Chapter 184 Teacher Lin?

The reception was held in the school cafeteria, but the decor was unique and the food was just as good as that of Xi'an Restaurant.

The wine was indeed fine, a ten-year-aged Xifeng, but the inspection team found it tasteless and unappetizing.

They only drank a few small cups, and the dean and Wang Qizhi didn't try to persuade them much. The banquet ended at just past eight o'clock.

We stayed at the New Hope Hotel, a company affiliated with the university, and all expenses were covered.

Despite his long experience in officialdom, Wang Zeyu still felt his face burning when he thought of the check in his bag: Liu Dong, that bastard, he's really fucking bullying people...

After a polite farewell, the group returned to the hotel. Without being notified, they all went to Wang Zeyu's suite after putting down their belongings.

The secretary brewed tea and brought out cigarettes. Seven or eight heavy smokers sat in a circle, puffing away.

The situation is clear: it is almost impossible to start from the perspective of Xida University as originally planned.

There wasn't even a crack in the window, let alone a door.

But as the saying goes, if one door closes, another opens; things will eventually have to be resolved.

After discussing for almost an hour, the clock struck 9:30. Wang Zeyu was wondering whether he should call the two colleagues who had gone out to make connections when there was a knock at the door.

The secretary got up and opened the door. Wang Zeyu breathed a sigh of relief: Speak of the devil, and he appears.

One was in charge of the city's propaganda work; his surname was Xiao, Xiao Zhenguo. The other was in charge of political and legal affairs; his surname was Jiang, Jiang Cheng. Both of them were deputy heads and happened to have been transferred from Xi'an to Tongchuan. They had many acquaintances in the capital, so Wang Zeyu specifically entrusted them to pull strings.

Since you're back so late, you must have made some progress.

He hurriedly had his secretary make tea and invited the two to sit down. But just as they were settled, Wang Zeyu's heart skipped a beat.

Neither of them looked too good.

He paused, picked up the cigarette case, handed one to each of them, and then offered a lighter: "How's the situation?"

Xiao Zhenguo shook his head: "I went to the Bureau of Culture first, then the Bureau of Cultural Relics... The former is my old workplace, and I have many good colleagues there. The latter also has acquaintances, so it's not exactly a stranger... At the beginning, whether they were old friends or acquaintances, they were all very enthusiastic: exchanging pleasantries, making tea, offering cigarettes, and reminiscing..."

Then I explained my purpose: there was a minor conflict between our city and Xida University, could you please ask them to mediate? ... At the time, their attitude was quite good.

But when asked about the specific project and who was in charge, their expressions were almost identical: a mixture of surprise and astonishment, scrutiny and suspicion, as if to say: "We don't even need to ask, they know it's our problem..."

Wang Zeyu was stunned: "Did Xida inform us in advance?"

"Leader, it's not a problem with Xida University, it's Lin Sicheng. If he had informed us beforehand, I doubt we'd even be able to get in the door today..."

Xiao Zhenguo frowned. "The colleagues from the Cultural Bureau were quite polite, their refusal was rather tactful: 'Sorry, Lao Xiao, if you're talking about Lin Sicheng's project, then we really can't help you with this...'"

"After arriving at the Cultural Relics Bureau, as soon as we got started, Director Liu Xin asked me directly: 'Why did you bully Xiao Lin?' And Deputy Director He, He Zhigang, me, and you, the leader, the three of us were classmates at the Party School, right?"

But I only got halfway through my story, saying that Lin Sicheng came to our city to learn a skill, but in the end he didn't learn it... and he glared at me like I was his enemy..."

Xiao Zhenguo spread his hands: "Sir, given the situation, how can we continue our discussions?"

He said he couldn't even put it into words: because Lin Sicheng had truly suffered injustice when he went to Tongchuan.

Wang Zeyu looked completely bewildered: "Wait, what did Lin Sicheng do?"

