Chapter 58: Impossible

The shadows of trees outside the window gradually receded; the car television was playing advertisements, but there was no sound, and the interior of the car was exceptionally quiet.

Fourteen pairs of eyes stared forward in unison, fixed on the first row, their minds simultaneously recalling that scene before departure:

Wang Qi Zhi and Director Guan accompanied them on the left and right at the very back.

The two in the slightly more central position had only been seen that morning; on the left was the Deputy Bureau Chief of the Municipal Bureau, and on the right was the Director of the Appraisal Center.

Yet, the one in the very center was Lin Sicheng?

The three of them chatted and laughed happily, their conversation lively, all the way to the car. The two leaders shook hands with Lin Sicheng one after another, and only then did they turn to Wang Qi Zhi.

Even when the minibus started moving, the two leaders waved their hands with smiles, also directed toward Lin Sicheng's side.

It felt as if Lin Sicheng were the greater leader, perhaps even higher in rank than the two who were seeing them off, while Wang Qi Zhi had instead become the foil?

What was even stranger was that Wang Qi Zhi did not show the slightest bit of unhappiness; on the contrary, he seemed... to share in the glory?

It was too strange, so strange that it could not be processed with normal logic: let alone that Lin Zhangqing was merely a retired Deputy Director, even if he were a Deputy Mayor, would his grandson have this kind of treatment?

A group of professors and teaching assistants let their imaginations run wild, thinking until their brains ached. Lin Sicheng and Wang Qi Zhi sat in the front row, looking at each other in silence.

As the saying goes, the first time is strange, the second time is familiar; was it possible that from now on, every few days, the Municipal Appraisal Center would invite Lin Sicheng to "provide some guidance"?

At first thought, it seemed exaggerated, but upon closer reflection: in just over half a month, Lin Sicheng had actually helped the public security system step on landmines twice and safely detonated two time bombs?

What was this... this was a bona fide lucky star.

Do not think that such an institution does not believe in idealism, and furthermore, Lin Sicheng was professional enough?

The problem was, he was a student?

Lin Sicheng sighed: "Professor Wang, when will our project team be established?"

Wang Qi Zhi was instantly delighted: "Hahaha..."

It was no wonder Lin Sicheng was anxious: after all, Guan Xingmin had a very good relationship with Lin Zhangqing and was becoming increasingly familiar with Lin Sicheng, so necessary favors certainly had to be done.

But the fear was that the leaders above would get used to it and come to Lin Sicheng for even the most trivial matters.

Would Lin Sicheng go or not?

After laughing for a while, Wang Qi Zhi nodded: "Anytime!"

With him as the initiator, Lin Sicheng as the capable assistant, and Feng Lin as the one just tagging along, it was actually already considered a team.

He only needed to let out a bit of word that he was looking for labor, and he could recruit dozens of people in an instant.

"I will report it to the College Office this afternoon, and you will join the team on Monday... By then, no matter who comes looking or who they go through, they will definitely have to ask me, and I will help you turn down everything that can be turned down!"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Thank you, Professor Wang!"

"You are my student, why are you thanking me?"

Wang Qi Zhi paused slightly, "By the way, what are your plans for tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow... eh?" Lin Sicheng looked surprised, "Tomorrow is Saturday?"

It felt like he hadn't attended many classes, and the week was already over?

"You are rarely seen even a few times a month; no wonder the professors don't like you?"

Wang Qi Zhi shook his head helplessly, "If you have no plans, come see something with me."

Originally, he did have plans: he needed to rent a place and design the site. If there was enough time, he also had to contact a renovation company.

But Wang Qi Zhi had already handled these for him: a ready-made studio, a ready-made small workshop, with all renovations and office equipment fully provided.

Now he was just waiting for the machines to arrive, and they could be installed on the spot.

"Not for the moment, Professor Wang, about what time tomorrow?"

"Call me when you wake up!"

"Alright!" After responding, Lin Sicheng thought for a moment: "Professor Wang, let's go out for a sit-down tonight, still drinking Moutai?"

