Chapter 140 - Good Gift
Boss Zhu was initially furious, but the sight before him made him rise to his feet in an instant.
Lee Tiankuo quickly brought the item over and after examining it intently for a while, he let out a sigh.
“You're truly impressive.”
Truth be told, everyone present knew the reality of the situation, even without Lee Tiankuo's acknowledgment.
Having worked on Antique Street for many years, their judgment was sharp.
Boss Zhu was on the verge of tears.
He had hoped to turn a profit and perhaps gain a friend in the process. Instead, his predicament had only worsened.
Zhang Tao was equally taken aback.
A heavyweight in the capital, he wielded considerable status and power.
Yet, even for someone of his stature, the unfolding events were startling.
The sophistication of the forgery was remarkable, but it had been exposed by the young man. They had been outsmarted by someone much younger.
The forger had been clever, indeed.
The bowl was so thin and delicate that most would refrain from handling it too much.
Hence, the adhesive used wasn't very strong.
It only needed to maintain a semblance of integrity.
But the forger likely never anticipated that today, a young man would shatter it outright.
The thought still sent shivers down Zhang Tao's spine.
If he had spent tens of millions on this counterfeit today, it would be one thing. But the consequences would be dire if the elder found out.
President Chen's expression grew stern.
The guests at Boss Zhu's were there on account of Zhang Tao's influence.
Yet, Boss Zhu had attempted to deceive them with such an item.
Boss Zhu's actions seemed a deliberate attempt to disgrace me.
President Chen fixed his gaze on Boss Zhu. “Boss Zhu, we've known each other for quite some time. Can you explain what's happened here?”
Boss Zhu stood there, his hands shaking, his complexion ashen, his feet tapping nervously.
“President Chen, I truly had no idea it was a fake. I've been duped just the same!”
Boss Zhu seemed so frail he was nearly collapsing.
“Boss Zhu, buying a fake is your own doing. But our patronage today was based on the trust we placed in your honesty.”
Mr. Zhang is a prominent figure from the capital, and this time he's looking to purchase a birthday gift for a senior family member. Should his elder discover the gift is a counterfeit, it would reflect very poorly on Mr. Zhang,” President Chen stated with an icy gaze.
“I am truly sorry!” Boss Zhu quickly offered his apologies. “President Chen, you know my character. I would never intentionally sell fake merchandise.”
Everyone present could almost certainly conclude that Boss Zhu had been unwittingly swindled, given his lack of awareness.
“Let's go,” President Chen commanded, his face a mask of stoicism as he led the way out, with the others trailing behind him.
Boss Zhu remained in the private room, lost in thought. The item had cost him a staggering 20 million yuan. Not only had he suffered a significant financial loss, but he had also managed to offend President Chen. Should word get out, his reputation would be tarnished.
Once the group descended to the street, they noticed the sky had darkened.
Zhang Tao let out a sigh and shook his head, “I think I'll return to the capital to find a birthday present.”
“Mr. Zhang, I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience today,” President Chen said, clearly mortified.
“It's no trouble at all,” Zhang Tao replied with a smile, giving President Chen a reassuring pat on the shoulder. His attention then shifted to Su Ming. “Young man, you have an impressive eye for detail. Without you, I might have been duped today.”
Lee Tiankuo chimed in with a grin, “I've always prided myself on my discerning abilities, but I must admit, I pale in comparison to this young man.”
Laughter filled the air, dissipating any lingering discomfort from earlier.
He promptly left the parking lot in his car.
After saying goodbye to Zhang Tao, Su Ming and Zhang Tongtong exchanged contact details before heading their separate ways.
President Chen had initially planned to join Su Ming in the fields for some work, but after a moment's hesitation, he refrained from asking. Su Ming had, after all, told him not to come today. With a heavy heart, President Chen returned home, while Su Ming made his way back to the fields.
Upon his return, Su Ming observed that the construction workers had nearly completed the perimeter wall. At this rate, the job would be finished within two days. Yet, Su Ming noticed another group of laborers busily working on a small patch of open ground just beyond the area.
Su Ming didn't dwell on the construction noise, chalking it up to likely being a city-planned project that had no bearing on him. Yet, no sooner had he entered the courtyard than the sound of a car engine drew his attention to the gate. Turning around, Su Ming spotted a black car that seemed vaguely familiar.
As he pondered its origin, the car door swung open, and out stepped Wang Guohui.
“Mr. Su,” Wang greeted, approaching with a congenial smile.
Surprised, Su Ming queried, “Mr. Wang, what brings you here?”
Wang Guohui's chuckle left Su Ming feeling slightly uneasy.
“Mr. Su, I've heard about the underground garage you've built, housing hundreds of cars,” Wang began. “I imagine refueling them all could be quite the hassle.”
“Therefore, I've constructed a gas station right next to your property. Rest assured, it's exclusively for your use.”
With that, Wang Guohui produced an oil card from his pocket, offering it to Su Ming. “Please, take this.”
Blinking in astonishment, Su Ming couldn't help but be impressed. It was clear why Wang was the chairman of the Angel Group. The oil card, while of modest value to someone like Su Ming who wasn't concerned about money, addressed the sheer inconvenience of refueling his extensive collection of vehicles. He was genuinely pleased with the gift.
“I'm aware that money isn't an issue for you, but convenience can be when you're on the go. Moreover, this card is a supreme VIP card from the Business Alliance,” Wang continued. “I registered it under your name. With it, you'll enjoy significant discounts and top-tier service whenever you patronize any Business Alliance hotel or shopping center.”
Wang then handed over a sleek black card, placing it into Su Ming's hand. This gesture was yet another that Su Ming found immensely gratifying. Wang Guohui's talent for ingratiation clearly outshone that of President Chen. The gift might not have been extraordinary, but its utility was undeniable.
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