Chapter 624: A Visit from Distinguished Guests

Liang Shiya is a technical officer, so she will naturally be able to show off her skills when the time comes, but Chen Jiashan and Guo Yingxin can only play supporting roles and provide logistical support.

When the time comes, their work could be done by an ordinary Accountant and Lawyer; there is no need for a CFO and CLO with annual salaries of over a million.

As if knowing what they were thinking, Liang Shiya smiled: "Don't worry, as long as I am here for a day, you two will certainly be here too—"

The hearts of the two women stirred.

Liang Shiya is the Technical Director; she is the only one who can shoulder the heavy burden ahead. As long as she speaks up, the United Association will certainly respect her opinion.

The fear is that someone with a higher rank might be sent from above.

But the two said nothing and smiled gratefully—

Lin Sicheng announced the formal conclusion, and Wang Qi Zhi, Zhao Xiuneng, the two Assistants, and the two apprentices all sprang into action, accompanying the guests to the restaurant.

Zhang Yuanfan pushed Zhang Zongxian, accompanied by Sheng Guoan and Tian Rulong. But Lin Sicheng did not dare to be negligent and personally escorted them into the elevator.

This person could definitely be considered a benefactor from Lin Sicheng's previous life. If not for Zhang Zongxian's patronage, he would not have been able to make such a big

name for himself in his previous life.

In this life, Zhang Zongxian became Lin Sicheng's benefactor again: Lin Sicheng only had to say a few words, and Zhang Zongxian did not hesitate in the slightest, allowing him to earn over seventy million (including tax).

Lin Sicheng only mentioned whether Zhang Yuanfan or Zhang Yuanqiao could attend today's auction to help bolster his prestige. Zhang Zongxian not only agreed but even dragged his ailing body to attend in person.

If not for Zhang Zongxian's presence, such a grand turnout today would have been impossible, and it would have been even more impossible for so many heavyweight figures to show their support.

At the very least, the Persons in Charge of those private equity funds and state-owned funds could not have attended; at most, they would have sent a manager to represent them.

More importantly, Lin Sicheng was just chatting casually with Zhang Yuanqiao about the business model of the Taiwan art industry leader, Sheng Dazhuang, and just jokingly mentioned:

He also dared to try the "guaranteed authenticity and after-sales" sales model of Sheng Dazhuang, because everything in his hands was the real thing.

It was truly just idle chatter, and Zhang Yuanqiao also took it as idle chatter. After returning, he told it to Zhang Zongxian as an anecdote. But Zhang Zongxian took it seriously and specifically called Sheng Guoan and Tian Rulong to understand the situation.

Others might not know the origin of Lin Sicheng's collection, but could these two not know?

The two of them had followed the Expert team from the National Cultural Heritage Administration to Xijing and visited Lin Sicheng's exhibition hall. They had seen and even appraised every single piece there.

Several of the pieces were even picked up by Lin Sicheng right under their noses: for example, the Congyun Seal of Qianlong and the Wang Shu Edict.

Then the next day, Zhang Zongxian sent Zhang Yuanqiao over and relayed the message: "You dare to guarantee authenticity, and I, Zhang Zongxian, dare to provide the guarantee for you."

While there was certainly the intention of having Lin Sicheng help look into the group of people behind the Zhu Zi Manuscript and wanting to secure a favor in advance,

more of it was Zhang Zongxian's investment in Lin Sicheng.

And precisely because of Zhang Zongxian's guarantee, today's guests bid so fiercely and treated money as if it were nothing. Consequently, the prices of those dozen or so auction lots reached such heights.

Especially that last Imperial Edict; if not for the after-sales clause providing a safety net, it would have sold for at most seventy or eighty million.

If this doesn't count as a benefactor, what kind of person does?

Lin Sicheng waited for them to get into the elevator and, seeing the elevator doors close, entered the venue.

Along the way, people kept greeting him, and Lin Sicheng was composed and unhurried.

But even though each person only exchanged a polite word or two, he was still tied up for several minutes.

By this time, more than half of the people in the venue had already left. Only seven or eight people remained sitting in the circle toward the back in the middle.

"General Manager Liang, General Manager Guo, General Manager Chen, Master He—" Lin Sicheng greeted them one by one, "I have prepared a modest meal, I hope you will do me the honor!"

Liang Shiya said half-jokingly: "Is General Manager Lin here specifically to invite us?"

Lin Sicheng replied without hesitation: "Of course!"

A local official is no match for the person currently in charge; furthermore, there would be a long time of dealing with each other ahead, so the necessary respect had to be shown.

"Thank you, General Manager Lin, it is a great honor!"

