Chapter 4

Walking into the gun shop, the fifty-something shop owner Brown immediately greeted him with a smile.

"Steven, welcome back to our store!"

Hearing this, Ye Tian could only manage a wry smile.

In the past six months, he had visited this place several times, but each time it was to sell guns, not to buy them.

The shop owner Brown, despite his amiable smile, was undoubtedly a shrewd businessman. He could turn a gun that had only been used a few times into a worthless piece of junk, offering a rock-bottom price to buy it.

But today was different. There was no way this old man could get away without coughing up some cash!

"I'm here to sell a gun again today!"

Ye Tian smiled as he walked up to Brown.

"Very welcome! Bring out your treasure and let me take a look."

Of course, he welcomed Ye Tian. Over the past few months, Ye Tian had brought a lot of money to the store, making him a premium customer.

Ye Tian didn't immediately take out the gun but said seriously,

"Brown, should we move to a different place? This isn't an ordinary gun; it's an antique pistol, and it's quite expensive."

"Wow! That's great! Can you tell me what brand it is and its history? I don't deal with illegal guns; that would cause a lot of trouble!"

Brown was initially excited but then became very cautious.

He knew Ye Tian's situation; he was on the brink of ruin. How could he have an antique gun to sell? The source might be questionable.

"Rest assured, the gun is legal, and its history is clear. I got it through an auction at a warehouse. Preston Storage Company can provide proof.

The pistol is a Luger P08, manufactured in 1940. How about it? Are you interested? If you are, we can talk. If not, I'll have to go elsewhere."

Ye Tian smiled and explained.

After hearing this, Brown was so excited that he almost jumped up.

"Wow! You're a lucky guy to find a Luger P08 in an abandoned warehouse. Fortune is smiling on you.

I've always wanted to get a Luger, but I never had the chance. You must be an angel sent by God. Let's go inside and talk!"

If there hadn't been a counter between them, Brown might have hugged Ye Tian and kissed him!

Then, Brown asked an assistant to watch the store and eagerly led Ye Tian into the back room.

Before opening his backpack, Ye Tian joked,

"Brown, how's your heart? If it's not very healthy, I suggest you take some medicine first. Then I'll take out the gun, so you don't get too excited and have a problem. That wouldn't be worth it!"

"Don't worry, I'm fine. I'm strong enough to kill a bull. Hurry up and show me your treasure; I can't wait!"

Brown rubbed his hands excitedly, his eyes fixed on Ye Tian's backpack.

"Alright, the moment of surprise has arrived!"

Ye Tian unzipped his backpack and gently took out the gun case.

"Wow! It's so exquisite. This must be a collector's item, and it's been protected so well."

Brown's eyes sparkled.

Next, Ye Tian opened the gun case, revealing the Luger P08 inside.

Brown's eyes widened instantly, almost popping out. He stared at the gun, his breath coming in heavy, train-like gasps, which was a bit scary!

"Please take a look. I'm sure you'll fall in love with this treasure!"

Ye Tian smiled and pushed the gun case toward Brown.

"I'm already madly in love with it! It's the most beautiful thing the Germans have ever produced, the most elegant pistol!"

Brown was so excited that he was almost incoherent.

"Ha ha ha!"

Ye Tian laughed heartily.

Then, Ye Tian sat quietly with a smile.

Brown, on the other hand, pounced on the Luger with great enthusiasm, especially when he saw the skull emblem on the grip, his eyes almost shooting flames.

The room became very quiet, with no one speaking, only the sound of their breathing and the handling of the gun.

Ten minutes passed quickly, and Brown finally managed to look away from the gun and at Ye Tian.

"Thank you for bringing this treasure. It's beautiful!"

"It's indeed a work of art among pistols, and I like it very much."

Ye Tian smiled in response.

"Can we talk about the price now? I really want to add it to my collection!"

Brown's hand remained on the gun, unwilling to let it go, showing a determined look.

"I'm here to sell it. Give me a price. If it's reasonable, I'll leave it with you. I believe you'll give a fair price, after all, it's a Luger P08."

Ye Tian wanted the other party to make the first offer.

Brown pondered for a moment and then said,

"This pistol is in excellent condition, 100% original, with a clear serial number. It hasn't been fired much and is a top-tier item in pistol collecting.

