Chapter 6737
Life-saving grace
Xiao Chen slowly stood up, his posture upright, his steps steady and powerful, each step seemingly treading on the strings of time.
Reaching the carved wooden door, he reached out and grasped the doorknob, turning it gently, and the door slowly opened.
However, the scene before him made him raise an eyebrow slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Standing outside the door were not the movers he had expected, but two elderly people with white hair and youthful faces, and a slender young woman.
On the marble floor beneath their feet, several large boxes of goods were neatly stacked, the seals on the boxes gleaming faintly in the light of the corridor lamps.
Under the dim, soft glow of the corridor lights, Xiao Chen quickly recognized two of them.
One of them is Qin Fang, the helmsman of Qin Renxuan. Although the old man is over seventy years old, he is in good spirits, has a ruddy complexion, and his eyes reveal the wisdom and composure that comes with the passage of time.
At this moment, he was smiling and nodding to Xiao Chen, his smile full of kindness and warmth.
The other was Qin Fang's granddaughter, Qin Lingling. She stood beside Qin Fang, her pretty face slightly flushed, like a sunset glow on the horizon.
Her eyes darted around, avoiding Xiao Chen's gaze. She seemed somewhat uneasy, her hands unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes, looking like a frightened fawn.
As for the other old man, Xiao Chen had never met him.
He was dressed in a simple long gown, with a thin face and deep, calm eyes, as if they held endless mysteries.
The old man exuded a restrained aura, which, though not ostentatious, instantly alerted Xiao Chen.
His intuition told him that this person, like himself, was a cultivator, and that his cultivation level was probably quite high.
Xiao Chen broke the slightly awkward silence with a playful smile.
"Mr. Qin, is your business so booming that you can't even spare any movers?"
"I am truly flattered that you have made this trip in person."
His tone was relaxed and teasing, but his eyes held a hint of inquiry as he scanned the three of them.
Upon hearing Xiao Chen's slightly teasing words, Qin Fang's aged face instantly showed an awkward smile, a smile tinged with embarrassment and helplessness.
He quickly waved his hand, his movements urgent and sincere, and began to explain.
"Mr. Xiao, you flatter us. Each and every piece of these antiques is a rare treasure, priceless. We really can't rest easy with those clumsy movers."
“They are used to doing rough work. If they accidentally bump or knock these antiques, it would be a huge disaster, and we can’t afford the loss.”
"That's why I brought Lingling and my good friend Old Xu with me to personally escort her, just to put my mind at ease."
"If we have disturbed you by coming here so abruptly, we hope you will forgive us."
As he spoke, he turned slightly to make way for the two people standing behind him, a humble smile on his face.
"In that case, please come in."
Xiao Chen smiled slightly, stepped aside to make way for the doorway, and gestured for the three to enter the house.
The three of them carefully carried the antique and walked slowly into the living room.
They walked with extreme caution, as if they were holding not an antique, but the most precious and fragile thing in the world.
Upon entering the living room, they gently placed the antiques they were carrying on the carved round table, their movements as tender as if they were handling a newborn baby.
Although they were generally well-traveled and knowledgeable, having spent many years in the antique world and seen a great deal, they still couldn't help but show their amazement upon entering this extremely luxurious living room. Looking up, the exquisite crystal chandelier, like a bright moon, emitted a soft yet dazzling light, illuminating the entire living room as if it were a dreamlike realm.
The walls are adorned with priceless paintings and calligraphy by renowned artists, each seemingly telling a story of history and showcasing a profound cultural heritage.
Every decoration in the living room, from the exquisite carpet to the gorgeous curtains, from the antique ornaments to the stylish furniture, showcases the owner's extraordinary wealth and elegant taste.
Qin Fang recalled the scene when Xiao Chen arrived at Qin Renxuan in a taxi that day. At that time, Xiao Chen was dressed simply and had a calm expression, showing no extraordinary qualities whatsoever.
At this moment, he couldn't help but think to himself, this seemingly low-key young man is indeed a man of great talent, owning such a luxurious mansion, he must have a powerful background that no one knows about.
Qin Lingling followed behind her grandfather, her beautiful eyes wide with shock and disbelief.
In her memory, Xiao Chen always wore simple clothes and had the same temperament as ordinary people. She even mocked him as a country bumpkin because of his clothes and appearance, her words full of contempt.
But now, standing in this magnificent mansion, she felt her cheeks burning, as if countless needles were pricking them, and she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
She was filled with remorse. If Xiao Chen, who lived here, was a country bumpkin, then what was she?
All his previous self-righteous words and actions seemed like those of a clown in front of Xiao Chen.
After settling all the antiques in, Xiao Chen wanted to treat the three guests who had come from afar to a proper meal, so he went to the kitchen to pour them a cup of tea to soothe their throats.
He walked into the kitchen and reached for the kettle before suddenly remembering that he had only recently moved into the house and didn't come here often, so he hadn't had time to prepare drinking water yet.
He scratched his head awkwardly, a blush creeping onto his face, then turned and went back to the living room, addressing the three of them.
"I'm so sorry, I don't come here often, so I didn't even prepare water."
"Should I go downstairs and buy some?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Fang hurriedly waved his hand, his expression slightly anxious, and quickly said.
"Mr. Xiao, there's no need for you to trouble yourself. We're really not thirsty."
"Actually... we came here today not only to give you antiques, but also to ask you for a favor."
His eyes held a mixture of anticipation and trepidation, his gaze fixed intently on Xiao Chen.
Xiao Chen had a premonition; ever since the three of them came together, he had a vague feeling that things were not so simple.
He calmly sat down on the sofa, crossed his legs, and his posture was elegant and composed.
He looked calmly at the three of them, a slight smile playing on his lips, and spoke softly.
"Speak freely, as long as I can help."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Qingyuan, who had been standing silently to the side, suddenly stepped forward.
He bent his knees and knelt heavily in front of Xiao Chen with a thud, the sound particularly clear in the quiet living room.
His head bowed slightly, his voice trembling with gratitude and reverence as he spoke.
"My name is Xu Qingyuan, and I have come today to express my gratitude to Mr. Xiao for saving my life!"
"A life-saving grace?"
Xiao Chen frowned slightly, his eyes filled with doubt, his gaze sweeping over Xu Qingyuan. (End of Chapter)