Chapter Twelve: Throwing Money Around

"Put it on the scale... the scale?" Old Wei glanced at the polished, nearly new Mercedes S320 and then at the pile of industrial weighing scales in the warehouse. The two simply weren't in the same universe!

Chen Hua looked at Qin Jing. "Are you serious?"

Hu Chaoyang burst out laughing in exasperation, raising a finger to poke at Qin Jing. "Do you even understand the situation? This car has only been driven for a year, it's a Mercedes, a luxury car!"

Qin Jing shrugged indifferently and said coolly, "Sorry, that's my price. You know full well I buy scrap, and yet you come to me for a deal. You must have already prepared yourself for my offer."

"So you really are a junk collector—useless, just as I thought! No wonder you were so confident about buying it!" Chen Hua sneered. She had only come because she heard from her friend, via Hu Chaoyang, that Qin Jing had made a fortune today. She hadn't believed it, but came to see for herself, half doubting. Clearly, Qin Jing was still the same penniless guy.

She felt reassured.

"Hu Chaoyang, you said he made money—does he look like someone who just struck it rich? Qin Jing will never make half a million, and let me tell you, I've broken up with him. Stop telling me about him—I have no interest in hearing you show off about Qin Jing."

Having vented, Chen Hua turned her ridicule on Hu Chaoyang as well.

Her tirade forced Hu Chaoyang to calm down. Instantly, he remembered the task Wang Keng had entrusted to him: earlier that afternoon, an uncle of his—an influential figure in their circle—had called, asking for a favor on behalf of his friend Wang Keng. Hu Chaoyang had agreed at once.

Later, Wang Keng arrived with a business card that read "Director, Phoenix Group"—a prominent, publicly listed company in Lenghai. Hu Chaoyang didn't dare slack off in the slightest.

This Qin Jing—I really overestimated him. He's the classic loser, and even if he did make a little money, he'd probably just save it up and hoard it.

Feeling a twinge of regret, Hu Chaoyang softened his tone. "Qin Jing, Old Wei always praises your fair business dealings to our classmates. Are you quoting such a low price just to spite me because I’m the seller? If word got out, it wouldn't be good for your reputation."

Not all heirs are fools, after all. In the past, hearing such words, Qin Jing might have relented for the sake of his reputation among classmates and offered a fairer price.

But now, knowing exactly who he was dealing with, Qin Jing had no reason to back down.

"Sorry, you're not that important. Dogs bite people all the time, but you never see people biting dogs."

Qin Jing spoke nonchalantly. "Besides, your car isn't made of pure iron. If I put it on the scale, I'd still be at a loss. I've already shown plenty of goodwill by counting all the random junk in there as scrap metal for you."

Damn it, this is outrageous! Hu Chaoyang's eyes bulged in anger, but remembering Wang Keng’s instructions, he swallowed his fury and asked, "Are you really not going to give me any leeway?"

"Who do you think you are? We're not that close," Qin Jing replied, utterly unruffled. He had already decided that after this deal, he’d start researching 'supermodel crystal.' Once he became extraordinary, he’d make sure to teach Hu Chaoyang a lesson.

To the others, this scene looked strange.

Old Wei quickly tried to mediate. "Come on, don’t fight, let’s talk this out. Even if the deal doesn’t go through, we’re still friends, right? Hu Chaoyang, you’ve heard his price—if it won’t work, just try another buyer."

He had no idea about Qin Jing’s circumstances, and was worried Qin Jing might offend a rich, powerful figure like Hu Chaoyang and get into trouble.

Chen Hua, too, had stopped arguing. She found it odd: the usually 'meek' Qin Jing was acting surprisingly tough today.

She knew he wasn’t truly weak—he’d just always lacked confidence. Difficult clients usually got nothing but politeness from him; he’d never argued before. She even remembered the time he’d bought jewelry from Hu Chaoge—who was far more domineering than Hu Chaoyang—and Qin Jing had coaxed her into making the deal.

Coming from a poor background herself, Chen Hua had always thought this was a 'virtue' of Qin Jing’s, which made his attitude today all the more puzzling.

"Three hundred and eighty thousand! You can’t sell this car as scrap," Hu Chaoyang spoke again, his expression twisted. If it weren’t for Wang Keng’s instructions, he would never sell a car worth at least eight or nine hundred thousand for such a price!

"Don’t say I’m not giving you a classmate discount. As scrap, this car’s worth maybe ten thousand. I’ll double it—twenty thousand, and it’s yours," Qin Jing offered a small concession—not for Hu Chaoyang’s sake, but because of Chen Hua. He noticed her gaze was oddly sharp, as if she had sensed something.

This woman is too materialistic and cunning. I absolutely can’t let her find out I’m wealthy, Qin Jing thought. He was worried she’d try to get close to him again.

"Damn it!" Hu Chaoyang's face turned red with rage. Twenty thousand for a Mercedes? Are you kidding me?

"How about a hundred thousand?" Old Wei quickly interjected, glancing between the two. "If you keep arguing, you won’t get anywhere. My price is right in the middle—think it over."

Chen Hua had been planning to leave, regretting ever coming and worrying it might look like she still cared about Qin Jing. As a so-called 'goddess,' she hated that idea. But seeing Hu Chaoyang still trying to make a deal with Qin Jing, she grew suspicious and decided to stay, watching from a distance. In her heart, she thought, I know Qin Jing’s finances better than anyone. Even a hundred thousand is beyond his reach.

Hu Chaoyang looked at Qin Jing, lips trembling, his face broadcasting humiliation, but he had no choice. "Qin Jing, come on, a hundred thousand—not a cent lower."

Qin Jing considered pushing the price down further, but didn’t see the point. He had money now. It was just a small deal. More importantly, he wanted to keep Hu Chaoyang hooked, to let him keep 'performing.'

"One hundred thousand—let’s do the paperwork."

With just those words, both sides agreed instantly. The deal happened so quickly that Old Wei was momentarily left speechless: So you both wanted to make this trade after all?

Chen Hua was full of doubt. "Qin Jing, do you even have a hundred thousand?"

With a loud snap, Qin Jing opened his case. Stacks of cash were neatly arranged inside. He casually took out ten bundles and slapped them down in front of Hu Chaoyang.

"Here’s a hundred thousand. The car is mine."