Chapter 403: Is It Really That Exaggerated?

The morning light shone into the window, and the frost patterns projected bizarre and motley shapes.

Wang Qi Zhi leaned lazily against the sofa, cradling the phone between his neck and shoulder.

Not knowing what was being said on the other end, Wang Qi Zhi nodded incessantly: "Yes, yes... Division Chief Chen, don't you worry, once I see Lin Sicheng, I will definitely tell him." "Oh right, and regarding the school side: as soon as I go back, I will report to the school leadership..."

"Sigh, yes, yes... Division Chief Chen, goodbye..."

After exchanging a few polite words and hanging up, Wang Qi Zhi had just put down the receiver when the phone rang again: "Ring-a-ling-a-ling."

He glanced at the caller ID; it was another combination of an area code and an extension number. Looking at the starting digits, nine times out of ten, it was another department or bureau.

Sighing, he picked it up. The person on the other end got straight to the point, saying they were the Deputy Director-General of the Art Department of the Ministry of Culture, surnamed Li.

Wang Qi Zhi reminisced for a long time before finally remembering: "Director Li, my apologies, I didn't know you had moved to the Art Department..."

"Yes, yes, of course I remember, we even had a meal together the year before last... When I went to the Ministry with Dean Deng last month, I even saw your secretary..." "Ah, Lin Sicheng? He didn't come back last night, and his phone is turned off... No problem, Director Li, if you have any instructions, I will pass them on to him... Oh, the leadership of the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe wants to meet with him?"

"Ah, his phone is turned off? I didn't know that yet... Don't you worry, I will definitely pass it on after he returns... Sigh, yes, yes..."

The person on the other end said "Goodbye" and hung up. Wang Qi Zhi stared with wide eyes: How many is this now?

Five or six?

Is this haunted?

Just as he was muttering, there was another "Ring-a-ling" sound. Wang Qi Zhi took a peek: this time it wasn't an extension, it was a mobile number.

But his movement to answer the phone was much faster than before; he grabbed the receiver before it could ring a second time.

At the same time, his face was piled with smiles: "Sister!"

There was a "rustle-rustle" sound, as if someone was flipping through documents, and then Wang Qiguang's voice came through: "What's wrong with your phone? Why is it turned off for no reason?" Wang Qi Zhi didn't know what to say.

Last night, Lin Sicheng had suddenly called him: Teacher, you better turn off your phone quickly, otherwise you won't be able to sleep tonight.

Wang Qi Zhi asked him why, and Lin Sicheng said: He had choreographed a dance for Jing Zeyang, and the quality was unexpectedly good. The leadership of the Song and Dance Troupe and the Beijing Dance Academy probably wouldn't be willing to let him go and would definitely make him, the teacher, work on the student's mindset.

At the time, Wang Qi Zhi was still puzzled: In just three or four days, how high could the quality of the dance Lin Sicheng choreographed be?

Besides, he didn't even know the leadership of the Beijing Dance Academy or the Song and Dance Troupe, so how would they call him?

But even though he said that, Lin Sicheng still persuaded him to turn off his phone. Although Wang Qi Zhi agreed, he didn't take it to heart.

As it turned out, neither of them expected: even with the mobile phone off, there was still the landline.

That's right, Wang Qi Zhi didn't know the leadership of the Song and Dance Troupe or the Beijing Dance Academy, but this was Beijing; there were plenty of people who knew Wang Qi Zhi.

There were only so many ministries and commissions; by pulling a few strings, one could always find someone who had a connection.

And so, just at eight o'clock, while Wang Qi Zhi was still groggy with sleep, the landline sounded like it was exploding, ringing over and over again.

When he got up to look, it was actually a call from the Ministry of Culture; Wang Qi Zhi didn't dare not answer.

Then, once he answered, it went on for over half an hour. As soon as he hung up on one, another one would call in.

