Chapter 59: The Leak Upon the Leak

Having been partners with Lin Zhangqing for an entire term, the Dean naturally knew who Lin Sicheng was.

A broken pot that cannot be mended, a stubborn, hopeless bastard...

Huh, that's not right. How did Lin Sicheng end up in the guidance group?

"I brought him along! After we got there, he took a radiation gun and scanned around, then discovered that the radiation value of that piece of jade was only 0.02 micro..."

Theoretically, it was indeed feasible, but the Dean was skeptical: "Lin Sicheng even understands this?"

He didn't just understand it; there was so much he understood...

Fearing the Dean would catch on, how could Wang Qi Zhi dare to say more? He changed the subject and led him down the wrong path: "These three reports were also pulled out by Lin Sicheng!"

Sure enough, the Dean's train of thought was led astray, his expression exceptionally shocked: "Not you?"

"Of course, I don't even know Director Guan?"

Subconsciously stunned, the Dean pondered it again: The relationship between Lin Zhangqing and Guan Xingmin was not just ordinary; this was actually quite possible.

Regardless of his usual performance, he had indeed handled today's matter beautifully; Lin Sicheng deserved credit for this.

It was also thanks to Wang Qi Zhi: a strange person has strange methods!

It's just unclear how these two ended up together.

Just as these thoughts were turning, Wang Qi Zhi smiled: "That's about the situation. Also, I plan to hang the sign on Monday, then transfer Lin Sicheng over to help out in the project group for a while... I hope you, Dean, will approve!"

Your project group doesn't even have three or two people, why do you need to hang any sign?

The key is, what is the use of having Lin Sicheng?

But after only a moment of suspicion, the Dean didn't care: "Lin Sicheng is an undergraduate; if you want to transfer him, just do it. Why do you need my approval?"

Of course I need your approval, otherwise, when Shang Yan comes to settle scores with me, who will take the blame?

"Thank you, Dean. Then, Dean, please go ahead with your work!"

Wang Qi Zhi stood up with a smile, and the Dean saw him to the door. Just as Wang Qi Zhi went downstairs, the Dean frowned again:

"Do you have the feeling that Wang Qi Zhi is not quite right today, as if... he has been avoiding the important and dwelling on the trivial?"

The Assistant was confused: "Dean, which aspect are you referring to?"

"Lin Sicheng!" The Dean pinched his chin, "I just feel like Wang Qi Zhi has some ulterior motive."

The Assistant was stunned: With Lin Sicheng's character, what is there to plot?

But immediately, he remembered: "For the past two days, the teaching and research office has been spreading rumors that Professor Liu and Professor Shang from the Cultural Heritage Conservation Department both want Lin Sicheng to apply for their graduate programs?"

The Dean's eyelids twitched a few times: "Who?"

"Professor Liu Meili and Professor Shang Yan!"

That can't be, right?

Liu Meili teaches theory, that doesn't need to be managed, but what is going on with Shang Yan?

When it comes to Ceramics professors in the school, Lin Zhangqing ranks first, and she definitely ranks second.

Therefore, if she were doing it for Lin Zhangqing's sake, she would have done it long ago; she wouldn't have waited until today.

Suddenly, a flash of light crossed the Dean's mind: Dean, I want to transfer Lin Sicheng into the project group to help out for a while, I hope you will approve...

Damn it, I fell for Wang Qi Zhi's trap: is this not using me as a shield?

Liu Meili and Shang Yan, which one of them is easy to deal with?

But that is not the point.

He knew what Lin Sicheng was like better than anyone: an embroidered pillow stuffed with straw.

Therefore, if it were just one professor wanting to take him on for graduate studies, it could still be called a favor. But for three professors to have this idea, it was quite intriguing.

Especially Wang Qi Zhi; he didn't even know who Lin Zhangqing was, so there was no need for this.

It couldn't be that suddenly, a straw bag became a talent, someone everyone was fighting over?

The more he thought about it, the more wrong it felt. The Dean thought for a moment and dialed Shang Yan's number.

At first it was fine, but gradually, the Dean's eyes slowly widened, like two circles...

The sun rose slowly, casting a long, thin shadow from the building.

The curtains fluttered, and the morning wind blew in.

Ye Anning rubbed her eyes as she came out of the room, glancing at Wang Qi Zhi standing by the window.

Dressed neatly, holding a cigarette in his hand.

It's the weekend, why get up so early?

