Chapter 191 Congratulations
The sky was a pale blue, like half-congealed fat, hanging outside the French windows.
The white building of Sanwu sits quietly by the lake, and a gentle breeze rustles the taut banner.
The panoramic exhibition hall is brightly lit, and all kinds of porcelain gleam with a soft glow.
A temporary stage was set up at the entrance, surrounded by red carpet, creating a festive commercial atmosphere.
Inside the exhibition hall, hostesses were putting on makeup. Wearing bright red cheongsams and thin stockings, their figures were exceptionally alluring.
Outside the door, a security guard in a suit stood ramrod straight. Upon seeing the Accord, he quickly approached and directed it into the parking space.
Immediately, the security guard opened the car door, his white gloves covering the roof, and helped the parents-in-law out of the car.
Lin Chengzhi and Jiang Yanfei stood at the door, looking at each other in bewilderment.
This setup, this atmosphere?
It doesn't feel like the unveiling of a personal studio, but rather the opening of a huge commercial company.
Looking around, there were pavilions and waterside terraces, a frozen lake like a mirror, and a straight path shaded by locust trees. A white building covered with banners sat among them.
Yes, the couple had been here once before, right here.
But compared to before, it's like being in a different place?
After carefully examining the area, the couple headed towards the door, but after only a few steps, they suddenly froze.
Northwest University Intangible Cultural Heritage Research Center
Beilin District Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center.
Lin Sicheng Cultural Relics Conservation and Restoration Research Center, Northwest University.
There are about forty characters in black on a white background, each recognizable individually. However, when put together, they become incomprehensible.
One of them works in a government department, and the other is a top-level teacher at a provincial key school; they know everything they need to know. But it's precisely because they know everything that they can't understand each other:
How did the Xida Research Center and the District Conservation Center come to be associated with the name "Lin Sicheng"?
Furthermore, didn't Lin Sicheng say it was just a small studio? Look at the size of this place, and then look at the words on the third plaque…
The couple looked at each other, momentarily at a loss for what to do.
As I stood there stunned, I heard footsteps behind me, accompanied by soft whispers:
"Wow... Auntie, look, it's like a grand opening!"
"Isn't unveiling the signboard the same as opening for business?"
"But isn't 'research center' a bit of a mismatch?"
"Idiot, with so many leaders here, and they all need to give speeches, shouldn't we make it a bit more festive?"
The two whispered to each other as they walked and talked. Suddenly, Ye Anning paused and tugged at Shan Wangshu's sleeve.
Then, their eyes met.
None of the four had met before, at least not in a formal setting. The only time Lin Chengzhi and Jiang Yanfei saw Ye Anning was on the night the blue-and-white porcelain jar was repaired, through a window.
Shan Wangshu and Ye Anning had never met Lin Sicheng's parents, and didn't even know what they looked like.
But those with eyes can see: Lin Sicheng's face looks like it was cut off from the faces of these two.
They are good-looking and have great presence. The couple is in their forties, but when they stand together, they look so well-matched and pleasing to the eye.
The four of them were all taken aback, then instantly realized who it was, and then they all smiled.
"Director Shan!"
"Director Lin, Teacher Jiang!"
Although it was the first time the four of them had met, the gifts Lin Sicheng brought home from his teacher were so numerous that they almost filled a cabinet.
The same goes for Wang Qizhi's family. They make cured mutton, stir-fried minced meat, and guokui (a type of flatbread) every few days. Whenever Jiang Yanfei makes it, Lin Sicheng brings it along, and the whole family is almost addicted to it.
Therefore, there was no sense of unfamiliarity or reserve; it all happened naturally and effortlessly.
After introducing themselves, Jiang Yanfei laughed again: "It's all Lin Sicheng's fault. He should have come to visit Professor Wang and Director Shan a long time ago, but no matter how many times we urged him, he kept saying he was too busy..."
"Yes, it's definitely Lin Sicheng's fault. He's good in every way, but he's too polite and always feels that things should be more formal... Now look what's happened, we don't even need him to introduce us!"
Shan Wangshu smiled and said, "Teacher Jiang, Director Lin, there's no time like the present, so I'm inviting you to my home today!"
"It would be my great honor!"
Jiang Yanfei smiled, then looked at Ye Anning with a gentle light in her eyes, "You're so beautiful!"
Ye Anning greeted everyone with grace and poise: "Uncle, Auntie!"
Shan Wangshu secretly gave it a thumbs up.
Right, you weren't flustered when you met his parents, so why are you flustered when you meet Lin Sicheng?
After a moment's thought, Shan Wangshu led the couple inside: "Teacher Jiang and Director Lin don't come often. Lin Sicheng is busy today, and Wang Qizhi is busy too. Anning and I will show you around first!"
"Then I'll trouble you, Director Shan!"
After replying, Jiang Yanfei's face flushed, and she exchanged a glance with Lin Chengzhi: It felt like their own parents were more like outsiders.
It wasn't a complaint, but rather a feeling of guilt: In September, my son said that his teacher had helped him set up a studio.
