Chapter 312: Stop at Perfection, Unity of Knowledge and Action

Having been scolded for no reason, Tang Dingping didn't know whether to be angry or amused.

The key was, the man really had the right to scold.

In order to complete a research project, the Cultural Relics Research Institute had seconded Lin Sicheng from Northwest University. Then, the Municipal Bureau sent a letter and borrowed Lin Sicheng from the Cultural Relics Research Institute to conduct training.

After arriving, he only gave two lectures, and next week he still had to help the General Team and various detachments inspect cultural relic-related evidence. So strictly speaking, the public security side hadn't finished borrowing him yet; Lin Sicheng was still helping them.

But that was secondary: the sky has unpredictable winds and clouds, and people have fortunes and misfortunes; no one dares to say they can be safe and sound their whole life, with everything going smoothly without a single accident.

The problem was, Lin Sicheng had foreseen it long ago: he guessed that those people would be driven to desperation and would even go so far as to commit kidnapping.

He had sought help from the Police Station, sought help from Yan Wenjing, and even analyzed it for Xu Qin and Tang Nanyan, but no one took it seriously. They all thought he was overly nervous and worrying about nothing.

But the thing happened exactly as it did, without the slightest deviation from Lin Sicheng's prediction, just as if he had arranged it himself.

So how should this matter be discussed, and how should this responsibility be calculated?

The old Dean not scolding the public security officers as a bunch of good-for-nothings was already giving them enough face...

While thinking to himself, Tang Dingping smiled: "Old Dean, please calm your anger; it is indeed our work that wasn't done well!"

Before the words fell, the Deputy Team Leader looked embarrassed and introduced with a dry laugh: "Old Dean, this is Department Head Tang from the Ministry!"

Oh, recognized the wrong person?

Zhang Dinghao could still distinguish the relationship between those from the Ministry and those from the Bureau.

But why did the Department Head come here too? Did Wang Qizhi invite him?

Invited well, invited well... otherwise this bunch of bastards wouldn't investigate properly!

Guessing wildly in his self-righteousness, his old face piled up with smiles: "Department Head Tang, I'm sorry, the old man has a sharp tongue, please don't mind it at all..."

Tang Dingping certainly wouldn't mind, he just felt a bit between laughter and tears.

"There are too many people here, Old Dean, let's go outside and sit!"

"Good, good, let's sit outside!"

There were indeed a few too many people; if it weren't for seeing several of them wearing police uniforms with stars on their shoulders, the doctor would have come out to chase them away long ago.

A crowd of people swarmed out of the treatment room and stood in the corridor.

Ji Yun stood beside Tang Dingping, looking at the old Dean and Ma Qinglin, her voice very low: "Dingping, are these two elders of little Lin?"

"No, these two are the Dean and Deputy Dean of the Cultural Relics Research Institute under the Cultural Relics Bureau... Lin Sicheng was seconded from Xida by the Cultural Relics Research Institute; during this time, he has been helping the Cultural Relics Research Institute do a research project."

Their ranks are not low; that Deputy Dean Ma should be at the same rank as Nanyan's father.

The strange thing is, since they are neither relatives nor friends, why are they so nervous? One scolded the public security as soon as they met, and the other even fainted?

Thinking secretly, Ji Yun looked to the side again: "What about those three?"

"One is a Deputy Director-General of the Archaeology Department of the Cultural Relics Bureau, and the other two are directors from the Palace Museum; they are all experts renowned in the industry..."

"Were they all invited by Wang Qizhi?"

"It has nothing to do with Wang Qizhi: these research experts have relatively simple minds and don't like to get involved in this. It should be that their personal relationship with little Lin is quite good..."

"Isn't his home in Xijing? How did he get to know these people?"

"Didn't you also look at the files in Big Brother's car just now? Although this child is young, his ability is very strong, his achievements in the field of archaeology are very high, and his influence is not small. Plus, his character is good and his personality is also nice, so everyone likes to associate with him. These people should have met him through work..."

"Professional ability is even stronger than Wang Qizhi?"

"Of course, he could almost be Wang Qizhi's teacher, in every aspect!"

As he spoke, Tang Dingping paused, "Why are you asking so clearly?"

"I'm just asking casually!"

Ji Yun brushed it off, then looked at her daughter, feeling both happy and worried in her heart.

What she was happy about was that the blockhead had finally opened up. What she was even happier about was that Ji Yun remembered: this child was the same child Xu Qin had mentioned to her many times.

