Chapter 47

"This is a Tang Bohu landscape painting, worth thirty thousand."

"This is a replica, three hundred yuan."

"This Cizhou kiln fish-patterned jar is worth fifty thousand."

"This is also a replica, worthless!"

...

Amidst the argument, the prices were gradually determined. The two people actually discussed for over an hour, and the final total shocked Li Ling, "One million and eighty thousand!"

Yang Bo was also somewhat surprised, not expecting his eloquence to have brought the price down so low!

Li Ling immediately objected, "This is impossible?"

Boss Liu pressed his hand down, indicating, "Li Ling, this is not impossible! This number is the result of your previous discussion. The purpose is just to make you understand the true value of these items. Of course, when Yang Bo takes over, there will be some increase."

Li Ling said in a muffled voice, "This is too little!"

After saying that, he turned to look at his aunt.

He was more professional in negotiations, but at the final moment, he really couldn't make the decision; this matter had to be decided by his aunt.

The middle-aged woman didn't know much about these things, but she was clear-headed. She frowned and said, "This price is too low. Our old Jia has been running this place for many years. Even if he hasn't achieved much, he has at least made this place familiar. There are many people who want to take over here!"

Liu Liangyu smiled, "Isn't Mrs. Jia worried? If Mr. Jia can't be saved, what's the point of getting more money?"

Mrs. Jia didn't say much, "Your offer is too low. I don't want to haggle. A flat price, two million!"

Yang Bo maintained a gentle smile. Two million was basically the number he could accept, but looking at the other party, he thought he could still bring it down a bit. He said, "Mrs. Jia, we've met twice, and we all deeply regret what happened to Mr. Jia. We all want to do something to help him!"

"Eighteen million!" Yang Bo paused, "If Mrs. Jia agrees, we can sign the contract today, and the money will be transferred immediately!"

Mrs. Jia hesitated slightly, stopping Li Ling with a wave of her hand, "Alright!"

The drafting of the contract was left to professionals. A call was made, and a lawyer arrived to draft the contract on the spot. After signing, Yang Bo transferred eighteen million!

This left Yang Bo with only a little over fifty million. After a moment of heartache, he became excited again.

A soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier, and similarly, a helper who doesn't want to be a boss is not a good helper!

Yang Bo had completed the transition from helper to antique shop owner. He still clearly remembered Li Ling's intense gaze when he transferred the money at the bank.

With the keys in hand, Yang Bo contacted a locksmith to change all the locks.

Liu Liangyu and Cao Yuande congratulated him with clasped hands, and Yang Bo returned the gesture.

Cao Yuande laughed, "When will you settle the wages?"

Yang Bo was taken aback, only then noticing the three students who had come to help. He hurriedly said, "I'll settle the accounts now. I run an honest business, no cheating, young or old!"

Boss Liu pointed at Yang Bo and laughed, "You're not unfamiliar with the market. In this business, do you really think you can claim to be honest and fair? Don't you know how antique dealers make money?"

"Of course I know!" Yang Bo laughed.

He took out cash and gave it to the three graduate students, then invited them to have a meal together. During the meal, he didn't forget to seek advice from Boss Liu. As a helper, he was familiar with most of the antique shop's operations, but his perspective was limited, and many things were clearer to the boss.

"Don't rush to open the shop. You need to renovate first. The old sign definitely needs to be changed, and you need a good name. The interior decoration style should be consistent, and the safe upstairs..."

Boss Liu was indeed very experienced. Once he started, he spoke at length.

When Yang Bo was a helper, he only needed to consider the boss's thoughts. Whether a deal was made or not, he had little say, and most of the negotiations were not his responsibility. His main job was serving tea and water.

Now, hearing Boss Liu's instructions, Yang Bo almost took out a notebook to take notes.

After Boss Liu finished, Yang Bo asked, "How much will the renovation cost?"

"Two or three hundred thousand!"

"Ah?" Yang Bo almost jumped up. With his money running low, the thought of spending more made him nervous, "Why so much?"

"Renovation is expensive, and the main cost is the safe upstairs. You don't have another place to store items, so it's best to have a good safe. You also need a surveillance system!" Boss Liu said.

Yang Bo nodded, agreeing with this point.

The conversation was very enlightening for Yang Bo.

He saw off the guests, called his mother, and headed to the hospital.

This time, Yang Bo didn't bring soup. When he arrived at the hospital, his father was not in the ward, and he became anxious. He hurried to the nurses' rest area, where he coincidentally met Xiao Xuan. He quickly asked, "Xiao Xuan, where is my father?"

To his surprise, his words were met with a hush in the rest area, and several girls burst out laughing.

Although Yang Bo had never been in a relationship, his emotional intelligence was normal, and he understood the implications behind the girls' laughter. He had brought soup the previous night, and rumors had likely spread.

"Uncle Yang went to the garden for a walk," Ye Xiaoxuan replied.

Yang Bo thanked her and quickly headed to the garden. From a distance, he saw his parents supporting each other. He didn't rush forward, considering how to tell them about this or whether to keep it a secret.

After some thought, Yang Bo decided to keep it a secret because the investment was too large. If it succeeded, it would be fine, but if it failed, his mother would nag for a long time!

Before he reached his parents, Yang Bo received a call from Luo Yaohua.

"Are you free tonight?"

"What's up?"

"Ye Weilin is hosting a banquet to thank everyone for their help. As a hero, shouldn't you attend?"

Yang Bo frowned. He wasn't really doing it for Ye Weilin but felt he owed Luo Yaohua a favor. Moreover, he would definitely need to rely on him in the future. His father's surgery would take some time, and if he could find a better doctor during this period, it would be even better.

"Sure, tell me the time and place," Yang Bo replied. "Oh, by the way, I took over an antique shop today, the former Bogu Hall, you know it."

"That shop is yours now!" Luo Yaohua was surprised and added, "You don't know, I have a friend who has had his eye on it for a long time. He even went to check it out this afternoon, but it was already taken over. I didn't expect it to be you!"