Chapter 32: The Unreasonable Person-Filho biológico não é tão bom quanto o filho adotado? Se você se arrepender, não me procure!(O sonho solitário do garoto de rua)

Lin Tian had only intended to test the waters to see what kind of response he might get; he truly had not expected such an offer from the other party.

"Old man, are you serious?"

"What? Do you think I would lie to you at my age?" The old man bristled, his mustache twitching with annoyance. "If you don't like the price, feel free to try your luck elsewhere."

"No, sir, you’ve misunderstood. I meant... I am very willing. I want to pawn them now."

Lin Tian certainly had to seize this opportunity. After all, twenty-five thousand was a price he might not find anywhere else. The old man’s expression softened as he took the three jade stones and placed them into the display cabinet.

"Do you want cash or a card transfer?"

"Could I take twenty thousand by card and five thousand in cash?" Lin Tian asked after a moment’s thought.

The old man didn’t speak; he simply took the phone Lin Tian offered and scanned the QR code for his digital wallet. A few seconds later, Lin Tian’s phone chimed with a transfer notification. The old man then returned the phone along with a stack of red banknotes.

"Count it."

"Right."

Lin Tian counted the bills, confirmed the amount, and carefully tucked the money into his small bag, which he then slipped into his pocket. He planned to use this money to cover his tuition and the living expenses for Bai Yun at school.

Just then, a middle-aged man hurried into the shop. While still some distance away, he called out, "Old Liu, have you received any high-quality jade lately? Preferably blue grade or higher. I have an important client who needs some for a gift."

"I do, actually. I just acquired two pieces of excellent blue-grade jade, each about the size of a quail egg. See for yourself if they suit your needs..." As the old man spoke, he produced the glistening jade he had just bought from Lin Tian, praising it, "Look at this—a natural wonder, pure and unstained. I imagine your client will appreciate it."

"It is indeed quite nice," the middle-aged man noted. "What is your price?"

"Well... since we’re old acquaintances, let’s say a flat forty thousand. Take it if you want it."

Lin Tian, who had not yet walked far, was stunned by the old man’s words. "Is that really how it works?" He thought about it for a moment, but chose not to linger and left.

Seeing this, the old man couldn't help but feel a flicker of favor toward Lin Tian. "That lad has decent character..."

The middle-aged man, seemingly in a rush, paid promptly and efficiently. He packed up the jade and left without a second glance.

Outside, Lin Tian strolled down the street, his gaze wandering over the various shops. He was so distracted that he didn't notice someone rushing toward him, equally unobservant.

"Ouch!" A sharp cry of pain rang out.

A young woman, dressed in trendy, fashionable attire with exquisite, vivid makeup, clutched her head and snapped, "Who’s that? Are you blind? Can’t you see where you're going?"

Thanks to his recent improvement in physical fitness, Lin Tian had remained unmoved by the collision, despite his injuries being only recently healed. Seeing that the girl was about his age but clearly worlds apart in temperament and upbringing, he had no desire to engage. He simply turned and continued on his way.

"How infuriating!" Feeling ignored, Tang Rumeng gnashed her teeth in anger and quickly caught up to him. "Don't you walk away!"

Lin Tian turned to look at her. "Is there something you need?"

"You bumped into someone, and you’re just going to walk away? Can’t you even offer an apology?" Tang Rumeng said coldly.

Hearing this, Lin Tian felt as if a lightbulb had gone off. He gave his forehead a light tap. "Oh, is that it? Fine, I apologize. Are you happy now?"

He realized then that she had grabbed the corner of his jacket, refusing to let him go. His temper flared. "What exactly do you want?"

"Hmph," Tang Rumeng retorted coldly, "did I say I accepted your apology?"

Hearing this, Lin Tian finally understood that she had no intention of letting him go. Incensed, he jerked his body away, breaking her grip, and strode off.

Tang Rumeng, who was used to being imperious and high-handed, had never expected to lose face on the street to a country bumpkin. Even more humiliating was that he had managed to shake off her grip with a single motion. She was instantly overcome with rage. "Listen here, kid! Today I’m going to teach you what my rules are!"

With that, she hurried after him, completely forgetting the urgent matter she had originally intended to attend to. "Hey! Stop right there!"

Hearing the commotion behind him, Lin Tian frowned impatiently. "Stubborn as a mule!"

Since that was the case, he saw no reason to be polite. He stopped abruptly.

Seeing this, Tang Rumeng was delighted and lunged at him with both hands. As she closed in, she saw that he remained motionless, seemingly frightened, and she felt a wave of secret triumph. "You're still way too green to mess with me!"

However, she didn't expect that at the very last second, Lin Tian would raise his hand and poke forward with two fingers. A dramatic and comical scene ensued: it was like a game of rock-paper-scissors, where Tang Rumeng’s "paper" was shredded by Lin Tian’s "scissors."

Feeling the sharp sting in her palm, Tang Rumeng quickly withdrew her hand, glaring at him viciously. "You damn brat!"

"I must say, you really have no class," Lin Tian grumbled. He then trotted away as if avoiding a plague, muttering to himself, "How unlucky, running into a lunatic."

Tang Rumeng stood stunned for a moment. Just as she snapped out of it and was about to chase after him in a rage, her phone rang.

"Hello? Miss? Why haven't you arrived yet? Did you run into some trouble on the way?" The middle-aged man’s anxious voice came through the phone.

Tang Rumeng finally remembered her mission, and her resentment toward Lin Tian grew even deeper. "It’s all because of that damn brat! He got in my way and ruined my focus. If I ever run into him again, I’ll be sure to teach him a lesson!"

Collecting her thoughts, she replied coldly, "I know, just wait a little longer."

After hanging up, the middle-aged man could only sigh as he stood at the intersection, thinking to himself, "This thankless job is getting harder and harder to do!" He was worried that if he arrived late and displeased the old man on the Lantern Festival, he would suffer dearly.

Meanwhile, Lin Tian, who had just remembered it was the Lantern Festival, walked into a supermarket.

"Well, it's the Lantern Festival; I should have some sweet rice balls."

Since he was "not short on cash" now, he felt he could afford to "splurge" a little.