Chapter 877 Aftermath (Part 1)
The next afternoon, Zhuang Rui drove his car to the airport early and waited for more than two hours before the flight from Japan to Beijing landed at the Capital Airport.
Zhuang Rui, who played Peng Fei, waved to Peng Fei as he stepped off the plane. Peng Fei, carrying a suitcase, immediately ran over and said, "Brother Zhuang, it's almost Chinese New Year, and you're so busy at home. I told you not to come pick me up..."
"You little brat, you're just being smug after getting the benefits..."
Zhuang Rui laughed and punched Peng Fei in the chest. He looked up and saw Professor Tian walking towards him, so he quickly went to greet him.
Although Zhuang Rui's plan didn't have any major flaws, if it weren't for Professor Tian's cooperation, and if Yamaki had insisted on not damaging the porcelain, it's hard to know how this matter would have ended.
Zhuang Rui extended both hands and shook hands with Professor Tian, smiling as he said, "Professor Tian, I witnessed your righteous words repelling the Japanese invaders yesterday..."
"You little rascal, that wasn't very ethical of you. You scared me so much yesterday I almost had a heart attack. Don't let it happen again..."
Although Professor Tian was criticizing Zhuang Rui, he had a smile on his face. Seeing the Japanese suffer a setback was definitely the happiest thing for Chinese people, especially the older generation.
After this incident, Professor Tian and Zhuang Rui became much closer. After all, they were comrades-in-arms in the same trench, one charging ahead and the other offering advice from behind.
"Professor Meng, someone from the association is waiting for you outside, so I'll be going now. I'll be hosting a dinner in a few days, so please do me the honor of joining us..."
Tian Fan's visit to Japan has caused quite a stir, not only in the academic community but also in relevant national departments. There are at least several hundred people waiting to greet Professor Tian outside the airport, which is why Zhuang Rui made those remarks.
"No, I, Lao Tian, am most afraid of this. I don't even like going to meetings. I'll just go with your car..."
When Professor Tian heard Zhuang Rui bring this up, his face immediately fell. Despite his calm demeanor on television, he was actually a man of few words and was not mentally prepared to play the hero.
Zhuang Rui hesitated for a moment and said, "This... isn't that a bad idea? There are so many people waiting outside..."
If Professor Tian really runs away with me, then all the people outside have come for nothing.
"I, Lao Tian, have never enjoyed that kind of treatment in my entire life, nor do I want to seek that kind of limelight. Besides, the expert group isn't just me..."
Professor Tian paused for a moment, then continued, "Some people love excitement, so I'll leave the opportunity to them. Xiao Zhuang, you tricked me this time, so you'll have to help me out with this little favor..."
As Professor Tian spoke, he opened the car door and got in. Before his press conference, there was a lot of internal disagreement. Not only did the experts who went to Japan disagree, but the team leader also disagreed.
In the end, Professor Tian withstood the pressure and wrote a guarantee, which earned the tacit approval of the relevant leaders. As a result, Professor Tian was the only expert present at the press conference.
Therefore, Professor Tian was not particularly fond of these people. He preferred to go home and eat a meal cooked by his wife rather than engage in formalism such as celebration parties, which would only help those so-called leaders increase their political achievements.
"Alright, since you've given the word, I'll comply..."
Zhuang Rui suddenly remembered his father-in-law's instructions and continued, "Professor Tian, if you get in this car, you're not allowed to run away when I celebrate your success..."
Before Professor Tian could even speak after hearing Zhuang Rui's words, Zhuang Rui waved to the group of people who had just disembarked from the plane, drove off, leaving the others looking at each other in confusion, wondering what had happened.
The welcoming party for the expert group was of a very high caliber, with leaders from the Palace Museum, the Ministry of Culture, the president of the Collectors Association, and various non-governmental organizations, totaling hundreds of people, crowding around the airport exit.
Several large signs read "Welcome Professor Tian from the Expert Group," but after everyone had left, only the other experts were seen, while Professor Tian was nowhere to be found.
"Where's Professor Tian? Why are there only a few of you?"
A man with a large belly, who looked like a leader, asked the team leader of the expert group.
"Director Wu, Professor Tian... Professor Tian has been taken away by Teacher Zhuang..."
The tour leader himself worked for the Ministry of Culture, and now that he was meeting the leaders, he was even stammering a bit.
"Nonsense! What Teacher Zhuang? So many of us are waiting here. Isn't this disorganization and lack of discipline? Call that Teacher Zhuang and tell him to come back!" Well, Director Wu was furious when he heard that someone had more influence than him. Among the people present, he had the highest administrative rank, so he immediately lashed out.
