Chapter 158 I Will Never Violate Principles
From now on, let the other party know that he and Qin Tian are in a romantic relationship. When the trial comes, there will be more directions to pull.
The air marshal finally returned and handed the contract back. He spoke a lot to the translator, who, after understanding, said to Tong Zhongyuan, "Mr. Tong, we just spoke with Michiko Nakayama. She said you two claim to be experts from the Upper Asia Museum. But we understand your passport is British. Can you explain any misunderstanding?"
"I have business dealings with the Shanghai Museum and have been working there for half a year. We will have long-term cooperation in the future. Due to language barriers, I didn't think it was necessary to be so specific with Mrs. Sun Yat-sen, as it might have caused her misunderstanding."
The translator translated Tong Zhongyuan's words to the air police, who then asked more questions.
"Just now, Michiko Nakayama called the police, claiming that what you bought from her was a Japanese national treasure, the 煅变天目 (Temple of Heavenly Boundary). We've examined the contract, and the subject matter you signed is a Chinese Southern Song Dynasty cup. May I ask on what basis do you determine that it's a Southern Song Dynasty cup and not a 煅变天目 (Temple of Heavenly Boundary ...
"Miss Qin is Chinese, and I am of Chinese descent. What we have in common is that we are deeply involved in the field of ancient Chinese cultural relics. We have in-depth research and judgment on our country's cultural relics. The basis you mentioned is the experience we have gained after years of in-depth contact with cultural relics. With the naked eye alone, we are basically certain that this cup is from the Southern Song Dynasty of China, but further verification requires the use of modern technology. As for the "Ten-Eye-shaped Cup" you mentioned, there is no such name in China, nor is there such a vessel. We are not familiar with the classification and naming of national treasures in Japan. I can only tell you with certainty that this cup is from China."
The air marshal nodded slightly after hearing the translation. "Thank you both for your cooperation," the translator said. "We've got the basic situation. Please wait a moment. We'll make alternative arrangements for the flight you missed."
Qin Tian and Tong Zhongyuan looked at each other.
"Excuse me, how long do we have to wait?"
The air marshal raised his hand and checked the time.
"It's almost there. The expert is on his way and will be at the airport soon. Once he finishes authenticating this cup, you can leave."
A red light flickered on the surveillance camera in the corner, recording Qin Tian's pale face. There was no suspense anymore. Any Japanese antiquities expert would know at first sight that this cup was the Tianmu. What should she do? At this point, the only thing she could do was not to burden the Shanghai Museum or Tong Zhongyuan. She still remembered the restaurant in the Shanghai Tower, where he arrogantly rejected all her requests, saying work was work, life was life. Such a self-sufficient man, but since becoming entangled with her, both his work and his life have been muddied by her.
Tong Zhongyuan sat next to her, holding her hand. His fingers gently stroked the back of her hand, and the warmth from his palm made her hand not so cold.
From time to time, footsteps could be heard outside the door, but no one came in. The low hum of the air conditioner vent echoed in the air, like a ticking countdown.
The air marshal's intercom suddenly rang. Everyone's eyes turned to him. He answered and opened the door. Without waiting, he pushed it open again, stepped aside, and politely invited the visitor in. A hurried man appeared behind him, walking in with his head lowered.
Tong Zhongyuan felt Qin Tian's hand stiffen for a moment, her eyes fixed on the newcomer. He followed her gaze and saw a refined, elegant man in his 50s. He felt a familiar face, so he quickly searched his memory bank but found nothing.
The man raised his head and cast his gaze over. He was visibly startled when he saw Qin Tian, his lips moving but no sound came out. Tong Zhongyuan suddenly knew who he was. If he was right, the man in front of him was Zhuang Beiyao.
Zhuang Beiyao took a step forward, as if wanting to speak to Qin Tian. Tong Zhongyuan's heart tightened, and he was about to interrupt him when the air marshal's voice rang out. Zhuang Beiyao turned back and responded to the air marshal's words, frowning and nodding occasionally. After listening to their conversation, the translator explained, "This person is an expert in the appraisal of Chinese cultural relics. If you allow him to appraise this cup, you can leave after the appraisal is completed."
Tong Zhongyuan held Qin Tian's hand tightly, trying to convey his strength to her. Although hope was still slim, this was their only chance.
"sure."
Under the cold, white fluorescent light, Zhuang Beiyao's complex gaze passed over Qin Tian, then landed on Tong Zhongyuan's face before moving away. He removed his backpack from his shoulder and pulled out his gloves, magnifying glass, and ultraviolet lamp.
Zhuang Beiyao donned gloves, walked over to the table, and gently lifted the 矅变天目 (Tianmu) from the 矅变天目 (Tianmu) cup. He slowly rotated the cup in his hands. After his first inspection, he turned on the ultraviolet light and shone it on the cup, examining it from the outside to the inside, from the rim to the bottom. He then took a magnifying glass and examined the 矅变天目 (Tianmu) from the rim to the bottom. After a moment, he returned the 矅变天目 (Tianmu) cup to its box.