If an organization acts like this, one can imagine: does it have some extraordinary background or connections?

But if both units act this way, and Liu Xin and He Zhigang openly protect them, it's definitely not because of their background or connections...

Xiao Zhenguo sighed: "Afterwards, I invited He Zhigang out for a casual meal... He told me halfway through the drinks: 'In the latter half of last year, two cultural relic cases occurred in Xi'an. The first one was quiet and unnoticed, the second one was earth-shattering...'"

"Lin Sicheng was key to solving these two major cases and is irreplaceable... Old He bluntly stated: Because of these two major cases, Lin Sicheng saved at least 80 or 100 jobs, including his own, Director Liu Xin's, as well as the Cultural Bureau and the Public Security Bureau... Especially the first case, which directly affected a higher level!"

"At the time, I thought, if it's a higher level, then it's the provincial level, right? So how are we supposed to build connections? I even thought, 'Leaders, if you go to Xida University today, you'll probably return empty-handed...'"

Wang Zeyu paused: "That's exactly what happens when you return empty-handed."

But it had nothing to do with personal relationships; purely from a technical standpoint, Xida University made him unable to speak up...

He couldn't understand what kind of major cultural relic case could affect the province.

After a long pause, he turned his head and looked at Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng wore a bitter expression, a cigarette between his fingers, but he didn't take a single puff: "I went to the provincial department first, but I didn't get to see the old leader. I did get through on the phone though: he told me to go directly to the municipal bureau and find the old director (Li Chunnan)..."

When I heard that, I thought, "Wow, this might work?" So I rushed off to the Municipal Public Security Bureau... but as soon as I walked in, I was dragged into the cafeteria..."

Jiang Cheng was so bitter and wronged: "The old director (Li Chunnan), the political commissar, the executive officer, and Chen Peng, each of them had two bottles in their pockets... Chen Peng, that bastard, was the most ruthless, he poured three-ounce cups of liquor down my throat..."

"Boss, don't disbelieve me: in the police force, this is settling a personal score. Let me tell you straight: they're going to get you, no questions asked... Early this morning, not even ten o'clock, they forced me to drink two jin of liquor..."

"When I saw that things were going wrong, I knew I must have offended someone, so I didn't dare to say a word and just said I was visiting my old boss... But as I was leaving, the old director patted me on the shoulder and said: 'You'd better not get involved in this matter...'"

Wang Zeyu's face darkened, and his heart sank.

His dark face wasn't because Jiang Cheng had been drinking all day. If you're trying to build connections, why are you even doing it if you're not drinking at the table?

He was criticizing Jiang Chenggang for being sent to the Municipal Bureau as soon as he arrived at the department, where the department leader pointed him out and then gave him a beating.

And what Lao Xiao just relayed He Zhigang's words were: "Those who are mindful of Lin Sicheng's favor are not only from the city level, but also from a higher level."

The place Lao Xiao went to first, wasn't it a higher level?

And before leaving, Director Li Chunnan confided in his former subordinate: "Don't get involved in this matter."

It means you're fundamentally incapable of handling this matter, so in the end, the more effort you put in, the greater the responsibility you bear...

Judging from this, today's visit to only three companies represents the attitude of the entire municipal government: this matter is out of the question.

The key point is that, based on their own connections, only these three organizations could be invited to act as lobbyists and influence Xida University.

At most, we could add one more education department, but the problem is, the leaders we know don't even answer the phone.

So, it's only the first day, and it's already stuck?

They had anticipated difficulties, but they hadn't imagined it would be this hard: the connections and resources they had considered were completely useless. Not only were they useless, they were counterproductive. Just like the cultural relics bureau, just like the police...

But things always have to be resolved eventually.

After thinking it over, it seems the only option is to have a higher-level leader intervene to coordinate.

It's embarrassing, but then again, it's better than losing political achievements...

Wang Zeyu exhaled, picked up his phone again, and prepared to go to his bedroom to report to several city leaders.

