Chapter 138 Ideological Re-education

Steam rose from the steamer, climbing up the brick wall and onto the eaves.

The fried dough sticks were golden yellow, and the tender white tofu pudding glistened with oil, forming a string of beads.

Shang Yan slowly walked out of the school gate.

It was still that Mercedes-Benz. Fang Jingxian leaned against the car door, with her younger brother and sister standing guard on either side.

She waved: "Over here!"

The three siblings looked around and then crossed the road.

Shang Yan pointed to a long row of restaurants: "What would you like to eat?"

Fang Jingxian replied, "I've already eaten!"

Shang Yan nodded and led the three of them into the school gate.

It was just past eight o'clock, but all departments had already started classes as usual, and the campus was sparsely populated.

The high heels clicked crisply on the bluestone slabs.

Fang Jingxian seemed a little absent-minded, her hands in the pockets of her trench coat, her fingernails unconsciously pinching the loose thread at the bottom of the pocket.

"What's wrong?" Shang Yan glanced at him. "You look like you've lost your soul?"

"nothing!"

Fang Jingxian snapped out of her reverie and frowned slightly: "Do you remember that day, the National Day, when we went to Kaiyuan?"

Of course I remember.

It was probably about a week after seeing the jade Guanyin statue at that jade shop that Fang Jingxian slowly came to her senses and suspected that Yang Zhigao and that General Manager Zhao were working together to scam her.

The more Fang Jingxian thought about it, the more something seemed off. On October 1st, she called Shang Yan and invited two other friends to test the waters.

So, they came up empty-handed?

Not only are the people gone, but the store has moved as well. During the National Day Golden Week holiday, a large portion of the prime location on the first floor of the mall was empty.

I asked the nearby shopkeepers, and they all said they didn't know anything, only that everything was fine the night before. But when I came the next day, the shops were closed and everything was gone.

The saying goes, "To catch a thief, you must catch him red-handed; to catch an adulterer, you must catch them in the act." Since the person had already fled, Fang Jingxian had no choice but to give up.

But after another week or so, she suddenly brought it up again?

Shang Yan made a wild guess: "What, has that Boss Zhao returned?"

"without!"

Fang Jingxian sighed, "Arrested?"

"You've gotten into trouble?" Shang Yan asked suspiciously. "What happened?"

Fang Jingxian shook her head: "I'm not quite sure yet!"

"Then why are you sighing?"

Fang Jingxian was slightly taken aback, unsure of what to say.

After a long silence, she murmured, "Yang Zhigao was also arrested, along with that General Manager Zhao. Only one day apart: the next night, the two of them arrested him together, taking everything, leaving nothing behind?"

"Huh?" Shang Yan was startled. "The second day of the National Day holiday?"

"What?! It was the day after we saw that jade Guanyin statue!"

Shang Yan was completely stunned and stopped in her tracks.

Even if she didn't understand, she at least knew the value of the "President of the City Association," especially since that President Yang had been in office for more than ten years.

Arrest them just like that? Even such a big shop, with so many jade and jadeite items, they just confiscated them like that?

Everything was fine the day before?

The crucial point is that it was only one day after they went to see the Guanyin statue...

Subconsciously, Shang Yan raised her head.

Not far away, just a hundred meters or so, the sign for the "Ceramic Restoration Studio" shone in the morning light. Involuntarily, the image of Lin Sicheng standing at the entrance of the police station, making a phone call, flashed through my mind.

Lin Sicheng certainly doesn't have that much power, nor does Lin Changqing.

But what if it's Wang Qizhi?

Following Shang Yan's gaze, Fang Jingxian narrowed her eyes: "It's him, isn't it?"

Shang Yan shook her head: "I don't know!"

"It's definitely him!"

Fang Jingxian's eyes gradually brightened. "On the 3rd, I called him and told him that Yang Zhigao had been arrested. He just said 'Oh' softly: 'Really?'"

If it weren't for him, upon hearing the news, he would at least be surprised, or even relieved.

But Lin Sicheng's tone was too calm that day.

Previously, after she suspected that Yang Zhigao had set her up, she was afraid of Yang Zhigao's retaliation, so she specifically called Lin Sicheng to warn him.

But Lin Sicheng remained calm and simply said, "Thank you, Mr. Fang."

So, at that time, he already knew Yang Zhigao had been arrested. So, who else could it be but him?

But how much energy must have been released in just one day?

Fang Jingxian's eyes grew brighter and brighter, with a hint of excitement in them.

"And then?" Shang Yan turned around, her expression turning serious. "What do you want to do?"

