Old Harden, can you handle having your vision-shifting abilities on all the time?

When this number was announced, even Xu Xing, who was mentally prepared, felt his heart skip a beat.

Sun Hao was so excited that his face turned red. Two million in three days!

This is more than he earned in two months of hard work before!

The key point is that his experience in participating in S-level projects and the techniques he learned along the way are of great significance to someone like him who has only recently joined Chengxinzhai and has never been exposed to S-level projects before.

However, he was also aware of his own limitations and knew that he could not replicate Xu Xing's operating methods, especially in terms of glaze preparation, which was impossible to learn.

But this experience truly broadened his horizons, making him realize the gap between himself and top restorers.

Seeing the gap gives us a direction to work towards and helps us close that gap as much as possible.

So even though he only received one-tenth of Xu Xing's money, Sun Hao was still very happy.

Wang Benquan clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Engineer Xu, this repair is superb! Old Master Shen would surely weep if he saw it!"

He turned to Zhou Wenyuan and said, "Elder Zhou, immediately process the formal evaluation report, then arrange for someone to carefully store the bottles in the warehouse. I'll personally deliver them to Elder Shen later!"

"in addition."

Wang Benquan then looked at Xu Xing with a smile and said, "The other S-class remnant I promised you is available anytime. Feel free to look at anything in the warehouse. You can start the project anytime you like any of them."

Xu Xing thought for a moment and said, "President Wang, the S-level project is too mentally taxing, so I plan to postpone it for now. However, I would like to lock down the artifact for the time being."

Then I'll first pick one or two similar but slightly easier A-grade porcelain pieces from the inventory to practice and get a feel for them before tackling the S-grade one.

Upon hearing this, Wang Benquan showed no dissatisfaction; on the contrary, he admired Xu Gong even more: "With your steady and methodical approach, and careful planning before action, I trust you to get things done!"

Soon, Zhou Wenyuan submitted the formal evaluation documents, and people from the warehouse came to carefully seal the perfectly restored double-dragon-eared vase and store it in the top-grade collection warehouse, awaiting Wang Benquan's arrangement for handover.

When I came out of the restoration center, the sun was shining brightly, and Chang'an in June was already quite hot.

Xu Xing and Sun Hao walked down the steps side by side, both looking exhausted.

After three consecutive days of intense work, even Xu Xing, whose physique had been modified by the Qingyu Stone, felt a bit tired, let alone Sun Hao.

His eyes were bloodshot and had dark circles under them; he walked with a slightly unsteady gait.

"Brother Xu, I feel like I've been completely drained these past two days."

Sun Hao yawned and said with a wry smile, "I used to think I could stay up all night, but compared to you, I realize that's nothing."

Xu Xing smiled and was about to speak when his gaze suddenly stopped.

Two people were standing at the bottom of the steps outside the main gate of the restoration center.

One was an elderly man with gray hair, wearing a Zhongshan suit. It was Zhou Zhihai. He stood there with a peaceful expression, like an old pine tree that had weathered many storms.

Half a step behind him stood a middle-aged man in a light gray shirt, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with a pale face and an uneasy expression.

It was Zheng Guodong.

Zhou Zhihai clearly hadn't expected to run into Xu Xing. His gaze swept over Xu Xing and Sun Hao's faces, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes when he saw their undisguised fatigue.

"Old Zhou?"

Xu Xing asked, somewhat surprised, "How did you get here?"

He didn't even glance at Zheng Guodong, his gaze not lingering on his face for more than half a second, as if the man didn't exist at all.

This utter indifference is more humiliating than any mockery or accusation.

Zheng Guodong's face paled even more. His lips moved, but he ultimately said nothing.

Zhou Zhihai naturally noticed Xu Xing's attitude, but he did not show any displeasure. Instead, he smiled calmly.

He began, "Xiao Xu, I've brought my good-for-nothing student here today to apologize to you."

