Chapter 18
Xia Sheng listened politely and patiently as the shop owner finished his introduction, then said, “Just tell me, how much is it?”
The shop owner put on a sincere face. “Originally, this Jade Stone was priced at three hundred thousand, but it’s rare to meet a fated customer like you, miss. I’ll give you a discount-two hundred and ninety thousand.”
The place where Xia Sheng set up her stall yesterday wasn’t far from here. The shop owner happened to see Xia Sheng get into a luxury car while passing by, guessing that this young lady’s family must be wealthy.
This young lady clearly had little social experience and not much knowledge of antiques, or she wouldn’t have taken a fancy to this item he bought from a street stall for just a few dozen yuan.
When encountering such a clueless sucker, how could he not take the chance to rip her off?
The antique market is full of trickery. If this young lady came back later to question him, he could just lie and say he bought the Jade Stone for two hundred and fifty thousand himself, and didn’t know it was a fake.
Anyway, the price was set. If Xia Sheng couldn’t tell real from fake and spent her money, it was her own fault. One is willing to sell, one is willing to buy-he couldn’t be blamed.
Xia Sheng glanced at the Jade Stone. “You’re sure this Jade Stone is worth two hundred and ninety thousand?”
“Are you suggesting I’m trying to cheat you?” The shop owner’s expression grew more serious. “Miss, this is a century-old shop. We would never deceive our customers.
“This Jade Stone has a thousand-year heritage. You know Qin Shi Huang, right? It’s said that this very Jade Stone was once worn by Qin Shi Huang himself.”
Xia Sheng raised an eyebrow. “Qin Shi Huang? Wasn’t this Jade Stone the one you had someone buy from a street stall near the overpass for twenty-nine yuan just last week?”
The shop owner’s face changed slightly.
He had indeed sent a worker from the shop to secretly buy the Jade Stone. How could this young lady know?
And she guessed both the time and price so accurately!
There were other customers in the shop now, and Xia Sheng’s words had already been overheard. Naturally, the shop owner couldn’t admit the truth and ruin his reputation. Forcing a smile, he said, “Miss, if you think my price is too high, just say so. Why slander my goods?
“This is a century-old shop, and we do business with integrity. We never cheat anyone, young or old…”
Xia Sheng interrupted him: “You bought this shop ten years ago, and you’ve fooled no less than a hundred antique novices.
“Doesn’t your conscience hurt when you talk about honesty?”
The shop was indeed bought by the current owner from the previous one ten years ago. Though it had been open for a century, it had long since changed hands.
The shop owner hadn’t expected Xia Sheng to know even this, and his face turned livid.
She had investigated him so thoroughly-she must have come here just to expose him!
“What nonsense! I’ve always run this shop myself! I think you just can’t afford the two hundred and ninety thousand and are trying to ruin my reputation so I’ll sell it to you for less!
“I’m done with this deal. Get out!”
Xia Sheng’s expression was indifferent as she said calmly, “Nonsense? Should I pull up the official record of your shop’s ownership change for you to see?
“Or would you like to check the surveillance near the overpass to see if there’s footage of your staff buying the Jade Stone?”
“You!” The shop owner was so angry his face turned red and his neck bulged. Glancing nervously at the curious onlookers, he suppressed his anger and muttered through gritted teeth in Xia Sheng’s ear, “Take the Jade Stone if you want it. Just don’t let me see you again!”
Xia Sheng didn’t stand on ceremony. She took the Jade Stone and walked toward the door.
Seeing her leave, the shop owner finally breathed a sigh of relief.
However, before the sending-off of the breath was finished, Xia Sheng stopped by the WeChat QR code at the entrance, took out her phone, and scanned to transfer twenty-nine yuan to him.
After scanning, she turned back and showed him the payment screen on her phone.
“I’m not someone who likes to take advantage. Here’s the money to replenish stock.”
With that, Xia Sheng left directly.
The machine in the shop chimed, announcing the receipt of twenty-nine yuan. Whether the Jade Stone the owner had just priced at two hundred ninety thousand was real or fake, everyone already had their answer.
The customers in the shop began to leave one after another. Some even picked up their phones to call the police and report the incident as soon as they reached the door.
In the antique business, reputation is everything.
Now that this shop’s reputation was ruined, it was surely finished.
Xia Sheng didn’t give this minor episode a second thought and went straight home by car.
Shen Yanchen was shrouded in heavy Baleful Qi. To craft a talisman that could protect him for decades would require a tremendous amount of effort.
Xia Sheng still had to see Jiang Zhongqing’s friend for a medical consultation that afternoon, so she set aside the carving of the Jade Stone for now, planning to resume work after meeting Shen Yanchen in the evening.
Staying by Shen Yanchen’s side, even if she exhausted her energy, she could absorb Baleful Qi from him without harming her spiritual body in the slightest.
After having lunch with Fang Rong, at one o’clock, Jiang Zhongqing’s car arrived downstairs, ready to pick up Xia Sheng.
Seeing her daughter always so busy and unable to help, Fang Rong felt a pang of heartache. “Sheng’er, don’t overwork yourself. Remember to rest from time to time.”
Xia Sheng replied, “I’m not tired. These are all just minor tasks.”
Except for the protective talisman for Shen Yanchen, which was a bit challenging, everything else was relatively easy.
“By the way, Mom, if you get bored staying home alone, you can go to the park and chat with people.”
Too much idleness breeds unhealthy thoughts. Fang Rong had been home alone these past two days, and Xia Sheng was a bit worried she might get depressed.
Fang Rong said, “Alright. Actually, I was just thinking of finding a job. Staying cooped up at home these days makes me feel restless.”
She was used to being busy. Once she stopped, she felt empty inside and always wanted to find something to do.
Jiang Zhongqing came upstairs and, stepping out of the elevator, overheard the mother and daughter’s conversation. He said, “If you don’t mind, you can come work at my company. The staff shop is short of a cashier. It only gets busy during lunch breaks, and the work is fairly easy. I can pay you the highest wage.”
Fang Rong turned to look at Jiang Zhongqing, feeling a bit embarrassed to trouble him, and said, “That’s not necessary. I can find something myself. I don’t want to keep bothering you.”
Jiang Zhongqing met Fang Rong’s gaze and noticed the change in her appearance, surprised for a moment.
It had only been a day, but he hadn’t expected Fang Rong to change so much.
Jiang Zhongqing was not a lecherous man. After a brief moment of surprise, he quickly returned to his usual self, restrained and polite. “It’s no trouble. The Little Celestial Master saved my life; this is nothing.”
Fang Rong was still a bit hesitant. Xia Sheng glanced between the two and said to Fang Rong, “Mom, you should go. Mr. Jiang and I are quite familiar, and I’ll feel more at ease if you work for him.”
Now that her daughter was her anchor, and since Xia Sheng had said so, Fang Rong no longer refused and agreed.
After a few more words, Xia Sheng left with Jiang Zhongqing and headed to the hospital.