Resignation

Upon hearing "repaired base," the Master completely lost his composure. He immediately picked up the vase and said, "How could it be a repaired base?! This is a genuine Yuan Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain vase. Look at this glaze, look at these areas."

He was very agitated, even raising his voice as if to bolster his own confidence.

Both Ye Shuang and Chen's Father were old foxes. Seeing this scene, they had already guessed roughly what was going on. For Ye Shuang, hearing the Master's words, combined with the system's information, gave him a feeling akin to—

["Never mind that 'microwave safe' stamp on the bottom, just look at this glaze quality, look at this body."]

"Master, don't be angry." At this moment, Chen's Father smiled slightly. The Master then calmed down a bit and glared at Ye Shuang. "Nonsense!"

Ye Shuang wasn't angry either. On the contrary, he remained very calm. Arguing with such a person would only lower his own standing.

Giving Uncle Chen a slight reminder was enough for him.

The Master caressed the vase as if it were a treasure. "Mr. Chen, if you don't appreciate it, I'll take it back."

Chen's Father simply said, "Alright, calm down. Why get angry with a junior?"

Hearing this, the Master resumed his original haughty demeanor. "Hmm..."

"How about this, let's smash the base open and take a look," Chen's Father suggested then.

"S-smash it open?" The Master beside him was stunned.

"Yes, I'm also curious whether this vase has a repaired base or not, so let's smash it open to see," Chen's Father stroked his chin.

The Master came to his senses and protectively held the vase. "Mr. Chen, you don't trust me?! This is a treasure worth several million!"

"How could I not trust you? I want the vase. Just eight hundred grains, no big deal." Chen's Father pointed at the vase. "Smash it. If it's not a repaired base, I'll pay you the full price of eight hundred grains. Let's just smash it for fun."

"You... you..." The Master seemed to choke on his words, unable to speak.

"Treating a treasure like this..." He suddenly appeared angry. "Hmph, I'd better take it back. I'm afraid Mr. Chen has no fortune to enjoy it!"

With that, he carefully packed the vase, turned, and left.

This time, Chen's Father didn't stop him. Only after hearing the car start outside did he look at Ye Shuang. "How did you spot it?"

"Just have a slightly better eye." Ye Shuang only said this much. After all, his system had upgraded from crippled to semi-crippled, and he had just discovered it could now discern authenticity.

Chen's Father nodded approvingly. "I didn't expect you to have studied this as well."

Actually, Chen's Father had also felt the vessel's shape and luster were a bit off, yet the piece seemed old. He couldn't be sure for a moment—he wasn't an expert either. Basically, whenever he wanted to acquire a fine piece, he'd find a master to appraise it, and buy it if suitable.

"Little Shuang just saved me a few hundred grains, haha." Chen's Father patted Ye Shuang's shoulder. "Want to go see my collection room?"

"He rarely visits. Don't drag him off to look at your pots and jars." Chen's Mother said with mild exasperation. "Drink your soup first."

"Oh."

At this point, Ye Shuang also noticed the meal was ready on the dining table.

"Alright, let me make a call first, deal with that bastard." Chen's Father also planned to call someone about that Master. Selling him a fake wasn't a big deal in itself, but if it was done intentionally, that was a major problem. He was no soft touch to be pushed around.

"Which bastard?"

A voice came from afar. Ye Shuang turned his head and saw Chen Qin coming downstairs.

Perhaps because she had just showered, her skin was tender and fair, seemingly radiating moisture. A simple black dress accentuated her excellent figure, like a ripe peach, her every movement causing ripples.

"The weather's cold! Wearing so little!" Chen's Mother chided.

"Ah, I'm hot after my shower." Chen Qin said with a smile, then her gaze fell on Ye Shuang. She gave a sweet smile. "So early?"

"More or less."

"Sister Chen Qin." At this moment, Bai Yuyou also greeted her.

"Come, have some soup first." Chen Qin pinched Yuyou's little cheek, then asked, "What about that Keke?"

"She's not coming."

"Alright." Chen Qin didn't mind, then led Bai Yuyou to have some soup.

Ye Shuang also came to the dining table. Actually, it hadn't been long since they finished breakfast, only a few hours apart.

"Here, drink some soup." Chen's Mother also handed Ye Shuang a bowl of soup.

"Thank you, Auntie." Ye Shuang quickly stood up and received it with both hands.

"Sit down, no need to be so polite. Make yourself at home, you've been here dozens of times." Chen's Mother said reproachfully, then instructed the maid beside her to bring the remaining dishes.

"Where's Chen Hai?" Ye Shuang asked casually, as it was the weekend and Chen Hai wasn't working.

"Him..." Chen's Mother hesitated. Instead, Chen Qin snorted coldly. "Being all lovey-dovey with that pregnant woman. He's been charmed out of his senses, pays no attention to his own wife anymore."

"Alright, Qin, that's enough." Chen's Mother said.

At this moment, Chen's Father also finished his call and sat at the dining table. "Hey, let's enjoy this good soup first."

Perhaps noticing the table was a bit short on people, he asked, "Where's Ah Hai?"

"Upstairs, probably not up yet."

"Go call him down for me." Chen's Father said to the maid nearby.

"Right away, Mr. Chen."

Soon, Chen Hai and Zhou Min came down. The two seemed to have slept in the same room and looked like they hadn't gotten enough sleep.

"Oh, you brought Little Yuyou too?" Chen Hai waved when he saw Ye Shuang.

"Yeah, just came to visit." Ye Shuang said, his gaze falling on Zhou Min beside him. His eyes flickered slightly, but he still smiled and greeted her.

"Hello."

"Hello, Ye Shuang." Zhou Min stroked her belly, squinting her eyes with a smile.

After sitting down, Zhou Min also began sipping her soup delicately, appearing well-behaved and sensible.

But the atmosphere became inexplicably strange. Ye Shuang also noticed Chen Qin's expression seemed a bit off.

"Mom, Dad." Chen Hai suddenly spoke up.

"Hmm?" The elders looked up.

"I want to quit my job and start working in our family company."

Hearing this, Chen's Father seemed somewhat surprised. "But you were the one who firmly refused back then, saying being a manager at the bank was more comfortable."

"I've thought it over. The group is short-handed now. And once I'm familiar with the business, Chen Qin won't be so tired in the future, right?" Chen Hai said with a smile.

Chen's Mother was quite approving. "Good, isn't that nice? It'd be great if Ah Qin had less pressure."

After all, all the pressure was on Chen Qin, and Chen's Mother felt heartache seeing her not getting enough sleep every day.

Chen's Mother's thinking was still quite traditional, leaning more towards the man working outside and the woman managing the home. If Chen Hai hadn't been so unambitious, they wouldn't have agreed to let Chen Qin shoulder the burden.

"I disagree." At this moment, Chen Qin said flatly.