C24 I Am Going Crazy!

"Kid, you're still wet behind the ears. You have no idea how high the sky is. I'd advise you not to get too cocky—it won't do you any favors," Elder Sun said through clenched teeth, his voice dark with resentment as he glared at Lin Hao.

"Arrogance is the prerogative of the capable," Lin Hao retorted coolly.

"At your age, how can you not grasp such a simple concept?" Lin Hao mocked with a sneer. "You've consumed more salt in your lifetime than I've eaten rice, yet you can't bend or stretch when necessary. What gives you the right to lecture me?"

"You..." Elder Sun inhaled deeply, nodding in acknowledgment. "Alright, I'll remember this encounter. We'll see what the future holds."

After a moment's hesitation, Elder Sun turned to address Ouyang Derong. "Brother Ouyang, with this young man present, it seems my assistance is no longer required. I'll take my leave now, but perhaps we can collaborate another time."

With that, Elder Sun made to depart.

Ouyang Derong, ever the diplomat, wouldn't dream of alienating Elder Sun at such a juncture. Even if he wasn't intimidated by Elder Sun's influence or talents, he had extended the invitation. Allowing him to leave under such circumstances would surely lead to gossip.

"Old Sun, let's not make a mountain out of a molehill—it's not worth the fuss," Ouyang Derong interjected. "The youth of today are sharper than we were, thanks to the vast expanse of the information age. They have access to a wealth of knowledge at their fingertips, unlike our days of trial and error, which often led us astray."

Ouyang Derong's words were measured, offending no one.

He then turned to Lin Hao, giving him an encouraging pat on the shoulder. "Hao, you've piqued my curiosity. What's this method you speak of? Share it with us, so we might learn something new."

Lin Hao offered a strained smile and nodded. "The technique is quite straightforward, starting with understanding the essence of paper—that's fundamental. But there's another aspect to consider: the quality of the ink. A true artist's work is not just about brush strokes; the ink plays a crucial role. With the right ink, each stroke is precise and penetrating."

"Take a look at this painting—it's composed of four layers, and we're looking at the very last one. Yet, the ink remains crisp and clear. There's even a smoothness to the touch, indicative of high-quality materials that were beyond the reach of common folk. This was the kind of luxury reserved for royalty and nobility!"

"Wang Shimin, now who was he? A scion of a prestigious lineage, with a grandfather who was a grand scholar and a father who served as an imperial editor. For someone of his stature, procuring fine ink would have been no challenge at all!"

"And consider this seal. Wang Shimin was a man who valued the essence of art, hence his fondness for landscape paintings. His seal reflects a certain spontaneity and naturalness, and the characters 'slightly inferior' are a testament to that."

"With these clues in hand, I'm confident in asserting that this painting is the work of Wang Shimin. If you remain skeptical, well, there's not much I can do. You know the saying—'a dead duck won't admit it's cooked.' Ultimately, you're entitled to your own opinions."

Lin Hao's statement left the experts in the room hesitant to object. As professionals, they recognized the acuity of his observations and were nearly convinced of the painting's provenance.

Yet, pride held them back, their eyes darting about, seemingly reluctant to directly engage with Lin Hao's assertion.

"Alright, we've reached a conclusion on this matter, so let's leave it at that," Ouyang Derong interjected with a smile. "Sisi, please take a seat. Hao, join us. We should delve into the particulars of our recent archaeological dig."

Exchanging a glance, Lin Hao and Qin Sisi chose seats away from the entrance.

Elder Sun, though inwardly unsettled, was still focused on the archaeological project. It represented a golden opportunity to enhance their renown, and perhaps, if they played their cards right, they might even earn accolades that would bring additional honor.

"The tomb we're currently excavating has been tentatively dated, but the artifacts unearthed are an eclectic mix, leaving us puzzled about the identity of its occupant."

"I've gathered you all here—esteemed connoisseurs of antiquities—hoping you'll lend your expertise to help decipher the narrative of this ancient burial site."

"Hehe, of course... I personally wanted to invite you all, so this mission doesn't come with many perks. I hope you all understand!"

"Aw, the president's being too modest!" chuckled one of the elders. "Working with the president is an honor for us!"

"Absolutely, absolutely. Even without perks, it's a great opportunity to gain some experience!" another chimed in.

Elder Sun remained silent but gave a nod of agreement.

"Alright then!" Ouyang Derong turned his attention to Lin Hao. "Hao, do you or Sisi have any requests?"

Qin Sisi shook her head, but Lin Hao, unexpectedly, spoke up. "Senior Ouyang, is there a bonus for this mission?"

His question was met with a sudden hush.

The elders before him might not have been rolling in wealth, but their families were rich in antiques, which could easily translate to a fortune.

"Don't give me that look. I'm still young, still broke. Shouldn't I be thinking about earning enough to buy a house and get married?"

"Tsk, I'm not in the same boat as you. You've got pensions and time to kill. Me? If I don't work, I don't eat!"

"Heh, the folly of youth!" Elder Sun scoffed.

Lin Hao was ready to snap back, but Ouyang Derong cut in before he could.

Smiling at Lin Hao, he said, "There's definitely a bonus, albeit a modest one. But it should cover the down payment for a modest three-bedroom in a second-tier city!"

"Then that settles it!" Lin Hao grinned. "Senior Ouyang, forgive my bluntness. I'm just a straight shooter."

Ouyang Derong dismissed the concern with a wave. "Not at all. Beating around the bush is exhausting. I prefer straightforward dealings like this!"

"Just a heads-up before we proceed: this archaeological dig is not your run-of-the-mill affair. There are things in this tomb that defy easy explanation. Just be mentally prepared, alright?"

"Sure, there's risk involved, but rest assured, I'll do everything in my power to ensure everyone's safety."

As Ouyang Derong laid out the situation, the group adopted a brave front, though they were clearly underestimating the dangers that lay ahead.

Of course, that was a conversation for another time.

"Alright, since everyone is ready, we'll set off tonight as soon as the troops get here!" Ouyang Derong declared. With that, he pressed the service button and a waiter promptly entered the room.

Lin Hao appeared to be wrestling with a decision. He fixed his gaze on Ouyang Derong's profile before finally giving Qin Sisi's shoulder a gentle tap. "Step outside with me," he whispered.

"For what?" Qin Sisi asked, clearly puzzled.

"Just come with me, no dawdling!" Lin Hao pressed.

Reluctantly, Qin Sisi got up and followed Lin Hao out of the private room.

Meanwhile, Ouyang Derong watched their retreating figures, his expression contemplative, as if pondering their motives.