Xu Chunliang chuckled, recalling how, not long after the donation, all the dragon bones were destroyed in a fire due to electrical faults, with even the rubbings barely surviving.
Now he casually ntions that this rubbing ca from the dragon bones donated by Grandpa? Liang Baxian's mory is pretty sharp; it feels a bit questionable.
Xu Chunliang said, "Is that so?" There's no source indicated here.
Liang Baxian replied, "Even without the label, I know this rubbing is among the few preserved ones; I recognized it at first glance." This explanation answered Xu Chunliang's doubt quite well.
"Director Liang, you're here! I've been looking everywhere for you." Bai Mushan's student Xue Anliang ca over.
Embarrassed, Liang Baxian said, "I was just looking around casually."
Xue Anliang was pleasantly surprised to see Xu Chunliang, "Mr. Xu, you're here too? Did Professor Bai invite you?" He didn't expect Xu Chunliang to co, hence the question.
Xu Chunliang replied, "I saw it in the newspaper; I suppose Professor Bai has long forgotten about ."
"How could that be?" Xue Anliang sensed Xu Chunliang's dissatisfaction and invited, "Why don't both of you join for tea, let's have a good talk."
Liang Baxian nodded, ready to leave with him, but Xu Chunliang said, "There's sothing I don't quite understand. Why isn't the donor ntioned here?"
Xue Anliang leaned in to glance at the exhibit, while Liang Baxian explained, "This rubbing ca from the batch of dragon bones donated by Mr. Xu; Xiaoxu thinks there's been so oversight in the related information."
Xue Anliang smiled, "Sorry about that; this museum has just opened, not every exhibit has detailed information. We're continually improving, so please, Mr. Xu, bear with us on any oversights."
Xu Chunliang said, "How can one not mind? Back then, my grandfather donated over a thousand artifacts, and they were all burned clean, leaving hardly any rubbings. Now, they don't even bother to label the donor's na."
Liang Baxian showed signs of embarrassnt; he bore significant responsibility in this matter.
Xue Anliang said, "I'm not familiar with past events, but the remaining rubbings have been instructed by Professor Bai to be sent to you; don't you rember, Mr. Xu?"
Xu Chunliang sarcastically replied, "What you sent was a copy of a copy." He didn't detect any apology from Xue Anliang's face, but then again, it wasn't his responsibility, though Xu Chunliang was very displeased.
Xue Anliang said, "I apologize, I'm unaware of past matters. Let's head back for tea, shall we?"
Xu Chunliang asked, "Is Professor Bai around?"
Xue Anliang shook his head; Bai Mushan had engagents this afternoon, so he wasn't at the museum.
Xu Chunliang followed them to the teahouse in the backyard, where Xue Anliang invited them to sit by the tea table and brewed so Rougui (cinnamon tea).
Seeing Xue Anliang's skilled tea brewing technique, Xu Chunliang realized this doctoral student was actually a tea ceremony expert. He used to think today's PhDs were quite impressive, but since Mo Han agreed to help him obtain Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD diplomas, Xu Chunliang started to believe PhDs aren't a big deal; these days, if you have money, you can get any degree.
Liang Baxian took a sip of Rougui and praised, "Good tea!"
Xu Chunliang said, "I don't understand tea, but this one is quite fragrant." There's no need to pose as a cultured literary figure in front of them; they're genuine cultural enthusiasts.
In such a setting, Liang Baxian couldn't resist showing off, "It's thirty percent tea, seventy percent technique; the real skill lies in Dr. Xue's tea ceremony mastery."
Xu Chunliang said, "Dr. Xue is practically a tea doctor."
Liang Baxian was taken aback, thinking this 'tea doctor' wasn't complintary. After all, Xue Anliang was genuinely a skilled doctoral student.
Xue Anliang didn't mind, lifting the tea cup for a sip and said, "The professor intended to personally welco Director Liang, but the school suddenly has a hosting task that couldn't be declined. I hope Director Liang doesn't mind."
Liang Baxian laughed, "Not at all. Professor Bai and I are old friends."
Xu Chunliang asked, "How is Professor Bai's health?"
Xue Anliang replied, "He has recovered. The doctor says as long as he takes dication as prescribed, and has regular check-ups, there shouldn't be any issues."
Xu Chunliang said, "I've heard liver cancer can recover so quickly?"
Xue Anliang said, "dical advancents in North Arica are inherently ahead of dostic ones; that's why Professor Bai chose to go abroad for treatnt."
Liang Baxian chid in, "One can't deny dical prowess in this regard."
Xu Chunliang remarked, "In this aspect, you're both outsiders."
The two were taken aback by Xu Chunliang's comnt.
Xu Chunliang put down his teacup and said, "The truly remarkable dical skills are all in China, why belittle ourselves? I should be going."
Xue Anliang said, "Why the rush? Let's have dinner together tonight. I reckon the professor will be back soon, and he'll be very happy to see Mr. Xu."
Xu Chunliang thought to himself that it might not be the case. He felt a sense of disconnect when talking with these people and didn't like Bai Mushan much. Moreover, he increasingly suspected there was sothing fishy about the fire that destroyed the dragon bones back then, including Bai Mushan's sudden illness and sudden recovery.
