Reborn Treasure Appraiser: I Really Didn’t Want to Be an Expert

Chapter 340 Rebellion
After pondering for a while, the technical investigator finally realized that Captain Yan was spouting nonsense again: Finding a nitrogen-filled cold storage facility doesn't require even smelling it. They were all built separately according to their functional types, and the nitrogen-filled storage facilities are all in that area; it's clearly marked in the documentation.

If Lin Sicheng really did rely on smell, he certainly wasn't smelling nitrogen, but rather the auxiliary gases needed for different types of nitrogen storage facilities.

This type of warehouse is extremely expensive to use, and can only be used for three types of products: high-value agricultural products, high-value aquatic products, and high-value pharmaceuticals and biological agents.

Different types of refrigerated products require different auxiliary gases: ethylene, which has a sweet taste and a strong pungent odor, is used for fruits and fungi; ozone is used for pharmaceuticals and biological agents.

However, these two gases have a significant impact on pH levels. If nitrogen is produced using a nitrogen generator in a cold storage facility, or if the stored items are cultural relics, then ethylene and ozone are definitely not suitable; you can smell the difference immediately.

In fact, Lin Sicheng relied not on smell, but on sight. He could tell by looking at the data displayed outside the cold storage: fruits and vegetables and aquatic products needed normal pressure, pharmaceuticals needed negative pressure, and cultural relics needed the opposite, positive pressure.

There are significant differences in humidity, temperature, and oxygen content.

Looking at the surveillance footage again: Didn't Lin Sicheng first look at the watch on the warehouse door, and then lean close to the door crack to smell it?
After thinking for a moment, the female technical investigator glared at Yan Wenjing: "You're always so unreliable and full of nonsense. No wonder the leaders of the brigade don't like you."

Yan Wenjing was completely unaware, his eyes fixed on the large screen, which displayed a series of surveillance videos of the area around Lin Sicheng's location.

In the words of the brigade leader: Cultural relics are of course important, and the sooner they are found, the better. But the prerequisite is that you must protect the people.

One of him is worth your entire detachment...

Just as he was muttering to himself, his phone buzzed. Yan Wenjing glanced at it and his expression turned serious.

"Captain Yu!"

"Hmm!" Yu Guang responded, "You didn't cause any trouble, did you?"

Yan Wenjing was taken aback: "No!"

Upon hearing the word "no," Yu Guang knew that Yan Wenjing must have had the idea, but Lin Sicheng had persuaded him to stop.

Sure enough, a leopard can't change its spots unless you put it on a leash.

Yu Guang sighed: "I just had the branch office check. The three locations that Wang Chun instructed his men to keep an eye on, although the warehouses were rented a long time ago, the goods were only moved in a week ago. Whether it's moving or transporting, they hired the warehouse area's freight company and loading and unloading workers..."

Yan Wenjing immediately understood: If it's a cultural relic, why would they dare hire outsiders?
Nine times out of ten, what's brought in are all fakes. Even if there are a few genuine antiques, they're just scrap metal.

Feinting to the east while attacking in the west, deceiving the heavens to cross the sea—this woman's military tactics are quite skillful!

After a moment's thought, Yan Wenjing quickly assured, "Captain, don't worry, I promise to follow orders. Wherever Teacher Lin says to investigate, I will go, and I will report to the team immediately!"

"Good to know, that's why I'm giving you a heads-up!"

After replying, Yu Guang hung up the phone.

Nearby, Sun Liancheng was flipping through files. Seeing him put down his phone, Deputy Chief Sun smiled and said, "Yan Wenjing has been much more well-behaved lately?"

He wasn't being honest; he suffered a great loss and learned a lesson.

Why was he made to stay with Lin Sicheng?

If Yan Wenjing doesn't redeem himself through meritorious service, let alone become the deputy captain, it's questionable whether he'll even be able to wear this uniform.

But the effect was immediate: with the addition of Lin Sicheng, his team suddenly became incredibly efficient, as if they had antennas on their heads.

It's fair to say that Lin Sicheng deserves half the credit for the case's rapid progress and remarkable results at this stage.

