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 Tao's confident quote, it turned out he was an expert!
"Sir, isn't 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 isn't worth much, with no collectible value; it's the serial number that matters. If someone likes it, they might pay a good price for it."
"However, it's like a QQ account or a phone number."
"Those who like it really like it; no matter the cost, they're willing to buy it. It's about emotional value."
"But for those who don't like it, even if you set the price at 1000, they'd 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 assistant's 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 it's too high, I'll 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 couldn't 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 number's pretty good."
"The condition is decent too."
"Flip it over to check the security features and watermark, the year..."
A man's voice could be heard from the assistant's phone.
The assistant followed the instructions, flipping and checking the bill on the table.
"Ask him if he'll sell for thirty-five thousand."
Upon hearing the voice on the phone, Jiang Tao's 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 month's pure profit; if he could get it, he should try!
"Sir, you heard our boss's offer. This price isn't low at all."
"Go check around the street; I dare say no one's offering higher than us!"
The assistant, looking at Jiang Tao with sincere eyes, resembled an honest merchant.
"Sorry, I won't sell for thirty-five thousand. I'll take another look around."
If it weren't for the intelligence system providing a reference, Jiang Tao might have succumbed to the temptation.
But with the reference price as a guide, others couldn't easily deceive him.
"Thirty-seven thousand."
As Jiang Tao was about to leave, the shop owner's voice came from the phone.
Unfazed, Jiang Tao stowed the notebook with the bill back into his bag.
"Alright, alright, you've got me. You're 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!
It's done!
"Sir, let's sign the contract in that corner. After signing, we'll 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, didn't 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 money's legal origins.
After signing, exchanging goods and money, Jiang Tao successfully received Boya Auction House's 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 Bo's hand.
Having just met, Jiang Tao found Zhang Bo to be quite decent.
Today's transaction left him very satisfied and comfortable.
"I'll take my leave now, not to disturb your business."
Now with money in hand, Jiang Tao rose to bid farewell and leave.
"Alright, I'll see you out, Mr. Jiang."
Zhang Bo, all smiles, escorted Jiang Tao to the door, watching him leave before returning inside.
Jiang Tao didn't 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 morning's 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, ring—
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... I've been out all morning, and everyone says it's 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, it's as good as getting an extra hundred."
Xu Li quickly adjusted her mindset, not appearing too disappointed.
Jiang Tao chuckled, "Didn't we agree to split it? I'll transfer your hundred in a bit."
"You're up to something! Jiang Tao, you're tricking me, aren't you? Trying to stash private money, keeping a mistress outside!"
Xu Li instantly saw through Jiang Tao's little trick by his suppressed smile!
"Hahaha..."
"Alright, joking aside, silly wife, this time we're 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, you've got quite the imagination! Why not a million!"
Hearing his wife's wildly optimistic guesses, Jiang Tao was speechless.
"Just tell me, I can't guess!"
Though she's thirty now, Xu Li's 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? I'll 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, I'll transfer it right now!"
"Thanks, honey, you're the best husband! Mwah~"
Xu Li blew a kiss at the screen, giving Jiang Tao a virtual kiss.
"I love that you're so honest."
Seeing his wife so happy, Jiang Tao couldn't help but smile contentedly.