But as soon as I stood up, the phone started buzzing wildly.

It was text messages, one after another, more than ten in less than a minute.

At first, he was watching intently, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes from time to time. But then, his brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

It was through a friend that he learned about Lin Sicheng's situation, including his family members, social relationships, and so on.

Everything else is irrelevant, the key point is the last one... Given this relationship and the background of this teacher Lin Sicheng, how high-ranking provincial leaders would it take to get involved to resolve this matter?

For a moment, Wang Zeyu felt utterly disheartened, as if he had gathered all his strength only to encounter an iron wall thicker than a mountain and seemingly endless.

Forget about crashing through it, you can't even get around it...

After looking at it for a long time, he gritted his teeth and put his phone on the table: "Take a look at them all!"

Seeing that his expression was not quite right, the group of people became suspicious and gathered around.

He hasn't graduated yet, he's still a senior... but he's actually in charge of a key laboratory at Xida University and has independently established his own research studio for the protection and restoration of cultural relics.

And he's only twenty-one?

They already knew about these situations, but when they saw the word "21 years old" again, a group of people couldn't help but be surprised and doubtful: they were all top performers in their respective fields, but what were they doing at the age of 21?

It wouldn't be considered a waste of time, but he did everything a young person should do: drinking, fighting, ice skating, dancing, and dating.

But Lin Sicheng didn't agree at all?

The key point is the time it took to establish this key laboratory and studio: he completed in less than half a year the path that others would painstakingly research for at least ten years.

Further down: My grandfather was a professor at Xi'an University, and also a renowned collector and appraiser of cultural relics and antiques in Xi'an...

Director Xu's eyes lit up: "Huh, Lin Changqing... do I know him?"

Director Tian's spirits lifted: "How's the relationship?"

"I met him twice when the provincial folk art awards were being held. We were introduced by someone and exchanged greetings once, but we haven't had much contact since..."

Director Tian nodded: "That's fine. Something is better than nothing! At least we can have a voice..."

Continue reading: The father works at a funeral home under the Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau, where he serves as the deputy director. The mother is a provincial-level distinguished teacher at a key provincial high school.

They can be described as a family of scholars and gentlemen.

However, his background isn't particularly powerful; it's just average. But it seems like Mayor Wang is about to give up?

Suspicious, he looked further and saw: there was also a divorced stepmother, and several former uncles and aunts with no blood relation. Some were in business, and some were ordinary civil servants, at a lower rank than Lin Chengzhi.

Further down, his teacher was mentioned, namely Professor Wang Qizhi, whom I met today: the head of the key laboratory and the academic advisor of Lin Sicheng's studio.

She is also the secretary of the Youth League Committee of the School of Cultural Heritage at Northwest University.

But it still feels very ordinary?

Then they saw the small print at the bottom: Wang Qizhi, father Wang**, grandfather Wang**...

Upon seeing the last name, it felt like a thunderbolt had struck them on the head. The group of people were stunned and speechless, their minds buzzing.

No wonder the leader suddenly lost his temper?

Why don't you try using connections? Go to the capital and see if you can find someone there.

The group looked at each other, at a loss for what to do.

Wang Zeyu's eyes were vacant, and his mind was blank.

No wonder, he's just the secretary of the Youth League Committee, but he's at the division level?

No wonder, today's reception was not just about the dean accompanying the guests, but was actually handled by this Secretary Wang.

This is telling you outright: no matter how many connections you pull, how many favors you ask, or which leader you beg to speak on your behalf, it's all useless.

So, it's more than just kicking a hornet's nest; it's an insurmountable mountain...

Everyone remained silent. Suddenly, Director Meng stood up, his face full of shame: "Sir, I apologize. I take primary responsibility for this matter!"

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then their faces were full of strange expressions: Director Meng, you really have to take responsibility. You've said that more than once since you got off the plane this morning. The question is, can you bear the responsibility?

