"This..."
Liang Shuhuo was getting a headache. The more they talked, the messier it got. Everyone had their own side of the story, and both sounded reasonable.
"Mr. Liu, how about this?"
Liang Shuhuo readjusted her tone and composure.
"This item is so valuable that I can’t in good conscience ask you to just let it go. So why don’t we call the police? Let them handle it. If that doesn’t work, we can file a lawsuit and go through the legal process. Dao Yi Design is a professional design firm. Now that something like this has happened, we will certainly give you a proper resolution."
In Liang Shuhuo’s view, this was the only way to solve the problem. Letting the police determine liability was the only way to find a reasonable solution; otherwise, they’d be at a stalemate.
"Director Liang, we can’t call the police. Can’t we discuss settling this privately? There’s no need to go through legal channels, is there?" the installer pleaded.
Ordinary people have a natural apprehension toward the police and the law.
They are unwilling to take that step unless it’s absolutely necessary.
He was also well aware that the police wouldn’t care about the finer details when handling this. They might just place all the blame on him.
It was better to fight for a better deal now; he might have a chance to pay less.
"His property is worth over 300,000. How can we settle this privately? Are you suggesting the homeowner should just drop the matter?" Liang Shuhuo said.
"And the responsibility of both parties needs to be clearly defined. Otherwise, this stalemate will continue, and we won’t get anything done."
"This..."
The installer’s face fell. To him, over 300,000 was an astronomical sum, enough to crush him.
He understood the reality of the situation. He had broken a porcelain vase, not scratched someone’s car where a few hundred would settle it.
Something so expensive truly couldn’t be resolved with a simple private settlement.
"Director Liang, calm down. We’ve known each other for a long time. I don’t want to ruin our relationship over this small matter," Liu Hongquan said.
"If you want to settle privately, fine. I won’t be so picky. Let’s say 300,000. I’ll just consider it spending money to avoid a bigger disaster."
Hearing the figure of 300,000, Liang Shuhuo’s frown deepened.
"I know Master Zhang’s situation. He’s not from around here; he came to Zhonghai for work. He couldn’t afford to pay 300,000."
Liang Shuhuo’s tone was sincere. "Besides, I don’t think this is entirely Master Zhang’s fault. Could you please do us a favor and cut us some slack? Could he pay a little less?"
Liu Hongquan looked troubled and sighed helplessly.
"Fine. We’ve known each other for so long, and since you’ve personally asked, I have to give you some face. Let’s make it 200,000. I’ll just chalk it up to bad luck."
Hearing the number 200,000, Liang Shuhuo felt a surge of relief.
Although it wasn’t a small sum, it was a relatively ideal amount for compensation. It was equivalent to a 70/30 split of responsibility. Even if they had called the police and filed a lawsuit, this was likely the best possible outcome.
"Director Liang..."
The installer started to speak but trailed off. For him, 200,000 was still a huge amount.
"The main responsibility lies with us. This is already a very good offer."
There were some things Liang Shuhuo didn’t say out loud.
Dao Yi Design was a professional firm and had signed formal contracts with all its workers.
When something like this happened, the company and she herself would have to bear part of the responsibility. That way, he wouldn’t have to pay so much.
’This is the most I can do for him.’
"Why don’t we just call the police."
"Call the police?"
Lin Jiang’s words caught Liang Shuhuo’s attention.
She saw him crouching on the floor, holding a piece of the broken porcelain and examining it repeatedly.
"You’re suggesting I call the police?"
Lin Jiang nodded. "I think for something like this, it’s better to go through legal channels and get a formal liability assessment. It’s better for everyone that way."
"But..."
Liang Shuhuo didn’t want to call the police. She was afraid that after a formal assessment, their side might be assigned more responsibility, and the loss would outweigh the gain.
Quietly, Liang Shuhuo pulled Lin Jiang aside and whispered:
"Why call the police? Do you think we’d be held less responsible?"
"Yes. If anything happens, I’ll take care of it. Just do as I say."
Lin Jiang nodded, still holding the porcelain shard and studying it intently.
"No matter what, this isn’t your responsibility to bear."
Tucking her hair back, Liang Shuhuo turned to Liu Hongquan.
"Mr. Liu, perhaps we should call the police after all. For such a large sum of money, it’s better to have the authorities involved."
Liu Hongquan shot Lin Jiang a hostile look.
"There’s no need to call the police for such a small matter. I’m short on time; I have a flight to catch soon and don’t have the energy to deal with this. If you insist, let’s just split the blame 50/50. Pay me half—180,000 will be fine."
