Chapter Thirty-Seven: Putting on a Brave Face

“Sorry.” Qin Jing paid no heed to the astonished expressions of those around him and directly refused Zheng Qiuyin.

Disappointment clouded Zheng Qiuyin’s beautiful features as she sneered, “I thought you were a smart man, but today, you’ve chosen a foolish path.”

“Everyone has their own aspirations. This is how business works. If I can’t accept it, it’s only natural that I choose not to sell.” Qin Jing’s answer was gentle yet unyielding, unmoved by Zheng Qiuyin’s tactics.

Hu Chaoge, however, was delighted. She clapped her hands and laughed, “Since that’s the case, I’ll be taking my leave first.” As she left, she shot Qin Jing a glance, recalling his earlier attitude toward her. With a vicious edge to her voice, she threatened, “Qin Jing, once the matter with Chaoyang is cleared up, I’ll be sure to settle this score with you properly!”

Yan Yizhen walked up to Qin Jing, concern tinged in her tone. “Are you alright, Qin Jing? The Hu family still holds some sway locally. You should be careful.”

She hesitated to say more, but in her heart, Yan Yizhen believed that it wouldn’t have been unwise for Qin Jing to yield for the moment—a smart and practical choice, perhaps.

Qin Jing smiled calmly, replying only, “Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”

Sensing the tension in the air, Tian Qin quickly stepped forward. “I have a private room here, Qin Jing. See if you can give me a price.”

The others gathered around as well. Just as Yan Yizhen had predicted, nearly everyone she’d brought today had decided to sell at least one item.

“This Gucci shoulder bag is of excellent quality and craftsmanship, and it’s authentic. However, it’s been used for some time and shows wear in several places.”

“Let me explain—secondhand goods in this business are typically worth half their original price at most. But since I have my own sales channels, and you’re all friends of Miss Yan, let’s not beat around the bush.”

“Take this bag, for example. At a typical pawnshop, it would fetch no more than five thousand—a little over forty percent of the original price. But I usually offer eight thousand. For Miss Tian Qin, I’ll buy it for ten thousand. Does that sound fair?”

Qin Jing handled business with methodical precision, laying everything out clearly. Tian Qin did not hesitate, her face breaking into a smile. “That’s a good price—honest and fair. I’ll sell.”

With Tian Qin’s lead, the others began to bring out their own items. These children of wealthy families all presented genuine branded goods. Though used, their provenance was unquestionable, and Qin Jing’s offers were generally satisfactory to everyone.

Only when it came to Zhang Wei did something unexpected occur.

Zhang Wei brought out a watch.

“A Rolex Submariner ‘Hulk.’ Rolex is a renowned name in watches, and the Hulk series is one of its signatures. Unlike other luxury goods, watches tend to hold their value, sometimes even appreciate. This particular Hulk is an example of that.”

“Its original price is just over eight thousand euros, and in our domestic market, the retail price approaches eighty thousand yuan. But I’ll offer a full one hundred thousand for it. If you’re not satisfied, Mr. Zhang, you’re welcome to check elsewhere.”

Qin Jing glanced at the watch and named his price.

Among watches, the Rolex Hulk is unique. Its annual production is low, and with constant rumors of discontinuation swirling in the market, its price has steadily climbed. Since its debut, the Hulk has seen an annual increase of fifteen percent—a staggering figure. Qin Jing’s offer of one hundred thousand was, in fact, exceedingly fair.

Zhang Wei nodded and smiled. “You’re right. Seems Yan Yizhen made the right choice working with you. I’m relieved.”

Qin Jing smiled, waiting quietly for what would come next. He sensed that Zhang Wei’s real purpose in producing this watch was to flaunt his wealth, perhaps even to intimidate him. After all, everyone else had brought secondhand luxury items worth only ten or twenty thousand, but Zhang Wei alone produced a watch worth a hundred thousand.

“But I am curious,” Zhang Wei continued, feigning an apologetic look, “won’t buying a watch worth a hundred thousand tie up your capital? How will you sell it?”

He shrugged, still with that smile. “Sorry, I don’t mean to pry into your business secrets, but since I’m the one selling, and this watch is pretty useless to me except for showing off, I figured I’d let you have it. I’m quite happy with the price. I asked around at other pawnshops—the highest offer was fifty thousand at best.”

“Qin Jing, don’t think I’m meddling. Don’t let Yizhen’s presence here push you to offer a price that’s too high. We’re all friends—don’t set yourself up for a loss. Tell me honestly, can you really sell this watch? If you can’t and your capital gets tied up for nothing, I’d feel bad about it too.”

So that’s it—he deliberately brought out this watch for me to buy, knowing that taking it would make it look like I was just putting on airs in front of Yan Yizhen. After all, a hundred-thousand-yuan watch would need to be sold for at least one hundred and ten or twenty thousand to break even. Tying up so much capital in a single item isn’t usually wise.

In a flash, Qin Jing saw through Zhang Wei’s intentions, but he said nothing, simply looking over at Yan Yizhen—a silent message: This guy is trying to make trouble, isn’t he?

Yan Yizhen was visibly annoyed. “Zhang Wei, you’ve got a good deal, so stop stirring things up. Qin Jing didn’t rip you off—he gave you a great price. What, does money burn your hands?”

“Of course not,” Zhang Wei replied quickly. “I’m just looking out for you, that’s all. If Qin Jing loses money because of you, we’d all feel bad. Qin Jing, honestly, you should price things as you see fit—don’t do me any favors.”

He carried weight in Yan Yizhen’s social circle, and soon enough others chimed in. “He’s right, Lao Qin. Don’t lose money just to save face by buying our stuff.”

“We’re all well off. You’re different. Don’t let pride make you take a loss.”

“Exactly, pretending to be something you’re not is pointless.”

Yan Yizhen was sharp—she could tell what was really going on. Wasn’t it because she’d befriended Qin Jing, this so-called “nobody,” that her circle felt she’d lowered her standards? Today’s little drama wasn’t Zhang Wei’s doing alone. All of them harbored similar thoughts.

They wouldn’t say anything to her face, but when it came to action, they couldn’t help but mock and belittle Qin Jing.

Realizing this, Yan Yizhen looked at Qin Jing with concern, her large eyes asking the unspoken question: Are you really just putting up a front?

At that moment, a striking figure appeared at the door. Ignoring everyone else in the room, she looked straight at Qin Jing and smiled. “Mr. Qin, I’ll take everything you have!”