Seeing that he had finished the examination, the air marshal stepped forward and politely asked, "Mr. Zhuang, is this the 異变天目?"
Qin Tian closed her eyes in despair. She understood the word, "transformation of the third eye".
Zhuang Beiyao stared intently at the cups and bowls nestled in the brocade box, without replying. The air thickened inch by inch, and the small, dark room was so quiet that one could hear each other's breathing.
After a long time, Zhuang Beiyao raised his head and gently took off his gloves.
"いいえ."
Qin Tian suddenly opened his eyes and looked at him. Tong Zhongyuan's hand suddenly tightened.
Zhuang Beiyao put the tools into his backpack and said firmly, "It's not a 矅变天目 (Tenmoku)." It just looks very similar to a 矅变天目 (Tenmoku). I don't think it's a Southern Song artifact. China has successfully produced porcelain that looks very similar to a 矅变天目 (Tenmoku). This is a piece of Chinese porcelain."
The air police nodded in understanding, took out a pen and paper from the drawer and put them on the table.
"Please write down and sign the above appraisal results."
Zhuang Beiyao bent down, the sound of his pen scratching across the paper clearly audible in the silent room. He finished writing the appraisal results and wrote his name on the white paper, stroke by stroke.
The translator whispered to Qin Tian and Tong Zhongyuan what had just happened. She said in a relaxed tone, "Great, you can go now~"
Qin Tian's fingers were tightly clenched around the corner of his clothes, and she barely heard the rest of the translation. The rustling sound of his pen tickled her eardrums. Her gaze fell on his pen-holding hand. His fingertips trembled slightly, yet he still managed to write beautifully, even in Japanese.
After Zhuang Beiyao finished writing down the appraisal results, he straightened up and fished out a seal from his pocket. He took one last look at the letter of commitment, written in black and white, and pressed it firmly.
"I just want to prove that I am different from my father. I am an upright person!"
Qin Tian covered his face with his hands, tears welling up in his eyes.
Uncle Zhuang, the seal engraved with his name marked the beginning of his journey back to China, and also marked the end of his career in cultural and museum studies.
Tong Zhongyuan took a step forward and embraced her, blocking the air police's view. She rested her head on his chest, her suppressed sobs disappearing into his clothes.
His steady and gentle voice fell quietly on her hair.
"Qin Tian, let's go home."
Silver wings took off from Haneda Airport and took them and the Tianmu home.
Three hours later, the plane slowly descended into Pudong Airport. The roar of the engines gradually faded, and the lights in the cabin came on. Outside the window, the runway lights flickered in the night, and the plane slowly moved forward, following the guidance.
The flight attendant came over: "Mr. Tong Zhongyuan, Miss Qin Tian?"
"I am."
"We've just received instructions. Once the plane comes to a complete stop, air marshals will be here to escort you out of the cabin. Please be prepared."
The passengers in the front row looked back at them curiously. Then the cabin announcement began.
"Dear passengers, this flight has arrived safely at Shanghai Pudong Airport. The plane has not yet landed, so please remain in your seats and follow the crew's instructions. Thank you for your cooperation."
The plane slowly approached the tarmac, where lights cast cold white beams in the night. A long row of police cars pulled up, and officers in uniform lined up in the cold wind.
The passengers in the cabin also saw it, and the discussion sounded like a buzzing sound.
"What's going on? Are there criminals on our plane? No way."
"Some are also corruption cases and transnational pursuits."
After the plane came to a stop, the cabin door didn't open. Two air marshals ascended the stairs and stood at the business class door. A signal was received from inside the cabin, and the business class door slowly opened.
"First-class and business-class passengers, please do not stand up or move around. Cooperate with the air police in carrying out their duties." The flight attendant announced loudly.
The passengers looked at each other and watched the air police walk over to Tong Zhongyuan and Qin Tian.
"Welcome back home."
"Thanks."
The two men stood up, and the air marshals escorted them through the silent cabin. It wasn't until they stepped out that a buzz of discussion suddenly erupted.
Qin Tian stood on the tall boarding stairs, the cold air tinged with the scent of engine oil and metal. The headlights on the tarmac were glaring, illuminating the waiting crowd with sharp outlines. At the front of the line, Ming Yuanxing tilted his head, his silver hair whipping in the cold wind. His distant gaze pierced the night, deep and intense, as always.
Qin Tian and Tong Zhongyuan walked down the gangway. Ming Yuanxing had already come forward to greet them. His cheeks were slightly red from the night's chill, and he grasped Qin Tian's hand with his icy fingers. His voice was filled with unconcealed excitement.
"well done!"
After saying that, he patted Tong Zhongyuan's shoulder again.
"Little boy! You——"
He chuckled once, then burst into laughter.
"Let's go! Back to Shangbo."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
