Chapter 29: The Most Beautiful Anticipation

Renegotiate the price? The refined gentleman could hardly believe his ears. Was it really all because of that ten thousand? I could just give it to you, but to bully someone with power is truly disgraceful. Yet no matter how dissatisfied he felt, he dared not show it. He spoke somewhat coldly, "Fine, name your price and that's what it'll be."

"Good, you said it, so don’t go back on your word." Jiang An smiled and turned to Gao Chao, "Leave thirty-one thousand for this brother, I’ll take the stone."

Gao Chao carried out the order. He unzipped the suitcase, revealing it packed full of bright red bills—quite dazzling. He pulled out thirty-one thousand and slapped it down on the table.

Only then did the refined gentleman understand Jiang An’s intention. The renegotiation wasn’t to lower the price—it was to raise it! What kind of logic was this?

"No, no, no! We agreed on ten thousand just now—what’s the meaning of giving me tens of thousands?" The gentleman hurriedly refused.

"That’s right, the stone is ten thousand, and I drank three cups of your fine tea—ten thousand each. Doesn’t that add up to thirty-one thousand?"

"You’re joking, surely! What kind of tea is worth ten thousand a cup? I appreciate your kindness, but I really can’t accept the money."

"It seems you still think it’s too little. Then make it a hundred thousand!" Jiang An was simply playing by his own rules—this is what it means to be wealthy and capricious. He rather liked the refined gentleman, and would never let him suffer a loss. Besides, the contents of that jade stone were worth far more than this, so Jiang An could only offer some compensation, seeking to appease his conscience.

The refined gentleman was at a loss, both amused and exasperated. He’d never seen such an extravagant and domineering man. Finally, he said, "Alright, ten thousand it is."

Jiang An laughed heartily. "So be it. Until we meet again!"

With that, he was already out the door, Gao Chao following behind, one hand carrying the suitcase, the other cradling the jade stone, grinning as he trailed along. The refined gentleman saw them out, and when they were gone, he shook his head with a sigh—truly, extraordinary people have extraordinary tales.

Soon, Jiang An returned to the previous stall, only to find the vendor embroiled in a dispute with a couple. Upon seeing Jiang An, the vendor’s face lit up and he pointed towards him, "See, you didn’t believe me, but this is the rightful buyer. I’ve already agreed to sell it to him, and now he’s back—you can negotiate with him."

Jiang An’s gaze fell on the couple in front of the stall. The man was stout and portly, dressed in opulent clothes with a big belly, a flat-top haircut, a thick gold chain, and a black leather clutch under his arm—the very image of a nouveau riche boss. The woman clinging to his side was likely not yet thirty, with a fine figure and decent looks, though her heavy makeup made her beauty overly garish.

The nouveau riche boss stared at Jiang An for several moments, then sneered in heavily accented Mandarin, "Are you a plant? I offered forty thousand, isn’t that enough? Do you really think I’m a fat sheep to be slaughtered?"

"Hey!" The vendor was displeased, turning to Jiang An, "Young man, you be the judge. Not long after you left, this boss came and took a fancy to my talisman, wanted to buy it. I told him someone had already placed a thirty-thousand deposit, so I wouldn’t sell. He didn’t believe me, offered forty thousand, I refused, and now you’re back—he still says you’re a plant. Tell me, are you my plant?"

Now Jiang An understood. Apparently this nouveau riche had also discerned something unusual about the talisman and wanted it. Nothing wrong with that—but why be so stingy when you’re decked out in gold? If you really wanted it, throw down several hundred thousand—the vendor would have agreed long ago. Why pretend to be a big shot without the cash to back it up?

"Still saying you’re not? I’m sick of you all. Fine, I’ll add another ten thousand. Fifty thousand, okay?" The nouveau riche looked down his nose, slowly unzipped his clutch, counting money and taunting, "A kid whose whole outfit isn’t worth two thousand claims he’ll pay thirty thousand for a piece of paper? Do you think I’m blind?"

"Looking for trouble!"

Jiang An hadn’t spoken yet, but Gao Chao couldn’t stand it anymore. He was used to looking down on others—not being belittled by country bumpkins. Though it wasn’t directed at him, to insult his boss was even less tolerable. Gao Chao walked over, set the suitcase down between them, and opened it. Instantly, the sea of red bills stunned everyone nearby.

"Money, right? Two thousand, right? Fifty thousand, right? 'Kid,' right..." Gao Chao was truly wild. With every word, he grabbed a wad of cash and smacked it hard across the nouveau riche’s face, one after another. Some bills struck so hard they scattered, fluttering like petals all around—a scene too satisfying for words.

The crowd around widened their eyes, wondering if someone was going to be beaten to death with cash!

Gao Chao, being a martial artist, had exceptional strength. He sent the nouveau riche dodging and ducking, howling for mercy. It wasn’t long before he surrendered, realizing he’d hit a brick wall. These people treated money as nothing, and he was unfamiliar with the area—begging for mercy was no shame.

"Stop, please! I know I was wrong, truly wrong—young master, spare me!"

"Yes, please, both young masters—my man just has a foul mouth, please forgive him," the garish woman pleaded as well.

"Alright, let them go," Jiang An called.

Gao Chao had to obey, spat on the ground and said, "My boss is soft-hearted. Get lost before I lose my temper!"

