Chapter 104: Are You Questioning Me?

Chen Xiong and the others had laid their scheme with meticulous care. To guard against Chen Jianguo denying responsibility, they had long since, using Feng Qingyuan's father's name, contacted Wu Rongsheng and asked him to come here today to perform an on-the-spot appraisal.

After Chen Jianguo had "damaged" the pair-vase, Feng Qingyuan called again and invited Wu Rongsheng to the scene, where he personally examined it and declared that the Song-dynasty pair-vase was genuine.

Only then had Chen Xiong and the others' plan reached its initial stage. One could say they had considered every angle with great thoroughness. In their eyes, Chen Jianguo was certain to pay today.

"There really is such a thing as a sealed-belly pair-vase from the Song dynasty. I've heard of it too."

At this moment, Su Zheng's expression gradually turned playful as he stared at the vase for a long while, and a judgment had formed in his heart.

"Tch. You’ve heard of it? You just heard Old Mister Wu say it now, didn't you? Haha..."

Chen Xiong sneered disdainfully, his face full of contempt and disgust.

Toward Su Zheng, he was no longer merely dismissive; it had become naked hostility.

"Su Zheng, do I need you babbling nonsense here? Are you happy because you think our family has to pay ten million? Damn it, I'll beat the crap out of you, you bastard!"

Chen Jianguo sprang to his feet, angered by Su Zheng's words.

Wasn't that just nonsense? Old Mister Wu had only just said it—what was the point of repeating it? And "I’ve heard of it too"? You good-for-nothing piece of trash are deliberately making a joke of me, aren't you!

Chen Jianguo could no longer hold it in. He vented all his resentment on Su Zheng and was about to strike.

"Dad! Please calm down first. Su Zheng definitely has something to say—why are you so anxious?" Chen Muxue hurriedly held her father back, counseling him with utter helplessness.

"You're no good either, a traitor who bites the hand that feeds you. We wasted raising you all these years. Move aside, don't stop me!"

Seeing his daughter stop him, Chen Jianguo grew even angrier. At last, he dropped back into his chair again, his old eyes filled with despair and helplessness.

"Uh... I haven't finished yet. What I mean is, although this pair-vase is also a sealed-belly piece, it's still a fake."

Seeing his father-in-law furious at him, Su Zheng could only spread his hands and explain helplessly.

"What... what?!"

The crowd around them froze for a moment, then erupted into laughter. Every face showed scorn as they looked at Su Zheng as if he were an idiot.

"Where did this guy come from? He dares to say an antique appraised by Old Mister Wu is fake!"

"Damn it, who knows what he does, but didn't you hear just now? The people who know him all seem to call him a good-for-nothing!"

"Oh, then that makes sense. Still, I think he looks more like a fool, hahaha..."

"Not just a fool, but a boastful fool. Good heavens, how ignorant do you have to be to say something this absurd!"

"He even dares question Old Mister Wu's appraisal? Who does he think he is!"

"..."

The onlookers all loudly voiced their feelings, treating Su Zheng's words as nothing more than entertainment, not taking them seriously at all.

"Are you questioning me, old man?"

Wu Rongsheng's expression darkened. Under normal circumstances, he naturally would not bother with a hotheaded youngster like Su Zheng; after all, his status spoke for itself.

But today was different. After he had publicly announced his appraisal result, to be slapped in the face on the spot—this he could not tolerate!

"I’m merely stating the truth. Everyone can misjudge something. You don't need to take it too seriously. Just be more careful next time," Su Zheng replied lightly, his expression calm.

His tone was bland, and even carried a faint sense of instruction.

This immediately changed Wu Rongsheng's face. He was an old man, and an authority in the world of antiques at that. Which young person, upon seeing him, did not rush forward with flattery and ingratiation?

And now this little bastard actually dared speak to him in such a tone. Truly, he was arrogant beyond all bounds!

Su Zheng, however, did not notice Wu Rongsheng's change in expression. He continued staring at the pair-vase without taking his eyes off it, as though the vessel possessed some enormous attraction for him.

"Outrageous! Su Zheng, you useless fool, what nonsense are you spouting? Old Mister Wu is the authority in Qingyang's antique world. Do you even know how to speak properly? Do you have any manners at all?" Chen Xiong hurriedly rebuked him when he saw Wu Rongsheng's face turn ugly.

"Su Zheng, I’m begging you, stop making trouble here, will you? Will you?!"

Chen Jianguo was also shouting hysterically.

No one present believed Su Zheng's words.

"Old Mister Wu, please don't be angry. How about you give us an appraisal value right now? Then I'll have someone escort you back, so that that uncultured wretch doesn't upset you," Chen Xiong said quickly and politely, afraid that Wu Rongsheng would be so angered by Su Zheng that he would throw up his sleeves and leave.

"Hmph. Would I bother arguing with someone like that!"

Wu Rongsheng let out a cold snort first, then pointed at the pair-vase and said, "I won't waste more words. I'll state my judgment directly: this piece is genuine, and its value lies between ten million and eleven million. That's a normal range."

It was clear that Wu Rongsheng had been irritated by Su Zheng and was no longer in the good mood he had been in before. Drawing on his experience, he simply gave a valuation range on the spot.

"Whoa!"

A wave of exclamations rose from the crowd.

When Chen Xiong had just said it was worth ten million, the crowd had not reacted much. But now that Wu Rongsheng had officially fixed the object's value range, everyone felt deeply shaken.

"So it really is worth more than ten million—it's that expensive!"

"Of course it is. This is a Song-dynasty pair-vase. Didn't you hear what Old Mister Wu said? It's an official sealed-belly vessel, so naturally it's valuable!"

"What a pity it's already damaged. Such a sin!"

"Hmph, looks like someone's going to have to pay up now!"

"..."

The fact that a Song-dynasty pair-vase worth over ten million had been damaged by the shop spread rapidly through the antique street, and more people soon came to see the commotion.

"More than ten million... even if I sold my house, it still wouldn't be enough!"

Seeing this scene, Chen Jianguo's breathing grew rapid, and he fell into a rigid stupor, muttering in a daze.

"Dad, calm down first. There’s always a way. Besides, didn't Su Zheng just say this was a fake? How could a fake be worth that much?"

Chen Muxue hurriedly rubbed her father's chest, fearing that his body might collapse from the strain.

"He... what does he know? You believe his nonsense too? Has your brain gone bad?"

Though Chen Jianguo's mind had gone somewhat numb, he still refused to accept Chen Muxue's words.

"Enough. At a time like this, Jianguo, stop pretending to be sick and pay up quickly. Otherwise, I'll report you to the authorities. By then, not only will you have to pay, you'll also end up in prison. As your elder brother, I've already left you plenty of face, so don't be ungrateful!"

Seeing the moment was nearly right, Chen Xiong's face darkened as he urged coldly.

"Big brother, ho-how much?"

Chen Jianguo looked at him weakly.