Fang Jingxian paused for a moment, looking astonished: "No... don't be so serious! I'm just curious..."

No, you're not just curious, you've also had wicked thoughts.

Ninety-nine out of a hundred people in the antique business operate in a gray area, making them extremely insecure. This is precisely why they often associate with people in the political arena.

The crucial point is that Fang Jingxian had recently suffered a major setback. And to make matters worse, her powerful backer ran into trouble, leaving her in a precarious situation. Now, she has nowhere to turn for help, no one to appeal to.

Encountering someone like Lin Sicheng suddenly is like a non-swimmer falling into a river and suddenly finding a lifebuoy...

Shang Yan warned sternly, "You'd better not get any funny ideas!"

Why?

Fang Jingxian's mind raced with thoughts, but she forced a smile and said, "I just want to cooperate with him!"

cooperate?

Shang Yan chuckled: "He has keen eyesight, technical skills, connections, and relationships. What can you possibly collaborate with him on?"

"Or do you think you can get something out of him? Is it your approaching menopause at thirty-seven or thirty-eight, your sagging breasts, or perhaps the wrinkles around your eyes and the veins in your neck?"

Fang Jingxian's face turned pale, and her eyelids twitched rapidly: "Shang Yan, you're disgusting!"

Shang Yan squinted at him: "Nonsense, if I didn't say something disgusting, would you be able to figure out your place?"

Fang Jingxian gritted her teeth in anger.

Despite her anger, she knew that Shang Yan was absolutely right: the two of them had no basis for cooperation whatsoever, so how could they cooperate?

But suddenly, Fang Jingxian's eyes lit up again: "Shang Yan, does Lin Sicheng not have a girlfriend yet? How old is he this year, twenty or twenty-one?"

Shang Yan was suddenly stunned, and slowly turned her head to look at her sister.

Then, his expression gradually became strange.

Fang Jingxian, do you even know how to write the word "death"?

Do you know why Chairman Yang was arrested so quickly?

You're so lucky, why did you die so quickly?

Shang Yan was speechless.

Just as she was thinking of how to give a hint, Shang Yan stopped.

Not far away, Ye Anning was carefully wiping the car with a duster.

The roadside was covered with fallen yellow leaves, and the bare willow branches swept across the stone slabs with a dry and fragmented sound.

A gust of wind swept through, carrying a few fragrant wisps and ruffling a few strands of hair.

Smoothing her hair, Ye Anning stopped dusting when she saw Shang Yan: "Professor Shang!"

"Is Assistant Ye going out?"

"Yes, I'm going out with Lin Sicheng later!"

"Okay!" Shang Yan smiled. "Then you get busy!"

After a casual greeting, the group continued walking. Fang Jingxian belatedly realized, "Lin Sicheng's girlfriend?"

Shang Yan didn't say anything.

It's hard to say for sure, but women are born with a sixth sense: when Ye Anning looked at Lin Sicheng, there was a light in her eyes.

Not as fiery as Li Zhen, but more resolute.

Shang Yan sighed again: "Listen to me, go wash up and go to bed early!"

Fang Jingxian didn't say anything, but just glanced back.

She is quite pretty and has a good temperament.

With that thought in mind, the group crossed the road and entered the studio.

The office was simply decorated; the walls and ceiling were painted, and some basic furniture was placed there.

Lin Sicheng was hunched over his computer, writing and drawing, while a dark-skinned young man sat on the sofa.

When Gu Ming stood up, he startled the group: he was tall, strong, and dark-skinned, like an iron tower.

"Professor Shang, President Fang!" Lin Sicheng stood up and introduced them, "This is my childhood friend!"

As everyone took their seats, Lin Sicheng was about to make tea when Li Zhen, wearing a protective apron and wiping her hands, entered the office.

After exchanging greetings, she took the teapot from Lin Sicheng's hand: "Let me do it!"

Lin Sicheng nodded and turned to retrieve the jade disc.

His actions were normal, his tone was calm, and he even knew the person Fang Jingxian had met before.

I know this is Shang Yan's teaching assistant, and also her student.

But I always felt that Shang Yan's students looked at her with a strange expression when they took the teapot.

Instinctively, Fang Jingxian glanced at Shang Yan, whose face darkened and who then sighed softly.

Now you know why I told you to wash up and go to bed, right?

If there were even the slightest possibility, would it be your place, surnamed Fang, to have any wicked thoughts?

The two men looked into each other's eyes. Lin Sicheng took out a wooden box and unlocked it.

The group narrowed their eyes in unison.

The jade, smooth and lustrous like solidified cream, radiates a soft, warm light, and its delicate texture, as smooth as cream, seems to exude a watery sheen.

