, then go to the airport, the train station... set the reward high, ten thousand for information, one hundred thousand for finding the person, be quick."

"Gangdan, go to the taxi company and check where that woman got off... Liuhei, you take some men to Baoding, to that woman's hometown..."

The man arranged things one by one, then snorted again: "Wang Yaozi, you've got some nerve, trying to pull a fast one on me?"

"I don't believe you can fly out of the palm of my hand."

After leaving the market, Lin Sicheng walked faster and faster.

As he walked, he sighed inwardly: "I misjudged; that woman is actually an old hand in the underworld?"

The so-called feinting to the east and attacking in the west, the golden cicada sloughing its shell.

Her bumping, falling, and scattering were definitely premeditated. It was all to help her stall for time so she could escape.

Lin Sicheng was seventy percent sure that the Xinjiang Red Coin in Tang Nan Yan's pocket was very likely left there by that woman on purpose.

So Tang Nan Yan couldn't be blamed; even if she hadn't been distracted, the woman would have used other tricks. And Jing Zeyang couldn't be blamed either; even if he hadn't shouted that out, the woman would have found a way to shift the trouble onto them.

Lin Sicheng even suspected that the woman had deliberately mentioned before picking up the treasure that she was with friends. After picking up the treasure, she randomly chose scapegoats in the market.

He could only blame his own bad luck for choosing that particular aisle...

Just as he was secretly changing his train of thought, Jing Zeyang panted: "Cousin Lin... slow down, a little slower... why are you in such a hurry?"

Tang Nan Yan glared at him: "A flowery pillow stuffed with straw, you're not even as good as Sister Xu..."

Indeed, he was not as good.

They had only walked half a kilometer, and it was just walking, not running, yet Jing Zeyang was panting heavily.

Lin Sicheng didn't slow down at all; instead, he went faster: "It's better to walk fast; that group of people is already desperate, and if they can't find that woman, they will definitely cause us trouble."

Six heavy treasures, three gold pieces, at the very least a few million; who wouldn't be desperate?

Not to mention they were a group that ran a scam; if their reputation was ruined, who would dare to cooperate with them in the future?

Jing Zeyang was stunned: "They dare?"

They really did dare.

Lin Sicheng sighed: "Several million; let alone causing trouble, they might even pull out knives."

"Ah?" Jing Zeyang was shocked, "Cousin Lin, where did the several million come from?"

Tang Nan Yan curled her lips: "You still have the nerve to ask: didn't you hear that man say they were looking for gold coins? You, on the other hand, shouted at the top of your lungs that there were gold coins in that box... those people must have taken us for that woman's accomplices; if they can't find that woman, won't they have to find us?"

Jing Zeyang suddenly realized: no wonder that tall, thin guy blocked them and wouldn't let them leave?

Blame his own loose mouth... wait, no?

He glared: "According to that, isn't this whole thing today caused by you?"

Tang Nan Yan froze, her face blushing to the roots of her hair.

She only just realized: if she hadn't bumped into that woman, how could there be so much trouble later?

Suddenly, Tang Nan Yan was speechless and stammering.

Lin Sicheng shook his head: "It has nothing to do with you; that woman did it on purpose, just to find a scapegoat to help her stall for time."

Tang Nan Yan bit her lip and glanced at Lin Sicheng, thinking he was comforting her. Jing Zeyang, however, took it for real and his eyes widened: "Damn her..."

Xu Qin, being the most experienced, was startled: "Teacher Lin, I'll call my colleagues over!"

"No need!" Lin Sicheng pointed forward, "Report the case first!"

The few of them subconsciously looked up and were all stunned: A Police Station?

Things happened too fast and were too bizarre; they had been pondering it along the way and no one had noticed where Lin Sicheng was walking.

Furthermore, to make room for the market, the police station in this area was a bit out of the way; even Xu Qin hadn't been here much and basically didn't know the way.

So no one expected that Lin Sicheng would bring them to the police station.

