164: Chapter 163 Interrogation and Public Criticism

Guo Yutao's emotional and impassioned appeal did not receive the corresponding response. The applause from below the stage was not only sparse but also sounded weak. Most people's attention was focused on the large screen behind the stage.

The dedicated photographer now displayed his unfathomable filming skills. The lens, adjusted to maximum focal length, followed He Yueyou's left hand constantly. The footage on the screen was very smooth without a hint of slight shaking. He Yueyou's left hand appeared on the screen with extreme clarity as if it hadn't moved at all. The focus was concentrated on the massive golden heart-shaped Fancy Yellow diamond ring on her ring finger. Furthermore, as if aided by divine power, the photographer seamlessly applied the master-level technique 'Single Point Clarity' during the dynamic shoot, freezing that dazzling, hallucinatory diamond on the screen and imprinting it deeply into the eyes of every audience member.

Both engagement rings were prepared in advance by Cao Xiao. The large and small golden heart-shaped Fancy Yellow diamonds were cut from the two stones he obtained in South Africa. After the larger one was cut into a heart shape, it was much bigger than he had expected; the design had lowered its height slightly, resulting in a post-cut weight of 6.25 carats. This golden diamond had a pure color and vivid tone. Although it didn't reach the top-tier FL clarity, it was IF grade. Diamonds of both LF and IF clarity grades are also known as 'Angel's Tears.' It is extremely rare for large-carat colored diamonds to even reach VS1 clarity; in terms of clarity alone, the one He Yueyou was wearing could be described as exceptionally rare.

The rarest of diamonds are red diamonds, which are produced in small quantities in only a handful of places. The world's largest red diamond is named the 'Moussaieff Red,' weighing only 5.11 carats. Compared to red diamonds, golden diamonds are not as rare. There are many known giant golden diamonds in the world, such as the 43-carat 'Golden Eye,' the 110-carat 'Cora Sun-Drop,' and the 190-carat 'Dream Diamond.' The world's most famous and precious yellow diamond, the 'Tiffany Diamond,' weighed 287 carats, though unfortunately, it has since been split into over ten stones; otherwise, it would be the world's heaviest yellow diamond. Our country also discovered a giant golden diamond, the 281-carat 'Golden Chicken Diamond.' If it hadn't been dismantled, it would be the undisputed number one golden diamond in the world. Even more unfortunately, this rare treasure was seized by the Japanese during the war and its whereabouts remain unknown to this day.

Compared to those world-renowned giant golden diamonds, a weight of 6.25 carats isn't much, but that is only relative to those massive stones. Large-grain golden diamonds are also extremely scarce items on the market; those over one carat are hard to find, and yellow diamonds over five carats are rare, let alone pure golden diamonds, of which there are only a handful on record. Combined with IF clarity and a Triple Excellent cut, regardless of its significance, if sold purely for its material value, Cao Xiao wouldn't sell it even if someone offered a sky-high price of 100 million us dollars! Because a rare treasure of this collection grade is a precious commodity that will only appreciate in value over time; selling it would be a loss.

Sensing that something was wrong, Cao Xiao followed the audience's gaze to the screen and was momentarily stunned. He shook He Yueyou's left hand in disbelief. The diamond ring on the screen changed angles, and the blurred parts of the image showed that the entire frame was moving. He then covered the ring on He Yueyou's hand with his own, and the back of his hand immediately appeared on the screen. Only then did he look in shock at the photographer who was currently looking up at him.

That flowing, smooth ponytail! That unrestrained beard! Those wild, imaginative eyes...

At this moment, Cao Xiao was deeply mesmerized! His eyes were filled with admiration.

Just how much money and persuasion did the He family spend to invite such a grandmaster to appear! A person with profound professional skill, keen observation, and a noble spirit of dedication... an absolute eccentric! Is this guy a veteran astronomy enthusiast? Filming must be his side job; this technique was definitely practiced by shooting meteors!

It was all because this busybody made the scene so awkward. He had a great time filming, but Cao Xiao was stifling his anger! Such a mess had to happen at the most important moment! This was an engagement, yet they couldn't even receive a single blessing! That sparse, perfunctory applause was even more of a slap to his face! Damn him! When he had time, he would definitely pay a fortune to hire the guy to film 'Animal World'—specifically ants, for ten or eight years!

