Chapter 377: Are You Helping Me Like This?

After seeing off Sheng Guoan, the teacher and student sat into the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Lin Sicheng and Wang Qi Zhi had both been drinking, so they had specifically called Zhao Da to drive.

Once in the car, Wang Qi Zhi kept his head lowered, not saying a word.

Lin Sicheng looked at the rearview mirror: "Teacher, did the inspection today not go smoothly?"

It was just a routine review, and everything exceeded the expectations of the superiors; how could anything go wrong?

"It has nothing to do with the review!" Wang Qi Zhi shook his head. "Just now at the hotel, while you were seeing people off, Sheng Guoan chatted with me: Director Lu is preparing to cooperate with you to conduct in-depth research on Ming and Qing Imperial Porcelain!"

Lin Sicheng paused: "That's a good thing, isn't it?"

If one were to rank the national ancient ceramic research institutions, the Palace Museum Porcelain Research Institute might not dare to claim the top spot. Because they mainly study Imperial Porcelain from the Ming and Qing dynasties, by comparison, both their historical span and geographical coverage are much narrower than Jingdezhen.

But when it comes to imperial court porcelain, the Palace Museum Porcelain Research Institute is worthy of the name.

Being able to cooperate with such an institution is equivalent to an absolute recognition of Lin Sicheng and the Center's professional level and research capabilities, and the influence is a qualitative breakthrough.

Wang Qi Zhi sighed, however: "Listen clearly, it is cooperation with you, not the Center!"

Lin Sicheng was stunned: What is the difference?

After a moment of reflection, he suddenly realized: Director Lu is preparing to bypass the school.

At first glance, it seems like making unreasonable demands, and even pushing one's luck.

But if you change your perspective, it feels logical and a matter of course: the Porcelain Research Institute provides the funds, equipment, raw materials, and even some technology, while Lin Sicheng is responsible for providing the personnel, and then responsible for guiding and executing.

It is equivalent to the school providing nothing, yet when the research results are finally achieved, they would take away at least half of the honor and influence. Anyone would think: why not cooperate directly with Lin Sicheng?

Lin Sicheng replied without hesitation: "But the school won't agree!"

"Exactly!" Wang Qi Zhi nodded. "But Sheng Guoan said: things are all negotiated, it's nothing more than setting conditions and giving benefits!"

No, how can this even be negotiated?

They are living, breathing people after all; is there anything else that can be traded?

Lin Sicheng suddenly understood what Wang Qi Zhi was worried about: it is very likely that the two sides will not be able to reach an agreement.

Then, the Forbidden City might very well use their power to pressure others, and the two sides would only have one path left: a falling out.

At that time, if Lin Sicheng were asked to choose one of two, how would he choose?

Lin Sicheng pondered for a moment: "No need to worry for now: because no matter how they negotiate, they cannot bypass us; at the very least, I can mediate from the middle!"

That is true.

But when it truly comes time to make a choice, no matter which side Lin Sicheng leans toward, he will block the path of the other side—

While secretly thinking, Wang Qi Zhi sighed: "Take precautions, and you will have no worries!"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Teacher, I understand!"

After asking about the details of the project review, in roughly half an hour, the Jeep Grand Cherokee drove into the residential compound.

Just as it came to a steady stop and they were preparing to get out, the phone rang. Lin Sicheng glanced at it and answered it smoothly: "Brother Jing!"

"Cousin Lin, you're not busy, are you? Brother would like to treat you to a meal tonight!"

He called himself "Brother," but his tone was extremely ingratiating, even carrying a hint of sycophancy.

Lin Sicheng suppressed a laugh: "Brother Jing, is Editor-in-Chief Lan urging you again?"

"Urging? It's more than that; she's practically holding a knife to my neck—Cousin Lin, Brother will kowtow to you: please help me, find a way to set up an appointment with the old Dean. I guarantee: as long as the old Dean speaks a golden word, the old lady will definitely let me off the hook—"

Lin Sicheng sighed: The reason Editor-in-Chief Lan has a good relationship with the old Dean is simply because they are from the same hometown and both work in the cultural system.

Furthermore, they are not related; the old Dean doesn't even know who Jing Zeyang is, so how could he ask him to speak up?

Jing Zeyang actually wanted to entrust the teacher or the teacher's wife to help, but it was hard to bring it up directly, so he could only find a stepping stone first to create an opportunity.

Lin Sicheng spoke the truth: "Brother Jing, don't consider the old Dean's side. How about this, we'll go over and take a look tomorrow first, and if it doesn't work, we'll think of another way?"

"Okay, okay, no problem—" Jing Zeyang agreed without delay. "Then Cousin Lin, I'll book the place right now, please do me the honor—"

Having just come down from the wine table, how could he possibly swallow anything else?

"Brother Jing, don't be in a hurry, let's talk after the matter is handled!"

"Good, then tomorrow?"

"Yes, tomorrow morning!"

After another round of thanks, Jing Zeyang finally hung up the phone.

Wang Qi Zhi glanced over: "What is Jing San'er up to again?"

"It's still about the performance accident from last time. He said he wanted me to help ask the old Dean Zhang of the Cultural Relics Research Institute to put in a good word for him."