The couple found it quite novel, thinking, "Our son hasn't even graduated yet, and he's already starting a business?"
A few days later, Lin Chengzhi brought Jiang Yanfei to see it. At that time, it was just two storefronts, and the place was quite spacious, but the walls had been simply painted and a few long tables had been placed there.
There were no machines, not even a desk, it felt quite rudimentary. The two of them thought it was just a small-scale operation.
After that, the old man became some kind of consultant for the studio. The grandfather and grandson only mentioned it occasionally. The couple thought that with the old man in charge, they didn't ask about it much anymore.
But who would have thought that in just four or five months, the scale would be so large?
Putting everything else aside, with three floors and over a thousand square meters, and decorated so grandly, how much must that cost?
What about more expensive equipment and machines?
Like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden, the two of them blinked and looked around, becoming more and more suspicious and shocked with each glance.
The exhibition hall is bright and magnificent, the decoration is exquisite and elegant, the training center is fully equipped, and the laboratory is equipped with all imported equipment.
How much will it cost to set this up?
As she looked at the calculations, she became increasingly astonished. Jiang Yanfei couldn't help but ask, "Director Shan, this must have cost a lot of money, right?"
Shan Wangshu nodded: "That's quite a lot. I heard from Wang Qizhi that it's close to ten million?"
Suddenly, the couple's eyes widened: tens of millions... Where did Lin Sicheng get so much money?
Whether the old man had that much money or not, they were both certain that Lin Sicheng had basically never asked his grandfather for any money.
Otherwise, the old man wouldn't keep saying things like, "Now that you've grown wings and become capable, you won't even take money from me."
Where did Lin Sicheng get the money?
In an instant, the couple's thoughts wandered, and the old man's words to Lin Sicheng when they first met Ye Anning flashed through their minds: "You have a ready-made soft rice bowl to eat, but you insist on gnawing on a bone with no meat. That's not ambition, that's just plain stupid..."
The couple exchanged another glance, their faces gradually turning red with embarrassment: it must have been Professor Wang who helped them.
It felt like this family cared for Lin Sicheng even more than his own parents.
Thinking about the numerous gifts filling most of their cabinets, Shan Wangshu's familiar yet friendly demeanor, and Ye Anning's seemingly calm but occasionally evasive gaze, the two began to have even more inappropriate thoughts:
It seems my son has firmly secured his position in the business...
Just as she entered the training center, where there was no one else, Jiang Yanfei forced a smile: "Director Shan, thank you and Professor Wang, I'm so grateful..."
At first, Shan Wangshu was completely confused: "I'm just showing you around Lin Sicheng's studio, what's there to feel bad about?"
The key thing is that expression, that tone of voice...
After a moment's thought, Shan Wangshu suddenly realized, feeling both surprised and amused: Wang Qizhi had mentioned that Professor Lin had said it himself: because he was too strict, Lin Sicheng's parents had basically raised him in a hands-off manner from childhood to adulthood.
It can be summed up in four words: Just being alive is enough.
At the time, Shan Wangshu didn't believe it, and neither did Ye Anning. Looking back now, a research and development center worth tens of millions has already opened, and Lin Sicheng's parents didn't even know?
Is it really just about "just staying alive"?
Professor Lin and Lin Sicheng are really something, they didn't even mention it when they got home?
She thought about it and decided it would be best to explain.
"Teacher Jiang, the fact that this center was built to such a large size has basically nothing to do with Wang Qizhi... The school invested a portion, about 10%. The district provided some support, about 20%. Lin Sicheng's friend, the partner in the World Heritage Application and Protection Center, invested a portion, about 30%..."
Lin Sicheng invested 40%, but half of the district's 20% goes to Lin Sicheng, so in terms of investment ratio alone, he owns 50%...
However, the shareholding structure is more complex: because it's a research and development center, technology plays a significant role, accounting for roughly half of the shares. Therefore, strictly speaking, Lin Sicheng owns about 80% of the shares…”
The couple were stunned again: 40% is four million... Although it's much less than ten million, Lin Sicheng definitely doesn't have that much money.
Furthermore, the school's investment and the district government's support... the former is understandable, as it can be imagined as the old man's legacy or Wang Qizhi's influence.
But isn't the district government's support a form of policy-based support and sponsorship? This definitely needs to be discussed at the executive meeting and resolved...
The key is that this technology is a share: the R&D center is now valued at 20 million, and Lin Sicheng owns 50% of it just because of his technology.
Adding the money invested, he owns 80%, which is 16 million.
Sixteen million… The couple’s eyes lit up.
Shan Wangshu understood their feelings at that moment, but didn't know how to explain it.
To be honest, when I first found out, Shan Wangshu wasn't much better off than Jiang Yanfei and Lin Chengzhi:
It's understandable for schools to invest and for the government to support them. But for these two companies to agree to Lin Sicheng's technology as equity investment, with a 50% stake, is truly unimaginable.
Production hasn't even started yet, not a single product has been seen, and Lin Sicheng hasn't even published a single paper. How could the school and the district government make such an outrageous decision?
