With Lan Kexin's help, Ye Qiu set up another place to stay in the dormitory. It wasn't much—just some bedding and basic toiletries—but seeing how carefully Lan Kexin organized everything, Ye Qiu felt a slight touch of warmth in his heart. He often saw the shadow of Er Ya in Lan Kexin. The simplicity and sincerity of a rural girl were qualities that urban girls, who dressed up like dazzling flowers to parade in crowded streets, couldn't compare to.
The afternoon class was "Introduction to Archaeology," a subject that intrigued Ye Qiu. After all, his reason for attending Shuimu University and choosing its prestigious Archaeology department was to use scientific methods to unravel the mystery of the ring that allowed him to glimpse into others' inner worlds.
Ye Qiu and the old man had tried everything, even consulting various masters—experts from the Maoshan Sect in Jiangsu, the corpse-driving sects in Xiangxi, the Five Terraces Mountain in Shanxi, the Shaolin Temple in Henan, and countless other hidden masters. Despite the old man's connections with these venerable figures, none of them could solve the mystery of the ring.
Left with no choice, Ye Qiu pinned his hopes on the advanced sciences. Even if he couldn't solve its mysteries, discovering its origins would be something. Ye Qiu had even watched several science fiction films, wondering if the ring might be some kind of alien technology.
If that were the case, Ye Qiu was even more eager to dissect it. The idea of communicating with aliens was incredibly exciting.
After the bell rang, a well-dressed middle-aged man walked into the classroom. He was somewhat thin, with neatly combed hair and a well-fitted suit that left a good first impression. What was even more surprising was that he entered the room without any textbooks or notes, carrying only a large glass teacup.
The tea leaves inside the cup were slender and green, standing upright as they swirled with the man's movements. They looked like the finest Xinyang Maojian tea.
"Hello, students. My name is Chen Huaien, and I'll be your instructor for 'Introduction to Archaeology,'" the man said as he placed the cup on the lectern. His gaze swept across the twenty or so students in the classroom, acknowledging each with a look.
"Of course, archaeology is a vast and profound field. Although I'm your instructor, I've only scratched the surface myself—I'm just a step ahead of you. Archaeology involves the study of ancient texts and artifacts. Chinese culture is ancient and rich, with countless rare treasures, many of which have been lost to history. Some people have seen them and are fortunate; others have only heard of them, which is half luck and half regret. There are also those who have neither seen nor heard of them, which is truly unfortunate."
"Our job is to gather and catalog these precious treasures that previous generations have painstakingly preserved and present them to the world. This is a noble and daunting task."
"A common saying goes, 'An innocent man gets into trouble because he has a precious jade.' Every time a treasure changes hands, it's usually accompanied by bloodshed and cruelty. Of course, this might sound a bit sensationalist since many artifacts are purchased through legitimate auctions. But I mention this to let you know that archaeology is a profound, dangerous, yet thrilling field."
"As a veteran in this field, I welcome you all to join us," Chen Huaien finished with applause, which quickly spread to the captivated students who were drawn in by his engaging introduction.
Ye Qiu smiled as he studied Chen Huaien, thinking this teacher was quite interesting. Perhaps he could find some hope in him.
Chen Huaien was a world-renowned archaeologist with deep expertise in ancient artifact studies, having published numerous works and translations both domestically and internationally. He was highly knowledgeable, never using a lesson plan or textbooks, lecturing off the cuff, and was greatly loved by his students.
Chen Huaien indeed broadened the horizons of these archaeology novices, effortlessly weaving together tales from the Old Summer Palace to the Dunhuang Caves, from Emperor Qin Shi Huang's tomb to Cao Cao's seventy-two mysterious graves, and from the treasures of the Red Army's 'Virgin Battalion' to the mysteries of pirate treasure in the Caribbean. His lectures were so compelling that the students were enthralled, as if they were journeying through ancient cultural landscapes guided by Chen Huaien's narrative.
When Chen Huaien began discussing the mystery of the missing "Along the River During the Qingming Festival," Ye Qiu's heart skipped a beat.
"The masterpiece 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' by the Northern Song Dynasty painter Zhang Zeduan is an invaluable treasure in the history of painting. This long scroll vividly captures the bustling scenes of Bianjing during the prosperity of the Northern Song Dynasty through its detailed depiction of everyday life. The painting initially fell into the hands of the last emperor of the feudal era, Puyi. In 1945, when the commander of the Japanese Kwantung Army, Tanaka Mitsu, ordered Puyi to move the capital to Tonghua, there was no time to take all the treasures and scrolls. Thus, countless treasures, including the four versions of 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival,' were plundered by palace maids and guards. However, there is another theory that these four versions were taken by Puyi but eventually ended up in the hands of the Japanese."
Ye Qiu's lips curled into a slight smile. Although Chen Huaien was well-read, there were still things he couldn't possibly know. Ye Qiu had seen one of these versions of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" at an old man's place, so hearing that it had fallen into Japanese hands felt off.
Seeing everyone entranced by the story, Ye Qiu held back from correcting him. But his slight smile didn't escape Chen Huaien's sharp eyes.
Chen Huaien looked at Ye Qiu with a hint of suspicion, replaying what he had just said in his mind, finding nothing amiss. Why would that student show such an expression? It was as if he wanted to refute, mock, and let something incorrect slide with a knowing smile.
Taking a sip from his teacup to wet his throat, Chen Huaien turned to Ye Qiu and asked, "This student, do you have a different opinion about what was just discussed? If you do, please feel free to speak up. After all, the truth becomes clearer through debate."
Ye Qiu originally didn't want to pick on Chen Huaien, especially since the truth he knew came from historical accounts or legends. But since he was asked directly, he had no choice but to share what he knew.
Standing up to answer questions was something that annoyed Ye Qiu. Did standing really show respect for the teacher? To him, it was just a waste of time.
Often, the pride that flowed through Ye Qiu's veins was unimaginable. But since he was a student, he had to follow the rules.
Lazily standing up, Ye Qiu said, "I believe that 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' is still in the country."