But he wasn't a policeman, so these credits were useless to him, and in the end, they only benefited Yan Wenjing.

Having gained such a huge advantage, even a pig would know who to listen to and what to do.

Yu Guang sighed: "I wonder if it will work this time?"

How can something work every time it's used?

Sun Liancheng was about to shake his head, his chin raised, when he paused again: "It's hard to say!"

Just like at the beginning, when Ma Shan couldn't get through the interrogation no matter what, and even Yu Guang was at a loss, Lin Sicheng relied on social connections to get in touch with Ren Danhua, a key figure.

The case then reached a stalemate, but Lin Sicheng once again took a different approach and lured Wang Chun out.

Especially that old man Yang Jisheng. You could say Lin Sicheng was lucky, but if it weren't for his expertise, he wouldn't even know what this guy did. And yet, despite his expertise, he somehow ended up running into him by sheer chance?
Although this old man wasn't of high rank, his involvement was extremely high; he knew everything he should and shouldn't know. More importantly, the interrogation was swift: he was arrested on the spot, interrogated by Lin Sicheng immediately, and successfully turned to the enemy.

It was because of Yang Jisheng's cooperation that the headquarters was able to find out Wang Chun's background, as well as the two bosses behind her and Ma Shan, and the mole who provided them with convenience and protection.

Each time, neither Yu Guang nor anyone else, including the captain, had any hope at the beginning. They were just taking a chance, but the results were more and more surprising each time.

In the captain's words: This kid is a bit strange...

"First, look for it. If you can find it, that's best: act quickly and decisively. But if you can't find it, don't worry: let's boil the frog slowly!"

Yu Guangshen agreed and nodded vigorously.

Sentencing and convicting someone requires more than just catching them; there must also be sufficient evidence to form a closed-loop chain of investigation.

Since it involves tomb raiding and smuggling of cultural relics, the relics themselves naturally become the top priority. The reason the police didn't rush to arrest people but instead conducted a more in-depth investigation while searching for the relics lies precisely in this:
To establish a chain of evidence, it is even more important to prevent these people from resorting to desperate measures and causing mutual destruction.

Therefore, even though the shortage of personnel was causing headaches for the leaders, the brigade still tried its best to cooperate. Just like this time: it was just a simple inspection of a cold storage facility, which could have been handled by the local police station's joint defense team, but Sun Liancheng sent a team of criminal police officers instead.

Not only were they elite criminal investigators, but the team was also led by Yan Wenjing, the deputy branch captain. Therefore, it wasn't that Yan Wenjing was unpopular; quite the opposite, it was the leadership that gave him the opportunity.

Of course, the key was that he was obedient enough: he did whatever Lin Sicheng told him to do.

If it were someone else, even if they ultimately carried it out, they would likely have some reservations. This top-down influence would significantly diminish the final result.

And who knows, this golden opportunity might just slip away...

Just as he was thinking about it, his phone buzzed and he answered it.

After saying a few words, he immediately reported: "Team Leader Sun, Deputy Branch Secretary Tu reports that Ren Danhua and Yu Jiyao are together at Panjiayuan."

"Hey, didn't Wang Chun deliberately separate them? One went to Shibalidian, and the other went to Liangma Street?"

Sun Liancheng pondered, "They've probably figured it out: they realized Wang Chun was using them as stepping stones?"

Yu Guang's eyes lit up: "What if the dogs fight each other?"

"Difficult! That woman's influence is too deep-rooted. Ren Danhua won't dare to rebel unless she's forced into a corner... Let Lao Tu keep an eye on things and adapt to the situation!"

Sun Liancheng shook his head. "By the way, tell Lin Sicheng that this kid knows a lot of tricks. See if he has any ideas."

Yu Guang nodded.

Lin Sicheng not only knows a lot of tricks, but he's also quick-witted.

He was an expert in all the intricacies of tomb raiding and antique dealing. Crucially, he could apply his knowledge to new situations and come up with ingenious solutions.

His two interrogations of Yang Jisheng at Zha Ma Mountain were so impressive that even a group of experts were amazed.

After a moment's thought, Yu Guang picked up his phone...

