Chapter 595: Empty-Handed White Wolf

The restaurant is booked upstairs; it is safe, quiet, and the food is delicious.

The elevator is fast, so there is no need to crowd; only Sheng Guoan, Tian Rulong, Zhang Yuanfan, and two Assistants are on this trip.

The Assistant pressed the down button, and just as they descended from the sixteenth floor, Zhang Yuanfan suddenly spoke: "He is so capable of restraint?"

With the kind of humiliation Li Chengkai dished out, she actually didn't see any expression of anger on Lin Sicheng's face?

Furthermore, she didn't catch any trace of dissatisfaction.

This level of composure is stronger than both her father and her eldest uncle, and it is almost catching up to her grandfather.

Sheng Guoan and Tian Rulong exchanged a look: having been in contact for so long, it seems they really haven't seen Lin Sicheng lose his composure.

Including that time in Panjiayuan when he was almost hacked to death. When he was sent to the hospital, he was already a bloody mess, yet he was still joking and laughing.

Tian Rulong replied: "He is different from ordinary young people!"

Zhang Yuanfan thought for a moment and nodded heavily: "Mm!"

Not only confident, but also sufficiently steady.

At the very least, she has never seen any other young person who could be as calm as Lin Sicheng in an occasion like the one just now.

It was as if he were only bidding one hundred and sixty, not one hundred and sixty million.

Seeing exactly what she was thinking, Tian Rulong hesitated: "Actually, Lin Sicheng doesn't have that much money?"

"Uncle Tian, I know!"

Because Lin Sicheng said very clearly that there was a problem with the item. So from beginning to end, he never intended to bid.

To put it nicely, it was an interception; to put it bluntly, he was just making trouble—

Zhang Yuanfan thought for a moment: "But precisely because he has no money, shouldn't he be even more nervous?"

Tian Rulong was stunned, speechless.

This perspective is indeed unique, but it seems to make more sense: what if it ended up stuck in his hands?

Sheng Guoan suddenly said: "Is it possible that he knew the reserve prices of Li Chengkai and Zhou Zhilin?"

Tian Rulong was taken aback: "Who told him?"

Sheng Guoan didn't speak; he looked at Zhang Yuanfan.

Zhang Yuanfan was baffled: "I didn't say anything, and it's impossible for me to have said anything!"

"Of course!" Tian Rulong said noncommittally, "But Yuanfan, you also never mentioned the reserve price of one hundred and twenty million!"

Zhang Yuanfan was left speechless, not knowing how to defend herself.

The key point is, she couldn't understand: at the time, she had only blinked her eyes twice.

She smiled self-deprecatingly: "It couldn't be that Mr. Lin can read minds, could it?"

Tian Rulong paused and gave a thumbs-up, meaning she had guessed correctly.

Sheng Guoan nodded.

In an instant, Zhang Yuanfan's eyes widened into two circles: "How is that possible?"

"Mind reading is a bit of an exaggeration, but he can indeed judge your psychological state at the time based on subtle expressions," Tian Rulong smiled, "So, we rarely lie in front of him!"

Zhang Yuanfan was full of disbelief: "He and I don't even know each other?"

"That has nothing to do with whether you know each other or not."

When Lin Sicheng helped the Police solve cases, which suspect did he know?

What's more, it doesn't necessarily mean they don't know each other.

They all make a living by their keen eyes; although not as exaggerated as Lin Sicheng, who can reach the level of minute insight, both Tian Rulong and Sheng Guoan could see that: toward Zhang Yuanfan, Lin Sicheng had an inexplicable and strange sense of familiarity.

But this is even more exaggerated, because they are very certain that it was the first time Lin Sicheng and Zhang Yuanfan had met.

So there was no need to say it out loud, as it would only scare Zhang Yuanfan.

Tian Rulong changed the subject: "Yuanfan, what was Li Chengkai's reserve price?"

"One hundred and sixty million!"

"How much?"

"One hundred and sixty million!"

Tian Rulong was stunned, staring straight at Sheng Guoan.

Even as experienced as Sheng Guoan was, he couldn't help but change his expression.

They had indeed suspected that Lin Sicheng knew Li Chengkai's reserve price. But the "knowing" they referred to only meant a rough estimate. Neither of them expected that Lin Sicheng could know it so precisely?

