Chapter 451: How Many People Owe Him a Favor

Offering a polite greeting, Lin Sicheng walked around the chairs: "General Manager Li, General Manager Jin, your seats are in the front; let me take you there."

"No need." Li Guojun hurriedly waved his hand, his eyes darting around: "Old Jin, how about we just sit here?"

Jin Hao nodded quickly: "Yes, yes, yes, let's just sit here!"

Before he had even finished speaking, he sat down right where he was, pressing close to Lin Sicheng, and Li Guojun sat down next to him.

Seeing Lin Sicheng standing still, Li Guojun even gestured: "Teacher Lin, we're all family here, don't be so formal, sit!"

The phrase "all family" left Lin Sicheng not knowing how to respond.

Gu Ming had said: fearing being looked down upon by the Hu family, Gu Kaishan had specifically invited several close friends to come and bolster the prestige of Lin Chengxin (Lin Siping's father).

Lin Siping's dad) to bolster the momentum.

Li Guojun was Gu Kaishan's prospective in-law; it was not at all strange for him to bring along business partners to join in the excitement.

But what was strange was: why sit here?

Not to mention sitting at the main table in the first row, at the very least one should sit in the second row; otherwise, who would know you were a big boss with a net worth of over a hundred million?

He was stunned for a long moment: "General Manager Li, General Manager Jin, it is not appropriate for you to sit here!"

"Teacher Lin, there is nothing inappropriate about it; where isn't one eating a banquet?"

After replying, Li Guojun pointed at Jin Hao, "Old Jin has been nagging me to set a time so he could express his gratitude to you in person, but Gu Ming said you were always busy, so I didn't have the nerve to call. Since we ran into you today, Teacher Lin, no matter what, you must give us a chance—"

Lin Sicheng was between laughter and tears: "General Manager Li, General Manager Jin, you have already sent over a million; how else do you want to express your gratitude?"

"Teacher Lin, it's different!" Jin Hao shook his head with a sigh, "If it weren't for you, I would still be sitting in jail right now!"

It was a coincidence: last autumn, the Municipal Appraisal Center invited the Xida Cultural Heritage Protection College to visit and provide guidance, and through a twist of fate, Lin Sicheng discovered a Kangxi Imitation Xuande Censer that a Cultural Relics dealer was using to wash goods.

The item was genuine, but in order to transport it out of the country, the dealer had added a layer of crust, packaging it as a fake. Jin Hao's appraisal skills were not up to par, and he had appraised it as genuine.

But before a month had passed, the incense burner began to shed its skin, the buyer reported it, and the Public Security Appraisal Center appraised it as fake.

The seller had long since run off, and Jin Hao, who had performed the appraisal and provided the guarantee, became the prime suspect. With a case value of over four million, it had reached the level of "an especially large amount," and the procuratorate recommended a sentence of over seven years.

Fortunately, the situation took a turn for the better: Lin Sicheng peeled off the artificially aged crust, the fake incense burner turned back into a real one, and General Manager Jin was cleared of his false charges.

In Lin Sicheng's view, he had simply been in the right place at the right time and helped out a little. But in the eyes of Li Guojun and Jin Hao: Lin Sicheng had not only preserved their hundred-million-yuan net worth, but had also saved their lives.

The reason was simple: in the antique business, few people don't skirt the edges. Especially those who deal in imitating the ancients; out of ten, all ten are walking on the edge of the gray and black zones.

If it doesn't hit the scales, it's only two or three ounces. But once it hits the scales, even a thousand pounds won't hold it down. If they were to dig to the bottom, let alone seven years, combined, General Manager Li and General Manager Jin would be looking at at least thirty years or more.

Their so-called hundred-million-yuan net worth might not even be enough to cover all the fines.

Therefore, paying off such a debt of gratitude with a mere million was like a joke. Furthermore, on the day the Intangible Cultural Heritage Center was unveiled, they had seen with their own eyes what kind of people had come to congratulate Lin Sicheng.