Before Lin Sicheng arrived in Tongchuan, Du Liangzhi and Liu Dong both reported to you, and you clearly instructed that Yaozhou porcelain was in the stage of key research and development and that important patents were planned to be applied for, and that the core technology must not be leaked.

That's certainly correct. Even when reporting to Deputy Director Song, Director Tian, ​​or even Deputy Mayor Wang, the wording would definitely be similar.

But why didn't you explain that Liu Dong had made things clear at the time? Instead, you played with people like monkeys, keeping them in suspense for more than 20 days.

That's right, you were indeed unaware, but without your consistent tacit approval and indulgence, where would Liu Dong have gotten the audacity to sideline Du Liangzhi, or even deceive his superiors and act on his own?

When you were the Party Secretary, you said, "Is the Porcelain Research Institute a research institution under the leadership of the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government?" Was that something you were singing to yourself?

Everyone remained silent. Wang Zeyu didn't even glance at him, leaving him standing there blankly.

Director Meng's face turned pale, then red, then white...

After a long silence, Mayor Wang sighed deeply, "Let's try anything, even if it's a dead end. As the Party Secretary said, 'The one who tied the knot must untie it...' First, let's find a way to see Lin Sicheng!"

The crowd looked at each other.

They certainly understood this principle: but the problem was, they hadn't known where Lin Sicheng was for several days.

Director Meng's face turned pale, then he gritted his teeth and said, "Mayor, I believe that if we can see Professor Lin, we should be able to see Lin Sicheng... Whether it's to apologize and admit our mistakes or to offer our apologies, I will not refuse..."

He paused for a moment, then looked at Director Xu and leaned down, saying, "Director Xu, please!"

Director Xu sighed inwardly: Old Meng used to be such a proud person.

He didn't speak, but just looked at Wang Zeyu.

Wang Zeyu pinched the bridge of his nose, thinking for a long time: "Don't fight a battle you can't win: learn more, and make a proper plan..."

The others perked up and nodded in unison...

...

The sun was high in the sky, a thin layer of frost clung to the flagpole, and the red flag fluttered crisply in the wind.

The lanterns on the gate of the residential area would occasionally bump into each other, revealing large red characters: Happy New Year.

The phone kept ringing, but no one answered. Through the car window, Ye Anning looked up at the second floor and wrinkled her nose.

No need to guess, he must be fast asleep, and his phone is on silent.

It's an old habit of Lin Sicheng's; every time he stays up late for a while, he sleeps for several days straight.

But this is the third day I've been sleeping like this?

She thought for a moment, got out of the car, and looked at her empty hands.

Then they formed a megaphone shape and chanted: "Lin Sicheng... Lin Sicheng... Lin Sicheng?"

At first, she was a little embarrassed, but after calling out twice without a response, Ye Anning called out with all her might: "Lin Sicheng~"

The sound echoed throughout the entire neighborhood.

Lin Sicheng sat up groggily, looked out the window, and then his eyes widened: Had he overslept again?

But the timing is wrong: the sun has just risen above the rooftop, it's no more than ten o'clock.

I pressed the button on my phone again: It's only 10:05...

He quickly opened the window: "Cousin Ye, come up first, I'll open the door for you!"

Ye Anning glanced at her empty hands again: If she could go up, she would have just knocked on the door, why would she have to shout at the top of her lungs?

"Lin Sicheng, get down!"

Thinking she was just shy, Lin Sicheng smiled and said, "It's okay, my parents and grandpa aren't here..."

Before he could finish speaking, the building door creaked open, and an elderly couple and a young couple came out of the building and glanced up.

Lin Sicheng was still sleepy, his hair a mess. He wasn't worried about catching a cold, with the window open and one arm bare.

Looking at the girl by the car: She's quite pretty.

Oh, Lin Chengwa has a girlfriend...

Without saying a word, the four of them simply smiled knowingly at each other.