But that is not the point; the key is: one hundred and sixty million was the amount he bid—

Seeing the two of them staring at each other, Zhang Yuanfan was baffled: it was you who said Lin Sicheng knew Li Chengkai's reserve price. So is the number one hundred and sixty million very strange?

But immediately, she realized: the price of one hundred and sixty million was called out by Lin Sicheng. How could he be so sure that, since it exceeded the reserve price, Li Chengkai would definitely follow?

If Li Chengkai didn't follow, the manuscript would have to be stuck in his hands—

Subconsciously, she recalled the sentence Lin Sicheng said to Li Chengkai when they were parting: Manager Li, you have breached the contract—

So, he had calculated long ago that Li Chengkai would breach the contract.

In an instant, Zhang Yuanfan felt goosebumps all over—

The elevator arrived at the restaurant, and the group silently exited the car.

Fang Jin and Li Zhen were waiting at the door of the private room and welcomed them in.

Zhao Xiuneng and Chen Yangyan had come up a step earlier, greeting them as they took their seats, and the waiter came over to ask about tea.

Just as they were flipping through the menu, Wang Qizhi accompanied Huang Zhi and Huang Lan into the private room.

The group subconsciously looked behind them: "Where is Lin Sicheng?"

"He took a call and was summoned by his superior!" Wang Qizhi replied, then thought for a moment, "As for who summoned him, I really don't know."

Tian Rulong asked without hesitation: "Then what about before that, who was the one who called?"

Wang Qizhi did not hide it: "Director Ji!"

Director Ji, Ji Wangshu's father—isn't that your father-in-law?

Tian Rulong's heart tightened: A leader of this level, calling Lin Sicheng, and talking for so long?

He was just about to say something when he was interrupted by Sheng Guoan: "Let's order food first—"

As he spoke, he smiled at Chen Yangyan and Hao Jun: "General Manager Chen, General Manager Hao, we are all acquaintances, don't be so formal."

The two nodded blankly: Among everyone present, they knew the least.

But they could feel that the atmosphere today was somewhat tense, and it was nine times out of ten because of that manuscript.

Everyone had different thoughts and no appetite for drinking, so the meal was finished quickly.

After settling the bill, it was nearly nine o'clock. Zhao Xiuneng looked at the sky: "Why hasn't he come back yet?"

"Should we call and ask?"

Saying it and doing it, Wang Qizhi pulled out Lin Sicheng's number and dialed it.

"Sorry, the number you dialed is powered off."

Wang Qizhi was stunned: Is the phone out of battery?

No, at noon, he still saw Lin Sicheng charging it.

Wang Qizhi thought for a moment and called his father-in-law.

It was answered almost instantly: "Qi Zhi, you want to ask about Lin Sicheng, right? Don't ask anymore, he has to help out for these two days, he won't be back for now."

Hearing this tone, he knew his father-in-law was about to hang up, so Wang Qizhi grew anxious: "Wait—Dad, you at least have to tell me, where did he go?"

"Could I possibly lose him? Of course he is at the Cultural Relics Bureau, but he cannot have outside contact—rest assured, two or three days at most—"

As he spoke, with two "beep" sounds, the call was disconnected.

Wang Qizhi was dumbfounded: Helping at the Cultural Relics Bureau, but cannot have outside contact?

Seeing him standing there stunned, Zhao Xiuneng asked cautiously: "Professor Wang, how is it?"

"He said he is helping at the Cultural Relics Bureau, it will take two or three days."

"Helping—that's a good thing, right?"

Wang Qizhi was not very sure either: "It should be!"

Hmm, it is highly likely.

He felt that his father-in-law was also busy, otherwise he wouldn't have hung up so hurriedly. That meant it wasn't a small matter, and it further meant that Lin Sicheng was truly helping.

He put away his phone: "Let's go back, we'll know in two days!"

"Right!" Zhao Xiuneng nodded, "It's only two days!"

But this wait lasted four days.

At 6:30 in the morning, the sky was just beginning to brighten, and Liang Shiya, in a sports outfit, entered the gym.

Chen Jiashan had arrived a little earlier and was warming up. Seeing Liang Shiya, she looked surprised: "Diwen, how long has it been since you worked out?"

It had indeed been a long time since she had let it go, but those in technical management were all like this: no matter how well you plan, it never changes as fast as reality.

Overtime was the norm; not working overtime was rare. Sometimes you had just crawled into bed when the system suddenly malfunctioned, and the Engineer couldn't solve it.

