Chapter 81: A Visit to Apologize

When the two of them returned home, the two women of the house were not in.

Ma Lan, the mother-in-law, had gone to the mahjong parlor and hadn't returned yet, and Xiao Churan hadn't finished work either.

Ye Chen went back to the bedroom first and took the lightning-struck wood out of the box.

A rich, dense aura of spiritual energy emanated from the wood.

Ye Chen sat cross-legged on the floor, placed the wood in his palm, closed his eyes slightly, and began to circulate the mental cultivation method of the "Nine Profound Heaven Scripture," slowly drawing the spiritual energy into his body.

When he opened his eyes, a sharp light was hidden within them, and his entire aura had undergone a massive transformation.

The blood-dragon lightning-struck wood in his hand had become somewhat dim.

But even with the loss of spiritual energy, it still retained some of the most rigid and upright thunderous aura; it could still be considered a treasure.

If he had other treasures to assist him, Ye Chen could now use it to refine some simple magical artifacts.

By the time he came out of the room, it was already evening.

Just as he reached the living room, Ye Chen heard his mother-in-law snort coldly and say, "You've got a big ego now, aren't even cooking dinner, waiting for me to serve you, are you?"

Ye Chen gave a sheepish laugh and explained, "I'm sorry, Mom. I was too tired this afternoon and fell asleep."

"Oh, did the auction tire you out? Or did scamming Xiao Hailong tire you out?" Ma Lan said unpleasantly.

Ye Chen was stunned for a moment before shaking his head. "I didn't scam Xiao Hailong. Where did you hear that news from..."

Ma Lan snorted coldly and said, "Of course, the old lady called to tell me. It would be one thing if you just embarrassed yourself, but you also implicated Xiao Hailong and got him kicked out. The old lady called and scolded me severely! Tell me, you useless piece of trash, can you be a little more considerate and cause less trouble for the family?"

Xiao Churan interjected from the side, "Mom, I think Xiao Hailong must have caused some trouble himself to get kicked out. It has nothing to do with Ye Chen. Ye Chen isn't that kind of person."

"How does it have nothing to do with him?" Ma Lan threw her chopsticks down in a huff. "Xiao Hailong came back and complained that because Ye Chen used improper means to get an invitation, he was caught and angered the Treasure Pavilion. It implicated him as a member of the Xiao family, and he was kicked out too. The Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion even declared that the Xiao family is not allowed to go there in the future, and if they do, they'll have their legs broken! The Xiao family has lost all face this time!"

Xiao Changkun finally spoke up, "Hmph! That invitation had no problems at all. I think that brat Xiao Hailong must have caused trouble himself and was afraid of Mom's punishment, so he deliberately shifted the blame onto Ye Chen..."

"You're still helping this good-for-nothing talk? If you hadn't wanted to go to that auction, could these things have happened?" Ma Lan glared at Xiao Changkun and scolded.

Xiao Changkun quickly shut his mouth and ate, not daring to make a sound.

Ma Lan said impatiently, "As a good-for-nothing, what ability could he have to get an invitation? Now that he's offended Xiao Hailong too, I'll see how he cleans up this mess..."

Before she could finish her sentence, there was a sudden knock on the door, followed by a low voice.

"Excuse me, is Mr. Ye home?"

Ma Lan's expression turned tense, and she glared angrily at Ye Chen. "Terrible, it must be the old lady coming to hold us accountable. Look at the good deed you've done!"

"Let's see first." Xiao Churan also looked grave as she stood up and walked toward the door.

The living room was deathly silent. Ma Lan and Xiao Changkun both stood up nervously, calculating how to respond.

Ye Chen's expression darkened. If the old lady were to twist the truth and bring people to the door to hold him accountable, he wouldn't need to give her any more face!

Xiao Churan carefully opened a crack in the door and asked vigilantly, "What is it?"

Ye Chen frowned, took a step to the door, and pulled Xiao Churan behind him without a sound. He said coldly to the person outside, "Are you looking for me?"

A middle-aged man in a crisp suit saw him and immediately smiled respectfully. "You must be Mr. Ye Chen. I am the new manager of the Treasure Pavilion, having just taken office this afternoon. The Pavilion Master feels very sorry about your departure from the Treasure Pavilion this morning and has specifically ordered me to bring gifts to apologize in person."

Ye Chen looked at them in surprise. "You're from the Treasure Pavilion?"

"Treasure Pavilion?"

Xiao Churan, standing behind him, was also stunned.

The man hurriedly said, "Our Pavilion Master feels deeply responsible for Mr. Ye's departure. He kicked Xiao Hailong, who was causing trouble in the middle, out on the spot and even suspended the auction. The Treasure Pavilion's hospitality was inadequate; this is our mistake. We hope Mr. Ye can let bygones be bygones and forgive us."

After the middle-aged man finished speaking, he waved his hand behind him.

Several men in black suits immediately and efficiently carried the gifts and placed them at the door.

Ye Chen glanced at them and saw that there were quite a few gifts!

A case of limited-edition "Yellow Crane Tower" cigarettes and a case of limited-edition thirty-year-old Flying Fairy Moutai liquor!

In addition, there was a pair of Ming Dynasty antique vases and a set of tortoiseshell Go pieces!

The value of these gifts already exceeded one million!

"Mr. Ye, this is the Treasure Pavilion's mistake. The Pavilion Master is currently preparing for a new auction with Miss Song and cannot spare the time to come here, so he asked me to apologize on his behalf. He said that when there is an opportunity, he will definitely apologize to you in person. Please forgive us!"

After the middle-aged man finished speaking, he bowed deeply before Ye Chen.

Ye Chen nodded and said, "Alright, put the things down."

The middle-aged man then took two golden invitations from his pocket, respectfully handed them to Ye Chen, and continued, "These are invitations to the new auction. Please be sure to attend with Mr. Xiao. This time, I guarantee we won't let you down again. Please give us a chance to make amends!"

After speaking, he explained, "There is also a specially made Treasure Pavilion Imperial VIP card. We have only issued ten of these cards. They are valid for life. When you come to the Treasure Pavilion, you can enjoy the highest level of hospitality!"

Ye Chen glanced at the VIP card; the card surface was golden and inlaid with diamonds.

He said indifferently, "I don't have much interest in the auction. You should ask my father-in-law for his opinion."

"Alright." The middle-aged man hurriedly held the card out to Xiao Changkun and said with an apologetic smile, "Mr. Xiao, I am truly sorry for today. Please be sure to grace us with your presence the day after tomorrow."

"This..." Xiao Changkun had already recovered from his shock. He looked at the VIP card and couldn't help but swallow hard.

He recognized this as the Treasure Pavilion's limited-edition VIP card, issued only to members with status in the inner cabinet and not sold to the public at all!

Anyone who possesses this VIP card can enter and exit the Treasure Pavilion freely and enjoy the highest treatment. They can appreciate all the antiques and curios in the pavilion at will, and there are also high discounts if they want to buy them.

With such temptation, Xiao Changkun couldn't refuse even if he wanted to.

Just as he was about to shamelessly take it, a hand suddenly reached out from the side and snatched both VIP cards away.

It was Ye Chen's mother-in-law, Ma Lan. She snatched the two VIP cards with a beaming face, her face full of smiles, and said, "Since you've come to apologize, I'll reluctantly accept these gifts and VIP cards. My husband will definitely go to the auction the day after tomorrow!"