Chapter 293: A Little Encouragement

As dawn broke, a thin mist drifted through the garden, like torn cotton wool lazily floating on the treetops. The morning breeze rustled through the leaves, and dewdrops rolled down, tracing shimmering arcs in the air.

Perhaps startled awake, birdsong rang out in the shade of the trees, and several sparrows darted out from the holly bushes, their bean-sized black eyes shining brightly.

Lin Sicheng reached out and waved, and the bird rolled its eyes and flew away.

"It won't work?"

"Huh?" Fang Jin was completely confused. "Teacher Lin, what did you say?"

"Oh, it's nothing!"

Upon seeing the sparrow, Lin Sicheng suddenly had a whimsical idea, recalling a scene from the movie "Tai Chi Master": Wu Jing waved his hand, and the bird landed in his palm.

They were both practicing martial arts, but when he waved his hand, the bird not only flew away but also glared at him.

With his thoughts racing, Lin Sicheng got into position. Fang Jin stood to the side, hesitant to speak.

Lin Sicheng smiled and asked, "Want to learn?"

Fang Jin nodded vigorously.

At first, he didn't understand why, thinking that his boss was very strange: he was young, in his early twenties, but he practiced the kind of boxing that old men and women practiced every day.

Afterwards, Wang Qizhi also started practicing, but Fang Jin still didn't pay attention. He thought to himself that in other families, students learn from teachers, but in his family, teachers learn from students: Professor Wang would try anything that Lin Sicheng liked.

But gradually, he noticed something was wrong: Professor Wang, who was previously known for his poor health, had a heavy smoking habit and an even greater drinking habit. He spent at least a week a month drinking, so his health condition was obviously not good.

Moreover, he gets drunk very quickly, and stays drunk for at least two days. Even on the third day, he still feels somewhat dazed and not quite sober.

But after practicing boxing with Lin Sicheng for a while, no matter how drunk or how late he drank the night before, Professor Wang was still full of energy the next day.

It felt like he wasn't the one who had drunk himself into a stupor on the table the night before.

Moreover, the person changes at a speed that is visible to the naked eye: the face is no longer yellow, the eyes are no longer red, the skin is no longer dry, and the hair is no longer brittle.

His spirits were exceptionally good: he was radiant and looked several years younger.

With examples right here, who wouldn't want to be in great shape?

Fearing that Lin Sicheng would refuse to teach him, Fang Jin quickly assured him, "Teacher Lin, I will never teach this to anyone else, and I will definitely study it diligently!"

Lin Sicheng smiled: If you don't understand the corresponding breathing techniques, others won't be able to learn them even if they want to.

"It's not hard to learn, but you have to persevere, otherwise you won't see any results! Just like a teacher, you have to practice on time every day without fail!"

"Teacher Lin, I can keep going!"

"Okay! Come on, follow me: Inhale~exhale~inhale~exhale..."

The two men faced the sun, posing as they did so. Sometimes they resembled birds, sometimes bows, and with each movement, puffs of mist billowed from their mouths and noses.

Of course, it's just the mist from normal breathing. Autumn mornings are only a few degrees Celsius, so exhaling mist is perfectly normal.

Jing Zeyang swung his keys and whistled as he entered the hotel garden. He was stunned for a moment when he saw this scene.

Immediately, a strange look appeared on his face.

What is this?

It feels a bit like Tai Chi.

Judging from his posture, Lin Sicheng was definitely not a beginner.

Looking at Lin Sicheng's face, which still vaguely revealed a bit of immaturity, I found it quite comical.

Jing Zeyang didn't disturb him and watched for about ten minutes until Lin Sicheng finished his work.

He asked with a playful and slightly teasing expression, "Cousin Lin, what kind of skill is this?"

"The guiding exercises of the Western Han Dynasty were simplified by Hua Tuo in the Eastern Han Dynasty, which is the Five Animal Frolics!"

Seeing Lin Sicheng's serious expression, Jing Zeyang couldn't help but burst out laughing.

During the peak of qigong's popularity in the 1990s, qigong styles were found not only from the Western Han Dynasty but also from the Zhou Dynasty.

Some have aluminum pots on their heads to receive signals from extraterrestrials. Others can shoot down American satellites with a single burst of energy.

Anyone who believes that is an idiot.

Jing Zeyang suppressed a laugh: "If you practice well, how many can you take on?"

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment: "If we don't carry guns, five or six should be enough!"