Even Ren Ye'anning, with her exceptional composure, couldn't help but blush slightly: "Then we absolutely can't go up there?"

"Lin Sicheng, come down, I'm waiting for you..."

"Oh~" Lin Sicheng replied, and smiled at the neighbor downstairs.

He closed the window and arrived downstairs in about ten minutes.

He was carrying a bag with several sealed packets of medicine inside.

He brought back half of the calming soup he bought at Yaowang Mountain.

Men need to nourish their kidneys, women need to nourish their spirit... truly a wonderful thing.

Lin Sicheng smiled, got into the passenger seat, and didn't forget to say, "Cousin Ye, it's only three stops away, I can get there by myself!"

"By the time you wake up, you won't even have lunch; you'll have to wait until dinner!"

Ye Anning replied, then turned her head, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes, her tone becoming much gentler, "You've lost weight and gotten darker... Have you been staying up all night again?"

Lin Sicheng paused.

He thought it would be the same as before, with Ye Anning pouting and glaring at him: "Lin Sicheng, can't you just say your name?"

This time, however, it was so direct? It's as if, suddenly, their relationship has grown much closer?

He touched his face, his tone nonchalant: "I didn't stay up that late!"

Seeing that he remained unmoved, Ye Anning was stunned and remained speechless for a long time.

Lin Sicheng, do you know how long I prepared myself and how much mental preparation I did before saying this?

You, on the other hand, are completely unfazed, even nonchalant?

She gritted her teeth: "Lin Sicheng?"

"Um!"

"Why are you always so calm, no matter what it is?"

Is it more direct now?

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment: "Cousin Ye, actually, I'm usually a bit slow to react, so I look quite calm..."

"But sometimes, I get a sudden inspiration: for example, I know you don't like me calling you 'sister.' But if I actually call you by your name, Anning, you won't... do you believe me?"

After a slight pause, Lin Sicheng's smile faded, his face filled with deep affection: "An Ning!"

Upon hearing the first part of the sentence, Ye Anning curled her lip: You're slow to react? Nobody would believe that.

You're just pretending to be stupid...

But half a second later, she suddenly froze, as if in disbelief, staring straight into Lin Sicheng's eyes.

I don't know if it's just my imagination, but Lin Sicheng in front of me seems like a completely different person.

Seeing that she seemed startled, Lin Sicheng took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and then opened them again in an instant. His pupils seemed to reveal a hint of embarrassment, tension, and unease.

As if she had made up her mind, she gripped the seatbelt tightly, her eyelashes trembling slightly: "An Ning..."

In an instant, Ye An felt as if he had been electrocuted, his whole body trembled, and his cheeks turned red at a visible speed.

Nervous... How could Lin Sicheng possibly be nervous?

Shy... even less likely.

But the look in his eyes, the expression on his face, and the emotion in his tone revealed a love as intense as glue and as passionate as oil on a hot fire, and an intense longing that could not be dissolved.

Lin Sicheng, what are you so attached to... We haven't even started yet, how can you say we're inseparable?

She knew Lin Sicheng was faking it, but why did his act seem more real than the truth?

Ye Anning bit her lip, her face flushed, but she didn't know what to say.

Lin Sicheng chuckled, reverting to his usual demeanor: "Sister Anning, isn't that cheesy?"

It wasn't just cheesy; Lin Sicheng's two shouts almost made your soul leap out of your body...

But Ye Anning didn't dare to open her mouth, afraid that if she did, she would say something strange.

Seriously, Lin Sicheng is really... too good at it.

In that instant, a lot of unpleasant words flashed through my mind...

But she was certain: Lin Sicheng had never been indifferent to his partner.

Grandpa was strict with him in high school, and he was rebellious in college, always having a sour face... so let alone dating, he probably didn't even have a chance.

But why does it feel so skillful, like someone who's been around the block for a long time and is a seasoned pro?

"Where...where did you learn this from? From a book again?" Ye Anning asked, her face flushed. "Why don't you learn something good yourself?"

