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In the windless sky, snowflakes suddenly began to drift down, scattering softly like spirits descending to the mortal realm.

It was amidst this flurry of falling snow that Wang Zhuo first saw Qin Siqing. She stood with her hands spread open like a child, trying to catch the largest snowflake drifting near her.

“The forecast called for heavy snow. I hope we can build a snowman by evening.”

Once inside the car, she kept murmuring excitedly. Jiangzhou was indeed a city where heavy snow was a rare treat.

Qin Siqing was wearing a small red cloche hat today, a black dress and skirt, and a large red scarf. Coupled with her charming face, which still held an air of youthful innocence, she reminded Wang Zhuo of the story of Little Red Riding Hood and the cute, moe-style characters from anime.

“Oh, Brother Wang Zhuo, I have a question for you.” After watching the snow for a while, Qin Siqing suddenly remembered something. “What is ‘it’?”

Wang Zhuo, who was slowing down for a red light while driving, was so jolted by her question that he nearly slammed on the brakes. A car behind them honked in annoyance.

This section of the road prohibited honking. He wondered if the driver behind him would face the unfortunate consequence of a fine.

“Why are you asking this? Are you in the same class as Han Yuanzheng?”

“Yes. We had a public course this morning, and I kept hearing the boys say you did something to him, but I didn't understand what they meant, and no one would tell me when I asked.” Qin Siqing huffed in dissatisfaction.

“Oh, haha.” Wang Zhuo wiped away a cold sweat secretly and explained, “’Yan’ means face, and ‘She’ means shooting a ball. So, it means shooting a ball in the face. Do you get it now?”

“Tch.” Qin Siqing shot him a side-eye and said irritably, “If the answer were that simple, would they have been afraid to tell me? There must be another meaning, or they wouldn't have been laughing so dirtily.”

“Hey, it’s green now.” Wang Zhuo clumsily changed the subject and buried his head in driving.

Qin Siqing was only fifteen and the daughter of the mayor; he certainly didn't want to educate her on such matters. He needed to preserve his own well-being.

Seeing Wang Zhuo feign ignorance, Qin Siqing pouted dismissively. “Fine, forget it. I’ll just look it up online later. Who cares what you say.”

Wang Zhuo managed a wry smile. “Then go ahead and look it up secretly, but don’t ask anyone else about this question before you do.”

“I knew it wouldn't be anything good.” Qin Siqing was impatient. She immediately pulled out her phone and started searching on the side.

Baidu once again proved its worth, though this time it was explicitly for its limitations. Qin Siqing only found one result: According to relevant laws, regulations, and policies, some search results have not been displayed.

Qin Siqing let out an astonished ‘Yi’ and, refusing to believe it, switched to the Google browser. The search failed again.

So, the clever girl switched to another search engine. Wasn't there an advertisement saying, Soso understands you better? She switched to Tencent Soso.

Wang Zhuo drove while secretly glancing at her fiddling with the phone. He had no idea what result she would get, and he genuinely wouldn't know how to handle such a situation if it came up for him.

Soso delivered! Qin Siqing finally found a valid link, exclaimed, “Ye!” and clicked on it.

It was a webpage from a Q&A site, categorized under the utterly nonsensical ‘Arts and Humanities.’ The original poster had asked the exact same question as Qin Siqing, and the accepted netizen answer was extremely direct and easy to understand. Not only Qin Siqing, who was a top scorer in the Gaokao, but even a ten-year-old in the third grade could grasp it.

Qin Siqing was instantly fried—cooked crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It took her a long time to recover. Torn between laughter and tears, she tossed her phone aside, suddenly leaped up, and punched Wang Zhuo’s shoulder a few times.

“It’s all your fault, all your fault—” she cried out in a spoiled tone, “—and I even chased after the boys asking what it meant! I’m so embarrassed, I can’t show my face!”

“Who told you to be so curious...” Wang Zhuo smiled bitterly and let her hit him. It didn't hurt anyway, so it was fine for him to drive one-handed with his left hand for the time being. He let her vent.

After a short while, Qin Siqing finally let go of Wang Zhuo. She sat back down, head bowed, her cheeks flushed crimson, thinking about something.

Wang Zhuo estimated that this girl wouldn't tell anyone else about this incident, and presumably, neither Qin Jingzhong nor his son would learn about it either. So, that was that for now.

The car drove into the Municipal Party Committee compound. Wang Zhuo had initially thought the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government were two separate compounds. It turned out the Mayor also held the position of Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee. Qin Xue also lived in the Party Committee compound, giving Wang Zhuo yet another piece of knowledge.

In the middle of the day, Qin Xue and his wife were both at work and not home. The nanny who opened the door was Aunt Liu, and she was joined by Zhen Jin, who had stayed on after the Red House case to serve as Qin Jingzhong’s caregiver.

Qin Jingzhong had recovered well after the surgery. With the root of the illness addressed, he was now even more robust than before the operation. He was waiting at the study door, clapped Wang Zhuo on the shoulder, and ushered him into Mayor Qin’s study.

This was the study of a high-ranking official; ordinary people could never get in. But Qin Jingzhong didn't care about such formalities. He wouldn't let Wang Zhuo wait in the living room, as he thought the temperature there was too low.

“Old Sir, I haven't come to you without a reason today. I’ve come specifically to ask for your help.”

