bookrandom Chapter 282 I stumbled upon a huge bargain
Chapter 282 I stumbled upon a huge bargain
"Brother Zhao, let's not beat around the bush. I don't need to explain the nature of your actions. I like all these things. Just tell me, how much are you planning to sell them for?"
Li Xiangyang was too lazy to beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
Old Zhao ignored Li Xiangyang's threat, thought for a moment, and said, "Two hundred for the porcelain bowl, three hundred for the inkstone, and that painting, um... four hundred, I suppose."
Although Old Zhao's asking price was undeniably high, it was practically a free gift compared to the true value of these items.
Li Xiangyang was deeply moved, but he also knew that he couldn't appear too eager, otherwise it would arouse Lao Zhao's suspicion.
"The price is a bit high," Li Xiangyang said, feigning difficulty, "but it's truly a fine piece. How about this, I'll take both the inkstone and the painting, and you can split the price between us, five hundred, how about that?"
Old Zhao hesitated for a moment: "Six hundred, that's the lowest I can go."
"Five hundred and fifty, that's all I have at home, deal." Li Xiangyang held out his hand.
Old Zhao smiled and grasped the hand: "Deal!"
By the time Li Xiaoyun brought over the tea, the two had already reached a deal.
Seeing her husband spend 550 yuan in the blink of an eye, Li Xiaoyun's heart trembled violently.
However, with outsiders present, she couldn't show it.
After receiving the money and having some tea, Old Zhao smiled and pulled a slip of paper from his pocket: "This is my address in Chuncheng. If you ever have anything good to sell or buy in the future, feel free to come find me."
"Definitely, definitely." Li Xiangyang carefully put the note away.
After seeing Old Zhao off, Li Xiaoyun looked at the inkstone and painting her husband had bought and couldn't help but ask, "Xiangyang, why did you spend so much money on these things?"
Li Xiangyang gently stroked the inkstone, his eyes gleaming with joy: "Wife, you don't understand. These two items are extremely precious. It's only because nobody knows about them right now that I managed to snag a bargain."
Li Xiaoyun was skeptical: "A bargain? Five hundred and fifty yuan! That's enough to buy so many household items! Don't get scammed."
Li Xiangyang's lips curled up slightly as he gently patted Li Xiaoyun's shoulder, his tone full of confidence: "Wife, don't underestimate them. This inkstone is made of superior material and the carving is exquisite; it's clearly the work of a master. And this painting is a work by Kuncan, one of the 'Four Monks' of the early Qing Dynasty. Even if it's a replica, its future appreciation potential is enormous."
Even if Li Xiangyang wanted to tell Li Xiaoyun about being reborn, she wouldn't believe him and would think he was crazy.
However, no matter how he explains it, he can't explain how valuable these two things will be in the future.
I definitely got a steal today, a huge steal at that.
If placed in later generations, each of these two items would be conservatively estimated to be worth millions.
More importantly, he established a connection with Lao Zhao.
In this special era, these neglected old objects are actually a gold mine.
Li Xiangyang happens to possess this vision from the future to identify them.
Seeing her husband's confidence, Li Xiaoyun remained suspicious, muttering, "I hope what you're saying is true. Anyway, you worked hard to save up the money bit by bit by hunting. I hope it won't all come to nothing in the future."
Li Xiangyang smiled and hugged Li Xiaoyun: "Don't worry, wife. I know what I'm doing. This investment is definitely the right one. From now on, we can just wait to count the money."
Just then, a familiar voice called from outside the courtyard: "Brother Xiangyang, are you home?"
Li Xiangyang quickly and carefully put away the inkstone and scroll, locking them deep inside the wooden box, before replying, "They've arrived!"
Outside the gate, Wang Ergou strode into the courtyard, a beaming smile on his face: "Brother Xiangyang, thanks to you, my wife was able to get into the clinic. We're having a feast tonight, you and your wife absolutely have to come!"
Li Xiangyang patted Wang Ergou on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Of course you have to go. It's great that Hongxia can get into the health center; our Xiaoliang Village will have another person receiving a government salary."
Li Xiaoyun, standing beside her, also smiled sincerely: "I'm so happy for Hongxia that she can get into the health center. Don't worry, we'll definitely go tonight."
"That's great! I'll go back and get ready right away. Six o'clock tonight, don't be late!"
Watching Wang Ergou's departing figure, Li Xiangyang, who had just gotten a great deal from Lao Zhao, hesitated whether to call him back and let him try his luck as well.
On second thought, although Wang Ergou was a good brother, firstly, he didn't understand, and secondly, even if he bought it now, it would take a long time for it to appreciate in value, which was hard to explain.
"Forget it," Li Xiangyang thought to himself, "I'll handle this myself."
Li Xiaoyun checked the time and quickly tidied up: "I have to go to work, I won't be back for lunch. Remember to tidy up the yard, and the water in the pond needs changing."
"Okay, honey." Li Xiangyang smiled as he saw Li Xiaoyun off. "Go ahead and don't worry, I'll take care of things at home."
After seeing Li Xiaoyun off, Li Xiangyang was busy with housework.
He first tidied up his own house and yard, and then went to the old house to change the water in the pond.
It's not the busy farming season right now, so most households don't have much to do.
Li Guihua was hanging clothes to dry in the yard when she saw her younger brother arrive. A smile appeared on her face: "Xiangyang's here! Come on in!"
"Sister, how are you feeling today? Is there anything you need?" Li Xiangyang asked with concern.
"That's great. I've started working, and Xiaolan has gone back to school. Oh, and Ergou came over today and treated me to dinner."
"Yes, he contacted me too. I have to go; it's a happy occasion, after all. It'll be fun." Li Xiangyang nodded. "I won't go inside; I'm going to change the water in the pond."
"Okay, you're busy. I'll take Xiaolan with me tonight."
Li Xiangyang watched as his sister skillfully hung out the laundry, her movements swift and efficient. The sorrow that had once haunted her marriage had faded considerably from her face, and he felt a surge of relief.
As he walked toward the pond, he said, "Sister, seeing you like this makes me truly happy. All those unpleasant things from the past are over. From now on, you and Xiaolan can live a peaceful and happy life."
Li Guihua stopped what she was doing, straightened up, and looked forward to the future with hope in her eyes. "Yes, it's all in the past. Now I just want to raise Xiaolan well and make her successful."
Li Xiangyang squatted by the pond and started draining the water, chatting with his sister as he worked, "Xiao Lan is a smart and quick-witted child, she must do well in school, right?"
Li Guihua's face beamed with pride. "Of course! After the divorce, Xiaolan is much happier and learns everything much faster. She's just like Mencius' mother who moved three times to find the right environment for her son."
"Sister, don't just focus on Xiaolan. Divorce isn't a big deal. If you really meet someone compatible..."
"I know, you've really grown up, you're even lecturing me now. How are things between you and Xiaoyun? You haven't had any conflicts, have you?" Li Guihua asked with a smile.
"Of course not, we have a great relationship..."
"Since everything's going well, why don't you hurry up and have a baby to liven up the house? It doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl, anyway..."
You're still young... If you don't have time after the baby is born, I'll help you take care of it..."
Li Xiangyang found his older sister's words particularly reasonable.
It's true that whether it's a boy or a girl doesn't matter; what matters is having one quickly.
The thought of having a little one in the house, running around inside and outside, calling for mom and dad, made him grin from ear to ear.