54: Chapter 54 Unexpected Twist

"What's there to even estimate! It's a priceless treasure! If I said it was worth a billion, no one would object. Kid, if you can complete the set of the twelve zodiac signs, and if that brat from the Dong family still dares to eye Tianxing Garden, you won't even have to lift a finger—I guarantee countless people will go out and wipe him out. Even if Yunkai Group were ten times larger, they couldn't protect him. And you won't have to wait until then; you don't need to worry about Tianxing Garden's affairs anymore. I'll spread the word right now, and you just wait and see the results. Old Wang, Old Chen, let's inform those old fellows together. This is no longer just a matter of asset dispute. Forget the chicken blood stone; this place cannot be touched by outsiders. We can take action directly." Ren Pingnian's first thought wasn't how superb the carving skill was, but the significance of this Amethyst Divine Dragon appearing here. The dragon is the totem of Huaxia. In recent years, the Dong family's stance has been wavering. Even though their bloodline has completely merged with the locals, as descendants of the dragon, they can't even maintain their stance. If this isn't forgetting one's ancestors, what is? Can they still be considered one of our own? Just because they have a bit of money, they do as they please in the country; many people have long been unable to stand it. This is the perfect opportunity to teach them a good lesson.

"Indeed, I was already feeling a bit stifled by this matter. I was afraid of damaging unity and couldn't even protect my own student. Now there's no need for that; it's time to make some rounds." Elder Chen's eyes flashed with a cold light, though his expression remained calm. He turned to Chen Huaiyu and said, "Eldest, coordinate on your end. Investigate all their illegal and disciplinary violations. I believe you've already collected quite a bit of information. Talk to Xiao Si; he and those youngsters in Xiangjiang should be able to make a profit this time. Let the Customs take action as well; the evidence is sufficient anyway."

"Alright, I'll arrange it in a moment." Chen Huaiyu knew his father was truly enraged this time. The matter had now escalated to a different level of significance, and they could push things along without any further hesitation.

"Hello! Old Yang, if you can still walk, come to Huanghe City and take a look! Don't ask questions; I'll send you the pictures in a moment."

"Old Wood, you've seen the things, right? Good, I'll wait for you here."

"Xiao Zhou? It's about this matter. You've seen the pictures, right? I'm here right now; you guys decide what to do."

The elders made many phone calls after taking photos with their phones. Chen Huaiyu was no exception. After hearing Ren Pingnian's words, Cao Xiao also sensed that something big was about to happen.

Half an hour later, everyone finished their calls. Chen Huaiyu asked Cao Xiao to open the gate. When Cao Xiao reached the gate, he found a line of cars parked there. Many people were gathered around the chicken blood stone, and there were even police officers maintaining order.

Just as Cao Xiao opened the gate, an Audi parked at the very front impatiently drove into Tianxing Garden. Cao Xiao was startled and didn't even have time to stop it. As the cars behind were about to follow, Cao Xiao quickly closed the electric gate. He still hadn't figured out what was going on—why were these people rushing into the garden without even saying hello, right in front of him, the owner? Regardless of the reason, this was simply not taking him seriously.

Before he could even ask, some people got out of the cars and introduced themselves. It turned out they were invited by Elder Ren and the others. Cao Xiao explained the location to them and let them through. However, since there were too many people, he didn't dare leave the gate wide open and unattended, so he could only act as a security guard at the entrance.

Seeing this, other people who had come to see the chicken blood stone thought there was something exciting happening inside and demanded to enter. But Cao Xiao didn't dare let them in. Looking at the crowd, there were hundreds of people; if so many went in, he wouldn't be able to manage them. If anything happened, it would be his responsibility. Unexpectedly, trouble arose before he even let anyone in.

"So many people are allowed in, why aren't we!"

"You're just a security guard, yet you look down on people. Those with cars can go in, but we can't?"

"If we can't go in, no one else should even think about it!"

"Get out of the way and open the gate, or we'll complain about you to your boss!"

Looking at the agitated crowd, Cao Xiao felt terrible. What a mess! This is a private place, okay? You want to enter just because you feel like it? Do you think this is an amusement park? Those people were invited, yet you're making a scene just to see if there's any excitement. Look at how smug you are, just causing a stir and thinking I'll let you in if you make a fuss. Not a chance.

From time to time, more cars arrived, all invited by Elder Ren and the others. Cao Xiao didn't dare open the gate because the troublemakers were blocking it. The electric gate was only a little over a meter high and could be easily climbed over, but these people were all bluster and no bite; not a single one actually did it, as the police were still watching nearby.

Seeing this, Cao Xiao didn't bother wasting words with them. Since he was just a "little security guard" and no one would listen anyway, he simply pulled a small stool out of his trunk, took a large peach from his space, and sat at the gate munching on it until the juice was flowing—it was quite refreshing. His actions further enraged the crowd, who shouted condemnations at him, but Cao Xiao didn't care. He wasn't in a hurry; those who couldn't get in would naturally be the ones to worry. He even took out his phone with great interest to snap photos of the people in the crowd who were overestimating themselves, trying to put together a complete set of emojis.

Sure enough, after a short while, Chen Huaiyu's driver and secretary arrived and took over his security duties. They weren't like him; as soon as they arrived, they communicated with the police outside, asking for help in maintaining order, and explained things to the crowd. Whether people listened or not, the scene calmed down, and the troublemakers stopped their fuss.

Cao Xiao returned to the high ground. By now, there were over a hundred people on the platform. Quite a few sunshades had been set up, and some people were even sitting on small stools. How did they bring those in? Why hadn't he noticed? These seemed to be the enthusiastic "melon-eating" spectators.

There were also several elderly people in hospital gowns sitting in wheelchairs. Everyone present was gathered around the divine dragon, discussing it, and some were quite emotional.

"Xiao Xiao, come here. Let me introduce you. This is Director Fu of our Provincial Department of Culture. From today onwards, this place is a key cultural protection site of our province. Of course, it's still yours. Director Fu hopes you can set up a dedicated tour route to this spot, and I've agreed to it on your behalf. As for the ticket issue, we will establish special tourist routes and corresponding facilities; you won't need to invest further. Tickets will be sold here and online, and we will take a thirty percent fee. The management staff will also be arranged by your Tianxing Company. Hurry up and thank Director Fu!" Chen Huaiyu called Cao Xiao over as soon as he saw him.

"Uh! Thank you, Director Fu." Cao Xiao was a bit bewildered. How did this place become a provincial key cultural protection site in just a short while, with even the ticket issue settled? Although he was somewhat reluctant for Tianxing Garden to become a tourist attraction, it was the general trend. Chen Huaiyu had already secured many favorable conditions for him, so he couldn't refuse the kindness.

He hadn't expected his own "crow beak" of a mouth to actually come true; Tianxing Garden really had become an amusement park. He probably wouldn't have a quiet day from now on. Forget it, no use dwelling on it; better to get through this first.