When she asked Wang Qizhi, he scoffed: "Because school leaders have eyes, and district leaders have eyes too."
Do you know how much Lin Sicheng's technique for restoring blue and white porcelain could fetch if he were to sell it?
Five million is enough to make museums fight tooth and nail for it.
Do you know that after being ridiculed and threatened by Lin Sicheng, the leaders of Tongchuan called the principal again to discuss how much money they were prepared to spend to buy out Lin Sicheng's Yaozhou porcelain and tea dust glaze technology?
It's also five million.
These two items alone cost tens of millions. Who knows how much technology Lin Sicheng will be able to deduce after he has inspected the more than ten kilns in the plan?
Therefore, the school and the district government are well aware that the remaining 20% will not last long and will only be gradually diluted.
But to be honest, do the school, the district government, and even Zhao Xiuneng, who hold shares, really expect to make money from this center?
They're after the technology...
With a sigh, he led the couple on a tour, and the four of them entered the office.
The host was explaining the procedures to Lin Sicheng, while Wang Qizhi, Lin Changqing, and Shang Yan were sitting on the sofa, studying a document.
Upon closer inspection: it's a shareholding agreement.
Looking at Lin Changqing's expression again: shock mixed with confusion, doubt mixed with astonishment.
Sure enough, even Professor Lin couldn't understand how Lin Sicheng came to own an 80% stake...
Lin Sicheng quickly introduced.
Whether it was just their imagination or not, Lin Chengzhi and Wang Qizhi felt that they got along very well with each other.
Their names are similar, and so are their personalities: a lazy air mixed with a cynical attitude, and an unruly, carefree spirit hidden beneath their rebellious nature.
But it's not surprising: Wang Qizhi is a true second-generation rich kid, while Lin Chengzhi was raised like this by Lin Changqing...
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shan Wangshu led the couple to see the wall of honor.
The center was newly established and had no collective honors yet, only a few personal certificates held by Lin Sicheng.
The three awards—Top Ten Outstanding Students, Outstanding League Cadre, and Star of Self-Improvement—are school-level awards.
Then there are awards for outstanding individuals in social practice, and awards for excellent scientific and technological research... These are district-level honors.
Following that, he received a national-level inspirational scholarship (application by universities and approval by the Ministry of Education) and the title of "Advanced Individual in Innovation and Entrepreneurship" awarded by the municipal government.
The couple were stunned again: how come they didn't know that Lin Sicheng had won so many awards?
Looking at the dates, most of them are concentrated between November and January.
Especially the "Advanced Individual in Innovation and Entrepreneurship of Xijing City," which was just awarded two weeks ago, and whose position is listed as: Deputy Secretary of the Youth League Branch and Director of the Science and Technology Innovation Department of the School of Cultural Heritage of Xi'an University, Comrade Lin Sicheng...
Comrade...when did Lin Sicheng join the Party?
Wait, when did Lin Sicheng become an official?
The couple looked at each other, feeling a strange sense of unease: it was as if a new son had suddenly fallen from the sky.
Just as they were stunned and speechless, laughter came from outside, and four or five men and women crowded into the exhibition hall.
A pretty girl with a clever look in her eyes knocked on the door: "Professor Wang, Professor Shang, Teacher Lin, Mr. Fang is here!"
The three of them were all taken aback: Fang Jingxian?
"Professor Shang, have you sent out invitations?"
"It's not like we're opening a company, why should I send him an invitation?"
Shang Yan thought for a moment, "That day, the night after we finished ordering last weekend, she called to ask me when Lin Sicheng would be free. I told her I wouldn't be free before the New Year, and I also mentioned that the studio is having its unveiling ceremony next week... I guess she remembered that!"
Huh, you've come uninvited?
But they're already here, and so early no less...
The group quickly stood up and went out to greet them.
Upon seeing Lin Sicheng, the three siblings congratulated him in unison: "Congratulations, Teacher Lin!"
Then, Fang Jingxian had her younger brother place a carved piece wrapped in red silk on the coffee table: "A small gift, nothing to show your respect!"
In an instant, a group of people squinted: half of them were shocked, and the other half were because the thing was indeed quite eye-catching.
A golden roc spreads its wings, shining brightly... How could it be made of bronze when it's so shiny?
Looking at the size: the sculptor is nearly 30 centimeters tall, and its wingspan is about 60-70 centimeters, so it should be hollow. Even so, it should weigh two or three kilograms.
Just considering the gold price, it's worth three or four hundred thousand...
Such a way of giving gifts is truly rare, and the group of people were quite shocked.
Jiang Yanfei was secretly alarmed and lowered her voice: "Director Shan, who is this?"
Wang Qizhi had mentioned it, and Shan Wangshu vaguely remembered it. After considering it for a moment, she said, "He's just an ordinary friend of Lin Sicheng!"
Ordinary friends?
It's only "somewhat"...
If ordinary friends are given gold eagles worth hundreds of thousands of yuan, what about close friends?
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