The Cultural Bureau, the Cultural Relics Bureau, the Public Security Bureau—these were offices they couldn't even get through the doors of on a normal day.

Not to mention having a good relationship, just being able to establish some connection could be a huge help at a critical moment.

In a flash, the two sat down right there, and the usher leading the guests had no choice but to go find the person in charge.

Gu Kaishan had just gone up on stage and couldn't get away for the moment, so only Lin Chengxin could come to invite them. Before he even reached them, the two hurriedly stood up again.

Hands were extended, and waists were bent—

A group of classmates looked at one another.

They felt these two were even more exaggerated than Li Xinfang before; seeing Lin Sicheng, it was like a small fry in a government office seeing a high-ranking leader, indescribably humble, indescribably polite.

If one could say Li Xinfang was acting before, then these two—surely they couldn't be acting too?

One had to ask, for what reason? It wasn't worth it.

But for a moment, they couldn't figure out what was going on with these two.

Beside them, it was the same; Hu Kun frowned, his face full of suspicion: "I know these two; Gu Kaishan brought them to eat with Fourth Uncle. Both are antique dealers, and they do quite a large business; they should have tens of millions or a hundred million. But why are they so humble when they see this kid?"

Humble might be an overstatement, but they were certainly quite respectful. Gao Zhanhong was thoughtful: "Didn't you say his grandfather was some archaeology professor?"

"Huh—" Hu Kun was stunned for a moment, as if he had found the answer, "So that's how it is?"

"Otherwise, what else could it be?" Gao Zhanhong picked up his tea cup and took a sip, "He's just a college student; besides that, where else could he be worth a big boss with a hundred million bowing and scraping to him?"

Hu Kun agreed deeply, nodding incessantly.

Immediately, his eyes lit up: "Auntie Wu is here?"

Gao Zhanhong put down his tea cup: "Let's go!"

As he spoke, the two stood up and walked toward the entrance.

Having arranged for someone specifically, Hu Chenguang knew even earlier: the moment the car arrived at the parking lot, he and his wife went out to greet them.

Together with them were Lin Chengxin and his wife.

The police car stopped steadily at the bottom of the steps, the back door pushed open, and a woman wearing a police uniform stepped out.

She was about fifty, slightly plump: "Director Hu, congratulations!"

Hu Chenguang reached out to shake her hand: "Division Chief Wu's presence makes this place shine!"

Then, he specifically introduced Lin Chengxin and his wife to the woman. Thinking she was the leader of their in-laws, the couple was very polite.

Immediately, Xi Huifen stepped forward, taking Wu Ling's arm: "Sister Wu, let me take you over!"

The woman smiled very kindly: "Huifen, you go about your business, don't be so formal!"

"Sister Wu, there's nothing to be busy with!" Xi Huifen looked apologetic: "You being able to come, Old Hu and I are both very happy!"

"

The two were talking as they entered the hall. They happened to run into Gao Zhanhong. The mother and son each took out a red envelope, asking Hu Kun to give it to Hu Jiajia.

Watching his wife's eager manner, Hu Chenguang's eyes narrowed slightly: his wife didn't know anything, she only felt she had wronged the other party.

But he was very clear about what this woman was calculating and how disgusting she was: it was this crazy woman who caused trouble, making it so that everyone, whether they knew her or not, knew that his daughter had gotten on the bus before buying the ticket.

It's fine, we'll take it slow.

Just as he was thinking this, with a "squeak," a Leopard with police plates stopped in a parking space.

One look at the license plate and he knew that the two from the Chang'an Branch Bureau had arrived, and Hu Chenguang hurriedly went down the steps to greet them.

With a "bang," two Police officers stepped out of the car, and the laughter of Guan Xingmin drifted over from afar: "Director Hu, congratulations!"

"Director Guan, Lao Liu, congratulations to you both as well!" Hu Chenguang was very happy, his smile clearly much more sincere than before, "Please, come in, please!"