The jade disc is round and full in shape, with an outer rim as round as a full moon. The surface of the disc is carved with auspicious scenes of the God of Longevity and children using shallow relief and openwork techniques. The layout is well-balanced, and the carving is as smooth as flowing clouds and water.

Look closer: the God of Longevity has a long beard that reaches his chest, a high forehead like a peach, and smiling eyes that convey kindness and approachability. He wears a wide robe with flowing folds, and holds a peach in both hands, his posture respectful yet lively.

The boy's face was round and smooth like a lotus, with two topknots on his head, lively and innocent. He held a staff with a coiled dragon in his hand, auspicious clouds swirled around him, and cranes danced gracefully, exuding an air of carefree immortality. His clothes fluttered in the wind, and he stood on auspicious herbs and lingzhi mushrooms, as if he had descended from the clouds and stepped on mist.

Looking at the patterns: the edge of the jade disc is carved with a lotus scroll pattern, the vines winding and continuous, symbolizing "endless life"; interspersed with bats, a homophone for "good fortune". Peaches symbolize "longevity". Lingzhi mushrooms represent "good luck".

The four patterns together form an auspicious omen of "double blessings of fortune and longevity." The background is lightly engraved with waves and cliffs, with the waves appearing and disappearing, subtly echoing the praise of "longevity as high as the Southern Mountain and fortune as vast as the Eastern Sea."

After examining it carefully, and gently touching the warm, smooth jade with her fingers, Fang Jingxian's eyes lit up: "Yangzhou craftsmanship from the Kangxi and Qianlong periods!"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "President Fang's judgment is quite good."

Turning it over, Fang Jingxian looked at the inscription "Longevity Star of Nanshan" on the back and thought for a moment: "Although it is not a piece of jade made for the imperial court, it must be made by a famous artist."

The key point is that the jade disc, with the "God of Longevity and Child" as its core, combines the three blessings of longevity (God of Longevity), many children (child), and wealth (white jade) into one. It was not only an important ritual object for celebrating birthdays among the ancient nobility, but also embodied the secular wish of "harmony between heaven and man, and prosperity for descendants".

Moreover, the jade disc is flawless, with the carving and jade quality complementing each other perfectly, making it a model of "jade must have craftsmanship, craftsmanship must have meaning, and meaning must be auspicious".

To be honest, if she had encountered this earlier, why would she have lost four million to buy a fake Xuande incense burner, almost been tricked by Yang Zhigao, and lost several million more to buy a fake Buddha statue?

Secretly delighted, she breathed a sigh of relief: "Four million!"

Lin Sicheng's eyelids twitched: "How much?"

You didn't even ask who carved it, yet you dared to offer four million?

"Oh, is it too low?"

Fang Jingxian looked up, about to say something, when Lin Sicheng waved his hand to interrupt her: "President Fang, this was carved by Zhou Hao, not an imperial artifact. You should negotiate the price properly!"

"Oh, Zhou Hao carved it?" Fang Jingxian had no doubts whatsoever; on the contrary, she liked it even more. She pondered for a moment, "Then three million!"

Lin Sicheng didn't know what to say: "You really don't need that much. Take 1.6 million!"

Fang Jingxian shook her head: "Isn't that too low?"

Lin Sicheng also shook his head: "Not low!"

The two of them, one lifting and the other pressing, left the others looking completely bewildered.

I've never seen such haggling in my life: the seller thinks the price is too high, and the buyer thinks the price is too low?

Several people blinked, looking around nervously.

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment, then emphasized again: "President Fang, let's stick to the facts: whether it was the Buddha statue or the Guanyin statue last time, you paid the appraisal fee, so it's only right that I do my best. Therefore, today we'll only talk about the jade disc!"

Fang Jingxian remained silent.

That's the logic, but sometimes the numbers don't add up: at first glance, even if she fell for Yang Zhigao's trick, she would only lose a few million.

But the problem is, what if the person receiving the fake Buddha or Guanyin statue discovers it someday?

The losses are far more than just ten four-million-dollar losses.

Furthermore, even if it were just a regular transaction, the fact that this jade disc was sold for only 1.6 million was definitely because of Shang Yan's influence and favors.

Besides, why do I need it so urgently?

Subconsciously, Fang Jingxian recalled the scene at the mall last time: "President Fang, what kind of item do you want?"

"A birthday gift! I want a birthday gift... I'll pay any price!"

Based on that one sentence alone, anyone else would have thought that this jade would be worth three million less.

Seriously, in this society, people like this are rarer than giant pandas...