If it wasn't the Beijing Dance Academy pulling strings, it was the Song and Dance Troupe calling in favors. They had all sorts of excuses, but the core was just one: Professor Wang, can we borrow your student for a couple of days?

You don't need to worry about your school side; the secondment letter and the paperwork are all easy to handle, as long as your student agrees.

Every word and phrase implied only one meaning: if you have any demands, just state them; as long as you dare to ask, we dare to agree...

It left Wang Qi Zhi completely bewildered: Wait... Lin Sicheng only choreographed a single dance, right?

Looking again at the units that had called: the Art Education Department of the Ministry of Education, the Art Education Committee, the Art Department and the Social Culture Department of the Ministry of Culture. There was even the Science and Education Department of the Cultural Relics Bureau and the Cultural Heritage Research Institute.

For the first time, Wang Qi Zhi realized that his connections within the art regulatory departments were actually so extensive, and that he actually knew so many people?

Secretly sighing with emotion, Wang Qi Zhi explained the situation. Wang Qiguang let out a "Ha," "No wonder the calls reached me; so you both turned your phones off?"

Wang Qi Zhi was startled: Good heavens?

"Sister, did they call you?"

"Nonsense, among those who know you, who doesn't know I'm your sister? Since they couldn't find Little Lin, they had to find you, the teacher? If they couldn't find you, they had to find me, right?"

"But why are the leaders of the Song and Dance Troupe and the principal of the Beijing Dance Academy, and even the Dean of the Central Academy of Fine Arts involved? The things they said were even stranger: they asked me to inquire if you could second Little Lin over to help out for a few days?"

Wang Qiguang looked exceptionally puzzled, "The problem is: these places are either art performance units or art education institutions. Little Lin studies Cultural Relics and Archaeology, what help could he possibly provide?"

Wang Qi Zhi gnashed his teeth: "Sister, I want to know that too!"

Thinking about what Lin Sicheng said on the phone last night: he had only translated a few dance postures from ancient scores, translated a piece of music, and choreographed a dance for Jing Zeyang...

But if it were really that simple, why would the Beijing Dance Academy and the Song and Dance Troupe need to pull so many strings, and even call the second sister?

These people went to such great lengths, how could it possibly be just to borrow him for a few days?

How does that saying go: Liu Bei borrowing Jingzhou...

Wang Qi Zhi explained a bit.

Wang Qiguang was merely curious, because this matter definitely depended on Lin Sicheng's wishes. Since he had turned off his phone in advance and even warned Wang Qi Zhi, his attitude was very clear: he did not agree.

She didn't intend to give Lin Sicheng any advice either. After saying a few more words, Wang Qiguang changed the subject: "Where is Little Lin? Why isn't he at home?" Wang Qi Zhi replied offhandedly: "His assistant came to Beijing, so they are staying at a hotel together."

"Oh, an assistant?" Wang Qiguang recalled, "I remember his assistant is named Li Zhen, right?"

Oh boy...

Wang Qi Zhi was struck with terror: he had let it slip without thinking.

Ye Anning didn't worry about anyone else, but she worried most about this Li Zhen, and she must have nagged the second sister about it...

Wang Qi Zhi steadied himself: "Sister, that's ancient history! His current assistant is named Fang Jin; I found him myself, he's a man. Although Li Zhen also came, there's another young girl, and the two of them are staying together..."

"Tsk," Wang Qiguang looked disgusted, "Who asked you about that?"

To be honest, Lin Sicheng's character was still quite solid. In the words of Ye Xing'an: he was practically living like a puritan...

"So what day are you leaving?"

"It depends on how Lin Sicheng arranges it, probably in the next two days!"

"Alright, let me know before you leave, let's have a meal together!"

"Of course!"

Even if Wang Qiguang hadn't mentioned it, Wang Qi Zhi would have arranged it.

After chatting for a few more sentences, Wang Qiguang hung up the phone, and Wang Qi Zhi pulled the phone line out by habit.

Finally some peace and quiet?

He let out a breath and took out his mobile phone again.

