บท 6: Antique Enthusiast Street

บรรณาธิการ: EndlessFantasy Translation

Unlike before, Xia Tian took note of all the sneers and jeers owing to his improved keen observation. He knew full well what these people were up to.

He was wearing cheap clothing so these people believed he would not be able to afford a phone here.

"I want to buy a multifunctional phone." With graduation just around the corner, a multifunctional phone would come in handy.

"There's plenty of multifunctional phones, may I know what's your budget? I'll be able to find one to your liking." The sales personnel presented with a pleasant attitude and a sweet smile.

The sales personnel was an intern and it said so on her name tag. She had not made any sales since she had been here because any potential customers that entered the doors were snatched away.

"A phone that's about five thousand seven hundred would do." Xia Tian had won five thousand seven hundred bucks and he did not plan on keeping it so he was going to splurge on a good phone.

"Five thousand seven hundred?" The sales personnel paused. She did not think that Xia Tian was really going to buy a phone. She intended on honing her sales skills but would not occur to her in a million years that Xia Tian wanted to buy a five thousand eight hundred RMB phone.

The other sales personnel bowled over the number mentioned by Xia Tian and soon an elder sales personnel put on a mask of smiles. However, her thick makeup and heavy wrinkles revealed her age.

"Young man, I can introduce you to a line of phones and I guarantee you'll love it." The elder sales personnel wormed herself into Xia Tian's favor with a smile. When she came close, Xia Tian could see the pockmarks on her face.

"Can you please move away? Your face looks like a car accident, you're giving me a fright." Xia Tian hated this kind of people the most, ignoring him because he seemed young and frugally dressed and stepping out once they heard he was going to buy an expensive phone.

"Ho-how dare you speak to me this way, do you know who I am?" The old woman blew her top. She had never been treated this way, much less someone calling her face a car accident.

Those watching by the sidelines were giving Xia Tian their sympathies. This woman was a local bully. It was not to say she was malevolent, but rather her lover was a known figure around these streets. People nicknamed him Brother Biao, and it was said that he was a vicious man.

This old woman was pushing fifty but dressed as though she was thirty, painting her face with thick layers of foundation. No phone vendors in this vicinity dared to offend her. She would snatch their customers under their nose and make a huge profit, yet everyone had to keep mum about it.

However, there was a high schooler here today defying her.

"Boy, just you wait. I will teach you a lesson." The old woman whipped out her phone and dialed a number.

"Master, five thousand seven hundred would get you a P5. Why don't you just take a P5?" Huo Lajiao did not even cast a glance at the old woman. The old woman was not worth her time.

"P5?" Xia Tian had heard of this phone model. Rumor had it that people sold their kidneys for this model and from then on, the phone was coined the Kidney 5. "Alright, I'll have that then. Gorgeous, can you pack one for me? Here's the money, I'm going to head over there to replace my SIM card."

The sales person came to her senses and quickly took the money and went to activate the phone for Xia Tian.

"Mentor, if you really want a good phone, I can always buy you one. Say the word and I'll buy you any phone model. It'll be the fee for my apprenticeship," Huo Lajiao added behind Xia Tian.

"I don't want someone else's money." Xia Tian looked Huo Lajiao in the eye. "I didn't say that I'll accept you, you know."

"Master, what would make you take me as your student?" Huo Lajiao hopped around Xia Tian.

"I'll teach you two moves and we'll talk after you're able to master them. I'll need to observe you longer." Xia Tian had his SIM card replaced; it was a simple process of flashing his identification card. The sales personnel returned with a P5, and Xia Tian placed his SIM card in it and found it to his liking after a quick run.

The P5 was better than his Nokia phone no matter if it were in design or functionality. Apart from calls and messaging, his previous phone was good for taking a pounding.

Xia Tian was about to leave after the purchase when two figures emerged at the door. One of them had his shirt off and a dragon tattoo trailing over his shoulder. Spotting a buzz cut, he had tiny, single-lidded eyes, and a large pregnant-looking tummy to match.