Being in the same system, the two had known each other for a long time. Later, Guan Xingmin went to the Chang'an Branch Bureau, and Hu Chenguang went to the Qujiang Branch Bureau; the two districts were adjacent, so they had even more dealings with each other.

What's more, Political Commissar Lao Liu was his old partner; previously, one was a station chief and the other was a deputy station chief.

After shaking hands and introducing Lin Chengxin and his wife, Hu Chenguang personally led them inside: "Director Guan, Lao Liu, you brought a driver, right? Let's have a good drink today—"

"I have no problem with that, of course, but Director Guan has a bottomless capacity. Old Hu, can you keep up?"

Hu Chenguang let out a "ha": "If I can't drink him under the table, can't I just throw it all up?"

The three of them joked as they entered the lobby. They happened to run into Wu Ling, and the group exchanged greetings.

Likewise, one by one, Red Envelopes were stuffed into the hands of Hu Jiajia.

Hu Chenguang wanted to continue leading them forward, but was stopped by Guan Xingmin, who said there were still colleagues behind and he couldn't just attend to them alone.

Then, led by Hu Gang and Hu Kun toward the bride's side, they all turned around and saw the guide sign next to the Groom and bride; Guan Xingmin paused subconsciously:

Welcome, Father: Hu Chenguang.

Respectfully invite, Mother: Xi Huifen.

Bride: Hu Jiajia.

This was the bride's side; next to it was another sign: Father: Lin Chengxin, Mother: Gu Ping. Groom: Lin Siping.

Lao Liu had mentioned that Old Hu's in-laws were surnamed Lin, locals of Xijing, and were relatives of Gu Kaishan. As for which part of Xijing they were from or what they did, Guan Xingmin hadn't really asked in detail.

But seeing it now: Lin Chengxin, Lin Siping, the father is of the 'Cheng' generation, the son is of the 'Si' generation—isn't that the same naming order as Lin Sicheng and his father?

The key point was, wasn't Station Chief Gu Kaishan also a relative of Lin Sicheng?

Suspicious, Guan Xingmin looked at Hu Gang: "Young man, is the Groom from Qujiang?"

Although he hadn't been introduced, having heard his Sixth Uncle address him, he knew this man was surnamed Guan. Hu Gang hurriedly smiled: "Yes, Director Guan!"

"What is the relationship between Director Lin Chengzhi of the Funeral Home and the Groom's father today?"

"Oh, he is my brother-in-law's cousin," Hu Gang pointed backward, "He is also the head organizer today."

Guan Xingmin turned his head to look: on one side of the stage, Lin Chengzhi was arranging for the Second Steward to prepare cigarettes, alcohol, shoes, and socks to thank the Matchmaker after the ceremony began. Gu Kaishan stood nearby, muttering and being picky.

Standing next to them were two others; one was Station Chief Gu's wife, and the other, wasn't that Lin Sicheng's mother?

"Then, has Lin Sicheng arrived?"

"He has, he's at the Best Man's table!" Hu Gang pointed, "Do you know him?"

More than just know him.

Guan Xingmin owed his current position as Director to Lin Sicheng.

He peered over and saw Li Guojun sitting next to Lin Sicheng; Guan Xingmin was immediately amused: Old Li really knows how to pick a spot?

With this thought in mind, he took a detour and walked toward Lin Sicheng's table.

Hu Gang was stunned for a moment: "Director Guan, the bride's main table is over here?"

"It's fine, you go about your business!" Guan Xingmin waved his hand and called to the Political Commissar, "Lao Liu, let me introduce you to a friend!"

Assuming they had just run into an acquaintance, Liu Xun didn't pay much mind and followed behind.

Hu Gang didn't dare to be negligent: his Sixth Uncle was only a one-bar-three, but this man was a two-bar-two.

He hurriedly instructed Hu Kun to lead Wu Ling and Gao Zhanhong to the main table and quickly chased after them.