As a Supervisor, could you sleep?

"It really has been a long time!" Liang Shiya turned on the treadmill, "I'm in a good mood these past two days!"

Chen Jiashan looked at her complexion: It was indeed much better than a few days ago.

She smiled: "How many days has it been since you saw General Manager Lin?"

Liang Shiya glared at her: Why bring up that sore subject?

The reason she was in a good mood was precisely because she hadn't seen Lin Sicheng for many days. No need to be angered by anyone, no need to rack her brains, and no need for scheming.

Eating well, sleeping well, her mood was naturally good.

"CoCo, you say, wouldn't it be great if he went missing, the kind that never appears again—"

Chen Jiashan smiled: "Diwen, it's actually possible."

Liang Shiya was stunned, her heart skipping a beat: That's right, it really is possible.

Otherwise, why would he hire so many bodyguards?

Liang Shiya paused subconsciously, but forgot the treadmill was still running, and she stumbled violently.

Chen Jiashan was quick-witted and hit the safety button.

"Diwen, I was just saying it casually—" Chen Jiashan looked suspicious, "Are you worried about him?"

"How is that possible, I wish for him to have bad luck." Liang Shiya glared, "Didn't you see how miserably he bullied me?"

Chen Jiashan blinked: It was quite miserable, but you are indeed worried about him—

Thinking carefully, apart from bickering and snapping at each other, the two sides didn't actually have any major conflicts.

And because of the nature of the supervision, the two sides interacted and engaged with each other extremely frequently.

Humans are strange animals; sometimes after spending a long time together, even enemies can see eye to eye—

But Chen Jiashan was wise and didn't say it out loud: It was true that she and Liang Shiya were friends, but the two were also superior and subordinate.

She smiled: "I guess General Manager Lin is busy with other things!"

"It's better if he stays busy, preferably too busy to raise funds." Liang Shiya didn't care, "Once the deadline arrives, we can consider ourselves liberated!"

That was true.

But Chen Jiashan felt the possibility was not high.

The two ran for a little while and then did a few sets of equipment. Liang Shiya hadn't trained in a long time and was panting quite heavily.

After resting for a while, at 7:30, the two showered and went to the restaurant.

But before she could get her meal, Liang Shiya's phone rang. After she answered, the Assistant's voice came through: "Diwen, General Manager Lin is here!"

Liang Shiya was stunned for a moment: "Okay, I'll be down immediately!"

Hanging up the phone, she looked at Chen Jiashan: "You eat first."

Chen Jiashan was a bit confused: "You aren't eating?"

"How could eating be more important than watching Lin Sicheng suffer a setback?"

Saying this, Liang Shiya walked toward the elevator.

Chen Jiashan looked at the noodles on her plate: He had only been "gone" for four days, not four years.

Sighing, Chen Jiashan put down her fork and followed her up.

Lin Sicheng was drinking coffee, with Guo Yongxin opposite him.

The two sides were indeed opponents, but to tell the truth: no matter which of the three directors it was, their impression of Lin Sicheng was very good.

Young and promising, calm and reserved, high emotional intelligence, and even higher IQ.

Just like Li Shihao, even though he had been tricked by Lin Sicheng until he was covered in dirt and felt like dying, he never denied that this was an opponent worthy of respect and possessed of great personal charm.

With a "ding," the elevator reached the floor. Hearing footsteps, Lin Sicheng stood up.

The two met eyes, and her gaze paused on his face for three seconds; Liang Shiya looked him up and down.

Lin Sicheng was baffled and looked down at himself: "General Manager Liang, what are you looking for?"

"I'm looking to see if you've grown any bullet holes on your body."

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment, then let out a "heh."

In normal times, he would have retorted with three or five sentences, guaranteed to make this woman jump over a wall in anger. But today he had things to do, so he would let her off for now.

"General Manager Liang, General Manager Chen, sit!" Lin Sicheng pointed to the sofa, "I came here today because there is a matter I would like to consult you about!"

Liang Shiya held the armrest, a flash of vigilance in her eyes: appreciation was appreciation, and impressions were impressions, but she had not forgotten their respective positions.

"General Manager Liang, don't be so nervous!" Lin Sicheng smiled, "It really is just a consultation!"

Liang Shiya crossed her arms: "You speak first!"

