Chapter 13: Shamelessness Can Defy the Heavens!
While Zhou Xuebin regretted his actions endlessly, he also glared at Yang Ning with resentment. If this bastard hadn’t described things so vividly, would he have misunderstood?
“Did I say something wrong?”
“You dare say you didn’t mess up?”
Seeing Yang Ning’s innocent expression, Zhou Xuebin felt an urge to slap this guy to death!
Nothing wrong?
Please, this was blatant misdirection! No, it was outright fraud!
Yang Ning still wore that innocent look of a dead pig unafraid of boiling water. “The younger you are, the more energy you have. I’m sure everyone knows that. So, let me ask you, if you’re hiring a bodyguard, one is full of vigor, and the other looks listless, who would you pick?”
“I…”
Zhou Xuebin was about to speak when Yang Ning cut him off.
“Unless you’re an idiot, you’d definitely pick the energetic bodyguard.”
In the company, things gradually quieted down. Everyone seemed to be working methodically, but in reality, they were all perking up their ears to listen.
“If someone has stamina, they can do more work. It’s called ‘the capable do more,’ right? Who would hire a useless guy who collapses from exhaustion after a few steps? Are you sure you’re hiring a bodyguard?” Yang Ning’s tone shifted, his voice suddenly rising. “Please, that’s like hiring an ancestor to worship!”
Hearing this, the corner of Zhou Xuebin’s mouth twitched involuntarily.
Yang Ning’s gaze gradually sharpened. How dare someone imply he was a gigolo? Come on, even if you have such thoughts, can’t you be a bit more subtle instead of being so blunt?
“Being a bodyguard without drive just won’t cut it. Your employer pays you, so when danger comes, you’ve got to charge ahead, risking life and limb. If you act like a coward and hide behind your employer, don’t be surprised if they file a complaint with consumer protection in a heartbeat!”
Yang Ning spoke eloquently. “Of course, having drive alone isn’t enough. You need staying power too. Otherwise, you’re just an empty shell. Anyone can strike a pose, but what’s the use of just swinging a big sword around? The moment someone tests you, your true colors show. Isn’t that just screwing over your employer? It’s downright fake and shoddy—a disgrace to our country!”
Zhou Xuebin was so angry his lungs felt like they’d explode. A thousand stampeding alpacas raced through his mind. This guy was shameless—utterly invincible!
No, scratch that. He could defy the heavens with his shamelessness!
The guy in front of him was undoubtedly the most despicable and shameless rogue he’d ever met!
Zhou Xuebin was losing it. He’d seen shameless people before, but never to this extent. In just a few sentences, he’d gone from accuser to accused? Now he was a low-IQ idiot, a coward, a fraud, fake and shoddy… and even a national disgrace?
Holy shit! He remembered coming here to flirt, not to get insulted!
And to hell with this damn bodyguard nonsense! What the fuck did this have to do with him?
Pfft!
Many in the company were stunned, barely holding back laughter. They looked at Yang Ning as if he were some rare animal. This guy was a once-in-a-century oddball. He could probably talk the dead back to life. His mouth was just begging for a slap.
But, well, I like it.
“Miss Lin, I’m stepping out to take a call.”
Seeing Yang Ning open his mouth to continue, Zhou Xuebin shuddered and quickly made an excuse to rush out.
He feared that if he lingered even a second or two longer, he’d either strangle Yang Ning or be driven to death by anger.
Lin Manxuan’s cool and aloof face twitched slightly from time to time, as if she were desperately holding back laughter. When she noticed Yang Ning looking at her, she couldn’t help but glare back before turning around. She pulled out the Amber Thumb Ring from her pocket and handed it to an elderly man with a white beard.
The old man was Meng Jianlin, with his work ID hanging around his neck. A quick glance was enough to see his name.
Meng Jianlin first glanced at Yang Ning before turning his attention to the Amber Thumb Ring. Then, he froze.
He was in charge of the company’s Ceramics and Crafts Division and was one of the most senior employees. Having dealt with antiques for most of his life, he immediately recognized the extraordinary nature of this Amber Thumb Ring.
