"Fang Yi, what did Brother Zhao just say to you?"
After Zhao Hongtao and his group departed, the portly man leaned closer to Fang Yi and inquired. Zhao Hongtao's seemingly casual gesture sparked a flurry of speculation among many, leading them to wonder if Fang Yi and his companions were somehow related to the Zhao family.
"He mentioned that he would be dining with Man Ge tonight. Are you planning to join us?" Fang Yi turned to the portly man, a hint of a smile playing on his lips as he replied, "As you can see, Brother Zhao's words can spare us a great deal of trouble. You should raise a few more glasses to him tonight; it would certainly benefit our future business endeavors…"
"W-well, Fang Yi, why don't you just help me toast a few times?" The portly man struggled internally for a moment before speaking, "Fang Yi, as the saying goes, 'money is valuable, but love is priceless.' I think I'll pursue my romantic interests tonight instead…"
"Get lost, you heartless scoundrel…" Fang Yi chuckled, playfully rebuking the portly man before signaling San Pao to start packing up the stall.
"Ah, Boss Fang, I sincerely apologize for earlier. We meant no offense; we simply wanted to get to know you and your friends better…" Just as Fang Yi and his companions finished tidying their stall, four or five individuals approached, the leader tugging at Lao Ma's sleeve. "Lao Ma, don't you agree? The young men have been in the market for several days now, and we'd like to treat you all to a meal. It would be great to foster some camaraderie…"
Previously, these individuals believed that banding together would compel Fang Yi and his companions to bow to their influence, but now their perspective had shifted. The antique market had limited stalls, and if Fang Yi decided to oust them, it wouldn't take much effort. They realized that the moment Fang Yi took action, others would swiftly fill their place.
Thus, after the departure of Director Zhao and Director Zhou, these individuals quickly convened and approached with a conciliatory demeanor, their words dripping with caution, fearful that Fang Yi and his friends, being young and impetuous, might retaliate over earlier grievances.
"Brother, you're too kind. We all make our living in this market; it's tough for everyone…"
Noticing their cautious demeanor, Fang Yi waved his hand dismissively and said, "The market is vast; no single entity can monopolize it. We will adhere to the rules established by all, so there's no need for concern…"
"Boss Fang, that's not what we meant…" Upon hearing Fang Yi's words, the leader's expression shifted, and he forced a smile as he explained, "It's not that we envy your success; it's just that in this antique market, no one has ever hawked their wares. After all, this is a cultural market; if everyone were to shout for business, it would resemble a mere vegetable market."
"Indeed, my friend makes a valid point. We shall refrain from hawking our goods in the future; there's no need for alarm…" Fang Yi nodded in agreement, regarding the man with newfound respect. As the saying goes, 'the marketplace is mundane, while culture is refined.' If they were to muddy the waters of this market, even those engaged in other antique dealings would likely conspire against them.
"Honestly, even if you did shout, it wouldn't matter…" The man was nearly in tears at Fang Yi's words. Others, with their power and connections, could block customers at the entrance of the antique market without a second thought.
"Lao Jin, if Brother Yi says it's fine, then it's fine…" Lao Ma interjected, attempting to smooth over the situation. "Weren't we just discussing treating you to drinks? Let's go, why are we all standing around?"
"Ma Ge, Lao Jin, it's quite unfortunate today; I fear I won't be able to join you for drinks…" Fang Yi replied apologetically, "I have an elder at home who needs to dine with me; I simply cannot get away…"
"Ah, Boss Fang, perhaps we can reschedule? You must honor us with your presence…" Lao Jin's face darkened at Fang Yi's words, mistakenly assuming that Fang Yi was rejecting their apology, and even felt compelled to use honorifics when addressing the barely twenty-year-old.
"Lao Jin, as the saying goes, 'there's no time like the present.' Since you've extended your kindness, we shall certainly partake in the drinks…" Fang Yi suddenly broke into a smile and added, "I have prior engagements with the portly fellow tonight, but San Pao will represent us. We hope you will grace us with your presence when we next invite you…"
As the saying goes, 'it takes a village to raise a child.' Since Fang Yi wished to avoid conflict with the entrenched interests in the antique market, he was keen to maintain a façade of goodwill. However, his carefully chosen words effectively quelled any lingering thoughts of antagonism among the local powers.