……

The sky was overcast, as if it were about to snow.

The autumn wind was bleak, swirling up the fallen leaves from the cracks in the paving stones, making them float up suddenly and then scatter again.

An old man selling rubbings, wrapped in a military overcoat, leaned lazily against a recliner. A young man selling porcelain, clutching a hot water bottle, responded to customers listlessly.

There are far fewer customers, and business is much worse.

Ren Danhua stood with her hands in her trench coat pockets, her brows furrowed. Her eyes, like two knives, were fixed on the shop before her: a retro facade, an elegant signboard, but now the doors and windows were tightly shut, and the place was deserted.

Several white seals crossed in a crisscross pattern were particularly glaring.

Jinluzhai is probably the eldest sister's biggest business on the surface. Of every ten items she sells, six or seven will pass through here.

If it's raw, give it a bath to make it mature. If it's already cooked, serve it on the table to raise its price.

But the lockdown was implemented so suddenly, and the key point is that the older sister was not surprised at all, nor did she feel any heartache.

This shows that she had anticipated this and had made arrangements in advance.

We don't know when the goods were shipped.

Ren Danhua also didn't know who transported it, or whether it was Qi Song.

Ren Danhua felt that she was getting further and further away from her eldest sister, becoming more and more estranged from her.

Thinking about all that junk in the warehouse on Liangma Street, Ren Danhua's heart sank: it was clearly a pile of junk, but her older sister told her that it was all high-end stuff.

Big sister, you didn't expect this, did you? I really didn't know you had a warehouse there, but Yu Jichuan did.

Thinking back on all the events of the past few years, Ren Danhua felt increasingly uneasy.

On the surface, the eldest sister trusts her more, yet she always lets her show her face in public.
She sells most of the goods herself, collects most of the money herself, and even manages most of the accounts.

This includes distributing money to subordinates and using connections to get people out of trouble.

But why is it that the closer you get to the core of something, the less you actually know?

For example, where did the problem originate, where did the goods come from, and where did the profits go? Even now, she doesn't even know who the big boss and the second boss are.

Not to mention those relationships that have always provided convenience...

Suddenly, Ren Danhua realized something and felt a chill run down her spine: all along, her elder sister had been using her as a pawn, or even a scapegoat to take the blame.

"Tap-tap-tap-tap..." The high heels clicked crisply on the stone slabs. The footsteps were quick and hurried, getting closer and closer.

Ren Danhua turned around and saw Yu Jiyao looking anxious. "Don't rush, speak slowly!"

Yu Jiyao took a breath, her voice trembling slightly: "Everyone in the shop has been arrested, including Lao Sheng. The accountant might also have been arrested..."

Upon hearing the word "accountant," Ren Danhua's eyelids twitched: No wonder her usually calm and collected older sister suddenly panicked.

It's not surprising that Sheng Qingfeng was arrested; his shop was even shut down, so they'll definitely take the person in charge back for investigation.

But the accountant never comes to the store. Every month, Lao Sheng delivers the accounts, and after she finishes her work, Lao Sheng brings them back.

Did Lao Sheng confess voluntarily?
impossible.

He knew very well: if he didn't speak up, it would only be a week or two at most. But if he confessed, it would be for life. Besides, the accountant only did the bookkeeping; he knew absolutely nothing and never asked any questions…

"Where was the accountant arrested?"

"It must be at home. Her nephew said that this morning, he couldn't get through to her cell phone and no one answered the phone."

"Did you ask how long it's been since Lao Sheng last opened for business?"

"I asked around for half a month. The last time, I sold a string of white wax stone prayer beads..."

Ren Danhua narrowed her eyes: If it's just accounting, it's not a big problem. Because the accounts they're doing are fake anyway, and the accounts and physical assets are separate. The accounts that Lao Sheng handed over are all legitimate.

Regardless of what the actual item is, whether it was actually sold, or whether it even happened, the name, date, origin, and destination on the records are all correct.

The problem is: they haven't opened for business for half a month, and suddenly they're arresting people?
Arresting the shop owner and employees is one thing, but arresting the accountant who never even came to the shop?

