chapter 12 Don’t talk about martial ethics ===

"Third Brother, you were right. The antique business is deep waters. One needs to pay some tuition if they want to play. Thank you for introducing this item." Thorpe Chen put away the tiger tally and turned to leave.
"Wait, Thorpe Chen, I'm not selling this anymore." Luis Ji shouted.
"You're not selling something that we've already agreed on?" Thorpe Chen glanced at Luis Ji.
"This is my shop, and if I say I'm not selling it, then I'm not." Luis Ji waved his hand, and a few of his men surrounded Thorpe Chen, looking as though they were ready to start a fight.
"Thorpe Chen, you're unlucky today. Hand over the item, and I'll refund you. Don't be ungrateful." Carey Liu said with a sinister look.
"In this world, there's no such thing as a free lunch," Thorpe Chen laughed. "Manager Ji, in both business and life, one must uphold integrity. Going back on your word like this, aren't you afraid your shop will close down?"
"Heh, that's not for you to worry about, Thorpe Chen. Go and ask around about who I, Luis Ji, am. Either you leave the item today or I'll break both your legs." Luis Ji scoffed.
"Alright, today I'll see for myself the supposed bully of Antique Street." Thorpe Chen laughed, not taking Luis Ji's men seriously.
"Stop." At that moment, an old man stepped forward. "Manager Ji, you're breaking the rules of Antique Street."
"Old man, mind your own business or I'll deal with you too," Carey Liu threatened.
"Ah, I, Karl Wu, am of such an age, yet no one has dared to speak to me like this before." The old man laughed.
"What did you say? You're Karl Wu?" Luis Ji was startled.
"That's right, it's me. If you don't believe me, I can call the Antique Association and the Business Bureau right now," the old man said calmly.
"Oh my, it's Karl Wu, Elder Wu."
"Who's Elder Wu? Is this old man influential?"
"You don't know? He's the president of the Antique Association. Luis Ji is in big trouble now."
The onlookers were excitedly watching and discussing.
Thorpe Chen looked at the old man in surprise. He hadn't expected this old man to have such a background. Karl Wu rarely made public appearances, but he was highly respected, almost at the level of a national treasure master. Even when a high-profile appraisal show invited him for a big sum, he refused.
"President Wu, this was a misunderstanding." Luis Ji was sweating profusely. Although he was a local boss, he couldn't offend this old man.
The old man was the president of the Antique Association and also a professor in the archaeology department. His students and disciples were spread across various departments. If this issue blew up, Ji wouldn't be able to continue his business in that area.
"Having sold the item, do you still want to take it back?" Karl Wu asked.
"No, no, I don't want it back," Luis Ji hurriedly shook his head.
"Luis Ji, Antique Street has its rules. If you break them, you'll face consequences. Starting today, your shop will close for three weeks for restructuring. If this happens again, the Business Bureau will intervene," Karl Wu said calmly.
"Yes, I understand. I won't do it again," Luis Ji was sweating heavily.
"Young man, are you sure you don't want to sell this item?" After admonishing Luis Ji, Karl Wu turned to Thorpe Chen.
"No, it's a gift," Thorpe Chen smiled.
"What a pity. Items from the Spring and Autumn period are rare and have great collectable value." Karl Wu sighed, clearly liking the item.
However, firstly, Thorpe Chen wasn't selling it, and secondly, even if he did, Wu couldn't afford it. Wu handed over his business card, "Young man, this is my card. If you change your mind or want to auction it, you can contact me."
"Thank you, Elder Wu." Thorpe Chen took the card, thanked the old man, and left.
After Thorpe Chen left, the people in Luis Ji's shop also dispersed. Both Carey Liu and Luis Ji looked upset.
"Damn it, we can't let it end like this." Carey Liu looked grim. "I'll find some men to corner that kid."
"Quick, we can't let him leave Antique Street," Luis Ji said through gritted teeth.
Before Thorpe Chen could exit the main gate of Antique Street, Carey Liu and a few men cornered him.
"Thorpe Chen, hand over the item," Carey Liu demanded with a stern face.