Looking at the somewhat lonely and disappointed He Yueyou beside him, Cao Xiao felt very guilty. He bore a lot of responsibility for making the engagement ceremony, which should have been joyous, so bizarre. But things had reached this point, and thinking too much was useless. Cao Xiao made a silent vow: since they couldn't get blessings, he would let the world be envious forever!

"Cough, cough!"

Cao Xiao directly grabbed He Yueyou's left hand in his own, while inconspicuously slipping his own left hand into his trouser pocket. Although the golden diamond on his ring was only 4.5 carats, its clarity was LF grade, so its value wasn't much lower than He Yueyou's. He coughed twice to remind the two hosts who were staring blankly at the screen.

"I announce that the engagement ceremony of Mr. Cao Xiao and Ms. He Yueyou has come to a successful conclusion! We have prepared a sumptuous banquet for everyone, please take your seats and enjoy. Thank you all once again for coming! Goodbye!"

"Tsk...!"

The audience below was filled with the sound of sighs and jeers.

Guo Yutao finished the sentence in one breath at triple speed. Regardless of how the guests reacted, he and Ning Feitong bowed in thanks and quickly rushed off the stage as if being chased by prehistoric monsters. Not just the hosts, but everyone on the stage was simultaneously and impatiently hurrying down...

...

"Cao Xiao! Where do you think you're escaping to! Stop right there!"

Cao Xiao inconspicuously approached the tray holding the asset transfer documents. Using his body to block the guests' view, he quickly scooped them up along with the red silk and tucked them into his chest. Pulling He Yueyou, he followed closely behind Guo Yutao off the stage. He knew clearly that what he needed to do now was quickly find a place to hide and lie low, otherwise, it would be disastrous if he were caught by those eyeing him like tigers! He ran with his head down all the way to the villa's courtyard gate. Just as he thought he had escaped, a sharp shout came from behind. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was; he already knew that voice by heart. Aside from his future mother-in-law, no one could make him as terrified and trembling as a bird startled by a bow with just one sentence!

"Cough! Auntie, what are you saying! I'm just thirsty and wanted to go get a glass of water!" Whether he was guilty or afraid, he must not show it in the face of a powerful enemy. When it was time to quibble, he wouldn't even blush.

"Since you weren't planning to run, then come with us!" Huang Chunxiang said to Cao Xiao with a cold smile.

Seeing the large group of aggressive people behind Huang Chunxiang, Cao Xiao knew he couldn't hide. He felt even more nervous, but still holding a sliver of hope, he continued to play dumb: "Auntie, what are you doing with this lineup? If there's something, just let me handle it!"

"Keep on pretending! Don't give me that nonsense! Get moving with us!" Huang Chunxiang was full of impatience, one hand on her hip and the other reaching out to grab Cao Xiao's ear.

Seeing that his mother-in-law was about to resort to violence at the slightest disagreement, Cao Xiao immediately became well-behaved. He retreated two steps in fear and said with a bitter face, "Don't! I'll go! I'll go!"

...

In the living room on the second floor of the villa, Cao Xiao's parents, He Yueyou, Father He and Mother He, Elder Chen, Chen Huaiyu, Commissioner Zhang, and others sat in a circle on the sofas. Cao Xiao stood pitifully in their midst, waiting for the big shots to deal with him.

"Cao Xiao, you just took office last night, and today you used guns—three lives! Don't you think you should give me a reasonable explanation first!" Commissioner Zhang stared at Cao Xiao seriously, speaking in a heavy tone.

"Taking office? Those were gunshots just now? And people died! Xiao Xiao, what's going on? Ah! Don't scare Mom!" Before Cao Xiao could reply, Li Fengmei stood up anxiously, grabbed Cao Xiao's hand, and asked.

"Mom, I'm working in the military now. There were indeed shots fired at the gate just now; the three who were killed were criminals! Don't worry, nothing will happen!" Cao Xiao hadn't expected Commissioner Zhang to bring this up directly in front of his family, but on second thought, he understood. The gunshots outside the gate really couldn't be hidden from those who were paying attention, and an explanation would have to be given eventually. As a local official, it was Commissioner Zhang's duty to handle this. Moreover, Commissioner Zhang didn't reveal his identity with the Supervision Department. Currently, Cao Xiao held two positions—one public and one secret. He was also a Major Staff Officer of the Military General Logistics Department Headquarters. Duan Hong and the others who fired also had military identities. As soldiers killing a few criminals while performing a mission was reasonable, so this matter could be explained logically.

