Chapter 531: Still You Are the Impressive One

Lin Sicheng, even if you're making this up, shouldn't you at least make it sound a bit more believable?

It's not like I haven't seen what your teacher looks like.

Huang Zhi was very certain that those two people just now were absolutely not bodyguards.

He was even more certain that that Professor Wang did not have a card for this place.

Lu Zhen and Lu Meng had indeed mentioned that this teacher of Lin Sicheng's was very impressive. He was previously a professor at the National Academy of Cultural Heritage, and later went to Xida. Though only in his thirties, he was already a Master's Graduate Tutor and an authoritative Expert.

But Huang Zhi did not probe further: anyone who could come here to eat, even if they were using a borrowed card, couldn't be an ordinary person; it was normal for Lin Sicheng to be a bit cautious. After chatting for a while longer, it was nearly nine o'clock, and Liu Yiling said she had to go back for the night shift.

Since they hadn't been drinking, it was time to wrap things up. Huang Zhi made another appointment with Lin Sicheng to see when he would be free to have Huang Lan's paintings brought over for another appraisal.

Lin Sicheng said anytime would be fine.

Huang Zhi was both annoyed and amused: "Didn't you say you were very busy during this period?"

Lin Sicheng was calm and composed: "Time is something that can still be squeezed out if you try."

Circumstances change; since the misunderstanding had been cleared up, there were no more qualms.

Having already experienced it before, Huang Zhi knew Lin Sicheng's mouth was unusually glib, so he couldn't be bothered to argue with him.

The group left the private room and saw Liu Yiling to the entrance.

Lin Sicheng said he still had to wait for a friend and would say hello before leaving.

Huang Zhi arranged for his driver to take Huang Lan home, but kept his two nephews behind.

He then invited Lin Sicheng to sit in his office for a while.

The two had just turned around and hadn't even entered the door when there was a beep behind them.

A Bora pulled up to the entrance, the window rolled down, and Tang Nanyan looked at him with a smile.

Subsequently, the back door pushed open, and Tang Dingping stepped out from the backseat.

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment, stepped down the stairs, and asked naturally: "Uncle Tang!"

Tang Nanyan was full of curiosity: last time she invited Lin Sicheng to dinner, it was all family, but regardless of age, he addressed everyone by their professional titles.

At the time, her uncle had specifically told him not to be so formal and just call them uncle or elder uncle. He had agreed verbally, but still addressed them as he always did. How did he suddenly have a change of heart today?

Then, Tang Nanyan realized: this was a private restaurant, not the internal reception unit where she had invited Lin Sicheng to dinner last time.

Moreover, they were still at the entrance, and with so many people around, if he called out "Department Head Tang," it would guarantee a hundred percent turn-around rate.

She went to park the car and told Tang Dingping and Lin Sicheng to wait for her for a moment.

Tang Dingping looked him up and down: "Lin Sicheng, why are you so much paler?"

"I haven't been out in the field during this time!"

Tang Dingping nodded: "Your job can actually be done indoors."

This was the truth; whether it was Cultural Relics Protection research or tracing the origins of craftsmanship, field archaeology was not a necessity.

Lin Sicheng had only been out twice before; the first time was for the Zhang Anshi Tomb Robbery Case, and the second time was in Shanxi.

Both times, he had been forced into a corner and had to treat his side job as his main profession.

While they were talking, Tang Nanyan finished parking the car, stood at the bottom of the stairs, and stared straight at Lin Sicheng.

Lin Sicheng didn't know what she wanted to do, so he habitually addressed her: "Teacher Tang!"

He had previously called her Officer Tang, which certainly wouldn't be appropriate here, so calling her Teacher was fine.

Tang Nanyan, however, wouldn't have it: "Lin Sicheng, you call my dad Uncle, and you call me Teacher?"

It was indeed a bit distant: they had, after all, shared the camaraderie of fighting side by side, not to mention that Lin Sicheng had saved her.

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment: "Sister Nan Yan!"

It was a very normal form of address, but not knowing what Tang Nanyan had thought of, her face actually turned red.

Tang Dingping was baffled: you are two years older than him; isn't it normal for him to call you sister?

Lin Sicheng could only pretend not to see: one hundred percent, Tang Nanyan was thinking of Ye Anning.

He usually called Ye Anning "Sister Anning."

He then introduced Huang Zhi: "General Manager Huang, this is my friend's father. Uncle Tang, this is the owner of the Small Courtyard..."

