My Ares Son-in-Law

"Lanting would never betray me! We've been together for five years, and she's sacrificed so much for me. How could she do something so unfair to me!"
Mr. Xiao, I don't know what you heard or saw, but it must be a misunderstanding! It must be!

Zhang Ziren's words were extremely contradictory, but it was clear that he was in a very bad mood.

Xiao Chen frowned, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes.

He kindly reminded him, not wanting to see Zhang Ziren kept in the dark and schemed against, but the other party was stubborn and preferred to deceive himself rather than believe the truth in front of him, and even vaguely suspected his intentions.

Zhang Ziren seemed to be still defending himself on the other end of the phone, his tone agitated:
"Do you have some kind of grudge against Lanting? Or have you mistaken someone else for Lanting? Mr. Xiao, please take a closer look. Is it really her?"

Xiao Chen wasn't angry, nor did he argue further. He just felt somewhat disappointed, and a little amused... Some people are just like that, they won't give up until they're completely defeated, and they won't shed a tear until they see the coffin.

"Zhang Ziren, I've already warned you, believe it or not." Xiao Chen's tone turned cold, lacking his previous patience.

"I don't believe it!" Zhang Ziren's voice was almost a shout, filled with intense anger and obsession.

“Mr. Xiao, if you dare to speak ill of Lanting again, or slander her, we can no longer be friends! I will never cooperate with you again, nor will I help you find antiques!”

Xiao Chen remained silent for a while, until the last bit of patience in his heart completely disappeared.

He never considered Zhang Ziren a particularly good friend; they were just acquaintances he had worked with a few times. Since Zhang Ziren didn't appreciate it and even turned around and criticized him, he couldn't be bothered to get involved in this mess anymore.

"Fine." Xiao Chen uttered a single word indifferently, his tone completely calm. "Pretend I didn't say anything. Just consider it me meddling in other people's business."

After saying that, he hung up the phone and threw it on the table, no longer thinking about the filth next door or the stubborn Zhang Ziren.

In the next private room, Jiang Lanting and Huang Buju's ambiguous laughter and teasing continued, even becoming more and more excessive, mixed with some unpleasant words that were very jarring.

Xiao Chen picked up the teacup on the table and slowly took a sip. The warmth of the tea did nothing to dispel the chill and disappointment in his heart.

It's like a dog biting Lü Dongbin; it doesn't recognize a kind heart.

He thought to himself, "Since Zhang Ziren himself is unwilling to believe it and unwilling to face the truth, then let him run into trouble on his own."

Some people will never wake up until they suffer enough losses and get hurt badly.

He has done his duty as a friend, and done everything he could. The rest is up to Zhang Ziren's own fate.

Xiao Chen put down his teacup, stood up, straightened his clothes, and walked straight out of the private room, leaving the hot pot restaurant that had made him feel unhappy.

After leaving the hot pot restaurant, Xiao Chen strolled slowly around the antique street.

His gaze swept over the antique shops along the street, carefully examining the items inside, hoping to find a suitable antique and also keep an eye out for Yun Yuyan.

But after looking around, I didn't see anything I liked.

Although the antiques were genuine, they lacked spiritual energy and were priced ridiculously high, clearly indicating price gouging. Without hesitation, Xiao Chen turned and left without making a purchase.

Before we knew it, the sky gradually darkened, and the afterglow of the setting sun shone on the street, giving the entire antique street a golden halo.

Bored, Xiao Chen lit a cigarette and turned to walk towards his villa.

When I got home, before I even sat down, I smelled a rich aroma of food.

Yun Yuyan is cooking; she's really gotten the hang of it. You have to understand, Yun Yuyan used to be a pampered young lady; she couldn't even cook, and her clothes were always washed by the servants.

But ever since the incident at home, she has been living here with Xiao Chen and has learned everything.

Perhaps she was born with a talent for cooking, as she did quite well when she first started cooking, and now her dishes are getting better and better.

Although it's not as good as Xiao Chen's, it's better than many restaurants.

"You're finally back! Try my cooking and see how it is."

Yun Yuyan poked her head out of the kitchen and smiled at Xiao Chen.

"It must be a delicacy; I know that without even tasting it."

Xiao Chen washed his hands, sat down at the dining table, and casually tasted a bite of the dish. The taste was really good. He wouldn't dare say it was better than the chefs at hotels, but it was definitely better than the chefs at small restaurants.

Moreover, there's quite a lot of food today. There are only two of us, but they prepared four dishes and a soup.

"Speak, what is it?"

Xiao Chen smiled and looked at Yun Yuyan, who was untying her apron, and said with a smile, "You're not usually this diligent, you're always so busy at the company. There's no need to beat around the bush with me, do you think I don't know what you're thinking?"

"Hehe, I can't hide it from you! Do you have some kind of supernatural eye?" Yun Yuyan laughed. "I'm planning to go to the antique street. Why don't you come with me? I know you're good at looking at antiques."

Yun Yuyan grabbed Xiao Chen's hand and said coquettishly, "You know, some of the company's clients like these kinds of things, and in order to close deals, I have to study these kinds of things too."

"I want to buy an antique as a gift for a client who is particularly fond of Ming Dynasty porcelain, especially those from the Xuande period."

I don't know anything about these things myself, and I'm afraid of being ripped off and buying fakes, so I'd like to ask you to help me take a look. After all, you have a good eye and know a lot about antiques.

Xiao Chen picked up a piece of steamed fish and ate it slowly and deliberately. The fish was tender and melted in his mouth.

He glanced at Yun Yuyan, his tone slightly teasing:

"When did you start collecting antiques? I've never seen you interested in these things before."

"It's all for work. Otherwise, who would play that game? I'm even afraid of losing money."

Yun Yuyan sighed, her tone tinged with helplessness.

"That client is a major investor in the company, holding several large projects. President Shen specifically instructed me to treat him well and not to make any mistakes."

After much thought, I decided that catering to his tastes was the most reliable approach. He likes antiques, so I'll give him one that suits his taste; maybe that will lead to a collaboration.

Xiao Chen glanced at her, his tone becoming more serious:
Do you know how deep the antique market is?
It's a chaotic place, teeming with fakes. Even seasoned antique collectors can be fooled and ripped off, let alone a novice like yourself. It's easy to be cheated and end up spending a fortune on a counterfeit.

That's why I asked you for help.

Yun Yuyan immediately clasped her hands together, making a pleading gesture, her eyes sparkling with a hint of coquetry.

"Master Xiao, Boss Xiao, please help me! I'm begging you! With you here, I definitely won't get scammed." (End of Chapter)