"Yes, yes!"

Hating them would be natural, but circumstances outweighed grudges. The nouveau riche hurriedly dragged the woman away, stumbling and scrambling, their ridiculous flight drawing laughter from the crowd.

Many people knew Gao Chao from frequent visits, so even with those tempting piles of cash on the ground, none dared pocket them. Instead, they picked them up and handed them back. Gao Chao only took the intact bundles, leaving the scattered bills behind, saying he'd treat everyone to tea—a true display of wealth.

Youth has its reckless pride. Jiang An found Gao Chao’s antics amusing, yet did not intervene—everyone has their own character, and there’s no need to force change. In a few years, he’d likely mature on his own.

"Boss, let’s resume our transaction. Gao Chao, thirty thousand!" Jiang An remembered his purpose, picked up the box containing the talisman, while Gao Chao handed over the money.

The renowned Master Chao bowing to this young man—the vendor knew at once that Jiang An was no ordinary figure, and smiled obsequiously, "Actually, the price could still be negotiated..."

"No need. Enjoy your windfall—we’re leaving!"

Jiang An tossed out the words, turning away without a backward glance, Gao Chao following closely.

They walked to the intersection, Gao Chao ran ahead to a parked car. A burly, rugged man stepped out, respectfully greeted Gao Chao, "Master Chao," and took the items, placing them in the trunk.

Jiang An approached, and Gao Chao introduced, "Boss, this is Ma Ping, the area’s branch leader—we call him Ma Zi. Don’t let his rough looks fool you; he’s quite sharp. The thing I showed you last time was his offering."

He suddenly turned and barked at the big man, "Ma Zi, hurry up and greet Master Jiang!"

So this was the big shot Master Chao mentioned—truly impressive. The burly man immediately bowed, full of flattery, "Master Jiang, hello! I’m Ma Zi. If you need anything, just say the word—I’ll go through fire and water without blinking!"

"Alright, let’s go."

A minor figure like that didn’t warrant Jiang An’s attention; he merely grunted in reply. Even so, Ma Zi’s face lit up as he hurried to start the car. His obedient manner clashed oddly with his brutish appearance.

The car soon started. Jiang An sat in the back, eyes closed in repose. Gao Chao scratched his head for a while, then imitated Jiang An’s silence. Ma Zi, seeing them resting in the rearview mirror, instinctively drove more smoothly.

But Gao Chao being Gao Chao, couldn’t stay quiet for long. Soon he broke the silence, whispering to Ma Zi. About ten minutes later, the car stopped and Jiang An opened his eyes—weren’t they still a ways off?

"Boss, it’s like this—Ma Zi booked a table at Haotian Grand Hotel, hoping for your favor. Would you be willing?" Gao Chao asked carefully, wanting to give Ma Zi a chance to shine.

Jiang An frowned slightly, giving Ma Zi a deep look. That simple gesture sent a chill of death down Ma Zi’s spine, cold sweat pouring, his heart seeming ready to leap from his throat—he felt he might die at any moment. Thankfully, Jiang An soon withdrew his gaze and said lightly, "I appreciate it, but I’ll pass on the meal."

Ma Zi dared not insist—the look had been terrifying. He still hadn’t fully recovered, stammered his assent and started the car. His trembling hands missed the steering wheel, and the car lurched, the left front tire scraping hard against a sharp stone curb. Bang! A blowout.

Ma Zi’s heart sank—everything was ruined. He’d made a fool of himself before the big shot in the back seat; even if he survived, he’d suffer. He was so scared his teeth chattered.

Smack!

Gao Chao slapped Ma Zi’s head, cursing, "Stupid! Hurry up and change the tire—what are you standing there for?"

But Ma Zi felt as if he’d been pardoned. He peeked at Jiang An, saw him resting calmly, and finally relaxed, quickly getting out to change the tire.

He struggled for a while, but couldn’t manage it. Gao Chao grew impatient, called for another car, and they left Ma Zi behind.

They were now in the underground parking lot of a major shopping center in the city’s commercial district. Leaving Ma Zi there, they took the elevator from B1 up to the mall’s first floor.

It was near dusk, but the mall was bustling, people streaming past in all shapes and sizes. Gao Chao led the way, Jiang An following at a leisurely pace—when suddenly, something unexpected happened.

On the second floor, a middle-aged woman was queuing for milk tea with a little girl who looked like a carved jade doll. The little girl was adorably dressed in a bright white down jacket, leggings, little leather shoes, holding the adult’s hand in one tiny fist, and in the other, a string with a cartoon balloon. Her large, dark eyes were fixed on the huge picture of milk tea on the shop sign—a lively little sprite.

"Oh, my balloon!"

Her little hand slipped, and the balloon floated away. Instinctively, she broke free from the adult’s hand and chased after it, trying to reclaim the low-flying balloon.

"Child, no!"

A shout from a bystander. The middle-aged woman turned, seeing the little girl darting quickly to the second-floor railing, and then—her worst fear happened. The girl climbed onto a chair by the railing, reaching for the string, her body halfway over the edge. Losing her balance, she plunged from the second floor.

"No!"

All who saw were terrified; the woman lunged frantically, hoping to catch the girl’s coat.

But it was too late.