The crucial point is that, apart from Lao Sheng, no one else in the shop knew where the accountant lived. If Lao Sheng didn't confess, how did the police manage to arrest the accountant while simultaneously closing the shop?
Ren Danhua's heart skipped a beat: Unless, the police had been watching this place for a while. No wonder the older woman was so easily frightened, suspecting the police were targeting her…

Biting her tongue to compose herself, Ren Danhua pinched the bridge of her nose and asked, "Have you heard any news about Qi Song these past few days?"

"No!" Yu Jiyao shook her head: "Cousin, he and we are not on the same side!"

That's right, Qi Song is only responsible for going down into the pit, lifting the goods, and transporting them.

Others may not know, but he knows very well: compared to this, what was transported to Jinluzhai is not even a drop in the ocean.

The problem is, where do all those goods come from?

It's not in Shibalidian, and it's not in Liangma Street either...

Ren Danhua took a deep breath and squinted her eyes: "Big Sister might be running away!"

Isn't this obvious?

Despite the pile of junk, they solemnly invited the three siblings to investigate, and even specifically instructed them: "Don't get close, just keep an eye on it from a distance."

This is clearly using her and Ren Danhua as bait to test the police.

"She's heartless, don't blame us for being ruthless!" Yu Jiyao gritted her teeth. "Sister, let's run!"

Ren Danhua scoffed: "Seeing you gritting your teeth, I thought you were going to flip her over. Turns out, you're just going to tuck your tail between your legs and run away?"

But then she sighed: Others may not know what methods my elder sister uses, but surely Ji Yao and I know them too?
Even if the three siblings had ten more brains and tied together, they still wouldn't be a match for her.

So, besides running, it seems like all that's left is running?
Ren Danhua crossed her arms, her eyes fixed on the tips of her shoes: "Don't rush, let me think..."

As she spoke, she spun around in circles. After a while, Ren Danhua looked up and asked, "Do you remember that year when Qi Song was too busy, your older sister asked you and your brother to get nitrogen from the cold storage she rented?"

Yu Jiyao nodded: "I remember, it was last spring, when it was very cold. My brother drove the refrigerated truck there. My older sister said that the area was like a maze and that we might not be able to find it, so she told us to just wait at the market entrance and that Qi Song's younger brother would bring us out."

"But we waited for ages, shivering from the cold, and Qi Hao never showed up. He didn't answer our calls either... It was almost dark when we finally saw his car. My brother wanted to call him, but I was so angry that I wouldn't let him. I just drove after him."

When I got there, I found out he was dating a female college student and went to her birthday party, completely forgetting about my older sister's situation. My older brother is close to him and persuaded me for a long time before I told my older sister…”

Do you still remember that storeroom?

"Remember……"

She had just replied when Yu Jiyao suddenly realized, "Where is Big Sister's goods hidden?"

"I'm just guessing: if there's only nitrogen there, why aren't they letting you in?"

Yu Jiyao was stunned: "No wonder Qi Hao was so scared that day, his face turned pale. He was afraid I would tell my older sister, and he almost knelt down?"

Then there's no way out.

"You and your brother go now, sneak a peek and see if Qi Hao is still there."

Yu Jiyao shuddered in fright: "Cousin?"

Ren Danhua gave a wry smile: "I don't have the ability or the guts to go against my older sister. I just wanted to prove something..."

Qi Hao was the eldest sister's most trusted confidant. Qi Song only had this one brother, and out of love for him, the eldest sister doted on him. Therefore, if Qi Hao was there, the goods would definitely be there. Even if the eldest sister had to run away, she would make sure to deal with these goods first.

If the goods are still there, she can't run away anytime soon. This proves that even if there is a problem, it shouldn't be too serious, and there is still room for maneuver.

If the goods aren't there, it means they've already been transferred; the older woman can run away whenever she wants. So, if we don't run, are we just going to wait to be blamed for her actions?
Of course, it may not be in the cold storage, but somewhere else.

"You guys go to the cold storage, I'll go to Shiliqiao!"

"Cousin, what are you doing there?"

