Is Chapter 10 going to have another opportunity for a bargain?
With a blank expression, he pushed open the courtyard door and walked in. Wang Ke glanced at the middle-aged woman, too lazy to pay her any attention, and lifted his leg to head towards his own room.
The middle-aged couple was taken aback; she did not expect Wang Ke to dare to play dumb with her. Instantly, her face showed anger, and her finger nearly pointed at Wang Ke's nose as she shouted loudly: "You brat, have you gotten too bold? What kind of attitude is this? I am concerned about you; truly, it's like a dog biting Lü Dongbin, not knowing a good person's heart. If it weren't for the fact that we are neighbors, would I care about your life or death? With your current state, you won't have much of a future. I see you are just a bit good-looking; in the future, you might end up being a kept man... I am concerned about you; truly, it's like a dog biting Lü Dongbin, not knowing a good person's heart. If it weren't for the fact that we are neighbors, would I care about your life or death? With your current state, you won't have much of a future. I see you are just a bit good-looking; in the future, you might end up being a kept man..."
Decades have passed
Wang Ke pondered for a moment and then extended a hand, saying: "How about five hundred yuan?"
The landlord silently nodded, took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit one, and after taking a few puffs with a sullen expression, said bitterly: "If you are also moving out, then this month will mark the third household to vacate. If this continues, I will have no one living here."
After a moment of hesitation, the middle-aged landlord finally asked, "Xiao Wang, how much can you offer for this incense burner?"
Wang Ke looked down upon the middle-aged couple, as well as the residents of the courtyard. The couple owned a dilapidated van, which led them to always feel superior, frequently showing off in front of others
Bypassing the body of the middle-aged woman, Wang Ke changed his mind and headed straight towards the landlord's room
That couple has been living with me for two and a half years, and they still owe me two years' worth of rent. I believe you are aware of my family's situation; we are so poor that we can barely make ends meet, and I still have to support my son in school. I have asked them for payment many times, but they keep making excuses, claiming they have no money. Sigh, I have already made up my mind to let my wife and son move out in a few days to create a better learning environment for the child. At that time, I will stay here alone and just endure it with them.
Wang Ke slightly furrowed his brows and said淡淡地: "Whether I make money or not, or whether I find a wife, has nothing to do with you, right?"
He had secretly made up his mind that if this incense burner was genuine, or even better, a magical artifact, he would definitely give half of the money earned from selling it back to the landlord. In his view, taking advantage of a good deal also required a sense of ethics. The landlord was honest and straightforward, without any ulterior motives, and his family was in very difficult circumstances. Returning half of the money to them would also bring him some comfort.
Watching him smoke low-quality cigarettes one puff at a time, Wang Ke let out a soft sigh. A glance around the room made it clear just how difficult the middle-aged landlord's life was.
Wang Ke's expression gradually darkened; he had endured that couple for a long time. Recently, the couple had become even more unrestrained.
Even though that middle-aged woman gossips all day long and speaks ill of others behind their backs, everyone adopts the mindset of avoiding trouble, and as a result, there has been no conflict with the couple.
That young man is quite sensible, coming home every day and behaving himself. Otherwise, I would have to kick him out as well. However! This young fellow is just a bit lacking in ambition; he comes home every day and locks himself in the house. Hmph, I see that Wang Ke is just a worthless fellow, waiting to die while eating...
The middle-aged landlord was taken aback for a moment, then waved his hand and said: "Look! It's just a broken incense burner."
Wang Ke nodded and said: "Landlord Uncle, it is already the end of the month, and I will not be renting the house next month."
No flaws can be discerned, nor any traces of imitation.
The middle-aged woman saw Wang Ke return, her face slightly lifted with a look of disdain. She strode in front of Wang Ke and said, "I say, you young man with the surname Wang, don’t just retreat to your room every day when you come back. How much can you earn from that meager salary? At your young age, you should be out and about more, seeking opportunities to make money. I truly look down on you now; being so young and not putting in the effort, how will you live in the future? Where will you find the money to date or find a wife?"
The middle-aged landlord was taken aback, his expression becoming somewhat strange. He knew that Wang Ke worked as a clerk in an antique shop, but could this incense burner, which had been in his home for decades, really be a valuable item
In this world, there is no one who cannot get along with money, and honest landlords are no exception
"Landlord, may I take a look at the incense burner on the Eight Immortals table?" Wang Ke inquired.
Wang Ke shook his head and said, "No, for other reasons"
The landlord is a very honest middle-aged man. Upon seeing Wang Ke arrive, a hint of confusion appeared on his face
The days of harvest are undoubtedly delightful. Filled with the joy of the harvest, Wang Ke and Liu Gang bid farewell and headed towards their rented accommodation.
So, this incense burner is not a recent imitation from the past few decades
Wang Ke walked a few steps to the Eight Immortals table, reached out to grasp the incense burner in his hand, and examined it carefully for quite some time. Wang Ke increasingly felt that this incense burner was likely not an ordinary item, but rather an antique: a tripod-style burner. This blue-and-white incense burner consists of three sections: the upper part is a rectangular basin with a wide rim, the middle section is square, and the lower part has a belly foot with four legs that splay outward. The design is robust and rich, and the blue-and-white patterns are fluid, clearly indicating a remarkable level of carving craftsmanship.