"Does Dean Zhang even know who he is?" Wang Qi Zhi squinted his eyes. "This kid isn't plotting against me, is he?"

Lin Sicheng had mentioned this, and Wang Qi Zhi knew about it. He felt at the time: since Jing Zeyang was asking Lin Sicheng for help, why didn't he let Lin Sicheng go directly to him, the teacher, instead of taking such a long way around?

"More or less, but I guess he was embarrassed!"

With Jing Zeyang's thick skin, would he be embarrassed?

He hadn't grasped Lin Sicheng's pulse, and it was more likely he had some doubts about the relationship between himself and Lin Sicheng, fearing that if the matter wasn't handled, it would instead make things distant between him and Lin Sicheng.

"How about this, you go take a look tomorrow. If you can't handle it, tell him to bring a case of Moutai to the house to find me in the evening!"

"

Lin Sicheng was stunned: "Ah?"

"Don't 'ah' me!" Wang Qi Zhi leaned back. "Just for the fact that on the day you had the accident, he was willing to risk his life to save you, he is worth me helping him out!"

Subconsciously, Lin Sicheng recalled the scene in the Panjiayuan Treasury where they were blocked by more than a dozen knife-wielding men: if Fang Jin hadn't desperately held him back, Jing Zeyang really would have dared to charge over.

The more it is at such a time, the more one can see a person's character. In Wang Qi Zhi's words: whether one can succeed is one thing, but whether one dares to do it is another; it depends on the attitude.

Lin Sicheng paused: "Thank you, Teacher!"

Wang Qi Zhi waved his hand indifferently.

The sun poked its head out, and the morning wind swept past the old willow tree by the river, causing the remaining yellow leaves to fall with a rustle.

A long bamboo pole passed through the railing, and the broken ice on the river surface was smashed into a dozen pieces. Several old ladies clutched breadcrumbs, sprinkling them down bit by bit.

With a few "quacks," the wild ducks took waddling steps, crossed the withered grass on the bank, and jumped into the river with a "splash, splash."

Jing Zeyang leaned against the hood of the car, a pile of cigarette butts at his feet.

Seeing Lin Sicheng from afar, he rubbed his face vigorously and walked over to meet him.

As soon as he approached, Lin Sicheng was startled. In Jing Zeyang's own words: How come it looks like I've been run over after not seeing you for a few days?

Their eyes met, and Lin Sicheng looked strange: "Brother Jing, is it really that bad?"

"Cousin Lin, you don't understand!" Jing Zeyang sighed deeply, "If I really get fired, those guys will laugh me to death."

Understood, just as the old Beijingers often say: what one lives for is face————

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Then let's go!"

Jing Zeyang took a step ahead and helped him open the back door of the car.

The semi-new Accord was kept quite clean and had a faint scent of perfume.

Glancing slightly to the side, a rather pretty girl was sitting in the driver's seat, emitting the same scent.

Thinking he hadn't slept well for a few days, Jing Zeyang hadn't dared to drive and had specifically found a driver.

Jing Zeyang hurriedly introduced: "This is my colleague from the same group, Shen Xiaomeng!"

The girl smiled: "Hello!"

Lin Sicheng got into the back seat: "Hello, my name is Lin Sicheng!"

After a simple greeting, Jing Zeyang sat in the front passenger seat and fastened his seatbelt: "Cousin Lin, where are we going?"

"To the troupe first!"

What the hell?

Jing Zeyang froze, his eyelids fluttering: Wasn't it agreed that you'd bring an expert to help me hold down the fort?

So, you're just going by yourself?

After a brief pause, his two eyeballs rolled around, and Jing Zeyang obeyed: "Okay, to the troupe!"

The girl was confused instead: "Aren't we going to pick someone up?"

Jing Zeyang winked fiercely: "Not picking anyone up, going straight to the troupe!"

The girl didn't understand and stood there blankly, so Jing Zeyang made an OK gesture again.

As long as Lin Sicheng agreed to help, he would definitely be able to help. No matter what method he used, as long as the matter could be resolved, that was fine.

The reason he didn't bring anyone else must just be to go through the motions————

Thinking this to himself, Jing Zeyang turned his head back, his face full of smiles: "Cousin Lin, what would you like to eat for lunch? I'll book a place in advance!"

Lin Sicheng smiled: "Brother Jing, don't stand on ceremony with me!"

"Alright, alright————no ceremony!"

It was quite far, nearly twenty kilometers, and it was the morning rush hour, so it took almost an hour to drive.

Passing Chaoyang Park and then Sanyuan Bridge, the Accord stopped at the entrance of Dongfang Building.

In the earliest days, the Central Song and Dance Troupe was right here; in 1996, it was restructured, merged with the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe and the Light Music Troupe, and renamed the China Song and Dance Troupe.

In 2002, it was restructured again to establish the Oriental Art Group, with a total of seven major divisions; the dance division alone had three: the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe, the Oriental Dance Troupe, and the China Song and Dance Troupe.

Under each of these, it was further divided into three dance troupes: folk, classical, and modern.