Wang Zhuo was very direct, stating immediately that he had a favor to ask.

Qin Jingzhong paused, then laughed heartily. “What trouble have you stirred up this time?”

“This time it’s not trouble; it’s a good thing.” Wang Zhuo bowed slightly, accepted the tea offered by Zhen Jin, and placed it on the table.

“Actually, the last time was also a good thing,” Zhen Jin interjected with a smile. Her status here wasn't that of a mere servant, and she had a past acquaintance with Wang Zhuo, so it was fine for her to say a few words.

Qin Jingzhong asked, “Go on, what good thing is it this time?”

“Let’s not talk about the matter just yet.” Wang Zhuo stood up and walked to the bookshelf. He touched a jade fish pendant hanging there and shook his head with a smile. “Uncle Qin, your study only has things like this hanging up? Isn't that a bit shabby?”

“Only Brother Wang Zhuo would say that,” Qin Siqing said with a smile. “Everyone else who enters my father’s study praises this fish; not a single one says anything bad.”

Wang Zhuo was momentarily speechless. This jade fish pendant was nothing more than a cheap piece of craftwork, made of ceramic-like material, with mediocre carving and rough polishing. It was clearly a product of mass production or a student's practice piece. Its size was similar to a real fish, probably only worth about a thousand or so yuan.

Those who could enter Qin Xue’s study, besides close relatives, were all wealthy and powerful. Given their status, they couldn't possibly lack the discerning eye for a jade fish pendant. The fact that they praised the fish meant they were clearly flattering the owner of the fish.

“This fish, I bought it over ten years ago. It’s about the same age as Xiao Yue,” Qin Jingzhong walked over and asked Wang Zhuo, “How much would you appraise it at?”

“One thousand,” Wang Zhuo chuckled, holding up a finger.

“You certainly dare to speak the truth.” Qin Jingzhong nodded repeatedly. “I paid eighty yuan for it when I bought it. Including inflation over the years, a thousand is about right.”

“Then let me test you too.” Wang Zhuo took off his backpack and placed it on the table, taking out a small satin pouch. When he opened it, a palm-sized jade pendant was revealed.

This piece of jade was made from a rare four-colored rough stone. Qin Jingzhong’s eyes lit up the moment he saw it. Qin Siqing also let out an astonished “Yi.”

“Is this real material?” Qin Jingzhong reached out his withered, tree-like hand and lifted it, including the satin surface, urging, “Xiao Yue, hurry and get Grandpa his glasses.”

Zhen Jin had already retrieved the glasses and handed them over. The old man put them on and examined it again, immediately declaring, “Fine quality. This is a rare piece of high quality.”

The jade pendant was rectangular. Below, there were green waves, white clouds drifted in the sky, and a golden carp leaped high, with the distant, red Dragon Gate vaguely in sight. It depicted one of the most famous stories in traditional Chinese culture: The Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate.

Although this jade pendant was only of the glutinous variety (nuo zhong), it perfectly captured the theme and artistic conception of the Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate. Furthermore, its translucency was quite good, and the carving of the carp was lifelike. The designer’s skill was superb, making the entire piece look as if the raw material was naturally destined for this carving.

“Too bad it’s nuo zhong,” Qin Jingzhong murmured after studying it for a long time, revealing his initial reservation. He continued his reservation: “Although the flaws don’t obscure the beauty, it still has a congenital drawback. I’d estimate this pendant to be worth between thirty and fifty thousand.”

“My assessment is pretty close to Grandpa’s,” Qin Siqing agreed, though she didn't realize this statement also thoroughly exposed her inexperience.

Wang Zhuo secretly smiled. If it had been any other story—say, Hoeing in the Noon Sun or Shooting the Great Eagle with a Bent Bow—then this pendant would only be worth about a hundred thousand. But the story of the Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate was different. It symbolized scholars passing exams or officials being promoted, especially the implication of promotion, which was something countless people dreamed of. It was the absolute best gift to give to an official.

Therefore, the actual value of this jade pendant should have a zero added after Qin Jingzhong's estimate of fifty thousand to be considered reliable.

Seeing Wang Zhuo smile without speaking, Qin Jingzhong asked, “Well, Wang Zhuo, I’m quite confident in my appraisal. Do you think it’s too high or too low?”

“Actually, I don’t know how much it’s worth,” Wang Zhuo laughed. “The rough material cost one thousand eight. Labor time was about two thousand. Adding tool wear and tear, the total cost was only four thousand yuan.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Jingzhong burst out laughing. “You rascal, what are you playing at? Are you planning to give this to me?”

Wang Zhuo grinned. “Yes, I want to give it to you. Do you dare accept it?”

“Why wouldn’t I dare accept it?” Qin Jingzhong snorted. “I hold no public office now, nor do I have any power. Who dares to care whether I accept something or not? Besides, you owe me a considerable favor, and you’re so rich; giving me something is only proper, isn’t it?”

This time it was Wang Zhuo’s turn to be surprised. “You are the mayor’s family member. Can you casually accept things from others?”

“The mayor’s family member? Can a mayor’s family member not reciprocate courtesies?” Qin Jingzhong stroked his beard. “I’m not taking your things for free. Xiao Yue, go fetch my box and let Wang Zhuo pick out two items.”