"It's like this, I want to consult you: if a client currently has a business matter and needs to hire me as a Consultant, requiring paid consultation, can the income generated from that be invested into Artifact Research?"

Before he had even finished speaking, Liang Shiya sat up straight.

Guo Yongxin and Chen Jiashan exchanged a glance, secretly on guard.

If it were normal and reasonable paid knowledge, then of course it would count.

In Western countries, especially in scientific research enterprises, the importance placed on intellectual property and paid knowledge even exceeds that of commercial operations themselves.

Because the essence of a research enterprise is to develop the market using professional knowledge as a scarce commodity, and then generate profit.

Just like the three of them: the reason their annual salaries were in the millions and their levels were so high was because they possessed the professional knowledge the enterprise required. They could solve problems for the enterprise and, even more, save costs for the enterprise.

However, they did not feel that Lin Sicheng's so-called "Consultant" and "consultation" were reasonable or normal.

For example, hanging a title at some enterprise, casually offering some dispensable, ambiguous advice, and then being given a huge "consultation fee."

These were things Guo Yongxin had already mentioned before they even came to Beijing.

Likewise, the Technology Authorization Agreement also had relevant restrictive clauses, and Lin Sicheng knew them clearly.

So, since he knew, and yet specifically came here, what kind of trick was he trying to play?

Liang Shiya didn't say "it counts," nor did she say it didn't, but went straight to the point: "General Manager Lin, please be specific!"

"Good!" Lin Sicheng nodded, "For example, Saishikai is facing a lawsuit. Whether it is the Judge, the jury, or even the most professional legal team internationally, all believe that Saishikai will inevitably lose the case and inevitably have to pay a large sum of money."

"However, I have a way to make Saishikai avoid being sued, or even win the case, and conversely claim damages from the plaintiff. Then, how much do you think it would be appropriate for me to ask for?"

Pausing slightly, Lin Sicheng held up two fingers, "For example, if Saishikai needs to pay 200 million, I only need 60 million to keep them from having to pay, and perhaps I can even argue for the plaintiff to pay them back a little, such as for defamation damages or something similar. Is this 60 million too much for me to ask for?"

Although they knew Lin Sicheng was only using a metaphor, when they heard "Saishikai" and "damages," the three women's hearts still skipped a beat.

A month ago, Lin Sicheng had "extorted" nineteen technology authorizations from Saishikai.

Therefore, the three of them became even more vigilant.

Liang Shiya narrowed her eyes: "General Manager Lin, which aspect does the consultation you can provide refer to?"

"Of course, it is within the scope of what I am good at!" Lin Sicheng's tone was relaxed, "Rest assured, it is also absolutely within the scope restricted by the agreement——"

To put it bluntly: at least Lin Sicheng had to understand it.

The problem was, did they understand it?

Liang Shiya probed: "Antiques, Cultural Relics?"

Lin Sicheng gave a thumbs up.

Liang Shiya's heart skipped a beat: she knew it would be like this!

Before she could say anything, Lin Sicheng waved his hand: "General Manager Liang, didn't you hire Experts?"

Oh right, the commission hadn't ended yet; Zhou Zhilin and He Jian were still in Beijing.

"Rest assured, it is absolutely legal, compliant, and reasonable!" Lin Sicheng looked determined, "If the two Experts say there is any problem, the agreement will be voided on the spot!"

"On the spot?" Liang Shiya looked suspicious, "You mean, we can supervise on-site?"

"Of course!" Lin Sicheng smiled, "I don't want to trouble the three of you, but I'm afraid you won't acknowledge it afterward!"

The three women let out a cold snort in unison.

"When?"

"Today!" Lin Sicheng checked his watch, "In one hour! It's not far, the guest is staying at this very hotel! Before it starts, I will have my Assistant invite the three of you——"

Saying this, Lin Sicheng stood up and reached out to shake hands with each of them: "The three of you, see you later!"

Liang Shiya wanted to say something but stopped, not knowing what to ask.

A bunch of question marks popped up in her head, but Lin Sicheng had already left the reception hall.

She hurriedly got up to see Lin Sicheng out.

After returning, the three women looked at each other.

"Two hundred million in Cultural Relics, what could it be?"

"It might also be many items!"

"Could it be a formality, just looking for an excuse to bypass our supervision so the relevant departments can give him the money?"

""

Liang Shiya did not speak: it was not impossible. And all along, this was exactly what they were most worried about.

Because they truly did not understand Cultural Relics.