After leaving the museum, Xu Chunliang called Lu Qi and asked him to investigate the museum fire case from back then.
Lu Qi groaned when he heard about it. That case happened years ago and was definitely a cold case. Not ntioning the fire that caused the damage to the artifacts, even the thieves who later stole the artifacts have finished serving their sentences. He could only try his best to investigate.
Xu Chunliang didn't hide anything from him and told Lu Qi that the batch of dragon bones lost back then was extrely valuable. He suspected there might be so inside job or self-theft involved.
Upon hearing about the value of those dragon bones, Lu Qi also felt regret for Xu Chunliang. If Elder Xu hadn't donated them and kept them until now, Xu Chunliang might indeed be a legitimate heir to a fortune. However, suspicion remained as suspicion; without evidence, one cannot speak recklessly.
Xu Chunliang suspected several people, all social elites, especially Bai Mushan, a university professor, master of Chinese studies, and an authority on oracle bone inscriptions with significant social influence.
Lu Qi reminded Xu Chunliang that the investigation into this matter must be kept discreet and can only be conducted secretly. Next week, when he goes to Nanjiang for a eting, he'll find an opportunity to join Xu Chunliang in eting Bai Mushan.
As night fell, the city lights ca on. The wind grew noticeably stronger. Nanjiang's wind carried the unique dampness of the Yangtze River. Xu Chunliang didn't like the cold, damp weather here, perhaps related to i Ru Xue's abrupt departure.
He trod against the wind toward the subway station. There was still so distance from the museum to the subway station.
On the way, he received a call from Xu Ying, the owner of Hua Jian Japanese Cuisine. Xu Ying was still in Nanjiang and asked if he was free the day after tomorrow. She wanted to have a al together and introduce him to a friend in the art circle, Pan Chengfeng.
Xu Chunliang rembered that during his last al at Hua Jian Japanese Cuisine, he saw a piece of calligraphy by He Shouren, which Xu Ying told him was a gift from Pan Chengfeng. She had said she would introduce them if given the chance. Xu Ying's mory was indeed impressive.
Since it was the weekend, Xu Chunliang had no plans, so he agreed. Xu Ying quickly sent the address—it was Nanwan Lake Cultural and Creative Park, which he'd been to before. It wasn't far from the Nanjiang Party School. Last ti he was there, he was visiting Longgu Culture with Bai Mushan.
It's a cultural and creative park in University City, likely where Professor Pan Chengfeng's studio was located.
Just after ending the call, a young lady with a charming face approached from behind. Her appearance was sowhat familiar, resembling a certain female star. As she passed Xu Chunliang, she called out, "Mr. Liu!"
Xu Chunliang thought she had mistaken him for soone else, but to his surprise, the young lady slowed her pace and, with a hint of panic, lowered her voice. "Sir, please help . Soone is following ."
Xu Chunliang turned around and, sure enough, about twenty ters behind, a burly bald man was walking among the crowd, looking their way.
Xu Chunliang said, "Shall I call the police for you?"
The young lady shook her head. "No need. Can you accompany to the subway station?"
Since Xu Chunliang was heading to the subway station as well, he nodded, considering it an act of kindness. He realized that since coming to Nanjiang, the security seed worse than in Dongzhou. First, he had encountered theft in Old City East, and now there was soone following on the street.
The young lady was indeed quite attractive. Her face probably cost tens of thousands to craft, looking very refined yet lacking distinctiveness, which is why she resembled several female stars—combining features from multiple people.
In fact, now many female stars also have hand-crafted looks. One must admit that today's costic surgery technology has made significant advancents compared to the past.
She was dressed a bit too flamboyantly for the cold weather, wearing a short skirt that exposed her long legs, which, with poor insulation, allowed her fragrance to waft, easily catching male attention.
The young lady was sowhat nervous and kept glancing back because the temperature had dropped today, and there weren't many pedestrians on the street.
Xu Chunliang checked his phone's map, "Not far now."
Perhaps to ease the tension, the young lady took out a pack of cigarettes. "Sir, do you smoke?"
Xu Chunliang shook his head, noticing that the man was still trailing behind, but now he had soone else with him.
The young lady expertly drew out a cigarette, lit it, took a puff, and said, "I'm Jiang Lin. What's your surna, sir?"
Xu Chunliang replied, "The surna is Xu."
Jiang Lin said, "Thank you, Mr. Xu. Once we reach the subway station, I'll be on my way. Lately, the security in Nanjiang hasn't been great, with plenty of these perverts around."
Xu Chunliang nodded. At that mont, three people were walking toward them, their eyes fixed intently on them.
Jiang Lin appeared frightened, instinctively clutching Xu Chunliang's arm, wrapping it as if it were ivy, demonstrating remarkable skill.
Xu Chunliang frowned. From the mont Jiang Lin lit her cigarette, he suspected this was not a coincidental event. Could it be that she had provoked so enemies? Or were these people targeting him? In this world, instances of a hero saving a beauty are rare, while instances of a beauty tricking a hero are nurous.
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