If it weren't for Wang Qi Zhi, he would have had to struggle for at least two or three weeks just to build the prototype of the studio.

Not to mention what happened today: just by looking at Guan Xingmin's incredibly envious expression, one knew how important that second phone call Wang Qi Zhi made was...

But as soon as Wang Qizhi heard this, his eyes went straight. As if triggered by a conditioned reflex, his throat moved up and down, swallowing sour saliva incessantly: "You treat me to a bowl of pita bread soaked in soup and a bottle of two-dollar strong liquor, and that will be enough, but Lin Sicheng, your teacher... really cannot swallow that anymore?"

Lin Sicheng laughed "Hahaha": "Then another day!"

"Alright, another day... another day!" Wang Qi Zhi let out a breath, "Lin Sicheng, the road ahead is still long!"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Yes!"

Upon arriving at the school, the professors returned to their respective places, and Lin Sicheng also returned to his class to report.

Wang Qi Zhi carried his bag and strolled into the Dean's office.

Just as he entered, a smell of alcohol drifted over. The Dean glanced at him, pointed to the sofa, and had the Assistant pour tea.

"The joint activity is over; how was the result?"

"Not bad!" Wang Qi Zhi nodded reservedly, took a few sheets of paper from his bag, and placed them on the Dean's desk, "I came back early to report to the Dean!"

"Just give it to Xiao Qu (Deputy Director)... eh, wait?"

Before he could finish speaking, the Dean paused and picked up the papers.

"Re-appraisal Report on the Yuan Dynasty Hetian Jade Lion Paperweight"... "Re-appraisal Report on the Jade Lion Paperweight"... or was it "Re-appraisal Report on the Paperweight"?

Looking closely: the same content, the same signature: Yu Zijian.

Looking at the time again: it was exactly this morning. So, all three were appraisal results issued by Professor Yu, a member of the guidance team, but they were not stamped, clearly having been withdrawn at the last minute.

Why withdraw them?

Secretly suspicious, the Dean flipped further:

"Raman Spectrometer Test"... "X-ray Fluorescence Analyzer"... "X-ray Diffractometer"... "Soil Microbial Trace Test"... "Analysis of Organic Components on the Jade Surface"...

Hmm, still that Yuan Dynasty Hetian Jade Lion?

Looking at the test time again: they were all done near the end of the workday this afternoon, which meant they were all done as rush jobs?

Subconsciously, a bad premonition surfaced in the Dean's heart, and upon seeing the content, his eyelids twitched uncontrollably.

All five test reports proved that this Yuan Dynasty Jade Lion Paperweight was a High Imitation. But looking back at the previous three... how did Yu Zijian appraise it?

The Dean's expression changed slightly, and he looked up.

"Don't blame Professor Yu!"

Wang Qi Zhi said unhurriedly: "The initial inspection results from the Municipal Bureau and the Provincial Department both said it was authentic. Including me, and including Director Guan from the Shijian, we all re-examined it afterward and likewise didn't see any flaws in that jade... but fortunately, we were quick to react..."

Wang Qi Zhi didn't count; as someone who studied Bronze, there was really no need for him to make up the numbers and join in the fun.

The point was the Provincial Department and the Municipal Bureau: since two levels of authoritative institutions had made mistakes, if Yu Zijian made a mistake too, it wouldn't be so conspicuous, and the responsibility would be relatively smaller.

The key was that Wang Qi Zhi had actually managed to pull back the re-appraisal reports, and hadn't even stamped them at all, which meant he didn't have to bear any responsibility...

The Dean let out a sharp sigh of relief: see, hadn't the effect of overriding all objections to arrange a cushy spot for Wang Qi Zhi back then finally appeared?

If it had been anyone else, even if he had gone himself, would he have been able to pull out those three reports?

"You've worked hard!" The Dean couldn't stop feeling fortunate, "How did you discover it?"

Wang Qi Zhi took a slow sip of tea: "It was Lin Sicheng!"

The Dean's eyes bulged: "Who?"

"Lin Sicheng!"

Impossible.