Upon observing Fang Yi's resolute demeanor, Lao Jin and his companions could only extend their invitation to San Pao. Nevertheless, Lao Jin learned from Lao Ma that the only one among them capable of making decisions was this handsome young man, and he resolved that when Fang Yi next extended an invitation, he would ensure that the young man would not have to pay.
"Times are tough for everyone…"
After San Pao departed with Lao Jin and the others, Fang Yi and the portly man returned their goods to Man Jun's shop. As they walked through the market, feeling the mixture of envy and trepidation emanating from the onlookers, Fang Yi couldn't help but sigh. At that moment, he truly grasped the wisdom of his master's saying, "In the world of men, one is often not in control of their own destiny."
Fang Yi had initially intended to conduct his business with honesty, yet reality dictated otherwise. Without any form of backing, no matter how capable his friends were, the ultimate outcome would likely be a quiet exit. Thus, Fang Yi bore no resentment toward the portly man for alerting Zhao Hongtao; he was not the sort to be rigid and inflexible.
"Utter nonsense, a bunch of individuals who can't stand to see others prosper…"
The portly man was still unable to shake off the events of the afternoon. If they had managed to secure the tourist group that had just arrived, the money spent on their phones would have been completely recouped. Naturally, with real money at stake, the portly man was filled with frustration.
"Enough, my friend. One cannot dine alone; otherwise, no matter how skilled you are, the path ahead will only narrow…" Having cultivated wisdom over many years, Fang Yi understood the principle that rigidity can lead to downfall. Sometimes, conceding a little can yield greater benefits in the long run. Being obstinate in every situation would only hinder one's progress in society.
"Now that we've reached an understanding, let's maintain a good relationship. Now, go meet your Meng Shuangshuang…" Upon arriving at Man Jun's door, Fang Yi waved his hand and said, "Don't be too late, and avoid causing any trouble…"
It was rather peculiar; although Fang Yi and the portly man were of similar ages, Fang Yi exhibited a maturity far beyond his years. In just a few days since descending the mountain, the portly man and San Pao had reverted to following Fang Yi's lead as they had on the mountain.
"Brother Zhao, I truly appreciate your assistance today…" Upon entering the house, Fang Yi discovered that Zhao Hongtao had already arrived, engaged in conversation with Man Jun.
"What trouble? You are my junior brother; could I stand idly by while others bully you? These individuals wouldn't know their limits unless they were taught a lesson…" Zhao Hongtao spoke of reprimanding others, yet his face was adorned with a smile, clearly in high spirits.
Earlier that afternoon, Zhao Hongtao had received reliable news that another deputy director competing for the directorship would be reassigned next month. This meant that once the old director retired next year, Zhao Hongtao's promotion to director was all but assured.
Zhao Hongtao understood that the incident involving Gu Guo Guang alone would not topple the deputy director of equal rank. His teacher played a crucial role in this matter, and Zhao Hongtao recognized that while his teacher's intervention would certainly bolster his reputation, Fang Yi's involvement was equally significant.
Thus, after receiving the portly man's call that afternoon, Zhao Hongtao wasted no time in bringing Director Zhou along to support Fang Yi. After all, the fact that Fang Yi would soon be studying under Sun Lianda could not be concealed, and Zhao Hongtao was unafraid of gossip; why should he assist outsiders instead of his own junior?
"Actually, they didn't bully me…" Fang Yi chuckled at Zhao Hongtao's words, "The righteous often band together; the people in this market are quite decent, wouldn't you agree, Man Ge?"
Zhao Hongtao's statement encompassed everyone in the antique market, causing Fang Yi to notice that Man Jun, sitting nearby, appeared somewhat awkward, prompting him to intervene and ease the tension.
"Fang Yi is correct; Director Zhao, you mustn't generalize based on a single incident…" Man Jun jested with a smile, and given his current social circle and status, he had no need to ingratiate himself to Zhao Hongtao.
