Liu Fugui was stunned by the question.
"Could he really be lying?" He pondered for a moment, then replied, "I asked around—his factory is definitely in trouble. Besides, if he weren't losing money, buying this would be pointless. Who'd spend so much on something they don't need?"
"That's true," Lu Fei said, putting the thought aside.
After all, he was simply a pawnbroker: collect, sell, and make sure the buyer understood the terms. Beyond that, he wasn't responsible. If someone ignored the warnings and misused an item, they'd have to deal with the consequences.
Were there evil objects without drawbacks? Yes, but they were exceedingly rare.
"Heh, eighty grand for a single copper coin! Evil Pawnshop never disappoints. You're incredible, Master Lu!" Liu Fugui laughed, rubbing his hands in excitement like a fly savoring its meal.
Lu Fei understood his implication and transferred him eight thousand yuan—the agreed-upon ten percent.
Though greedy, Liu Fugui was reliable in handling matters. He had been instrumental in securing the third evil object. Lu Fei wasn't stingy and rewarded him appropriately.
Afterward, Lu Fei pulled out his ledger to record the Ghost Coin transaction.
The human bone necklace and Ghost Coin had netted him over a hundred thousand yuan. With the skill to acquire these items, money flowed like water.
His grandfather had said that a well-run Evil Pawnshop would never lack wealth or prestige, though making money wasn't its true purpose.
But what was its true purpose?
Lu Fei pondered for a while but still didn't understand. He had only just taken over the Evil Pawnshop and had much to learn.
As he closed the ledger, he noticed Liu Fugui hadn't left.
"Such generosity, young Lu!" Liu Fugui said happily, checking his account balance. "By the way, should we put the snake skin up for sale? I know some wealthy ladies and celebrities who'd pay handsomely for it. They'd love to buy it."
Still thinking about the mother-child snake skin, Liu Fugui seemed eager.
"Forget it. I'm not selling it yet. But if you hear of anyone with an evil item to pawn, let me know." Lu Fei quickly dismissed his hopes.
"What a shame…" Liu Fugui said, still a bit wistful.
Just then, the silhouette of an elegant, beautiful woman appeared at the door of Evil Pawnshop.
"Master Lu."
The voice was soft and pleasant, her smile warm yet reserved—it was none other than Xie Yao.
"Ah, the lady is back!" Liu Fugui immediately recognized her as the woman Lu Fei had met the other day, his expression hinting at amusement as he moved aside.
However, he showed no intention of leaving, instead sitting on the couch with a cup of tea, pretending to drink while eagerly listening.
"Miss Xie, I've prepared the charm for you," Lu Fei said, taking out the Five Emperors Coins. "This is a Five Emperors Coin charm. It wards off evil and prevents misfortune. It should suit your situation, though I admit the craftsmanship is a bit rough."
"Did you make it yourself, Master Lu?" Xie Yao examined the fresh red thread, her eyes lighting up with delight.
Lu Fei chuckled sheepishly. "I did, but the quality isn't the best… I'll give you a discount."
Xie Yao hesitated for a moment. "Well, I won't argue with Master Lu. How much is it?"
"The price…" Lu Fei thought for a moment. "How about f—"
"Fifty thousand? Isn't that too low?" Xie Yao interrupted, eager to pay. She was more interested in showing gratitude than acquiring a protective charm.
"Uh…" Lu Fei was taken aback. The charm had cost him only a few thousand to make; it was worth about ten thousand at most.
But Xie Yao insisted, fastening the coins onto her wrist as if it were a treasure. The ancient coins and crimson thread highlighted her fair skin.
"Thank you. I really like it." Whether it was psychological or not, she immediately felt a newfound sense of security.
"I'm glad Miss Xie is satisfied." Seeing her contentment, Lu Fei was pleased as he recorded the sale. "By the way, any news about my grandfather?"
"I've put in a request; they're looking into it. I'll ask them to speed things up." She took out her phone.
"Thank you," Lu Fei replied, slightly disappointed but understanding that a lead might take time.
"You'll be the first to know if there's any update," Xie Yao assured him.
"Much appreciated."
After a few more words, Xie Yao's phone rang, and she excused herself.
"It's gotta be the Evil Pawnshop. I've got some Five Emperors Coins too, but there's no way I'd get fifty grand for them!" Liu Fugui said, turning to Lu Fei with a look of envy. "Lucky you. Do you know who she is?"
Lu Fei rolled his eyes. "She's my client. Her name is Xie Yao."
"No, no, her real name is Xie Ruoyao. She's the eldest daughter of the Tang family, one of Jiangcheng's big three families!" Liu Fugui continued, clearly excited. "No wonder she looked familiar—her photo's all over the news."
"A Tang family heiress? But why is her surname Xie?" Lu Fei asked, curious.
"She took her mother's surname. Her mother passed away when she was young, and her father Tang Mingde remarried. She didn't get along with her stepmother and eventually moved out."
"How do you know all this?"
"Hey, everyone loves gossip about the rich. There's even a rumor she put her stepmother in the hospital with her temper. That made the tabloids."
"You actually believe that kind of gossip?"
Liu Fugui nudged him, winking. "I saw how she looked at you. Maybe she likes you! Go for it…"
"Too much salt at lunch, huh?" Lu Fei interrupted.
"What?"
"Is that why you're talking nonsense?"
"I'm serious! Years ago, I missed a chance like this. If I had another shot, I'd tell her, 'I don't want to work anymore…'"
"Out. Now."
Lu Fei ushered Liu Fugui out.
Even if he starved, he'd never stoop to leeching off someone else.
With his time free after sending off Xie Yao and Liu Fugui, Lu Fei spent the afternoon gaming.
When evening fell, he locked up and went out for dinner.
Passing Duobao Xuan, he stopped to take a look.
Once bustling, the shop was now dark and eerily silent, with a large seal over the entrance. The blackened windows added to the unsettling atmosphere.
Whenever someone walked past, they quickened their steps with tense expressions.
"Hurry up! Someone said they heard a woman and child crying inside last night."
"After what happened in there, it'd be strange if they didn't."
Duobao Xuan was haunted?
Lu Fei frowned, feeling a chill run down his spine, as though something were watching him.
It wasn't the first time he'd felt this way.
"Who's there?"
He spun around, catching a glimpse of a shadow disappearing into an alleyway.
Suddenly, a hand clamped onto his shoulder.