The shop assistant originally thought Jiang Tao was a novice.
He had planned to sweet-talk him and snag the Qilin-numbered hundred-yuan bill for eight or ten thousand yuan.
But hearing Jiang Tao's confident quote, it turned out he was a pro!
"Sir, isn't your price a bit high? Sure, this version of the hundred-yuan bill has a lower issuance than the later three versions, but there are still billions in circulation."
"The bill itself isn't worth much, no real collectible value. It's the serial number that's valuable, and it can fetch a good price if it catches the right buyer's eye."
"But it's like a QQ number or a phone number."
"Those who love it will pay any price for the emotional value."
"But those who don't care, even if you ask for a thousand, they'll think it's too expensive."
"You're starting at 40,000…"
Before the assistant could finish, Jiang Tao tucked the bill into his notebook and got up to leave.
This guy was spouting a ton of nonsense, clearly just trying to lowball him and buy the prized serial number bill for cheap.
Jiang Tao's offer was already a low price, and he wasn't open to haggling.
There were plenty of antique shops on this street.
This was just the first one he visited, and he didn't have to sell to them.
"Sir, wait, wait…"
Seeing Jiang Tao walk off without a word, the assistant hurriedly called out to stop him.
"One price, 40,000. Not a cent less. If your shop thinks it's too expensive, I'll try my luck elsewhere. Worst case, I'll keep it for myself."
Jiang Tao reiterated his stance.
"Sir, please hold on. For a deal this big, I need to check with our boss and see what he thinks."
"Wait a moment, I'll call him now."
As he spoke, the assistant pulled out his phone and dialed his boss.
"Hey, Dad…"
Hearing the assistant address his boss, Jiang Tao's face darkened instantly. Just say it's your dad, no need for "boss"!
The assistant muttered on the phone for a few minutes, then turned back to Jiang Tao and asked, "Sir, can our boss take a look at the bill?"
"Sure."
As he spoke, Jiang Tao opened his notebook again and took out the prized bill.
"Take a picture of the front first. Let me see the serial number. The number's decent."
"The condition's passable too."
"Flip it to the back, check the anti-counterfeit features and watermark, the year…"
A man's voice came through the phone.
Following the instructions, the assistant flipped the bill on the table back and forth for a while.
"Ask him if he'll sell for 35,000."
Hearing the voice from the phone, Jiang Tao's heart thumped hard twice.
Thirty-five thousand!
Honestly, that price was tempting!
A hundred-yuan bill, flipped for thirty-five thousand—a 350-fold increase!
But…
After the initial excitement, Jiang Tao quickly calmed down.
The intelligence system said this bill was worth 40,000, meaning it could definitely sell for 40,000!
Five thousand yuan was no small sum for Jiang Tao!
His monthly grind, after fuel, maintenance, insurance, rent, and daily expenses, might not even leave him with 5,000 in profit.
Five thousand was about a month's net earnings. If he could fight for it, he would!
"Sir, you heard our boss's offer. This price is really not low."
"Go anywhere on this street, I guarantee no one will offer more!"
The assistant looked at Jiang Tao with a sincere expression, like the most honest merchant.
"Sorry, 35,000 won't do. I'll go check out other shops."
Without the reference price from the intelligence system, Jiang Tao might've caved to the temptation and sold.
But with the system's valuation as a guide, no one could scam him so easily.
"Thirty-seven thousand."
As Jiang Tao prepared to leave, the antique shop boss's voice came through the phone again.
Jiang Tao didn't budge, already tucking the notebook with the bill into his satchel.
"Alright, alright, you win, buddy! I'm impressed by your patience. Forty thousand it is!"
"Son, sign the contract with him and pay up."
The antique shop boss hung up after giving his son the instructions.
Hearing the deal was about to close, Jiang Tao's tense heart finally relaxed, and he was inwardly ecstatic!
It worked!
"Sir, let's go over there to sign the contract. Once it's signed, we'll exchange money for goods."
"If you have anything else to sell in the future, come to us first."
"Our boss offering this price is also a gesture of friendship."
Seeing his boss had spoken, the assistant stopped haggling with Jiang Tao and invited him to a desk to handle the paperwork.
Jiang Tao first signed a transaction contract, then a liability waiver, guaranteeing the bill's legal and legitimate origin.
After signing, they exchanged money for goods, and Jiang Tao smoothly received a 40,000-yuan transfer from Boya Auction House.
"Pleasure doing business, Mr. Jiang. Looking forward to our next deal."
After transferring the money, Zhang Bo smiled, extended his hand, and said, "If you have any other old items to sell, make sure to call me first."
"Definitely, definitely."
Jiang Tao smiled and shook Zhang Bo's hand.
Though they'd just met, Jiang Tao felt Zhang Bo was a decent guy.
The transaction process today left him satisfied and comfortable.
"I'll head out then. Don't want to interrupt your business."
With the money in hand, Jiang Tao stood to say goodbye and prepared to leave.
"Alright, let me walk you out, Mr. Jiang."
Zhang Bo cheerfully escorted Jiang Tao to the door, watching him leave before returning to the shop.
Jiang Tao didn't linger. He took the subway, made a few transfers, and returned to Zhuxinzhuang Station.
From the subway, he took a bus back to the urban village of Xiao Sha River, arriving just at noon.
In one morning, he'd made 40,000 yuan, putting Jiang Tao in a fantastic mood!
He went straight to a small restaurant on the street, ordered two dishes, and got a bottle of Bainiu Er liquor.
*Ring ring ring—*
Just as Jiang Tao finished ordering, Xu Li's call came through.
He swiped to answer.
Wearing a cream-colored sweater and tight blue jeans, Xu Li appeared on the screen, lounging on the living room sofa with her legs crossed.
"Honey, how'd things go this morning?"
As soon as the call connected, Xu Li eagerly asked about Jiang Tao's morning results.
"Sigh… I went around all morning, and everyone said it's worth 200 at most."
Jiang Tao suppressed his urge to laugh, putting on a convincing act.
"What? Only 200? I got excited for nothing! Oh well, it's still nice—basically a free 100 yuan."
Xu Li adjusted her mindset quickly, not seeming too disappointed.
Unable to hold back, Jiang Tao chuckled, "We said we'd split it fifty-fifty. I'll transfer your 100 later, alright?"
"Something's off! You sneaky Jiang Tao, you're messing with me, aren't you? Trying to hide some secret stash to keep a mistress on the side?"
Seeing the mischievous grin Jiang Tao was holding back, Xu Li instantly saw through his trick!
"Hahaha…"
"Alright, no more teasing, silly wife. We really hit the jackpot this time. Guess how much that bill I showed you sold for?"
"Ten thousand?"
Xu Li thought she was being bold, but she was still too conservative.
"Bolder."
"A million?"
"Holy crap, you really dare to dream! Why not ten million?"
Jiang Tao was speechless at his silly wife's wildly swinging guesses.
"Just tell me already! How am I supposed to guess?"
Though Xu Li was already 30 this year, her playful charm hadn't faded a bit.
"Forty thousand."
Jiang Tao stopped teasing and told her the final sale price.
"No underreporting or hiding anything?"
"Am I that kind of guy? I'll send you the contract and transaction records later, alright?"
"Hehe, no need. I trust my husband! Transfer me my 20,000 later! You said we'd split it!"
"Alright, alright, I'll send it now!"
"Thank you, honey! You're the handsomest husband in the world! *Mwah*~"
Xu Li's red lips pressed close to the phone screen, sending Jiang Tao a virtual kiss.
"I love how you always tell the truth."
Seeing his silly wife so happy, Jiang Tao's lips curled into a contented smile.
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