Restoring cultural relics: Starting with the crying Tang Dynasty figurines

A black minivan is parked in front of the company. The van was disposed of a few days ago and replaced with this vehicle.

Qian Weidong, sitting in the driver's seat, saw them get out and honked the horn.

"Brother Qian, are you giving us a ride?" Su Yuan asked.

Zhao Cheng opened the back door and got in, and Su Yuan followed him in: "Yes, it was arranged by Director Zhang."

The car started and drove out of the company gate.

Su Yuan glanced out the rear window of the car. The small building of the repair center was getting farther and farther away, and finally disappeared around the corner of the intersection.

"Sun Guoliang didn't come today," Qian Weidong said as he drove. "He took the day off, saying he wasn't feeling well."

Su Yuan and Zhao Cheng exchanged a glance.

"What about his car? I didn't notice it..." Zhao Cheng asked.

"It's still parked in the yard," Qian Weidong said. "Chen Xiaohe and Xiao Liu are keeping an eye on it. They said he went out around six o'clock this morning and hasn't come back yet."

Su Yuan frowned, wondering what Sun Guoliang was up to. He glanced at Zhao Cheng but didn't say anything. The car quickly got onto the highway.

Zhao Cheng said from the side:

"Xiao Su, once we arrive in the provincial capital, you go to Teacher Zhou's house first, and I'll go to the guesthouse to check in."

"it is good."

Su Yuan nodded.

The car drove on the highway for almost two hours and arrived in the provincial capital at 3:30 pm sharp.

Qian Weidong first took Su Yuan to the downstairs of Zhou Peiyuan's house, and then took Zhao Cheng to the guesthouse. They agreed to meet at the entrance of the Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau at 8:30 the next morning!

Su Yuan stood downstairs carrying his toolbox and looked up.

Zhou Peiyuan's home is in an old-style residential building; he lives on the fifth floor, and there's no elevator...

Su Yuan climbed five floors, took a breath, and rang the doorbell in front of apartment 502.

The door opened quickly.

Zhou Peiyuan opened the door wearing a gray house shirt. His hair looked a bit grayer, but he was in good spirits!

"Little Su is here, come in." Zhou Peiyuan stepped aside to let him into the house.

Su Yuan changed his shoes, picked up his toolbox, and followed Zhou Peiyuan into the living room. The living room was very clean, and two cups of tea were already on the coffee table, still steaming.

"Please sit down and have some tea."

Zhou Peiyuan pointed to the sofa. Su Yuan put down his toolbox, sat down, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. It was Longjing tea, and the taste was authentic.

Zhou Peiyuan sat down opposite him, glanced at him, and said:

"Xiao Su, there are two things I need to tell you in person because I asked you to come early this time."

Su Yuan put down his teacup and sat up straighter. Zhou Peiyuan said:

"The first thing is that Han Zhengming's recent actions have become more significant."

"He's planted quite a few people within the Cultural Relics Bureau; Sun Guoliang is just one of them on the surface. While you're in the provincial capital, try not to act alone; go everywhere with Zhao Cheng and the others!"

Su Yuan nodded in agreement.

"The second thing is the bronze medal you have. Han Zhengming has confirmed that it is in your possession."

"He wanted it, but he didn't dare to take it openly, because the Ninth Bureau was watching him, and he might have Sun Guoliang do it secretly!"

Su Yuan unconsciously tightened his grip on the teacup. He asked:

"Professor Zhou, you know about that thing on Sun Guoliang, right?"

Zhou Peiyuan nodded: "I know, the gap that Han Zhengming gave him has been brewing for him for quite some time."

"Although it's a gap, it's not the ordinary kind."

Zhou Peiyuan put down his teacup and continued, "Most of the gaps exposed by the interlayer cracks are unconscious and can only wander around on instinct."

"But those raised by Han Zhengming are different. He can control the gaps, and even make them parasitize living people and do things for him."

"Just like the ones Wu Zhenshan raised, some of them become more aggressive!"

Su Yuan knew all this; Zhong Ming and the others had mentioned it, and Wu Zhenshan had even bestowed the title upon the one he was raising, yet he still listened very attentively.

Zhou Peiyuan continued:

"The one on Sun Guoliang was given to him by Han Zhengming. It is understood that it has already shown signs of mutation, while Sun Guoliang himself is just an ordinary person."

"But as you know, after being parasitized by the gap, that's why Han Zhengming arranged for him to be assigned to your repair center."