Wang Ke made up his mind, so he stood up, placed the incense burner he had been toying with on the bedside table, and strode out of the room
Wang Ke hesitated for a moment, then turned to the middle-aged landlord and said, "Landlord, how about selling me this incense burner? I think it should be a good item, but it's hard to say for sure"
Xiao Wang, you are an honest young man. Although you don't speak much on a daily basis, you are undoubtedly a young person with many ideas. I also know that I cannot keep you here for too long. There is a saying, isn't there? A golden unicorn is not merely a creature of the pond; when it encounters the winds and clouds, it transforms into a dragon. That's how it is. Today, I am feeling quite unhappy, and I have been holding it in for a long time, so I will share it with you today.
On the worn-out Eight Immortals table, there was an incense burner. He sensed something unusual about the ancient-looking incense burner. Over the past six months, he had been dealing with antiques and collectibles all day long. Although he could not claim to be an expert, he could still distinguish between good and bad to some extent
If this is tolerable, what is not? Since I am leaving anyway, I might as well warn them! I can also lend a hand to the middle-aged landlord.
Is it really a stroke of good fortune? Have I missed out on an opportunity again
His expression darkened in an instant. Living in the same courtyard as him was a middle-aged couple. The woman had a bit of beauty, but her tongue was too sharp, while her husband was a burly man covered in tattoos, a very intimidating figure. Previous residents of the courtyard had been discussing, saying that the man was involved in the underworld, which made everyone reluctant to provoke this middle-aged couple.
Wang Ke understood the middle-aged landlord's meaning, as two households had already moved out this month due to the relationship between the gossiping couple
The middle-aged landlord felt a jolt in his heart, and without the slightest hesitation, he said loudly: "Alright, I'll sell it to you for five hundred yuan!"
Suddenly, his gaze paused slightly, and then it brightened.
He was contemplating whether he should rent a better place to live. The house he was currently renting was located in a dilapidated courtyard, which consisted of a total of eight tiled rooms. Among these, two rooms were occupied by the landlord's family, while the remaining rooms were all rented out.
Xiao Wang! Today is just the right day for you to come over, let’s have a chat. Alas, don’t say you are moving away; in fact, I can hardly stand it anymore. My son is taking the college entrance examination this year, and as the exam date approaches, he cannot study at home. You know, that couple plays music loudly every night, the noise is almost shaking the roof down. Moreover, there are often those ruffians and hooligans coming to their house to drink and play cards, making a racket! You know, that couple plays music loudly every night, the noise is almost shaking the roof down. Moreover, there are often those ruffians and hooligans coming to their house to drink and play cards, making a racket! It affects our ability to sleep.
Two magical artifacts were acquired at a total cost of 250,000. He remitted 50,000 to his parents at home, and now he has 200,000 remaining in his bank account
A few minutes later, Wang Ke returned to his room holding the incense burner, and before his bottom had warmed the edge of the bed, loud rock music began to emanate from the neighboring couple's room.
Every family has its own difficult scriptures to recite. He wanted to offer a few words of comfort to the middle-aged landlord, but when the words were on the tip of his tongue, he did not know how to begin. He understood that, for the middle-aged landlord, all his words of consolation would likely seem so pale and powerless.
Perhaps this is still a magical artifact
Wang Ke felt a surge of excitement within him. He could not be one hundred percent certain that this was an antique, but deep down, he believed it to be a genuine artifact. There was an inexplicable feeling, almost mystical, that made him wonder why he had this sensation akin to that of a book; he could not articulate it.
Wang Ke looked coldly at the long-tongued shrew, remaining indifferent to her clamoring
The landlord was momentarily taken aback, then a look of distress appeared on his face. He quickly cast a glance at the gossiping woman, and then invited Wang Ke into the room. After closing the door, he asked, "Xiao Wang, was it that gossiping couple who disturbed you?"
Today, the ability to use the supernatural eye has become unavailable, which leaves him feeling somewhat regretful. If he could use the supernatural eye, he would be able to easily determine whether this incense burner is indeed a magical artifact.
200,000
Wang Ke's idea just emerged and could no longer be suppressed
Wang Ke looked at the simple-looking middle-aged landlord, whose face was filled with bitterness and helplessness at this moment, and felt a sense of discomfort in his heart
The middle-aged woman, upon seeing Wang Ke's appearance, even felt intimidated by him. Looking at Wang Ke's silhouette, it became even more satisfying to talk about him
Xiao Wang, is there something you need?
This is a substantial fortune for someone like him, who is accustomed to poverty
As soon as Wang Ke stepped outside the courtyard gate, he heard the slightly hoarse voice of a woman speaking
Wang Ke nodded. Today, he had retrieved 1,500 yuan in cash from the boss Zhou Bapi, and so far, he had not spent much. Therefore, he quickly counted out five bills and handed them to the middle-aged landlord, then smiled and said, "Then this incense burner is mine!"
"Xiao Wang, could it be that you are mistaken? This item has been in our home for decades; it is merely an ordinary incense burner!" The middle-aged landlord kindly reminded Wang Ke, fearing that he might be confused.
Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Wang Ke said: "Landlord, to be honest, I really can't gauge it. As you know, I am just a small clerk at an antique shop, lacking in experience, and I was even fired by my boss today. However, if you are willing to sell it to me, I am prepared to offer a bit more money."