"Never mind where I learned that: I'm just asking you, when I call you 'sister,' do you glare at me? My teacher's wife also said I'm not stupid but I'm pretending to be. But when I'm not pretending, you can't handle it?"

Lin Sicheng sighed, "If you like it, I'll call you that from now on?"

In an instant, Ye Anning's face turned completely red.

Shouting like that every day... if someone hears it, it'll be incredibly embarrassing...

"Don't...don't shout!"

"Okay!" Lin Sicheng nodded with a smile, "Then you can still call her Sister Anning from now on!"

Ye Anning glared at him, then gritted her teeth: Lin Sicheng did it on purpose.

Lin Sicheng chuckled, jumped out of the passenger seat, and came over to her.

What are you doing?

"Get out, I'll drive!" Lin Sicheng helped her unbuckle her seatbelt. "Don't drive into the ditch..."

She was indeed a little uneasy, mainly because Lin Sicheng's sudden action had quite frightened her.

It felt like the clay statues in the temple suddenly started dancing a disco.

But opening up the ditch... it's not that exaggerated.

As if her mind had short-circuited, Ye Anning instinctively punched her.

Only after they finished did they realize that, despite knowing each other for so long, they had never made such a casual move before.

Whether it's unbuckling the seatbelt or playing around.

They barely exchanged more than a few casual words. No matter the occasion, Lin Sicheng was always exceptionally polite…

Ye Anning got out of the car with her head down and sat in the passenger seat. Then she realized: Lin Sicheng dared to shout, so why wouldn't I dare to agree?

He deliberately shut himself up.

The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became. Ye Anning's mind was in complete turmoil: she realized that her so-called high IQ and high EQ were completely useless in front of Lin Sicheng.

It's like a three-year-old child standing in front of an adult...

The atmosphere in the carriage gradually became romantic, but unfortunately, the phone rang twice at an inopportune moment.

Upon seeing that it was "Grandpa," Ye Anning picked it up and turned on speakerphone.

Lin Changqing's voice came from inside: "Are you up yet?"

"Get up, time to go to the teacher's house!"

"So early?" Lin Changqing paused for a moment. "I was thinking it was still early, and I wanted you to come and look at a few things?"

"Huh?" Lin Sicheng was taken aback. "Is something strange?"

"There are some, indeed. There are two pieces of ivory, but we don't know what kind of ivory they are... There's also a bronze plaque with inscriptions, like a token, but we don't know if it's Khitan script, bronze script, or Tangut script..."

Hmm, that's unusual.

If even Grandpa can't be sure, then it must be something really rare.

Lin Sicheng looked again: 10:30?

If it's just a quick glance, it should be enough time.

"Grandpa, is it far?"

"At the teahouse outside our apartment complex!"

Isn't it just over there?

That's definitely enough time.

Lin Sicheng casually turned the steering wheel: "Go take a look!"

Ye Anning gave a soft "hmm".

...

The three-story teahouse is decorated in a classic and antique style.

They had been instructed in advance, and a waiter was waiting at the door to lead them up.

The private room was large, with a mahjong table on one side and a huge root-carved tea table in the middle. Besides Lin Changqing, there were five or six other people sitting on both sides.

Lin Changqing glanced at it and his eyes lit up: he didn't know Ye Anning and Lin Sicheng were together, otherwise he wouldn't have called Lin Sicheng.

Ye Anning was very well-behaved and greeted him respectfully: "Hello, Grandpa!"

"Okay... Don't worry, Lin Sicheng will be quick!"

Lin Changqing nodded with a smile, "Come, let me introduce you: This is Director Tao of the Collection Department of the Xi'an Museum, and these are his friends..."

Lin Sicheng was taken aback.

The Xijing Museum only opened last May, just six months ago, and they already asked my grandfather to appraise things.

