Ye Fan's lips curled into a faint smile, remaining silent as he meticulously examined the bronze cauldron.
Seeing Ye Fan's silence, Liu Tianqi felt as if his full-force punch had landed on cotton, leaving him quite embarrassed.
Yet, in his heart, he snorted disdainfully, wondering how long Ye Fan could keep up the pretense.
Liu Piaoxu, however, furrowed her brows, her expressive, beautiful eyes fixed on Ye Fan, lost in thought.
A man, when truly focused, is at his most formidable.
Just like Ye Fan currently was.
After a good ten minutes, Ye Fan finally looked up, a faint smile on his face.
"It is indeed a fine piece, a pity, though..."
As he spoke, Ye Fan subtly signaled Sun Yilang.
Sun Yilang immediately understood and discreetly dialed Shen Bao's number from his pocket.
"Ye Fan, are you blind? This bronze artifact has been authenticated by several master appraisers; it is undoubtedly genuine. You claim this bronze cauldron has issues, but can you provide any proof? If you cannot, you will not resolve this matter peacefully today. I will ensure you face severe consequences."
His heart already seething with anger, being thus insulted by Ye Fan, it was only natural for him to be furious.
But Ye Fan's expression turned grim as he let out a dismissive snort, "Justice will prevail in the end. Since I've said this, I must have my reasons. What? Eager to lose?"
Ye Fan's gaze flickered towards the door; he was deliberately stalling for time until Shen Bao arrived.
"You're talking nonsense."
Liu Tianqi exploded in anger, pointing at Ye Fan's nose and cursing him.
"Show us the evidence, make us convinced."
Liu Tianqi was utterly confident in his family's artifact.
But Liu Piaoxu's brows were now knitted even tighter.
Vaguely, she seemed to sense something, yet she couldn't be certain.
Just then, the sound of footsteps, marching in unison, echoed from outside the door.
Ye Fan's lips curved, "Since you insist, I shall tell you: you are the blind one."
Then, Ye Fan slowly walked towards the bronze artifact and pointed at the patterns on it, "This double-headed, double-eared, high-furnace style bronze cauldron has issues with its patterns, because... ."
Before he could finish, Shen Bao, accompanied by dozens of law enforcement officers, burst in.
"Well, well, quite a lively scene."
His eyes met Ye Fan's briefly, a flicker of understanding passing between them, before he turned his attention to Liu Tianqi.
"Law enforcement officers? What brings you to my Tiancheng Antiques?"
Already seething with unvented anger, Liu Tianqi, whose explanation was interrupted by the arrival of law enforcement just as he was about to reveal the artifact's flaw, could hardly maintain a pleasant demeanor.
"What brings us here? Don't you know?"
Shen Bao glared at Liu Tianqi and snorted coldly.
"My Tiancheng Antiques has always operated lawfully. Even as law enforcement, you have no right to target law-abiding citizens like us. Otherwise, I will report you to the City Lord."
Driven by rage, Liu Tianqi had lost his usual shrewdness.
Shen Bao let out a cold laugh, then strode forward, raising his hand and delivering a fierce slap across Liu Tianqi's cheek.
"Report me? By all means, go ahead. Remember my name: Shen Bao, Enforcement Captain."
Without a trace of hesitation, the entire action was executed flawlessly.
Even Liu Piaoxu frowned, "Captain Shen, you have assaulted a staff member of the Antiques shop without cause. If you cannot provide a convincing reason, I doubt this matter will be easily resolved."
Maintaining her composure, Liu Piaoxu's tone, though icy, was not offensive.
Law enforcement officers naturally possessed their dignity, and anyone who dared to offend it would be taught a lesson.
Liu Tianqi had just learned this lesson the hard way.
Glancing sideways at Liu Piaoxu, Shen Bao gave a dismissive snort.
"We received a report that Tiancheng Antiques is involved in the sale of grave goods, specifically national-level cultural relics. I've brought my men to conduct a search."
His gaze then fell upon the bronze cauldron. "This must be the item in question? An artifact from the Western Zhou Dynasty, something even our National Museum doesn't possess. Tiancheng Antiques has certainly outdone themselves."
Turning back to Liu Tianqi.
"You were just extolling the virtues of lawful conduct. Are all the citizens of Jiangcheng as law-abiding as you claim? Men, take everyone here back for questioning."
With his order, dozens of heavily armed law enforcement officers stormed in and apprehended Liu Tianqi and his associates.
The situation having escalated to this point, Liu Piaoxu understood that this was all Ye Fan's doing.
"Mr. Ye, a truly impressive strategy. The Liu family has suffered a setback today, but this game has just begun. We shall see."
Liu Piaoxu cast a cold glance at Ye Fan before being escorted away by the law enforcement officers.
Ye Fan smiled, "I look forward to your next move, Miss Liu."
Apart from the dispersing onlookers, the remaining individuals were taken back to the enforcement station.
"Ye Fan, what do you plan to do about the Liu family? Shall I...?"
He made a slicing motion across his throat, a hint of coldness flashing in Shen Bao's eyes.
While the Liu family's name carried considerable weight and instilled fear, Shen Bao held them in low regard. Killing them was a simple matter.
However, Ye Fan shook his head, "Not yet. The Liu family has deep roots, and their connections with City Lord Yu are substantial. If we were to kill members of the Liu family now, you might not even be able to account for it to the City Lord's mansion. Sacrificing our lives for theirs isn't worth it."
Ye Fan was no fool; acting against them at this juncture would leave them vulnerable.
However, if they were released now, they would likely retaliate fiercely, especially Liu Piaoxu, who would stop at nothing to target him.
After a moment's thought, a cold glint flashed in Ye Fan's eyes.
"Confine me with Liu Piaoxu. I need to have a word with her."
This woman was too dangerous, and the expression she displayed upon her arrest had sent a shiver down Ye Fan's spine.
Seeing Ye Fan's serious and cold demeanor, Shen Bao nodded silently, then escorted Ye Fan to the solitary confinement cell where Liu Piaoxu was being held.
Meanwhile, outside, chaos erupted. Tiancheng Antiques was caught red-handed by law enforcement for selling grave goods, with irrefutable evidence leaving no room for denial.
The antique shop was immediately sealed, its owner, Liu Tianqi, was taken away by law enforcement for interrogation, along with several other implicated individuals.
"Bang."
At the City Lord's mansion, an elder slammed his fist onto the table in front of Lin Yue.
"City Lord Lin, my Liu family came here to participate in the appraisal convention. Is this how your Jiangcheng treats guests?"
The elder was so incensed he was practically spitting fire. He had brought along the cream of the younger generation.
Yet, upon their arrival, one of them, Liu Cheng, was already lost, leaving him completely distraught, as if he were a walking corpse.
And the very next day, even their direct descendant, Liu Piaoxu, was apprehended.
It seemed as if an unseen hand was specifically targeting the Liu family.
Lin Yue forced a smile, "Elder Liu, the details of this matter are still unclear. I will immediately dispatch someone to investigate and will certainly provide the Liu family with a satisfactory explanation."
Lin Yue felt an unbearable headache coming on. What exactly was happening? Who was targeting the Liu family?