But he was an outsider, so how was he so familiar with the roads in Panjiayuan?

Secretly suspicious, the few of them entered the lobby. Xu Qin took the lead and stated her identity.

Jing Zeyang followed at the very back, his eyes darting around. After thinking for a while, he leaned over to Lin Sicheng: "Cousin Lin, Tang Nan Yan and Section Chief Xu showed their Police Certificates, those people wouldn't be that bold, right?"

Lin Sicheng paused: "Brother Jing, do you think I'm quite cowardly?"

"Absolutely not!" Jing Zeyang shook his head like a rattle-drum, "You are an intellectual, there's no need to lower yourself to the level of a bunch of riffraff!"

Lin Sicheng didn't speak, just smiled.

Those were not riffraff.

Their public identity was that of small merchants, but their secret identity was that of major thieves, or even fierce bandits.

For example: Yang Bin, who dared to blow up the Wuhuifeimu with explosives in broad daylight, or Yu Dahai, who dared to engage in real gun-and-cannon battles with law enforcement agencies and still managed to deceive everyone and escape abroad after committing so many crimes—even such figures had to bow and scrape with a smile when meeting people like these.

Because they had to rely on them to make a living.

And those who could act as a Jianzuo had three "hard" traits: a hard eye for appraisal, a hard hand, and hard connections.

If your eye isn't hard, no one will come to you to place orders; if your hand isn't hard, you can't suppress the Grave Robbers who live with their heads on their belts.

If your connections aren't hard, the moment any of your suppliers or buyers get caught, the next one to go inside is the Jianzuo.

You ask how hard they can be?

Refer to the four Song brothers from Henan: they had been at it for over twenty years, everyone in Luoyang knew what they were doing, and they did it openly, yet no one could do anything to them.

And for people like that, if you push them to the edge, they'll even take on those with flowers on their shoulders; showing a badge is nothing.

Fine porcelain doesn't collide with earthenware pots; there are plenty of ways to handle things, why insist on competing with such people to see who is more ruthless?

It's no wonder Lin Sicheng was so cautious and careful; the truth was that the woman's methods were too high-level, and her courage even greater: six heavy treasures and three gold coins were enough to make this group take the risk.

If they got anxious or hot-headed, who knows what kind of underhanded tricks they might pull.

It was better to beat the grass to startle the snake, letting these people know: I dare to report to the police, and I even dare to explain the whole process, proving it has nothing to do with the woman you are looking for...

Secretly turning these thoughts over, Lin Sicheng pondered for a moment: "Let's see how things go today. If Section Chief Xu can find out some background on this group, I'll call Captain Yan again."

Jing Zeyang thought about it: "Cousin Lin, how about I do it?"

Lin Sicheng shook his head.

If Jing Zeyang asked Yan Wenjing for help, Yan Wenjing would 100% scold him for making a mountain out of a molehill and dismiss him in a few words; it was better to do it himself.

Lin Sicheng was even wondering whether he should find his teacher.

Just as he was secretly pondering, Xu Qin came out of the reception room.

"Teacher Lin, I asked. Those people just now should be from the Guyitang. It's a coincidence, the boss just called to report a case, saying the shop lost ancient copper coins and gold coins worth as much as 20 million. The station chief has already notified him to come to the station..."

"Is the shop big?"

"Not very big!" Xu Qin shook her head, "Just two storefronts, four people including the boss, and the registered capital is only one million."

Lin Sicheng's heart sank: Sure enough, they were only small merchants on the surface.

But small merchants couldn't display a Yuanliang Seal.

"What is the boss's surname?"

"Surname Xing, the Xing with the 'ear' radical, called Xingsihai, a local from Beijing!"

Lin Sicheng tried hard to recall again, reviewing every major Cultural Relics case he had an impression of that had happened in Beijing.

But he didn't remember anyone with the surname Xing.

He estimated he was just a small fry, with the big fish behind him. Even that tall, thin man he saw earlier was probably just a hired hand...

