The shop assistant initially thought Jiang Tao was an amateur.
The plan was to trick him into spending ten or twenty thousand to get the Qilin hundred-dollar bill.
But upon hearing Jiang Taoâs confident quote, it turned out he was an expert!
"Sir, isnât your price a bit high? Though this version of the hundred-dollar bill has a smaller issue number than the next three versions, there are still over a billion in circulation."
"The bill itself isnât worth much, with no collectible value; itâs the serial number that matters. If someone likes it, they might pay a good price for it."
"However, itâs like a QQ account or a phone number."
"Those who like it really like it; no matter the cost, theyâre willing to buy it. Itâs about emotional value."
"But for those who donât like it, even if you set the price at 1000, theyâd find it expensive."
"And you start at forty thousand..."
Before the assistant could finish, Jiang Tao tucked the bill into his notebook and stood up to leave.
The assistantâs endless chatter was merely an attempt to haggle and buy the pretty serial-numbered bill at a lower price.
Jiang Tao offered a low price, refusing to negotiate further.
There are plenty of antique shops on this street.
This was his first stop, and he did not have to sell it here.
"Sir, please wait..."
Seeing Jiang Tao about to leave, the assistant quickly called out to stop him.
"My final price is forty thousand, not a penny less. If you think itâs too high, Iâll try my luck elsewhere, or just keep it myself."
Jiang Tao reiterated his stance.
"Sir, please hang on. For a transaction of this amount, I need to report to our boss and see what he thinks."
"Please wait while I call the boss."
The assistant said as he fished out his phone to call the boss.
"Hello, Dad..."
Hearing the assistant call the boss "Dad," Jiang Tao couldnât help but feel exasperated. Just call him your dad, why bother with "boss"!
The assistant mumbled into the phone for a few minutes before turning to Jiang Tao and asking:
"Sir, can our boss take a look at the bill?"
"Sure."
Jiang Tao replied, opening his notebook to show the pretty serial-numbered bill.
"Take a photo of the front; let me see the number. The numberâs pretty good."
"The condition is decent too."
"Flip it over to check the security features and watermark, the year..."
A manâs voice could be heard from the assistantâs phone.
The assistant followed the instructions, flipping and checking the bill on the table.
"Ask him if heâll sell for thirty-five thousand."
Upon hearing the voice on the phone, Jiang Taoâs heart pounded intensely for a moment.
Thirty-five thousand!
Honestly, that price was tempting!
Turning a hundred into thirty-five thousand was a 350-fold profit!
But...
After the initial excitement, Jiang Tao quickly calmed down.
The intelligence said this bill was worth forty thousand, indicating it could sell for that much!
Five thousand is no small sum for Jiang Tao!
After deducting gas, maintenance, insurance, rent, food and drink, a profit of five thousand a month is uncertain.
Five thousand is nearly a monthâs pure profit; if he could get it, he should try!
"Sir, you heard our bossâs offer. This price isnât low at all."
"Go check around the street; I dare say no oneâs offering higher than us!"
The assistant, looking at Jiang Tao with sincere eyes, resembled an honest merchant.
"Sorry, I wonât sell for thirty-five thousand. Iâll take another look around."
If it werenât for the intelligence system providing a reference, Jiang Tao might have succumbed to the temptation.
But with the reference price as a guide, others couldnât easily deceive him.
"Thirty-seven thousand."
As Jiang Tao was about to leave, the shop ownerâs voice came from the phone.
Unfazed, Jiang Tao stowed the notebook with the bill back into his bag.
"Alright, alright, youâve got me. Youâre really patient! Forty thousand it is!"
"Son, make the deal with him and pay the man."
After instructing his son, the shop owner hung up.
Jiang Tao, hearing the deal was going through, finally relaxed, bursting with joy inside!
Itâs done!
"Sir, letâs sign the contract in that corner. After signing, weâll exchange money and goods."
"If you have anything else to sell in the future, do come to us first."
"This time, our boss is offering this price partly as a gesture of friendship."
The assistant, having received orders from his boss, didnât haggle further and invited Jiang Tao to complete the paperwork at a nearby desk.
Jiang Tao first signed a transaction contract, followed by a liability waiver, ensuring the moneyâs legal origins.
After signing, exchanging goods and money, Jiang Tao successfully received Boya Auction Houseâs forty thousand transfer.
"Pleasure doing business, Mr. Jiang. Looking forward to our next deal."
After transferring the funds, Zhang Bo smiled, offering his hand to Jiang Tao:
"If you have more antiques to sell, contact me first."
"Certainly, certainly."
Jiang Tao smiled, shaking Zhang Boâs hand.
Having just met, Jiang Tao found Zhang Bo to be quite decent.
Todayâs transaction left him very satisfied and comfortable.
"Iâll take my leave now, not to disturb your business."
Now with money in hand, Jiang Tao rose to bid farewell and leave.
"Alright, Iâll see you out, Mr. Jiang."
Zhang Bo, all smiles, escorted Jiang Tao to the door, watching him leave before returning inside.
Jiang Tao didnât linger, taking several subway transfers back to Zhuxinzhuang Subway Station.
Exiting the subway, he took a bus back to Xiaoshanhe Urban Village, arriving right at noon.
In a morningâs work, Jiang Tao earned forty thousand, making his day fantastic!
He ordered two dishes and a bottle of Baijiu at a small local restaurant.
Ring, ringâ
Just after ordering, Xu Li called.
With a swipe, he answered the phone.
Wearing a cream-colored sweater and blue skinny jeans, crossing her legs on the living room sofa, Xu Li appeared on the screen.
"Honey, how did it go this morning?"
Xu Li eagerly asked as soon as the call connected.
"Sigh... Iâve been out all morning, and everyone says itâs worth at most 200."
Jiang Tao fought back laughter, putting on a convincing act.
"What? Only 200? My excitement was all for nothing! But still, itâs as good as getting an extra hundred."
Xu Li quickly adjusted her mindset, not appearing too disappointed.
Jiang Tao chuckled, "Didnât we agree to split it? Iâll transfer your hundred in a bit."
"Youâre up to something! Jiang Tao, youâre tricking me, arenât you? Trying to stash private money, keeping a mistress outside!"
Xu Li instantly saw through Jiang Taoâs little trick by his suppressed smile!
"Hahaha..."
"Alright, joking aside, silly wife, this time weâre really lucky. Guess how much that bill I showed you sold for?"
"Ten thousand?"
Xu Li thought she was being bold, yet still played it too safe.
"Try being even bolder."
"A hundred thousand?"
"Wow, youâve got quite the imagination! Why not a million!"
Hearing his wifeâs wildly optimistic guesses, Jiang Tao was speechless.
"Just tell me, I canât guess!"
Though sheâs thirty now, Xu Liâs charm when pouting is as potent as ever.
"Forty thousand."
No longer teasing, Jiang Tao directly told her the final price.
"Not hiding anything, right?"
"Would I do that? Iâll send you the contract and transaction record if you want!"
"Hehe, no need, I trust you! Later, hand over twenty thousand! You promised me half!"
"Alright, Iâll transfer it right now!"
"Thanks, honey, youâre the best husband! Mwah~"
Xu Li blew a kiss at the screen, giving Jiang Tao a virtual kiss.
"I love that youâre so honest."
Seeing his wife so happy, Jiang Tao couldnât help but smile contentedly.