Su Yuan paused for a few seconds before asking, "Teacher Zhou, how many of those creatures did Han Zhengming raise himself?"

"It's not certain yet."

Zhou Peiyuan's tone became more serious: "This person is very well hidden. Our Ninth Division has been investigating him for almost ten years, but we still haven't completely figured him out."

"However, he wouldn't dare to act recklessly!"

The sky outside the window had already darkened. Zhou Peiyuan stood up, walked to the window, drew the curtains, and looked at Su Yuan.

"Xiao Su, I'm telling you this not to put pressure on you. What your Su family has passed down for generations has now come to you, and you have the right to make your own decisions."

Su Yuan took a deep breath and asked:

"Teacher Zhou, what should I do next?"

Zhou Peiyuan looked at him and remained silent for a moment: "First, do a good job with this training, and protect the bronze mirror, jade ring, bronze plaque, and Su Zhi's sword in your hands."

"Han Zhengming has men all over the provincial capital. Although he doesn't dare to rob openly, he's definitely up to no small amount of underhanded tactics!"

Su Yuan hummed in agreement and subconsciously touched the bronze mirror in his pocket.

Zhou Peiyuan softened his tone slightly:

"Alright, let's stop talking now. I'll make you dinner, and you should get some rest after you eat."

Su Yuan quickly stood up: "Teacher Zhou, let me help you."

The two went into the kitchen. Zhou Peiyuan put on an apron and deftly took out a few eggs, a bunch of greens, and a piece of pork belly from the refrigerator.

"Your grandfather also ate my braised pork back in the day."

As Zhou Peiyuan cut the meat, he said, "Hehehe, I've only made it a few times."

Su Yuan was helping wash and chop the vegetables, and he smiled but didn't say anything.

"I haven't made this dish for several years since your grandfather passed away." Zhou Peiyuan put the chopped and processed meat into the pan, and with a sizzle, a lot of oil splattered...

As he stirred the food, he said, "I've come to terms with it. It's enough to remember someone who's gone; the food still needs to be cooked."

Su Yuan looked at Zhou Peiyuan from the side, feeling a pang of sadness in his heart!

Dinner was simple: a plate of green vegetables, a plate of braised pork, a bowl of egg drop soup, and a small dish of pickled vegetables to cleanse the palate.

Su Yuan ate quickly and with relish, while Zhou Peiyuan sat opposite him, watching him eat with a smile, barely touching his own chopsticks.

"Young man, eat more, don't get as skinny as a girl."

Su Yuan nodded without being polite and picked up another piece of braised pork.

After dinner, Zhou Peiyuan led him to the second bedroom.

The room was small, with a single bed and a desk. An old-fashioned table lamp sat on the desk, and several books were stacked on the bedside table.

"The sheets and blankets are all newly changed, you should go to sleep early."

Zhou Peiyuan turned on the light and tested the brightness: "The table lamp is a bit dim. If you want to read, turn on the main light as well."

"That's enough, Teacher Zhou."

"OK."

After saying this, Zhou Peiyuan closed the door and left. Su Yuan placed the toolbox next to the desk and took out a bronze mirror from his pocket, placing it on the bedside table.

Su Yuan stared at the bronze mirror for a while, then whispered, "Awu, goodnight."

He turned off the light and lay down.

In his daze, he heard a very small noise coming from the bronze mirror, as if Awu had jumped lightly inside!

He felt a sudden movement and turned to the side, placing his hand on the edge of the bronze mirror. There was another light jump, followed by complete silence.

Su Yuan woke up naturally at 7:30 the next morning.

After washing up, Zhou Peiyuan had already set out breakfast!

Millet porridge, pickled vegetables, two boiled eggs, and a dish of peanuts.

"Eat up, and I'll have Zhao Cheng and the others come pick you up after you're done." Zhou Peiyuan sat across from him peeling an egg.

"Teacher Zhou, no need to help me, I can walk there myself."

Su Yuan sat down, picked up the bowl of porridge, and started drinking.

"The Cultural Relics Bureau isn't close to here either; it takes half an hour to walk there. Let Zhao Cheng and the others pick you up; it'll save you some energy."

Zhou Peiyuan placed the peeled egg into Su Yuan's bowl: "Today is the first day of training, make sure you're well-rested."

Su Yuan nodded and didn't refuse anymore. He ate the egg and drank a bowl of porridge.

At 8:10, Zhao Cheng sent a message: "Xiao Su, I'm downstairs, in a black Passat."