"Director Wu, that Teacher Zhuang..."
Someone in the expert group recognized Zhuang Rui and whispered a few words in Director Wu's ear. Director Wu's expression changed as he said, "All of you experts have worked hard this time. Please get in the car; the ministry has prepared a celebration party for you..."
Director Wu seemed to have forgotten his earlier displeasure. After shaking hands with each of the experts without changing his expression, he led the way out of the airport.
However, the main figure has disappeared, and the remaining experts have not appeared on television or made any statements, so this welcoming event has ended in a very anticlimactic manner.
However, Director Wu didn't dare to utter any more harsh words or flaunt his official power. How could he possibly offend the nephew of a high-ranking official?
"Brother Zhuang, Beijing is still the best. The streets are so festive..."
The day after tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve, and Beijing is decorated in a new style, filled with the festive atmosphere of the New Year.
As people's lives have improved in recent years, they increasingly reminisce about the atmosphere of celebrating the New Year in the 1970s and 80s. The ban on firecrackers has also been lifted, and sitting in the car, one can occasionally hear the sporadic sounds of firecrackers coming from the street.
"Yeah, you're going to be a dad soon, time really flies..."
Zhuang Rui was also stirred by Peng Fei's words. This was the second year he had spent the New Year in Beijing, and almost every year brought new changes. If it weren't for the birth of his children, Zhuang Rui would almost feel like it was all unreal.
"Things have been better these past few years; the festive atmosphere of old Beijing's New Year celebrations has returned, but it's still far from what it was in the 70s and 80s..."
Professor Tian also felt a bit emotional. Society is developing faster and faster, but some old traditions have been eliminated. For example, monkey trainers, people selling magic pills and sword swallowing tricks were the most common street performers in Professor Tian's time.
"Hey, Xiao Zhuang, where are you taking me?"
As Professor Tian was talking, he noticed that the car was heading towards the suburbs, which puzzled him.
"Hehe, Professor Tian, a casual dinner has been prepared at home. We'd love for you to tell us about the thrilling stories from your trip to Japan..."
Zhuang Rui laughed when he heard this. He had just sent a text message to his mother, planning to entertain Professor Meng at home that evening, so that his father-in-law could meet him. Qin Haoran had been nagging Zhuang Rui about it until midnight last night.
"You little rascal, I haven't even seen my wife yet, don't think something's happened to me..."
Professor Tian shook his head, took out his phone, and made a call home. Actually, he greatly admired the mysterious figure who had created these porcelain pieces and was just about to talk to Zhuang Rui about it. ...
"Dad, this is Professor Tian, Teacher Tian. This is my father-in-law. He admires you very much. That's why I brought you here on his orders..."
After spending more time with Qin Haoran, Zhuang Rui felt that his father-in-law was very open-minded, so he would often crack a few jokes with him.
Qin Haoran, like a star-struck fan, stepped forward and tightly grasped Professor Tian's hand, saying, "My name is Qin Haoran. Welcome, Professor Tian. Professor Tian's charisma on television makes us feel ashamed of our own..."
"I don't deserve such praise. I was merely an executor; Xiao Zhuang was the mastermind..."
Seeing Qin Haoran's gentle and refined demeanor, Professor Tian didn't dare to be negligent. He smiled and continued, "I'm a few years younger than you in England, so just call me Brother Tian..."
"What executor, what mastermind?"
Qin Haoran seemed a little confused, but he still stepped aside and invited Professor Tian into the living room. Old Master Qin also stood in the hall to greet him, and everyone exchanged greetings again.
The meal at home had been prepared long ago. In order to allow the men to chat better, Ouyang Wan took her wife and mother-in-law to another restaurant for dinner, leaving the place for Zhuang Rui and the others.
Grandpa Qin was in poor health and was already over eighty years old, but he still insisted on toasting Professor Tian with a glass of wine before going back to his room to rest with Qin Xuanbing's help.
"Teacher Tian, congratulations on your trip to Japan, which has brought honor to our country! Let's have a drink..."
After the old man left, Zhuang Rui raised his glass and toasted Professor Tian.
In fact, Zhuang Rui had prepared more than one plan for sending Peng Fei to Japan this time. Explaining the whole story to Professor Tian was just one of the plans he had prepared.
Although Zhuang Rui had had many contacts with Tian Fan before, he never expected that Professor Tian would have such integrity, bearing enormous pressure and actually managing to get this matter done.
"Xiao Zhuang, you know the truth of this matter better than anyone else, so there's no need for you to try and whitewash me, Lao Tian..."
Professor Tian downed his drink without touching his chopsticks, and continued, "Although you took a risk, the outcome was thankfully good, but you can't do it again. This kind of thing is one-of-a-kind..."
