Chapter 21: The Livestream Competition

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Cheng Ziqiu pulled out a tissue and leisurely wiped his face, wearing an innocent expression.

“Master Han, where did that come from? I was conducting a perfectly legitimate appraisal. I never cheat anyone, young or old.”

“Never cheat anyone? You call this not cheating anyone?!”

Han Lishan felt his blood pressure rising again.

“I, Han Lishan, have spent so many years making my way through the antiques world, and I’ve never met anyone as vicious as you!”

Chen Churan could not hold it in any longer and burst out laughing.

Han Lishan glared fiercely at her before turning back and continuing to roar at Cheng Ziqiu.

“Brat, if you don’t give me an explanation today, this matter isn’t over!”

Cheng Ziqiu shrugged and spread his hands.

“Master Han, what sort of explanation do you want? Everything I said was the truth. That broken thing is worth a dollar at most. You insisted on calling it a treasure—what could I do about that?”

“You…”

Han Lishan was so furious that his face turned green.

“Fine, very fine! Since you’re so stubborn, we’ll just wait and see! Do you dare compete with me?”

“Compete in what?”

Cheng Ziqiu raised an eyebrow, looking intrigued.

“A livestream competition!”

Han Lishan thrust out his chin, the veins on his neck bulging.

“We’ll livestream separately and compete in popularity and gift revenue. Whoever loses will leave this industry and never be allowed to deal in antiques again!”

Upon hearing this, Chen Churan immediately grew worried and tugged at Cheng Ziqiu’s sleeve.

She knew that Cheng Ziqiu had some ability, but he had only just started livestreaming and had hardly any followers. Against an old hand like Han Lishan, he would certainly be at a disadvantage.

Cheng Ziqiu patted her hand to reassure her, then turned to Han Lishan with a faint smile.

“Sure, Master Han. I accept your challenge. But if you lose, don’t cry about it.”

Han Lishan snorted.

“Hmph! It’s still uncertain who will come out on top. Don’t regret it when the time comes!”

“Regret it? Master Han, you really are amusing.”

Cheng Ziqiu gave a derisive laugh, his eyes filled with disdain.

“I, Cheng Ziqiu, never do things I’ll regret. You, on the other hand, are already getting on in years. Don’t try to welch on the bet when you lose.”

Han Lishan was so enraged by his devil-may-care attitude that he puffed up his beard and glared.

“You sharp-tongued brat! Then it’s settled. Same time, same place tomorrow. I’ll see you in the livestream room!”

“It’s a deal!”

Cheng Ziqiu agreed readily and even solemnly extended his hand, pretending he wanted to seal the oath with a high five.

Han Lishan shook his sleeve in disgust.

“Who wants to high-five you, brat? You’re bad luck! Just wait and see!”

With that, he swept away, his retreat looking suspiciously like a hasty escape.

Chen Churan watched Han Lishan’s departing figure, then glanced at Cheng Ziqiu and could not help giggling.

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“You really are something. Why did you have to provoke him?”

Cheng Ziqiu shrugged, looking utterly unconcerned.

“If I didn’t provoke him a little, how would I make myself look impressive?”

“Besides, that old fool deserves a good lesson. He spends all day pretending to possess supernatural powers and swindling people out of their money. Just looking at him annoys me.”

“But…”

Chen Churan was still worried.

“Han Lishan has been established in the antiques world for years and has a huge following. Won’t you be at too much of a disadvantage competing against him?”

Cheng Ziqiu grinned, revealing two little canine teeth.

“My dear boss, since when did you become such a coward? Relax. I know what I’m doing.”

“And so what if I lose? I’ll quit! The world is so big—I can always go rob a tomb or something!”

Chen Churan was both amused and exasperated by his words.

“You really are something… You’re killing me! Rob a tomb? Who do you think you are, Indiana Jones?”

Cheng Ziqiu raised his eyebrows, putting on an astonished expression as though she had somehow seen through his identity.

“Shh! Keep it down. That’s a national secret.”

Chen Churan laughed even harder, nearly shedding tears.

She wiped the corners of her eyes and waved a hand.

“All right, all right, stop fooling around. Seriously, are you really confident you can beat Han Lishan? That old man is no pushover.”

Cheng Ziqiu’s joking expression faded, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

“Don’t worry, Boss. I know exactly what I’m doing. Those petty tricks of his are no more than kindergarten children playing house to me.”

“You certainly know how to brag.”

Though Chen Churan said this aloud, she inexplicably felt full of confidence in Cheng Ziqiu.

…

The two walked out of the livestream room side by side.

A staff member named Li followed behind them ingratiatingly, bowing and nodding.

“Brother Cheng, Sister Chen, take care! I’m wishing you both a triumphant victory tomorrow!”

Cheng Ziqiu waved a hand with the air of a powerful executive.

“It’s nothing. Just a little thing.”

Chen Churan smiled politely at Li.

“Thank you, Li.”

By the time they left the livestreaming building, night had fallen. The city’s splendor appeared especially hazy beneath the darkness.

“…Then I’ll be leaving first, President Chen.”

Cheng Ziqiu picked up his shabby canvas bag and waved to Chen Churan.

“Wait!”

Chen Churan called him back and took a bank card from her elegant little shoulder bag.

“Take this.”

Cheng Ziqiu raised an eyebrow.

“What for? Boss, are you planning to keep me?”

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Chen Churan rolled her eyes at him.

“What are you thinking? It’s an advance on your wages. Buy whatever you need for tomorrow’s livestream.”

“Oh, President Chen, you’re too good to me!”

Cheng Ziqiu snatched the card and theatrically kissed it.

“Don’t worry. Tomorrow I’ll make sure that old bastard Han Lishan loses everything down to his underwear!”

Chen Churan was amused by his slick-tongued manner.

“All right, all right, stop fooling around and hurry home. Be careful on the way.”

“Yes, Boss!”

Cheng Ziqiu gave her a cheeky salute before turning and walking away with a carefree swagger.

As she watched his figure disappear into the night, an unusual feeling suddenly welled up inside Chen Churan.

That guy might act careless and unserious most of the time, but when it really mattered, he was surprisingly dependable…

Wait, what am I thinking?

Chen Churan hurriedly shook her head, casting the inexplicable thought aside.

Meanwhile, the moment Cheng Ziqiu turned away, the smile vanished from his face.

“That old bastard Han Lishan must be hiding some dirty trick.”

Cheng Ziqiu narrowed his eyes as he pondered.

“I’d better make preparations in advance.”

In his previous life, he had spent so many years crawling through tombs. What sinister schemes had he not encountered?

Han Lishan was, at most, an elementary-level nuisance.

At that thought, a cold smile curved Cheng Ziqiu’s lips.

He was no soft target for anyone to manipulate.

If Han Lishan wanted to stir up trouble over his head, he would first have to ask whether the Luoyang spade in Cheng Ziqiu’s hands agreed!

When he reached a secluded alleyway, Cheng Ziqiu suddenly stopped.

The dim streetlamp stretched his shadow far across the ground, while the sour, rotten stench from the garbage bins permeated the mouth of the alley.

With his back to the alley, Cheng Ziqiu appeared to be casually taking out a pack of cigarettes. In truth, his ears had already picked up the faint, disorderly footsteps behind him.

He lit a cigarette, drew in a deep breath, and slowly exhaled a ring of smoke.

“Gentlemen, aren’t you tired after following me for so long?”

A rustle of footsteps came from behind him.

Five burly men dressed in black emerged from the shadows and surrounded Cheng Ziqiu.

The bald leader grinned.

“Kid, you’re pretty alert.”