"What are you all discussing? Fang Yi, you haven't even prepared dinner today?" As their conversation progressed, Sun Lao arrived just in time to catch Fang Yi unprepared.
"Teacher, please have a seat; I'll start cooking right away…" Fang Yi scratched his head, offering a quick remark before diving into the kitchen, while Zhao Hongtao stepped outside to recount the afternoon's events to Sun Lao.
"If you can't conduct business properly, don't blame others for shouting. Fang Yi, if such incidents arise again, I will support you!" After learning the details, Sun Lao snorted, his eyes gleaming with pride. "My apprentice must excel not only in knowledge but also in business acumen. I foresee that in the future, young Man here won't be able to match Fang Yi…"
Sun Lao's attitude was a classic case of favoritism, fiercely protective of his own. Unfortunately, the innocent Man Jun found himself caught in the crossfire, nodding along helplessly.
After experiencing the promotional upheaval in the antique market, Fang Yi and his companions truly made a name for themselves. Each day, as they walked through the market, both familiar faces and strangers greeted them warmly.
The day following Deputy Director Zhao's inspection, the market administration implemented a reward scheme for Fang Yi, Wei Jinhua, and Peng Sanjun, deciding to waive their stall rental fees for an entire year, in addition to granting each of them a bonus of five hundred yuan.
Upon the announcement of this notice, many expressed their envy, for the annual stall fee amounted to three or four thousand yuan, a sum equivalent to a month's income for some vendors with modest sales.
Under Fang Yi's guidance, the portly man and San Pao adopted a low-profile approach. With their reward money, they treated several fellow stall owners to a few rounds of drinks, rapidly fostering camaraderie, and within days, they were embracing each other as brothers.
Thanks to the endorsements from these local stalwarts, the reputation of Fang Yi and his companions as considerate and straightforward individuals gradually spread throughout the antique market. Whenever Fang Yi's name was mentioned, it was often accompanied by remarks about their integrity and reliability.
In recent days, their business thrived. After erecting a sign advertising their bead-stringing services, not only did numerous tourists purchase strands of beads, but even some local enthusiasts frequented their stall, seeking Fang Yi's assistance in knotting their beads.
For such customers, Fang Yi never charged a fee, generously providing them with string for free. This gesture attracted an increasing number of visitors, and in recent days, Fang Yi found himself dedicating much of his time to knotting beads for others at no cost.
"Yi Ge, you can't keep helping them for free tomorrow…" As they were about to close up, the portly man looked at Fang Yi with dissatisfaction and remarked, "Tomorrow and the day after are the weekend; we'll be too busy with our own business to cater to them!"
"Come on, your perspective is rather narrow…" Fang Yi retorted, slightly exasperated. "Right now, I'm doing them a favor. When they decide to purchase beads in the future, don't you think they'll remember my kindness?"
Through the lessons of the past few days, Fang Yi understood that collectors often had diverse interests, ranging from jade to animal bones and ivory, with beads being just one aspect of their pursuits.
By offering free services, Fang Yi aimed not only to sell beads to them in the future but also believed that his companions should not limit themselves to selling beads for a lifetime. Building good relationships with these enthusiasts would make them potential buyers when new merchandise arrived.
"So, you're playing the long game to catch bigger fish?" The portly man finally grasped Fang Yi's strategy and remarked, "With someone like you, who always thinks several steps ahead, how could you possibly help others without a motive?"
"By the way, how's your Double Shuang?" Fang Yi, having gathered all the beads into the glass cabinet, inquired, "Tomorrow, I have plans with Man Ge, so you and San Pao should work a bit harder. You two can leave early today; I'll handle the cleanup…"
As San Pao's girlfriend had the weekend off, they had arranged to watch a movie together. Even before five o'clock, he kept checking his phone, and Fang Yi intentionally delayed granting him permission to leave until just now.
"Yi Ge, I'm heading out now…" San Pao, impatiently waiting, seized the opportunity when Fang Yi nodded and hurried off, anxious not to keep his girlfriend waiting.