"Don't be anxious yet, I will ask Master Zhou and Master He!"

As she spoke, Liang Shiya picked up her phone. But just as she entered the number, there was a "dong-dong-dong" sound outside the door.

Immediately, the three men walked quickly past the door of the Reception Room.

After walking several steps, the footsteps stopped, and Zhou Zhilin turned back, peering in from outside the door: "General Manager Liang, I have something to find you about, we need to go out for a trip!"

"Master Zhou, what is the matter?"

"Zhang Zongxian has arrived in Beijing and invited us for a face-to-face talk!" Zhou Zhilin paused, "In all likelihood, Zhang Zongxian is going to breach the contract."

Breach the contract, that Zhu Zi Manuscript?

Liang Shiya was stunned: "Why?"

"The specific reason is not yet clear, but Zhang Zongxian is also staying at the Shangri-La, and has invited us up for a talk—"

Zhang Zongxian is also staying at this hotel?

Liang Shiya paused abruptly, a flash of light crossing her mind: "When?"

"They said in one hour!"

The three women looked at each other: Lin Sicheng said the client who invited him for consultation is staying at this hotel?

The time for the consultation is also in one hour.

The key is the amount Lin Sicheng mentioned: two hundred million?

The final auction price of that manuscript was one hundred and sixty-one million, plus the twenty percent commission increase Zhang Zongxian promised, which is exactly two hundred million.

Seeing the strange expressions on the three women's faces, Zhou Zhilin was confused: "Miss Liang, is there something you need us to do, and the time conflicts?"

"No!" Liang Shiya shook her head, "Because we also have to go—"

She hesitated, "Just now General Manager Lin also came, saying someone invited him as a Consultant, involving a legal lawsuit worth two hundred million—also in this building, and also in one hour—"

Zhou Zhilin was stunned.

Outside the door, Li Chengkai's face darkened instantly.

After receiving Zhang Zongxian's call, the two had been guessing: is the reason Zhang Zongxian is breaching the contract because they outbid him by that one million, or is Lin Sicheng playing tricks in the middle?

Now there is no need to guess, it is Lin Sicheng playing tricks.

"Damn punk—scum—" Li Chengkai sneered, "He thinks that if he tricks Zhang Zongxian, we will lose money? No, we will only earn more—"

Zhou Zhilin did not speak, because this was the truth.

If they hadn't signed the entrustment contract with Zhang Zongxian in advance, they would have already returned to Hong Kong with the manuscript.

Whether it be Huiheng, Jinhang, or even Tongchi which provided them with a guarantee, which one wouldn't sell it for over two hundred million?

Therefore, they were eager to terminate the contract—

Liang Shiya thought for a moment: "Master Zhou, has the manuscript been delivered?"

"Not yet, the amount is too large, there are too many procedures for transferring over one hundred million in funds from Hong Kong to the Mainland, it will take at least a week. But it doesn't matter, Bonhams has granted us a half-month extension—"

The delivery deadline is half a month, and today is only the fifth day.

There is plenty of time, but Liang Shiya always feels something is wrong.

Lin Sicheng is too confident—

"Miss Liang, if there is nothing else, we will go discuss it first!"

"Alright, Master Zhou, see you later!"

The three men went to the room next door, and the three women looked at each other.

So, the "Wind" Lin Sicheng mentioned when making the analogy referred to Zhang Zongxian—

Liang Shiya frowned: "MaRy, if this is the situation, if he can earn sixty million, does it count as a reasonable source of income?"

Guo Yongxin nodded: "It counts!"

This is a typical risk-based agency in Western countries: striving for huge benefits for the client, or avoiding huge losses.

The agency fee is basically between twenty percent and forty percent, and can reach up to half.

Two hundred million, Lin Sicheng only taking sixty million is not much.

Guo Yongxin paused: "The premise is that he can really help the client recover two hundred million in losses!"

Liang Shiya frowned: That's right?

Li Chengkai and Zhou Zhilin are so confident, even feeling that Zhang Zongxian breaching the contract is a bargain for them, allowing them to earn more.

If the price of the manuscript is higher after the breach, then where does Lin Sicheng's so-called "recovering huge losses for Zhang Zongxian" come from?

The three of them thought for a long while, but had no clue.

Liang Shiya stood up and looked at her watch: "No need to think, let's prepare!"

As for the specific reason, we will know later—