Just by looking at the order and the forms of address, the closeness of the relationships was immediately apparent.

Huang Zhi didn't mind this, but was curious about the attitude of his friend's father: he neither reached out a hand nor spoke, just gave a nod. Anyone who could come here would certainly know his background, so this attitude spoke volumes.

He didn't dare to be negligent and gestured for them to enter: "Boss Tang, please!"

Lin Sicheng waved his hand: "General Manager Huang, you go ahead and get busy; I'll just take them in!"

Just as they were talking, Tang Nanyu walked out: "Second Uncle, Nan Yan!"

He was holding a card in his hand.

Tang Nanyan took a look: "Second Brother, what is this?"

"A membership card. You can't get in here without a card. Second Aunt asked me to come and pick you up!"

"Oh, the standard is this high?" Tang Nanyan was full of curiosity, "Dad, where did Mom get the card?"

"It seems she said it was issued by her unit."

"Lin Sicheng, do you have a card?"

"I do, General Manager Huang gave it to me, but I didn't bring it today."

"Then when are you going to treat me to a meal?"

After saying it, she felt something wasn't quite right, so Tang Nanyan hurriedly added, "And bring along Eldest Brother and Second Brother, as well as Nanlang and Naluo."

"Sure, the food here is indeed quite good!"

As they spoke, the group entered the door, and Huang Zhi frowned: which unit could issue his cards to employees?

He had indeed given out cards to units, and quite a few at that. But they were generally used for official receptions and could not possibly be given to employees.

Just as he was pondering this, the whispering of his two nephews reached his ears:

"Brother, didn't Lin Sicheng say that his friend is a bodyguard and came along with their boss? Their boss even treats the bodyguard's family to a meal?" "Don't listen to his nonsense, he's definitely lying to you!"

Li Huaiyu's face darkened instantly, and she secretly cursed Lin Sicheng.

"But I always feel that person looks a bit familiar?"

"I also think they look familiar, but I can't remember where I've seen them!"

It wasn't just the two of them who found them familiar; Huang Zhi also felt they looked familiar.

It couldn't be that they come here to eat often, could it?

With this thought, he entered the lobby and headed straight for the bar.

The siblings exchanged a glance and followed behind.

Opening the computer that stored internal data, Huang Zhi pulled up the membership files.

The records were extremely simple: no names, let alone job titles, just a string of codes.

Only Huang Zhi knew what each number in the codes represented.

He flipped through them and found the card that Tang Nanyu had held: General Hospital?

Huang Zhi remembered he had given out two: one was during the time the old man was hospitalized, which he gave to a Deputy Director.

Another time was when the old lady had surgery. To ask the Department Director to perform the surgery, he had specifically given out a card.

The young man who looked more familiar the more he looked at him was holding the one for the Department Director.

The director was a man, surnamed Ji, whom Huang Zhi certainly couldn't forget. And earlier, while accompanying Lin Sicheng to look at the fish, the term of address Lin Sicheng used when seeing that lady was Auntie Ji?

Recalling their features, the two were likely siblings.

Of course, he was just curious; Huang Zhi knew his place and wouldn't pry, much less ask around.

Otherwise, his Small Courtyard wouldn't have been able to stay open for so long, nor could it have remained so stable.

After pondering for a moment, Huang Zhi closed the computer.

Li Huaiyu leaned in sneakily: "Uncle, where did they get the card?"

Huang Zhi didn't speak, just glanced at her indifferently.

Li Huaiyu realized too late: It's over, she had committed her uncle's great taboo.

She shrank her neck: "Uncle, I was just curious!"

"It's fine!"

I will make sure you never dare to be curious again in the future.

Huang Zhi replied and prepared to take the siblings back to the office; just as he stepped out of the bar, he ran into acquaintances again.

Two men were sitting under the magnolia tree, their faces slightly flushed; it seemed they had drunk quite a bit.

These two were from the same unit, the Municipal Office Affairs Bureau, and were considered regulars. Huang Zhi chatted with them for a while and then asked curiously: "Why are you sitting outside?" "We're hosting guests from the Northwest today; ordinary tactics don't work, we have to be strategic! Halfway through the drinking, the leader told us to come out and take a breather."

Understood: if you can't outdrink them, use a wheel strategy.

Huang Zhi found it amusing: "Come on, let's go to the office and sit for a while!"

"No need, here is fine. It's a normal reception for the unit, nothing to avoid!"

That was true.

