Chapter 18: Han Lishan Shows Off

The next morning, a piercing alarm clock jolted Cheng Ziqiu from his dreams. He struggled to crawl out of bed, his hair a bird’s nest, and stumbled through his morning routine in a daze. He threw on a random outfit and checked himself in the mirror.

Cheng Ziqiu nodded with self-satisfaction. "Yup, it’s going to be another day of being a sharp, energetic guy."

He grabbed his keys and stepped out the door, humming a tuneless melody.

***

When Cheng Ziqiu arrived at the company and passed through the office area, he was immediately surrounded by his colleagues.

"Good morning, Brother Cheng! Wishing you a massive surge in popularity for your livestream today!"

"Brother Cheng, what are you planning to talk about today? It’s bound to go viral again, right?"

"Man, that segment from your last stream—tsk, tsk—it was nothing short of a stroke of genius. Truly impressive!"

All sorts of bootlicking compliments were heaped upon him as if they cost nothing. Cheng Ziqiu felt smug inside, but outwardly, he just waved his hand modestly.

"Keep it low-key, keep it low-key. It’s all just good luck. Your support is all that matters."

Once inside the livestreaming room, Cheng Ziqiu skillfully adjusted his equipment, pondering what to broadcast today. The antique appraisal streams from the past few days had performed well, so he decided to do another one to solidify his persona as an "antique appraisal expert."

Just as he was thinking, a gust of cold air swept through. A figure with a pale face, sunken eye sockets, and wrapped in a thick down jacket "floated" in.

It was Master Han.

This Master Han had long been the pillar of the company’s livestreaming channel. He touted himself as an authority in the antique world and had countless fans. Ever since Cheng Ziqiu arrived, however, his popularity had plummeted. Seeing himself about to be toppled from his pedestal, he was naturally furious. He had taken leave due to illness a few days ago, but no one expected him to strike back today.

"Oh, if it isn't Master Cheng? What’s this? Hogging my livestreaming room again?" Master Han spoke in a cynical, high-pitched tone, his voice raspy like a broken bellows.

Cheng Ziqiu looked up at him and set down his things in a leisurely manner. "Master Han, you’re looking a bit pale. Have you not fully recovered yet? Why don't you go back and rest for a few more days?"

"Recovered? I’m perfectly fine!"

"It’s you—a wild kid who learned the trade halfway—daring to snatch my spot? Why don't you take a look at your own reflection first!" Master Han grew so agitated that he began to cough, his face turning a deep, congested red.

Cheng Ziqiu sneered internally, but his expression remained calm. "Master Han, that’s quite a thing to say. The company arranged for me to stream here, so naturally, I have to follow orders. Besides, the audience loves watching my streams; it’s just how it is, wouldn't you agree?"

"Bullshit! They like watching you because you’re a charlatan pandering to the crowd. What do you know about antiques? You’re nothing but a fraud!" Master Han pointed at Cheng Ziqiu’s nose, cursing in a fit of rage.

Cheng Ziqiu didn't get angry; instead, he watched him with a smile.

"Master Han, don't get so worked up; it’s bad for your health. Since you say I’m a fraud, why don't you tell me: who did I cheat, and what did I swindle?"

"You..." Master Han was choked up, momentarily speechless. He couldn't exactly say that Cheng Ziqiu had stolen his spotlight and his fans, could he?

"What? Can't say?" Cheng Ziqiu shrugged. "Then I’ll take that as a compliment. After all, a fraud needs to have some real skill to actually fool people, don't you think?"

Master Han was trembling with rage, pointing at Cheng Ziqiu, unable to utter a word for a long time.

"Alright, Master Han, stop putting on a show." Cheng Ziqiu grew impatient. "If you’re really feeling unwell, go back and rest. Don't hinder my stream."

With that, he sat down in front of the camera, ready to start the broadcast. Seeing that Cheng Ziqiu didn't take him seriously at all, Master Han’s fury intensified. He grabbed Cheng Ziqiu’s arm and said through gritted teeth, "Don't get cocky, kid. I’m going to expose your true colors today!"