In a flash, Shang Yan gently touched the tip of Fang Jingxian's shoe with her foot.

Fang Jingxian didn't move, as if she hadn't felt anything.

Shang Yan snorted coldly and stated bluntly, "One million eight hundred thousand, or don't buy it!"

Fang Jingxian gritted her teeth: You surnamed Shang, what do you know?

Do you think I offered such a high price because I wanted to get in touch with him?

It has nothing to do with her at all; Fang Jingxian was just being grateful.

But since things have come to this point...

Fang Jingxian nodded, and Fang Jingshu took out her laptop, plugged in her USB key, and transferred the money on the spot.

The process was quick, taking only two minutes.

Lin Sicheng put the jade disc away, chatted for a while, and then saw them out.

The sun gradually rose higher, and the weather was fine and sunny.

Fang Jingxian smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled again: "Student Lin, I may need to trouble you again in a few days. Could you please help me look at two more jade pieces?"

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment and said, "I don't think I'll have much time!"

Not much time?

Fang Jingxian pondered for a while before realizing that Lin Sicheng was genuinely busy, rather than making excuses.

"It's okay, you can watch it when you have time!"

Lin Sicheng didn't refuse: "Okay!"

After saying goodbye, the group carried their belongings and walked out. After walking about several dozen meters, Shang Yan asked suspiciously, "When did you look at jade again? How come I didn't know?"

Fang Jing paused for a moment: "Haven't seen it yet!"

Shang Yan was stunned, and it took her a while to react.

Not only have we not seen it yet, we haven't even seen a trace of it.

Fang Jingxian, you've gone too far: racking your brains and scheming?

Before she could say anything, Fang Jingxian sighed: "Even as a customer, don't you feel at ease doing business with him, even if you earn less?"

Of course, because he doesn't cheat people. And he would never make money he shouldn't.

Just like today: If it were anyone else, Fang Jingxian wouldn't even dream of owning this jade piece for less than two million eight hundred thousand.

Shang Yan didn't say anything more, and the group walked out along the tree-lined path. When they were almost at the school gate, Shang Yan suddenly stopped.

Knowing she had something to say, Fang Jingxian stopped and asked, "What do you want to say?"

"Just a reminder!" Shang Yan sighed softly, "The benevolent love others, restrain themselves and return to propriety; the gentleman understands righteousness, while the petty man understands profit."

“A gentleman can be deceived by his principles, but his friends are not gentlemen, and his teacher is even less so. So, don’t harm yourself!”

Fang Jingxian was taken aback for a moment, then couldn't help but chuckle: "Is it really that exaggerated?"

Yes, really, believe me!

Shang Yan nodded solemnly, "Normal interactions are of course no problem. Whether it's asking him for an appraisal, wanting to buy something from him, or wanting to sell something to him, it's all fine."

Asking him for help is fine, having a meal, drinks, and a chat is no problem. Over time, becoming friends will naturally follow. But try to keep other advances to a minimum!

Just like Yang Zhigao, who might have had a slight thought of taking revenge on Lin Sicheng, he was crushed to death by Wang Qizhi with overwhelming force, and he could never recover in this lifetime.

There's also the boss Sun who sells gold handicrafts—the one whose gold crown Lin Sicheng bought. He was quick to seize the opportunity. Otherwise, he might have become the next Yang Zhigao.

Even someone like Fang Jingxian wouldn't be a problem for Wang Qizhi to handle.

Despite Hao Jun and Guan Xingmin's amiable demeanor and exceptional politeness towards everyone, they are vegetarians and wouldn't get along with Wang Qizhi.

"Don't worry about me, I'm not new to the workforce."

Shang Yan nodded: Let's hope so!

...

"Knock knock knock~"

Lin Sicheng kept tapping his phone, and then Gu Ming's phone buzzed twice.

He glanced at it subconsciously, then his eyes widened: "Two hundred thousand... You've got too much money to burn, haven't you?"

"If it's your money, do you think I'd still pay it back?"

Lin Sicheng didn't calculate in detail how much money Gu Ming had advanced in Hangzhou, but it was definitely around 160,000 to 170,000 yuan.

Moreover, he's taken on risks and been busy with everything, so we can't let him work for nothing.

But you can't give him too much. This bastard is the kind of person who gets cocky as soon as he has money. If you give him too much, who knows what kind of trouble he'll cause.

After arguing for a long time without success, Gu Ming had no choice but to accept the 30,000 yuan with tears in his eyes.

He put away his phone, then suddenly remembered something: "Why did you lower the price when Mr. Fang offered four million?"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Because that jade piece is worth at most one million six or seven hundred thousand!"

