Chapter 202 Nothing Can Be Turned Over
Frost clung to the window frames, and sparks flew from the firewood in the stove.
Shan Wangshu wiped her hands with her apron and lifted the lid of the steamer basket on the large pot.
Steam rose from the large earthenware pot, which gleamed with oil. Lifting the lid revealed a clear, translucent broth, golden egg dumplings, and tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken and pork trotters that remained intact evenly.
I don't know if it will taste good yet, but it smells delicious.
Ye Anning swallowed hard, then pursed her lips. The chubby boy stared at the plump chicken leg, his eyes shining.
"Don't burn yourself..."
Waving the siblings away, Shan Wangshu directed her nephew, "Youwei, come to the table!"
Wang Youwei placed a rag under his arm and picked up the tray.
As soon as it was brought into the restaurant, a group of people were drawn by the aroma: "Wow, a steamed pot, it smells so good!"
“I ate at Hejiazhuang once when I returned to Xijing, but it wasn’t as delicious as this.”
"Of course, Third Sister-in-law's (Shan Wangshu's) cooking is delicious!"
"If you can talk, then talk more! Look at your third sister-in-law, she can't even keep her mouth shut!"
"But it really smells good!"
It really smells delicious. It contains genuine blood pheasant, black wild boar trotters, honeycomb mushrooms, morel mushrooms, Zhashui wood ear fungus, wild ginseng... You could say that, apart from the water, everything else comes from the Qinling Mountains.
Even the seasonings were brought from Xijing.
To prepare this dish, Shan Wangshu started preparing at seven o'clock and it took a full eight hours to be served at three o'clock.
One by one, the other dishes were served, and the banquet began.
The two sons and their sons-in-law waited for the old man to sit in the main seat. As soon as he sat down, the old man sniffed and glanced at the table again.
The main dish is a steamed pot, with four steamed bowls on the side: pork strips, steamed pork with rice flour, steamed meatballs with crispy pork, and eight-treasure rice.
In addition, there were braised pork knuckle, fish in milk broth, braised pork belly, stuffed black moss... a total of about thirty dishes, nearly half of which were Shaanxi cuisine.
Dan Wangshu ladled out a bowl of soup. The old man took a sip, then tasted an egg dumpling, his eyes brightening slightly: "This soup is good. Did Third Aunt make it?"
"Yes, Grandpa, please eat more!" Shan Wangshu nodded with a smile, and then placed a steamed meatball on the old man's plate. "Try this one too!"
"This is delicious too!"
The old man ate a piece, then picked up another piece of meat strips: "This is delicious too... Girl, have a steamed bun..."
Seeing that the doctor didn't say anything, Ye Anning broke off a piece of guokui (a type of flatbread) for the old man.
"Mmm... The feast today is so good, so delicious... Don't look at me, eat it all... eat it all..."
The old man took a bite of steamed bun, a bite of meat, and then pointed with his chopsticks.
The old man is always a picky eater, so for him to praise it like this, it must really be delicious.
Wang Zhenbang (Wang Qizhi's father) took a bite of the crispy pork and nodded repeatedly, "It tastes good."
The key point is that it really tastes like home, no wonder the old man praised it so highly.
"They were all made by the students' families!" Wang Qizhi said nonchalantly, pointing casually, "That chicken, those mountain delicacies, these steamed bowls, and also hemp leaves, candy, meat sauce, guokui (a type of flatbread)... I've filled a whole truck with them!"
Seemingly casual, Shan Wangshu and Ye Anning knew exactly what he was up to. They exchanged a glance, as if to say: "See, Uncle (your uncle) is at it again?"
"His name is Lin Sicheng, right? You keep mentioning it since you came here, I'm sick of hearing it!" Wang Zhenbang sighed. "Third brother, is this the only kid you plan to exploit in your life?"
Wang Qizhi pouted and said, "Dad, I'm already content with just one student like this. How many more do you expect me to take on?"
Wang Zhenbang looked helpless, and several people at the table paused subconsciously.
