Chapter 6: You Fail to Understand the Reason Why Bearing a Precious Jade Is a Crime

Even at this moment, Zhao Shangde still insisted that there were no authentic pieces—that everything was just a fake made with the help of a photograph.

This made me start doubting my own judgment. Could it be that this guy really didn’t have any genuine items?

I glanced over at Sister Yan, who silently mouthed, “He’s lying!”

That settled it for me. I turned back to Zhao Shangde and said, “Boss Zhao, how about this—we go to your shop. You’re in the pawn business, right? Let me see if there’s anything valuable enough to catch Third Master’s eye. Maybe it can be used to settle the debt!”

“Well… okay,” Zhao Shangde nodded reluctantly. If this method worked, he would have used it already.

Before getting into the car, I quietly asked Sister Yan, “Did you just call Third Master?”

She nodded, sighed, and said, “I just wanted Third Master to keep a close eye on this guy. He ordered Zhao Xiangbo to trick Boss Zhao’s wife, pick up the child from kindergarten, and bring them to the scrap collection station.”

I could only sigh helplessly—this was the kind of thing Third Master was capable of.

What surprised me most was how ruthless Zhao Xiangbo was—so cold and absolute.

Following Zhao Shangde’s directions, the car stopped beneath a residential building in Seaview Garden on Coastal Avenue.

I got out and looked around, then asked Zhao Shangde, “Boss Zhao, your shop is inside the residential complex?”

With a blank expression, Zhao Shangde said, “This is my home. Let’s go upstairs.”

I frowned and glanced at Brother Liang beside me; he looked equally puzzled.

Neither of us said anything; we just followed Zhao Shangde into the elevator.

His apartment was Unit C on the eighth floor. We entered with him, and once he locked the door behind us, I turned to look around.

I had to admit, Zhao Shangde knew how to enjoy himself. The home was tastefully decorated—rustic yet subtly luxurious—and it must have cost a lot.

“Sit on the sofa for a bit. I’ll be right back,” Zhao Shangde said, then hurried into the bedroom.

Brother Liang and I sat on the sofa, taking in the surroundings.

Soon, Zhao Shangde came out carrying a small bag.

He placed it on the coffee table, then suddenly weakened, dropping to his knees before me again.

“Brother Shi, I beg you, please save my family!”

I quickly stood up, saying, “Boss Zhao, what are you doing? Get up now!”

I tried to pull him up, but he was too heavy and I couldn’t budge him.

He grabbed the bag, opened it in front of me with a pained expression, and said, “Brother Shi, Master Wenliang, please help me!”

Inside the bag was a red jewelry box. Opening it revealed shining golden jewelry.

Wenliang picked up a ring, examined it closely, and said to me, “A women’s pure gold Möbius ring with diamonds from Zhou Liu Fu, about two thousand three hundred yuan.”

Zhao Shangde hurriedly pointed to the bag, “Everything inside is pure gold, and some pieces are platinum, all authentic!”

Wenliang glanced over it and nodded subtly.

I frowned and said to Zhao Shangde, “Boss Zhao, even if you add all this up, it’s only two or three hundred thousand yuan. That won’t cover Third Master’s debt at all.”

Zhao Shangde shook his head and looked at me. “These aren’t for Third Master. They’re for you two.”

“For us?” Brother Liang and I were stunned.

Brother Liang frowned. “You owe my master money, not us…”

I shook my head and explained, “Boss Zhao means we take these, and when we present them to Third Master, no matter what he brings out, it’ll all be considered priceless treasures. Even fakes will be accepted as real.”

Brother Liang’s mouth dropped open in disbelief. “You want us to cooperate with you and pass off fakes as genuine? Are you crazy? Our skills were taught by Master. Do you think he won’t see through it?”

Zhao Shangde sneered, “Third Master is old. If it weren’t for his negligence, how could Master Wenliang have found such a loophole?”

Brother Liang urged anxiously, “But fake is fake. Master would…”

Zhao Shangde cut him off sharply, “If you don’t say it, I don’t say it, and Brother Shi doesn’t say it, who will know it’s fake? As long as Brother Shi says it’s real, Third Master will believe it!”

Brother Liang was dumbfounded.

Zhao Shangde returned the ring to the box and pushed it toward me. “Brother Shi, save my entire family. I’ll owe you for life!”

I stood up and said, “Don’t worry, Boss Zhao.”

His face brightened, but before he could speak, I waved him off. “Third Master won’t harm your wife or children. He’s only using them to control you. But you need to start preparing for the worst from now on. Third Master wouldn’t break the law by killing you, but if you’re accidentally hit by a car or fall from a building, no one else can be blamed.”

“Brother Liang, let’s go.”

Wenliang stood beside me, not even glancing at the jewelry box.

Zhao Shangde’s face turned pale as he slumped to the floor, utterly hopeless.

But soon his expression twisted with rage, and through gritted teeth he cursed, “So you’re forcing me to the brink, huh? Don’t blame me if I go all out and drag you down with me! You really think I’m easy to bully? Even if I die, I’ll take you both down with me! Oh, and your shop’s little girl too! I know where she is—I’ll send someone to take care of her to serve me! Let’s see if you guys help me or not!”

I sighed, took off my sunglasses, and handed them to Wenliang. “Brother Liang, hold these for me.”

He was startled but took them instinctively, asking, “Shi Tou, what are you planning?”

I said nothing, grabbed a handful of his hair, and slammed his head onto the coffee table with force.

With a loud crash, the glass top shattered!

Zhao Shangde, who had just washed his face at my shop, was now covered in glass shards and blood.

I pressed his head down onto the table coldly. “Who gave you the idea that I’m the easiest person to mess with?”

He struggled desperately, but I pressed the broken glass deeper into his skin with my right hand. Blood flowed across the table.

“You want to go all out? II'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.