Come, have a smoke..."
"Here, have an ice pop..."
"How about a drink? I've kept it chilled in the fridge since this morning..."
As they followed Director Gu into the antique market, Fang Yi and his companions were nearly taken aback. Anyone setting up a stall inside the market, regardless of what they were selling, rushed to greet Director Gu, with one vendor even running over to fan him with a hand-painted fan depicting the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai.
"Yes, yes, you all carry on; I'll just take a casual look around..."
The moment they stepped out of the air-conditioned room, Director Gu's white undershirt was nearly soaked through with sweat. Having walked less than twenty meters in the market, he waved to a few staff members seeking refuge in the shade.
"Er Liu, take Boss Man and Xiao Fang to see where there are available spots..."
As Director Gu wiped his brow with a towel, he continued, "I'm entrusting this task to you; find a good spot for Xiao Fang. I'll head back for now. You all can join Boss Man in the office for lunch..."
"Rest assured, Director Gu; with Boss Man's connections, we'll surely find a prime location..." Er Liu cast a respectful glance at Fang Yi as he bid farewell to his superior.
"Er Liu, could you clear that spot in front of my shop?" After Director Gu departed, Man Jun turned his gaze to Er Liu. There were two Liu's in the antique market management office; the older one was known as Da Liu, and the one before him was Er Liu.
In terms of location, the spot in front of Man Jun's shop was undoubtedly the best in the market. However, it had always been occupied by someone else. Recently, a new vendor had taken over, and Man Jun hoped to seize the opportunity to claim the spot while the previous vendor was still inexperienced.
"Hmm? Er Liu, surely Boss Man has enough pull for this?"
Noticing Er Liu frown at his request, Man Jun felt a twinge of displeasure. He had frequently entertained these workers with meals and drinks, so he hadn't mentioned this minor issue to Director Gu, assuming it could be resolved through his connections.
"Boss Man, how could you say that? Your influence here is undeniable..." Sensing Man Jun's irritation, Er Liu hesitated before explaining, "However, that person in front of your shop is a relative of Director Gu..."
In this antique market, where everyone crossed paths frequently, Er Liu, as a temporary worker, generally wouldn't offend someone like Man Jun. However, he was aware that the vendor occupying Man Jun's spot was a cousin of Director Gu's wife, and he dared not ask him to move.
"Oh, a relative of Director Gu? Then I suppose it's best to let it be..." Man Jun paused, then chuckled wryly and shook his head. He was relieved he hadn't confronted Director Gu earlier; otherwise, it would have been quite embarrassing.
Er Liu glanced around the street and suggested, "Boss Man, how about I clear a spot to the left of your shop? It won't be in the sun in the afternoon, making it a more comfortable place to set up..."
Stall locations in the antique market were quite significant. Typically, there were fewer visitors in the morning, leading many vendors to remain closed, which made shaded spots more coveted during lunch and the afternoon. Er Liu's offer to clear a spot was a generous concession to Man Jun.
"That sounds good; that spot will work well..." Man Jun nodded in agreement, following Er Liu's gesture. "Let's go with that, Er Liu. Please keep an eye on my brothers in the future..."
As he spoke, Man Jun discreetly slipped a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes into Er Liu's pocket. As the saying goes, "The King is easy to see, but the little ghosts are troublesome." Director Gu rarely visited the antique market, and most matters were handled by Er Liu and his colleagues.
"Boss Man, aren't we all brothers here?" Er Liu offered a gracious smile, eagerly following Fang Yi and the others into Man Jun's shop. On such a hot day, who wouldn't prefer the comfort of air conditioning and a leisurely chat over tea?
"Fang Yi, tidy up your things; let's set up the stall..." Man Jun instructed. "Er Liu, please inform them, then come join us for tea..."
"I'll take care of it, Boss Man..." Er Liu replied, and once Fang Yi and the others gathered their items, he led them outside.
The management office staff arranged for a stall to be cleared, and even the reluctant vendors outside made way. Fang Yi set up a stool to place the flat cabinet on, while San Pao began to arrange their items inside.
"Xiao Fang, remember one thing while setting up here..." As he was leaving, Er Liu advised Fang Yi and the others, "Just focus on your business and avoid meddling in others' affairs..."
"Meddling? What does that mean?"
After Er Liu departed, the plump man shrugged, not thinking much of it. His focus was entirely on the stall before them. Though business was slow, it was still their own venture, freeing them from the constraints of working for someone else.
"Excuse me, sir, what should I call you?" While Fang Yi and San Pao busied themselves at the stall, the plump man struck up a conversation with a nearby vendor, "We're Boss Man's younger brothers; we hope you'll look out for us in the future..."
