Chapter 127 As expected, he is looking for Qin Tian
Wang Qiqing interrupted him: "It's not that I can't understand! It's that this matter has nothing to do with the Shanghai Museum. Mingguan, you have led the Shanghai Museum to many innovations over the years, and it has been very successful. I admire you, I really admire you. But starting a business is easy, but maintaining it is difficult. The Shanghai Museum now has a rich collection and has completed its development. It's time to maintain it. The country is now strongly supporting the cultural and museum industry, and museums large and small across the country are focusing on publicity and promotion. Taking advantage of this wave, opening the door, doing a good job of marketing, and moving towards marketization, this is our opportunity. From an organization that asks for money to an institution that can bring economic benefits, this is the transformation we need to make. I know that I am not as ambitious as you. What I want to do is just for the Shanghai Museum to seize the opportunities of the times and operate in a positive direction."
"I know, I know. You're absolutely right. We're moving in the same direction. Look, the special exhibition of Chunhua Ge Calligraphy brought in a huge wave of traffic and economic benefits. That's right, I think the Shanghai Museum is more than just a museum; it's a vital part of cultural relic management and cultural preservation. We have a responsibility towards cultural relics, even those that don't belong to the Shanghai Museum. We have a responsibility to protect and restore precious artifacts, and we have a responsibility to curb and combat criminal activities involving counterfeiting. This isn't just lofty ambitions; it's part of our responsibilities."
"Okay. You decide the direction. My opinion is not important. Mingguan, you don't have to worry about my face. Qin Tian is following the Nanbo matter. She is the most suitable person to provide data to the police. You can ask her about this. Nothing else, I'll go back first."
"Hey, Wang Guan." Ming Yuanxing reached out to stop him. "That's hurtful. It's not about saving face, it's about you taking charge of the situation. Xiao Qin has a hot temper, so he can't explain things clearly."
"Okay," Wang Qiqing suppressed his emotions. "Since you said so, I will cooperate with the police. Ming Museum, since I have already said everything today, I might as well say a few more words. The incident at the Southern Museum was caused by Qin Tian leaking the thermoluminescence data, and there is no result. And the Yuan blue and white porcelain, the National Museum spent so much money to send it here, Tong Zhongyuan can't repair it. He Wu has been away from the Shanghai Museum for so many years, and Tong Zhongyuan is not even Chinese. Because of a foreigner, the Shanghai Museum and the National Museum are uncomfortable. I know you give young people opportunities to grow, but everything has to be done in moderation. Anyway, I'm old and not far from retirement. I don't have much ambition. All I want is to see the Shanghai Museum walk steadily on the road to prosperity. That's all I have to say."
"Wang Guan, Qi Qing..."
Ming Yuanxing called out to him twice as he left, but he still left. Ming Yuanxing stood for a moment, then sat back at his desk and dialed the internal line.
The phone on Qin Tian's office desk rang again and again, but no one answered. Tong Zhongyuan glanced through the glass and walked over to Yuan Junruo.
"Isn't she here yet?"
"Yes, I haven't come in this morning."
Tong Zhongyuan took a few steps and turned back to ask, "Didn't you tell me the reason?"
"No."
Yuan Junruo was confused. Why would his leader tell him the reason for asking for leave?
Tong Zhongyuan pulled out his phone, hesitant. Could she be exhausted from helping him clean the house yesterday and still sleeping? Would sending a message now wake her?
When it was lunchtime, Song Suiyang came to see him in a bad mood.
"Teacher Tong, shall we eat outside together at noon?"
After the morning meeting, Director Zhou returned to Beijing, leaving Chen Jun and Xie Qiongyu to remain at the Shanghai Museum. Director Ming suggested that the two colleagues from the National Museum of China would be allowed to exchange ideas and study together for the next few days, and they were also assigned to the restoration room. Newcomers always deserve a welcome.
Tong Zhongyuan said without even looking up, "You take them there. I'll eat in the cafeteria."
Song Suiyang was speechless. He'd been at the Shanghai Museum for four months, and at most, he'd only been to the cafeteria four times. But today, he'd said he wanted to go, clearly showing he didn't want to socialize. But that was fine, letting the people at the National Museum know that Professor Tong at the Shanghai Museum was just that aloof, so they'd stop trying to steal his skills.
She walked up to Chen Jun and said she would take them to eat nearby. Chen Jun and Xie Qiongyu politely stood up and put on their coats. Tong Zhongyuan walked past them, opened the door and walked out.
Chen Jun asked in surprise, "Isn't Teacher Tong going with us?"
"He eats in the cafeteria."
"Then let's eat in the cafeteria. No need to eat out." Xie Qiongyu said immediately.
"Yeah." Chen Jun agreed.
Song Suiyang had no choice but to call Tong Zhongyuan over and ask him to eat in the cafeteria together. Tong Zhongyuan obeyed the advice and turned back to go to the cafeteria with his two colleagues from the National Museum.
