Chapter 002: Wang Ge

Xiao Ru opened the box, lifted the red cloth to take a look, slightly furrowed her brow, but still quickly put it around her neck, shaking her head left and right: "I don't feel anything? Brother Binzi, you really aren't just fooling me, are you?"

This statement completely dampened my appetite, but after selling this jade pendant, I suddenly received 5,000 yuan, which made me quite pleased. After all, the jade pendants sold here in the past were mostly those priced at three to five hundred yuan for commemorative purposes, and such spiritual jade is rarely purchased.

I am somewhat puzzled: "What wealth? Sudden wealth is inauspicious. Why did Wang Ge suddenly ask about this?"

As I arrived at the store carrying steamed buns and spicy soup, Xiao Ru rushed in with a handful of money, exclaiming: "Binzi, where is that jade pendant that can bring good fortune from yesterday? Hurry up and give it to me. Here is 3,000 yuan, please count it..."

I observed Wang Ge's facial features and did not find any signs of financial loss. However, since there is business coming my way, I naturally will not decline. Nevertheless, this is gambling, which does not count as legitimate income; neither the God of Literature nor the God of War will protect him.

"Binzi, something has happened to Master! I just showed him the photo you sent, and he cursed and fainted. He is now in the intensive care unit. The doctor said that Master is suffering from kidney failure and may need a kidney transplant..."

I said to her: "At this moment, don't be picky. Zhong Kui eliminates ghosts, and he does so with precision. Remember to promote this for me when you go back; my jade pendant can bring good fortune, attract wealth, and ensure safety. It is definitely a valuable item"

The sound startled me, causing me to sit up abruptly in bed. I looked around but found nothing. The layout of my room was arranged by my master, and the feng shui is impeccable

Wang Ge is clearly someone who knows his stuff: "Pixiu? Goodness, you really understand the trade. Brother, how much is this?"

The Pixiu is a guardian of wealth, and it is essentially the first choice whenever it comes to jade pendants related to wealth protection. However, this item requires care; for instance, it should not be exposed to strangers, should not be subjected to strong light, and the wearer should avoid consuming spicy food. It is also important to frequently touch it. Objects with spirit require communication.

I said to her: "The jade pendant that brought good fortune yesterday could save you, but today’s luck has run out; it must be one that wards off disasters and evil spirits. Xiaoru, we are all from the same street, would I deceive you? How about you leave 3,000 yuan first, and I will give you the jade pendant. If it doesn’t work, you can keep the 2,000 yuan. If it proves effective, just remember to send the money over."

Xiao Ru took a bun from my desk and while eating it, she walked out: "Alright, I will go back and take a nap. Everything is swollen below, and the store won't even recognize it as a work injury..."

Upon waking up in the morning, I immediately took a photo of the chicken blood stone with my phone and sent it to my senior brother, informing him of the events that transpired. Although I only needed to throw away the chicken blood stone to resolve the issue, this piqued my curiosity and interest in the subject, and I was eager to understand what was going on.

Having dinner, I was just about to close the door for a short nap when someone came into the store again

I handed the box to Xiao Ru: "Rest assured, if it has no effect, you can return it to me, and I will refund you the 3,000 yuan. I will definitely not cheat you out of your money."

He took out a stack of money from his bag, counted it briefly, and then handed it to me

I looked at Xiao Ru and noticed that the area between her eyebrows had darkened. This girl must have seen something; otherwise, she wouldn't be so generous with her money, not even haggling over the price. However, that jade pendant was with me last night, so she shouldn't be acting like this.

I took out a box from the innermost part of the counter, which had the characters "Zhong Kui" written on it. Xiao Ru leaned over to take a look and immediately expressed some dissatisfaction: "Zhong Kui? Isn't he quite ugly?"

Wang Ge sat down heavily on the sofa, looking utterly helpless: "In recent days, every time I play cards, I end up losing money. Although losing tens of thousands of yuan is not a big deal for me, I can't stand it happening every day. Now that group of little rascals knows that I keep losing, they keep urging me to play cards. Do you have any jade pendant that can help me ward off this misfortune?"

In one day, I sold more than 10,000 yuan. Even after deducting the cost of goods and rent, as well as utilities, I still have several thousand yuan in surplus. At this rate, I estimate that I will soon be able to save up for a down payment

Xiao Ru yawned and said: "I can kneel, while the customers are busy behind me, I can eat while lying down, it works out for both."

Lying down again, there is no sound by my ears, yet I always feel as if there are eyes in the room watching me.

