Seeing how arrogant Qin Aodong was, the crowd around them held their breath, thinking,

“This Ye Chen actually dares to challenge Young Master Qin? He’s in for a world of trouble now!”


But Ye Chen remained calm, even smiling as he said,

“You seem to be part of the antique world. Have you ever thought about what matters most in this industry?”


Qin Aodong sneered. “What matters most?”


Ye Chen chuckled and said, “Rules, of course!”


Then, raising his voice, he proclaimed,

“In the world of antiques, the rule is first come, first served! I got here first. Even if you got down on your knees and begged me, I wouldn’t sell it to you! If you break the rules today, who will do business with you tomorrow?


At that point, you, Young Master Qin, will be nothing more than a rat that everyone despises!”


His words left Qin Aodong stunned, his face flashing with anger.


He knew that Ye Chen was right.


The antique world thrived on unwritten rules. If word got out that he had forcibly taken someone else’s purchase, the shops that normally welcomed him would start avoiding him—nobody would want to offend future customers.


He never expected Ye Chen to turn the situation against him with just a few words!


He glared at Ye Chen, itching to kick him in the face.


But he forcefully swallowed his rage, gritting his teeth and saying,

“Country bumpkin! You think I actually care about your stupid stone? I just wanted to show you that antiques aren’t for peasants! You should just go back to farming instead of dirtying the world of elegance!”


Then, with a smirk, he lifted his sleeve and thrust his wrist in front of Ye Chen’s face.


“Open your eyes and take a good look!


This chicken blood jade bracelet was bought from Lingnan for 1.5 million yuan! Have you ever seen something this fine?”


The bracelet shone brilliantly under the sunlight, its deep red veins looking like flowing blood.


The crowd gasped in admiration.


Even Zhang Ermao, the deceitful vendor, couldn’t help swallowing hard.

“Damn, that’s some serious treasure…”


“Hmph, of course it is!” Qin Aodong grinned smugly, enjoying their reactions.


Then he yanked open his collar, pulling out a gourd-shaped jade pendant hanging from his neck.


“Now, take a look at this!”


“This piece of jade marrow was gifted by Emperor Sui to his son as a coming-of-age present!


It was blessed by eighty-eight high monks for one hundred and eight days!


It’s worth three million yuan!


Wearing it brings good fortune and prosperity!”


The crowd stretched their necks, eager to catch a glimpse.


Zhang Ermao’s nostrils flared as he stared hungrily at the jade pendant, looking as if he wanted to swallow it whole.


Qin Aodong, reveling in their awe, smirked at Ye Chen.


“Poor folks play with watches. Rich folks play with jade.


Look at you—you can’t even afford decent clothes, yet you dream of playing with antiques? Laughable!”


The crowd sized Ye Chen up.


Indeed, Ye Chen was dressed plainly—just a white T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. He looked no different from an ordinary worker.


In contrast, Qin Aodong’s attire seemed simple, but those who knew fashion understood that his entire outfit was handmade. From head to toe, it easily cost six figures.


Ye Chen wasn’t offended.


Instead, he found Qin Aodong hilarious.


The guy wasn’t necessarily evil—just a brainless rich fool.


So, with a grin, Ye Chen said,

“You think you’re rich, huh? Your bracelet does look nice, but too bad… it’s fake.”


Qin Aodong’s smirk froze.


Then, his face twisted in fury.

“Bullshit! My bracelet is real!”


“If you don’t believe me, ask some of the antique shop owners around here.”


Ye Chen shrugged and said,

“Having money to buy antiques is one thing, but knowing how to buy antiques is another. If a blind man insists on playing with treasures, he’s just a fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered.”


Qin Aodong’s face darkened. He could tell Ye Chen was calling him an ignorant fool.


Gritting his teeth, he snapped,

“If my bracelet is real, will you kneel and apologize to me on the spot?”


“Sure,” Ye Chen replied without hesitation, looking completely relaxed.


“You mistook a man-made chicken blood stone for real chicken blood jade. I must say—you’ve got talent for being scammed.”


Qin Aodong’s face turned red with rage.


He turned to the crowd and shouted,

“Zhang Boss! Li Boss! You two verify this for me—


Is my bracelet real or fake?!”


The two antique shop owners exchanged nervous glances.


Appraising antiques was a risky business—no matter what they said, someone would be offended.


“Y-Young Master Qin, our experience is limited… we can’t say for sure…”


Qin Aodong snapped,

“Don’t give me that crap! Check it carefully. I won’t blame you if you tell the truth—but if I find out later that you lied to me, you’ll regret it!”


“Y-Young Master Qin, please don’t be angry!”


The two nervously stepped forward and examined the bracelet closely.


After a few minutes, one of them swallowed hard and stammered,


“Y-Young Master Qin… that young man is right.


Your bracelet… your bracelet… it’s… man-made chicken blood stone.”


Silence.


Then, Qin Aodong’s face turned from pale to deep red, as if someone had slapped him in public.


His throat moved as he swallowed several times, trying to hold back his fury.


The two shop owners, terrified, immediately shrank back into the crowd.


Ye Chen smiled lightly.


“Well, now do you believe me?


Spending 1.5 million on a synthetic stone—Young Master Qin, you sure know how to burn money.”


“I misjudged this one!” Qin Aodong gritted his teeth, trying to save face.


“So what? It’s only 1.5 million! You think that matters to me?!


Even if my bracelet is fake, my jade gourd is real! It’s absolutely authentic!”


He was completely confident in this.


After all, he had personally had it appraised by an expert, and the jade was indeed ancient—from the Sui Dynasty!


Ye Chen chuckled coldly.


“You actually believe that?”


“Wearing something so ominous, thinking it’s lucky?


I swear, there’s no one dumber than you.”


“WHAT DID YOU SAY?!”


Qin Aodong’s veins popped as he roared, nearly losing his mind.


Ye Chen said calmly,

“You’ve been carrying a cursed object all this time. The fact that you’re still alive?


That’s just dumb luck.”


Qin Aodong’s face twisted with uncertainty.


After what happened with the bracelet, he wasn’t sure whether to trust Ye Chen or not.


Gritting his teeth, he demanded,

“Why do you say that?!”


Ye Chen pointed at the jade gourd.


“Look closely at its shape.”


“Did you ever bother researching what this kind of jade piece was actually used for?”


Qin Aodong hesitated.


“T-This… isn’t this Emperor Sui’s coming-of-age gift?


Everyone knows that gourds symbolize good fortune!


I know antiques better than you, peasant!


What do YOU know?!”