Cheng Ziqiu felt no ripples in his heart; in fact, he almost wanted to laugh. The old man’s posturing looked exactly like a clown in a stage play—the only thing missing was the greasepaint. He let Master Han keep his grip on his arm and even asked considerately, "Master Han, you really need to trim your nails; that’s quite painful."

Master Han was so choked by this nonchalant remark that he nearly passed out. In all his years, he had never seen such an infuriating young man! This kid was a living nightmare.

"You..." Master Han’s mustache twitched in anger, and his fingernails dug even harder into Cheng Ziqiu’s arm. "Stop playing dumb! If you don't give me a proper explanation today, you’re not streaming!"

Just then, the crisp sound of high heels clicking on the floor approached, accompanied by a faint scent of perfume as Chen Churan appeared.

"What’s going on? Why all the shouting?" Chen Churan’s delicate brows were slightly furrowed, her tone laced with displeasure.

Master Han grabbed onto this lifeline, immediately putting on a wronged expression and pointing at Cheng Ziqiu to lodge his complaint. "Director Chen, you must stand up for me!"

"This kid, relying on a bit of popularity, has become arrogant. Not only has he occupied my livestream room, but he’s also been insulting me!"

Chen Churan rubbed her temples. She was well aware of the friction between Master Han and Cheng Ziqiu, but the company needed the traffic that Cheng Ziqiu brought in.

"Master Han, please calm down. Let’s talk about this slowly."

"Talk slowly? The broadcast time is almost here!" Master Han stomped his feet in anxiety. "This kid is a fraud. He knows nothing about antiques; he only knows how to pander to the crowd! I’m going to expose him today and let him show his true colors in front of the audience!"

Director Li, standing by, saw an opportunity and rolled his eyes, a plan forming. "Director Chen, I think it might be better to let both of them stream together. That way, the audience can judge for themselves who the real expert is."

Master Han perked up at the suggestion, puffed out his chest, and said confidently, "Fine! That is exactly what I intended! Today, I’ll let everyone see who the true antique appraisal master is!" He cast a provocative glance at Cheng Ziqiu, his eyes filled with disdain.

The staff standing around watching the drama began to whisper among themselves.

"Master Han is here; that kid is finished!"

"Exactly. Master Han has been immersed in the antique world for decades. Who does this kid think he is?"

"He just had good luck before and thought he was something special!"

"Haha, let’s see how he handles this! He’s going to be humiliated for sure!"

The surrounding whispers buzzed like mosquitoes, giving Cheng Ziqiu a headache. He dug at his ear and yawned with complete indifference. These people were truly fussing over nothing.

Chen Churan checked the time, her brow furrowing even tighter. "Fine, let’s do it. A joint broadcast. Director Li, make the arrangements."

Director Li agreed with a sycophantic smile, though he was overjoyed inside. This was a perfect opportunity; he could curry favor with Master Han and enjoy watching Cheng Ziqiu make a fool of himself—killing two birds with one stone!

"Don't worry, Director Chen. I’ll make sure this kid learns a lesson about respecting his elders," Master Han said with a fake smile, his eyes full of contempt.

Cheng Ziqiu couldn't help but roll his eyes. This old fossil really didn't know when to quit. Respect his elders? When he was grave-robbing in his past life, this old man didn't even know where he was playing in the mud.

"Respecting elders is a virtue, Master Han. You’re at that age now; make sure you don't throw out your back," Cheng Ziqiu retorted with a fake smile of his own.

Master Han was so angry his face turned green, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes folding like old tree bark. This kid was completely impenetrable!

As soon as the stream started, the chat flooded with comments like ants pouring out of a disturbed nest.

[Master Han is here! Finally waited for your stream!]

[Master Han, what treasures are you going to appraise today?]

[Master Han is the best!]

Seeing the screen filled with praise, Master Han triumphantly stroked his few thin whiskers. He glanced at Cheng Ziqiu beside him, his eyes filled with disdain. *Just wait, kid. I’ll show you today that the older the ginger, the spicier it gets!*