Chapter 195 A Military Medal
Lin Sicheng turned his head:
A Cheetah was parked in front of the studio, its windows tinted so you couldn't see who was inside.
But he remembered very clearly that the last time Director Li and Chen Peng came to the school, they drove this very car.
Turning back, Chen Peng blinked again.
Lin Sicheng immediately understood and nodded slightly.
Seeing the two exchanging glances, Feng Jian seemed to understand something: the person sitting in the car was the former bureau chief.
But why did the former director come?
It should be like Chen Peng's... no, its significance might be even more profound.
Even if he didn't get out of the car or show his face, those who needed to know would know that he was the one sitting in the car.
Let's think back to the previous rumors: it was said that Director Li went to the department head to try to get Lin Sicheng into the public security department, but the president of Xida University turned him down.
But look at that car outside... the rumors are probably true.
This kid is amazing...
Feng Jian then looked at Chen Peng.
Chen Peng smiled and said, "Master is just passing by, he'll say a few words and then leave, he won't come in!"
On the way?
Director Li, you've had such a smooth journey; you've made it all the way to the school.
And who could Chen Peng be saying this to?
It must be Lin Sicheng.
In a flash, Wang Qizhi pointed and said, "Boss, the stairs are over here!"
Feng Jian nodded and smiled, then turned and went upstairs.
As He Zhigang stepped onto the stairs, he glanced back again: Lin Sicheng quietly shrank back, probably waiting for Feng Jian to go upstairs before leaving.
Subconsciously, he recalled his conversation with Chen Peng before they arrived here:
"Old Chen, we didn't even give a heads-up before launching this surprise attack. Won't that cause trouble?"
Chen Peng said nonchalantly, "Don't worry, the real troublemakers are yet to come..."
Sure enough?
If the old director had arrived earlier, today would have been the "unveiling ceremony of the district's World Heritage Application and Protection Center" presided over by municipal leaders.
Is it chaotic enough?
...
The clouds obscured the sun, the wind picked up considerably, and the icicles on the eaves cracked with a clear, crisp sound.
Withered grass, squeezed out from the cracks in the stone steps, swayed in the wind, becoming blurry shadows. Dead leaves, wrapped in snowflakes, swept past the roof of the cheetah's vehicle.
Why did Director Li come?
Lin Sicheng racked his brains but couldn't come up with a reason.
His mind raced. He left the exhibition hall, crossed the road, and went back to the car, but he still couldn't figure it out.
With a "bang," the car door was pushed open, and Li Chunnan stood on the ground with a smile.
"Chief!"
"Tsk, quite energetic!"
Li Chunnan smiled and patted Lin Sicheng on the shoulder. Then he slightly raised his head, his gaze looking through the glass:
The visiting groups and guests flowed up the stairs like a stream. Feng Jian had already reached the second floor, but most of the people were still crowded in the exhibition hall.
"It's quite lively today."
Taking it as a casual question, Lin Sicheng nodded: "Yes, Director, there are indeed quite a few people here!"
Li Chunfeng smiled knowingly: "According to Chen Peng, many of them came uninvited, and the gifts they brought were quite substantial?"
Lin Sicheng paused and looked back.
No... how much time has it taken?
Director Chen isn't that talkative; he would never tell Director Li this for no reason. Since he did, there must be a reason.
Lin Sicheng pondered for a moment, then slowly came to his senses, and his expression gradually became strange.
Zhao Xiuneng doesn't count; he's already been recruited. But Fang Jingxian, Li Guojun, and Chen Yangyan probably don't have clean hands either.
Especially Chen Yangyan: Yu Dahai wouldn't have taken his boots off without a reason. Hao Jun, in addition to hinting at it more than once, said: Lin Sicheng, just a hair's breadth away, and President Chen's mine would have been gone…
So, how many things did Mr. Chen do before that he was punished so severely after the incident?
The gift you gave me today was so valuable; besides gratitude, I couldn't help but have other thoughts.
It's not aimed at Chen Peng or He Zhigang, but at Wang Qizhi...
But Director Chen, what about our trust and understanding? I am indeed only twenty-one now, that's true, but did you know that I lived for thirty-nine in my past life?
Touched, Lin Sicheng was also somewhat amused and exasperated: "Director Chen, really... such a small matter, and you still have to make a trip for me?"
"It's not that I'm alarming you, it's that I was planning to come anyway... Perfect timing, I'll help you intimidate them!"
Li Chunnan smiled and reached into his pocket again. Lin Sicheng, assuming he was taking out a cigarette, quickly pulled out a lighter.
But then, he handed her a small box: "This thing can also be considered a collectible, so consider it a congratulatory gift... Here, take it."
Lin Sicheng glanced at it and was suddenly stunned: it was made of acrylic, with a golden military emblem engraved on the lid, and a military medal inside.
Made of gilded bronze, shaped like a kapok flower, with a military emblem and atomic symbols at the center.
At first glance, it seemed ordinary, but Lin Sicheng looked at it again and again, his expression gradually becoming serious.
In 1979, the Central Military Commission approved the commendation of combat heroes and the establishment of first- and second-class hero and model medals.
The second-class medal features Tiananmen Square and the military flag, while the first-class medal features the military emblem and an atomic symbol. The medal in Li Chunnan's hand is one of the first batch of first-class medals for heroes and model workers.
Later, they were awarded sporadically, but in 1979, about a hundred first-class medals were awarded.
Does this count as collecting and playing with antiques?
Yes, they're available in the market. They're not very expensive, just a few thousand yuan.
But the fact that Li Chunnan gave it to him in such a place is no longer a question of whether it's valuable or not: with so many people watching, how could they think that Director Li was someone they picked up from a street stall?
"I still have several more at home, they're just sitting there anyway..."
Seeing Lin Sicheng standing there dumbfounded, Li Chunnan patted his hand, "Even Chen Peng knows to bring a flower basket, I can't really come empty-handed, can I? Perfect, hang it on the wall when we get back, it'll help ward off evil spirits..."
Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment, then nodded solemnly: "Thank you, Director!"
Li Chunnan smiled and said, "What are you thanking me for?"
Everyone in the bureau says Chen Peng is lucky; one huge disaster after another strikes, and if he fails to withstand any one of them, he'll be finished.
But each time, Chen Peng miraculously escaped unscathed in the end.
He was indeed lucky, but then again, Chen Peng was only the fourth-ranked deputy director. With just his head and two shoulders, how much could he possibly carry?
In the end, it was his mentor, the bureau chief, who took the blame. But what happened? Not only did he not get to take any responsibility, but Chen Peng didn't even get a chance to do so?
Therefore, the so-called "on the way" and "helping Lin Sicheng to deter the evil spirits" were all pretexts. Even without any reason, he would still make a special trip today...
With a sigh, Li Chunnan patted Lin Sicheng on the shoulder again: "There are still leaders and guests upstairs, let's go in. I won't eat at the banquet, so as not to be accused of deliberately causing trouble..."
As he spoke, Li Chunnan got into the car and glanced at the second floor again.
The lights were bright, and there were many people. Chen Peng stood by the window, grinning from ear to ear.
Li Chunnan glared at him, then smiled at Lin Sicheng.
The car window closed, the car turned around, and then it exited the intersection. Lin Sicheng carried the box and walked back unhurriedly.
As the thin clouds dispersed, the setting sun poured down, and the gilded medals reflected a dazzling golden light.
On the second floor, after Shang Yan finished explaining the experimental center, she led the leaders to the third floor. Near the window, several people tilted their heads and twisted their necks, staring at the small box in Lin Sicheng's hand…
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