Chapter 59: Leaking and Leaking

Having partnered with Lin Changqing for an entire term, the dean certainly knew who Lin Sicheng was.

He's a hopeless, hopeless scoundrel...

Wait, something's not right. How did Lin Sicheng get into the guidance group?

“I took him there! When we got there, he took a radiation gun and scanned the area, and found that the jade only had a radiation level of 0.02 microns…”

Theoretically, it certainly works, but the dean was skeptical: "Lin Sicheng knows about this?"

He doesn't just know; he knows far more than that...

Fearing the dean would realize what was happening, Wang Qizhi dared not say more. He abruptly changed the subject, steer the conversation in the wrong direction: "These three reports were also drawn up by Lin Sicheng!"

Sure enough, the dean's train of thought was led astray, and he looked extremely shocked: "Not you?"

"Of course, I don't know Director Guan."

The dean paused subconsciously, then pondered: Lin Changqing and Guan Xingmin have an unusually good relationship; this is indeed quite possible.

Regardless of his usual performance, he handled this matter beautifully today, and Lin Sicheng deserves credit.

We also have to thank Wang Qizhi: extraordinary people have extraordinary methods!

I just don't know how these two got together.

As he was pondering this, Wang Qizhi smiled and said, "That's roughly the situation. Also, I plan to officially launch the project on Monday and then transfer Lin Sicheng over to help out in the project team for a while... I hope you, Dean, will approve!"

Your project team has only a handful of idiots, so why would you need to put up any signs?

The key question is, what use is Lin Sicheng?

But after a moment of doubt, the dean didn't pay much attention: "Lin Sicheng is an undergraduate. You can transfer him whenever you want. Do you need my approval?"

Of course I need your approval, otherwise who will take the blame when Shang Yan comes after me?

"Thank you, Dean. Please continue with your work!"

Wang Qizhi stood up with a smile, and the dean saw him to the door. As soon as Wang Qizhi went downstairs, the dean frowned again:

"Don't you feel that Wang Qizhi is acting strangely today? It seems like... he's been avoiding the important issues?"

The assistant was completely confused: "Dean, what aspect are you referring to?"

"Lin Sicheng!" The dean stroked his chin. "I have a feeling that Wang Qizhi has ulterior motives?"

The assistant was taken aback: "With Lin Sicheng's character, what's so great about him?"

But then he remembered: "These past two days, the teaching and research office has been saying that Professor Liu and Professor Shang from the Department of Cultural Heritage Conservation both want Lin Sicheng to take their graduate entrance exams?"

The dean's eyelids twitched a few times: "Who?"

"Professor Liu Meili and Professor Shang Yan!"

That can't be right.

Liu Meili teaches the theory, that's fine, but what's the deal with Shang Yan?

If we're talking about ceramics professors at the university, Lin Changqing is number one, and she's definitely number two.

So, if it were out of respect for Lin Changqing, she would have seen him long ago, instead of waiting until today.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through the dean's mind: "Dean, I'd like to transfer Lin Sicheng to the project team to help out for a while. I hope you'll approve it..."

Oh no, we've fallen for Wang Qizhi's trick: Is he using me as a shield?

Liu Meili and Shang Yan, which one is easier to deal with?

But that's not the point.

He knew Lin Sicheng better than anyone else: all show and no substance, a mere straw in a bag.

So, if only one professor wanted to take him on for graduate studies, it could be considered a favor. But the fact that three professors had the same idea is quite intriguing.

Especially Wang Qizhi, who didn't even know who Lin Changqing was, and had no need to.

You can't suddenly turn a good-for-nothing into a talent, someone everyone's scrambling to get, right?

The more the dean thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. After a moment's thought, he dialed Shang Yan's number.

At first it was fine, but gradually, the dean's eyes widened, becoming like two circles...

...

The sun slowly rose, casting a long, thin shadow on the building.

The curtains fluttered, and the morning breeze blew in.

Ye Anning rubbed her eyes and left the room, glancing at Wang Qizhi standing by the window.

He was dressed neatly, with a cigarette between his fingers.