This Xijing number could not be used for the time being, but he still had his Beijing number.

Lin Sicheng's mobile phone was definitely turned off, but that number for the Criminal Investigation Division had not been revoked. Besides, the phones of Fang Jin, Li Zhen, and Xiao Yuzhu could all be reached. Wang Qi Zhi pondered whether he should call Lin Sicheng back to ask him something. But he was also afraid that if others couldn't find the two of them, they would come knocking.

If they could even find out the landline number, finding out where his house was would be a simple matter.

Just as he was hesitating, "Ding-ling," "ding-ling," the doorbell rang twice.

Speak of the devil, and the devil appears?

Wang Qi Zhi sighed and got up to open the door.

Seeing the few people standing outside the door, he narrowed his eyes.

There were four people, and he only recognized Jing Zeyang, who was currently baring his teeth and grinning foolishly at him.

Behind him were three girls, each one prettier than the last, and each one with a better figure than the last.

Calling out "Uncle Wang San," Jing Zeyang carried the items inside, but Wang Qi Zhi reached out to stop him: "Wait, San'er, what are you doing?" "I'm looking for Cousin Lin?" Jing Zeyang said with a look of complete justification, "Uncle, why is his phone turned off?"

Wang Qi Zhi was stunned: No... Jing San'er, what kind of nonsense are you spouting?

The day before yesterday, when Lin Sicheng went to the hotel, wasn't it you who helped him move his luggage?

His phone might be off, but after hanging out for so long and nearly getting stabbed together, you dare say you don't have Fang Jin's number?

While thinking this, he looked at the four people carrying bags large and small, and then at the three girls who were impossibly pretty yet looked timid, and Wang Qi Zhi suddenly realized: These three must be actors from the song and dance troupe. Adding Jing Zeyang, they were definitely entrusted by the troupe to come specifically to find Lin Sicheng.

But having played together for so long, the moment Jing Zeyang saw Lin Sicheng's phone was off, he knew what he meant, so he deliberately pretended not to know where Lin Sicheng was.

Tsk, this kid is quite cunning?

Praising him inwardly, Wang Qi Zhi stepped aside to let them in.

Jing Zeyang was not at all shy, leading the three girls to carry the items into the storage room.

Things that needed freezing were put in the refrigerator, and things easy to store were put in the cabinets, while he kept talking: "Uncle, these were all found by people arranged by our troupe leaders. They aren't very expensive, don't be polite, when you and Cousin Lin go back to Xijing, just take them along..."

They were indeed not expensive, but they were absolutely authentic: Quanjude roast duck, Tianfu Hao braised Pig Trotter, Zhang Yiyuan jasmine tea, Ziguangyuan milk skin... and so on, the four of them brought over a dozen bags, and the cabinets were almost unable to hold them.

Wang Qi Zhi nodded: "Fine, I will thank your leaders on behalf of Lin Sicheng!"

"Alright..." came the reply, and Jing Zeyang looked around, "Uncle, where is Cousin Lin?"

"Oh, he hasn't been back for several days, I don't know either!"

"What should we do then?" Jing Zeyang looked distressed, "Our leaders gave a strict order that I must see Cousin Lin..." Wang Qi Zhi looked surprised: "What is it, that you're in such a hurry?"

Jing Zeyang sighed: "It's nothing big, it's just that he helped our unit a great deal, and the leaders want to express their gratitude properly..." "Helped a great deal, when did this happen?"

"Just yesterday!"

The big one and the small one were acting their hearts out, and the three girls didn't notice at all.

Wang Qi Zhi even made them tea, and after sitting for about ten minutes, Jing Zeyang got up to leave.

The three girls stood up and walked to the door, but the last two suddenly turned around.

Both of their expressions were equally strange: hesitant, pitiful, and indecisive.

After struggling for a long time, as if they had agreed upon it, the two of them bowed to Wang Qi Zhi first.