"My surname is Ma; just call me Old Ma..."
The stall next to them sold bronze artifacts and porcelain vases, which didn't conflict with their offerings. Since they weren't competitors, Old Ma was happy to befriend the plump man, knowing that Man Jun held some influence on this street.
Setting up a stall and conducting business was remarkably straightforward. Once the stall was arranged, Fang Yi and his companions found themselves with little to do.
In the antique trade, shouting and haggling were unnecessary; it was akin to Jiang Taigong fishing—only those willing would take the bait. After pouring themselves a large cup of water from Man Jun's shop, Fang Yi and San Pao struck up a conversation with Old Ma. Among them, the plump man spoke the most, while Fang Yi and San Pao primarily listened.
"Fang Yi, why don't you all join me for a meal?" After about half an hour, Man Jun locked up his shop and approached with a smile. "So, have you made any sales yet?"
"Not yet; just a few inquiries..." Fang Yi replied, "Boss Man, we'll pass on lunch; we'll just grab a boxed meal to tide us over..."
Fang Yi understood that while Man Jun was kind to them, it was essential to maintain a sense of propriety. After all, Man Jun's assistance was a favor, not an obligation. It was crucial to strike a balance to avoid giving the impression of taking advantage of his goodwill.
"That's fine; in business, one must uphold a certain demeanor..."
Man Jun nodded in agreement. He recalled his own struggles in the past, when boxed meals were scarce. Back then, he would steam rice and bring a few dishes from home to make do for the day, a far cry from the conditions Fang Yi and his companions enjoyed now.
"Old Ma, I'll get you an extra meal; let's eat together..."
There was a fast-food restaurant nearby the antique market, and the plump man purchased four meals for five yuan each. Upon returning to their stall, he handed one to Old Ma, who had been chatting amiably with them. In a market where vendors typically kept to themselves, it was rare to see someone buy a meal for another.
"Ah, Huazi, thank you!"
Old Ma was momentarily taken aback as he accepted the meal from the plump man. Despite their youth, these individuals were quite savvy. In the antique market, everyone usually minded their own business, so such gestures were uncommon.
"No need for thanks, Old Ma; just teach us a thing or two in the future..."
The plump man smiled sheepishly. They all understood that Man Jun had essentially ushered them into this trade, and their success would depend on their own efforts. Having someone nearby to guide them would help them avoid many pitfalls.
Surprisingly, that five-yuan meal proved quite beneficial. After they finished eating, Old Ma began to share insights about the market, explaining the types of buyers and tourists, and how to distinguish between them.
Not only did Old Ma share his knowledge, but he also demonstrated it. As various individuals passed by, he could accurately gauge whether they were buyers or mere browsers. Gradually, Fang Yi and his companions began to recognize the patterns, becoming more enthusiastic when introducing their items to those who appeared to be buyers.
"Xiao Fang, the items you're selling are cultural relics, and they must be appreciated. Make sure you're not empty-handed; wear a few strands around your neck to showcase their appeal to customers. Moreover, the prices for new beads and those with patina differ significantly. If a customer takes a liking to what you're wearing, it's not unusual for the price to multiply several times. So, wear and handle them often; if someone is interested, sell them..."
Old Ma was eager to teach these eager young men. Having spent several years in the antique market, he didn't trade in cultural relics, but he wore a few strands of beads himself, often handling them to develop a nice patina.
"That makes sense..." Hearing Old Ma's advice, Fang Yi nodded. The strands of beads left by his master were at home, and he had grown accustomed to wearing such items; it felt odd not to have something on hand.
"Plump man, Boss Man said that the King Kong beads need to be nurtured with sweat; since you sweat a lot, wear the King Kong beads..."
Fang Yi draped two strands of small King Kong beads around the plump man's neck and handed a strand of star and moon beads to San Pao. Having practiced for many years, Fang Yi's hands didn't sweat much even in the heat, so he picked up a strand of small leaf rosewood beads to play with.
The Chaotian Palace was not far from the Qinhuai River, one of the notable scenic spots in Jinling, ensuring a steady flow of visitors. By early afternoon, the crowd began to swell, and inquiries about prices increased, yet their first sale remained elusive.
"Why do these people only ask questions and never buy?" Frustrated by the sweltering heat and lack of sales, the plump man slumped down, saying, "Fang Yi, San Pao, you two take over for a bit; I need to rest..."
"Lazy! At the start, no one had as much enthusiasm as you..." Having grown up together, Fang Yi and San Pao were well aware of the plump man's nature, and they both turned to mock him.
