Chapter 202: A Single Stone Stirs a Thousand Waves
Zhang Han hadn’t expected Cheng Yuan to be so decisive. With a sudden move, Cheng Yuan’s grip proved surprisingly strong, easily tearing open the performance costume.
Everything hidden inside the costume was exposed to the cameras and the various influencer live streams.
For a moment, everyone was stunned. They even forgot to continue their crusade against the "tyrant" Cheng Yuan.
"Huh? Why are there so many mechanisms inside Mr. Zhang’s clothes? What kind of outfit is this? Can any experts explain?"
"I’m a veteran magician. Mr. Zhang’s outfit is clearly a Magician’s performance costume. All the contraptions inside are used for performing."
"I can’t believe Mr. Zhang is a Magician. That’s such a nice costume, and now it’s been ripped to shreds. He must be heartbroken, right?"
"Hey? It looks like there are a lot of pockets and hidden compartments inside the costume. They’re all bulging. What’s in them? I’m so curious!"
...
Evidently, Cheng Yuan was the type of good guy who loved to satisfy the curiosity of the peanut gallery.
Cheng Yuan gave a powerful tug, ripping the entire costume off. He then grabbed it by the hem, turned it upside down, and gave it a hard shake.
CLATTER, CLATTER.
Porcelain shards scattered onto the tray on the table.
Seeing the porcelain shards, the entire hall erupted. All the VIP guests were stunned!
Many of them even started cursing!
"Holy shit! Am I seeing things?! What’s with all these porcelain shards?"
"Damn! What a shocking reversal! No wonder Mr. Cheng wanted to hold Treasure Holder Number Nine legally responsible! So he was playing a switcheroo all along?!"
"A conspiracy! This is a blatant conspiracy! The goal was to ruin Yuanxi’s reputation! Their motives are despicable!"
"What a despicable trick! This is a frame-up! I want to sincerely apologize to Mr. Cheng! I can’t believe I just doubted his character! I doubted Yuanxi’s reputation!"
...
The various influencers also stared wide-eyed, watching the scene unfold in utter shock.
Veteran’s reaction was the strongest. "Son of a bitch! I was almost duped by a Magician! Yuanxi is all about authenticity, and this Magician was pulling illusions? He’s playing with the emotions of the tens of thousands of viewers in our stream!!"
The viewers in the live streams were a simple bunch, easily led by the nose. But once they knew the truth, they would also steadfastly support the side of justice!
"Call the police!! Someone has to call the police!! This Zhang Han guy is suspected of fraud! He’s despicable!!"
"Damn it! I got carried away just now! I bad-mouthed Mr. Cheng and Miss Lin! I sincerely bow to Mr. Cheng and Miss Lin right here and now!"
"Mr. Cheng is a badass! All of us were fooled by the Magician, but he was the only one who saw something was wrong and ruthlessly exposed the Magician’s ugly truth!"
"Everyone, form a line! We’re sorry, Mr. Cheng! We’re sorry, Miss Lin!!"
...
「In the Lin Family home.」
After Cheng Yuan dumped out the porcelain shards, the grand hall fell deathly silent.
Everyone looked utterly heartbroken and resentful.
’Damn it! Damn it all!’
’We were so close to destroying Yuanxi!’
’How did that man, Cheng, figure it out?’
Only Lin Xingchen clenched his fists tightly. Finally seeing a chance to turn the tables, he shouted, "Second Brother, your plan wasn’t bad, but your poor judgment of character led to a total failure! Our Lin Family lost tens of millions, and we ended up creating a successful PR wave for Yuanxi instead!"
Lin Jianan also shot Lin Xingyu a displeased look. ’The eldest is still more reliable,’ he thought. ’Even though he couldn’t take down Yuanxi, at least he didn’t lose this much money and give them a wave of free advertising on top of it!’
"Second Brother! Contact Reporter Wang at once! Shut down the live stream immediately!!"
"Yes!"
Lin Xingyu was so frustrated he wanted to kill himself. His plan had been seamless, and Zhang Han’s performance was perfect. ’Where did it all go wrong?’
’Was it First Brother?’
Lin Xingyu didn’t have time to dwell on it. He quickly called Wang Liang. The viewership for Dongshan Comprehensive Channel was more than ten times that of these influencers; they couldn’t let the broadcast continue!
Lin Xingyu hurriedly called Wang Liang. "Reporter Wang, cut the live stream! Now! Immediately!!"
Wang Liang had received a hefty sum from Lin Xingyu, so he agreed without hesitation. "Alright, I’ll cut the broadcast now!"
Hanging up, Wang Liang turned, instinctively about to tell the cameraman to stop filming.
But just then, his boss’s voice came through his earpiece. "Wang Liang! You’re doing great! Our Dongshan Comprehensive Channel ratings have broken 2%! This is historic! Cover this bombshell story well! You’ll get a promotion when you get back!"
Hearing this, Wang Liang was instantly thrilled. How could he possibly care about Lin Xingyu’s instructions now?
Wang Liang waved his hand grandly and shouted, "Quick! Get a clear shot! We were just used! They smeared the reputation of Yuanxi and Teacher Zhang! We must clear Yuanxi’s and Teacher Zhang’s names!"
"Yes, sir!"
The cameraman rushed forward and began diligently filming the two piles of porcelain shards.
Wang Liang narrated, "Dear viewers, look closely. These two piles of shards look incredibly similar! It’s practically a one-to-one replica! Why would Mr. Zhang be wearing a Magician’s costume and carrying these shards on his person? I wouldn’t believe for a second that there isn’t something more going on here!"
His words sent shockwaves through the audience.
The viewers at home were furious!
"I can’t believe I just cursed out Mr. Cheng, and so viciously, too! I sincerely apologize to Mr. Cheng! I’m booking a ticket to Luocheng right now! I have to visit Yuanxi and see the real Yuanxi for myself! To see the real Pearl of Luocheng!"
"This was definitely a meticulously planned frame-up! Zhang Han must be thoroughly investigated! And those Antique Appraisers who collaborated with him should be investigated too! They’re probably accomplices!"
"Despicable! Utterly despicable! So insidious! Who could be behind something so disgusting?"
...
「Backstage.」
Lin Ruoxi and her parents were so emotional their eyes welled up with tears.
Lin Ruoxi clenched her small fists tightly!
"I knew Cheng Yuan could do it! I knew he could resolve the crisis! Not only did Yuanxi’s reputation not collapse, but we’ve even gotten a chance to break into the mainstream!"
Lin Xinghe and Hua Yao looked at each other and smiled.
They had won their bet!
Between the Lin Family inheritance and their daughter’s happiness, they had chosen their daughter’s happiness!
And now, Cheng Yuan had delivered a perfect answer!
They believed that Cheng Yuan had the ability to give Ruoxi a happy future!
...
The Antique Appraisers’ phones were ringing off the hook. They glanced at their screens, their expressions changed drastically, and they scrambled to distance themselves from Zhang Han.
"Zhang Han! You’re shameless! You exploited our sympathy and almost made us your accomplices!!"
"Mr. Cheng, I am truly sorry. I had no idea Zhang Han was pulling such a grand deception! I am willing to apologize to you in front of all the viewers in Dongshan Province!"
With that, Chen Lin bowed respectfully to Cheng Yuan in apology.
Unfortunately, Cheng Yuan wasn’t buying it.
"Vice President Chen, why the rush to apologize? These two trays of porcelain shards haven’t even been appraised yet!"