After straightening up, the tall one blushed: "Professor Wang, my surname is Yu, and my name is Yu Jingsi. This is Yang Lin... Please, help me say thank you to Teacher Lin..."

No... thank you is thank you, why are you blushing?

And why are both of you blushing at the same time?

Turning these thoughts over, Wang Qi Zhi looked at Jing Zeyang, who was staring with wide eyes and an open mouth, as if he were stunned.

Seeing Wang Qi Zhi staring at him, Jing Zeyang's eyes kept Floating, not daring to look into Wang Qi Zhi's eyes.

Wang Qi Zhi was stunned for a moment: What did Lin Sicheng do to move these two girls like this?

While he was guessing wildly, the two girls bowed again, and then the four of them entered the elevator.

From far away, Wang Qi Zhi narrowed his eyes and glared, and Jing Zeyang gave a sheepish laugh.

Subsequently, the elevator closed.

Watching the red numbers jump, Wang Qi Zhi was suspicious: It's only been a few days?

No, I have to make a call and ask.

He went into the room and rummaged through boxes and cabinets to find the phone card, finding it after a while.

Just as he installed it and turned it on, before he could make a call, there was another "Ding-dong."

Along with the doorbell came Jing Zeyang's voice: "Uncle, it's me!"

Wang Qi Zhi opened the door, pulled him in, and looked behind him: "Where are those three?"

"They have another car and went back to the unit first. I said I would think of another way to find Cousin Lin..."

"What's the deal with those two girls?"

"They are the A and B leads of our team. We decided at the meeting this morning that they will be the leads for the dance Cousin Lin choreographed..." Jing Zeyang looked proud, "Uncle, I'm not lying to you: if they perform well, it will be at least a ministerial-level award. It's a wonder they didn't kneel down and kowtow to you..."

Wang Qi Zhi was half-believing: It's only a ministerial-level award?

Would a ministerial-level award make the song and dance troupe and the Beijing Dance Academy go crazy looking for Lin Sicheng?

But is that what I'm asking about?

Wang Qi Zhi squinted: "Thanking is thanking, why are they blushing?"

Jing Zeyang paused, his eyes darting around. Just as a lie reached his lips, Wang Qi Zhi slapped him: "You better tell me the truth!"

Jing Zeyang clutched his head with a bitter expression: Seriously, damn it.

It was his own fault; this morning, when Lan Laotaitai entrusted them to bring things to Lin Sicheng, he had an intuition that these two women were acting strange.

But Jing Zeyang thought, anyway, they wouldn't be able to see Lin Sicheng, and if he didn't let them come along, the troupe leaders would definitely be suspicious, so he brought them. He never expected them to pull a stunt like this?

"It's not... Yu Jingsi, Yang Lin, aren't you two returning kindness with enmity?"

Wang Qi Zhi slapped over again, and Jing Zeyang dodged: "Third Uncle, I guarantee to you, it is absolutely not what you are thinking: these two are just too excited."

"Bullshit, do you take me for a blind man?"

Jing Zeyang held up three fingers and pointed at the light: "Really, I swear to heaven: Cousin Lin was just giving them some guidance on their dance moves... besides, the classroom is full of people every day, what could they possibly do?"

Wang Qi Zhi slapped him again: Nonsense, do I not know what kind of personality Lin Sicheng has?

He doesn't even touch what is right at his lips, let alone someone he has only known for a few days?

He was just puzzled: It is as if Lin Sicheng is under a peach blossom curse, how can he run into such things wherever he goes?

After punching Jing Zeyang a few times, Wang Qi Zhi asked carefully about the choreography.

Jing Zeyang talked incessantly, spittle flying everywhere. It was as if that dance, which shocked the troupe leaders into holding an all-night meeting, had been choreographed by him.

Wang Qi Zhi, however, was half-believing and half-doubting: According to the song and dance troupe leaders, this dance choreographed by Lin Sicheng has a high possibility of being approved as a National Social Science Fund Project? Could it really be that exaggerated?