"But she's willing to give it, isn't she?"

"Nonsense, someone even ran to your house with money, asking Uncle Gu to secretly release them. Did your dad release them?"

Gu Ming froze, his lips moving but no words coming out.

Isn't Li Xinfang's father just like that?

He tried every possible way to send gifts to Lin Sicheng, going around in circles, but after almost a month, he still hadn't managed to get them delivered...

He sighed again: "You're not like my dad. Two million, with no risk involved, can you really resist?"

Lin Sicheng was too lazy to explain: The trouble caused by two million might not be something that could be resolved even with the effort of earning three two-million-dollar sums.

After pondering for a moment, he stood up and said, "Let's go!"

Where to?

"I'll take you there and teach you a lesson!"

Gu Ming paused for a moment, then remembered: back in Hangzhou, he had been incredibly envious. Lin Sicheng had said that after returning, he would have to curb Gu Ming's thinking before teaching him, to let him know what it meant to be greedy and cause ruin.

"Go to prison?"

Lin Sicheng didn't speak: How could a prison be like that?

It's best to give him the full intensity all at once, so you don't accidentally step into a big pitfall one day.

"I'm leaving!" he waved his hand. "Where's the car?"

Gu Ming picked up the keys: "They're outside the school gate!"

"Oh right, I forgot to ask you, how did you manage to drive your car in during the National Day holiday?"

"I told you I was delivering research materials, and I even gave you my godfather's phone number and bought two packs of cigarettes for each of the two security guards!"

"Just to see the female students' long legs, right? Gu Mingwa, you're something else!"

Lin Sicheng said sternly, "If there's a next time, I'll beat your mouth until it's crooked!"

Gu Ming remained silent.

Lin Sicheng was no match for him, but that bastard was good at tattling, and he always got it right.

Even if he made it up, Old Gu believed it without question. Then, without asking any questions, he would go home and give himself a good beating first.

From childhood to adulthood, Gu Ming had been unjustly beaten countless times; he himself had lost count.

Lin Sicheng continued nagging, "Now that you're dating, tone it down a bit. Delete what you need from your phone, and don't contact her anymore. Otherwise, what will you tell Li Xinfang if she finds out?"

Gu Mingzhi curled his lip: You act like you know everything?

You should settle things with the one at the studio and the one who calls you "cousin" first.

Muttering to themselves, the two left the office.

Just as I stepped out the door, the Grand Cherokee slowly drove up and stopped at the entrance.

The car window rolled down, and Ye Anning smiled: "Where to?"

Lin Sicheng was taken aback: "You're not at work?"

"I was originally going to go, but my uncle said I should go and experience it too!"

Lin Sicheng remained silent.

Last night, he only mentioned it casually to Wang Qizhi, saying that he and Gu Ming were going out today, and gave a brief overview.

Wang Qizhi then said: Let Ye Anning experience it too...

Lin Sicheng nodded and sat in the front row, while Gu Ming sat in the back.

Ye Anning started the car and glanced at the rearview mirror again: "Gu Ming, where did you all go when you went to Hangzhou?"

Hey, why are you asking me instead of Lin Sicheng?

At first, Gu Ming didn't react, but in a daze, it seemed as if he had returned to the day he first met Ye Anning.

He felt somewhat uneasy, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

No... Cousin Ye, are you a police dog?

Yes, I am playful and lack self-control. Sometimes I am not very reliable and always think about doing bad things with Lin Sicheng.

But if you were to say that "Gu Ming led Lin Sicheng astray" at home, all five adults from both families would laugh their heads off.

The person in the studio was practically drooling over Lin Sicheng. Why aren't you doing anything about it? Can't I be a bigger threat than that guy?

Gu Ming became increasingly frustrated, but dared not argue or lie.

Because when he was in Hangzhou, he did encourage Lin Sicheng: "Since you're in Hangzhou, how can you not check out the famous 'Project 891' (the largest underground nightclub in Jiangnan, converted from an air-raid shelter, with special performances)?"

However, Lin Sicheng didn't like this activity and was always busy, so he didn't go.

But then again: Is Cousin Ye incredibly perceptive, or did she sense something? Otherwise, why would she ask as soon as she got in the car?

Why not ask Lin Sicheng instead of yourself?

Putting aside how powerful his aura is, just how sharp must his eyes be?

After a moment's thought, he replied sullenly, "Lin Sicheng is too busy, he hasn't gone anywhere!"

Lin Sicheng sighed: Gu Mingwa, I'm really impressed with you?

She's trying to scam you.

You're quite something, you confessed as soon as you were tricked?