Liang Shiya stood up and looked at him strangely again, "General Manager Lin, so many major events happened today, why are you so calm?"

Lin Sicheng paused: Were there many? Were they major?

He only auctioned off a dozen or so collectibles and earned a little over two hundred million. In addition, he used the remaining three pieces as collateral to borrow three billion—

As for being calm, that really wasn't the case.

Lin Sicheng was still very happy, and also a bit excited, even proud of himself.

Even if he relied on the abilities from his previous life and received help from many people, such as Wang Qi Zhi and Zhao Xiuneng, Lin Sicheng was entirely worthy of pride for achieving so much in just two years.

Not to mention anything else, just take those three billion. Who would dare to pat their chest and say: "If I were allowed to live another life, I could earn three billion in two years"?

If you dared to say it, those who heard it would laugh their heads off.

It was just that his face was cold and he didn't like to smile, so he just looked calm.

"Actually, I am very happy! At the very least, I have cleared the first hurdle—"

Lin Sicheng paused, his tone revealing a trace of sincerity, "I also want to thank Director Liang, thank Director Guo and Director Chen, thank you for your support—"

The three women were stunned and revealed strange expressions: Lin Sicheng was actually thanking them for their support?

They could see and hear that Lin Sicheng was thanking them sincerely.

But precisely because he was telling the truth, it was strange: they had caused Lin Sicheng so much trouble, picked so many faults, and were tripping him up the whole time; what kind of support was this?

Probably guessing what these three were thinking, Lin Sicheng just smiled.

At the very least, these three did not fabricate things out of thin air and did not use underhanded tactics. Everything was within the rules.

For this point alone, Lin Sicheng had to say thank you to them.

Likewise, Liang Shiya could also guess what Lin Sicheng was thinking.

She thought about it very seriously: "General Manager Lin, you are a gentleman!"

"Actually, regardless of whether it is me, Mary, or Coco, we all admire you—admire your character, your way of handling things, and also your ability to make money—"

The more they understood, the more they admired him.

Just like the question Chen Jiashan asked earlier: This is over three billion, what is Lin Sicheng after?

So, it wasn't that they didn't know how to use underhanded tactics, but that their values and professional ethics did not allow it.

Lin Sicheng was stunned: "General Manager Liang, this is the first time someone has praised me like this!"

"Is that so? That is because they do not have a pair of eyes that can see through to the essence—" Liang Shiya smiled slightly and extended her hand again, "General Manager Lin, I look forward to your guidance in the future!"

Lin Sicheng also just assumed she was being truly polite rather than implying something, and naturally extended his hand: "General Manager Liang, happy cooperation—"

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, buildings stood in rows, and the Central Radio and Television Tower stood tall and upright in the distance.

Further to the west, one could see the outline of Xishan, with layers of peaks floating on the skyline.

In the wide sofa, three women sat upright, waiting quietly.

Opposite them was a large office desk, where a man of about forty years old sat.

Black hair, black eyes, a hooked nose, and very handsome facial features; he had the standard look of a person of mixed heritage.

Liang Shiya sighed inwardly: The more you worry about something, the more likely it is to happen?

Two days ago, Guo Yongxin and Chen Jiashan had even said, would they be considered derelict in their duties because they hadn't found any signs of irregularities in Lin Sicheng's self-raised funds, and would the United Association send them a new superior?

At the time, Liang Shiya had even mocked them: Whoever thinks they are not diligent, then let them come and try?

And less than a week after saying this, the person had arrived. Liang Shiya really wanted to scold these two women: Did your mouths kiss a crow's butt, or did an old monk bless them with a hand that had been scratching his crotch?

Even fortune-telling isn't this accurate—

While she was thinking this, the man flipped through the documents, and a beautiful female assistant refilled their coffee.

The three of them dared not make a sound, only returning a smile, and after about another quarter of an hour, the man finally put down the documents.

"It only took one week to earn one hundred million?"

"And the subsequent three billion, it only took two years, and the most expensive piece hasn't even been mortgaged yet?"

The man frowned: "Since when has money in the Mainland been so easy to earn?"

His Mandarin was spoken with perfect enunciation and carried a hint of majesty. Liang Shiya felt a tightness in her heart and was just about to explain, but the man waved his hand: "Director Liang, I am not questioning you, merely curious!"

Liang Shiya breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you for your understanding, President He!"

She couldn't help but be nervous: As fellow persons in charge of the Asia region, this man and Li Zhenghao were two extremes. Compared to him, Li Zhenghao was like a bunny rabbit, while this man was a tiger that could eat people at any moment.