If one were to print a business card, in front of Jing Zeyang's name would be: Oriental Art Group Company——China Song and Dance Troupe Song and Dance Creation Center——Classical Song and Dance Choreography Studio——Intern Choreographer of the * Group.

Therefore, Lin Sicheng had always been curious: what kind of disaster did Jing Zeyang have to cause, and what kind of performance accident did he have to have, for a leader at the level of General Manager Lan to pursue him so relentlessly, vowing not to stop until he was fired?

Thinking this to himself, the three of them entered the building; Jing Zeyang had reported it in advance and had specifically prepared a temporary badge for Lin Sicheng.

They went up to the seventh floor, and Jing Zeyang brought Lin Sicheng to the Bian Dao Shi. A horizontal sign hung at the entrance: Fourth Choreography Room.

The place was quite large, with glass at both ends, an electronic screen directly opposite, and a circle of conference tables placed against the wall on the opposite side.

But it was empty inside.

After entering, Jing Zeyang made a cup of tea. Lin Sicheng took it and looked at him again.

Jing Zeyang didn't understand.

"Brother Jing, where are the materials?"

Jing Zeyang looked bewildered: "What?"

Lin Sicheng was the one who froze: "The materials, the design plan, and the drafts————didn't we talk about this before? You didn't prepare them?"

Nonsense, he was almost being forced to jump off a building, how could he not have prepared them?

The problem is, Cousin Lin, who are you planning to show them to?

Jing Zeyang stared at Lin Sicheng with bulging eyes for a long time.

Then, he lowered his voice: "Cousin Lin, give me the bottom line, did Third Uncle give the word?"

He had indeed given the word, but he couldn't tell Jing Zeyang directly. Otherwise, given Jing Zeyang's personality, he would definitely climb up the pole as soon as it was offered.

It was even harder to say if there would be no end to it in the future. So, this had nothing to do with whether the two of them were close or not.

Lin Sicheng didn't even blink: "Teacher doesn't know yet!"

"Ah?"

"Don't 'ah' me!" Lin Sicheng put down the Tea Cup, "You asked me for help, shouldn't you let me see how to help first?"

As he spoke, Lin Sicheng picked up his bag and started taking things out one by one.

After glancing at them a few times, Jing Zeyang looked as if he had frozen.

Manuscript paper, manuscript paper, it was all manuscript paper.

But it wasn't the blank kind; it was covered with words and pictures.

Looking closer, weren't these classical musical scores and dance notations?

"Does it look familiar?" Lin Sicheng pointed at the manuscript paper, "You've seen a part of what's in here:"

"It's that dance score we picked up at Panjiayuan last time. The rest is what I picked up in Shanxi. Don't worry, it's absolutely classical, absolutely authentic."

No—is this a question of whether it's classical or authentic?

Looking at the materials on the table, a bad premonition surfaced in Jing Zeyang's heart: "Cousin Lin, what are you planning to do?"

"Isn't it time to redesign the proposal? I'll design a set for you."

What did you say?

It is no exaggeration at all; in an instant, Jing Zeyang's eyes went blank.

At the very beginning, when Lin Sicheng asked him to prepare the draft and design proposal, Jing Zeyang truly thought that Lin Sicheng was preparing to hire an expert for him.

It was likely unfeasible, because the trouble he had caused this time was too great; no one dared to take the heat for him while staring down the barrel of Lan Laotaitai's gun. And the circle was only so big; those who didn't fear Lan Laotaitai and dared to actually help him could be counted on one hand.

The key was that there wasn't a single one he could reach. That included his father, as well as his two uncles.

Therefore, when Lin Sicheng said he would ask someone to help him take a look, Jing Zeyang didn't make a sound: he thought he would let Lin Sicheng make inquiries first, and if he couldn't find anyone, he would naturally think of other tricks for him.

Even just now when they got in the car, when Lin Sicheng said they would go to the troupe to take a look first, Jing Zeyang still thought that Lin Sicheng was just going through the motions, and would then ask Wang Sanshu to step in.

Because the greater the difficulty, the greater the favor owed.

But Jing Zeyang didn't expect that Lin Sicheng actually wanted to help him: by doing it himself, and helping him redesign a set of proposals?

The key was: from beginning to end, Lin Sicheng had been preparing this way, which was why he had him organize the materials and design the draft.

At first thought, it felt extremely unbelievable: did Lin Sicheng want to help him, or did he want to ruin him?

Jing Zeyang bit the tip of his tongue to steady himself: "Cousin Lin, have you studied dance choreography!"

Lin Sicheng shook his head: "No."

"Studied classical music?"

Lin Sicheng shook his head again: "No, neither!"

"Do you know fashion design, or body movement design?"

Lin Sicheng still shook his head: "I don't know either!"

"Then how do you plan to do it?"

"Copy! Copying award-winning works is copying, but isn't copying classical dance scores still copying?" Lin Sicheng pointed at the manuscript paper on the table, "Copying this, at least no one will sue you!"

Jing Zeyang's whole body jolted, his two eyes staring straight ahead, not knowing what to say.

Cousin Lin, oh Cousin Lin, do you think this is a math problem where there is only one correct answer?

This is dance design!

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