It's not that they didn't have many items, nor that my grandfather wasn't skilled enough; it's just that everyone has their own expertise: he specializes in appraising porcelain.

These people, however, are holding dental instruments and bronze plaques?

Lin Sicheng only hesitated for a moment, then nodded and greeted him without giving it much thought.

The six men and women all seemed quite curious, their eyes all darting towards his face.

Lin Sicheng was used to being stared at, so he didn't care and sat down. Ye Anning sat quietly beside him.

On the tea table were three items: a jade-colored ivory plaque, a white ivory bracelet, and a copper plaque the size of an egg.

Lin Sicheng first picked up the green ivory plaque: It was indeed an ivory artifact, and at first glance, it looked a bit like dyed ivory. But the texture was coarser than ivory.

The bone structure displays a brain-like pattern, but it is irregular, with clumps on the left and pieces on the right, scattered and intricate.

It has a very high density, is significantly heavier than ivory, and has a very fine texture. After being handled for quite some time, it has a feel in the hand, like raw jade.

After glancing at it briefly, Lin Sicheng put down the dominoes and looked at Lin Changqing again.

Lin Changqing gestured, "Go ahead and say it!"

“Good!” Lin Sicheng nodded. “The material is correct, walrus ivory. In the Qing Dynasty, it was called ‘qiu jiao’ (虬角). It was a substitute temporarily found by the Imperial Household Department due to the extreme shortage of imported ivory in the mid-to-late Qing Dynasty…”

Furthermore, due to its coarse texture, dense grain, and chaotic patterns, it is not as refined as genuine ivory. It also lacks the pure color of jadeite and the warm luster of celadon. The Imperial Household Department produced very few pieces, making it a niche item among niche collectibles…

But precisely because it's a niche market, there are countless counterfeit products on the market... most of them are large bones from cattle or horses dyed with strong acid..."

"The material is correct, the carving is correct, and the dyeing process strictly follows the Qing Dynasty Imperial Household Department's seven-soak, seven-dry, and three-steaming dyeing method. It also uses pure natural pigments such as indigo, madder, and sappanwood... But the age is wrong. To put it bluntly: it's been artificially aged, but the technique is too light..."

Lin Sicheng touched it, then smelled it under his nose: "After it's cut off, it won't last more than ten years!"

The group of people were stunned into silence.

Director Tao is indeed the real director; he was personally invited by Wang Zeyu, and he also brought the three items with him.

To avoid being exposed too early, I specifically explained to them before they came: the item was purchased overseas by the curator last year, supposedly an outflow of cultural relic, and was intended to be part of the museum's collection after its opening. But after it was taken to Beijing for testing, we realized we had been fooled.

The walrus ivory is indeed genuine ivory, and the processing method is correct, but the age is wrong: it was produced less than eight years after the biological blood supply was stopped.

Isn't that exactly what Lin Sicheng said, that at most it won't be more than ten years after it's cut off?

They had considered that Lin Changqing's reputation was well-established, and Lin Sicheng, having been exposed to such things since childhood, should have decent appraisal skills. But they hadn't expected the results to be so high, and so fast.

Think about Lin Changqing just now; he spent almost an hour looking at this one item. Lin Sicheng, on the other hand, probably only took three minutes.

But they were only slightly surprised; their ultimate goal wasn't really to have Lin Sicheng appraise the items.

After pondering for a moment, Wang Zeyu gave a wink, and Director Tian picked up the second item, the bracelet, and handed it over with both hands: "Teacher Lin, please take another look!"

Lin Changqing was taken aback, and Lin Sicheng was also taken aback: Teacher Lin?

There are people who call him that, but they are basically people who have dealt with him many times and know him quite well.

Examples include Zhao Xiuneng and his son, the Municipal Bureau of Authentication Center, the Municipal Bureau of Cultural Relics, and the Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics Examination.

But he called me "teacher" on our first meeting and was so respectful?

Subconsciously, Lin Sicheng narrowed his eyes...