After sitting for a while longer, the boss of Guyitang arrived. The few of them took a look, and none of them recognized him.

At least he wasn't one of the group that blocked them at Panjiayuan.

Sure enough, Boss Xing denied everything: he denied sending anyone to chase any woman, and even more so denied sending anyone to block people.

It wasn't a big problem; it didn't even count as a public security incident, so the police station just took a simple statement.

Lin Sicheng didn't hesitate and immediately called Yan Wenjing.

Yan Wenjing agreed readily, but Lin Sicheng could hear the subtext in his words:

Teacher Lin, you can rest assured, this is Beijing. In all parts of the country, it's possible for people as arrogant as you imagine to appear, but only in Beijing will they not.

That shop is even less of a problem, it's just an ordinary small antique shop...

Between the lines, there was only one meaning: You must be overthinking it!

Lin Sicheng didn't mind: The more one experiences, the more cautious one becomes.

As the old saying goes, caution is the parent of safety. Even if he was overthinking it, there would be no loss. At most, he'd be called a coward.

If he happened to guess right, the best case was getting beaten up, and the worst case was lying in bed for months. If things went poorly, even more terrifying things weren't impossible...

He secretly mocked himself and hung up the phone.

Just then, a strange sound came from nearby: "Gurgle... gurgle..."

Fang Jin blushed and covered his stomach.

Looking at his watch again, Lin Sicheng sighed inwardly: after all that tossing and turning, it was already nearly four in the afternoon?

"Let's go, let's eat first!"

"Teacher Lin, my treat. Pick any hotel you like, pick the biggest one!" Jing Zeyang shouted, then pointed at Tang Nan Yan, "Don't fight me for it, okay?"

Tang Nan Yan had no such inclination; holding that copper coin, she stammered, "Teacher Lin, what should I do about this?"

"Keep it for now!" Lin Sicheng smiled, "Don't overthink it. I'm not just comforting you: today's incident really didn't have much to do with you; that woman set a trap on purpose. Even if she hadn't bumped into you, she would have deliberately taken a fall..."

Tang Nan Yan was half-convinced.

Lin Sicheng looked at Jing Zeyang again: "Brother Jing, let's skip the big hotel, let's just eat something nearby!"

"Ah, how can that be? We just made a windfall, didn't we?"

"Next time!"

Jing Zeyang said nothing more, but thought to himself: Brother Yan wasn't wrong; Cousin Lin is good in every way, it's just that his courage is a bit small, and he's a bit overly nervous...

While thinking this, the group walked out of the Police Station, but this area was a bit remote; let alone restaurants, there wasn't even a shop.

There were quite a few Treasury buildings, and people were constantly pulling flatbed carts in and out.

The group walked along the wall toward the outside.

Their expressions were quite relaxed, not taking what had happened earlier to heart: after all, they had just reported it to the police, so those people shouldn't come back to cause trouble.

Only Lin Sicheng kept his eyes on all directions and his ears open to all sides.

They kept walking, and no unexpected events occurred as imagined. Just as they were about to walk out of the Treasury area, Lin Sicheng paused his steps.

He heard the sound of a car engine starting.

But looking around, everyone was mostly carrying things by hand or on their shoulders, or at most pulling a small flatbed cart; where would there be any cars?

Along the way, they hadn't seen a single one.

Was it inside the Treasury?

Lin Sicheng had a bad intuition; suddenly, accompanied by a low roar, a van rushed out of the Treasury.

With a "screech," the tires scraped the curb as it turned, and with a "vroom," it charged straight toward them.

Lin Sicheng's pupils constricted: "Get out of the way..."

Get out of the way of what?

With another roar of the engine, the few of them finally realized that a van was crashing straight toward them.

Facing the light, through the glass, the few of them saw it clearly: the van was packed full of people.

Some held clubs, some held knives; could these possibly be workers moving goods?

Jing Zeyang gritted his teeth: screw being overly nervous...

(End of chapter)