The vendor from the next stall immediately rushed over to help Boss Li and informed him of the current situation.
"Old Li, there are people vying to buy your gold bracelet. Who are you going to sell it to?"
"Gold bracelet?" Boss Li stood unsteadily, raising his eyes and seeing the gold bracelet in Liu Tianjing's hand.
Liu Tianjing instinctively wanted to hide the gold bracelet behind her back, but with so many pairs of eyes staring directly at her, she didn't dare to do so.
Boss Li examined it carefully. Although he also sold gold bracelets, his styles were simple circles.
There was no gold bracelet with such intricate and elaborate patterns, inlaid with a large number of gemstones and six red characters for "longevity".
Boss Li blurted out instinctively, "I've never sold this bracelet. It's not mine."
What was coming finally came.
Hearing this, it was like having a time - bomb strapped to her with only three seconds left on the countdown. Liu Tianjing, like a person waiting for death in despair, closed her eyes tightly, her face pale.
It was over!
"Not yours?"
Wang Lide had been in the antique business for so long that he immediately sensed something was wrong. He pointed at the vase that Liu Tianjing had already bought.
"Boss Li, have you ever sold this vase?"
This vase was of the douqing glaze color. The lighter - colored ones were as pale as the greenish lake water, emitting a glistening and slightly translucent light like jelly in the sunlight.
The patterns on it were also very particular, and one could tell at a glance that it was no ordinary item.
It was completely different from the colorful and boldly - designed vases that Boss Li sold.
Boss Li shook his head. "This one wasn't sold by me either."
If he had such good items, why would he bring them to the treasure - hunting competition to sell them at a low price?
That would be stupid!
The onlookers gasped and started whispering among themselves. They originally thought it was a drama of competing to buy antiques, but unexpectedly, it led to a bigger story.
Wisdom shone in Wang Lide's eyes. His sharp gaze shot towards Dazhuang.
"This vase and the gold bracelet are yours, right!"
Dazhuang's neck was red and thick. Due to the nervousness and panic of being exposed, all the muscles in his body bulged, and the veins were faintly visible.
It was obvious how panicked he was.
"Just look at his expression. He's clearly guilty!"
"That's right. Could it be that he insisted on selling these to this young girl to help her cheat?"
"Really? I've seen this young girl. She's won the championship for three consecutive terms."
The people around stared at the nervous expressions of Liu Tianjing and Dazhuang and started all kinds of speculation and imagination.
Xu Qingqing's attention was different from others. Her eyes fell on the lotus tattoo on Dazhuang's arm, and she squinted thoughtfully.
Xu Qingqing tilted her head and whispered a few words to Zhang Beichen behind her, asking him to bring some people over.
"You deliberately occupied Boss Li's stall and mixed the two antiques you brought in with Boss Li's antiques so that you could sell them to her openly. Am I right?"
At this moment, Wang Lide had taken control of the whole situation. With a serious aura around him, he exposed Dazhuang's plan in just a few words.
Boss Li, who still couldn't stand steadily, rubbed his growling stomach, his face full of anger. "No wonder I suddenly had diarrhea. So it was you who did this!"
Before Dazhuang could reply, Wang Lide continued.
"So when I wanted to buy the gold bracelet, you deliberately said you wouldn't sell it, just to get me out of the way and complete your secret deal."
Suddenly, the onlookers around all had an epiphany.
The only possibility for Liu Tianjing and Dazhuang to take such a risk was cheating!
Clatter!
The gold bracelet in Liu Tianjing's hand fell to the ground because of her extreme fear. Liu Tianjing grabbed her bag and turned around to run in fear, but Xu Qingqing, who was quicker, blocked her way.
"Teacher Wang, it seems that, just as you said, someone is cheating in the competition."
The word "cheating" completely crushed Liu Tianjing. In the cold autumn wind, she broke out in a cold sweat. Her lips trembled, but she couldn't say a word to defend herself.
"I... I..."
Liu Tianjing took a step back, tripped over her own feet, and fell to the ground. The lotus wooden token on her bag was also exposed to Xu Qingqing's sight.
A cold light flashed in Xu Qingqing's eyes.
It was the lotus again!
At this time, Zhang Beichen also called the patrol team of the treasure - hunting competition, and they surrounded Liu Tianjing. He said coldly, "Miss Liu, please come with us first."
Together with Dazhuang behind the stall, two security guards escorted them away, one on each side.
And hidden in the crowd, Liu Chengcheng tugged at her sleeve to cover the lotus tattoo on her wrist and quietly left.
"Brother, the plan failed." Liu Chengcheng found an empty corner and reported the situation to her older brother, Liu Shicheng.
"Dazhuang and the employer have both been arrested."
On the other end of the phone, Liu Shicheng seemed to have anticipated this situation. He sighed softly. "I see. Come back quickly."
Liu Shicheng had warned Liu Tianjing that she would be discovered, but she said she would take all the responsibility herself. It was not his fault.
As for Dazhuang, his failure in the task was his punishment.
The news that Liu Tianjing, the champion of the treasure - hunting competition for three consecutive terms, had cheated spread throughout the competition.
Old Liu, who was originally complacent and thought he was sure to win, now looked as if he had aged ten years. His face was extremely haggard, and he looked completely incredulous.
As an old friend for many years, Father Lu felt sorry for Old Liu when he saw his state. He stepped forward to comfort him. "Old Liu, don't think too much. Maybe they made a mistake."
Old Liu covered his face painfully, full of melancholy, and didn't say a word.
How could it be a mistake? Even he, her grandfather, could tell that something was wrong with his granddaughter.
"Old Liu, cheer up..."
"Old Lu, stop talking... I've lost..."
Old Liu closed his eyes tightly, sighed deeply, bent his neck, and his shoulder blades were raised high, looking like an ostrich with its head down.
Old Liu left with the escorted Liu Tianjing. Father Lu was a little worried and wanted to follow.
Xu Qingqing quickly stopped him and advised Father Lu, "Uncle Lu, you'd better not go. Uncle Liu is in a bad mood now. You'll make him feel worse if you go."
Xu Qingqing made sense. Father Lu shook his head regretfully. "That girl. How could she go down the wrong path? Poor Old Liu must be really hit hard."
"Qingqing, are you hungry? Let's go eat."
Xu Qingqing turned to look at Wang Lide, who was squatting on the ground to pick up the gold bracelet. "Uncle Lu, you go first. I still have something to talk to my teacher. I'll find you later."
"Okay then."
After Father Lu left, Xu Qingqing walked to Wang Lide's side, and her tone became a bit more serious.
"Teacher Wang, did you see the lotus tattoo on that strong man's arm and the lotus wooden token hanging on Liu Tianjing's bag?"
"Could they be related to the White Lotus Organization?"
Hearing Xu Qingqing's words, Wang Lide paused, put down his magnifying glass, and said, "It's possible!"