Hu Kun led the mother and son forward, while Gao Zhanhong kept looking over there. Seeing Guan Xingmin stop at Lin Sicheng's table and shake hands with Li Guojun and Jin Hao one by one, he suddenly realized:

Guan Xingmin loved collecting; everyone in the bureau knew that. Since these two were antique dealers, wasn't it normal for them to know each other?

What's more, there was also the connection through Gu Kaishan?

Glancing over, Gao Zhanhong lowered his voice: "Mom, why did Director Guan come? I haven't heard that his relationship with Hu Chenguang was that good?"

Wu Ling thought for a moment: "It might be out of respect for Liu Xun; after all, Liu Xun and Hu Chenguang spent six years in the same station!"

Gao Zhanhong was half-convinced: is that the only reason?

Previously, he and Hu Kun had calculated that among the leaders who came today, besides his mother, the highest-ranking one was this Political Commissar Liu.

He was only a two-bar-one, and having just been promoted from the detachment to the branch bureau, there was no need to be too wary.

But Guan Xingmin was different: although he had also just been transferred to the branch bureau, Liu Xun was promoted, while he was a lateral transfer. Moreover, he had been at the Municipal Appraisal Center and was very close to the bureau leadership—

Secretly turning this over in his mind, he exchanged a look with Hu Kun, and Hu Kun gave him a wink: Brother Hong, should we reconsider our long-term plan?

Gao Zhanhong thought about it and shook his head: they had planned for so long, how could they just give up?

Besides, although a branch bureau director's influence was great, it wasn't so great that he could discover contraband and suppress the Narcotics Control Division from investigating it.

Just as he was calculating, Hu Kun poked him: "Brother Hong!"

"What is it?"

"Look?"

Gao Zhanhong raised his head subconsciously, and then, his eyelids twitched:

Guan Xingmin first shook hands with Li Guojun, then Jin Hao, and when it was Lin Sicheng's turn, he suddenly threw a punch at Lin Sicheng's shoulder.

Of course, it wasn't a real fight; it was like seeing a close friend unexpectedly and giving them a thump first, then scolding:

You bastard, when did you get back, and you didn't even say a word?

The problem was, you are a branch bureau director, and you're wearing a police uniform, for heaven's sake?

Looking closer: Guan Xingmin appeared exceptionally happy, even a bit excited—

Gao Zhanhong and Hu Kun looked at each other in dismay.

"Brother Hong, what is going on here?"

How would Gao Zhanhong know?

Although he had checked on the fly, there wasn't much: Lin Sicheng's grandfather was a professor at Xida who retired last year. His father was a small Section Chief at the Funeral Home. His mother went without saying, a teacher.

The only decent relative is Gu Kaishan, and there isn't even any blood relation. Aside from that, there is no other background.

Then what is going on with that Bureau Chief Guan?

He thought for a moment and lowered his voice: "Don't panic, it's just a bag of white sugar. Besides, we weren't the ones who reported it, and we weren't the ones who arranged the Police, so what is there to fear?"

They definitely won't be able to trace it to them; they might be suspicious, but it's useless.

Hu Kun wasn't afraid, he just felt his luck was too poor: before, he thought Lin Sicheng was a soft persimmon, but he suddenly discovered that this soft persimmon actually had a Bureau Chief friend, and it seemed he wasn't so easy to handle?

Then, after making so many arrangements, wouldn't it all be in vain?

"Not necessarily in vain; if the east isn't bright, the west will be." Gao Zhanhong sneered, "Once the video is played in a moment, I don't believe this wedding can still go through?"

Hu Kun nodded: That is for certain.

That bag of white sugar was just a whim, an impromptu move; the broadcast room side is the real main event.

He stared at Lin Sicheng: "Letting this kid off easy!"

"Don't be impatient!" Gao Zhanhong patted his shoulder, "There will be plenty of opportunities in the future!"

Just as they were speaking, Wu Ling turned around: "Zhanhong, what are you two whispering about?"

"Nothing!"

Gao Zhanhong replied, and the two of them walked quickly to catch up.

