Chapter 131: He Wasn’t Sent to Fire a Kiln, He Was Sent to Become a Monk

As soon as Song Suiyang entered the office today, he noticed something was amiss. With the exception of Tong Zhongyuan, who looked cheerful, everyone else seemed dejected. Upon inquiry, he learned that Tong Zhongyuan was leaving for Jingdezhen the next day. He had already partially restored the inscription on the Jinhou Zhong, leaving the rest to Dai Lihua. Xie Qiongyu and Chen Jun knew he was visiting for Yuan blue and white porcelain, but for them, following him was impossible; their only option was to return to Beijing. If he left, they wouldn't necessarily stay at the Shanghai Museum. They had come to the Shanghai Museum, learned nothing, and were going home.

Song Suiyang inquired and learned that Qin Tian had enlisted the help of a porcelain factory. He was amazed! If the damaged surface could truly be restored, then Yuan blue and white porcelain would become the first restored artifact to use modern porcelain in conjunction with ancient porcelain! This would go down in the history of cultural relic restoration, opening up a new path for future generations to explore. No wonder Tong Zhongyuan was so full of life; Qin Tian not only provided him with a feasible solution, but also spent time with him.

Qin Tian returned to her office, gathered her thoughts, and reported to Ming Yuanxing. Before she could even mention the trip to Jingdezhen, Ming Yuanxing beamed, mentioning that Xiaotong had been there. Ming Yuanxing lamented the pressure Tong Zhongyuan faced in undertaking the restoration of Yuan blue and white porcelain, and expressed her gratitude for her willingness to lend a hand. Finally, she pledged her full support for any new endeavors. Qin Tian was speechless, unable to do anything but thank him for his support.

She originally just wanted to discuss the plan with Tong Zhongyuan today, and then gradually move forward. She never expected that he would be so proactive. It was indeed as he said at work, it was a good free time. She had just been to Qin Yunjie the day before yesterday, and the situation was relatively stable. As for the matter of the gilded plate, she had to wait for clues from Zhuang Xiangyan. In fact, it was not impossible to leave tomorrow. The only problem was Tang Zhixu. She promised him to think about it carefully. Only one day had passed. Would she give him an answer today? Or would she go to Jingdezhen with Tong Zhongyuan without saying a word. No matter what she did, it seemed extremely disrespectful to his feelings. After thinking it over, she asked Tang Zhixu to have lunch together at noon.

When Tang Zhixu heard that Qin Tian and Tong Zhongyuan were going to Jingdezhen to open a kiln together, he was stunned and asked, "So you found a porcelain factory in the suburbs yesterday?"

"Yeah. Actually, I don't know if it's really that bad. I'll go with him first and settle him down, then I'll be back."

"You... don't you know..." He didn't want to ask a question he already knew the answer to. He laughed at himself. "Then why did you come to see me?"

Qin Tian was a little confused by his question: "I...I just want to tell you that I won't be in Shanghai these days."

Tang Zhixu smiled and nodded.

"Okay, I understand."

She'd known him for so many years, had seen every expression on his face. She couldn't help but understand the meaning of his smile at that moment. He was laughing at her hypocrisy, her pretense, at the fact that she'd confessed her feelings to him yesterday, and yet she was going on a business trip alone with another man tomorrow. What was she holding on to? What difference did it make if it was a few days earlier or later? The eight years of love she'd cherished would be gone the moment she gave her answer.

"Tang Zhixu, regarding what happened yesterday, I said I would seriously consider it. In fact, last night I was..."

He didn't wait for her to finish, but stood up, picked up his coat, and left the table. Without even turning back, he said, "Give me your answer when you get back from Jingdezhen. Let me know when you get back, and I'll pick you up."

The high-speed train sped along, the weather was beautiful, and the sun was blazing. Qin Tian sat by the window, staring out the window. At this speed, the scenery wasn't particularly impressive, and the sun was making her feel a little dizzy. But she had no choice. Even with her neck twisted to look out, she could still feel Tong Zhongyuan's burning gaze on the back of her head. She was certain he was pursuing her—or, more accurately, seducing her.