When he touched the inner ring and felt the lifelike carving of a carp leaping over the dragon gate, Meng Jianlin’s expression changed slightly. He abruptly stood up from his chair and walked over to a nearby bookshelf, pulling out several books. His emotions surged as he flipped through them eagerly.
Soon, Meng Jianlin burst into laughter. “Found it! It’s indeed from Prince Rui’s Mansion. The carving marks are identical. Manxuan, where did you get this thumb ring?”
“Bought it. From him.” Lin Manxuan pointed at Yang Ning.
Just then, Zhou Xuebin returned, the pallor on his face having faded somewhat.
“Bought it?”
“For a million. Oh, and he only spent ten thousand to buy out someone’s stall. This thumb ring just happened to be there.”
Lin Manxuan spoke with an implied meaning, as if mentioning something trivial. Yet Yang Ning clearly heard a series of sharp intakes of breath. Zhou Xuebin, in particular, was dumbfounded, his eyes filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.
Ten thousand, flipped for a million?
Was this bastard’s luck really that good? Was there no justice in the world?
Aside from Lin Manxuan, no one present believed Yang Ning had relied on skill rather than luck.
It was no wonder Zhou Xuebin felt jealous. After returning from studying abroad, he’d only landed a job with a monthly salary of seven thousand. In a global metropolis like Huahai, seven thousand was nothing. It wouldn’t starve him, but for someone like him, it was far from enough.
Despite Zhou Xuebin’s polished, young-and-wealthy appearance, it was all a facade. He probably couldn’t even pull two thousand out of his pocket.
Meng Jianlin shook his head lightly, squinting as he said, “A million is already quite high. Even if it went to auction with proper packaging and hype, the profit margin would likely be just ten percent.”
Hearing this, the corner of Yang Ning’s mouth twitched.
Originally, he thought this thumb ring would struggle to fetch five hundred thousand. But now, listening to the old man, even after adding substantial packaging and promotion costs, there could still be a surplus of over a hundred thousand?
Holy crap, Yang Ning didn’t know whether to curse the System for being outrageously shady or lament that people these days were foolish beyond belief. How could something worth three or four hundred thousand be hyped up to a million?
“The thumb ring isn’t for sale.”
Lin Manxuan’s tone was resolute. Hearing this, Meng Jianlin opened his eyes and nodded. “From the perspective of appreciation or collection value, I personally wouldn’t recommend selling it either. It’s good to keep.”
With that, he pushed the Amber Thumb Ring back to Lin Manxuan.
“Grandpa Meng, I came today mainly to introduce him to you.” Lin Manxuan pointed at Yang Ning again.
Meng Jianlin frowned slightly, hesitating as he said, “Girl, are you planning to have him participate in the Appraisal Tournament? Under our company’s name?”
“Yes.” Lin Manxuan nodded.
As soon as she spoke, the company erupted into a buzz.
“No way! Is President Lin giving up on the tournament?”
“Looks like it. Though I have a good impression of this handsome young man, the Appraisal Tournament isn’t child’s play.”
“Exactly. Old Meng has dealt with antiques for most of his life and still doesn’t dare guarantee a ranking. What does this kid know?”
“Don’t be so quick to judge. Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. Old Yu, don’t underestimate the young and poor.”
A chorus of skeptical voices rang out. Even the few female employees who had a favorable impression of Yang Ning spoke up in his defense, though their words lacked conviction.
Zhou Xuebin’s eyes lit up. Having suffered repeated losses, he’d already cursed Yang Ning’s entire maternal lineage in his mind. He couldn’t wait to see this damned guy fall flat on his face.
Now, he’d finally caught his chance. With a mocking tone, he sneered, “Oh, I didn’t realize that being a bodyguard these days meant being a jack-of-all-trades. Even dabbling in antiques and jade?” He paused, then added sarcastically, “If you ask me, people should know their limits. If you don’t have the skills, don’t take on delicate work. Otherwise, you’ll just mess things up for yourself and others.”
His words immediately garnered agreement from many, boosting Zhou Xuebin’s confidence to new heights.