"What a lecher…" The portly man muttered under his breath as he watched San Pao's retreating figure. Meanwhile, he himself had made little progress, while San Pao had boasted about his conquest just a few days prior, leaving the portly man feeling frustrated and taking several cold showers that night.
"Fang Yi, how come they haven't been caught by the police while renting rooms in that small inn?" The portly man's tone carried a hint of bitterness.
"Watch your words; San Pao is not an outsider. Mind your manners…" Fang Yi shot the portly man a glare and replied, "Don't you have your own Double Shuang? You're no longer needed here, so hurry up and leave…"
In truth, Fang Yi was the only one truly solitary. Although he encountered many beautiful girls at his stall, he was far too busy to entertain romantic pursuits, often feigning a naive demeanor to politely decline their invitations.
"Alright, I'll be off then…" Seeing Fang Yi usher him out, the portly man clapped his hands and prepared to leave. He had indeed made some progress with a university student named Meng Shuangshuang, as she no longer rejected his company when he walked her back to school each night.
Typically impatient, the portly man had been surprisingly dedicated, consistently waiting outside the mobile phone store every evening for a week, becoming a familiar face to everyone from the manager to the temporary sales staff.
"Hey, Fang Yi, I almost forgot to tell you something…" After taking a few steps, the portly man turned back and said, "I had originally arranged to meet Officer Bai on Saturday, but she just called to say she's busy tomorrow; we'll have to reschedule for Sunday…"
"As long as it's not during the afternoon or evening, any day works for me…" Fang Yi replied nonchalantly. Initially, he intended for the portly man and San Pao to show the items to the officer, but Officer Bai insisted on seeing the owner of the items before proceeding with the transaction, which is why the string of beads remained on Fang Yi's wrist.
"Alright, I'll set it for Sunday morning. I heard she's bringing an appraiser along…" The portly man was quite invested in this matter, as a deal worth fifty thousand yuan was significant; if successful, it would provide ample funds for their next inventory purchase.
"An appraiser? I wonder if they're genuinely skilled or just a charlatan?" Fang Yi shook his head in disbelief at the portly man's words, growing increasingly skeptical about tomorrow's transaction.
It's worth noting that aside from individuals like Sun Lianda and Zhao Hongtao, who frequently engaged with ritual artifacts, few collectors in the community truly understood these items. The value of the beads stemmed from their nature as ritual artifacts, and if the other party couldn't recognize their worth, the deal would be impossible.
"Whatever, if they don't buy, I'll just give them to Brother Zhao…" Fang Yi pulled out the antique pocket watch left to him by his master and checked the time. Oddly enough, while such a piece might seem out of place in other contexts, it blended seamlessly into the atmosphere of the antique market.
Zhao Hongtao had previously appraised this watch for Fang Yi, concluding after extensive research that it was crafted for members of the Russian royal family in the late eighteenth century, with only six pieces ever made, rendering it priceless.
Fang Yi would never value his master's legacy in monetary terms; he hadn't even inquired about the watch's worth, leaving Zhao Hongtao, who had intended to tease Fang Yi, momentarily speechless and coughing for quite some time.
"Man Ge, why are you at the shop today? What's with the locked door?" After tidying up, Fang Yi arrived at Man Jun's store, only to find the door bolted from the inside. He had to knock several times before Man Jun finally came to let him in.
"I just withdrew some money from the bank and didn't feel safe being alone in the shop…" Man Jun walked into the back room and retrieved a black bag, opening it briefly for Fang Yi to see. "I've managed to raise three hundred fifty thousand in total; let's see if we can find some good items tomorrow."
Man Jun hadn't been at the shop much this past week, not because he was lazily lounging at home, but rather because he had been gathering funds for the upcoming underground auction. However, most of his cash was tied up in several difficult-to-sell items, and it took him several days to gather the three hundred fifty thousand.
"Three hundred fifty thousand! How much good stuff can we buy with that?"
Although Fang Yi had previously declined Sun Chao's exorbitant offer of a million for an antique agarwood bracelet, that was merely a verbal figure; he had never grasped its tangible implications. The sight of an entire bag of cash, however, struck him with a profound impact.
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