And, he was even more outstanding than what Xu Qin had said.

What she was worried about was that the more popular someone is, the more people will covet them. With Nanyan's personality and emotional intelligence, whether it's the girl from the Qin family or the Jing family, even if they each gave her a head start, she wouldn't be able to compete with them.

For a moment, clouds of worry floated onto her brows.

At first, Tang Dingping didn't pay much attention, but seeing his wife's twisted face, and her eyes looking from time to time at the faces of his daughter, Qin Ruozhi, and Jing Suxin, he realized something was wrong.

Caring about your daughter is understandable, but why do you keep looking at those two girls?

Huh, why is Nanyan still crying?

And this expression, this look in her eyes...

Tang Dingping was dumbfounded.

Just as he was stunned, a burst of footsteps came from behind, and Tang Dingping turned his head subconsciously.

Wang Qizhi's face was livid, anxious and panicked.

Dan Wangshu and a girl followed behind; Dan Wangshu was better, just looking a bit haggard. But the girl behind her had red and swollen eyes, a deathly pale face, and looked as if she couldn't even walk steadily, stumbling along.

Behind them followed four men, two old and two young, but he didn't recognize them.

The group of people walked in a hurry, jogging all the way. At the door of the ward, everyone who recognized them stood up, but Wang Qizhi couldn't care about greeting them at all, just nodding hurriedly.

As they brushed past, Tang Dingping's heart skipped a beat: Wang Qizhi's expression, was he going to kill someone?

His features were ferocious, his eyes flashing with a murderous glint, wishing he could poke a hole in the sky?

No.

If they were just ordinary teacher and student, how could the couple be so panicked? It would be the same if their son were injured...

In shock and doubt, the group rushed into the treatment room, and seeing Lin Sicheng sitting on the hospital bed, several people's hearts suddenly relaxed.

Although he was wrapped up like a rice dumpling, at least he was awake, and he wasn't missing any arms or legs.

Even, seeing them, Lin Sicheng smiled through the glass.

Ye Anning bit her lip hard, tears swirling in her eyes.

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment, then smiled again.

Dan Wangshu held back her tears and glared at him fiercely: "You brat, you're still laughing?"

Only at this moment did she set her heart at ease, convinced that Lin Sicheng had not lied and that his injuries were indeed not serious.

She let out a long breath and looked around. After glancing a few times, she was subconsciously stunned.

There were so many people, and she recognized most of them: Dean Zhang and Deputy Director Ma from the Cultural Relics Research Institute, Department Head Wu from the Cultural Relics Bureau, Director Tang from the Forbidden City, and Director Lu.

Wang Qizhi had said that these people had an excellent relationship with Lin Sicheng, so it was not strange for them to come to the hospital to see him.

There were also Qin Ruozhi, Jing Suxin, and the child from the Jing family; these three played well with Ye Anning, so it was not strange for them to come either.

But why had so many people from the Tang family come?

Not only had Tang Dingping and his wife come, but even Director Tang had actually come?

The more she looked, the more surprised she became. Seeing the end, Dan Wangshu paused abruptly: This, this should be a girl from the Tang family, right? Why is she crying like this?

Huh, that's not right... this look in her eyes?

Her eyelids couldn't help but twitch. She followed Tang Nanyan's gaze and looked at Lin Sicheng inside.

What is this situation?

No... how many days has Lin Sicheng been in Beijing?

Just as she was secretly suspicious, the sliding door was pushed open, and a doctor came out: "The bandaging is done, family members come over and help him..."

Before the words had even faded, "Boom—", a crowd swarmed up.

Wang Qizhi was the closest and the fastest. He kept muttering, "Thank you, doctor... thank you, doctor...", but with a flick of his hand, he pushed the doctor to the side.

But just as his foot lifted, his neck was suddenly yanked; Dan Wangshu was pulling the back of his jacket with all her might: "What are you in such a hurry for?"

Wang Qizhi was stunned: "Nonsense, if I'm not in a hurry, who is..."

Before the words had even faded, Ye Anning had already bypassed Wang Qizhi and entered the treatment room.

Looking at Lin Sicheng sitting on the hospital bed with a pale face, Ye Anning's mind went blank, and her lips trembled.

Lin Sicheng smiled: "Sister Anning!"

Ye Anning wanted to say something, but it felt as if a ball of cotton was stuffed in her throat, and she couldn't spit out a single word.

Tears fell like beads with a broken string, as if all her strength and all her spirit had been completely drained by that "Sister Anning."

