Chapter 159: Either do nothing, or make a stunning debut

Yi Qi bit her teeth, muttered sourly, and left Xiao Ming's embrace: "Your precious daughter has taken up all the place in your heart!"

She didn't let Xiao Ming send her home; instead, at a place where she could get a taxi, she had Xiao Ming let her out there.

She got out of the car, feeling somewhat wronged.

……

Xiao Ming returned home; it was already ten o'clock at night.

Xiao Jingrou and Xiao Yuchun had already washed up, but the two sisters were still awake, lounging on the sofa scrolling their phones; seeing Xiao Ming come home, they hastily put down their phones and rushed toward him.

"Dad, you've finally come home."

After the two sisters had Xiao Ming sit down, Xiao Jingrou obediently poured him a cup of milk, while Xiao Yuchun pulled him aside for a casual chat.

As they talked, she leaned in to sniff Xiao Ming: "Huh, no alcohol smell, Dad, you're quite obedient, worthy of praise."

"That's only natural; I promised you two I wouldn't drink, how could I go back on my word?" Xiao Ming fondly pinched Xiao Yuchun's little cheek: "You little rascal, so clever."

Having said that, Xiao Ming secretly sighed in his heart.

Fortunately, before returning, he had specially sprayed some men's cologne; otherwise, if the little girl caught a whiff and smelled Yi Qi's lingering scent, he would be utterly embarrassed in front of his daughter.

After receiving the hot milk from his little daughter, Xiao Ming and the two girls chatted a while longer, then each went back to their own rooms.

……

Days passed peacefully like that for about ten days.

At this point, the auction hosted by Shi Fudi in the Cherry Blossom Country was only two days away; the news that the auction would feature treasures from Wuxingguo had by now spread to every corner of Wuxingguo.

Netizens were furious, flooding the internet with accusations against the auctioneers' shameless conduct.

"How shameless! They looted our treasures and then brazenly put them up for auction, trying to make money while also slapping the face of our Wuxingguo."

"Exactly, it's going too far—are they bullying Wuxingguo because they think we have no one?"

"These clearly belong to our Mengguo; even if they weren't willing to return them, it's outrageous that they'd openly auction them off—how shameless!"

"Rumor has it that this Cherry Blossom Country auction leads with the Celestial Green Goat Cauldron, followed by the Jade Blood Jade Buddha Statue, then the Dragon Phoenix Crown—all famous, weighty treasures of our country, snatched by those bastards and now openly auctioned; if we can't get them back, our nation will lose face internationally."

Netizens were angrily voicing their opinions.

The authorities also sent personnel to negotiate with the Cherry Blossom Country, but the other side outright refused, directly rejecting Wuxingguo's officials.

This is a matter between states; the items are in someone else's hands, and if they won't give them up, there's nothing we can do.

Upon learning of the refusal, netizens' anger grew ever stronger.

At this moment, a rumor suddenly spread online: the two Ma Zongs actually planned to go together to the Cherry Blossom Country, aiming to bring Wuxingguo's treasures back home.

"I've heard that Li Tang's Four Major Groups will also join forces."

Upon hearing this news, netizens were overjoyed.

"With the two Ma Zongs joining forces, plus the Four Major Families uniting, I believe our Wuxingguo's treasures will surely be returned this time."

"All these big shots have taken action—why hasn't our national father-in-law shown any stance? Will he step in this time and astonish us with his deeds?"

"Going upstairs, I think this possibility is quite high; I've noticed that our national father-in-law is usually low-key, speaks little, but is reliable in his actions!"

"Whether he will act or not, we don't know, but one thing is certain: he either does nothing, or he is determined to succeed and will surely make a stunning debut."

"Damn Cherry Blossom Country, so shameless—let them donate money, each contributing a few hundred bucks; with so many people in the nation, if everyone took action, bringing the treasures back would be a sure thing."

The fallout from this incident has stirred up the netizens' patriotic fervor.

……

At this very moment, Xiao Ming and a few children had dressed up modestly and were now discreetly making their way to the Cherry Blossom Country.

The next day was the Cherry Blossom Country's Shi Fudi auction; Xiao Ming brought his family and boarded the flight to the Cherry Blossom Country a day early.

Xiao Ming had his Assistant make arrangements beforehand; upon landing at the Cherry Blossom Country's international airport, they stepped off the plane and, outside, got into the luxury car sent to pick them up.

Near the auction site, the Assistant had already booked a five-star hotel for them; upon arrival, Xiao Ming and company checked in discreetly.

This auction is quite famous, but Xiao Ming has never attended it before.

The city is beautiful, but Xiao Ming can't bring himself to like it at all, as it mingles with his personal feelings of national and familial hatred.

Xiao Ming, though he hasn't witnessed that past, has seen his homeland's poverty.

All of that stems from that earlier, unbearable-to-recall past.

"Dad, there are too many people attending, right?"

For this trip, Xiao Ming brought along several children and his daughter-in-law.

Those two girls—Xiao Ming just wanted to bring them out for some fun, to broaden their horizons; with them along, this journey wouldn't be too dull.

As for Xiao Yunzhe and his daughter-in-law Geng Jing Shu, bringing them out to play is secondary; his main goal is to broaden their horizons.

After spending this time together, Xiao Ming realized his daughter-in-law is very steady and intelligent, often thinking things through more thoroughly than Xiao Yunzhe; bringing her along to gain experience, perhaps someday she could become a capable partner alongside Xiao Yunzhe.

"That's only natural; this auction features our country's famous treasures, and once the news got out, lots of people have been itching to get their hands on them." Xiao Ming said lightly.

Xiao Yunzhe noticed that his old man, no matter what happens, remains eternally calm, always appearing as if victory is already in his grasp.

Since getting to know Xiao Ming, Xiao Yunzhe has only seen his father show noticeable emotion when reuniting with his uncle, and when learning he would become a grandfather.

Otherwise, nothing seems able to stir his emotions.

He seems like a god high above, looking down on all beings, with everything under his control.

After a simple piece of news, under the Assistant's arrangement, the family went out for a stroll to experience foreign customs.

Xiao Ming and a few children came to a seaside spot with nice scenery.

Azure sky and sea, many people playing on the shore, plus adults with kids building sandcastles on the beach—quite lively.

This auction has attracted the attention of many overseas magnates; some, lacking free time, sent deputies or family members, while others, eager to obtain these treasures, came in person.

Hotels near the auction, of all grades, are fully booked.

Accommodation prices have naturally risen considerably; even a modest folk lodge now costs as much as a regular five-star hotel.