Chapter 108: More Harm Than Help

“Cough... Nephew-in-law, look at the mess this has caused. How about this: we take this double-eared vase with us, and consider today’s incident just a joke? Let’s not make a fuss, alright?” Chen Xiong sighed helplessly, forcing himself to approach Su Zheng and wearing a strained smile as he spoke softly.

Su Zheng glanced at him with disdain, scoffing quietly without a word. Yet his expression clearly showed he had no intention of letting this matter slide.

Those around watched with schadenfreude, many even showing anger, utterly disgusted by Chen Xiong’s fickleness and betrayal.

Meanwhile, Wu Rongsheng was still carefully scrutinizing the counterfeit ox-hair pattern on the double-eared vase, eyes filled with deep regret. His fingers trembled uncontrollably, his features twisted in torment.

But upon seeing He Ruijing’s cheerful gaze, Wu Rongsheng gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and approached Su Zheng first.

“I’m sorry. It was my ignorance and blindness. I was the fool. I beg you, sir, to have mercy. From now on, I will devote myself to research and will no longer casually authenticate items for others!” He bowed deeply to Su Zheng, his face flushed but resolute. Following Su Zheng’s earlier instructions, he apologized sincerely and pleaded for forgiveness.

“That’s enough. This has nothing to do with you. You may leave,” Su Zheng waved dismissively, showing no intention of making things difficult for Wu Rongsheng.

Grateful, Wu Rongsheng had initially feared that Su Zheng would also refuse to let him go and humiliate him in public, especially after seeing Chen Xiong and the others being detained. After apologizing, he greeted He Ruijing and then quickly left with a look of disappointment.

Though Wu Rongsheng left, the crowd remained, eager to see Chen Xiong and Feng Qingyuan fulfill their bet.

“Now this is going to be entertaining, heh heh...”

“Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! Trying to covet someone else’s treasure and ending up losing your own!”

“Exactly! Such a person deserves no sympathy!”

“Why hasn’t it started yet? I’m still waiting to record the video, haha...”

“...”

The truth was clear now: the double-eared vase was a fake, worth at most three hundred thousand, which was hardly enough to pique anyone’s interest. Everyone was just waiting to witness the downfall of Chen Xiong and Feng Qingyuan.

“Hmph! It’s all your fault — just like Wen Li, useless at success but a master at causing trouble!” Feng Qingyuan glared fiercely at Chen Xiong, scolding him under his breath. “You old fool, now look at what you’ve done. Not only can’t you get away, but you’ve dragged me down with you. What kind of mess is this?”

“You... you still blame me? Who knew it was a fake you brought?” Chen Xiong retorted angrily, but dared not speak too harshly, as he could not afford to offend the Feng family.

“Pfft...”

Their argument immediately drew laughter from the crowd.

“You...”

Feng Qingyuan was about to lose his temper but was cut off by Su Zheng’s cold voice.

“Gentlemen, time is limited. Transfer the money, apologize, slap yourselves—no dilly-dallying!”

Su Zheng’s tone was icy and resolute, leaving no room for negotiation.

“Uh...”

Chen Xiong and Feng Qingyuan froze, then their faces displayed a mixture of helplessness and humiliation.

Everyone around watched with great interest. Even Chen Jianguo and Chen Muxue observed quietly, showing no intention of stopping Su Zheng.

“Cough... Nephew-in-law, for the sake of family, let’s not be too harsh this time, alright? How about this: we keep the double-eared vase and forget about the rest. I’ll prepare a banquet and make a proper apology. How about that?” Chen Xiong pleaded, his old face twisted with embarrassment and inner conflict.

Su Zheng remained silent for a moment, then finally said aloud:

“Since you put it that way, I’ll give you one more chance.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiong and Feng Qingyuan immediately brightened as if saved from doom, but Su Zheng quickly added:

“However, not a penny less. Also, only one person can avoid the slap.”

“Uh!”

Chen Xiong and Feng Qingyuan stiffened as if struck by lightning.

Only one person? That meant the other would have to slap themselves in public!

“Qingyuan, you see, Uncle is old, maybe you should...”

“Shut up! The vase belongs to my family. If it weren’t for your lousy idea, I wouldn’t be in this mess. You still have the nerve to want me to take the beating for you? Ha!”

Feng Qingyuan cut Chen Xiong off sharply. “As if I’m really your future father-in-law! Damn it, I haven’t even decided whether to marry Su Wenli yet. What kind of nonsense are you thinking?”

“Zheng, this double-eared vase is yours free of charge. As for the fifteen million, I promise to find a way to transfer it to you within a week. Is that alright?” Feng Qingyuan called out cautiously, almost pleading.

Su Zheng glanced at him, then at Chen Xiong whose old face had reddened, and nodded slightly. “Fine. Get some paper and a pen.”

Relieved as if granted a royal pardon, Feng Qingyuan hurriedly agreed and fetched paper and pen from a clerk, respectfully handing them to Su Zheng.

Su Zheng tossed a sheet of paper to him. “Write the IOU yourself. When done, sign it and give it to me.”

Feng Qingyuan nodded eagerly and quickly scribbled down an IOU for fifteen million, setting a repayment date.

Though burdened with an unexpected debt of fifteen million, it was far better than slapping himself in public and enduring humiliation.

Besides, with the Feng family’s strength, fifteen million was nothing.

“Sign this too,” Su Zheng said, handing over another sheet stating that Feng Qingyuan, on behalf of the Feng family, agreed to sell the double-eared vase to Su Zheng for one yuan.

“This is... cough, I don’t want money. This is a gift for you, Zheng!” Feng Qingyuan, unsure of the meaning, thought Su Zheng was testing him and tried to refuse with a smile.

“Just sign it. What’s wrong with getting paid?” Su Zheng snapped impatiently.

“Alright, alright, I’ll sign it right away!” Feng Qingyuan hurriedly took the paper and signed his name.

Su Zheng’s expression held a hint of mockery as he pocketed the signed paper, then actually took out a coin and tossed it to Feng Qingyuan.

Next, Su Zheng turned to Chen Xiong, who stood frozen.

“Your turn. Pay up first, or apologize first?”

“Uh... Nephew-in-law, I...” Chen Xiong snapped out of his daze but hesitated.

“Did you ever really consider him your nephew-in-law? Now that you can’t escape, you use that title again. Is that funny?” Chen Muxue coldly reprimanded, her delicate face filled with disappointment and chill.

“I... you... ah!”

Chen Xiong wanted to argue but found himself utterly speechless. His past actions had already burned all bridges beyond repair.