She slowly leaned down, her forehead pressed against his knees.

There was no sound, but her body shook uncontrollably, and tears soaked the fabric of his trousers.

It felt as if something had bumped into his heart; Lin Sicheng's lips were dry, and he stroked her hair: "There won't be a next time, I promise you..."

Ye Anning could no longer hold back and began to cry with a "wail."

The sobbing was intermittent, yet outside it was strangely quiet.

Tang Nanyan stood quietly, right beside Wang Qizhi and Dan Wangshu. The couple stood like two pillars blocking the doorway, and she couldn't get in even if she wanted to.

But her gaze was surprisingly firm.

Ji Yun let out a sigh: It's over.

Having not seen her for several years, only at this moment did she recognize her: that is the girl from the Ye family.

No wonder he was just a student and his injuries weren't serious, yet Wang Qizhi looked like he wanted to eat someone?

And no wonder Dan Wangshu was teary-eyed, as if it were her own son who was injured?

Because Ye Anning was raised by them; she wasn't their biological daughter, but she was better than one. Loving the house and its crow, of course they would be nervous.

But Ye Anning?

Yan'er, it's not that your mother doesn't love you, but even if you grew ten more brains, you wouldn't be as clever as she is when she's asleep...

Secretly distressed, she turned her head, wondering whether she should give her husband a reminder.

But before she could open her mouth, she suddenly froze: no one had noticed that there was one more person in the ward.

She was in her forties, with delicate features and fair skin. She was wearing a light-colored windbreaker, which made her figure look even taller.

Her eyes were bright, she wore her hair short, and her whole being exuded an intellectual and elegant, yet crisp and decisive temperament.

Ji Yun suddenly came back to her senses: "Director Wang?"

Wang Qiguang smiled: "Doctor Ji!"

Subconsciously, everyone turned their heads.

Half of the people didn't recognize her, but many did. Tang Ding'an straightened his expression and reached out his hand, followed by Tang Dingping.

"Director Wang!"

"Director Tang, Department Head Tang!" Wang Qiguang reached out to shake their hands, "I'll go in and take a look first!"

The two nodded in unison: "Okay!"

Several of the younger generation stood straight and addressed her in unison as "Auntie," including Tang Nanjin, who was not much younger than Wang Qizhi.

Wang Qiguang nodded, and with Wang Qizhi and Dan Wangshu accompanying her, she entered the inner room.

Ye Anning wiped away her tears and helped Lin Sicheng up: "This is my mother!"

Lin Sicheng was startled: "Hello, Auntie!"

A simple introduction and a simple greeting left the people outside completely stunned.

After all this, these two were meeting for the first time?

Looking at Ye Anning again, there was no awkwardness, let alone shyness or embarrassment. It was as if the person who had just been leaning on Lin Sicheng's knees, crying and trembling, wasn't her?

What was even stranger was that one could not see any unnatural or unhappy expression on Wang Qiguang's face.

On the contrary, she seemed very gratified, carefully looking Lin Sicheng up and down.

"Recover well from your injuries, leave the work matters to Qizhi, and we will handle the rest!" Wang Qiguang nodded, "It's too late tonight, Anning's father booked a flight for tomorrow morning!"

Lin Sicheng looked as if he were stunned, and it was a long time before he said: "Thank you, Auntie!"

These were also two very simple sentences, yet the people outside looked at each other in dismay.

"It's not... this is the first time meeting, right?"

"But this attitude, this tone?"

At least Tang Ding'an and Tang Dingping both knew that Ye Xing'an had always been leading a team on inspection duty out of town, and unless necessary, he would not easily return.

But as long as he returned, many people would be unable to sleep...

The several police team leaders outside were sweating on their foreheads, cursing the Person in Charge of the Police Station and Yan Wenjing's family in their hearts dozens of times over.

A bunch of idiots; originally there wouldn't have been any issues, but now it's fine, the sky has collapsed...

Wang Qiguang had Ye Anning help Lin Sicheng back to the ward to rest, then took Wang Qizhi along to greet everyone one by one.

"Thank you, Director Tang, thank you, Tang Sijiang, for taking the time to come by despite your busy schedules..."

"Director Wang, you are too polite!" Thinking she still didn't know, Tang Dingping explained, "If it weren't for little Lin, Nan Yan would have been in grave danger this time!"

"It's only right!" Wang Qiguang smiled, "After all, little Lin is Qi Zhi's student!"

That one "it's only right" left Tang Dingping not knowing how to respond.