His personality and way of handling things were unusually famous at Saishi Company: decisive, calm, and tough.

Because of forming cliques and installing cronies, he had once fired every single Indian employee in the Asia region. From executives to ordinary staff, not one was left.

Including the India region.

Because of this, the India Ministry of Commerce met with the United States consul and lodged a stern protest, but He Youhan continued to act as he pleased.

In the end, things became too rigid, so Saishi Company transferred He Youhan back to headquarters, and Li Zhenghao took over.

After returning to the United States, He Youhan served as the person in charge of the Audit and Risk Management Department at Saishi headquarters, responsible for the group's risk control, internal audits, and fraud investigations.

Later, for the sake of internal audits, he did not hesitate to clash head-on with the Board of Directors, and was eventually shelved by the company. If Lin Sicheng hadn't been so difficult to deal with, He Youhan would still be shelved.

This time, if you were to say he was being used as a discarded tool, it wouldn't be wrong.

Therefore, facing such a fierce person, Liang Shiya really couldn't muster any toughness.

He Youhan was noncommittal; he closed the documents and then checked his watch: "Director Liang, I will introduce you to a friend in a moment!"

Liang Shiya did not understand the reason, but nodded: "Very well, General Manager He!"

Having the assistant change her tea to a hot cup, He Youhan asked about their work arrangements and content over the past month, and Liang Shiya reported every detail.

He Youhan did not say they had done well, nor did he say they had done poorly, but his attitude was fairly gentle and his tone was fairly calm.

But the three women dared not lower their guard, fearing that in the next second, He Youhan would suddenly slap down three termination notices and tell them to get out.

So every sentence they spoke, they had to turn over in their minds at least three times before saying it.

Thus, they chatted for nearly half an hour, and Liang Shiya was almost breaking into a sweat on her forehead when a knock finally came at the door.

The assistant opened the door, and a middle-aged man in his fifties entered. He was tall, wore glasses, was dressed in a suit and leather shoes, and appeared gentle and refined.

He Youhan stood up, and the two shook hands.

"General Manager Liang, this is Mr. Sun Jingzhou, a famous appraiser. He once served on the national Appraisal Committee, later resigned, immigrated to the United States, and is now an Appraisal Master of great renown in Europe and America."

An Appraisal Master?

Liang Shiya's heart stirred: We are here to handle technology and research instruments; why would you invite an appraiser?

Unless it was specifically to deal with Lin Sicheng, but isn't it a bit late for that?

Turning these thoughts over, Liang Shiya addressed him politely.

Both sides sat down and drank half a cup of tea before He Youhan rose: "General Manager Liang, Mr. Sun and I are going out for a while; are you coming?"

"General Manager He, where to?"

"To pay a visit to that General Manager Lin!" He Youhan smiled with a hint of playfulness, "We will be working together for a long time, so in terms of reason and sentiment, we must meet!"

Indeed, they must meet.

The United Association is the supervisory party, and Lin Sicheng is the executing party; the two sides could barely be called colleagues.

If following the normal order: Liang Shiya would notify Lin Sicheng that a new leader had arrived at the executive committee, and then Lin Sicheng would come to pay a visit.

As for whether they are friends or enemies, and whether they can get along, one would only know after meeting.

But this General Manager He arrived too suddenly; the person was already at the hotel before Liang Shiya received the notification email from Saishi headquarters.

She even suspected that this General Manager He had already been here for several days and had been investigating for several days. Perhaps he really couldn't find anything, which is why he had headquarters send the email.

Then came the meetings, which lasted for several days, and all outside contact was strictly forbidden. Even if Liang Shiya wanted to tip off Lin Sicheng, she couldn't find the opportunity—

Now it was fine; General Manager He wanted to visit Lin Sicheng in person and even brought a very famous appraiser?

It couldn't be that he wanted to go over and smash the place, could it?

Thinking this secretly, Liang Shiya stood up: "I will accompany General Manager He!"

She could tell: although He Youhan was asking her, he was also ordering her.

Liang Shiya still had that much discernment.

"Good, let's go together—"

The five of them went downstairs and saw a large Benz business van parked at the hotel entrance; Guo Yongxin secretly gave a look:

See that? General Manager He even arranged the car; it's obvious he's been making unannounced visits for several days.

Liang Shiya was noncommittal: putting herself in his shoes, if it were her, she would do the same.

To hold Lin Sicheng back, Saishi not only sent three executive officers but also fully staffed the team, from technology to finance to legal.

In the end, not only did it not have the slightest effect, but it actually provided all sorts of divine assistance?

