My Ares Son-in-Law

The middle-aged man said respectfully:
"Sir, please take this. You are truly an expert, recognizing this treasure at a glance. It is a blessing for this pen holder to end up in your hands."

Xiao Chen took the wooden box without saying a word. He simply opened it and gently sensed it... The spiritual energy inside the pen holder was still warm and lingering, without any loss, enough for him to cultivate in peace for a few days.

"Thank you," he said casually, closed the wooden box, and turned to walk towards the shop door.

Just as he reached the door, he bumped into someone who was walking hurriedly and looked anxious, almost knocking over the wooden box in Xiao Chen's hand.

The man was in his fifties, wearing a tailor-made suit and an expensive watch on his wrist. He looked well-dressed and had a refined demeanor, but he couldn't hide the anxiety on his face.

He saw Xiao Chen, paused for a moment, and his gaze subconsciously fell on the wooden box in Xiao Chen's hand. When he saw the corner of the pen holder peeking out from inside the box, his expression changed instantly, and his eyes were filled with shock and urgency.

"Sir, wait a moment!" He stepped forward quickly, his tone urgent yet respectful. "Could I take a closer look at this blue and white porcelain brush holder you're holding? Thank you for your help!"

Xiao Chen stopped, glanced at him indifferently, and asked calmly, "Who are you?"

The man quickly composed himself, put on a sincere smile, and introduced himself:

"Hello sir, I am the owner of Jubaozhai across the street. My surname is Zhao, Zhao Jianguo."

I was in the shop just now when the clerk told me that a gentleman looked at the plum vase in our shop, left without buying it, and I felt bad about it. I thought maybe the clerk hadn't been attentive enough, so I rushed over to check, and I didn't expect to run into you.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen's eyes remained unmoved, and his tone remained calm: "Your shop assistants said that plum vase is a sample and they won't sell it."

Boss Zhao's face instantly turned even uglier, filled with guilt and remorse. He slapped his thigh hard and said urgently:
"Sir, I'm so sorry! It's all my fault for not disciplining them properly. Those shop assistants were blind and looked down on you, offending you! I apologize to you here!"

As he spoke, Boss Zhao bowed deeply, his attitude sincere and without the slightest perfunctoriness. It was clear that he was truly ashamed and wanted to win back Xiao Chen as a customer.

Xiao Chen didn't speak, but just looked at him quietly, her expression indifferent, neither accepting nor refusing the apology.

Boss Zhao straightened up, his face showing even more guilt. His gaze fell again on the pen holder in Xiao Chen's hand, his eyes filled with envy and eagerness. After hesitating for a moment, he finally mustered up his courage and said:

"Sir, I have a favor to ask, and I wonder if you can grant it? I have been eyeing this blue and white porcelain brush holder in your hand for a long time and have always wanted to buy it, but I have never been willing to spend so much money on it."

I accept that you bought it today, but... I just want to beg you, please let me take one last look, just one last look. I want to examine the details of this treasure closely. Thank you!

Xiao Chen glanced at him, and seeing that his expression was sincere and without any malice, he slowly opened the wooden box, handed over the pen holder, and said in a calm tone, "Take a look."

Mr. Zhao carefully took the pen holder with both hands, as if he were receiving a rare treasure. He dared not be careless in the slightest. He took out a magnifying glass from his pocket and carefully examined every detail of the pen holder. His eyes were focused, and he occasionally uttered words of praise.

He stared at it for several minutes before reluctantly putting down the magnifying glass. His face showed a mixture of envy and regret as he muttered to himself, "What a treasure! A truly rare find! Blue and white porcelain from the transitional period between the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, with such exquisite craftsmanship and such a lustrous glaze, without a single flaw. Three million? That's a steal! I really got a bargain!"

He carefully returned the pen holder to Xiao Chen, sighed, and said in a tone full of regret:

"It's all my fault. I've been too lenient with those shop assistants, which has made them snobbish and caused them to miss out on a valuable customer like you and a great product. It's really...sigh, I regret it so much!"

As he spoke, he suddenly seemed to remember something, his eyes lit up, and he said to Xiao Chen, "Sir, please wait a moment, I'll be right back!"

After saying that, Boss Zhao turned around and ran quickly toward Jubaozhai across the street, his steps hurried and his expression anxious.

A few minutes later, Boss Zhao rushed back, followed by the sales assistants who had mocked Xiao Chen in Jubaozhai earlier.

The young sales associate leading the group and the other young sales associate who were muttering under their breath were both as pale as paper. Their heads were bowed low, their hands were tightly gripping the hem of their clothes, and their bodies were trembling slightly. They dared not look up at Xiao Chen, their eyes filled with fear and regret.

Boss Zhao strode up to Xiao Chen, his tone still sincere:
"Sir, these are my employees. They were the ones who spoke rudely and rudely to you just now, which offended you. It's my fault for not disciplining them properly. I apologize again!"

After speaking, he bowed to Xiao Chen again, then turned around, his face instantly darkening, and said sternly to the sales assistants:

"My Jubaozhai shop has been open for 20 years. The reason I have been able to stand out in the antique street is because of honest business practices and treating people with courtesy. I have never neglected any customer!"
"You all looked down on us today, mocking our customers. You not only broke my rules but also ruined Jubaozhai's reputation. Jubaozhai can't afford to keep employees like that!"

He looked at Xiao Chen and said sincerely, "Sir, I feel very guilty that today's events caused you a bad experience. I am now formally dismissing them in front of you to give you an explanation! Is this a satisfactory solution?"

The two sales assistants who had just mocked Xiao Chen the most turned even paler upon hearing the word "fired." Tears welled up in their eyes, and they knelt down with a thud, pleading desperately:

"Boss Zhao, please don't! We know we were wrong, we'll never do it again, please don't fire us!"

"Yes, boss, we know we were wrong. We shouldn't have looked down on people, and we shouldn't have mocked our customers. Please give us another chance!"

Boss Zhao frowned, his tone resolute, showing no sign of softening:

"No need for further explanation. Rules are rules, and you must bear the consequences of your mistakes. Your actions today disqualify you from staying at Jubaozhai. Pack your things and get out of the shop now!"

After speaking, he looked at Xiao Chen again, his eyes full of expectation, hoping to gain Xiao Chen's understanding.

Xiao Chen glanced indifferently at the two sales assistants kneeling on the ground, weeping bitterly. Their faces were full of remorse, and their eyes were full of pleading. They looked very pitiful.

But he showed no pity whatsoever… He hadn't held back at all when they had mocked and humiliated him; they were reaping what they sowed. (End of Chapter)