To put it bluntly, after so many years of promotion and operation, his place was no different from an unofficial designated reception unit for the government.

You could host leaders here, host important guests here, and occasionally, you could still host family gatherings here.

Even if you ran into a leader, it was just like meeting them in the unit cafeteria; just say hello and that was it.

Therefore, when Lin Sicheng asked him why the dish prices were so low given that it was a private kitchen restaurant with such a high barrier to entry, Huang Zhi only said half of it: if the dish prices were too high, leaders and official receptions wouldn't come. As for family gatherings and entertaining friends and relatives, that would be out of the question.

It was even less likely that they could be like the two in front of him, drinking until their faces were flushed, yet still dare to sit in the lobby, calm and composed, as steady as Mount Tai. More than one leader had said that he ran this place quite well.

After chatting for a while longer, Huang Zhi glanced into the hallway: Lin Sicheng and a tall, sturdy man had come downstairs.

Thinking Lin Sicheng was leaving, Huang Zhi stood up: "Lin Sicheng, wait a moment, I'll arrange a car!"

"Thank you, General Manager Huang, we aren't leaving yet, we're going to pick someone up!"

Huang Zhi found it strange: Aren't you a guest?

He was indeed a guest, but he was also a junior.

Sitting in the private room with a grand air, waiting for Tang Ding'an to come to him, would be somewhat impolite.

Since he had to pick him up anyway, he and Tang Nanjin had come down together.

"General Manager Huang, you go ahead with your work!"

Watching them leave the lobby, the two under the magnolia tree were a bit curious: "General Manager Huang, that tall guy, is he a soldier? The vibe is too authentic..." The one-meter-ninety tall man walked with a powerful stride, and his whole body exuded a fierce aura.

But Huang Zhi really didn't know, so he shook his head.

"Looks like he's from the National Flag Guard?"

"The build is like it, but the age isn't. Looking at his age, he must be at least thirty!"

"Indeed!"

While they were talking, Tang Ding'an arrived.

Seeing Lin Sicheng, a smile appeared on his stern face, and Tang Ding'an patted Lin Sicheng on the shoulder.

It was very intimate, also because Lin Sicheng was indeed likable.

First was his personality, second was his past, and more importantly: Lin Sicheng had saved Tang Nanyan.

Tang Dingping knew more details and liked him even more. It was just that because Tang Ding'an was a soldier, he was more straightforward. Tang Dingping was relatively introverted and more subtle. Amidst the laughter, Lin Sicheng accompanied Tang Ding'an into the lobby.

At first, the three under the tree were all looking at Tang Nanjin, because his posture was too upright and his presence was strong. They couldn't help but want to look twice. But as they got closer and closer, the two from the Office Affairs Bureau felt more and more that something was wrong: why was this face in the middle so familiar? They exchanged a glance, and seeing the shock in their colleague's eyes, they both knew: they hadn't recognized the wrong person, it was that person.

Subconsciously, the two stood up, their bodies standing straight.

Tang Ding'an also saw them, but only nodded.

Afterward, the three of them went upstairs.

Huang Zhi realized belatedly: the so-called Affairs Bureau's most frequent work is hosting guests. From other provinces, from within the organization, or even from above. If you want to talk about knowing many leaders, no other unit can compare to them.

Look again at the standing posture of those two, look again at the expressions of those two; the one who just went up was clearly the latter type.

Huang Zhi looked stunned: "Director Qin, who was that just now?"

"No way... General Manager Huang, you opened a restaurant here, and you don't know who that is?"

Director Qin looked strange, and instead of answering, he asked: "Has this person never been here before?"

Huang Zhi truly had no impression and shook his head.

Unable to say it directly, Director Qin gestured with his chin toward the opposite side.

Huang Zhi turned his head subconsciously, his expression stiffening: outside the door, is that the wall?

But why did he not have the slightest impression of it?

Subconsciously, Huang Zhi thought of Tang Dingping who had entered earlier: the two faces were seven or eight parts similar, were they nine times out of ten brothers?

A bright idea struck him: "This person's surname is Tang!"

Thinking he also knew him and just hadn't recalled it earlier, Director Qin nodded: "Correct!"

"His younger brother just went in too!"

"Oh, you are talking about Department Head Tang; we saw him too, but Department Head Tang doesn't know us, so we didn't greet him!"

Department Head Tang?