Jing Zeyang couldn't help but laugh again.

Lin Sicheng didn't care.

Back then, Wang Qizhi laughed even harder than Jing Zeyang, until he accidentally punctured Jing Zeyang's car with a screwdriver...

Taking the towel Fang Jin handed him, Lin Sicheng wiped his sweat and said, "Brother Jing, I'm not going out today either!"

Jing Zeyang waved his hand dismissively: "It's nothing, I'm free anyway!"

Since Ye Anning promised to offer benefits, there must be some. So whether Lin Sicheng needs his protection is one thing, and whether he comes or not is another.

Even just a brief encounter before going back would be fine.

Lin Sicheng glanced at his watch again: "Brother Jing, let's have lunch together. The breakfast here is pretty good!"

Jing Zeyang was indifferent: "Okay, I'll go back after I have breakfast!"

Fang Jin sat with Jing Zeyang for a while, then Lin Sicheng went upstairs to change his clothes, and the three of them went out of the hall.

Having not been here much before, Jing Zeyang thought the hotel restaurant was somewhere in the garden.

But after leaving the hotel through the back door, Lin Sicheng led him straight into the building across the street.

Jing Zeyang was taken aback: "Cousin Lin, is this the research building of the Institute of Literature and Art?"

"Yes, it's the Institute of Cultural Studies. The hotel breakfast is okay, but not as good as the one at the Institute of Cultural Studies!"

No... is this a question about which building has the best food?

Jing Zeyang pointed to the guard at the door, "How do we get in?"

These aren't security guards, they're real guards. Besides, even if they were security guards, this is a state-owned research institution; you can't just walk in whenever you want.

"It's okay, I know him!"

Lin Sicheng smiled at the guard: "Hello, squad leader, this is my new assistant. Please register him!"

"Okay, Teacher Lin!" The guard took the registration book and looked at Jing Zeyang. "Could you please show your ID card? Your driver's license will also be fine!"

Jing Zeyang was a little confused: These guards are all dispatched agencies, so they are only polite to the top leaders, and the rest are treated the same.

He's been to so many units that he can't count them all, but when has he ever seen soldiers so easy to talk to?

They still call Lin Sicheng "teacher," so where does that argument come from?

He paused for a moment, then took out his driver's license.

After registering quickly, the guard let them into the building. Lin Sicheng explained in a low voice, "Brother Jing, if I say you're my friend, they definitely won't let me in, so I have to say you're my assistant."

Jing Zeyang had no time to think about that; he looked on in surprise: "Why would he let me in?"

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment: "The teacher knows someone inside!"

You can't exactly say that yesterday Vice President Ma took him on a tour of all the buildings and even made sure the security guards stayed with him.

Even after I told Jing Zeyang, he didn't believe me, so I could only push the blame onto the teacher.

"Oh right, right..."

For a moment I forgot that before Uncle Wang went to Shaanxi, he worked here, and he would definitely ask a leader with whom he had a good relationship to help take care of Lin Sicheng.

Jing Zeyang nodded, then looked at Fang Jin: "Cousin Lin, do you even deserve to be an assistant?"

"Senior students from the academy, come and broaden your horizons."

I see, he's got connections too.

"Why did the guard call you 'teacher'?"

"People here are quite polite. You'll see when we go in: they call each other 'teacher' or 'professor'."

Jing Zeyang believed him and said nothing more, then followed him into the building.

I arrived relatively early, so there weren't many people, just five or six here and there.

The deputy director of the dean's office was sitting near the door. When he saw Lin Sicheng, he quickly stood up.

Good morning, Director Liu!

"Good morning, Teacher Lin!" After greeting him, Director Liu pointed to the two young men beside him. "These are Xiao Sun and Xiao Li from the Dean's Office. You met them yesterday. Tell them what kind of food you like and ask them to get it for you!"

Lin Sicheng quickly declined, "Director Liu, you're too kind, I can do it myself!"

"It's okay, that's their job!"

Lin Sicheng waved his hand like a windmill: "Director Liu, really, there's no need!"

He had met these two people yesterday; a man and a woman, both around thirty years old. They said they were temporary assistants assigned to him, and he should feel free to ask for anything he needed.

But with Fang Jin around, and not as busy as when he was in Xijing, Lin Sicheng refused.

Unexpectedly, Director Liu still brought the person over.

Seeing his strong refusal, Director Liu did not insist any further.

