Chapter Seventy-Two: Ruin and Desolation

Old Su was nearly hysterical as he cried out, "Impossible... How could this Ru ware vase be a fake? Impossible! You’re all trying to deceive me, just to cheat me out of my money..."

Zhang Can replied coldly, "Old Su, stop making a scene. You’re a veteran in this field—you know the risks of the antique business as well as anyone. Besides, we all lost out on this deal!"

Old Su was stunned for a moment, then suddenly jumped up, pointing at Zhang Can's nose and cursing, "Ah... I see now. This is your personal vendetta! You’ve set me up, you’re taking revenge—this is your trap!"

"A trap?" Zhang Can sneered, "You call it a trap, you call it revenge, but tell me—what reason would I have to seek revenge? How have you offended me?"

"You... you..."

Old Su’s face flushed crimson, his mouth opening and closing without words. How could he admit to having framed Zhang Can? And anyway, despite his accusations, he couldn’t be sure Zhang Can actually knew about his betrayal. Though his anger and desperation made him lose control, deep down he hoped Zhang Can would somehow salvage the situation. He had lost his entire savings of two and a half million, and owed Zhu Senlin another half a million—a blow he simply couldn’t endure!

It’s said those involved are blind while bystanders see clearly. Zhu Senlin and Wang Qian were bystanders of sorts. Even though they’d lost over three million, it was a small sum compared to the tens of millions Zhang Can had just earned for them—only a tenth of the total. As long as they didn’t lose more, they’d still be up twenty-seven million. Wang Qian didn’t care, but for Zhu Senlin, it was a windfall, nothing to complain about. Yet both found Zhang Can’s actions and current expression suspicious.

Especially Zhu Senlin, who felt Zhang Can’s demeanor wasn’t that of someone duped, but of someone exceptionally calm. When Old Su blurted out accusations of Zhang Can’s revenge, Zhu Senlin’s mind began to reevaluate the situation, realizing there might be more beneath the surface.

Wang Qian seemed to sense it too, falling silent and watching Zhang Can.

Old Su’s whole body trembled as he almost pleaded with Liu Jinquan, "Old Liu, this Ru ware vase... it can’t... it can’t be fake, right?"

Liu Jinquan looked at Old Su with pity. He’d seen this kind of madness many times, especially during jadeite rough auctions in Ruili, where fortunes could be lost in a single stroke. Many were ruined overnight. Old Su had likely staked everything he owned, which explained his state. Once people lose their sanity, all their skills and experience are useless.

Liu Jinquan sighed, then said, "Old Su, I understand how you feel. This kind of imitation Ru ware, at least five of our friends here have encountered it before. Those who suffered losses, I won’t name. Using all the antique industry’s equipment in Jincheng, the tests confirm it’s genuine. But with high-precision instruments, like university lab particle accelerators, you can detect new molecules. These underground private kiln owners specialize in making such imitations. They grind ancient shards dug from kiln pits into powder, mix in a little new clay, and the most important part isn’t the porcelain, but the glaze. The glaze is also made from thousand-year-old powder, specially mixed with agate. Combined with the kiln master’s superb skills, they produce highly convincing Ru ware..."

"No... impossible..." Old Su mumbled painfully, his face contorted in agony, veins bulging, his expression terrifying.

Zhang Can felt no pity whatsoever; when he himself was driven to suicide by Old Su’s betrayal, he had suffered even more, and who pitied him then?

Old Su’s suffering now was simply his just desserts!

Wang Qian frowned and instructed a bodyguard behind him, "Take Master Su home."

Tang Yuan was deeply displeased. Everyone here was a prominent figure in the industry; whether they lost or gained, they wouldn’t admit it, swallowing their losses with dignity. Who would cry and make a scene after making a mistake?

Wang Qian was annoyed because Old Su was his guest, and his behavior was an embarrassment.

Zhu Senlin saw Wang Qian’s anger, his heart sinking. He realized Old Su’s antics would surely offend Wang Qian and make himself lose face, so he quickly urged, "Go home, go home, Old Su, hurry back. Making a scene here is disgraceful!"

"I... I..." Old Su’s face was bright red, unable to speak. Wang Qian’s bodyguard stepped forward, grabbed Old Su, and began dragging him out. Old Su struggled, but the bodyguard’s grip was like steel, leaving him powerless, lifted up like a chicken.