Although Wang Qizhi's thinking is unconventional and most people can't keep up with his ideas, given his family background, how could his vision and perspective be lacking?
To say something like, "I would be content with just one student like this in my entire life," how outstanding must that student be?
Just as he was wondering, the old man nodded: "That kid isn't bad. Third brother, has the calligraphy been hung up yet?"
Wang Qizhi nodded respectfully: "Grandpa, it was framed on the 27th. We hired a master craftsman from Rongbaozhai, and it was hung up that same day..."
"It's good that it's hanging up!" The old man said, breaking open a flatbread and stuffing it with a pork knuckle. "Third brother's wife, next time you come back, have that child's mother make some more of these flatbreads!"
Shan Wangshu nodded with a smile: "Okay, Grandpa!"
Everyone at the table was stunned.
The old man had certainly never met Wang Qizhi's student; he had at most only heard of him.
But the old man rarely praises people. Just hearing about it made him so sure that he even wrote a calligraphy piece for him. How good must this child be?
It was rare for the old man to have such a good appetite, so no one kept asking him what was wrong. After eating for about an hour and having a small glass of wine, the old man started clamoring to play bridge.
Few of the young people knew how to fight, so the old man called away his two sons and son-in-law.
The three elderly ladies couldn't sit still for long, so they pulled Wang Qiguang (Ye Anning's mother) along to make up the numbers and went to play mahjong.
A group of kids went to the living room to play video games, leaving only the third and fourth generation games on the table.
Wang Qiming poured Wang Qizhi a glass of wine, looking curious: "Third brother, what did Grandpa write?"
"Tang Sun requested leave, so that I may pacify Sicheng!"
Wang Qiming paused for a moment: Tsk, this handwriting?
The key point is that Dad just mentioned that the child's name is Sicheng.
"Third brother, how did you manage to flatter Grandpa? He hasn't even met him yet, and you're already praising him like this, even making him write something for you?"
"Second Brother, I'm not kidding!" Wang Qizhi said, holding his wine glass. "If you don't believe me, ask Dad later. Grandpa said it himself: This kid is not bad. He's smart, courageous, and resourceful, just like Er Ya!"
Everyone was stunned again.
At first glance, it seems unremarkable?
But at home, this sentence is definitely the highest praise the old man can give to someone.
Look at the names the old man gave his three grandsons: Qi Hua, Qi Ming, and Qi Zhi. When it came to the second sister, she became Qi Guang.
From "Nine Songs: Lord of the Clouds": Shining as brightly as the sun and moon... As equal to the sun and moon!
And the facts proved this to be true: of the eight siblings in the third generation, the second sister was the most talented, the most composed, the most decisive, and exceptionally intelligent...
Wang Qiming paused, looking astonished: "Praising him like that... what did your student do?"
I've done a lot.
If you asked Wang Qizhi to count on his fingers, he wouldn't have enough for both of them!
He was just thinking of highlighting the best parts when Wang Qihua smiled and said, "I've seen him: the young man is indeed quite good, handsome, with a keen eye and excellent skills... What's rare is his composure, restraint, and sense of responsibility..."
“I overheard my grandfather and father talking. He went to Zhejiang all by himself and snatched several national treasures from antique dealers… After that, he cooperated with the Xi’an Public Security Bureau to crack down on a gang of tomb raiders who had been operating for many years…”
"The scene was like a war, with guns and explosives... They arrested seventy or eighty people in total, and there were fifty or sixty guns, thousands of bullets, and several hundred kilograms of explosives..."
Wang Qihua told the story like a tale, recounting everything he knew, leaving the group of people stunned.
He has a keen eye, knows how to find bargains, and is exceptionally good at making money. At the very least, he deserves praise for being smart, studious, and resourceful.
He's only in his early twenties, yet not only is his technical skill high, but his research ability is also strong; he can even independently design and lead national-level projects. Does this mean Wang Qizhi is just a figurehead teacher?
What's so special about this? Saying it's a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence is an exaggeration, but at least he's exceptionally talented and insightful.
What's surprising is that it could even influence Wang Qizhi?