You say "Qi Zhi's student" with your mouth, but this attitude doesn't quite look like the attitude one has toward a younger brother's student.

Recalling again: that's right, when they first entered the door, the Ye girl specifically introduced them; Wang Qiguang and Lin Sicheng were indeed meeting for the first time.

But looking at this posture, is he her own child who saved someone and got injured?

While secretly pondering, Wang Qiguang and Wang Qizhi finished thanking everyone. The others were fine, but the several police team leaders, despite smiling, felt worse than if they were crying.

Afterward, they said their goodbyes one by one, and Tang Dingping and Ji Yun took Tang Nanyan and went specifically to the ward.

The police team's private room, originally used for detainees, meant Lin Sicheng could be considered to have enjoyed special treatment for once.

Thanks were given, and courtesies were exchanged; it seemed like everything was quite normal.

But invisibly, a different kind of scent permeated the air.

Wang Qiguang gave a few instructions, telling Lin Sicheng to recover well. She also warned Wang Qizhi not to cause trouble for the police team.

Dan Wangshu wanted to go home to cook for Lin Sicheng, so she forcibly dragged away Wang Qizhi, who was stuffed full of words. Wang Qiguang said she was going back to her unit, and Zhao Xiuneng, Zhao Xiuxian, and Zhao Da and Zhao Er also found an excuse, saying they would come over later.

No one said anything, no one mentioned it, and Ye Anning naturally stayed behind.

The ward was very quiet; Ye Anning peeled an orange and carefully tore off the white pith.

Lin Sicheng leaned against the head of the bed, his soul wandering beyond the heavens.

With a tacit understanding, without needing to guess, Ye Anning knew what he was thinking.

"Are you wondering why my mom came?"

Lin Sicheng nodded.

He had thought that his teacher and his teacher's wife would definitely rush back, and he had also thought that Cousin Ye had been badly frightened. But he had never thought that Cousin Ye's mother would come to the hospital.

And he had never even thought that Cousin Ye's father would actually come too?

But they had never met him before?

Ye Anning did not speak: actually, it wasn't sudden at all.

Last autumn, her family already knew about him; her mother knew, and her father knew too.

During the New Year, her father even went to the school specifically to see him. Afterward, at her uncle's house, he told her personally: this kid is not bad.

Since then, her parents had never asked about him again.

Because her father's "not bad" represented an attitude of approval and permission.

It was just that Lin Sicheng didn't know these things, and he had always had reservations, and was too busy...

Ye Anning sniffled, tears appearing in her eyes: "Before I got on the plane, I called my mom: if anything happened to you, I wouldn't want to live either!"

Lin Sicheng froze. Ye Anning bared her teeth, appearing to smile, but tears fell again: "Are you very scared?"

Things were already like this, what was there left to be afraid of?

His heart was made of flesh, not stone. After being warmed for so long, even a block of ice would have melted...

Lin Sicheng shook his head.

Ye Anning pursed her lips and said nothing more, her mind recalling what her aunt had said:

Who doesn't want good things? People are the same. But don't worry, someone like Lin Sicheng has a heart like it's cast from iron. If you can't pry it open, no one can. But as long as you warm it up, he can protect you and warm you for a lifetime.

Her uncle also often said that Lin Sicheng was as calm as a machine and as steady as a stone. He, as a teacher, might make mistakes, but Lin Sicheng never would.

She squeezed Lin Sicheng's hand and handed him a slice of orange...

The Audi car drove on the highway, Dan Wangshu sitting in the back row, looking at the rearview mirror from time to time.

Wang Qiguang frowned, seemingly thinking about something.

Thinking she was angry, angry at Ye Anning's willfulness, Dan Wangshu felt it was better to explain.

"Second Sister, don't blame Anning; she was just worried and acted impulsively."

Wang Qiguang shook her head: "I know, I'm not blaming her!"

If she blamed her daughter, she wouldn't have gone to the hospital today at all. Let alone say those things?

Regarding Lin Sicheng, she and Ye Xing'an were quite approving. It could be said: Lin Sicheng possessed almost all the virtues the couple had imagined and hoped their daughter's partner would have.

He had responsibility, integrity, a brain, courage, wisdom, ability, and even more so, character.

There was only one point: he was too introverted and had a few too many reservations.

Of course, in the couple's view, this was still a virtue, even a virtue that exceeded expectations. But for Ye Anning, and for their future family life, it seemed to lack some vitality and passion.