Seeing Liu Hongquan back down again, Liang Shuhuo was happy. This meant they would have to pay even less.
Even the installer thought this figure was acceptable. Although it was still a lot of money, he knew he had to own up to his mistake.
Liang Shuhuo habitually glanced at Lin Jiang.
She saw him still looking at the shard, shaking his head continuously.
"Listen to me. Call the police."
This time, Liang Shuhuo noticed a change in Lin Jiang’s tone. It seemed even more resolute than before.
"Director Liang, who is this guy, and why is he running his mouth here?" Liu Hongquan said impatiently.
Liang Shuhuo tucked her hair back and explained, "He’s a friend of mine, here to help me handle this."
"Since he has nothing to do with this, tell him to stop meddling. If you have to, make him wait outside for a bit. He’s getting on my nerves."
Only then did Lin Jiang slowly put down the porcelain shard in his hand.
"Are you sure you want compensation? Is there no room for negotiation?"
"Are you kidding me? You broke my antique porcelain vase, and you expect me not to hold you accountable?"
Liu Hongquan pointed a finger at Lin Jiang’s nose and said:
"This has nothing to do with you, so stop running your mouth. This is my house. Now get out. I don’t want to see you."
"Calm down. Don’t get so worked up."
Lin Jiang looked at Liu Hongquan. "I just want to ask, is it okay if we don’t pay?"
"Are you kidding me? I’ve already agreed to take half the blame, and now you’re saying you don’t want to pay? Aren’t you pushing your luck?" Liu Hongquan’s voice rose as he pointed at Lin Jiang.
"I’m telling you, this is none of your business! Stop meddling and get out!"
"So, you’re saying you absolutely must have this money," Lin Jiang said calmly, not at all angry.
"Kid, stop causing trouble. Believe it or not, I’ll smack you."
"I told you to calm down. You just want compensation, right? Fine, I’ll pay for it."
Liang Shuhuo and the installer were both stunned. Neither of them expected Lin Jiang to step up and offer to pay.
This had nothing to do with him at all.
Liu Hongquan’s attitude shifted. His gaze toward Lin Jiang softened considerably as he sized him up.
"If you can pay, then give me the money now."
"Fine. 180,000, right? I’ll transfer it to you in a moment."
Lin Jiang looked at Liang Shuhuo. "You should have a pen and paper in your bag, right? Go write up an agreement. After the money is paid, have him and Master Zhang sign it."
Liang Shuhuo knew the procedure. It would serve as proof of compensation, preventing Liu Hongquan from going back on his word.
But she couldn’t understand why Lin Jiang was doing this.
"Just do as I say."
If anyone else had said this, Liang Shuhuo might not have listened. But since it was Lin Jiang, things were different.
’He really has the means to back it up!’
The installer stood by, dumbfounded. ’Did I just meet a living saint?’
Taking out a pen and paper from her bag, Liang Shuhuo wrote a compensation and settlement agreement.
Having dealt with contracts for years, writing something like this was no trouble for her. She even had an ink pad, a staple in her bag.
The time, place, incident details, parties involved, and compensation amount were all written down clearly.
After finishing, Liang Shuhuo showed it to Lin Jiang, who then handed it to Liu Hongquan after a quick look.
"Take a look. If there are no problems, I’ll transfer the money. Then you can sign and add your thumbprint."
Holding the settlement agreement, Liu Hongquan examined it carefully. Seeing no issues, he said:
"There are no problems."
Just then, Liang Shuhuo finished writing the second copy.
Documents like this always come in duplicate, with each party keeping one copy afterward. A single copy would not suffice.
"Give me an account number. I’ll transfer the money now."
Liu Hongquan found a photo of his bank card on his phone, and Lin Jiang transferred 180,000 to him using the account number.
"If you were going to pay, why didn’t you say so earlier? I wouldn’t have had to waste my breath on them."
"Just sign and add your thumbprint first."
Liu Hongquan took the pen, signed his name, and added his thumbprint.
Lin Jiang called out, "Master Zhang, come sign and add your thumbprint."
"Young man, thank you. I have some money at home. I’ll have my wife transfer it all to you later."
"Don’t worry about that now. Just come and sign first."
"Yes, yes, of course."
The installer took the pen, signed the compensation and settlement agreement, and added his thumbprint.
Looking at the signed agreement, Lin Jiang said without lifting his head:
"Call the police."

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