"I just returned, and you've already landed me in such a mess?" Expert Chen picked up a petal of the Huilan Jiaren orchid and examined it closely.
"I was trying to communicate with these guests. They knocked over the flowers, and I suggested selling them at a discounted price to both parties' satisfaction. But they refused and tried to shift the blame."
As Xu Mao explained, he observed Expert Chen's expression, his heart pounding nervously, terrified that Expert Chen might discover something amiss.
Ever since Expert Chen returned, he had been pampering him with food and drink, managing to keep him resting inside without asking about the orchids. He prayed that his efforts wouldn't be in vain at this last moment.
Fortunately, Expert Chen seemed to notice nothing out of the ordinary. After inspecting the orchid's condition, he questioned Xu Mao thoroughly about the incident before finally turning his angry gaze towards Huo Rou.
"This orchid has not only lost petals but also sustained damage to its roots. The facts are clear, and you still want to deny responsibility?" Expert Chen looked directly at Huo Rou.
Such a young girl dared to make such bold claims.
For some peculiar reason, this orchid had never been auctioned and was kept under his care. He had invested so much effort to maintain its condition.
Now that it was in such a state, he wasn't even sure if it could be saved. Yet, this young girl was incredibly arrogant.
Upon hearing Expert Chen's words, Xu Mao's heart finally settled.
He looked at Huo Rou with feigned annoyance, as if she were being utterly unreasonable.
"Elder Liu, you too. The orchid isn't yours, so you speak without consequence," Expert Chen questioned Huo Rou and then turned to Elder Liu.
"What does a child like her know? Are you trying to make the situation worse?" Without giving Elder Liu a chance to argue, Expert Chen concluded, "If you don't compensate for this today, we will have a serious discussion about this matter."
"Don't you truly see that there's something wrong with this orchid?" Huo Rou sighed, crouched down, and pointed to the orchid on the ground, beginning her lecture.
Her words came out quickly, her patience wearing thin. Her left hand clenched into a fist, and she felt a strong urge to resort to violence.
Qin Ningyi, standing behind her, saw her fisted hand and, by a stroke of inspiration, guessed Huo Rou's inner thoughts.
She appears so delicate and composed, but is actually hot-tempered?
His phone rang; it was Xiao Konglin.
"President Qin, I've found it. The surveillance from the other direction is very clear. I've already recorded it. I'll be there soon," Xiao Konglin said on the phone.
Qin Ningyi already saw the car headlights approaching in the distance; Xiao Konglin had arrived.
He stepped forward, took Huo Rou's fist, and spoke gently, with a soothing tone.
"Alright, let's not discuss it further. The evidence is here." Qin Ningyi's cool fingers caressed her hand, gradually calming her agitated heart.
Huo Rou's expression showed no discomfort, but she stopped speaking when Qin Ningyi took her hand.
After Huo Rou's explanation, Expert Chen was now re-examining the orchid with a grave expression.
Everything Huo Rou had said was correct. How had he failed to notice it?
Xiao Konglin parked his car on the roadside and rushed over, holding his phone. In front of everyone, he played the video.
The footage clearly showed Xu Mao and the movers talking at the entrance before Expert Chen arrived, and they had even paced back and forth several times.
Then, in the second video, the movers, carrying the flowerpot, saw Huo Rou and An An in the distance and hurried towards them.
After An An moved aside, the mover kicked the door frame and fell heavily forward.
With Huo Rou's explanation, Expert Chen had already begun to believe that the orchid had a pre-existing problem. Now, seeing these two videos, he understood everything in an instant.
"You said you understood orchids, which is why I entrusted the flower to you with peace of mind," Expert Chen raised his voice. "Instead, you not only deceived me but also tried to frame someone else."
"I didn't..." Xu Mao's words became very weak and powerless.
"And him, he deliberately fell, causing my Huilan Jiaren to be ruined!" Elder Liu seized the mover and lectured him furiously.
"How could they be so wicked?" An An had originally wanted to help save the flower, but it turned out that these two had planned the entire thing.
"Hearts are unpredictable," Qin Ningyi said, patting An An's head with his other hand to comfort him.
On his right, a somewhat volatile young woman; on his left, a dejected young son who had witnessed the treachery of human nature.
"Daddy will send them to the police station," Qin Ningyi whispered to An An.
"They defrauded over a million; tell the police about it properly," Qin Ningyi said calmly.
His voice, carried by the cool night breeze, brushed past Xu Mao's ears, causing him to tremble.
"No, no, you didn't even give me any money!" Xu Mao's legs went weak, and he grabbed the mover to steady himself, still trying to argue.
"Besides, he's the one who dropped the flower! If you want to settle scores, find him! What does it have to do with me."
While using the mover's arm for support, Xu Mao pointed at him, shifting all the blame onto the mover.
When the mover heard that they were being sent to the police station, he was already sweating profusely. Hearing Xu Mao's words now, he became enraged.
With his strong, muscular hand, he shoved Xu Mao, who fell to the ground.
The mover threw a punch and attacked, "You threatened me into doing this, and now you want to absolve yourself!"
"You scoundrel!" The mover's punches landed with force, and Xu Mao writhed on the ground in pain.
"You didn't understand anything yourself but took money to bribe your way into this job. If you couldn't care for the flower, it was your own fault. Now that you're facing jail, you're quick to run away!" the mover berated, furious.
"If I hadn't come here, would you have had a job here? You got paid so much, and it was all because I helped you!" Xu Mao cried out in pain, "Stop! Ah! It hurts!"
"If it weren't for you, would I have gotten into this mess?" The mover refused to back down, beating Xu Mao until he was bruised and swollen before catching his breath.
While they were fighting like dogs, Huo Rou had already pulled her hand away from Qin Ningyi and covered An An's eyes.
Children shouldn't witness such scenes.
Qin Ningyi's hand felt empty, a sense of loss washing over him unexpectedly.
He looked at the two men fighting in front of him and gave Xiao Konglin a look.
Soon, the police arrived and took both men away.
The matter was resolved, and the auction was about to begin. The bank manager, who had arrived late, invited Huo Rou's family to the auction. As an apology, he promised to waive any handling fees if they found any items they liked.
An An adjusted quickly. Hearing this news, his eyes sparkled as he looked at Qin Ningyi and Huo Rou, his gaze filled with a desire to attend the auction.
"Do you want to go?" Qin Ningyi asked, looking down at him.