Once the bodyguard had removed Old Su, Tang Yuan resumed auctioning his items. But Zhang Can, feeling a surge of satisfaction, had no interest in watching the proceedings. He was eager to leave and catch another glimpse of Old Su’s wretched state.

Wang Qian and Zhu Senlin noticed Zhang Can’s silent demeanor and asked nothing. When Tang Yuan finished his auction, they got up to leave.

Tang Yuan found it odd. Given Wang Qian’s character, he should have acquired a few items, but when Zhang Can fell silent, Wang Qian followed suit.

These underground ghost market auctions were quick affairs; once over, everyone disappeared swiftly. Wang Qian asked his bodyguard to drive back to the hotel, while he accompanied Zhang Can in Zhu Senlin’s car.

Wang Qian had questions for Zhang Can, but knew they couldn’t be asked openly, so he waited for the privacy of Zhu Senlin’s car.

Once they were on the highway, Wang Qian, seated in the back, asked gravely, "Brother Zhang, tell us—what’s really going on?"

Zhang Can nodded, "I meant to explain. Mr. Wang, Old Zhu, the three million you lost, including Old Su’s fifty thousand debt to Old Zhu, I’ll cover it myself. Today’s Ru ware incident was a trap I set for Old Su; my aim was to ruin him completely."

Zhu Senlin shuddered—it was true. But what could have caused such deep enmity? Zhang Can had studied under Old Su for three years; what could drive him to such ruthless measures? There must be a profound hatred behind it.

But Zhang Can wouldn’t say so unless he had a reason.

"Mr. Wang, Old Zhu, let me explain. I didn’t tell you beforehand, fearing Old Su might suspect something, so I ask your forgiveness."

Zhang Can continued, "Old Su framed me. For three years, I was grateful for his mentorship, but he couldn’t resist the lure of money. The sum involved wasn’t much for Old Su, but for me it meant everything—even the safety of my family."

In a low voice, Zhang Can recounted the trap Old Su had set for him, the Yuhuchun incident, borrowing from loan sharks, even his own attempted suicide. When he reached the point of jumping into the river, his tone changed: "When I jumped, I’d lost all hope, but someone saved me—a master who later taught me antique appraisal skills. He’s a true expert, but he required I never disclose anything about him, so I can’t tell you about my teacher."

"So that’s how it is!" Wang Qian exhaled deeply and nodded, "That Old Su is blinded by greed. It’s said even rabbits don’t eat the grass near their burrow—betraying your own is a grave taboo. Brother Zhang, you handled it gently. If it were me, he’d suffer much more!"

Zhu Senlin added fiercely, "I never imagined Old Su would do such a thing. Hmph, when I get back, I’ll fire him. I won’t keep someone like that in my shop—he might sell me out one day!"

He paused, then continued, "Brother, I think you did right, but there’s one thing I don’t agree with."

Zhang Can was surprised and looked up, "What’s that?"

Without turning, Zhu Senlin kept driving and said, "Those three million—after all the money you’ve earned for us, even today we made thirty million. Subtracting the three and a quarter million, plus Old Su’s fifty thousand debt, we’re still up twenty-two and a quarter million. Even top masters might not earn such profits. What more could I want? Besides, without you, we wouldn’t have made a cent."

Zhang Can shook his head, "Old Zhu, Mr. Wang, I know you’ve both treated me well. But I’m stubborn—if someone shows me kindness, I repay it; if someone harms me, I repay that too. Clear in gratitude and grudges. That’s my principle, so I must return your money."

Wang Qian sighed. He hadn’t known Zhang Can long, but he understood him well enough: once Zhang Can made up his mind, he’d see it through. Though he sighed, his admiration grew; such people were worth befriending.

After a brief silence, Wang Qian said, "Alright, we’ll go with Brother Zhang’s decision. I’ll come to Old Zhu’s shop as well—if you need anything from me, just ask!"

Zhang Can refused instantly, "Mr. Wang, thank you, but I won’t trouble you. I’m not just being polite—if I run into something I truly can’t handle, I’ll definitely ask. But I only want to ruin Old Su and watch him in despair, nothing more."

Wang Qian smiled, this time saying no more. After being ruined and saddled with heavy debts, if Zhu Senlin fired Old Su publicly, his reputation would be destroyed and he’d never find work as a master appraiser again. Living as a beggar would be a fate worse than death. If Wang Qian intervened and had Old Su locked up, it might even lessen his suffering, so he chose to stay out of it.