"Secretary Zhang, I'm sorry, but Shopkeeper Lu has spoken. If you feel the price is unreasonable, please feel free to leave," Liu Fugui said with a cheerful grin.
"This is blatant price gouging!" Secretary Zhang's face darkened. "Is this how all shops on Antique Street operate? Someone should clean this place up!"
"Now, now, Secretary Zhang. That's not fair. We clearly label our prices and run an honest business. How is this price gouging?" Liu Fugui replied, feigning innocence.
"We're just law-abiding citizens. Besides, Shopkeeper Lu here recently assisted the police in catching a pair of vile human traffickers. That made the local news, you know!"
Secretary Zhang couldn't find a retort and stood in silence for a moment before gritting his teeth. "1.6 million. That's my final offer!"
"Show him out," Lu Fei said without even looking up.
"Secretary Zhang, this way, please." Liu Fugui gestured toward the door with a smile.
"You...!" Secretary Zhang pointed a shaking finger at them before storming out of Evil Pawnshop in a fury.
Tiger immediately turned to Lu Fei. "Boss, we're really not selling for 1.6 million?"
Liu Fugui, however, seemed utterly unperturbed, wearing an expression of confidence.
"Relax," Lu Fei said with a calm smile. "He'll be back."
Tiger was baffled. He knew the shop's items were valuable, but wasn't 2 million too steep for a small coffin?
Unable to sit still, he paced back and forth in the shop, more anxious than Lu Fei himself.
To his surprise, Secretary Zhang returned just two hours later.
"Fine! 2 million it is! But my boss says if this doesn't work, your shop won't be open for long!" Secretary Zhang snapped, his face pale with anger.
Lu Fei exchanged a glance with Liu Fugui.
"Tell your boss to rest assured," Lu Fei said with a faint smile. "This small coffin truly lives up to its reputation of bringing prosperity. Evil Pawnshop never deals in useless items."
He brought out the small coffin but didn't hand it over immediately.
"However," he continued, "there's one condition you must remember. This coffin can indeed ensure smooth career advancement, but it must not be accompanied by corruption or bribery—not even a cent. Otherwise, the higher you climb, the harder you'll fall."
"Of course we know that. My boss is upright and incorruptible. He just bought this for good fortune," Secretary Zhang said with a cold snort.
"In that case, no problem. I wish your boss a swift promotion!"
Lu Fei carefully packed the coffin and handed it to Secretary Zhang.
After paying the 2 million, Secretary Zhang left with the small coffin in his arms.
"So, he's a government official," Tiger mused. "But if he's so clean, why does he need this?"
"Exactly. That's why we took the money!" Lu Fei laughed. "This coffin does have some effect, but it's not as miraculous as they think. If it keeps him honest, we've done a good deed."
"That was a sweet deal!" Liu Fugui gave a thumbs-up. "You know, kid, I think you're even better at business than your grandpa. He was so old-fashioned, not nearly as flexible as you."
Following tradition, Lu Fei generously transferred 200,000 to Liu Fugui.
To his surprise, Liu Fugui sent it back.
"I can't take this! You saved me before, and I've been meaning to show my gratitude. I'm just glad you're satisfied with the deal," Liu Fugui said earnestly.
Despite his greed, he knew the difference between a one-time gain and long-term benefits.
"Business is business," Lu Fei insisted, eventually transferring 100,000 back to Liu Fugui.
"What can I say? You're too kind." Liu Fugui was deeply moved. "Tonight's dinner is on me! Let's eat and drink to our hearts' content!"
"If the iron rooster is plucking its feathers, I won't hold back!" Lu Fei laughed heartily.
Tiger watched from the side, his envy plain on his face.
This Evening.
Liu Fugui treated them to an extravagant seafood buffet.
After a few beers, he became tipsy and talkative, sharing tales of the cutthroat business world, his regrets about divorcing his wife, and his loneliness.
"If only there were a cursed object that could take me back to the past..."
His drunken rambling went in one ear and out the other for Lu Fei, who focused on enjoying the food.
Tiger, however, seemed unusually quiet, drinking silently.
Back at the Shop.
After finishing his usual cleaning duties, Tiger prepared to close up for the night.
"Tiger, hold on," Lu Fei called from behind the counter.
"What's up, boss? Something else needs doing?"
"Do you know how long you've been working here?" Lu Fei asked.
Tiger froze, suddenly nervous. "Did I do something wrong? Tell me, and I'll fix it!"
"What are you talking about? You've been here long enough; it's time you got paid!" Lu Fei chuckled.
Tiger had proven his reliability through his actions. As the boss, it was time for Lu Fei to show his appreciation.
"S-salary?" Tiger stared blankly, as if he couldn't believe his ears.
"Base pay is 3,000 a month, with room and board covered," Lu Fei said, transferring the amount to Tiger.
Tiger looked a bit disappointed but nodded.
"On top of that, you'll get bonuses for each deal we close," Lu Fei added with a smile, sending another transfer.
"Bonuses too?" Tiger's eyes lit up. Checking the transfer, his hands trembled.
"How many zeroes is this?"
"You're part of the family. Why should an outsider like Liu get more than you?" Lu Fei stretched and yawned.
"That's all for tonight. Get some rest; we've got work tomorrow."
"Boss..." Tiger tried to say something, but Lu Fei had already headed to his room.
Tiger stood there for a long time, clutching his phone. He barely slept that night.
The Next Morning.
Tiger cleaned the shop with extraordinary diligence, polishing the floors until they gleamed. Then he asked for leave to send money home.
"Go early and come back early," Lu Fei said, sipping tea as he settled behind the counter.
A sudden sensation made him look up.
Someone had entered the shop, their steps as silent as a cat's.
It wasn't Tiger.
He raised his head and was startled to see an ancient face—wrinkled beyond recognition—staring back at him.
"Good day, ma'am. How can I help you?"
Lu Fei quickly composed himself, stepping forward to greet the visitor.
The customer was an elderly woman, so old her age was indeterminable. Her sparse, white hair was tied into a bun, and her narrow, sharp face was covered in deep wrinkles, resembling dried bean curd.
She had bound feet and a hunched posture. How she had entered so quietly was a mystery.
If not for Lu Fei's heightened senses, he might not have noticed her at all.
"You're Lu Qingxuan's grandson?" the old woman asked, her cloudy eyes scrutinizing him.
"I am," Lu Fei replied, studying her closely. "May I ask who you are? Did you know my grandfather?"
Her attire caught his attention—a dark red outfit embroidered with the Five Bats of Longevity.
His heart sank.
That's funeral clothing!
"I'm here to redeem an item."
The woman pulled a yellowed pawn ticket from her pocket and tossed it onto the counter.
"Please wait a moment."
This was the first time Lu Fei had encountered someone redeeming a pawn. Pushing aside his surprise, he picked up the ticket and examined it.
The woman's surname was Feng, and the item she wanted to redeem was a black umbrella.