Their family was not quite the same as ordinary people, but actually, looking at Qi Zhi and Wangshu, one could see the difference wasn't that big. There weren't that many prejudices, and even fewer preconceived notions.

But after this, she discovered that what she and Ye Xing'an understood was still somewhat one-sided: this kid also had times when he was impulsive and hot-blooded.

Upon reflection, she sighed: "I just feel that this kid is a bit too kind?"

Dan Wangshu froze for a moment, and Wang Qizhi was completely stunned: Second Sister, what did you say?

Lin Sicheng, kind-hearted... which outer space cold joke is this?

If the second elder sister said he was upright, smart, enthusiastic, calm, wise, decisive, firm... and so on and so forth, Wang Qizhi would absolutely have nothing to say.

On the contrary, he would raise both hands and feet in agreement.

But to say Lin Sicheng is kind-hearted?

Wang Qizhi dares to bet one thousand percent: he doesn't need his sister and brother-in-law's help, he doesn't even need his own help; relying on Lin Sicheng himself, he could resolve this matter beautifully.

He would absolutely make that so-called Jianzuo and Zhongzhuang cry for their parents and regret it for the rest of their lives.

Think about Yu Dahai, think about that gang of Grave Robbers...

"This is ability; what does it have to do with being kind or not?" Wang Qiguang stared at Wang Qizhi from the rearview mirror. "Grandfather taught you since you were young to be selfless, so why didn't you donate all your money to the mountain areas?"

Wang Qizhi was speechless and stammered, "That's because he's stupid. If he weren't stupid, who would donate all their money without seeking fame or profit?"

Wang Qiguang was silent.

According to this way of putting it, this kid, besides being impulsive, is sometimes also willful; he isn't always as calm as a machine...

Wang Qiguang glared at him: "You are a teacher, speak more appropriately: if you run into something like this next time, tell Little Lin to be a bit harder!"

How to be hard? Let Lin Sicheng abandon his companions and run away alone?

The second elder sister isn't that selfish, Ye Anning's judgment isn't that poor, and Lin Sicheng isn't that despicable.

What she meant was: when jumping down to seize the gun, Lin Sicheng should have struck ruthlessly. The so-called "to capture the bandits, first capture the king"...

Wang Qizhi sighed: "Second elder sister, the person had a gun in their hand... and you have to see if the timing allows it!"

"I know, that's why I said 'if'—if the timing and conditions both allow it!"

Wang Qizhi nodded: The second elder sister is telling Lin Sicheng to change his mindset; next time he encounters such a thing, he must not be timid and indecisive, and should prioritize saving his own life first.

Tsk, it's only the first time they've met, and she really has taken a liking to him?

Otherwise, with the second elder sister's personality, how would she speak so bluntly? This is clearly telling Lin Sicheng: don't be afraid, Auntie will back you up...

Dan Wangshu misunderstood the meaning and said cautiously: "Second elder sister, are you angry?"

Wang Qiguang was confused: "Angry about what?"

"Angry that Lin Sicheng was impulsive?"

Wang Qiguang couldn't help but laugh: Was that him being impulsive? That was sticking together through thick and thin.

The confessions of those captured were written clearly: if it weren't for that stone thrown by the Tang girl, that blade would have landed in Lin Sicheng's neck.

Of course, if it weren't for Lin Sicheng risking taking a few extra slashes, even if the Tang girl hadn't met an untimely death, she would be in the intensive care unit right now.

This matter was indeed a bit of a twist of fate, and the Tang girl's personality is notoriously stubborn, but Wang Qiguang didn't care at all, nor was she worried.

"Rest in the highest excellence, unity of knowledge and action!"

Wang Qiguang smiled: "Just like your brother-in-law!"

Dan Wangshu was startled: The second elder sister's evaluation of Lin Sicheng is this high?

Wang Qizhi curled his lips: What else?

If the evaluation weren't high, brother-in-law wouldn't have booked a flight overnight to rush over tomorrow morning.

Moreover, this is the second elder sister's first time meeting Lin Sicheng—she had only heard about him before—but brother-in-law has seen him in person and understood him better. So, this remark is nine times out of ten something brother-in-law said...

Thinking secretly, Wang Qizhi remembered again: "Before leaving, I instructed Lin Sicheng that for such a big matter, he must call home no matter what. The wording can be a bit subtle: just say he took a fall. So his mom and dad should also arrive tomorrow..."

"As they should!" Wang Qiguang nodded. "You arrange it, let's have a meal together!"

(End of this chapter)