Why are you up so early today, it's the weekend?

Muttering to herself, Ye Anning leaned closer and glanced down: "Uncle, who are you waiting for?"

"Lin Sicheng."

It's him again?

It seems like this name has been appearing unusually frequently at home lately; my uncle brings it up all the time.

She glanced again at the briefcase and car keys on the coffee table: "Are you going out?"

"Hmm, let's go to Baoji and take a look at that bowl!"

Ye Anning was stunned: "You promised me last week that you would take me with you?"

Wang Qizhi rolled his eyes: "Really?"

He forgot.

"What do you mean, 'no'? You're going back on your word!"

"Stop talking nonsense, change your clothes if you want to go!" Wang Qizhi glanced at the wall clock. "I'll wait for you for ten minutes at most!"

"That's outrageous!"

Muttering to herself, Ye Anning dashed back to her room.

With a creak, the kitchen sliding door was pushed open, and Shan Wangshu placed breakfast on the dining table.

"Lin Sicheng is almost here? Let him come up and have some too!"

Wang Qizhi picked up the milk and gestured towards the bedroom with his lip: "You haven't even washed your face. Even a burden like me has a face!"

Dan Wangshu rolled her eyes and slapped him again.

Ye Anning smoothed her hair and rushed out of the bedroom: "Uncle, next time you say that in front of my mom!"

What's a little talk in front of your mom? I'd say anything in front of your dad too.

Wang Qizhi clicked his tongue, and the phone rang loudly.

He glanced at it casually, a smug smile appearing on his lips: See? It didn't say what time, but it was exactly eight o'clock?

That's what tacit understanding is.

Wang Qizhi hung up, finished his milk in one gulp, picked up the pan-fried buns, and went out the door.

"Auntie, look, my uncle is being inhuman..."

"What's the rush? Pack carefully!"

Dan Wangshu rebuked him and walked to the window.

The mist is about to dissipate, the autumn wind is blowing, and the locust leaves are making a soft rustling sound.

As if sensing something, Lin Sicheng raised his head, and dappled sunlight flowed between his eyebrows and eyes.

He paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Teacher's wife!"

Hearing this form of address for the first time, Shan Wangshu felt a little curious and quickly smiled, "Lin Sicheng, the house was a bit messy this morning, so I didn't invite you up. But Anning also wants to come, could we wait for her for a while?"

What's wrong with that?

Just as I was pondering this, the building door creaked open.

Wang Qizhi stepped forward, handing the plate to Wang Qizhi: "Here you go!"

Lin Sicheng didn't stand on ceremony, took the food and started eating, even looking up and smiling, "Thank you, Madam!"

Dan Wangshu stood there stunned, looking down at the master and apprentice downstairs, huddled together eating steamed buns, unsure of how to react.

This couple is really...

The two chatted as they ate: "We're going to Baoji later to see a Hongzhi chicken fat platter!"

Lin Sicheng paused for a moment: Chicken-fat yellow glaze is a type of delicate yellow glaze, a type of imperial porcelain from the Ming Dynasty. Especially those with the Hongzhi mark, both in terms of craftsmanship and artistic value, are among the finest monochrome glazed porcelains from the official kilns of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

The key is that there are very few of them in existence, and the price is currently low, so if you can find one, it's a real steal.

"Have you offered a price?"

Wang Qizhi gestured: "Five hundred and twenty thousand!"

Good heavens, isn't this just like a leak on top of a leak?

You don't need to store it for long, at most two years, and the price will at least quadruple!

Just as I was feeling a bit sentimental, the door opened again.

Ye Anning was without makeup, her face covered with a layer of moisture that hadn't been wiped away, making her look as tender as a newly hatched lotus seed.

Her features were bright and beautiful, her eyes sparkled, her long, black hair was tied up in a bun, and her dark jeans stretched taut with a supple curve.

She frowned slightly, glared at Wang Qizhi, then handed him a carton of milk, her face showing a hint of embarrassment: "Lin Sicheng, thank you for waiting so long!"

Lin Sicheng smiled and took it: "Just a few minutes!"