If you want to know how they assisted—first ask Liang Shiya: how did Lin Sicheng's three billion-plus come about?

Was it not Zhou Zhilin whom Liang Shiya invited, and was it not Zhou Zhilin who was self-righteous, thinking he had encountered a priceless treasure, and in a moment of greed, contacted Zhang Zongxian?

At the auction, was it not Zhou Zhilin and Li Chengkai who stirred up trouble, insisting on competing with Lin Sicheng, which led to the Zhu Zi Manuscript falling into their hands?

Only then did Zhang Zongxian come to Beijing.

If Zhang Zongxian hadn't come to Beijing, where would Lin Sicheng have gone to earn that one hundred million?

Going a step further: if Zhang Zongxian hadn't attended the auction, let alone auctioning for over two hundred million or raising three billion, if he could have even raised half of that, it would have been smoke rising from his ancestral grave.

Calculating it this way, Lin Sicheng was able to raise over three billion, and Liang Shiya helped for the better part of it. If it weren't for her, it would have been a struggle for Lin Sicheng to raise even one billion.

Standing from the United Association's perspective, would they be crazy to believe her?

But Liang Shiya had a clear conscience: no matter who came, even if He Youhan fired her right now, she would dare to pat her chest and say she had done her best—

Thinking of it this way, Liang Shiya suddenly felt confident, stepped into the car gracefully, and sat generously behind He Youhan.

Guo Yongxin and Chen Jiashan didn't have her courage and huddled in the very back, looking suspicious.

The car drove very steadily, but the speed was not slow, and it soon arrived at the Desheng Technology Park.

From afar, one could hear the sound of gongs and drums playing together and festive, cheerful music. Walking a little closer, one could see huge arches and flower baskets covering the ground.

Outside the door, there were groups of people gathered here and there.

They just assumed some company was opening, and no one paid any attention. But when they drove to the entrance of the arch, the Benz stopped.

He Youhan and Sun Jingzhou got out of the car first, with the three women following closely behind.

Just after getting out of the car, Liang Shiya was stunned: isn't this the building where Lin Sicheng's appraisal center is located?

Looking again at the notes on those flower baskets:

Congratulations on the grand opening of the Lin Sicheng Cultural Relic Appraisal Center, wishing you great success and a prosperous business.

Respectfully presented by Baishan Zhai!

Congratulations on the opening of the Lin Sicheng Cultural Relic Appraisal Center, may you appraise the ancient to know the present, and may your reputation spread far and wide.

Respectfully presented by Tian Rulong!

Similar to these, several rows of flower baskets were lined up for dozens of meters.

Looking at the words on the notes, the three women looked at each other: Lin Sicheng's center is opening today, why didn't we know?

You bastard, we took such a big fall for you, and you didn't even send an invitation?

Just as they were secretly cursing, the few people opposite them also saw them.

Zhao Xiuneng was stunned: "Huh, didn't Junior Brother say he couldn't get in touch with them, why did they suddenly come?"

Wang Qi Zhi was also a bit confused: these women seemed to have suddenly disappeared; they were eating together the night before, and the next day they suddenly couldn't be reached?

Lin Sicheng had made a special trip to the hotel to look for them, but the front desk said they had already checked out.

In fact, He Youhan had helped them change hotels, and when Lin Sicheng went to invite them in person, they happened to be in a meeting and had all turned off their phones.

Because they weren't very familiar and there were mostly ladies, Wang Qi Zhi and Zhao Xiuneng didn't come over and let Li Zhen greet them.

Don't feel slighted either: among the three centers, Li Zhen is the real General Manager, and her rank is even higher than theirs—

Li Zhen walked up quickly: "Director Liang—"

Just as she called out, Liang Shiya interrupted quickly, then introduced: "Assistant Li, this is President He, and this is Mr. Sun—"

President?

Looking at He Youhan, Li Zhen subconsciously thought of Li Zhenghao's face, and her heart skipped a beat: both are foreigners, both are presidents?

The key is, it feels like Director Liang is a bit flustered today?

While suspicious, her face smiled even more warmly: "President He, Mr. Sun, welcome!"

He Youhan nodded, reached into his suit pocket, and took out a Red Envelope: "Coming uninvited today, I wish President Lin a gathering of talents and daily wealth!"

It wasn't thick, but it wasn't thin either; it should have been one thousand yuan.

Li Zhen paused and took it into her hand: "Thank you, President He, please come in!"

"No need, Assistant Li still has to welcome guests, we will go up ourselves! President Lin is upstairs, right?"

"He is, President He!"

Li Zhen didn't dare to be negligent and personally led them inside.

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