5: Chapter 5 The Obese Shop Owner

Zheng Jing remembered that this pawnshop seemed to have existed since he was very young.

It primarily dealt in the recycling of gold and silver jewelry, famous cigarettes and liquors, as well as old items, and so on.

As for how the business was doing, Zheng Jing was not entirely sure, as he had never had any contact with it.

The county seat of Hezheng County was not large, and Zheng Jing soon arrived at the small shop with the sign "Old Items Recycled" hanging outside.

The shop was cramped and dimly lit, and sitting behind the counter was a middle-aged Shopkeeper sipping tea with squinted eyes; he was very fat, and his triangular eyes revealed shrewdness.

Based on his appearance alone, he looked just like one of those characters in TV dramas who specialized in swindling laymen.

"Boss, do you buy Republic of China yuan datou silver dollars?" Zheng Jing asked directly.

The fat Shopkeeper raised his eyes and scanned his ordinary attire, a trace of contempt flashing in the depths of his eyes, and asked without even raising his head: "Where did you get the goods?"

Zheng Jing frowned, "It was left to me by my grandmother."

Only then did the fat Shopkeeper slowly put down the teacup in his hand: "Take it out and let me have a look."

Zheng Jing took a silver dollar out of his pocket and handed it over.

The fat Shopkeeper held the silver dollar in his hand, rubbing it back and forth, and then squinted at the serrated edge against the light.

He then deliberately frowned, his tone extremely perfunctory: "Your silver dollar has heavy wear and uneven patina; it's a common three-year yuan datou silver dollar, and there are a huge number of them in existence, so it's not worth much..."

"But since you've already come, I'll give you two hundred yuan for it; if you want to sell it, leave it, if not, get lost."

Two hundred?

Zheng Jing sneered inwardly.

That was complete and utter bullshit!

Although he didn't know much about old items, this silver dollar was clearly in perfect condition with a neat serrated edge; how could it be as terrible as he claimed?

This fat Shopkeeper was clearly trying to drive the price down to nothing because he saw that he was young and didn't know the trade!

Zheng Jing remained expressionless, quietly putting the silver dollar back into his pocket with his fingertips: "I'll think about it some more; I'm not in a rush to sell."

Seeing Zheng Jing turn around and leave without a word, the fat Shopkeeper was stunned at first,

then he shouted: "Business is business; it's all about asking for a high price and then negotiating on the spot. Why aren't you following the routine?"

Zheng Jing didn't pay him any mind and quickened his pace.

To hell with your 'negotiating on the spot'; you clearly just said 'take it or leave it'—when did you ever give me room to negotiate?

And 200 per piece, you profiteer!

Seeing Zheng Jing walking even faster, the fat Shopkeeper got anxious, hurriedly chased after him, and shouted:

"Hey, don't go! I'll add 50 for you—two hundred and fifty, won't two hundred and fifty do?"

Hearing this, Zheng Jing really wanted to turn back to the small shop, take off his size 41 shoe,

pull off his sock to stuff into his mouth, and then take out the insole to slap his fat face!

Of course, Zheng Jing was only thinking about it; he wouldn't actually do it.

Because the law wouldn't allow it!

"To hell with your two hundred and fifty!"

Walking straight out of the alley, Zheng Jing cursed while taking out his mobile phone to fiddle with it.

He really had been completely bewildered by the system that had fallen from the sky!

He didn't understand the market for this silver dollar, but the intelligent assistant on his phone did!

Times had changed; many appraisal and valuation tasks that previously required professional experts could now be fully handled by the intelligent assistant relying on big data analysis!

Moreover, compared to the unfathomable human heart filled with schemes at every turn, tools that relied on data were actually more reliable.

After all, the intelligent assistant had no emotions; it only analyzed the real market situation. It could be said to be fast and accurate, and it would never deliberately deceive anyone!

Zheng Jing opened an intelligent assistant app, took a clear photo of both the front and back of the silver dollar, and after uploading them, typed a question:

"Help me appraise this Republic of China yuan datou silver dollar, look at its condition, verify its authenticity, provide a reasonable current recycling price, and recommend a legitimate place to trade that doesn't cheat people."

In just two or three seconds, the intelligent assistant's reply popped up, clear and logical, without a hint of ambiguity:

"Based on image appraisal, this silver dollar is a genuine Republic of China three-year yuan datou silver dollar; the patina is natural and mellow, the serrated edge is regular with no artificial aging, and the condition is above average.

In the current domestic antique market, the reasonable recycling price is 750-1000 yuan/piece.

There are shops that do recycling in the county where you are located, but many small shops maliciously drive down prices, so trading there is not recommended.

It is recommended that you go to 'Zhongxing Antique City' in Pingnan City; the merchants there have complete qualifications and offer fair prices. It is the most reliable place for trading old items in the Northern Fujian region."

Accurate appraisal, honest prices, a reliable destination—it was all clear at a glance.

It even hit the nail on the head regarding the trickery of small county shops maliciously driving down prices!

It not only understood the market but also understood the human heart in the marketplace!

After reading this, Zheng Jing felt completely confident, and his previous hesitation was swept away.

He looked up at the dark clouds in the sky, but his heart felt completely bright.

With the unique system for treasure hunting, plus the intelligent assistant for big data appraisal, the combination was simply a winning hand!

He glanced at his phone; it was exactly two o'clock in the afternoon, so Zheng Jing proceeded to check the bus schedule.

Learning that there was another bus to Pingnan City at 2:50, he had plenty of time to get to the bus station now.

"Zhongxing Antique City, here I come!"

Considering that this trip into the city to sell goods would involve traveling back and forth, plus the need to slowly inquire about prices at the antique city, it was highly likely he wouldn't be able to make it back to the county tonight.

So, Zheng Jing took out his phone and called home.

It wasn't that his family was strict; he was already a grown adult, so he didn't need to report everything and be under someone's control.

It was just that ever since he was a child, whenever he went out to take care of business, returned late, or stayed overnight elsewhere, he would always tell his family in advance. This was a habit, and even more so, he didn't want his parents to worry and fret at home.

The call connected, and Zheng Jing briefly explained that he was going to the city to take care of business and wouldn't be home to eat or sleep tonight.

His mother, Zhang Damei, on the other end of the line, couldn't help but start nagging immediately; it was nothing more than everyday chatter about paying attention to safety while out, being careful with his business, and not spending money recklessly, rambling on and on.

Zheng Jing held the phone and listened quietly, a faint smile on his face. He didn't argue or get annoyed, just responded gently a few times before hanging up the phone softly.