Chapter 63: Even If The Business Fails, Friendship Remains!
Zhang Bo grew up in the Antique Street.
His family also runs a shop here.
He was exposed to it from a young age and is very knowledgeable about antiques.
Such as ceramics, ancient coins, and copper coins.
He can estimate their approximate value just by looking at them.
Panjiayuan’s nickname “Little Listening Spring” wasn’t given for nothing.
However, the Melo Pearl that Jiang Tao brought today is a rare item, appearing only once in tens of thousands of conch shells.
Moreover, Zhang Bo’s family business isn’t primarily jewelry.
This has touched his knowledge blind spot.
“Buddy, wait a moment, I’ll call our boss.”
“I’m not sure about this treasure of yours.”
When Zhang Bo is unsure about something, he still relies on his father, who fishes every day.
Although the elder Mr. rarely comes to the shop, any item priced over 100,000 yuan still requires his approval.
“Hello Dad, should we accept this, and what’s the offer?”
The video call connected, and the phone screen showed a man in a green military coat and a Lei Feng hat, fishing on the ice.
The man, around sixty years old, was Zhang Long, the boss of Boyaa Auction House.
“Well, well! A Flame Pearl, a rare find! And it looks like a new one.”
On the other end of the phone, Zhang Long recognized the Flame Pearl with just a glance and was certain it was genuine.
He even noticed that it was a newly released bead.
Having worked in auction houses for decades, if he didn’t have this kind of discernment, he’d have wasted his time.
Zhang Long asked, “What’s the customer’s asking price?”
Zhang Bo replied truthfully, “120,000.”
“It’s a bit expensive. Our profit margin is small. We can offer a maximum of 100,000. Ask him if he’ll sell; if not, tell him to wait.”
“Got it! You have a good time fishing!”
Zhang Bo emphasized the word “fishing.”
He was clearly unhappy about his father going out to fish every day while he was tied to the shop.
“Son, how about I give you an extra 20,000 yuan in pocket money this month?”
“You said it! Great! You take your time fishing, I’ll go attend to the customer.”
Upon hearing that he could get an extra 20,000 yuan in pocket money this month, Zhang Bo felt instantly better and happier!
After ending the call with his father, Zhang Bo returned to Jiang Tao with the Melo Pearl.
“Brother, our boss said he can offer a maximum of 100,000 for your pearl.”
“If you can accept this price, we’ll complete the transaction with cash payment.”
Zhang Bo’s expression was sincere.
Even if this deal didn’t go through, there might be opportunities for future cooperation.
In business, harmony is paramount, especially in the antique trade, where old customers are even more important.
It’s no exaggeration to say that 70% of Zhang Bo’s family shop’s annual profit comes from repeat customers.
Developing more old customers ensures they can make a good living each year.
“Sorry, I won’t sell for 100,000, it’s too much of a difference.”
Jiang Tao wasn’t upset or resentful because the transaction failed; he also had a gentle smile on his face.
Business requires mutual consent; there’s no such thing as forced buying or selling. Even if the deal falls through, goodwill remains.
The intelligence system’s valuation for this Melo Pearl was 120,000, and Zhang Bo’s offer was 20,000 short.
Jiang Tao wasn’t in urgent need of money, so he wasn’t going to sell it easily.
“Well, you can keep looking around, buddy. If you find someone who offers more, you might be able to sell it for a better price.”
“If no one offers higher than us, you’re always welcome to come back.”
As Zhang Bo spoke, he handed the Melo Pearl back to Jiang Tao and smiled:
“Let me give you a small box. A treasure deserves a treasure box; it looks more elegant when presented.”
After speaking, Zhang Bo turned and took out a palm-sized small box from a wooden cabinet nearby and handed it to Jiang Tao.
Zhang Bo’s family ordered these jewelry boxes in bulk, costing only three to four yuan each.
If he could win Jiang Tao’s favor and develop him into a repeat customer, it could bring returns of thousands or tens of thousands of times!
The lucky number bill that Jiang Tao sold here previously earned Zhang Bo’s family over 10,000 yuan.
“Thank you. How much for this box? I’ll scan the QR code to pay.”
Jiang Tao took the jewelry box and took out his mobile phone to pay.
“It’s just a small, worthless item. I said it’s a gift, why would I take your money? Please take it; consider it making a friend.”
“In the future, if you have anything you want to sell, please come to us first. We will definitely offer the most sincere price.”
Although Zhang Bo was young, he was very experienced in social interactions, and his few words made Jiang Tao feel quite favorably towards him.
“Alright, thanks then.”
Seeing that the other party insisted on not taking money, Jiang Tao didn’t stand on ceremony anymore. He casually put the Melo Pearl into the jewelry box and turned to leave.
Zhang Bo suddenly called out, “Buddy, wait… let’s add each other on WeChat. That way, it’ll be easier to contact you when needed.”
“Okay, I’ll scan you.”
Having more friends opens more doors. Jiang Tao took out his phone and scanned Zhang Bo’s QR code, and they added each other.
After adding each other, Jiang Tao left and continued to wander around Antique Street.
He also visited four other jewelry recycling merchants to inquire about prices.
Among these four jewelry recyclers, the lowest offer was 60,000, and the highest was only 90,000.
After looking around, Zhang Bo’s family’s offer of 100,000 turned out to be the highest!
However, Jiang Tao didn’t rush back to Zhang Bo to sell it, deciding to wait a bit longer.
This item had no expiration date and wouldn’t spoil, so there was no rush to sell it.
He wandered around Antique Street until noon.
Jiang Tao found a small restaurant nearby and ordered a plate of Fried Flatbread with meat for a simple lunch.
After eating and drinking, he had nothing else to do in the afternoon and continued to wander around Antique Street until past 6 PM.
Today, he wasn’t in a hurry to take the subway back to Xiao Shahe.
Instead, he found a Hanting Hotel near Antique Street and checked in.
In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year, he planned to stay at Antique Street and immerse himself in the antique market.
He wanted to see if visiting more frequently would increase his probability of triggering intelligence related to antiques.
If he could stumble upon an antique worth hundreds of thousands or even millions, like in the web novels he read…
Wouldn’t that mean he’d get rich overnight!
After checking in, Jiang Tao first ordered a bowl of Big Plate Chicken Noodles on a food delivery platform.
While waiting for his food, he took a comfortable hot shower.
His current rented apartment naturally didn’t have a bathroom, making showering very inconvenient.
In the summer, he could go to the public pool to wash up shirtless, but in winter, it was impossible.
In Xiao Shahe Village, there was a public bathhouse with a soaking pool, which wasn’t expensive at only 18 yuan, offering both showers and soaking pools.
However, Liu Zhiyuan said there were many people “picking up soap” there, and Jiang Tao truly feared entering that dangerous place.
It had been ten days since his last bath, and after scrubbing himself, he felt as if he had lost several pounds.
Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong—
While he was showering, the mobile phone on the bed kept flashing, receiving several voice messages from Zhang Bo.