For years, this lazy donkey has refused to move, only regressing. Then, by chance, he took on a student, and suddenly he's enlightened and knows he's made progress?
What's even more remarkable is that he went alone to Zhejiang to collect national treasures and cultural relics, including a rhinoceros horn cup, from the lair of tomb raiders. He also dealt with antique dealers in Xi'an, quietly and without leaving a trace, uncovering this group of people.
And look at the results: fifty or sixty guns, thousands of bullets, hundreds of kilograms of explosives... These are more than just tomb raiders; they're armed violent groups.
This time, it hit the old man's itch perfectly.
He fought many battles and spent half his life as a combat staff officer. He planned carefully before acting, and he was both brave and resourceful. These eight words perfectly describe the old man's life.
Suddenly, a brave, resourceful, responsible, and dependable young man appeared, and he was also the third son's student. The old man would definitely ask about him and find out more.
As a result, the more people understood Lin Sicheng, the more outstanding he became.
Other things aside, what really bothered me was Wang Qizhi's exasperated question: "Lin Sicheng, your life is your own, isn't it? What are you after?"
Lin Sicheng would always just smile and casually reply: "Teacher, someone has to do it!"
If it were just talk, everyone would think he was just boasting. But the thing is, he risked his life before he even said those words...
It's no exaggeration to say that when Wang Qizhi recounted this, the old man glared at him and immediately smacked him with his cane.
Then, another shout of praise rang out: "A heart of unwavering loyalty!"
Honestly, if Lin Sicheng hadn't been too afraid to accept it, the calligraphy on it would have read "Patriotism"...
The people at the table were stunned and remained silent.
They didn't have the chance to do it, and probably couldn't, but that doesn't mean they don't admire it...
Ye Xing'an remained silent, glanced at Ye Anning sitting next to him, quietly eating her food, and then sighed deeply.
No wonder the girl has such high standards; she suddenly said she wanted to find a boyfriend.
If what the eldest brother and the third brother said is true, this kid is really that outstanding. Not only does the girl like him, but his father likes him too.
No wonder my wife keeps nagging: Old Ye, you have to see him, you absolutely have to see him...
We definitely need to meet them.
Perfect timing! I need to go to Xi'an right after the New Year. Once I'm done with my work, I'll take the opportunity to see him...
Wang Qiming sighed, "This kid is good. Third brother, it's a waste of his talent for him to be your student!"
Wang Qizhi didn't say anything, but rolled his eyes.
Second sister-in-law nodded: "How old is this child!"
Shan Wangshu smiled and said, "Twenty-one, the same age as Youwei!"
"Wow, it's so small?"
Second Sister-in-law pondered for a moment, seemingly lost in thought, and was about to speak when Wang Huaiyu (Wang Qihua's eldest daughter) raised her wine glass: "Second Aunt, I'd like to toast you!"
Second Aunt nodded and picked it up.
She had just finished drinking when Wang Huaiyu picked up another piece of frozen meat for her: "Second Aunt, is my Third Aunt's cooking good?"
Wasn't this made by the mother of your third uncle's student?
Hmm... no...
Why does it feel like this brat is deliberately trying to shut me up?
Just as she picked up her chopsticks, her second aunt realized what was happening and exclaimed "Eh!"
His eyes blinked, glancing at Wang Huaiyu and Ye Anning's faces.
My older brother went to Xi'an last September and saw that child. Weren't those two girls there too?
Suddenly, she was both surprised and amused.
Second Aunt, I love to play matchmaker, but I've never even met any of the people in the world. In fact, this is the first time I've ever heard of it. Who am I supposed to be a matchmaker for?
And these two girls: one winks and makes faces, the other is so calm and collected. Isn't that an admission of guilt?
But what's so strange about that?
In Wang Qiming's words: Anning's eyes are on the top of the Forbidden City, even higher than her second sister's back then. Everyone is worried for her second sister and brother-in-law; what kind of person will she find in the end?
And just like that, suddenly there's a solution?
What's even stranger is that even Huaiyu knew about it, so how could Qi Zhi and Wang Shu, her brother-in-law and second sister not know?
