Filed to story: Disdained Son-in-Law, Destined Riches >>
He said flatly, “My name is Joe Smith and I don’t have any masters. You can say that I’m self- taught.”
Then, he continued, “I have repaired the Yuchunhu vase that my father-in-law broke, Please appraise it for its specific value on your side and let us know if we still need to compensate for it.”
Jasmine shook her head with a smile. “After the restoration, this vase has far exceeded its original value. So, it’s the other way around—we owe you instead.”
Joe smiled faintly. “It’s my pleasure. Since we’ve resolved the matter, we shall get going, then.”
Jasmine’s eyes shifted mischievously, not wanting Joe to leave so soon. She said with a smile, “Sir, your name skips my mind. May I know how I should address you? Could you leave a contact number so we can keep in touch in the future?”
She retrieved her own card and said as she handed it over. “This is my card, you can call me at the number above.”
Joe nodded as he accepted the card. “My name is Joe Smith but I don’t have a name card.”
“It’s okay,” Jasmine said, “Could you please leave me your phone number, then?”
Joe eyed her cautiously. He felt that it would be good for him to have his own connections. Besides, this lady, Jasmine Moore, looked very polite and humble, unlike an arrogant and dominating person. It would bring no harm if he made friends with her.
Hence, he exchanged phone numbers with her.
After the exchange, Jasmine said, “Mr. Smith, would you like me to send you home?”
Joe waved his hand and said, “Thanks but no thanks, I came here by car.”
Jasmine nodded. “I’ll see you off then!”
Jasmine escorted Joe and Jacob to the BMW 530. She watched them drive away before heading back to Vintage Deluxe.
On their way home, Jacob asked curiously, “Joe, where did you learn the craft of cultural relic restoration?”
The content of the Apocalyptic Book was running through Joe’s mind like violent waves. Of course, he couldn’t tell his father-in-law that he had found the magical and mysterious book inside the broken vase. He needed time to slowly digest all the amazing content in the book. In fact, he couldn’t tell anyone about it.
So, he simply blurted a lie. “I learned it from the cleaner at the orphanage.”
Jacob nodded. “Thank god you were there, or else, I may be in prison now…”
Then, he quickly said as if a thought suddenly struck his mind, “Oh yeah! Don’t tell Claire and your mother-in-law about this, do you understand?”
Joe nodded. “Understood.”
The old man let out a deep sigh. Rubbing his face, he grumbled, “If I knew that you had such skill, I wouldn’t have rushed to you! Now, I’m not just tired to the bone, I was even slapped multiple times! Damn, how unlucky!”
He then continued, “Is my face still red?”
Joe replied, “A little.”
The old man grumbled once more. “Tell your mother that I ran into a pole if she ever asks.”
Upon reaching home, Joe immediately rushed to the supermarket to get some groceries and make dinner for the family.
He then called his wife, Claire, in case she was craving for something. However, it turned out that she had to plan an upcoming project with Doris Young that night and so, she had invited Claire to have dinner at Emgrand Group.
Upon hearing those words, Doris had tested him at the same time as well by saying, “Sir, the project is in progress, so your wife might be quite busy from now. I hope you don’t mind.”
Joe was an understanding person, and knowing that the project was important to her, he replied, “The company had better serve good food and treat her well.”
Doris immediately replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll treat her to the best dinner the company has to offer.’
“Okay, good.” Joe texted back. If his wife wasn’t going to be home, Joe didn’t need to be too specific with the menu, thus, he randomly chose some ingredients and made a simple dinner for his in- laws.
After dinner, the old couple went out square dancing while Joe, on the other hand, stayed at home and indulged in the wondrous world of .
Suddenly, he received a call from Douglas Adams.
Joe was reluctant to take the call. This little brat was just so stubborn. Joe had once given him advice out of good heart, but Douglas had just started yelling at him like a maniac. It had been rather infuriating.
However, on second thought, he was but a pitiful man. Hence, Joe decided to pick up the call and asked, “What’s up?”
On the other end of the phone, Douglas was sobbing uncontrollably. “Joe, my dearest brother! I’m so sorry, I have wronged you!”
Upon hearing his crying, Joe’s expression softened and he asked, “You found out about the truth?”
Douglas cried, “After our fight, I felt more and more uneasy about it, so I followed the tracking system in her iPhone and ended up at a villa in the suburban areas. However, when I knocked on the door to catch the cheater, I was beaten up by the man’s chauffeur and butlers, and then I was sent to the hospital by 120…”
At this moment, Douglas broke down crying again. “Joe, it was my fault for being so blinded, I was wrong! Please don’t be angry with me, you’re my best friend, my only friend! If you cut ties with me too, I won’t have anyone here in Aurous with me anymore…”
Joe let out a sigh and said, “I don’t blame you. Which hospital are you admitted in right now?”
“I’m in Silverwing Hospital,” Douglas sobbed. “He fractured my legs with a baseball bat. The doctor said I wouldn’t be able to walk for a few days. Can you please help me sell the drawing you gave me the other day? I brought it along when I went to catch that cheater. I spent all of my money on the restaurant, I’m completely broke now, so I don’t have any money on me to pay for the hospital bills…”
As soon as he heard this, Joe asked, “They didn’t give you any money for medical bills?”
“No…” Douglas let his words trail off.
“Did you call the police?”
“I did, but the police said that I was the one who broke into their house, they were just defending themselves…”
“How dare they!” Joe was extremely infuriated. “Wait for me, I’ll be there in just a few minutes!”
Upon arriving at Silverwing Hospital, Douglas could be seen lying on one of the beds in the ward, covered in wounds and bruises. There was a cast on his right leg as well, and he looked miserable. Joe couldn’t help but sympathize. This fully grown man had been cheated on, had his heart broken, and was now covered in wounds.
At the sight of Joe’s arrival, Douglas’s swollen eyes began to tear up, tears flowing down his cheeks like a river stream.
“Joe…” Douglas broke down crying.
Joe approached him slowly and said softly, “It’s okay, she’s just a bitch, she’s not worth it.”
Douglas continued, “I pursued her for three years, basically throwing my dignity into the dumpster for her! I feel like a lowly dog trying to latch on to everything I could, but now, I realize that I’ve never had anything in the first place…”
Douglas seemed to be choking on his tears. “That bitch didn’t just break up with me, she wanted me to lose absolutely everything! I’ve spent every penny I’ve earned over the past few years, even using up all my savings of ten thousand in that restaurant, yet now, she’s refusing to pay me back! I was so blinded, how could I have possibly fallen for such a wicked woman!”
Joe comforted him. “Douglas, as a man, you have to know how to let go. You can just start over! What about the painting I gave you? It is worth at least 200 thousand dollars, that would be sufficient for you to start a small business.”
Douglas nodded. “It’s with me. Thank you for reminding me to bring along the painting, otherwise, she would’ve taken that away from me too!”
Joe sighed. “That settles it then. You should get some rest and forget about all this. I’ll get you something to eat and pay for your hospital bills.”