After exchanging a few polite words, Lin Sicheng entered the restaurant. Jing Zeyang followed behind, glancing back every few steps.

"Cousin Lin, which leader is this?"

"The deputy director of the administration office!"

The so-called "office of the institute" definitely refers to the Institute of Literature and Art, and the deputy director is at least at the deputy division level.

It's not particularly remarkable in the capital, but it's rather strange compared to Lin Sicheng.

He had no official rank or position, and was from out of town; he was just here to learn. Even if Uncle Wang had given instructions, there was absolutely no need for a deputy-division-level director to be so attentive.

They even arranged for someone to fetch his food, treating him like an empress dowager.

Just as I was wondering, a voice came from the side: "You've finally arrived? Come, come, Xiaolin, sit here..."

The old dean waved his hand and cursed, "That idiot Wu Hui is shameless. If I hadn't called and yelled at him, he could have dragged this out for another week."

Lin Sicheng just smiled.

It wasn't Wu Hui who dragged him along, but Sun Jiamu. In order to stay a few more days, he kept asking Wu Hui to treat him to meals every day.

Wu Hui got away with buying two bottles of Moutai a day for a week, even though he got scolded twice by the old dean. It was worth it.

Lin Sicheng greeted him again: "Old Dean!"

"Go get some groceries for Xiaolin, a little of everything!"

After instructing his secretary, the old dean gestured to the opposite side and said, "Sit!"

Lin Sicheng was helpless: He still couldn't escape being served.

Deputy Director Liu could easily refuse, but the old dean didn't give him a chance at all and directly let the secretary do it.

After pondering for a moment, Lin Sicheng sat down.

“Last week I called your grandpa and asked him to come to Beijing with you and have a couple of drinks with me. But he said: ‘I have to watch your stall, I don’t have time…’”

Lin Sicheng said modestly, "The school really needs Grandpa to be there to oversee things!"

"Your grandfather has quite a high opinion of himself!" The old director scoffed. "Others may not know, but I do!"

Given Lin Sicheng's current value and influence, if Xida University doesn't treat him like a treasure, then all the university leaders must be reincarnated pigs.

Anyone who dares to mess with Lin Sicheng's center will be met with fierce resistance from top to bottom at the school.

And it's 100% certain: when Lin Sicheng isn't around, his center functions even better than when he is.

Whether Lin Changqing is there or not doesn't make much of a difference.

The two chatted and laughed, appearing very close.

Jing Zeyang sat beside him, half surprised and half suspicious.

At first, it really shocked him: even if he was ignorant, he knew who the old dean was, since they were all in the same system.

So it was no ordinary surprise: it was one thing for the director of the dean's office to be so attentive to Lin Sicheng, but even the former dean was so close to him.

I overheard their conversation and learned that the old dean and Lin Sicheng's grandfather were college classmates.

But no matter how good their relationship is, Lin Sicheng is still a junior. It's not like he should be served by the dean's secretary.

It certainly has nothing to do with Uncle Wang: given the old dean's seniority, even if he pointed his finger at Uncle Wang and cursed him, Uncle Wang wouldn't dare to raise his head.

When he gets angry, the old dean dares to slam his fist on the table with the bureau chief.

Just as I was wondering what was going on, Vice Dean Ma rushed into the restaurant. As he passed by, he grabbed two steamed buns and a glass of milk.

After sitting down, he greeted Lin Sicheng and the old dean, then stuffed large mouthfuls of food into his mouth.

Lin Sicheng glanced at his watch: "Marxist Academy, it's still early!"

“I know!” Vice Dean Ma nodded. “There’s an early meeting today, so I need to go to the venue beforehand to check it out.”

Lin Sicheng assumed it was just a normal meeting: "Should I attend?"

"Of course, we don't usually have morning meetings!"

After a moment of surprise, Lin Sicheng suddenly realized: No wonder the old dean came so early too.

Today's meeting is definitely because of him. To put it simply: to show respect and gratitude, we should give him a grand welcome.

Since the arrangements had been made, it was not appropriate to cancel them, and Lin Sicheng did not feign politeness.

After breakfast, Vice Dean Ma went to the conference room, where the former dean said he was showing him around the offices.

I actually saw it yesterday; Lin Sicheng said he wouldn't be staying for more than a few days, so there was no need to arrange a special office for him.

But Vice President Ma disagreed, and he put it bluntly: it couldn't be just a few days. Before the research report was released, he would keep Lin Sicheng in Beijing no matter what.