The former is fine, after all, he is the third brother's student, and so outstanding, the two of them would definitely be happy to see it happen.
But my second sister and brother-in-law didn't stop them at all?
The more she thought about it, the more surprised she became. Her second aunt glanced at Ye Xing'an (Ye Anning's father), then smiled and pursed her lips as she watched Ye Anning leave the restaurant with her phone.
This girl ran away because she was afraid I would tease her.
Wow, you're so old, yet you still have such a thin face?
Hmm, maybe she called that kid...
Watching Ye Anning leave, her second aunt chuckled and joked, "Qi Zhi, you've taken on a good student, and suddenly you've become ambitious?"
That is.
It's not that his talent is being wasted; Wang Qizhi hopes his student will become a dragon, wishing Lin Sicheng would use all his abilities.
So, it's fine if teachers can't offer much help, but they can't just hold people back, right? Of course, they have to strive to improve...
Wang Qizhi glanced outside again: It was getting dark; Lin Sicheng would probably call to wish him a Happy New Year later. He'd have him call and send his greetings, to make the old man happy too…
A thought flashed through his mind, and he felt a sense of relief. He got up and poured another round of wine.
Just as she picked up the glass and toasted everyone, before even bringing it to her lips, Ye Anning ran back in a panic.
His face was pale, and his eyes were filled with panic: "Uncle, something happened to Lin Sicheng..."
Wang Qizhi suddenly froze, his heart skipping a beat: "What happened?"
"He was detained by the police... I called him, but he didn't mention it at all, and even asked me what I ate... Later, I called Aunt Jiang to wish her a Happy New Year, and her tone sounded off, like she had been crying, and that's when I realized something was wrong..."
And it was so noisy on the phone, like a fight... I asked Aunt Jiang what was wrong, and she said: Lin Sicheng was robbed, and in trying to save him, he injured someone and was detained by the police station...
They had just returned from the police station when the families of the injured men came to their home, demanding compensation and money… Aunt Jiang also said that the other party had used a knife…
At first, Wang Qizhi listened patiently, but when he heard the words "robbery," "rescue," "Lin Sicheng was detained in the police station," and "the injured person's family came to his home demanding compensation," his anger flared up.
When I heard the last sentence, "the other party used a knife," I felt a surge of anger rush to my head, and my hand trembled involuntarily: What the hell?
Chen Peng, is your brain covered in shit?
Why are those who act bravely and righteously locked up in jail, while those who commit crimes are retaliated against?
Especially Lin Sicheng, who had another brain fart: "The other person has a knife... why are you going to save them?"
Wang Qizhi was both angry and frightened, and gritted his teeth as he picked up his phone.
Chen Peng had only dialed halfway when Lin Changqing called.
Suddenly, anger surged to his head again: Professor Lin, if Ye Anning hadn't called and it hadn't become impossible to hide, were you still not planning to make that call?
He suppressed his anger and pressed the answer button.
Lin Changqing must have left the house to make a phone call, but the sounds of arguing could only be faintly heard.
Lin Changqing's voice trembled slightly, clearly indicating he was quite angry.
Wang Qizhi listened quietly, his face growing darker and darker:
The suspect's family members not only stormed into the victim's home and caused trouble, but also assaulted people.
This is like someone who's taking advantage of others' kindness and treating them like dirt.
I'll make you regret it so much you'll turn green with envy, or I'll change my name to Wang.
With the hands-free speakerphone on and the volume quite loud, the people at the table looked at each other in disbelief: How could anyone bully someone like this?
And then there's the third brother's student... The other person was wielding a knife, and he saved them?
This silly kid, what if he gets stabbed twice?
Looking at Ye Anning, whose face was pale and filled with lingering fear, her hands trembling as if they were shaking, and then at Wang Qizhi, whose face was ashen and whose fists were clenched so tightly they were cracking, Ye Xing'an sighed.
This kid is really something; he doesn't even know whether he should praise him or not.
But given the current state of the girl and the third brother, there's no point in waiting until everything is finished. It's better to do it sooner or later...