After some thought, I gestured with my hand to indicate the number eight, meaning eight thousand yuan

I quickly shook my head: "No, no, my master can. He said I was born during the Yin period, and he did not teach me."

I looked at her with some disbelief: "Is it really that exaggerated? How do you eat in bed?"

I moved the clutter off the sofa and gestured for Wang Ge to sit down, but he suddenly laughed and said, "Binzi, can you read faces?"

As soon as the words fell, Wang Ge's gaze suddenly became sharp, which made me feel a bit guilty. Why did this guy suddenly run into my store?

I originally wanted to continue eating the steamed buns, but as soon as I thought of the amusing scene that Xiaoru just described, I couldn't help but put down the buns and laugh. This woman is truly carefree, and that customer is quite inconsiderate as well

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ru could no longer get angry: "Binzi, I am truly frightened. Not only because of that dream, but to be honest with you, I just finished my shift. From yesterday afternoon at around 4 o'clock until now, 8:30, I haven't stopped except to go to the restroom. I even had my late-night snack in bed."

Wang Ge is in his forties, with a robust build and covered in colorful tattoos. It is said that he used to be a local thug, but after spending a long time in that life, he has now established his own business and successfully turned his life around. Due to this background, there are generally no troublemakers in his shop.

At that moment, I felt that the Guanyin pendant hanging around my neck suddenly became a bit hot, so I quickly took it off. Looking at the Guanyin in my hand and then at the bloodstone placed on the bedside table, I thought for a moment and placed the Guanyin next to the bloodstone

Just after sending off Wang Ge, my phone rang; it was a call from my senior brother

I scratched my head; the more exquisite the jade pendant, the higher the price. Moreover, I have to remit payments to the artisans who craft the jade pendants every month, so if I order fewer, I truly won't make much profit

Xiao Ru, what has happened to you

Wang Ge leaned against the door frame, looking at me with a smile that was almost imperceptible: "Binzi, is that jade pendant that Xiao Ru has one that you sold to her?"

Xiao Ru immediately jumped up in place: "What? Aren't you just raising the price on the spot? Zhang Wenbin, is this how you conduct business?"

In a state of helplessness, I turned out the bagua mirror that my master had placed in the room and set it beside the chicken blood stone. I kept fidgeting with it until the early hours of the morning, and only then did I finally fall into a hazy sleep

Xiao Ru's boss, who is also the owner of the bathing center, Wang Ge, walked in with a cigarette in his mouth

After some thought, I took out a box inscribed with the character for Pi Xiu and placed it on the counter: "Wang Ge, give this a try."

My senior brother replied to me on WeChat that he is not familiar with this matter, and he will ask our master for me when he sees him at noon

When I saw the piece of bloodstone on the bedside table, I hesitated a bit. Could it be this thing?

At this moment, her condition has worsened somewhat, and the jade pendant used for transportation is likely no longer effective; it needs to be replaced with one that can ward off disasters and evil spirits.

I exclaimed "hetushucomcom": "Yes, what’s wrong, Wang Ge? Come and sit..."

Wang Ge stared at me for quite a while before switching to a smile, and at the same time, he took out a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes from his pocket, pulled one out, and tossed it to me: "Brother, do you have that kind of jade pendant that can bring wealth?"

Xiao Ru's voice was tinged with tears: "Last night I had a dream again, this time it was a child, climbing on my shoulder and constantly asking me for his mother... Binzi Ge, hurry up, let me try it on, if it doesn't work, I will go to the temple to burn incense..."

I have received the money, but I do not mind it. Previously, Xiao Ru's fortune had been suppressed, which is why she experienced misfortune. Now that her luck has changed, good things will naturally come one after another. This also indicates, from another perspective, that the jade pendant I sold her is indeed effective, having suppressed the negative influences around Xiao Ru.

At noon, while I was eating the spicy hot pot delivered from the restaurant next door, Xiao Ru came running in excitedly. As soon as she entered, she took out a stack of money from her bag and handed it to me: "Brother Binzi, your jade pendant is truly effective; my luck has turned around, and I haven't had any more dreams! Just as I was leaving, I even found several hundred yuan. Isn't that strange..."

I gazed at Xiaoru's face for a moment; the dark mark on her forehead had lessened. However, I was very curious about what exactly was afflicting Xiaoru. My senior brother had remained silent, which only intensified my curiosity.

I took a bite of the steamed bun and said: "Not enough, today I need five thousand!"

Wang Ge nodded and said, "Alright, this price is very reasonable"