"Impossible! This must be fake. How could a pauper like you afford Huang Gong's original work!"
Just then, a guest's remark struck a chord with everyone, and all eyes turned back to Er Zhu.
"Exactly! Old Madam, don't forget, this guy is from the countryside!"
"Yes, even if you sold him, he couldn't afford Huang Gong's original work."
"Elder Chen, be careful not to ruin your reputation by doing this!"
...
A barrage of doubts and mockery flooded in. Elder Chen's face instantly darkened, while Er Zhu's eyes remained calm.
Fools are common every year, but this year especially so!
"You idiots, what do you know!"
As the doubts and mockery reached their peak, Elder Chen roared furiously.
Seeing that other guests were about to retort, Elder Chen angrily recounted the events from the antique street. Upon hearing this, all the guests were utterly stunned!
Obtaining Huang Gong's original work without spending a single penny!
My heavens, this country bumpkin is truly a prodigy!
Some instantly thought of Wang Lin, who had already left, and their hearts churned like a tipped bottle of five flavors.
The richest man in town spent ten million on a fake, while a country bumpkin got Huang Gong's original work for free. People are truly different!
"Alright, stop talking. Even if you want to avenge Wang Lin, you shouldn't target Er Zhu and Elder Chen!"
As everyone was still in shock, Old Madam Wang's words pierced through their thoughts. The guests' faces turned pale, and they lowered their heads in silence.
"Disperse, this banquet is truly boring."
Seeing the guilty looks of the guests, Old Madam Wang knew her guess was correct. She waved her hand impatiently, issuing the order to leave.
She had only intended to celebrate her birthday, but she didn't expect so many things to happen!
They all looked respectable, but in reality, they were all hypocritical scoundrels!
The more Old Madam Wang thought about it, the more annoyed she became. Her brow furrowed, and her expression was so gloomy it could almost drip water.
Seeing that Old Madam Wang was truly angry, the guests could only slink away.
There was no alternative. The Wang family's influence in town was too immense. Offending the Wang family would be akin to seeking one's own doom!
And so, the birthday banquet ended hastily. Just as Er Zhu was about to leave, Elder Chen stopped him.
"Er Zhu, it's still early. Would you be willing to come to my home for a while?"
Elder Chen gently patted Er Zhu's shoulder and asked him with anticipation.
"Alright, I'll be a bother then."
Er Zhu hadn't intended to go, but seeing Elder Chen's sincere gaze, he agreed.
After all, this old man had helped him a lot.
Half an hour later, outside the seaside villa.
Looking at the grand and magnificent villa complex before him, Er Zhu's eyes held a hint of complexity.
He had lived in such a villa district before, if not for that bitch...
Thinking of his former fiancée, a hint of ferocity flashed in Er Zhu's eyes.
But it didn't matter. One day, he would make those who hurt him pay a thousandfold!
"Er Zhu, what's wrong?"
As Er Zhu was lost in thought, Elder Chen's voice pulled him back to reality. Er Zhu gave a simple smile and said nothing more.
Although Elder Chen was puzzled, considering Er Zhu to be foolish, he didn't pry.
In fact, he had been somewhat surprised when he heard the news. Perhaps this was the unpredictability of life.
Looking at Er Zhu's retreating back, Elder Chen sighed and shook his head helplessly.
"Er Zhu, I heard you also know traditional Chinese medicine?"
As soon as they were seated, Elder Chen asked directly.
When he first learned that Er Zhu was supposedly foolish, he had thought Wang Lin had intentionally spread the rumor. Thus, he had also sent someone to investigate Er Zhu.
"Yes, it was by chance."
Er Zhu was startled but nodded without denial.
If that idiot Wang Lin could find out his background, then Elder Chen naturally could too, and perhaps even more thoroughly!
Although Elder Chen was only the president of the antique association, Er Zhu felt that Elder Chen definitely had more than just this single identity!
"Then are you interested in opening a Chinese herbal medicine factory with me?"
"I'll invest the money, you provide the technology, and we'll split the profits four-six!"
Seeing Er Zhu nod, Elder Chen straightforwardly revealed his intentions.
Er Zhu was taken aback, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, but it was momentary before he regained his composure.
Seeing Er Zhu's chill, Elder Chen did not shy away and revealed his true identity.
It turned out Elder Chen was the patriarch of the Chen family, one of the three prominent families in the city. His visit to the town was for retirement, and second, for investment!
Although the Chen family ranked last among the three major families, for the current Er Zhu, such influence was sufficient!
"I don't have time to manage the Chinese herbal medicine factory, so I will only invest the money and not participate in management."
Elder Chen took a sip of coffee and then added, as if he suddenly remembered something.
"Good, our village happens to grow a large amount of medicinal herbs, which is perfect for opening a Chinese herbal medicine factory!"
Elder Chen wanted to say more, but Er Zhu readily agreed.
This was simply perfect. He had taken another significant step forward!
Revenge was within reach!
"Good, then it's settled. Er Zhu, I have high hopes for you."
Seeing Er Zhu's prompt agreement, Elder Chen wasted no time and directly signed the contract. Looking at the contract, a spark of excitement flashed in Er Zhu's eyes.
He could almost see the Chinese herbal medicine factory rising from the ground!
"Oh, right, to make it easier for you to manage, I'll introduce you to a friend."
Suddenly, Elder Chen smacked his forehead and looked at Er Zhu mysteriously.
A flash of inspiration crossed Er Zhu's eyes as he scanned the entire villa.
It was Lin Quan!
Er Zhu's gaze settled on a guest room on the second floor. Looking at his friend whom he hadn't seen in a long time, Er Zhu's lips curved slightly.
"It's Lin Quan, isn't it?"
Just as Elder Chen was about to ask Lin Quan to come downstairs, he suddenly heard Er Zhu's voice from beside him.
"How did you know? You even know him?"
Elder Chen was stunned, he didn't even notice his phone falling to the ground as he looked at Er Zhu in disbelief.
He never would have imagined that Er Zhu knew Lin Quan!
My heavens, how many more secrets did this Er Zhu have that he didn't know about!
Was this kind of astute person truly a fool?
"Yes, I saved him once by the roadside..."
Er Zhu once again showed his signature simple smile and spoke about the previous incident with a calm demeanor.
Er Zhu said it casually, as if it were just an ordinary event, but Elder Chen listened with profound shock.
Every word seemed to strike his heart, his pulse racing!
He knew a little about Lin Quan's condition. It was congenital. All the hospitals in China couldn't cure it, but Er Zhu had cured it!
Moreover, it seemed he had cured it with surprising ease!
Good heavens, if such a person were a fool, then they, as normal people, would be worse than fools!
Elder Chen stared at Er Zhu with wide eyes, his eyeballs almost falling out.
"Er Zhu, why are you here?"
Just as Elder Chen was shocked by Er Zhu's medical skills, Lin Quan's voice came from upstairs.