In a flash, Wang Qizhi hung up the phone, gritting his teeth fiercely, as if he wanted to boil someone alive.
Then he flipped through his phone book to figure out who he should call.
Upon seeing the words "Secretary Ding," Ye Xing'an pressed down on Wang Qizhi's hand: "Third brother, stop hitting him, let me do it!"
Wang Qizhi was in a fit of anger and was bound to act impulsively, so his words were bound to be unpleasant.
Offending people is secondary; the important thing is not to make things worse: after all, the third brother and that child will still need to work and live in Xijing in the future.
What's more, the person is still locked up inside...
Ye Xing'an patted Wang Qizhi's hand and left the restaurant with his phone.
Shan Wangshu patted Wang Qizhi's back and said, "Don't be angry. You know what kind of person Lin Sicheng is."
"Besides, this isn't the first time."
It would have been better if he hadn't said anything, because once he did, Wang Qizhi became even angrier.
He endured it again and again.
He was just far away, otherwise he would have definitely rushed over and beaten Lin Sicheng to a pulp: Lin Sicheng, your life is your own, isn't it?
You, on the other hand, treat it like it was picked up, over and over again...
Trembling with righteous indignation, the phone rang again. Wang Qizhi glanced at it, then laughed in exasperation:
Lin Sicheng, you bastard, you probably don't even know that Professor Lin just called me...
Oh no… he didn’t even know that the robbers’ families had come knocking on his door…
Let's see how you try to make this up! I'll curse you to death today, or I'm not your teacher...
He pressed down hard, and the words of cursing welled up in his mouth, but Shan Wangshu snatched it away.
He glared at Wang Qizhi, signaling him to restrain himself, then sighed.
"Lin Sicheng, what do you think you're doing? Someone had a knife, and you still dared to rush in? Your teacher is furious with you..."
"They all rushed into the house... Oh, you didn't know? Don't worry, Anning's dad has already made the call... Don't rush... Oh, you want to go back? Okay, I'll tell your teacher later..."
After a long, drawn-out conversation, Shan Wangshu finally got the gist of the matter and hung up the phone.
She sighed again: "Don't be angry. Lin Sicheng was stopped on his way home. It happened so suddenly, he didn't expect it... He is indeed at the police station right now, but Director Li is there, and Director Chen is there too. The three of them are watching the Spring Festival Gala and have had a few drinks..."
"He then asked if I could call Director Li or Director Chen, as he needed to go home to check on things..."
At first, Wang Qizhi was quite angry: was he angry that Lin Sicheng had been detained in the police station? He was angry that Lin Sicheng had risked his life.
The incident in Hangzhou was one thing; Lin Sicheng only mentioned it briefly after returning, and Wang Qizhi at most imagined it but didn't really understand it.
At Zhang Anshi's tomb, Chen Peng made proper arrangements, with someone following him 24 hours a day, so he wasn't too worried.
But this time, it's an armed robber... If he gets really angry, he might stab you twice without batting an eye.
Wang Qizhi, who was full of righteousness, was suddenly stunned when he heard that Lin Sicheng wanted to go home: Wait a minute... why is he going home at this time?
Another fight?
Wait, thinking about it this way, it's like a lucky accident: Chen Peng actually made the right decision by leaving Lin Sicheng at the police station?
Otherwise, if we run into that group that's causing trouble right now, something's bound to happen...
Suddenly, his anger subsided by more than half, and he was secretly relieved when he heard a noise behind him.
The old man, his two brothers, and his son-in-law all arrived at the restaurant.
Judging by the time, the injection had been going on for almost two hours, so the doctor must have stopped the old man from continuing. But it was still early, so the old man wanted to chat with the younger generation.
Upon entering, sensing the awkward atmosphere, the old man asked a question.
No one dared to hide it, nor was there any need to. Shan Wangshu told the whole story.
The old man grew angrier as he listened, but his anger subsided only halfway through when he heard that his grandson-in-law had already made arrangements.
