Chapter 29 He wasn't invincible either...
Jiang Shiyuan stood there stunned for a long time, but still couldn't bring herself to say "Grandpa".
Cheng Yan quickly smoothed things over, "Oh, Professor Xu, it's too embarrassing to have Shi Yuan call people now. There will be plenty of time to call them later."
Xu Sinian adjusted his glasses and smiled even more kindly, "Alright, alright, I was too impatient."
Jiang Shiyuan didn't have much contact with Xu Sinian, because most of his classes were electives, and he only saw him a few times during college. He remembered her perhaps because of Huo Lan.
She didn't know how Huo Lan introduced herself to Xu Sinian, but the elder looked at her with such kindness.
"I heard that Shi Yuan is now also engaged in cultural relic restoration. Is he here at the museum to learn and observe?"
Jiang Shiyuan walked into the storage room and saw Xu Sinian holding a leather notebook. He was writing notes on the densely written paper with a fountain pen.
Perhaps because he continues to work in a field where he shines even after retirement, Xu Sinian's face still looks radiant, with a spirit that belies his age.
Jiang Shiyuan shook his head and replied, "No, it's Cheng Yan who said that a batch of ancient books in the museum has recently encountered some problems, and she wanted me to see if I could help."
Xu Sinian nodded knowingly and closed the notebook he was taking notes in.
"I heard about it from the ancient book restoration office some time ago. I don't know if it's a chemical reaction or something else. We haven't been able to find the cause yet."
Cheng Yan frowned again as she thought about this problem. "If this issue isn't resolved, the repair process will only slow down. To make matters worse, the higher-ups keep pressing us relentlessly, and I haven't been able to sleep well lately."
Cheng Yan looked utterly dejected. "The most important thing is, this is related to whether I can get promoted..."
She looked at Jiang Shiyuan for help, "I hope my classmate Shiyuan can see the crux of the problem at a glance and save me from this predicament."
Seeing Cheng Yan's frantic appearance, Xu Sinian laughed and said, "Xiao Lan often mentioned you to me before, back when you two had just started dating. He always said that you have a lot of talent in cultural relics. Today we can finally meet you."
Xu Sinian's words surprised Jiang Shiyuan, who couldn't help but ask again, "Did he mention me to you a long time ago?"
Xu Sinian nodded, "Yes, you must have been a junior then, it was shortly after Xiao Lan substituted for my class. He told me so happily that he was in love, I've never seen Xiao Lan smile so shyly before. It was all for the best that I got sick, it brought you two together..."
Seemingly recalling the scene from years ago, Xu Sinian's smile deepened as he looked at Jiang Shiyuan, and he grew to like her more and more.
“You two are a perfect match. First and foremost, you like each other. Secondly, you both have a deep understanding of cultural relics and history, and you have common topics to discuss. This is a match made in heaven, and you should cherish it.”
Hearing Xu Sinian say this, Jiang Shiyuan was not happy; instead, she was overwhelmed by a sense of panic.
For those three years, she always treated herself as his caged bird, pretending to be obedient every day to make him happy, and always thought she was "doing her job well".
But was it really not like that Huo Lan had always viewed her from the very beginning?
He sees her as...his girlfriend?
Seeing Jiang Shiyuan's pale face and her silent stance for a long time without responding, Xu Sinian seemed to realize something and added, "Times have changed. Society advocates free love, and being well-matched in social status isn't actually that important... You don't need to think too much about it, just focus on preparing for the wedding. Xiao Lan is always thoughtful, so he shouldn't cause you too much worry about the wedding. I, as his grandfather, guarantee it to him."
He wanted to say something more, but then he thought of his daughter, Xu Feixuan, and sighed self-deprecatingly, "Back then, I was afraid that Feixuan would marry poorly, so I arranged for her to be engaged to the Huo family. Now it seems that wasn't entirely the right thing to do."
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Cheng Yan was afraid that if the two talked about any more secrets or past events within the Huo family, they would become even more heartbroken, so she quickly steered the conversation back on track.