He glanced over there again: Li Guojun and Jin Hao had moved back one position, while Guan Xingmin and Liu Xun had sat down next to Lin Sicheng, one on the left and one on the right.

It seems the relationship between the two is indeed unusual.

Hu Gang stood by the table, not knowing what to do: the distinguished guest invited by the bride's family, planned to sit at the main table, had ended up sitting on the groom's side.

If Sixth Uncle finds out, won't he scold him to death?

Just as he was at a loss, Lin Sicheng smiled: "Brother Hu, you go tell Bureau Chief Hu first, I will send Bureau Chief Guan and the others over in a moment!"

That was all he could do.

If they won't go over, could he tie them up and take them?

Hu Gang nodded and went to the entrance to find Hu Chenguang, but he looked back every step of the way.

His face was full of question marks, and he kept muttering to himself: Lin Siping's cousin, how is his path so wild, being brothers with a "two bars and two stars"?

Secretly astonished, he walked quickly to the entrance and saw Sixth Uncle shaking hands with a "two bars and three stars," so he stood honestly to the side.

Chen Peng first scanned the parking lot: "Old Hu, your pulling power is quite something, quite a few colleagues came?

"

Hu Chenguang quickly smiled: "Thanks to the leadership's blessing!"

Invitations had basically been sent to all the bureau leaders, but Hu Chenguang hadn't expected the leaders to come at all.

Therefore, when he saw Chen Peng, he was truly flattered.

"Stop talking nonsense, how would they know I was coming?" After replying, Chen Peng gave an "Eh" sound and pointed at the Leopard nearby, "Old Guan came too?"

Hu Chenguang nodded: "When I went to invite Political Commissar Liu, I happened to run into him. I mentioned it, and Bureau Chief Guan specially honored me with his presence—"

Chen Peng suddenly realized: No wonder?

The two definitely know each other, and their relationship should be average. But Old Hu and Old Liu have been in the same station for several years, and their relationship is unusually solid.

Since he ran into Guan Xingmin, he definitely had to invite him; out of building a good relationship with brothers in the neighboring district, it's not strange for Old Guan to come.

While thinking this, Hu Chenguang wanted to take him inside. Chen Peng waved his hand: "You go about your business, I'll go in myself, the bride's side secondary table, right?"

Hu Chenguang shook his head hurriedly: "Since the leader has come, how could you sit at a secondary table? I arranged the main table."

Upon hearing this, Chen Peng stopped his steps: "If we sit at the main table, what about the elders? Old Hu, don't rearrange the tables, it's troublesome to move things around."

"Leader, I'm really not moving things around!" Hu Chenguang explained quickly, "I am the sixth, and my seniority is high, so there are only two distant old aunts and old aunt-in-laws left, arranged at the female guests' secondary table. So the main table was originally arranged for bureau leaders and colleagues—"

"In that case, then the main table it is!" Chen Peng nodded and smiled again, "Old Hu, no need to see me off, you just wait here honestly for the Bureau Chief!"

Hu Chenguang was suddenly stunned: "Who?"

"The Bureau Chief, my master!" Chen Peng looked puzzled, "You didn't invite him?"

How could he not have invited him?

Hu Chenguang was a bit confused: "I invited him, I took Hufen and Jiajia and went specifically to the old Bureau Chief's office to deliver the invitation."

But to be blunt: it was just out of politeness, he had never thought that Bureau Chief Li would come.

Chen Peng gave a "Heh" sound: "Doesn't that settle it?"

Hu Chenguang didn't speak: how many Municipal Public Security Bureau Branches, how many detachments, how many stations are there in the whole city, plus detention centers, holding centers, drug rehabilitation centers, and shelters; there are at least two or three hundred "one bar and three stars."

Ask them one by one: whose family event has ever invited Bureau Chief Li?

Seeing what he was thinking, Chen Peng smiled: "Then when others hold events, why didn't they send an invitation to my master?"

Hu Chenguang was stunned: others would have liked to send one, but would they dare?

