Chapter 72

Yang Bo took these two items and did not return them to the store, but instead sent them back home.

At this moment, Yang Bo realized that he had too few places to hide things. After all, not all antiques he usually dealt with had legitimate origins. In situations like today, he needed a place of his own.

Moreover, his father was about to be discharged from the hospital. Given his father's favoritism, he would always want to give some benefits to his eldest son. Yang Bo was even more reluctant to keep things at home.

The next day, Yang Bo came to the antique shop, leisurely brewed some tea, took a sip, and then called Ye Xiaoli, asking them to bring the Buddhist shrine and statue to Jiyatang.

Ye Xiaoli was already at work when she received the call and immediately called Yu Mingwei. Both of them took leave, went home to get the items, and hurried over.

Yang Bo heard a hurried and chaotic sound of footsteps, looked up, and saw Ye Xiaoli and her husband, along with her parents, all rushing over.

"Xiao Bo, thank you so much!" Ye's mother said, "Last time, no matter how we tried to keep you, you wouldn't stay for a meal at our place. This time, you mustn't refuse!"

Yang Bo smiled, but he wanted to decline again. He said, "Auntie, it's too early to say thank you. We haven't even sent the Buddha away yet."

"Not too early, not too early!" Ye's mother smiled brightly, "With your help, it will definitely work out!"

Yang Bo frowned. He had only introduced them to a channel for selling the items. If they expected to sell at a high price, they were mistaken. Even if Yang Bo sold it himself, Liu Liangyu wouldn't necessarily offer a high price.

"Auntie, I can only help you make the connection. How the negotiations go and whether they succeed is not something I can interfere with," Yang Bo said.

Yang Bo's words distanced himself from the matter, making Ye's mother feel embarrassed. Yu Mingwei and the others also looked uncomfortable. They had come to ask Yang Bo to accompany them and speak on their behalf, and Yang Bo's words clearly indicated a refusal.

Ye's mother, having spoken too confidently, was now in an awkward position. She could only say awkwardly, "If that's the case, then okay. We'll go ahead first!"

Yang Bo nodded, "Once you're out the door, follow this street eastward for about three to four hundred meters. In business, it's common to start with a high price and then negotiate down. Don't be too embarrassed to haggle."

"Alright, thank you so much!" Ye Xiaoli thanked him, and the family left, seemingly not noticing Yang Bo's well-intentioned advice.

In the car, Yu Mingwei could no longer hold back his complaints, "How can someone be like this? He helped us bring the Buddha this far, and we're not even refusing to give him a red envelope. He won't even show up, and we shouldn't have given him a red envelope yesterday!"

"Did you give him a red envelope?" Ye Xiaoli asked, dissatisfied, "What are you complaining about? You need to understand that our family doesn't have a close relationship with him. You're only benefiting from my sister's efforts. If it weren't for her taking good care of his father, do you think he would have mentioned the Buddhist shrine?"

"If it were me, I would have paid to bring the Buddhist shrine and statue home. The money would have gone into my own pocket. Why mention it and invite trouble?"

"How can someone be like this? That's not the right way to do things!" Yu Mingwei said helplessly.

"Hmm? Not right?" Ye Xiaoli laughed, "Does this violate any law? Do you have a specific clause?"

"He has no obligation to help us. Introducing a good buyer is already a big favor. Do you really expect him to negotiate the price for us? Do you think our family has a close relationship with Yang Bo? What about his relationship with the buyer?"

Ye Xiaoli became agitated, "Think about it from his perspective. What could he do if he were there? If the price is too high, the buyer he introduced would be at a loss. If the price is too low, we would feel cheated. In either case, he would be in a difficult position!"

"I asked a colleague before coming. In the antique business, appraising antiques costs five percent, and introducing a deal costs five to ten percent. Altogether, it would be at least ten percent. Would you, Yu Mingwei, be willing to pay that much?"

Yu Mingwei's face turned red and pale as Ye Xiaoli spoke. Ye's mother was surprised, "How can it be so much? Ten percent, that's one hundred thousand yuan for a million yuan!"

Ye Xiaoli shook her head, "Don't blame anyone. Let's think about what to do next!"

The car fell silent for a moment, and no one spoke.

After seeing off the family, Yang Bo didn't pay much attention. He always felt that they were too arrogant, especially in front of him, always looking down on him.

By noon, Yang Bo received a call from Liu Liangyu.

"Did you get it?" Yang Bo asked.

"Yes, I got the Buddha. But that young man said you are his future brother-in-law. Is that true?" Liu Liangyu asked curiously.

Yang Bo frowned, not expecting Yu Mingwei to be so two-faced, "Don't think of asking for favors from me! If you really gave me face because of that, you wouldn't be you!"

Liu Liangyu laughed, "I thought so. If that were true, you wouldn't have kept it a secret and would have come over yourself. Why would he need to hint around?"

"How much did it cost?" Yang Bo asked.

"930,000 yuan!" Liu Liangyu was in a very good mood, "Thank you, I made a profit this time!"

Yang Bo smiled but didn't respond. At this price, it was indeed a profit. Appraisers always estimate from a lower rather than a higher perspective, not using the highest market price but a medium to low price, or even a low price.

The benefit of this approach is that when the owner sells the antique, it won't be lower than the estimated price. If the estimate is too high and the selling price is too low, the appraiser would be questioned.

This subtle psychology is understood by everyone, but no one speaks about it.

Golden-threaded nanmu is rare, and a golden-threaded nanmu Buddhist shrine is even rarer. If it were auctioned, this single item could sell for over a million yuan.

"Would you like to have dinner tonight?" Liu Liangyu asked.

Yang Bo shook his head, "No, I'll go to the hospital tonight."

Yang Bo didn't want to make things too mercenary or link the dinner to this transaction. Liu Liangyu understood and didn't mention it again.

In the afternoon, the same fool from yesterday came into the store again, but this time he wasn't carrying a snake skin bag. Instead, he was holding a box and walked in.