Before they could fully turn back, the plump man suddenly sprang up, pushing past them to stand at the stall, his face beaming as he said, "Excuse me, miss, what can I help you find? Would you like me to introduce some items?"
Standing before the stall was a girl of about eighteen or nineteen, whose appearance could only be described as ordinary; however, her figure was quite appealing. At that moment, she was gazing down at a string of star and moon bodhi beads in the glass cabinet, and it was the sight of her neckline that compelled the plump man to rush forward without hesitation.
"Miss, who is the miss?" Yet upon hearing the plump man's words, the girl became somewhat irritated. She lifted her head, pointed at him, and retorted, "You're the one who's a miss; your whole family is full of misses..."
"I... we only have my sister who can truly be called a miss..." The plump man was taken aback by her response. Although his family was quite large, aside from his mother and sister, none of the other members could be considered feminine.
"Pervert, lunatic..." Thinking that the plump man was teasing her, the girl's face flushed, and she quickly turned and ran away.
"How am I a pervert? How am I a lunatic?" The plump man looked somewhat dazed, turning to Fang Yi and San Pao, and asked, "Guys, did I say something wrong?"
"You didn't say anything wrong..." Fang Yi and San Pao both shook their heads, equally puzzled by what had just transpired.
"Could it be that your expression was too lewd?" San Pao couldn't help but add, recalling how the plump man had indeed looked a bit lascivious just moments ago.
"Get lost; I was quite noble while speaking just now!" The plump man protested, feeling that San Pao was tarnishing his reputation.
"Little fatty, you truly crack me up..." Suddenly, the plump man heard a laugh from nearby. Turning his head, he saw Old Ma clutching his belly and laughing heartily.
"Brother Ma, what... what's going on?" The plump man was nearly on the verge of tears from his own frustration. He grabbed Old Ma and said, "Brother Ma, please enlighten me; I didn't even touch that girl with a single finger, how could I be a pervert?"
"Haha, fatty, your choice of words was inappropriate..." Recalling the earlier incident, Old Ma couldn't help but laugh again.
"What was wrong with my wording?" The plump man scratched his head, bewildered by Old Ma's comment.
"Of course it was wrong; you called that girl a miss..."
Seeing that the plump man genuinely didn't understand, Old Ma decided to explain, "Fatty, the term 'miss' was quite popular a few years ago. However, in recent years, those involved in prostitution have also been referred to as 'misses.' So when you called that girl 'miss,' weren't you essentially insulting her?"
In ancient times, one could ride a crane to Yangzhou with a fortune, but today, the term 'miss' had become synonymous with a certain ancient profession. Virtually no young girl would want to be addressed as 'miss.'
"Then... what should I call her? I can't just call her 'comrade,' can I?" After hearing Old Ma's explanation, the plump man was slightly dumbfounded. It was just a term of address, yet the city folk had imbued it with such profound meaning, landing him in hot water for no reason.
"Fatty, when addressing a woman, regardless of her age, calling her 'sister' is always appropriate..." Old Ma chuckled as he offered advice.
"But what if I inadvertently call someone old?" The plump man sat down heavily on a chair behind him, a glum expression on his face as he lamented, "Yi Ge, San Pao, you two take over for a bit; I need to sort this out. It seems this terminology carries significant weight..."
"You little rascal, just admit you want to slack off..." San Pao looked down on the plump man's behavior, recalling how he had rushed forward when he saw the girl, only to retreat now.
"Young man, how much do you sell these small leaf rosewood beads for?"
Just as San Pao was bickering with the plump man, an elderly gentleman in his sixties approached the stall and spoke up: "This is old rosewood; the color is a bit dark. Show me what you have..."
"Sir, you truly have a discerning eye..." Fang Yi swiftly lifted the glass cover and replied, "To be honest, this bracelet is indeed made from old material; it has been set aside for several years. Look at the depth of color on this string I'm wearing..."
The old man was knowledgeable. Following Fang Yi's words, he glanced at the string on Fang Yi's hand, nodded, and said, "Hmm, indeed, the material of this string is older than the one you just presented..."
"Hehe, this string is for personal use. I apologize for not showcasing it well..." Fang Yi glanced down and felt a hint of confusion; both strings should have come from the same batch, yet he hadn't noticed the difference in color before.
"Young man, how much for this string?" The old man raised the small leaf rosewood string in his hand and inquired about the price.
"Sir, your string is indeed an old bead, originally priced at 220 yuan, but I'll let you have it for 200 yuan..."
Although Fang Yi had yet to fully grasp the intricate terminology associated with antiques, it didn't hinder him from using such terms to promote his sales. Seeing the old man nod slightly, Fang Yi felt a surge of joy, realizing he had spoken correctly.
