Chapter 81: Apologizing in Person

By the time the two of them returned home, the two women of the house were not there.

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

Thus, Ye Chen first returned to the bedroom and took the lightning-struck wood out of the box.

A rich, dense aura of Qi emanated from the lightning-struck wood.

Ye Chen sat cross-legged on the floor, placed the lightning-struck wood in his palm, closed his eyes slightly, and began to circulate the mental cultivation method of the "Nine Mysteries Heavenly Sutra" within his body, slowly absorbing the Qi into himself.

When he opened his eyes, a sharp light was contained within them, and his entire aura had undergone a tremendous change.

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

But even though it had lost some of its Qi, it still retained some of the extremely rigid and upright thunderous aura, so 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 let out a cold snort and say, "You've got quite the airs now, aren't even cooking dinner, waiting for me to serve you, right?"

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 and saying, "I didn't scam Xiao Hailong. Where did you hear that news from..."

Ma Lan snorted coldly and said, "Of course it was the old lady who 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 gave me a good scolding! Tell me, you loser, 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, it was discovered 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, he'll break their legs! The Xiao family has lost all face this time!"

Xiao Changkun spoke up at this moment, "Hmph! There was nothing wrong with that invitation at all. I think it must have been that brat Xiao Hailong who caused trouble himself and was afraid Mom would punish him, so he deliberately shifted the blame onto Ye Chen..."

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

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

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

Before she could finish speaking, 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. "Oh no, 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 solemn as she stood up and walked toward the door.

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

Ye Chen's expression darkened slightly. If the old lady twisted the truth and brought people over to hold him accountable, then 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, pulled Xiao Churan behind him without a sound, and 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, right? I am the newly appointed manager of the Treasure Pavilion, having just taken office this afternoon. Regarding your departure from the Treasure Pavilion this morning, the Pavilion Master feels very sorry and specifically ordered me to bring gifts to apologize in person."

Ye Chen looked the group over 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 guilty about 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 lacking; this is our mistake. We hope Mr. Ye will not hold a grudge and can forgive us."

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

Several burly men in black immediately and nimbly brought 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, a case of limited-edition thirty-year-old Moutai Feitian 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 over, 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 to Ye Chen.

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

The middle-aged man then took two golden invitations out of his pocket, respectfully handed them to Ye Chen, and continued, "These are invitations to the new auction. Please be sure to attend with the old Mr. Xiao. This time, I guarantee we will not 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, and when you come to the Treasure Pavilion, you can enjoy the highest level of courtesy!"

Ye Chen glanced at the VIP card; the card face 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."

"Okay." The middle-aged man hurriedly held the card out to Xiao Changkun and said with a fawning smile, "Old Mr. Xiao, I am truly sorry about today. Please be sure to do us the honor of attending the day after tomorrow."

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

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

People who possessed this VIP card could enter and exit the Treasure Pavilion freely and enjoyed the highest treatment. They could appreciate all the antiques and curios in the pavilion at will, and if they bought them, they also received a very high discount.

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

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

It was Ye Chen's mother-in-law, Ma Lan, who snatched the two VIP cards with a beaming face. She was so happy that her face was full of smiles as she 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!" ===== CHAPTER 82 =====