Muttering to herself, Ye Anning leaned over and glanced down: "Uncle, who are you waiting for?"

"Lin Sicheng."

Him again?

She felt that during this period, this name had appeared in the house with unusual frequency; her uncle would bring it up at the drop of a hat.

She glanced again at the briefcase and car keys on the coffee table: "Are you going out?"

"Yes, going to Baoji to see that bowl!"

Ye Anning was stunned: "You promised me last week that you would take me with you?"

Wang Qi Zhi rolled his eyes: "Did I?"

He had forgotten.

"How could you not? You don't keep your word!"

"Less nonsense, if you want to go, go change your clothes!" Wang Qi Zhi looked at the wall clock, "I'll wait for you for ten minutes at most!"

"That's too much!"

Muttering under her breath, Ye Anning ran back to her room in a flash.

With a "creak," the kitchen's sliding door was pushed open, and Dan Wangshu brought out breakfast and placed it on the dining table.

"Is Lin Sicheng arriving soon? Let him come up and have some too!"

Wang Qi Zhi picked up his milk and gestured toward the bedroom with his chin: "He hasn't even washed his face; even a tag-along needs to save face!"

Dan Wangshu rolled her eyes and slapped him once.

Ye Anning smoothed her hair as she came out of the bedroom, a hair tie held in her mouth: "Uncle, say that in front of my mom next time!"

Saying it in front of your mom is nothing; I'd dare say it in front of your dad.

Wang Qi Zhi let out a "tch," and his phone began to "buzz, buzz, buzz."

He glanced at it casually, a triumphant smile appearing at the corner of his mouth: Look, he didn't say what time, yet he's punctual at eight o'clock?

This is what you call tacit understanding.

Wang Qi Zhi hung up, finished his milk in one gulp, picked up the pan-fried buns, and headed out the door.

"Aunt, look, Uncle is being unreasonable again..."

"What's the rush? Get yourself tidied up properly!"

Dan Wangshu scolded him, then walked over to the window.

The thin mist was about to disperse, the autumn Wind wove through, and the locust leaves made a "rustling" sound.

As if sensing something, Lin Sicheng looked up.

The morning sunlight pierced through the branches and leaves, kneading into fine, fragmented light spots that flowed across his brows and eyes.

He was slightly startled, then revealed a smile: "Mistress!"

Hearing such an address for the first time, Dan Wangshu felt a bit of novelty and hurriedly smiled: "Lin Sicheng, the house is a bit messy this morning, so I won't invite you up. But Anning wants to go too; could you wait for her a moment?"

How could there be any "could" or "couldn't" about that?

Just as this thought was turning in his mind, the building door creaked.

Wang Qi Zhi walked out and handed the plate forward: "Here!"

Lin Sicheng didn't stand on ceremony; he took it and began to eat, then looked up and smiled: "Thank you, Mistress!"

Dan Wangshu stood frozen on the spot, watching the master and apprentice downstairs huddled together eating buns, not knowing how to evaluate it.

This pair is really...

The two chatted while eating: "We're going to Baoji later to look at a Hongzhi Chicken Oil Plate!"

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment: Chicken Oil Yellow is the same as Delicate Yellow Glaze, an Imperial Palace Ware of the Ming Dynasty. Especially the Hongzhi mark; whether in terms of craftsmanship or artistic value, it belongs to the top grade among the Official Kiln Monochrome Glaze porcelains of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The key is that the number of surviving pieces is extremely small, and the current price is on the low side, so as long as one can come across one, it is purely picking up a bargain.

"Has a price been quoted?"

Wang Qi Zhi gestured: "Five hundred and twenty thousand!"

Good heavens, doesn't that just mean a bargain on top of a bargain?

It won't take long; at most two years, and the price will at least quadruple!

Just as he was secretly marveling, the building door creaked again.

Ye Anning was fresh-faced, her face covered in a layer of un-wiped moisture, as tender as a lotus seed just out of its shell.

Her features were bright and beautiful, her eyes rippling with light, her long, dark, shiny hair tied into a bundle, and her dark jeans stretched tight to reveal a supple curve.

Her willow-leaf brows furrowed slightly; she first glared at Wang Qi Zhi, then handed over a carton of milk, a few traces of embarrassment on her face: "Lin Sicheng, sorry to keep you waiting so long!"

Lin Sicheng smiled and took it: "It was only a few minutes!"