Song Suiyang and the two of them finished their meal and found a seat. Seeing that Tong Zhongyuan hadn't come over yet, he saw him holding the plate and looking around. Song Suiyang thought he didn't see him, so he waved to him and called him. Only then did Tong Zhongyuan come over.
It's already noon, and Qin Tian hasn't entered the museum yet? Tong Zhongyuan couldn't help himself and took out his phone to send a message to Qin Tian. Song Suiyang saw that he was uneasy and quietly scanned his phone screen. She couldn't hide the corners of her mouth that curled up. She would keep this secret for them. She was a very reliable woman in critical moments.
Tong Zhongyuan ate his meal absentmindedly, glancing at his phone from time to time. It wasn't until he finished his meal and just picked up his plate that Qin Tian replied.
"I have something to do. I won't be going into the museum today."
"What is it?" he replied without thinking.
Before Qin Tian could even put her phone down, a message popped up. Tong Zhongyuan openly asked her what it was about. Qin Tian held the phone, not knowing how to respond.
The door of the conference room rang and Director Wang walked in with someone.
"Ms. Qin, this is Engineer Zhang. Your suggestion is fine. Although we've never done it before, we can give it a try! I'll have Engineer Zhang work with you. He's incredibly capable in our factory."
"Great." Qin Tian stood up and held out his hand. "Then I'll draft the contract."
"no problem."
Director Wang shook her hand.
Qin Tian walked out of the factory. The factory was located in the suburbs, and the roads were bustling with trucks. It was also ridiculously far from the subway station. He should have asked Tang Zhixu to borrow a car before coming here.
Qin Tian called a ride on her phone. After a while, a car answered, but it said it wouldn't arrive for another eight minutes. She leaned aside, considering how to respond to Tong Zhongyuan. It would be better to tell him in person about what happened today; WeChat wouldn't be enough. He had a strong sense of pride, and she wasn't sure if he would think she was meddling. She typed on WeChat: "I'll tell you tomorrow when I get back."
Tong Zhongyuan had been waiting for nearly half an hour, only to receive these seven words. No information at all, and she said she'd be back tomorrow. Could she have been out of town again? He hurried out of the office and made a call.
Qin Tian's phone rang just as the car arrived. She answered the call and got in the car.
"Hello? Are you looking for me?"
"Well, you didn't enter the museum?" Tang Zhixu's voice came over.
"I'm out on some field work. What do you want from me?"
"Where are you? When will you be back?"
"In the suburbs, heading back to the city now. I'm not going into the museum anymore, as I have some business to contact later. What's going on?"
"Let's talk when we meet. Send me your location when you get to the city, and I'll come find you."
Qin Tian wanted to ask a few more questions, but he had already hung up. She held the phone, a vague premonition rising in her heart. Something could only be discussed in person... It wouldn't be so easy to find Zhuang Xiangyan's information.
Tong Zhongyuan called twice, only to receive a busy tone. His sanity returned with the sound of a beep. It was just a simple field call. What was he trying to do? Ask her where she was? What she was doing? No, that wasn't him. He never did anything out of proportion. Besides, he wasn't qualified at the moment.
In the afternoon, Song Suiyang went to the library and borrowed a stack of restoration books and historical materials. There were more than a dozen restoration records written by He Wu back then, filling a table with them. She searched for feasible solutions for restoring Yuan blue and white porcelain. In reality, she felt it was a futile struggle. If He Wu had a method, Tong Zhongyuan couldn't have been unaware of it.
She didn't understand what Tong Zhongyuan was waiting for. From yesterday until today, Director Ming and the National Museum had paved a way out for him, but he refused to leave. She had been struggling at home all day yesterday, and sent a message to Qin Tian about the Yuan blue and white porcelain. They had a special relationship, so perhaps Tong Zhongyuan would listen to her advice. Unexpectedly, Qin Tian's reaction was even greater than she had expected. He immediately called her to ask for details. After she finished speaking, Qin Tian was silent for a long time.
Song Suiyang looked up from her book. The sky outside the window was gradually darkening. It seemed that Qin Tian would not be coming into the library today. She had a feeling that this was related to what she said yesterday. She hadn't gotten into trouble again.
Qin Tian sat by the large floor-to-ceiling windows of Starbucks. Outside, the leaves began to change color, a bleak, yet colorful season quietly approached. A vintage green car pulled up to the street, its window rolled down. Tang Zhixu beckoned her with his index finger. She quickly grabbed her bag, stepped out, opened the car door, and got in.
She fastened her seatbelt and handed him the packed coffee.
"Why did you skip work?"
"Yeah, I came out early." Tang Zhixu rarely responded.
"Where are you going?"
Tang Zhixu pulled the direction out.
"My home."
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