"Brother Biao, you're finally here. Any later and I'll be bullied by this little thing here." The old woman acted spoilt as she dangled Brother Biao's arm.

"Motherf*cker, how dare you touch my woman. You're dead meat." Brother Biao's loud voice attracted his attention.

Xia Tian stopped in his tracks and turned to the old woman.

"Well who's the little thing calling?" Xia Tian despised those who insulted his parents. Although he had never seen his mother before, he knew there had to be a reason behind his mother leaving them.

"This little thing's calling you!" The old woman came to grasp after responding. "Brother Biao, look. This rascal's at it again."

"Who's the rascal talking about?" Xia Tian asked again.

"This rascal's talking about you!" The old woman stomped her foot out of frustration. "Ah, Brother Biao, you have to stand up for me."

With a cold stern look, Brother Biao flexed his muscles before walking towards Xia Tian, "You dare lay a hand on my woman, you're really dead meat."

"Huo Lajiao, I'm going to do it once. Watch and learn." Xia Tian was half the size of Brother Biao but Xia Tian was not fazed. He took a step forward.

It was then Brother Biao flung a kick to Xia Tian. His modus operandi was to use his appearance to scare his opponent and bring fear with his voice before ending it with a surprise kick.

This method never failed him.

Many lowered their heads, unable to watch further as Brother Biao launched his strike on Xia Tian. Xia Tian moved to react, however casting his right arm for support and kicking his right leg above Brother Biao's left foot.

Brother Biao's study body was flung behind Xia Tian, knocking onto the commercial hall's entrance.

"Master, that was awesome." Huo Lajiao felt a rush of blood into her head.

"Brother Biao!" The old woman rushed to his side.

"Motherf*cker, how dare you fight back." Brother Biao struggled to get on his knees. The earlier blow left him with several bruises and cuts but nothing severe. Brother Biao knew he could not back down no matter what. He did not have a job and relied on this old lady. She would not provide him spending money if he threw in the towel.

"You're mine, the apple of my eye.¹"

Xia Tian's phone was ringing. This ringtone was downloaded by the sales personnel.

"Hello? Oh, cousin sister!

"I lost my phone a while back. I just bought one and replaced my SIM card.

"Tonight? Do I have to?

"Alright then, just send me the address."

Taking the opportunity while Xia Tian was on call, Brother Biao launched another kick on Xia Tian. Xia Tian grounded both feet and rammed his shoulder on Brother Biao's left shoulder before adding a kick on Brother Biao's left foot. Losing his balance, Brother Biao flew two meters before crashing onto the ground.

"Master, you're so cool." Huo Lajiao was stirred with excitement.

"Oh, it's nothing, I'll see you tonight." Xia Tian hung up and darted a glance at Brother Biao before leaving.

"Master, wait for me, wait for me." Huo Lajiao hopped on over.

"Stop following me. I've shown you the two moves. Now go home and practice. I won't accept you as my student if you keep insisting on following me," Warned Xia Tian. He really did not know any martial arts. The two moves were copied from Old Fan in the morning.

Huo Lajiao had no choice but to be on her way.

Xia Tian took a cab to Antique Enthusiast Street, the most popularized street in Jianghai City. It was one of the more prominent places in town, packed with peculiar antiques and rare finds. It was the place to go for digging treasure. There was once a person who bought a curio for less than a hundred bucks but sold it at a high price of over a million.

This was a common occurrence here that added to the area a veil of mystique, leaving many hoping to hit the jackpot here.

Xia Tian knew that these so-called people who lucked out were mostly sensationalized by the shopkeepers here for consumer influx but he still wanted to take a look around. He wanted to see if he could uncover any treasure with his Insight.

In the name of trying their luck, the street never lacked people who dreamed about getting rich quick.

Xia Tian was here tonight due to his cousin sister's birthday party. He had this event on the back of his mind and paid the price by being reprimanded on the phone by his cousin sister. Hence, he came here to purchase a good gift for her.

More importantly, his cousin wanted him to pretend to be her boyfriend, leaving him in a tight spot.