Huang Zhi recalled the conversation between Lin Sicheng and those two burly men earlier: during the New Year, the second uncle was on duty, his father had even less time, on duty twenty-four hours during the Spring Festival, and being a Department Head, that must be the Public Security Bureau.

Then what about the one who just went in?

Connecting this to the trace of stern, soldierly aura on Tang Ding'an, and the look Director Qin gave toward the opposite side of the Small Courtyard, Huang Zhi suddenly understood. He finally remembered who that person was just now.

Instinctively, the face of Tang Nanyu appeared in Huang Zhi's mind: no wonder he looked so familiar?

That is the second son of Director Tang.

Last summer, the old lady's close friend came to the house, saying she wanted to introduce a partner to Li Huaiyu. At the time, she brought photos of several people, and among them was that big dark guy.

He had seen them, Li Huaizhang had seen them, and Li Huaiyu had seen them too.

But when the family situation was mentioned, it hadn't even been finished before the old lady interrupted.

It wasn't that the families weren't well-matched, but rather Li Huaiyu's personality: she lacked great wisdom, only played at being clever, and loved to throw tantrums.

Marrying into such a family, this wouldn't be forming a bond, but forming an enmity. Rather than offending people, it was better not to meet...

But Huang Zhi couldn't figure it out: with such a family and such a background, they wouldn't have anything to do with Lin Sicheng even if they reached out with an eight-hundred-foot pole; how did they become elders? And why were they so close?

And it wasn't just one person who was close, but the whole family was close to him. Regardless of whether they were men, women, peers, or even children.

Especially the girl who just entered with Department Head Tang; anyone who wasn't blind could see it: the moment the girl blushed, it was clearly an expression only lovers would have.

Suddenly, Huang Zhi's gaze became stranger and stranger: no wonder the whole family was so close to Lin Sicheng?

Could this be... a son-in-law of choice?

No, he had to ask no matter what.

Anyway, they were familiar enough; there was nothing he couldn't ask.

Huang Zhi took out his phone and first sent a text message to Lin Sicheng, meaning he was waiting for him. He also specifically instructed the bar staff that if Lin Sicheng came out or if the gathering in Room 5 broke up, they should call him immediately.

Then, Huang Zhi brought his two nephews to the office.

Distracted by this, Huang Zhi no longer had the heart to give his two nephews a political lecture. Instead, he said bluntly: "You saw it just now, right?" The two nodded their heads like chicks pecking at rice.

"Do you know what to do in the future?"

The two said in unison: "We know!"

"It doesn't matter if you don't know; if you cause trouble again, don't count on me to save you!" Huang Zhi laughed, "The little bit of human favor I have with your second uncle, and your grandparents, is reserved for saving your mother."

The brother and sister were filled with trepidation.

Because they knew their two uncles and their grandparents really could do it.

Actually, when they heard "Department Head Tang," they already knew what was going on.

Li Huaizhang felt a lingering fear and wished he could slap himself.

He even wanted to find someone to scare Lin Sicheng; try scaring him and see what happens?

Li Huaiyu regretted it so much her intestines were turning green: why was her mouth so foul that she had to badmouth Lin Sicheng in front of Liu Yiling? Now look at this!

Without their grandparents and without their two uncles backing them up, the two of them had absolutely nothing to do with the "Big Courtyard."

If Lin Sicheng wanted to deal with them, it would be like child's play.

Seeing that the two were scared, Huang Zhi snorted coldly: "Be better to your mother in the future and stop making her angry!"

The two felt a sense of relief in their hearts, understanding Huang Zhi's meaning: there would be no next time.

"Thank you, Uncle!"

"Go home!"

The brother and sister were exceptionally obedient, leaving the office with their heads bowed and eyes lowered, then carefully closing the door.

Huang Zhi sighed: they wouldn't listen to good advice, so they ran into a hard nut to crack, didn't they?

But it was useless; these two were the type who only remember the eating and not the beating; before long, they would return to their old ways.

He even thought about whether he should ask Lin Sicheng for help to let his two nephews suffer a bit and learn a lesson.

Huang Zhi checked his watch: it was just a little past nine.

Judging by today's situation, they would probably drink a bit. Since Lin Sicheng had gone in, he definitely wouldn't come out that early.

He flattened his chair, preparing to nap for a while.

He didn't know how long he had slept when the phone rang "ding-a-ling." Huang Zhi opened his eyes and answered it.

"General Manager Huang, the gathering in Room 5 is about to end!"

"Good, I'm coming out right away!"