"Alright, alright, let's not bother Professor Xu any longer. I'll take Shi Yuan to check on the condition of that ancient book."
After Cheng Yan finished speaking, she pulled Jiang Shiyuan behind the rows of bookshelves and finally arrived at a mahogany table with damp paper flattened on it.
She rolled up her sleeves and with great effort lifted the entire bluestone brick that was pressing on the repair paper and placed it aside. Then she turned on the large light next to her so that Jiang Shiyuan could observe the condition.
Jiang Shiyuan observed for a while and saw some clues, but he was not sure.
"It's not very noticeable to the naked eye; let's take a look under a microscope."
Cheng Yan randomly picked up the restored ancient scroll paper and found a suitable glass plate to adjust the microscope for Jiang Shiyuan.
Xu Sinian did not continue recording the historical details of the ancient book, but came over to check on the situation.
Xu Sinian said thoughtfully, "It's probably been about a week. The ancient books team still hasn't found the crux of the problem."
Fearing that Jiang Shiyuan might feel pressured by his words, Xu Sinian continued, "Many experienced restorers in the group couldn't find the problem. Even if Shiyuan didn't see it, he's already very capable."
Jiang Shiyuan was so focused on his observation that he didn't hear any sounds coming from outside the microscope.
In just a few minutes, she made her decision.
"It's been cleaned very thoroughly, with no chemical residue left. The problem must be elsewhere."
Jiang Shiyuan recalled the ancient book restoration files she had previously viewed on the computer, and considering the entire process of ancient book restoration, she raised a question, "Have you investigated the issue of tidal withdrawal?"
A single sentence jolted Cheng Yan awake, but she could hardly believe that the problem would arise from the simplest step, yet she was also vaguely worried.
"That can't be right. The restoration was done according to the same steps, with customized solutions based on the different damage conditions of the ancient books. How could this happen..."
Suddenly remembering something, Cheng Yan slapped her forehead in regret, "But the lining paper wasn't specifically differentiated, so there might really be a problem with moisture migration."
Upon hearing Cheng Yan's words, Jiang Shiyuan realized that his deduction was correct.
"The backing paper used was probably too absorbent for this ancient book, which caused uneven moisture migration, so these problems only appeared some time after the restoration."
"Oh my god, we were so confused! Outsiders always see things more clearly! We'll test the lining paper problem tomorrow when we get to work."
Cheng Yan was so angry at the thought that the entire team had failed to identify the problem as being with the lining paper that she felt like banging her head against the wall.
She immediately opened her phone, entered the work group, and sent the message. Before long, the group was buzzing with excitement.
Although Xu Sinian didn't know much about cultural relic restoration, he was a historical consultant at a museum after all. Seeing the scene, he understood what Jiang Shiyuan had done, and his gaze became even more affectionate.
"It seems that Shi Yuan is even smarter than I thought, outshining all the experienced masters in the ancient books group."
Jiang Shiyuan quickly waved her hand after the praise, saying, "I just happened to think of it; it's not that I'm that great."
Cheng Yan's praise came easily, "Shi Yuan, don't be so modest. If you ask me, with your level, you'd be more than qualified to work at the Beijing Museum, and you'd even be able to take those positions held by those old professors who just sit around doing nothing."
Startled by Cheng Yan's outrageous words, Jiang Shiyuan quickly covered her mouth and looked at Xu Sinian apologetically, "Professor Xu, she's talking nonsense."
It was a joke that didn't consider the occasion, especially since there was an elderly professor sitting right there.
Cheng Yan realized what was happening and quickly stuck out her tongue. "Professor Xu, I was just kidding. You've done so much for our museum!"
Xu Sinian laughed heartily, "I didn't hear anything."
When Xu Sinian looked at Jiang Shiyuan, his eyes held a renewed sense of expectation for the younger generation. "A talent like yours shouldn't be buried in a private studio."
Xu Sinian's words struck a chord with Jiang Shiyuan, and for some reason, a faint bitterness began to rise in her heart.