She had already made up her mind not to get involved with Tong Zhongyuan, not to enter into a relationship with no future. She was so good at secret crushes that as long as Tong Zhongyuan didn't express his feelings, she would never let him know her feelings. Tong Zhongyuan was different from Tang Zhixu. He was the kind of person who would leave himself a way out and would never put himself in a desperate situation. He would not express his feelings without a clear signal.

Tong Zhongyuan's hand went around the back of her head and pulled the blackout curtain shut with a "swish", blocking her view of the scenery.

She turned and glared at him, and he handed her a bottle of water as if nothing had happened.

"The sun is too strong, my face is red."

"I'm taking calcium supplements."

"oh."

Tong Zhongyuan reached out and lifted the shade a little, revealing a gap four fingers wide. The sun shone in obliquely, just right on her hand resting on the window frame and on the small table in front of her.

"Sunbathing your hands can also mend them."

Qin Tian was speechless, pulling out her phone to read. She wasn't used to watching short videos, nor did she have time for dramas. She'd occasionally download a few mindless online novels for leisure. These past few days, while work matters had been resolved, her relationship troubles were troubling her. Last night, thinking about her unpleasant parting with Tang Zhixu, she'd simply read a novel, letting the plot fill in these unresolved issues.

She read about ten pages, and the hero and heroine were entering the stage of brainless sweet love. The author was probably young, and the plot and dialogue were so sweet and corny that she wanted to dig her toes into the ground.

Tong Zhongyuan, beside her, remained completely silent. For some unknown reason, she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, feeling guilty. He had his arms folded, one hand covering his chin, his eyes fixed on her phone screen. He was covering his mouth because the corners of his mouth were curling up uncontrollably, and even his hands couldn't suppress it.

Qin Tian felt a sudden burst of fire on her face, as if she had been caught cheating. She pulled down her phone and yelled.

"Why are you looking at my phone?"

"Sorry," he finally couldn't help laughing, "I just wanted to take a look. I didn't expect it to be so pretty."

He coughed several times, trying to disguise his laughter as coughs.

Qin Tian's face turned redder and redder. What a guy! He was so well-mannered and graceful in his words and deeds in England, how could he become so disgusting?

She stood up silently, pretending to leave. Tong Zhongyuan obediently stepped aside without a word. She went to the bathroom to wash her face, calmed down, and then returned with a sullen expression.

She sat back in her seat, took a sip of water, and raised the sunshade a little higher, thinking it was safer to look at the view.

"Qin Tian." He called her softly.

She strained her neck to convince herself that as an adult, she shouldn't act like a child, shouldn't get angry, and should be steady and tolerant. She turned to look at him and said calmly, "What?"

"Read the novel. I won't look at you anymore."

The train rocked gently and rhythmically, and she lay in her seat, her thoughts also swaying. He was so annoying, yet he made my heart flutter. He always made my heart flutter...

Tong Zhongyuan looked at her ups and downs of her back and her pink ears, then picked up his coat and covered her with it.

Arriving in Jingdezhen, they hailed a taxi and told them the address of the wood-fired kiln. The driver drove until they left the city and entered the mountains. They passed tea plantations one after another. Although it was early winter, the mountains were still covered in green. The driver, delighted at the big order, told them they could have a cup of tea on the roadside if they had time on their way back to the city.

"Master, how much longer will it take?" Qin Tian was a little uneasy. She hadn't expected this kiln to be so deep in the mountains. They weren't tourists, just tourists who'd just spend the day. Tong Zhongyuan would stay here for a while. This location, nestled deep in the mountains and old forests, felt like they weren't sending him here to fire the kiln, but to become a monk.

"Almost there, about five kilometers."

The vehicle went deeper and deeper into the forest and finally stopped in front of a rock-gray building.

The person in charge, whom I had contacted by phone earlier, was Ding Yiyi, a woman roughly the same age as Qin Tian and his friends. A graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts, she came to Jingdezhen to pursue her artistic endeavors. She discovered the aesthetic appeal of this abandoned ancient kiln nestled deep in the mountains. She purchased it and renovated it, preserving its ancient character while incorporating a modern, minimalist design.

The curved dome stands like a church, and light shines through the red brick grids; beams of sunlight shine on the lonely straight stone steps, like an altar for sacrifice.