章 78: Buying a Mobile Phone (Part Two)
"Sir, are you certain you wish to purchase this mobile phone?"
Upon hearing Fang Yi's words, Meng Shuangshuang inquired further. Although the commission from selling a phone priced over three thousand was significantly higher than that of one priced at just over one thousand, she was still considerate, fearing that Fang Yi's decision was merely an attempt to save face for his friends.
"Yes, this is the one. Please take it out for us to examine..." Fang Yi replied earnestly, nodding his head.
"Fang Yi, perhaps we should reconsider and opt for a less expensive model; we don't have much money on hand..."
Fatty leaned closer to Fang Yi, whispering his concern. Although he yearned for the flashy V998 phone, the three of them collectively had just over twenty thousand yuan for their purchases, necessitating careful budgeting.
"Let's buy it. I can sell this bracelet over the weekend, and the funds will come in..."
Fang Yi shook his head and said, "Fatty, I've realized that when navigating the outside world, one must maintain a certain image. Having a mobile phone makes a difference; the type of phone also reflects one's status. Since we are buying, let's invest in something of quality to avoid being looked down upon in business dealings..."
Previously, when Fang Yi had heard San Pao mention their purchasing trip, he felt a twinge of discomfort. It seemed trivial to be belittled over something as simple as a mobile phone.
Fang Yi's decision to choose the more expensive model stemmed from two primary reasons. Firstly, in the realm of business, if a phone could symbolize one's capabilities, then spending a bit more was indeed a wise investment. Secondly, Fang Yi was not financially constrained; with his yet-to-be-fully-understood abilities, he could acquire numerous valuable items. Spending a few hundred yuan on ordinary collectibles could yield substantial profits within a day, making it a highly lucrative endeavor.
Naturally, Fang Yi was also cautious about the antiques he sold, as he utilized his master's relics as a pretext. However, the items left by the old Taoist were limited; he couldn't rely on this excuse indefinitely. Until he found a better rationale, he intended to minimize the sale of such items.
"Alright then, Yi Ge, you take the lead on this matter..." After hearing Fang Yi's rationale, Fatty reluctantly acquiesced. The events of their visit to the wholesale market had indeed opened his eyes to the harsh realities of the business world.
"Sir, the phones are ready. We have spare SIM cards; would you like us to set one up and make a test call?"
While Fatty and Fang Yi conversed, Meng Shuangshuang returned with the phone from the storeroom. Due to its high price, the glass display contained mostly plastic models, serving merely as a showcase.
"Hmm? Why did you only bring one?" Noticing the box in Meng Shuangshuang's hands, Fang Yi remarked, "We need two; could you please fetch another one for us?"
Although the three of them had been inseparable lately, with San Pao now in a relationship and often busy with his studies, Fang Yi believed it prudent to purchase two phones, allowing San Pao and Fatty to each have one.
As for Fang Yi himself, he had no real habit of using a mobile phone. Over the past few days, he had observed Fatty borrowing phones from others whenever his pager rang, leading Fang Yi to view such devices as mere inconveniences.
"Buy... two?" As soon as Fang Yi uttered this, San Pao stuttered in disbelief. What had gotten into Fang Yi today? To spend so extravagantly on two phones—did he still wish to maintain a budget?
"Yes, one for you and one for Fatty..." Fang Yi confirmed with a nod.
"And what about you?" Both Fatty and San Pao asked in unison.
"As for me? I have no need for one..."
Fang Yi gestured towards the phone in Fatty's hand, saying, "When I go out to negotiate, I can simply use your numbers. If anyone needs to reach me, you can borrow your phones and inform me, can't you?"
Fang Yi found modern gadgets largely intriguing, yet he held a particular disdain for pagers and mobile phones. To him, carrying such devices felt akin to being constantly scrutinized, which contradicted his natural disposition.
"Fang Yi, so you consider yourself the boss now? We're merely here to carry your bags?" After so many years of friendship, Fatty and San Pao could easily discern that Fang Yi genuinely preferred not to use a phone, prompting Fatty to joke with him.
"If you don't wish to carry bags, then just buy one for San Pao; you needn't take one for yourself..." Fang Yi teased, casting a mischievous glance at Fatty.
"Come on now, who said I wouldn't enjoy carrying bags? I'd even carry San Pao's bag! Just imagine how impressive it would be for me to have two phones in hand..." Fatty exclaimed, his excitement palpable as he raised both hands in exaggerated gestures, as if lost in his own daydream.
"Fatty, if you're holding two phones, why not tuck two more in your pockets and hang one from your waist? That would be even more impressive!" San Pao chimed in.
"Five phones? That would certainly be impressive, but... who could possibly manage so many?" Fatty paused, momentarily bewildered. Had he noticed San Pao's expression while speaking, he would have realized he had been led astray.
"Of course, some people do carry five phones, and there are those who even have a bag full of phones! Isn't that the case for mobile repair technicians?" San Pao's quip elicited uproarious laughter from the group.
"If I had that skill, I'd happily repair phones as well..." Typically, Fatty's thick skin allowed him to brush off San Pao's comments, continuing to revel in the notion that wielding phones in such a manner would enhance his appeal.
"Sir, we have both phones ready for you. Will you be paying with a card or in cash?"
Meng Shuangshuang returned with a middle-aged man in a suit, saying, "This is our Manager Zhang. He heard you were purchasing two V998 phones and came to assist you in selecting your phone numbers..."
In the early days of mobile phone stores, selecting a number was not as simple as it would later become; it was managed by the manager, who would only offer premium numbers to significant clients. In even earlier times, securing a desirable number often required connections within the telecommunications department.
"We will pay in cash..." Fatty declared, adopting an air of extravagance. "San Pao, hand over the money. These days, those who can't afford a phone still wander into stores, likely just to enjoy the air conditioning..."
As Fatty spoke, he cast a glance at the couple from earlier. The woman had just begun to retort when her companion pulled her back. In terms of strength, he felt he couldn't compete, and while he could afford a phone, he certainly couldn't match their lavishness; there was no point in escalating the situation.
"Enough, let's refrain from further comments..." Fang Yi shot Fatty a glare. This fellow simply did not grasp the wisdom of knowing when to let things go. While some individuals were not meant to be friends, there was no need to turn them into enemies.
"Hehe, should I not speak at all?" San Pao chuckled, closing his mouth while relishing the sight of the couple's embarrassed expressions, feeling more satisfied than enjoying a chilled watermelon on a sweltering day.
"This money feels like it's burning a hole in my pocket..."
After handing over the cash, San Pao murmured as he returned to Fang Yi's side. He realized that the most he had ever spent in his life was on the outfit he bought for Fang Yi, totaling over two hundred yuan, aside from the occasional meal with his girlfriend, which usually cost around a hundred or so.
Now, having just counted out over sixty bills, San Pao felt his hands tremble slightly. After finishing, he handed the money to the cashier, who politely informed him that he was still two hundred yuan short.
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