"Leader, the opponents weren't ordinary people, otherwise we wouldn't have used the big guy! I'll also have to ask you to arrange for the police to explain to the public that it was a joint military-police operation to capture criminals, and several desperate thugs were shot dead." Cao Xiao deliberately spoke somewhat vaguely, but he believed Commissioner Zhang would understand.

As a high-ranking official, Commissioner Zhang had sufficient knowledge of basic weaponry. The Gatling Vulcan Cannon was an absolute killing machine, not designed or produced to deal with infantry, but rather to strike ground armored targets and low-altitude aircraft. Unless facing a large-scale assault by armed militants, it wouldn't be used lightly. Firstly, it was too wasteful of ammunition, and secondly, using it against infantry was too bloody and cruel—highly inhumane. It was impossible for large-scale armed groups to exist in Huanghe City or even within the country. The only possibility that could force Cao Xiao's bodyguards to use the Vulcan Cannon was what Cao Xiao had suggested! He hadn't thought about it carefully just now; he was just worried that this matter might cause a huge stir and had developed some negative views toward Cao Xiao, feeling somewhat irritated, which was why he had pressed Cao Xiao for answers.

"Hmm! If that's the case, then fine. I'll contact the Municipal Bureau immediately."

After a moment of contemplation, the serious expression on Commissioner Zhang's face gradually softened. He said a few words and then got up to leave the living room.

"Don't look at me, I'll explain this to everyone later!" Cao Xiao saw everyone looking at him with doubt, and his future mother-in-law also seemed to be hesitating to speak. Today's botched engagement ceremony was already hard enough to explain, and fearing that more things would be dragged out, Cao Xiao quickly spoke up to stop them from questioning further.

Seeing Commissioner Zhang leave and that those present were basically family, Huang Chunxiang stood up and glared fiercely at Cao Xiao, speaking incessantly: "Let's not talk about other things for now. You tell me honestly right now, why didn't you discuss it with us beforehand before taking those things up there! Don't you know that every single item you brought out is a rare treasure? And to bring out so many at once all in a heap—are you not worried about the trouble! Such an important event as an engagement was nearly ruined by you! This is just the engagement! If you continue being this unreliable, how can we feel safe handing Yueyou over to you! Besides, now that those things have been exposed, can we sleep soundly at home at night? Do you plan on bringing a hundred bodyguards every time you go out in the future? Or just huddle at home for the rest of your life, buy a safe, and lock yourself in? Also, where did those things come from? You were in South Africa for less than half a month and managed to get so many good things. Just how many shady things did you do over there? Speaking of South Africa, I haven't even settled the score with you for daring to shoot and kill people in my company! And..."

"Auntie, listen to my explanation first. Let's talk slowly, okay!" Cao Xiao had long witnessed his future mother-in-law's combat state when she lost her temper. If he didn't stop her quickly, not only would she rattle on like a machine gun without end, but she would also drag out more matters to probe. Furthermore, he couldn't find a perfect explanation for the things he had done to satisfy this exceptionally brilliant career woman. The explanations he thought were reasonable would be full of holes in her eyes. The more he said, the more mistakes he'd make; one lie often requires countless lies to cover up. Seeing her 'getting to the bottom of things' stance, Cao Xiao had no choice but to bite the bullet and forcibly interrupt.

"Auntie, the South Africa matter can't be explained in a short time, and the matter at the gate is still waiting for me to handle! I'll just give a brief summary."

"A local family in Cape Town heard that the branch office had changed shareholders and brought gang thugs to the branch wanting to demand a portion of the shares. A dispute broke out, they fired at us first, and then we were forced to shoot them dead. Later, someone stepped in to help me force that family to compromise. That person has immense influence, so to apologize, that family gave me all the gems and jewelry they had accumulated over a century. The things I brought out came from that batch of gems and jewelry. Besides that, they also gave me a large yacht, which is currently being refitted in the shipyard. Additionally, I am now a soldier, a Major Staff Officer of the General Logistics Department Headquarters. Due to some special reasons, I can mobilize a portion of the local garrison for combat missions in emergencies. The items I brought out are all very precious, some could even be considered national treasures. So, as a soldier, I also have the responsibility and obligation to ensure national treasures are not lost. I will appropriately release some news and then make some noise to intimidate those lowlifes, so no one blind will dare to target these betrothal gifts."