Chapter 7650
Broken Painting
Others couldn't see the hidden meaning in that painting because they lacked divine power.
But Xiao Chen had his own power; the moment his immortal power touched the painting, he could feel the pure spiritual energy emanating from it.
This item is definitely genuine.
Moreover, it must be quite valuable.
Of course, Xiao Chen was attracted to it not because of its value, but because the spiritual energy it contained would help his cultivation.
Although spiritual energy is gradually recovering in the secular world, it is still too thin and far inferior to the ancient sea secret realm where he once lived.
Having decided on the painting, Xiao Chen did not buy it immediately.
Instead, he pulled Yun Yuyan away from the stall.
The painting has been hanging there for so long without being sold, so Xiao Chen isn't worried that it might suddenly be sold.
Besides, even if it's sold, he has ways to buy it back.
Standing to the side, Yun Yuyan said somewhat unwillingly, "Are you just going to leave like this? Didn't you say you had a way to get my losses back and make that guy suffer a loss?"
Xiao Chen smiled and said, "That guy is watching us right now. We'll go over later to lower his guard. Don't you believe me?"
Yun Yuyan was stunned for a moment. Of course she believed Xiao Chen, but she didn't know what Xiao Chen would do next, and she was very curious.
"Can't you just tell me what happened?"
Xiao Chen thought for a moment and then didn't hide anything: "That guy has a great item worth a million at his stall. We can buy it back at a low price later, and then we'll make back our losses. Besides, we can make a lot of money."
"Good stuff, what is it? I don't recognize it."
"If you could see through it, you wouldn't have been fooled. Alright, stay here for a few minutes, we'll go get some breakfast, and we'll talk when we get back."
Xiao Chen smiled and led Yun Yuyan into a breakfast shop.
Yun Yuyan didn't ask anything more. She knew one thing: Xiao Chen wouldn't lie to her. Since he wanted her to vent her anger and make money today, it must be true.
……
After the two had breakfast, the antique street became more crowded.
Many people passed by the monkey stall, but none of them showed any interest in the painting.
At this moment, Xiao Chen walked over again with Yun Yuyan.
"Why are you here again? Trying to cause trouble again?" Ma Houzi was a little annoyed, but because Xiao Chen was there, he didn't dare to say anything too outrageous.
"Mr. Ma, you've misunderstood. We came here to buy something. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at by others for making such a fuss?" Xiao Chen smiled. "There are quite a few people on the street right now. Do you think it would have a big impact if my sister Yu Yan started causing trouble again?"
His words were half a negotiation and half a threat.
Ma Houzi glanced at the bustling crowd. Even though he was a rogue and a seasoned veteran, if his reputation got too bad, he really wouldn't be able to stay here in the future.
Helpless, he nodded, as long as the other party didn't cause trouble.
"Sir, what do you want to talk to me about?"
Ma Houzi had one goal in mind: he couldn't afford to suffer a loss, otherwise he would unleash his true rogue nature.
Xiao Chen smiled and said, "That's right. Let's get straight to the point. It's about what happened earlier. My sister Yu Yan bought a pair of bronze artifacts from you yesterday for ten thousand yuan. Do you acknowledge that?"
Ma Houzi's expression changed. He had said he wouldn't cause trouble, so why was he bringing this up? This man was unreliable. He gritted his teeth, about to deny it, but Xiao Chen stopped him: "Don't rush to deny it. Think it through. This antique street isn't that big, and there are surveillance cameras everywhere. Even if Sister Yu Yan didn't record a video, I believe the cameras did."
"Also, the reason those stall owners won't testify for my sister Yu Yan is simply because they haven't received any benefits. Guess what they would do if I gave them enough benefits?"
"You're a seasoned pro. Bullying girls is nothing special. If you've got guts, let's go to the police station and talk. I want to see if you're selling counterfeit goods and even colluding with others to cheat customers. I'll not only ruin your reputation, but I'll also make sure you spend the rest of your life in jail."
"Don't doubt my words. You can go out and ask around to find out who I am. You've bullied my family, and I'm already being very lenient by not ruining your business because I know it's not easy for you to earn money. But don't push your luck!"
Cold sweat streamed down the monkey's forehead.
Compared to Yun Yuyan's helplessness, Xiao Chen was much more ruthless. His words were like putting a monkey on the fire to roast.
He understood perfectly what Xiao Chen meant, and he was also well aware of the consequences if this matter escalated.
He has a wife and children to support.
He can't afford to gamble.
If he gets detained, and if Xiao Chen really has someone backing him, he might never be able to get out of there again.
What will happen to my wife and children?
What will happen to my elderly parents?
He didn't want to be disgraced, much less have his family destroyed.
Seeing Ma Houzi hesitate, Xiao Chen smiled and said, "Of course, don't worry. I'm not the kind of person who holds a grudge. Making a big fuss would not be good for you, but it wouldn't do my sister Yu Yan any good either."
"It's better for everyone to get along and make money, don't you think?"
If you hit someone hard enough, then give them a piece of candy; that works better than anything else.
Upon hearing this, Ma Houzi nodded repeatedly: "Brother, you're right. I knew there were still more good people than bad in this world. You're a magnanimous person, please don't hold a grudge against a mere vendor like me. What do you say?"
Xiao Chen smiled and said, "That's more like it. Since you're thinking about resolving this dispute, I'll give you an idea. I'll just pick two things from your stall, no matter how much they cost, and that'll settle things."
The monkey was stunned for a moment.
That's great news!
The most valuable items on his stall were only worth about a thousand yuan. Even if Xiao Chen picked two items and took them, he would still make a profit. After all, Yun Yuyan spent ten thousand yuan on those two bronze cups yesterday.
Later, the appraisal fee cost another five thousand.
Thinking of this, Ma Houzi nodded. "Brother, are you sure you want to do this? You absolutely can't go back on your word afterward, right?"
He felt this arrangement was too advantageous for him, so he was afraid Xiao Chen would regret it.
"If you're worried, how about we draw up a written agreement?" Xiao Chen smiled.
"No need for that. There are surveillance cameras here. I think a boss as big as you wouldn't lie to me, right? That's settled!" Ma Houzi agreed.
Xiao Chen smiled and took a jade carving from the stall, which made Ma Houzi feel a pang of heartache, because that jade carving was the most expensive item on his stall, worth more than a thousand yuan.
However, he was delighted when Xiao Chen took the second item.
It was a painting, obviously a low-quality fake. Anyone with a little common sense could tell.
So it's been sitting there for several days, and nobody's paid any attention to it.
When people buy art, they buy new pieces; they won't buy an old painting.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Chen chose that one. (End of Chapter)