Roughly speaking, it will take about half a month.

After going upstairs, I pointed it out to him, and the old dean returned to his office.

It was still early before the meeting, so Lin Sicheng went into the temporary office.

As soon as he entered, he paused for a moment: a man and a woman, one on the left and one on the right, stood respectfully on either side of the desk.

Aren't these the two people I saw at the restaurant?

"Teacher Lin!"

"Hello, you two!"

Lin Sicheng replied with a sentence, then hesitated, but after thinking for a moment, he said nothing and went into the inner room.

They were just following instructions; there was no need to make things difficult for them.

After hanging up his bag inside, he turned around and was stunned for a moment: Jing Zeyang had followed him too?

When he left the restaurant, he said that he would be at the Institute of Literature and Art all day and would not go anywhere else.

When Jing Zeyang hummed in response, Lin Sicheng assumed he had gone back. He continued talking to the old dean, unaware that Jing Zeyang had not only stayed but had followed them.

"I'm just curious, and I've got nothing better to do anyway!"

Jing Zeyang replied bluntly, blinking and looking around.

The size and features of this office are comparable to those of a bureau chief's office, aren't they?

And those two outside, they help get food when we eat and assist with our work during work hours, they're clearly full-time assistants.

Don't even mention that Lin Sicheng was just Uncle Wang's student, or that his grandfather and the old dean were just classmates. Even if it were Old Master Wang's own grandson, he wouldn't receive this kind of treatment.

Jing Zeyang grew increasingly curious: "Cousin Lin, you didn't come here to study, did you?"

Lin Sicheng paused for a moment: How was he supposed to explain that?

He was direct and told Jing Zeyang: I am here to guide the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage in conducting experiments and research.

Make sure you understand, this is a state-owned enterprise.

It would be a miracle if Jing Zeyang believed that.

"I'm here to learn!" Lin Sicheng thought for a moment, "Besides learning, I'll also help out with some small favors."

Help the Institute for Advanced Study in Literature?

Jing Zeyang's eyes widened suddenly: "Wait...didn't you just graduate from university?"

"Yes, I just received my graduation certificate in July, and then I applied to be a graduate student under my professor!"

yes?

So, how can you help?

Jing Zeyang only thought about it in his heart and didn't ask it out loud, but you could tell from his expression.

It was just a "small favor," and it surprised him this much. If he told the truth, do you believe Jing Zeyang would burst out laughing on the spot?

Lin Sicheng sighed: "Brother Jing, there are only experiments here, you'll get bored staying here. Why don't you go back first?"

Jing Zeyang shook his head vigorously: "I have to see what kind of help Lin Sicheng is giving us today."

"I'm not going back, it'll be even more boring there!" He shook his head. "Aren't I your assistant? You shouldn't kick me out, right? Of course, if it's confidential research, then forget it!"

Vice President Ma has already submitted the patent application, so there's no issue of confidentiality.

Furthermore, Jing Zeyang was only interested in something new; he didn't really understand it.

"Okay, let's go together later!"

Lin Sicheng called out again, "Assistant Sun, could you please help Assistant Jing get a pass? A temporary one will do. After you get it, please take him to the conference room."

The male assistant nodded and led Jing Zeyang out of the office.

As soon as they entered the elevator, Jing Zeyang was about to ask a question, but then he realized: he was Lin Sicheng's assistant now, and it would be ridiculous if he didn't know what Lin Sicheng was doing at the Institute of Literature.

Moreover, it will bring unnecessary trouble to Lin Sicheng.

He secretly changed his mind and suppressed his curiosity before heading to the dean's office.

At first, Director Liu thought he was really Lin Sicheng's assistant, but when the security department checked his file, his eyes almost popped out of their sockets onto the computer.

Your dad works at the Energy Bureau, you're in a song and dance troupe, and Lin Sicheng is from Shaanxi. What kind of assistant would you be to him?

Jing Zeyang was prepared and casually made up a story: "Director Liu, our group has a cooperative project with Xida University, and the group sent me to make contact in advance."

That's possible.

The song and dance troupe is managed by the Academy of Arts under the Ministry of Culture, at the same level as the Academy of Arts. It's perfectly normal for them to collaborate with archaeological units in Xi'an, drawing inspiration from classical music elements of the Tang Dynasty, or even jointly researching Tang Dynasty musical and dance scores.