"The studio is also good. I can come into contact with some nice collections on a regular basis, which is quite fulfilling."
"That's true, but you can't fully utilize your potential in a place like this."
Xu Sinian's words were pointed, and Jiang Shiyuan seemed to understand something. Before she could ask, he continued, "Xiao Lan has already told me that you are preparing for the postgraduate entrance examination in archaeology at Beijing University. I happen to have an old classmate there who has made great achievements in archaeological research. I wonder if you would be interested in getting to know him?"
Jiang Shiyuan could no longer hide her excitement and quickly asked, "Is it Professor Li Bozhen, who is renowned in the field of archaeology?"
"He usually only supervises doctoral students. If you have the opportunity, he will become an important mentor in your life, but you must also study hard to prepare for the exam. You can't become his student just by saying a few words."
Jiang Shiyuan felt tears welling up in her eyes, and quickly nodded heavily, "I've been studying all along and haven't neglected my studies much. I will work hard."
Xu Sinian's eyes behind his glasses were filled with a deep smile. "So, to celebrate resolving the long-standing issue of ancient book restoration today, I'd like to invite you two ladies to my home. I hope you won't refuse?"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Yan's eyes lit up with excitement, and she quickly agreed, "Thank you so much, Professor Xu! I heard that Professor Xu lives in a garden villa on Zhuque Street? I really want to see what it's like inside."
"Alright, alright, then let's do it tonight."
Xu Sinian then looked at Jiang Shiyuan, "Where is Shiyuan then?"
Jiang Shiyuan instinctively wanted to refuse, "This is really too much of a bother."
"How could that be? You and Xiaolan are getting married soon, so you should visit this old man more often. I just made plans to have dinner with Xiaolan a few days ago, so why don't we have dinner together tonight? I can also talk to you about the postgraduate entrance exam for Beijing University."
Upon hearing that Huo Lan would also be coming, Cheng Yan immediately wilted.
The memory of being forcibly taken to Huo Garden by Huo Lan's bodyguards and interrogated seems still vivid in her mind.
"Huo Lan is coming too? Then I guess I won't go."
Suddenly thinking of a reasonable excuse, Cheng Yan quickly said, "It wouldn't be appropriate for me to go to your family gathering... I'll visit you another time when I have the chance."
Xu Sinian still extended a warm invitation, "What's the problem? You and Shi Yuan are good friends, so it's fine for you to come together. Besides, it's to celebrate that you solved this problem."
After speaking, Xu Sinian glanced at his wristwatch and began walking towards the door of the storage room. "It's getting late. I need to hurry back and prepare the meal. I have to make sure my little guests enjoy their meal..."
Before Cheng Yan could refuse again, he had already strode out of the storage room.
Cheng Yan shook her head in despair, "Professor Xu is really... I can't refuse his kindness."
"However, he seems quite pleased with your marriage to Huo Lan, and..."
"It is obvious from Professor Xu's description that Huo Lan regarded you as his girlfriend back then."
"I knew it! What kind of sugar daddy would do so much for a canary? Top-tier personalized service, nationwide tours, and even a Manhattan mansion! He's practically spoiling you rotten, how could he possibly just treat you like a canary!"
"And now, he actually took the initiative to ask Professor Xu to help you contact a mentor and support your academic work. I always thought he wouldn't let you leave Wancheng."
Cheng Yan didn't know whether she should advise her to settle down and marry Huo Lan. In her eyes, although Huo Lan was a bit controlling, he was genuinely sincere towards her.
"Shiyuan, you're not still thinking of running away, are you? I feel like you can't escape now. There's so much public opinion online, almost everyone knows that Jiang Shiyuan is going to marry the head of the Huo family. The people he's placed around you are never leaving your side. You can't escape even if you grow wings."
Jiang Shiyuan felt a rare moment of tenderness towards Huo Lan because of the postgraduate entrance exam, but this tenderness quickly dissipated.
"There will always be opportunities; he is not invincible."
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