He turned to the side, glanced at Zheng Guodong behind him, and said in a calm but serious tone, "What he did that day was unethical. There are rules in every profession. He, an outsider, came to Chengxinzhai to point fingers and even spoke rudely, questioning your abilities. This is a lesson he deserves."

Zhou Zhihai paused, looked directly at Xu Xing, and bowed slightly with a sincere expression: "As a teacher, I also bear responsibility for failing to discipline my students well."

So I brought him here personally today, firstly to apologize to you and General Manager Wang, and secondly to have him apologize to you in person.

After he finished speaking, he slowly stood up and glanced back at Zheng Guodong.

As if startled awake, Zheng Guodong quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply to Xu Xing.

"Mr. XCMG, I was blind to your abilities that day, and my words were very offensive. Please forgive me!"

His voice was somewhat hoarse, carrying obvious tension and resentment.

Xu Xing stood still without speaking immediately.

He could tell that Zheng Guodong still harbored resentment in his apology.

Moreover, while an apology is an apology, stealing work is a major taboo in any industry, and it cannot be forgiven with just an apology.

Moreover, if he hadn't discovered the connection between the spy and Zhou Zhihai, would Zheng Guodong have backed down?

I'm afraid not.

He glanced at Zheng Guodong and said calmly, "Engineer Zheng, you're exaggerating. What's done is done. I'll give Old Zhou face and let's leave it at that."

He didn't say it was okay, nor did he say I didn't mind; he just left it at that.

It means I won't pursue the matter, but don't expect me to make peace with you.

Zheng Guodong clearly understood, his face paled slightly, but he still said respectfully, "Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Xu."

Zhou Zhihai watched from the side and nodded secretly. Xu Xing's attitude was normal. If it were him, he wouldn't be so magnanimous as to forgive Zheng Guodong.

He paused, then asked, "Xiao Xu, did you just finish a project?"

Before Xu Xing could speak, Sun Hao interrupted him.

He glanced at Zheng Guodong, his tone brimming with a sense of triumph, and said in a sarcastic tone, "That's right, Old Zhou. We just finished an S-level project, that Qing Yongzheng celadon double-dragon-handled vase. The internal evaluation has been completed and passed with an excellent rating."

He spoke at a deliberately moderate volume, just enough for Zheng Guodong to hear clearly.

Zheng Guodong's body stiffened visibly, and his face turned even more pale.

An S-level project was completed in just a few days and still passed with an excellent rating.

These words together sounded like a resounding slap across his face.

You should know that he had previously made a solemn vow that Xu Xing's three-day restoration of the Yongzheng celadon Yuhuchun vase was a fraud and a deception.

But now Sun Hao's words were practically humiliating him, and the other party couldn't possibly be lying at the entrance of the repair center.

Zhou Zhihai was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, a clear look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Having worked in the field of porcelain restoration for decades, he knew all too well the difficulty of restoring that large vase with double dragon handles.

The sky-blue glaze of the Yongzheng imperial kiln is a lost and exquisite glaze, making it extremely difficult to reproduce. In addition, there are multiple damages such as broken neck, through-line cracks, and missing dragon ears. Normally, it would be impossible to complete the work in less than three to five months.

three days?

This is no longer a question of speed; it's practically challenging the laws of physics.

Zhou Zhihai opened his mouth as if to ask something, but ultimately held back.

Having lived most of his life, he knew that some things shouldn't be pried into; everyone has secrets they don't want to share, and forcing them is not a good thing.

He simply said with a look of deep emotion, "The younger generation is truly formidable."

Then he changed the subject: "I still need to go apologize to President Wang, so I won't disturb your rest any longer. Xiao Xu, let's have a good chat another day when you're free."

"Mr. Zhou, you're too kind. Please make yourself at home."

Xu Xing stepped aside to make way, saying, "I need to go back and rest too; I've been quite tired these past few days."

"Okay, let's go in first."

Zhou Zhihai nodded and led Zheng Guodong toward the entrance of the restoration center.