The institute had also learned from other sources that Lin Sicheng was a true "generalist," having studied virtually every aspect of archaeology. It was perfectly normal for them to arrange for someone to make contact with him beforehand.

But what's abnormal is Jing Zeyang himself.

Looking at the resume: Intern editor, only started this spring, and has only been working for six months. Looking at the education: The major is relevant, but the university's level is only average.

It's easy to imagine how high their professional skills could be.

If he were to come into contact with Lin Sicheng, would he even understand him?

The Institute of Literature and Art is not a highly classified institution, and besides, there was no problem with his identity. They were from the same system, and it was only a temporary pass. Director Liu did not make things difficult for him and issued it on the spot.

But the way he looked at Jing Zeyang was a bit strange, making people feel really uncomfortable.

I had this feeling that the old man looked at him like he was trash.

After finishing the task quickly, Director Liu asked again, "Why did your regiment send you?"

Jing Zeyang had a sudden inspiration: "Professor Wang is my uncle, Wang Qizhi!"

Director Zhang suddenly realized: "Oh...I see?"

But Jing Zeyang was even more confused: No... what do you mean?

Without mentioning Uncle Wang, am I not even worthy of having any contact with Lin Sicheng?

He followed Director Liu into the conference room, making wild guesses.

As soon as he stepped inside, Jing Zeyang froze.

There were four people on the stage: one president, two vice presidents, and three deans. Lin Sicheng and the former president sat in the middle, and the two vice presidents sat on either side.

Moreover, he was incredibly calm and natural, acting as if he was supposed to be sitting there all along.

Just as they were stunned, Director Liu pointed ahead and said, "Xiao Jing, I'll take you there!"

"Oh, okay..."

He nodded blankly and followed behind, with Director Liu leading him to the front.

Wow: Even Lin Sicheng's assistant is sitting in the first row, right in the middle. They even specially reserved a seat for him, this temporary assistant?

Curiosity was bubbling inside him like a cat scratching at its shell, so Jing Zeyang quickly sat down. He looked around and then nudged Fang Jin.

He rested his chin on the stage, his voice hushed: "How did he get up there?"

Fang Jin looked surprised: Brother Jing, how did you come up with that question?

"You walked up there?"

Otherwise, how could it have flown up by itself?

Jing Zeyang rolled his eyes: I said the city gate tower, you're talking about warts on the face?

"What I mean is: with a bunch of directors and managers sitting at the bottom, why is he sitting at the top?"

"Oh, Brother Jing, you mean this..." Fang Jin smiled sheepishly, "The deans invited us up!"

What is this? Please?

Or were there several deans?

Jing Zeyang's mind has completely stopped working.

He understood the meaning of the words, but when he connected them with Lin Sicheng, he suddenly couldn't understand them anymore.

Why ask him to go up?

Fang Jin was taken aback: No... you graduated from kindergarten, why are you asking so many questions?

For a moment, the two stared at each other, their eyes wide open.

Just like the saying goes: "On the tree of confusion grows the fruit of confusion; beneath the tree of confusion, there are you and me..."

Just as everyone was stunned, Vice Dean Ma's voice rang out in the hall: "Let me introduce to you all: Professor Lin Sicheng..."

Before he could even finish saying the word "teacher," he started slapping the door open.

Jing Zeyang turned his head blankly: everyone, near and far, on stage and off stage, was clapping with all their might.

The applause, when combined, was like thunder, so loud it made people's ears ring.

Almost a minute had passed, and there was no sign of it stopping. Helpless, Vice Dean Ma raised his hand and pressed it down.

"You mention it every day, every day, I'm sick of hearing it. Okay, now that we've invited the person over, we don't need to keep nagging anymore. If there's anything you don't understand or want to ask, just ask them directly..."

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh..." It started again.

Jing Zeyang was even more confused than before.

"Cousin Lin... what did he do?"

Fang Jin paused for a moment.

It's not that I can't say it, it's that I don't know how to say it.

Explaining BTA to Jing Zeyang would be futile; he definitely wouldn't understand. And if you told him that Lin Sicheng saved many people here, preserved someone's job title, and salvaged someone's research career, he certainly wouldn't believe you.

Then I'd rather not talk about it.

After a moment's thought, he pointed towards the stage, indicating that he would just listen.

On stage, Vice Dean Ma tapped the microphone and handed it to Lin Sicheng: "Teacher Lin, come on, give everyone a shout-out!"

Lin Sicheng smiled shyly...