"Third Brother, aren't you violating the martial arts code of conduct by acting this way?" Thorpe Chen laughed.
"Cut the chatter. Leave what you have and go. Otherwise, I'll break both your legs," Carey Liu sneered.
"Carey Liu, do you think I'm still the old Thorpe Chen?" Thorpe Chen put down what he had in his hand and stretched his muscles a bit.
"Oh, haven't seen you in a few days and you've changed? Remember how you cried and begged me when you lost money before?" Carey Liu sneered, "What now? Do you want to hit me?"
Thorpe Chen smiled faintly. Then, he slapped Carey Liu hard. With a loud smack, Carey Liu's body tilted to the side, his head hitting the wall hard. He didn't even grunt before fainting.
"How dare you hit Third Brother! Get him!" Several of Carey Liu's followers angrily lunged at Thorpe Chen.
Thorpe Chen grinned and charged at them. Bang, bang, bang...
A few seconds later, Thorpe Chen picked up the items from the ground, straightened his collar, and left, leaving several men writhing in pain on the floor.
A few days later, it was Gloria Ye's father's birthday.
Outside the Blissy Restaurant, Gloria Ye was feeling nervous.
"Husband, I'm a bit scared," Gloria Ye held onto Thorpe Chen's hand.
"What's there to be afraid of? A daughter celebrating her father's birthday is only right. And if your father scolds his good-for-nothing son-in-law, that's also expected," Thorpe Chen, holding her hand, said, "Let's go inside."
Comforted by Thorpe Chen's words, Gloria Ye nodded slightly and entered the restaurant with him.
Blissy Restaurant was the benchmark for high-end dining in Fengling City. It had branches all around Fengling and was worth over a hundred million. Moreover, the venue chosen for her father Elton Ye's birthday was the main restaurant, which was very prestigious.
As soon as they exited the elevator, they saw a group of Ye family members laughing and chatting.
Gloria Ye's parents hadn't arrived yet, but several relatives had. Her elder brother Garfield Ye, sister-in-law May Zhou, and younger sister Daisy Ye were all gathered around a man, chatting merrily.
Daisy Ye, holding the man's hand intimately, made their relationship evident.
"Daisy, your Lowell Fang has wide connections. Dad's turning 55 this year, and I wanted to book a private room at Blissy Restaurant. It's always fully booked, but with just a word from Lowell Fang, the manager reserved the best room for us," Garfield Ye flattered.
"Yes, Blissy Restaurant is the top restaurant in Fengling, and it's hard to get a reservation. Thanks to your Lowell Fang," May Zhou laughed.
"Big brother, big sister-in-law, it's nothing. It's uncle's birthday. I just wanted to book a good place to show our respect," Lowell Fang laughed heartily.
"This little favour is nothing to my Lowell. His company earns tens of millions in profit every year. He's well-acquainted with the city's leaders. Making a reservation isn't much of an effort," Daisy Ye proudly tightened her grip on Lowell's hand.
"If only your second sister had half your taste, she wouldn't be living in a slum now," Garfield Ye's words had barely left his mouth when he spotted a pale-faced Gloria Ye. He was taken aback, "What are you doing here?"
"Big brother, big sister-in-law, it's Dad's birthday. I just wanted to visit him," Gloria Ye clutched Thorpe Chen's hand, feeling the urge to turn and leave.
She heard Garfield Ye's words loud and clear. Three years ago, she was madly in love with Thorpe Chen and married him against her family's wishes. After their marriage, Thorpe Chen didn't work hard, causing her family to look down on her, and even more so on Thorpe Chen.
"Why did you bring him?" Garfield Ye sneered, glancing at Thorpe Chen, "Dad finally cooled down these past few years, and you bring this scum back. Do you want to anger Dad to death?"
"No, big brother. Thorpe Chen has changed. He's not like before," Gloria Ye hastily explained.
"Changed? Can any dog stop eating dung?" May Zhou scoffed, "Take him away quickly. Otherwise, Dad will be furious when he sees him."