"Teacher Tian, I understand. In any case, I still want to thank you for this. Otherwise, I really wouldn't know how to handle things..."
Zhuang Rui nodded, adopting a humble and receptive expression. The uproar and impact of this matter far exceeded Zhuang Rui's expectations. He really wouldn't dare to play such a game again.
"Brother Tian, what... what are you talking about?"
Qin Haoran had been wondering about this ever since they were at the door. Now, after hearing their conversation, he was even more confused. It seemed that his son-in-law was connected to the "ancient porcelain" incident.
Chapter 878 Aftermath (Part 2)
"Brother Qin, you don't know?"
Professor Tian paused for a moment, glanced at Zhuang Rui, and then said, "This whole affair was caused by your son-in-law from beginning to end..."
Tian Fan was unaware that Zhuang Rui had kept this matter so secret, not even from his father-in-law. He blurted it out without thinking, and he couldn't help but feel a bit of revenge on Zhuang Rui. The kid's previous actions had practically made him a pawn.
"What?"
Qin Haoran spat out the glass of wine he had just drunk, and looked at Zhuang Rui with an expression of disbelief.
"Dad, please don't get agitated..."
In his excitement, Qin Haoran sprayed a mouthful of wine all over Zhuang Rui, who frantically grabbed tissues to wipe it off.
"Xiao Rui, is what Brother Tian said true?"
Qin Haoran never expected that his son-in-law, who was usually quite low-key, would actually orchestrate such a big event. It could be said that in the past two months, relations between China and Japan have become somewhat tense because of this incident.
Of course, the relationship between the two countries has never been truly good; it has always been merely a facade of friendship.
The living room was heated. After Zhuang Rui took off his coat, which reeked of alcohol, he looked at Qin Haoran and said, "Dad, I didn't expect this matter to cause such a big commotion."
Here's what happened: Some time ago, a ceramics research institute I invested in successfully fired imitation porcelain from the Cizhou official kiln...
Originally, I wanted to take it to a friend's auction house to test the waters and see if it could be appraised. Who knew that this guy named Shanmu insisted on buying it? I had already raised the price quite high, but he still bought it. He was practically stuffing money into my hand; I couldn't just refuse, could I?
Zhuang Rui wore a wronged expression, leaving Qin Haoran and Professor Tian speechless. This kid was a typical example of someone who took advantage of others and then acted innocent, and even slapped the other person across the face at the end.
If you don't want to sell, there are plenty of ways. Just smash it on the spot, why bother deliberately raising the price to get someone else to buy it?
For the first time, Qin Haoran realized that his seemingly honest son-in-law was actually the kind of person who was wise beyond his years, and would even help Zhuang Rui count the money after selling him out. "Then... why didn't you tell me yesterday?"
Qin Haoran was stunned by the twists and turns of the story. After Zhuang Rui finished speaking, he remembered that yesterday, when they were all anxious, his son-in-law had acted as if he was very confident.
"Dad, isn't it because they're shy about praising themselves?"
Zhuang Rui's words were even more damaging, causing Professor Tian and Peng Fei, who were sitting nearby, to simultaneously spit out their drinks, and a burst of laughter filled the room. ...
"We have a breaking news report. We've just received word that a person has jumped to their death from the Ginza Building in Tokyo, Japan... It has been confirmed that the deceased was the 52-year-old president of the Japan Ceramic Association. He died instantly after falling. Preliminary investigations indicate that the incident was a suicide, but the specific reasons are still under investigation..."
Just as Zhuang Rui and the others were chatting happily, a news report on the television suddenly drew their attention, and the room fell silent for a moment.
The two people most shocked were Zhuang Rui and Professor Tian, who had just left Japan. Neither of them could have imagined that Ye He would end his life by suicide in response to the scandal that had occurred in Japan.
Although the news reports that the cause of the suicide is unknown, everyone knows that the trigger for the suicide was this "antique porcelain" incident.
Fearing that Zhuang Rui and the others might feel guilty, Qin Haoran quickly said, "Xiao Rui, Brother Tian, this isn't your fault. It's entirely the Japanese's own fault..."
"Exactly, bro, if it were up to me, we'd just take care of those two..."
"Alright, Peng Fei, go keep your wife company, stop talking nonsense..."
Zhuang Rui interrupted Peng Fei, saying that no matter what, this was still the loss of a life.
"Xiao Zhuang, no matter how many Japanese devils die, we won't be sad. Back in the day, my grandfather was in the 29th Army's Big Sword Squad, and he personally chopped off the heads of twenty-two Japanese devils..."