“My older sister also has a warehouse there, and Qi Song stays there to guard it unless he goes out. So, if my older sister’s goods haven’t been transferred out, there are definitely more in Shiliqiao than in the cold storage. But neither Qi Song nor my older sister know this, and I do know about this place…”

Yu Jiyao glanced at the signboard of Jinluzhai and stared blankly for a long time: "My elder sister always said that the most expensive goods are all in Jinluzhai!"

A cunning rabbit has three burrows; given the eldest sister's personality, she wouldn't even tell the truth to her own son.

Let alone three chess pieces?
"Let's go!"

Ren Danhua shook her head, turned around, but just as she lifted her foot, she turned back. "Throw away the old phone and use a new number. Then go to Times Square (a large shopping mall), go in through the front door, change your clothes, and come out through the back door..."

"Huh?" Yu Jiyao was startled and looked around. "Are there police following us?"

"Possibly!" Ren Danhua nodded. "And even more likely, it's possible that my eldest sister sent people to secretly watch us!"

Yu Jiyao was stunned for a moment, her face turning pale.

She finally understood what Ren Danhua was up to: hesitation only leads to more trouble. Since she was going to run away anyway, she might as well run sooner rather than later.

But what if?
What if the boss guesses wrong, and the older sister guesses wrong too, and nothing happens at all?
“Even if nothing happened, there’s no need to come back!” Ren Danhua sighed. “I only found out today that my eldest sister has been using us as tools all along!”

Yu Jiyao knew this a long time ago, much earlier than Ren Danhua.

But the thought of her older sister's methods and style made her legs go weak.

"What if... what if my older sister retaliates?"

"Don't worry, it won't happen!" Ren Danhua shook her head. "A fight to the death would be bad for everyone..."

Yu Jiyao's face turned even paler.

Only she knew that her cousin had sold so many goods for her older sister, and she remembered every single transaction clearly.

Including every person who was rescued, and every penny given out...

Now she understood why her cousin had kept something in reserve. She also finally understood why, even though they were going to part ways, her cousin still needed to find out where her eldest sister's most valuable shipment was hidden.
This is a clear message to the older sister: even if you want to silence her, wait until things calm down. Otherwise, I'll report you.

If we're going to die, we'll all die together...

Her lips trembled, and her teeth chattered as she stammered, "Cousin..."

"Do you think I'm too cruel?"

Ren Danhua sighed softly, "No matter how ruthless I am, at least I didn't use you as a pawn! At least, your father is my uncle, and my mother is your aunt... As for her, we're only related because we're from the same village. And you and her have absolutely no relation whatsoever..."

"Whether you leave or not is up to you. Whether you tell your older sister or not is also up to you..."

After saying that, Ren Danhua gave her a deep look and turned away.

Yu Jiyao wanted to say something, but her tongue was stuck in her mouth, and she couldn't utter a coherent sentence.

She tried to grab Ren Danhua, but her hand froze in mid-air, unable to reach out.

Just as she was at a loss, torn between her thoughts and her inner turmoil, Ren Danhua's voice drifted from afar: "Think about that section chief, think about that university professor, and then think about all the clients you've entertained..."

Yu Jiyao's heart suddenly stiffened.

Who would want to live their whole life in a stinking ditch, constantly living in fear and anxiety?
Which woman doesn't dream of being a good wife and mother, living a peaceful and stable life?
But her older sister never gave her a chance; she would nip any potential problems in the bud. From beginning to end, her older sister only treated her as a tool to contact clients and to provide sexual gratification for older men who were even older than her father.

Yes, her older sister gave her a lot of money, but she wanted more than just money...

If you do the math, she's already twenty-five this year.

Instantly, Yu Jiyao gritted her teeth and quickly caught up with her: "Cousin, I'm going to call my brother..."

"Your brother is slow to react and thinks too highly of people, so don't say it directly..."

"Cousin, I know..."

"Be smart, keep an eye on things. We've probably been watched by the police for a while now... Although the older sister is ruthless, she has a keen sense of smell and has never made a wrong judgment..."

Yu Jiyao nodded vigorously.

(End of this chapter)