"A mistake corrected is a virtue gained. Assistant Cai, you trusted others too much, which led you to have prejudices against me from the start, blinding your heart and eyes with bias." Li Yang smiled, "Actually, if you had calmed down, I believe you would have noticed the difference in this teapot."
"Boss Li, you jest. I don't even know what 'naizi fu' is, how could I possibly notice any difference?" Cai Yiming glanced at him gratefully, his suspicion towards Xu Zhongding's confession growing for the first time.
Upon arriving at Li Hao's antique shop, he and Li Yang entered and were stunned to see Zheng Xibei and Wang Dongsheng sitting in a private seating area in the middle of the shop, drinking tea and discussing antique techniques.
"Oh, Xiao Qi, why did you come with Boss Li?" Zheng Xibei was about to take another sip of tea when he suddenly saw them return together and asked in surprise.
Wang Dongsheng stood up with a peculiar expression and said, "Qi Tongwei, you weren't also persuaded by Boss Li's offer to learn techniques from my master and decided to work here, were you?"
"You gave up your career in the capital to stay here because you could learn from Old Mr. Zheng up close?" Qi Tongwei asked.
Wang Dongsheng nodded, "That's right. Is it the same for you?"
"Although I wish it were, there are still some other matters at the museum that I can't let go of," Qi Tongwei shook his head, a hint of envy in his eyes.
At their age, to still have the desire to learn, to truly live and learn, and to have a pure heart not yet washed away by worldly fame and fortune, was truly enviable.
Furthermore, being able to learn from a grandmaster like Zheng Xibei was something he had dreamed of.
"We came because of a letter from Xu Zhongding, which stated that the reason you stayed here was that Boss Li framed you and forced you to remain."
"Nonsense! Is Xu Zhongding looking for death?" Wang Dongsheng immediately became furious.
Seeing that his expression was genuine and that he wasn't being threatened, Qi Tongwei turned and said, "Xiao Cai, show him the letter."
"Alright. Master Wang, please take a look." Cai Yiming, no matter how foolish he was, now fully understood that he had been deceived by Xu Zhongding.
He never expected that such a famous antique master would do something so despicable and shameless!
If he had known about some of the events that happened at the scene that day, he would have despised Xu Zhongding's character even more.
He would also have blamed himself for believing the contents of the letter despite watching the streamers' broadcasts.
Wang Dongsheng took the letter, read it, his face filled with rage, and handed it to Zheng Xibei, saying, "Master, this scoundrel Xu Zhongding has completely lost his humanity!"
"Truly shameless. I severed our master-disciple relationship privately that day hoping he would reflect and repent, but I never expected him to become even worse. He is truly beyond saving."
Zheng Xibei, after reading the letter, also became enraged, "Dongsheng, write a letter for me and have it delivered to all the influential people in the industry, stating that I, Zheng Xibei, will publicly declare a week from now that I am severing my master-disciple relationship with this despicable villain Xu Zhongding, and that we have no further connection!"
"Master!" Wang Dongsheng was startled.
The expressions of everyone present also changed drastically. Severing their master-disciple relationship privately, without letting others know, could actually bring some convenience to the disciple.
After all, others wouldn't know that they were no longer connected, and they would still show respect to the master when dealing with the disciple, treating them with special consideration.
But if the matter was made public, it would mean that the relationship between them could never be repaired. Although the master might say they had no further connection and no grudges, in the eyes of others in the industry, these two would be considered sworn enemies.
It was like a very close father and son, who would not go to the extent of severing their father-son relationship unless they had a falling out.
From then on, people in the industry would no longer extend the respect they would have given to the master to this disciple.
Xu Zhongding, with his eyes not blind before, might have been able to support himself. But now, with his blindness and his shameful actions, coupled with the public severance of their master-disciple relationship, it was almost a death sentence for him in the antique circle.
Even if he continued to engage in the antique business in the future, his career would plummet, and it would be difficult for him to make a comeback.
Li Yang, being well aware of the intricacies of the situation, said to Zheng Xibei, "Old Mr. Zheng, although this matter is not my fault, I am still involved. Therefore, I will bear all the expenses involved."
"Thank you, Boss Li. You are truly a kind person." Zheng Xibei cupped his fists towards him gratefully, "I taught such a despicable person, causing you so much trouble, yet you are still willing to help. I truly don't know how to express my gratitude."
"Boss Li, I sincerely apologize for all the prejudice I had against you before!" Cai Yiming regretted it so much he wanted to cry.
How could I have been so foolish as to believe that despicable villain Xu Zhongding!
Li Yang smiled, "We've gotten to know each other through this misunderstanding. Since the misunderstanding is cleared, let's not say anything else."
"Speaking of which, I brought back quite a few good things from my trip to Kunming. Let's all sit down and have a drink."
"What good things?" everyone asked curiously, their gazes quickly shifting to the stack of thermoses he was carrying.
Li Yang, with a smile on his face, placed the thermoses on the table and opened one, saying, "The best thing to nourish a man's body. Those who know, know."
"Oh!" everyone immediately understood, and except for Cai Yiming, their eyes lit up.
Even the old man Zheng Xibei was no exception.
After all, men, regardless of their age, always wish to be strong and robust, maintaining their virility.
Of course, they also always like to stay young.
Li Yang handed them the chicken soup, and without a word, they drank it down in one go.
"Delicious!"
"It's so good!"
"Boss Li, where did you buy this chicken soup? I've been to Kunming a few times, but I've never tasted such a good thing." Qi Tongwei gulped down a whole cup, feeling warmth spread through his body, incredibly comfortable, and wanting another cup.
Li Yang smiled, "It was a gift. You probably can't buy it outside. If you want to drink more, I'll bring some back next time I go to Kunming."
"That would be very much appreciated, Boss Li. As for nourishing the body, I don't really care about that, the main thing is that it tastes good," Qi Tongwei said happily.
Everyone else also nodded in agreement, "Yes, yes, what about nourishment? Our bodies are all healthy and strong, we just like the taste. It's amazing."
"I understand, you are all gourmands," Li Yang said with a chuckle. At their age, why be so coy?
However, with their help, his chicken soup wouldn't have to be poured away.
It could be put to good use.
"Remember to wash the thermoses clean after you finish drinking," Li Yang said, and was about to place the newly acquired 'naizi fu' teapot on the shelf and price it.
Suddenly, he spotted a furtive figure peeking over with its head lowered.
Li Yang asked suspiciously, "Is there something you need?"