After Paying 260,000 in Customs Duties, I Reported Four Jin of Gold Missing

On May Day, I was representing my country at an overseas design competition, but I was stopped by security at customs.

"Ma'am, your gold jewelry weighs over two kilograms. Regulations require you to pay 260,000 yuan in value-added tax before you can board."

I was stunned. These were carved ornaments woven by hand from pure copper wire. Where was the gold supposed to be?

I tried to explain, but he curled his lip and, right in front of me, snapped in two the phoenix tail feather I had spent an entire year making, winding copper wire around itself more than a million times.

"The X-ray machine is being serviced today, so we can only inspect it by hand."

"Ma'am, you're lying. This is clearly gold."

My eyes instantly reddened as I stared at the pile of broken pieces.

"I declared this competition entry in advance. Taking it apart has ruined the whole thing. What gives you the right to do this?"

His colleague came over with a grin, picked up the only two intact carved peonies left in the tray, then let them fall onto the cold tiled floor.