The current auction price for a Luger P08 is $20,000. Considering our good relationship, I'll offer $8,000. What do you think?"

Ye Tian was pleased. No wonder it's a noble among pistols! But this price was far from its true value!

So he didn't respond, just smiled meaningfully at Brown.

Seeing Ye Tian's enigmatic smile, Brown realized that this price wouldn't work.

"Alright, $10,000. This is a very fair price, after all, it's a private transaction, not an auction. It can't fetch such a high price."

This price was indeed fair for an ordinary Luger, but was this an ordinary Luger? Clearly not!

"Brown, you must have seen the SS emblem on the grip. This is a special SS pistol, and the skull emblem doesn't need further explanation, does it?

Do you think $10,000 is a fair price? You'd better make a new offer. Otherwise, I'll have to leave. I'm sure there are many people who would be willing to pay a high price for this gun."

Brown's face turned a bit red, and he felt a bit embarrassed.

It seemed he would have to bleed a lot today. There was no way he could let this skull Luger slip away!

This was an investment a thousand times better than a bank! How could he miss it?

There were countless gun collectors in the United States. If he bought this gun, he could resell it for two or three times the price after he was done with it. Was there a better deal than this?

With this in mind, Brown was even more determined to get the pistol. He stopped beating around the bush and directly offered a price that matched the pistol's value.

After all, as a businessman, a thick skin was a necessary mental quality. In no time, Brown's face returned to normal, and he smiled.

"Since you know so much about Lugers, let's be straightforward. $20,000, what do you think?"

This price was fair, but who doesn't want more money?

"I think $30,000 is a more reasonable price, in line with my expectations."

Ye Tian smiled and countered.

"$22,000 is my absolute limit. If it goes higher, it means I'm not meant to have this beautiful treasure."

Brown looked at the gun with pain and reluctance, gritting his teeth to make another offer.

Ye Tian ignored his act, thinking,

"Great performance! Why not go to Broadway? You're wasting your talent in Brooklyn!"

He smiled and made a new offer.

"$28,000, this is a friendship price, considering our good relationship, I'm willing to make a concession."

"You're a devil! $24,000, I can't offer more. This is all my hard-earned money!"

Brown said, his hand still caressing the Luger on the table.

"$26,000, this is my final price. If you can't accept it, forget it. I'll go check out the Brooklyn Bridge area.

I used to work there and know many wealthy people. Some of them collect antique guns, and I'm sure I can get a very good price."

Ye Tian smiled and continued his offensive, issuing a small threat.

Brown's hand remained firmly on the Luger, not letting go for a moment.

He didn't want this pistol to slip away and end up in the hands of those well-dressed Wall Street scoundrels.

"$25,000, a middle ground. How about it? If you agree, I'll write you a check right now, or I can give you cash, brand new $100 bills!"

"I insist on $26,000. We can go to the shooting range to test the gun. If it fires normally and performs well, we'll agree on $26,000.

If there are any other flaws, the price will be $24,000. What do you think? I believe this is the best way, a win-win situation!"

Ye Tian made a new proposal, which was very tempting.

Besides wanting to make more money, he also wanted to experience this world-famous gun. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and he couldn't miss it!

Brown pondered for a moment, then stood up and extended his hand excitedly.

"OK, deal! Let's go to the shooting range."

"Deal!"

Ye Tian stood up, shook hands with Brown excitedly, and then picked up the gun case, heading to the shooting range in the basement of the gun shop with Brown.

A few minutes later.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!..."

The crisp sound of pistol shots began to ring out in the underground shooting range.

As Ye Tian fired the Luger, a clip of bullets quickly poured out of the barrel, causing the human-shaped target to sway and the head to be shattered.

After firing, Ye Tian checked the barrel and exclaimed excitedly,

"Living up to its reputation as a Swiss watch of guns! So precise! It hits exactly where you aim!"

"Come on, let me experience this elegant noble of guns!"

Brown was already itching to try! He took the gun and started loading the magazine.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!..."

The gunshots rang out again, sounding very satisfying.

After getting their fill, the two left the shooting range and completed the remaining transaction steps.

Half an hour later, Ye Tian walked out of the bank on another street, feeling very satisfied.

At noon, he had only $50, but now his bag contained $6,000, and his bank account, which had been zero, now had $20,000.

Life was becoming beautiful again!