Huang Zhi glanced at his phone again: sure enough, it was almost twelve-thirty.

He flipped himself up, walked to the restroom, and quickly wiped his face.

When he reached the lobby, the private room door had just opened, and people were starting to come out.

Out of respect, Huang Zhi certainly had to see them off, but he didn't take the initiative to go up and greet them, nor did he rashly say hello; he just stood by the bar. As they passed by, Tang Ding'an and Tang Dingping both nodded.

Huang Zhi had self-awareness: in the previous generation, there was basically no friendship between the two families, limited only to knowing of each other. So, whether it was him, or Tang Ding'an and Tang Dingping, they didn't know each other.

Therefore, this nod was nine times out of ten due to his relationship as "Lin Sicheng's friend."

Thinking about it this way, Huang Zhi suddenly felt it was strange: in the end, was he actually basking in Lin Sicheng's reflected glory?

While he was secretly pondering, the group walked out the door and said their goodbyes.

Mainly saying goodbye to Lin Sicheng.

Just like when they met, Tang Ding'an patted his shoulder, his tone very amiable: "Don't be reserved in the future; come over to the house to hang out when you have time. It just so happens that Nanjin and Nanyu are on vacation, so let them take you around."

"Thank you, Uncle Tang!"

Then it was Tang Dingping, holding Lin Sicheng's hand and talking non-stop.

The voice was very low, and being very close, it felt much more intimate than before.

Actually, Tang Dingping was talking about having Lin Sicheng come to the public security department for training. Earlier in the hallway, there were too many people and too much talk, so Tang Nanjin hadn't dared to say too much. In fact, the Special Protection Brigade hadn't gone to the Municipal Bureau, but had gone directly to find Department Head Tang.

Therefore, besides the two training sessions already scheduled, Lin Sicheng also had to go to the Special Protection Brigade to share some experience.

"Uncle Tang, I've noted it down. The timing is no problem; anytime is fine."

"That's good. I'll have Xiao Liu (the secretary) contact you when the time comes."

They had all arranged cars, four in total; Tang Nanyan hadn't been drinking and drove one alone.

After everyone got into the cars, six car windows rolled down in unison, and they all waved at Lin Sicheng in unison.

Including Tang Nanyan's younger brother Tang Nanlang, and the seven-year-old Tang Nanluo from the third uncle's family.

Huang Zhi was dumbfounded: with this kind of display, if someone said Lin Sicheng didn't have some special relationship with this family, who would dare believe it?

In his astonishment, the vehicles started up and drove out of the alley.

Tang Nanyan was at the very back; as she passed by, she stepped on the brake, and the Bora stopped below the steps.

Lin Sicheng bent over and looked in through the window: "Did you leave something behind?"

"No!" Tang Nanyan shook her head, looking seemingly casual, "I forgot to ask you just now, did Ye Anning come back too?" Lin Sicheng was stunned, not knowing what to say.

Did you really forget?

If you were given ten times the guts, would you dare ask this question in the private room?

Seeing Lin Sicheng not speaking, as if he were startled, Tang Nanyan let out a "tch": "Is that it?"

Lin Sicheng couldn't laugh or cry: "What is this or that?"

He hadn't expected Tang Nanyan to ask about Ye Anning.

There was nothing that couldn't be said, either.

"She went back to Xijing after the New Year!"

"I know, I was just asking!" Tang Nanyan remained casual, "Do you want me to take you back?"

"General Manager Huang has arranged a car!"

"Alright, remember to call!"

Tang Nanyan waved her hand dashingly, and the Bora drove out of the alley.

Huang Zhi narrowed his eyes and peered: "Lin Sicheng, who is Ye Anning?"

Before Lin Sicheng could answer, he had a thoughtful look on his face: "Is it that classmate of Lu Meng's, your teacher's niece?"

Lin Sicheng sighed: You know, so why ask?

Seeing this expression of his, Huang Zhi knew he had guessed correctly.

Suddenly, as if he had discovered a new continent, Huang Zhi's eyes widened bit by bit: I just felt like something wasn't quite right somewhere?

Speaking of Lu Meng, he finally remembered: Lu Meng had told him that Lin Sicheng was dating her classmate, that is, the niece of that Professor Wang. So what was going on with that person just now?

And, what was up with the way that whole family looked at Lin Sicheng just now, like they were looking at a son-in-law?

For a moment, Huang Zhi's brain turned into mush.

Lin Sicheng, you really are something...