He, Old Hu, of course dared: the old Bureau Chief was a soldier brought up by his father, and every April 28th (the anniversary of the Battle of Laoshan)

, the old Bureau Chief would go to sweep his father's grave.

He just didn't expect that the Bureau Chief would really come—

"Don't worry, he will definitely come today, he should be here soon!" Chen Peng was exceptionally certain, "No need to see me off, I'll go in myself to find Old Guan!"

Hu Chenguang nodded quickly and pointed at his nephew: "Hu Gang, take Bureau Chief Chen to the main table."

"Ah?" Hu Gang was stunned for a moment, "Sixth Uncle, Bureau Chief Guan is not at the main table, he sat on the groom's side."

"Sat at Old Gu's table? Eh, no—" Hu Chenguang paused, "Old Gu is the Matchmaker, he is sitting at the table with me—"

"Bureau Chief Guan is sitting at the Best Man's table!" Hu Gang scratched his head, "He knows Siping's cousin, said he hasn't seen him for a long time and wants to catch up?"

How would Bureau Chief Guan know Lin Siping's cousin?

Inadvertently, seeing Lin Chengzhi by the stage, a flash of light crossed Hu Chenguang's mind, no—it seems he really does know one?

"Lin Sicheng came too?"

"Ah, Uncle Six, you know him too?"

Know him? That's an understatement.

During last year's Lunar New Year, when Lin Sicheng was cornered by thugs, Bureau Chief Chen had slammed his desk over the phone and greeted Hu Chenguang's mother. That time, he had even personally led the police force to the scene.

Later, when the two families met at the groom's house for the formal introduction, Hu Chenguang saw Lin Chengzhi and Jiang Yanfei and finally realized:

The son-in-law and Lin Sicheng were cousins.

Just two days ago, he had specifically asked his in-law, and Lin Chengxin had said that his nephew was still in graduate school and might not be able to get time off. Hu Chenguang had assumed Lin Sicheng probably wouldn't come.

But since he had come, Bureau Chief Chen definitely had to go over and greet him—

Sure enough, Chen Peng let out a "Ha!": "Where is this kid sitting? At the Best Man table, right?"

Hu Chenguang pointed at Hu Gang: "Quick, take Bureau Chief Chen over there!"

Hu Gang nodded and led the way for Chen Peng.

Chen Peng walked extremely fast, and Hu Gang had to trot to keep up—

Several people stared at Chen Peng's back, only turning their heads away once he turned into the banquet hall.

Lin Chengxin was both surprised and bewildered: "In-law, is the Lin Sicheng that this Bureau Chief Chen is talking about the same Lin Sicheng from my third brother's family?"

Hu Chenguang had a strange look on his face: Could there be any other Lin Sicheng?

Seeing him nod, Lin Chengxin's eyes widened: "Even my third brother doesn't know them, so how does Sicheng know them?"

And how is it both Bureau Chief Guan and Bureau Chief Chen?

Hu Chenguang clicked his tongue: This family, they really kept their mouths shut tight.

The Zhang Anshi Tomb Robbery Case, such a massive case, and they had actually kept it completely under wraps?

But then, he realized: That's right, the mastermind behind the case was still abroad, so of course it had to be kept confidential.

If it weren't for Bureau Chief Chen flying into a rage last Lunar New Year and greeting his family, he wouldn't have been curious.

If he hadn't been curious, he wouldn't have asked Lao Gu about it. Once he asked, he realized the young man was incredible: throughout the bureau, inside and out, there was no telling how many people owed him favors.

Take Guan Xingmin for example, or Chen Peng, and Lao Liu, who had inexplicably been promoted by Level One.

And even, one had to include the old bureau chief.

As he thought about it, Hu Chenguang froze again: Wait, that's not right, it seems he had to include himself too?

Without the Zhang Anshi Tomb Robbery Case, how could so many people have vacated their positions?

Following normal procedures, he himself would have had to grind for at least another three to five years to become a Deputy Bureau Chief—