With Tang Ao urging her, Zhou Qiao'er handed over her bank card. "I like the look of everything at your stall. I'll take it all!"
What!?
What was Zhou Qiao'er doing? She had just been here earlier, and now she was at it again?
The owner of the first stall shouted out, "She's just messing with you, like she did with me!" His eyes were filled with frustration. He had been daydreaming about making a fortune when Zhou Qiao'er pulled out at the last minute. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. "Just when you think the deal's about to go through and you swipe her card, she suddenly says she doesn't want it anymore!"
The stall owner in front of Zhou Qiao'er frowned and asked, "Miss, are you sure you want to buy everything at my stall?"
Zhou Qiao'er nodded with certainty.
The owner looked at her luxurious outfit, then glanced at the Bugatti Veyron key hanging from Tang Ao's waist, swallowed hard, and said, "Alright, all the items here, the cost price is about 400,000 yuan. You can take it all for 500,000."
Zhou Qiao'er was delighted, and as she handed over her bank card, Tang Ao quickly intervened, "Qiao'er, even if you have money, you can't waste it. From what I can see, all this stuff isn't worth more than 10,000 yuan. 400,000 is a complete rip-off. Let's not buy it."
Other than the teapot, Tang Ao had no idea what the other items at this stall were worth.
He said the combined value wasn't more than 10,000 just to make a point.
Hearing this, the stall owner panicked.
This guy knows his stuff!
These items had all been sourced cheaply from moving companies and second-hand traders. The costs were ridiculously low!
The owner had hoped to con Zhou Qiao'er into a big payday, even though he knew there was a chance she might back out. Still, what if the deal went through?
He didn't think there was anything valuable in his stall. He had been selling on Antique Street for a long time, and finding hidden treasures was as rare as winning the lottery. Even out of millions of people, only one or two might get that lucky.
Their business thrived on one-time buyers, driven by the hope of striking it rich.
That's why the first-time customers had to be fleeced. It was an unspoken rule on Antique Street.
Hearing Tang Ao's words, Zhou Qiao'er frowned, and the stall owner politely bowed to Tang Ao:
"Sir, that's not quite fair. In our trade, we don't reveal what we know. One person wants to buy, the other wants to sell. Once you buy, you can't regret it. That's how so many people become rich by finding treasures. As for the price, well... everything's negotiable!"
Seeing Zhou Qiao'er's reaction, Tang Ao was thrilled. "See? He's not an honest dealer. There's no way we'll find anything genuine at a place like this. Let's go check out that plate. I really like it!"
Tang Ao grabbed Zhou Qiao'er's hand, ready to leave, but to his surprise, she stood her ground, like she was glued to the spot.
Tang Ao felt a chill, sensing trouble, so he played his trump card:
"Zhou Qiao'er, if you don't come now, I'll never speak to you again!"
[Hmph, I know her too well. After saying something like that, Zhou Qiao'er, who's head over heels for me, will definitely follow me obediently!]
The stall owner suddenly had an epiphany.
It was obvious that Tang Ao and Zhou Qiao'er were in a spat!
What do women do when they're upset?
Impulsive shopping, of course!
And the man...
Well, he's going to do everything he can to please her!
This sale could work!
He had to make Zhou Qiao'er feel like she was getting a great deal. The stall owner wasn't going to let this transaction slip away. He quickly said, "The price can be negotiated. How about you name a number, and we'll talk?"
Tang Ao tugged again, but Zhou Qiao'er didn't budge!
Since that didn't work...
Tang Ao decided to stir things up.
The stall owner had quoted 400,000, so Tang Ao figured he'd slash a zero and offer 40,000 to annoy him.
But 40,000 still seemed too high. Given the nature of these shrewd dealers, that was probably close to the cost price. Tang Ao decided to knock off another zero!
If his offer was low enough, the stall owner would surely get mad and chase them away, and the deal would fall through.
"Alright, then. I offer 4,000 yuan!"
The stall owner gritted his teeth and, without hesitation, nodded, "Deal!"
?????
Tang Ao was dumbfounded.
Zhou Qiao'er was equally shocked.
Was this really happening!?
While Tang Ao and Zhou Qiao'er were still in disbelief, the stall owner swiftly began packing up everything. The first item he picked up was that priceless glazed white jade teapot!
In the blink of an eye, he had everything neatly packed up and ready. "Will you be paying by cash, card, or digital payment?"
Tang Ao pinched his thigh hard—ouch!
This wasn't a dream!
What was going on here!?
Tang Ao, still confused, said, "No, you must've misheard. I said 4,000 yuan, not 40,000."
The stall owner, looking heartbroken, shook his head, "I didn't mishear. 4,000 yuan it is. Honestly, I'm losing half my cost here, but seeing how much the lady likes these items, and considering how you look like someone of great fortune, I'll let it go. To be honest, this price... I'm bleeding money. But I'd like to be friends with you, so please come again in the future."
"Huh?"
While Tang Ao stood there in shock, Zhou Qiao'er promptly handed over her card.
When the receipt printed out, Tang Ao pinched his thigh again.
It wasn't a dream!
Zhou Qiao'er laughed softly, covering her mouth, "Leave the stuff here for now. I'll send someone to pick it up later. Thanks!"
The stall owner nodded with feigned sorrow, "Please, do come again. If you don't, I'll be in big trouble for this deal."
"Don't worry!" Zhou Qiao'er replied, and then she led Tang Ao to the next stall, where Tang Ao had seen the plate. She couldn't have been happier.
Originally, the items were supposed to cost 400,000...
Thanks to Tang Ao's intervention, they'd gotten everything for just 4,000!
An absolute steal!
Tang Ao was devastated. He couldn't believe that his lowball offer had been accepted!
After Tang Ao and Zhou Qiao'er had walked away, the stall owner could no longer contain himself. He grinned so widely his missing teeth showed, and a nearby street cleaner couldn't help but ask, "What's gotten into you? Why are you so happy?"
"You don't get it. I just earned 3,900 yuan! All this stuff was scavenged from a recycling center. I'm living large tonight! I'll drink two bottles of liquor—one down my throat, the other on the ground!"
...
Meanwhile, Tang Ao noticed something familiar at the next stall.
[Oh my god, how could this happen? Isn't that the nine-tailed fox teapot pet made from the same material as Heshibi? How could I run into it again?]
[This is too much! I was just pointing randomly earlier, and yet this is exactly what I didn't want to happen!]
[I need to buy that plate quickly and get out of here before Zhou Qiao'er notices. That nine-tailed fox teapot pet needs to be left for Ye Chen. Without it, how will he win over the Li family elder?]