Chapter 413: Something Went Wrong

Fan Shazi's smile at this moment was indescribably strange, a half‑smile, half‑not‑a‑smile.

"Brother, this time it's the genuine article; Expert Wang just finished the appraisal. Let's follow the procedure.

You come and verify the cash."

After I finished speaking, I had Fan Shazi open the door.

Xiao Yan and I returned to the car to hand the money to Fan Shazi.

At that moment, I contacted Ding Li, urging him to hurry and bring people over.

We carried the bag into Fan Shazi's shop, and he quickly shut the door.

I opened a bag; inside were all bright red bills.

When Fan Shazi saw the cash, he casually grabbed a bundle from inside,

then waved it in his hand and pulled out a single note.

He glanced at it under the light.

After looking, he put the bill back into the bag.

He shouted to the people behind the hidden door, "Come, lift the bag inside."

Two more people emerged from the secret room and began carrying bags into the house.

Wang Changguang and I took the boxes from those four people, each of us holding one.

Fan Shazi had already had the cash carried into the hidden room,

so this transaction was finished.

"Brother, the assets are settled. The money is six million; I give you every cent, and you provide the genuine item. Our deal is fair, open, and should be truly effective.

Now open the door; I'm ready to leave. Later, when we have time, we'll come back for a drink."

I finished speaking and threw a punch at Fan Shazi, saying

"Oh, bro, you want to leave already? Fine, our deal is done, but these brothers have something to discuss with you. They just came down from the mountain and want to keep these treasures," Fan Shazi said with a smile.

As soon as Fan Shazi finished speaking, several people rushed out of the house and surrounded us.

What is Fan Shazi up to? It looks like he wants to double‑cross us.

I said to Xiao Yan at that moment, "Xiao Yan, open the door; they're about to make a move."

Xiao Yan replied, "Alright, Mr. Zhao, after a moment you take the treasure and leave. I'll cover the rear."

After speaking, Xiao Yan kicked the nearest person down.

Then he turned and stomped hard on the shop's door with his foot.

Fan Shazi hadn't expected us to fight back. He shouted to the others, "Quick, seize them all,

snatch the goods over!"

I heard that and hurried to shield all the items beneath me,

and Wang Changguang also moved to protect those treasures.

In the chaos, my body took a few blows,

the pain radiated, but I gritted my teeth and held on.

I hadn't expected Fan Shazi to change his demeanor so quickly. Xiao Yan stomped the door several times, yet it wouldn't budge.

What to do now? Fan Shazi shouted even louder. They tightened the circle around us.

I cradled the treasure in my arms, with Xiao Yan standing in front of me,

we stared at those people.

Those people suddenly drew knives from their sleeves,

Standing outside the encirclement, Fan Shazi laughed smugly, "Brother Jianqiang, sorry. My funds are really tight lately. I have no choice but to target you. I advise you to drop these items. As for me, the goods will return to their original owner.

Leave the money with you.

Given our long acquaintance, I won't take your life.

But I hope you understand that you are now a fugitive.

Causing trouble would be terrible; I advise you to give up resistance.

Hand over the bronze artifacts.

All good for everyone. I won't make things hard for you."

Hearing Fan Shazi say that, I realized he had set a trap to deceive me.

He must have conspired with Director Lu, using the bronze artifacts to lure me. Once the money is in hand, they'd seize the artifacts back and return them, making it as if nothing happened.

I ended up losing six million for nothing.

The calculation was clever.

I looked at Fan Shazi,

then cursed, "Fan Shazi, you damned schemer, you plotted against me. Dream on; today, I'm telling you, I must kill you."

At that moment Fan Shazi waved his hand, and those people moved to surround me,

just then, a violent pounding on the door sounded from outside.

Fan Shazi was startled,

and the others were likewise stunned.

Who are the people outside?

He didn't know,

I heard the clamor outside,

mixed with Ding Li's shouts,

I said to Xiao Yan, "Ding Li and his crew are here."

Great. Mr. Zhao, step back. I'll knock out the nearest person. I stepped back a bit.

Xiao Yan grabbed his arm and punched the nearest person in the head.

That person was only listening to the outside sounds and had no idea Xiao Yan would strike.

Xiao Yan knocked that guy down with a single punch.

The noise outside grew louder, and soon they smashed open Fan Shazi's shop door. Sure enough, Ding Li had led the stall owners to help.

Once opened, the room instantly became bright.

Ding Li saw us and shouted: "Zhao Ge, Mr. Yan, Wang Ge, are you all okay?"

I said: "No problem, quickly clear a path so we can get through."

"Alright, big guys, make way."

As soon as Ding Li finished speaking, the crowd immediately made a path.

I signaled Xiao Yan to hurry and carry the things away.

Xiao Yan understood at once, took the items from my arms, and hurried outside. The remaining two items were also carried by Wang Changguang as he followed.

Seeing us about to leave, Fan Shazi became anxious,

he ordered his men to keep attacking us,

and said to Ding Li: "Ding Li, you haven't learned your lesson—what good is it to oppose me, Fan Shazi?"

Ding Li laughed: "You, I've wanted to beat you for a long time. Last time you had me write something, then gave me fake money to frame me, and even called the police saying I was selling counterfeit bills, getting me arrested. This time I'll settle old and new scores together."

I said to Fan Shazi: "Fan Shazi, you, think about it—do you have the brains to mess with me, Zhao Jianqiang? Ding Li, have people smash this shop completely, leaving nothing. I'll take responsibility for anything that happens. Only smash things, don't hit people."

The stall owners began smashing up Fan Shazi's shop wildly.

Since Ding Li brought many people, a lot of them were crowded outside.

Seeing the situation was terribly unfavorable, Fan Shazi hurried into the back room, shut the door, and refused to say anything.

In just a few minutes, the shop was reduced to rubble by these people.

But since no one hit anyone, Fan Shazi's men also didn't lift a hand.

Everyone was thus unharmed.

I thought it was about enough, worried someone outside might call the police.

So I told Ding Li: "It's about time, let's hurry and leave."

Ding Li nodded and called for the people to leave.

We quickly reached the car, not expecting Wang Changguang to also be standing there.

I thought he had gone with Xiao Yan,

"Brother-in-law, get in the car quickly."

Wang Changguang got into the car,

Ding Li said: "Zhao Ge, let's go fast, I hear police sirens."

I started the car, pressed the accelerator, dust rose high, and we sped away.

On the road, I asked Ding Li: "Ding Li, how do we handle the stall owners' expenses?"

Ding Li said: "Give the money to Lao Wai, let Lao Wai settle it with them."

"What if Lao Wai embezzles it?" I asked.

"No way, I already told them to ask Lao Wai for the money. They all know."

"That works." I drove the car at top speed toward Ding Li's residential complex.

After arriving at the complex,

Wang Changguang looked at me and said: "Jianqiang, what should I do? Will the police come to arrest me?"

At that moment Wang Changguang became timid again.

I said to Wang Changguang: "Brother-in-law, don't worry, push everything onto me. They won't do anything to you."