After asking a few more detailed questions, when he heard, "The knife was coming at Lin Sicheng, and there were two girls behind him. There was no way to dodge, so he had to go to meet it," the old man's eyes seemed to light up.
Then, two pairs of eyes shot towards them like arrows.
Wang Qizhi belatedly felt a chill run down his spine. He glanced at himself instinctively, and his heart sank: This is bad.
Knowing that he might not recover, he turned to run out, but as soon as he lifted his foot, "whoosh," his crutch flew over.
Wang Qizhi hurriedly caught it, feeling both puzzled and aggrieved: "Sir, I didn't say anything!"
With your pathetic appearance, do you even need to say anything?
The old man glared at him: "You good-for-nothing... Helping those in distress and the weak, even your students understand that better than you..."
It's just that Wang Qizhi is too old, otherwise the old man would definitely have sent him to the army...
The old man snorted: "Give me the phone..."
...
In the office, Lin Sicheng was on the phone, his eyes gradually turning red.
Chen Peng was still wondering what was going on. He thought that the person who answered the phone must be Wang Qizhi's wife. Although he couldn't hear what she was saying, her tone was quite gentle.
But why is this kid acting so fiercely, like he's about to kill someone?
Just as he was wondering, the landline phone rang. Chen Peng grabbed it without thinking, and then his face gradually turned ashen, with veins bulging on his forehead.
Damn it, have they gone too far?
People from Sanxiao Village rushed to Lin Jiacheng's house; there were thirty or forty men, women, and children.
Lin Sicheng's brother-in-law, the one who just came to the station, was slapped more than a dozen times. The two girls each received two slaps…”
Lin Sicheng's parents were almost beaten up too, but a relative mentioned that Lin Chengzhi was a cadre in the city, which stopped them from making a move...
Lin Sicheng's grandfather was so angry he almost fainted...
On the phone, Chen Peng's eyelids twitched with every word Hu Chenguang spoke. By the end, Chen Peng was so angry he wanted to curse.
Why did Lin Sicheng react like a lion shaking its mane after just receiving a phone call?
Who the hell can tolerate this?
The problem is, Wang Qizhi's wife, who lives thousands of miles away, already knew, but he and his master didn't.
He didn't believe that Lin Sicheng's parents didn't know to call the police, and he didn't believe that the police station hadn't handled the case.
Therefore, it is absolutely certain that after receiving the police report, Hu Chenguang did not connect the Dongqujiangchi disturbance case that was happening at that time with the robbery case that occurred in Sanxiao Village that afternoon.
I only found out what was going on when I got there, and that's when I called myself...
"Hu Chenguang, if you're not going to arrest him, why are you making this phone call?"
"What? Not enough men? I'll send Pi Xingchang to you..."
With a "click," Chen Peng hung up the phone. Just then, Lin Sicheng also hung up.
But then, Li Chunnan's phone rang again.
He glanced at it, then his expression turned serious: "Director Ding, hello..."
Then, he suddenly paused and glanced at Lin Sicheng.
"Yes, Director Ding, all the suspects have been apprehended, the case is largely understood, and they are being interrogated overnight... Yes, I'm at the branch office!"
"Yes, the facts of the case are very clear... Yes, it's self-defense, an act of bravery... Okay, I'll take care of it right now..."
"Director Ding, you're too kind. It's no trouble at all; it's my duty... Yes, Director Ding, I understand... I also wish you a Happy New Year..."
Lin Sicheng was focused on his work and didn't pay attention, but Chen Peng heard everything clearly.
Who is this... Director Ding?
The key point is the last sentence: This call was clearly made on his behalf by his superiors...
Just as he was filled with doubt and suspicion, Li Chunnan hung up the phone, his eyes widening: "What are you standing there for? Why aren't you arresting them?"
Chen Peng snapped to attention and was about to leave when Li Chunnan patted Lin Sicheng on the shoulder: "Little Lin, don't rush, let Chen Peng go back with you... Don't worry, they won't cause any trouble!"
Lin Sicheng nodded through gritted teeth, while Li Chunnan sighed inwardly: How could it be such a coincidence?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