"Young man, may I take a look at the string you're playing with?" The old man pointed to the beads that Fang Yi was rubbing with his left hand.
"Of course, sir..." Fang Yi was momentarily taken aback but handed over the beads.
"Are you willing to sell this string?"
After examining it, the old man displayed a look of satisfaction. However, having played with beads for many years, he understood that such items could carry sentimental value. Thus, even though Fang Yi was a seller, he asked another question.
"Ah? You want to buy this string?" Fang Yi was momentarily caught off guard. As a seller, if a customer was willing to buy, why would he refuse?
"You've played well with this string, and its material is indeed superior to the previous one..." Just as Fang Yi was about to respond affirmatively, the old man suddenly added, "Young man, if you're willing to sell, I can offer you 400 yuan. What do you think?"
"Ah? 400?" Fang Yi's eyes widened in disbelief. Both strings were similar, so why was the old man willing to pay double the price?
"I can only go as high as 500. If you're not selling, then so be it..."
Seeing Fang Yi's reaction, the old man assumed he was reluctant to sell and promptly raised the price by another hundred. Based on the old man's judgment, the beads had likely been played with for about ten years, developing a thick, lustrous patina. If he could buy them for 500, it would be quite a fortunate find.
"I... I didn't say anything..." Fang Yi felt somewhat speechless upon hearing the old man's words. He had merely asked a question, yet the old man had raised the price twice; it seemed that conducting business was not as complicated as he had thought.
"Young man, are you going to sell or not? Just give me an answer..."
Noticing Fang Yi's silence, the old man grew a bit impatient. San Pao, standing behind Fang Yi, quickly nudged him with his elbow, thinking it absurd that he wouldn't seize the first opportunity to make a sale.
"I'll sell it, sir, of course!" Fang Yi snapped out of his reverie and said, "Sir, let's go with your offered price. However, please note that once this is sold, we cannot accept returns or exchanges..."
Once the transaction is made, there are no returns; this was a principle that Man Jun had instilled in Fang Yi and his companions. It was important to remember that while cultural artifacts might not be antiques, their quality and the duration of their patina were critical aspects that required a discerning eye. It was not uncommon for someone to spend a lot of money on a less valuable item.
"Hmm? Then I must examine it carefully..." After hearing Fang Yi's words, the old man took out an old pair of reading glasses, putting them on to scrutinize the beads closely, muttering, "The patina is indeed correct, and the brown eyes are quite fine; it should be accurate..."
"Young man, I'll take it. Here's your payment..." After observing for a while, the old man slipped the beads onto his left wrist and pulled out a wallet, counting out 500 yuan to hand to Fang Yi.
As Fang Yi received the 500 yuan, he felt his heart race with excitement; this was his first earning in life, and of course, the 20,000 yuan from the car accident didn't count.
"Hey, sir, would you like a box to store it in?" Shaking his head to regain his composure, Fang Yi asked the old man.
"No need; these beads are meant to be played with. Why put them in a box?" The old man raised his left hand and lowered his head to continue browsing Fang Yi's stall, yet this time, he found nothing else of interest.
"Sir, take care; if you need anything else, feel free to return..." After warmly seeing the old man off, Fang Yi turned back, laughing heartily, and said, "Fatty, are you convinced? Our first sale was made by me, the Daoist!"
While in the hospital, the plump man had boasted about Fang Yi's potential in the antique business, elevating himself to the status of a business prodigy like Bill Gates. Yet after several hours of manning the stall, it was Fang Yi who made the first sale, which made even the usually composed Fang Yi feel a surge of pride.
"Spiritual master, how on earth did you manage that? Did you cast some sort of spell on that old man?"
Both the plump man and San Pao stared at Fang Yi in disbelief, still processing the situation even after the old man had left. They had only ever felt that items were overpriced; they had never encountered a buyer who willingly raised the price.
"I... I don't know..."
The plump man's words jolted Fang Yi back to reality; indeed, something felt off. His initial asking price had been 200 yuan, yet the old man had opted not to take the beads Fang Yi had offered but instead bought the beads he had been playing with for 500 yuan. Could it be that these two strings had some hidden differences?
"Brother Ma, do you have any idea what just happened?"
Fang Yi glanced over at Old Ma, whose stall was barely a meter away. Old Ma had been watching closely during the transaction with the old man.
"I know that old man; he's quite shrewd and never buys recklessly..."
After hearing Fang Yi's words, Old Ma shook his head with a hint of regret and said, "You young lads, when selling beads, you didn't categorize them. Can beads with an aged patina be mixed with ordinary ones? If I'm not mistaken, that string of beads you showed him should be worth around 1,500 yuan..."
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