Lin Jiang drove to Yuehai City.
This was another one of Zhonghai’s high-end residential communities. While not quite on the same level as Century Triumph, it was still a well-known wealthy enclave, a place far beyond the reach of ordinary people.
After finding a parking spot outside and parking the car, the two of them went to apartment 1702 in Building F.
The apartment was over 200 square meters, decorated in a simple yet stylish fashion. With a renovation budget of over four million yuan, it achieved an effect that looked like it cost more than six million.
It had to be said, Liang Shuhuo’s skills were truly impressive.
[Vanguard Officer has appeared. Please be on your guard.]
Huh?
The sudden game prompt made Lin Jiang stop in his tracks, his expression turning cautious.
In the game, characters like the Vanguard Officer were similar to elite mobs, but their functions could vary.
His appearance signaled that a new Boss would soon appear as well.
The two of them entered the apartment one after the other.
The atmosphere in the living room was tense. A middle-aged man with crow’s feet crinkling the corners of his eyes stood awkwardly in the room.
Shards of porcelain littered the floor. Sitting on the sofa was a man in a short-sleeved shirt and jeans, calmly scrolling through his phone.
Lin Jiang’s gaze swept across the room.
There were only two strangers in the apartment.
One was the installer from Dao Yi Design, and the other was the homeowner.
On the way over, Liang Shuhuo had explained the basic situation with this client.
The man before them was named Liu Hongquan. He had been Liang Shuhuo’s point of contact all along.
Judging by his attire, he didn’t quite look like someone who could afford a ten-million-yuan luxury home.
But you can’t judge a book by its cover; evaluating someone from that angle would be superficial.
Instinctively, Lin Jiang felt that the so-called Vanguard Officer couldn’t be the installer. After all, he was on their side now.
The only other possibility was this man named Liu Hongquan.
[Vanguard Officer: Liu Hongquan]
[Kill Condition: Defeat him in a state of confrontation.]
[Kill Reward: 500,000 in cash.]
’This kill condition...’
’A physical fight seems unlikely under these circumstances.’
’So, the method of defeating him must be unconventional.’
’But no matter what, I have to take him down today.’
"Director Liang."
The installer hurried over. At this moment, Liang Shuhuo was the only one who could help him.
"Don’t panic. Let me get a handle on the situation first."
After offering a word of comfort, Liang Shuhuo walked up to Liu Hongquan and looked at the shattered porcelain on the floor.
"Mr. Liu, is this the porcelain piece that was broken?"
Liu Hongquan put down his phone and nodded.
"This is a blue-and-white porcelain vase from my collection. I spent 360,000 on it. Before I could even put it on display, your worker broke it. You tell me, don’t you owe me an explanation?"
’This vase is so expensive?’ Liang Shuhuo was inwardly shocked.
"It’s a vase from the Qing Dynasty. I bought it for 360,000, and it’s worth at least 500,000 now."
As he spoke, Liu Hongquan stood up, went into the bedroom, and came back with a small red box.
"Here’s the certificate of purchase and the appraisal certificate. Take a look."
Liang Shuhuo took the items from Liu Hongquan and examined them carefully.
It was indeed a 360,000-yuan blue-and-white porcelain vase, truly an antique.
"If I made you compensate me for the full 500,000, it would seem unreasonable. Just pay the original price."
Faced with this situation, Liang Shuhuo was in a difficult position.
If it were something worth around ten thousand, she could deduct some of his salary, chip in a little herself, and the matter would be resolved.
But an item worth over 300,000 was no small sum. The electrician couldn’t possibly afford it, and the company wouldn’t foot that bill either.
This was proving to be more difficult than she had imagined.
"Master Zhang, how did it happen? Tell me exactly what went on," Liang Shuhuo asked.
"I was installing a light switch in the living room. When I turned around, Mr. Liu was passing right behind me, holding this vase. I accidentally bumped into him, and the vase fell and shattered."
As he spoke, the electrician gestured continuously, trying to reenact his movements at the time.
Liang Shuhuo also tried to reconstruct the scene in her mind.
"Director Liang, I really didn’t do it on purpose. I had no idea he was right behind me."
The installer looked at Liang Shuhuo with a sense of grievance, hoping she could get him out of this mess.
Lin Jiang could understand how he felt. There was no way a working-class man like him could afford to pay for something so expensive.
"Master Zhang, don’t say anything for now."
Liang Shuhuo’s brow furrowed slightly as she tried to find a solution.
According to his description, Liu Hongquan had come up behind him, and they had collided, with Master Zhang being unaware of his presence.
From that perspective, Liu Hongquan should also bear some of the responsibility.
But it would likely only be a portion; the main responsibility still lay with Master Zhang.
Even if it was a 30-70 split of responsibility, he would still have to pay over 200,000, which he couldn’t afford.
"Mr. Liu, I understand what happened. I admit that the primary responsibility lies with Master Zhang, but it wasn’t intentional. He didn’t know you were right behind him, so..."
Liang Shuhuo paused, a smile on her face.
"Regarding the responsibility, don’t you think it’s not entirely his fault?"
Liang Shuhuo was trying to shift some of the blame to minimize the compensation.
"Not entirely his fault? Are you blaming me, then?" Liu Hongquan said, his expression turning sour.
"I warned you when I was walking past. He was the one not paying attention to his work, turning around and bumping right into me. What does that have to do with me?"
Liang Shuhuo looked at the installer.
"Master Zhang, did you hear a warning at the time?"
The installer’s face was a mask of misery.
"I did hear something, but at that moment, he was still some distance away from me, so I didn’t pay it much mind. I never expected that the second I turned, he’d be right there."

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