"The price is negotiable."
Ji Fuxui narrowed his eyes, adopting a pleasant demeanor. However, he was unaware that his appearance and temperament made squinting appear lewd and cunning, bearing no resemblance to amiability.
Lin Zitong even felt a sense of disdain for Ji Fuxui because of this.
Ji Fuxui fiddled with the teacup in his hand and said, "How about we trade for your Yanxing Compass? How about it?"
In Ji Fuxui's eyes, the Yangling Tiger Tally was at most an antique, but the Yanxing Compass was a rare treasure. He was gaining a significant advantage in this transaction.
Yan Shouyi naturally would not hand over the Yanxing Compass. He lowered his face and said,
"Mr. Ji, you are not being fair. Let's not even discuss whose value is higher. Your Yangling Tiger Tally is not guaranteed to be genuine. Why should I trade my Yanxing Compass for it?"
But Ji Fuxui shamelessly retorted, "Antiques have no fixed price. Whoever likes it more, bids higher. If Mr. Yan is unwilling, please turn right at the door. I won't see you off."
Ji Fuxui was indeed an old hand. Yan Shouyi guessed that this fellow probably no longer engaged in theft, but had instead dedicated all his efforts to studying human nature.
"It seems Mr. Ji has no sincerity in this transaction. In that case, we shall take our leave."
Yan Shouyi did not indulge him further. He snorted coldly, took Lin Zitong's hand, and headed for the exit.
Ji Zhan and Ji Xiong saw this and became a little anxious. After all, Yan Shouyi was a buyer they had finally managed to find. They hoped to sell the Yangling Tiger Tally for a good price to help more people in need.
Lin Zitong, who was following Yan Shouyi out, secretly chuckled. She pretended to leave deliberately; this was the most crude bargaining tactic. She was surprised that the tricks used in a wet market were also applicable in the ghost market.
However, the most crude tactics were often the most effective.
"Wait!"
Ji Fuxui called out to Yan Shouyi.
Yan Shouyi stopped, the corners of his lips curving upwards. He thought that the old man Ji had finally relented.
Who would have thought that just as Yan Shouyi was about to turn back to negotiate the price, Ji Fuxui said:
"Remember to close the door when you leave. The ghost market is windy, and my old bones can't withstand the chill."
Yan Shouyi: "..."
Why wasn't this old man playing by the rules!
Reality was completely different from what Yan Shouyi had imagined. However, the emotional momentum had been built up, and Yan Shouyi had no choice but to stay.
So, he could only sigh inwardly, put on a nonchalant expression, and close the door as he walked out.
Seeing this, Ji Zhan and Ji Xiong quickly entered the house, seemingly to persuade Ji Fuxui to compromise.
Yan Shouyi, who had walked out of the courtyard, couldn't help but sigh, "Old ginger is indeed spicier. My ancestral bargaining skills are useless."
Lin Zitong chuckled and said, "You're skilled at subduing demons and monsters, but you're no match for me in business."
"You expected this?" Yan Shouyi asked doubtfully.
"We specifically sought out Ji Fuxui, naming the Yangling Tiger Tally as our target. Our objective was too clear. It would be strange if Ji Fuxui didn't drive up the price," Lin Zitong said. "Although he drove us away this time, he's confident we'll come back. This is a psychological game."
Yan Shouyi gritted his teeth. "I just won't come back then!"
"What about Ma Xingping then?" Lin Zitong pointed out the crux of the problem.
Yan Shouyi immediately deflated. He helplessly realized that he could do nothing about Ji Fuxui.
It wasn't that he was reluctant to trade the Yanxing Compass for the Yangling Tiger Tally. After all, what he would gain was not just the Yangling Tiger Tally, but also Ma Xingping's life.
He just felt extremely displeased to let the scoundrel Ji Fuxui take advantage of him for nothing.
Lin Zitong offered her suggestion: "Let Uncle and the others try in batches. This time we have some experience, perhaps we can make Ji Fuxui concede."
"But won't this make Ji Fuxui think there's competition for the Yangling Tiger Tally, and thus continue to raise the price?"
"If all else fails, we have a Plan B." Lin Zitong smiled slyly.
Yan Shouyi blinked. When did they formulate a Plan B? I didn't know.
Lin Zitong whispered, "Although Ji Fuxui is a descendant of Zhi, he probably can't beat us."
Yan Shouyi instantly understood Lin Zitong's meaning and said with a wry smile, "Are you saying we should just rob him?"
"I didn't say that," Lin Zitong laughed. "However, in business, it's normal to try diplomacy first and then resort to force. Do you think all businessmen play by the rules? In fact, sometimes doing business is no different from outright robbery."
This touched upon Yan Shouyi's blind spot, but he felt Lin Zitong had a point.
If he wanted to act without violating his conscience, he could at worst rob him and then give Ji Fuxui tens of millions, or return the Yangling Tiger Tally after saving Ma Xingping.
"By the way," Lin Zitong asked, "did you figure out which pair of the three Yangling Tiger Tallies was real just now?"
Yan Shouyi rubbed his forehead and said, "All three pairs were fakes."
"Ah?"
"That's why I felt Ji Fuxui lacked sincerity. This old scoundrel probably hid the real Yangling Tiger Tally and is trying to make another fortune with fakes and false information."
Lin Zitong exclaimed indignantly, "Shameless!"
"Just as you said, doing business is sometimes no different from outright robbery."
As the two were about to leave, they suddenly heard a strange noise from the courtyard.
Immediately followed by Ji Fuxui shouting, "Help! Help!"
Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong exchanged glances and immediately turned back to the courtyard.
They saw Ji Zhan, Ji Xiong, and the young girl who opened the door all collapsed on the ground. Ji Fuxui was lying on the ground, his face covered in blood, and one of his arms was broken.
Yan Shouyi was stunned. They had only been gone for less than five minutes, and such a fierce fight had already broken out here?
Neither of them had a good impression of Ji Fuxui, so they didn't check on his condition immediately.
Lin Zitong tugged at Yan Shouyi's clothes and said, "The Yangling Tiger Tally is gone."
Ji Fuxui shouted, "Someone suddenly broke in and started fighting without a word, snatching my Yangling Tiger Tally!"
"Is that so?"
Yan Shouyi smiled. This was a case of the wicked being punished by their own wickedness!
He wasn't worried at all because the person who snatched it had only taken three fakes.
Seeing Yan Shouyi gloating, Ji Fuxui suddenly thought of something and couldn't help but roar,
"Was it you, kid?! We can still be friends even if the deal falls through, but you actually sent someone to steal my treasure!"
"Mr. Ji, you're biting the hand that feeds you," Yan Shouyi said. "We heard the commotion outside and came to check the situation."
"You clearly wanted the Yangling Tiger Tally, but were unwilling to exchange it for the Yanxing Compass, so you called someone to rob me!"
It seemed Ji Fuxui was determined to make Yan Shouyi take the blame.
Seeing that logic wouldn't work, Yan Shouyi suddenly remembered something his grandfather once said.
"When they call you a thief, it's best if you actually are a thief."
Because they wouldn't listen to your explanation, they would only believe their own judgment and try every means to slander you.
And to avoid being at a disadvantage, it was better to accept the blame and take what you deserved.
Although this theory was rogue, it was very applicable to the current situation, not to mention that robbing Ji Fuxui's property was at most a case of "black eating black."
So Yan Shouyi stopped arguing and directly crouched in front of Ji Fuxui, saying coldly,
"That's right, the person just now was instigated by me. Moreover, my people discovered that all three pairs of Yangling Tiger Tallies were fakes, so I've come back now. You'd better hand over the real one, or else..."