31 A failed bargain

She had entered a Jade Shop of all places. There was a wide range of gorgeous jade, dazzling in their own unique way. Bai Shuyin traced her fingers against the wooden rows, itching to touch the various precious items but she knew not to. 

These things, she couldn't afford to buy. They worthed much more than her life. The reason she wasn't kicked out of the store was due to the clothing she wore, they were decent enough. Not to mention, Wu Jiangfeng, his appearance was striking. 

The owner had looked them up and down the moment they stepped into his shop. Once they passed his judging eyes, he made a beeline and bowed his head to salute them. "What are you looking for, young master?" 

"We will have a look first." Wu Jiangfeng flashed a smile. 

His violet eyes flicked across the wooden cabinets until they stopped on the one that contained many sorts of accessories from necklaces, talismans, rings, hairpins, bracelets, and many others. The one that caught his attention was the jade hairpin. 

It was blue, yet pale. Green, yet it wasn't. An assortment of both, making it appear bluish-green. The hairpin's body was designed so exquisitely like a veil of moving clouds that it looked spiritual. There, at the other end of the pointy side was a very simple feather-like wing adorned with beautifully carved cherry blossoms with a few  small white pearls hanging from it. 

Wu Jiangfeng glanced over the rows of cabinets to where Bai Shuyin was loitering around and back at the hairpin. "I want this one." 

The owner standing not far away immediately came over. "Young master, what a splendid taste you have!" 

"Can you take it out so I can have a better look at it?"

"Ah…" The owner hesitated. "About that, young master, it's true that good things must be shared, but this thing here," He gestured at the item displayed on the cabinet. "The price… It's very expensive." 

"So?" Bai Shuyin suddenly popped in. If Wu Jiangfeng was startled, he didn't show any of it, but the owner actually jumped and almost bumped onto the shelves. "Young miss—!!" 

Without missing a beat, Bai Shuyin added on. "Are you implying that Young Master Wu wouldn't be able to afford it?" 

The owner actually paused and looked at Wu Jiangfeng. This young man had the bearings of an elite. His neat attire and the way he held himself, high class and well-versed. He carried the air of ruggedness to him due to his flaming red hair and sharp indigo eyes.

He looked like someone who would carry multiple bags of gold. 

After thinking for a while, the owner decided to open the cabinet and took the hairpin out, carefully. "Please, be very gentle." 

Wu Jiangfeng took the hairpin and weighed it in his hands. It felt heavy and under a closer look, he knew that this one was extraordinary. The jade placed in the center of the cherry blossom was real, however the other stones surrounding it weren't exactly made out of jade, but they weren't spiritual stones either, just normal ones. 

Not that Wu Jiangfeng mind either, this hairpin was really precious to look at as well, the design was unique, it looked really attractive to him, especially if worn by the person he desired. 

"How much is this? I will take it with me." The prince of Wu Continent said in a bold manner. 

"It's worth ten thousand golds, young master."

"Ten thousa—!" Bai Shuyin choked, eyes bulging. How could a hairpin cost that much? "Excuse me? Ten thousand?!" 

"Wait." Wu Jiangfeng actually went to check under his sleeves. 

"What are you doing?" Bai Shuyin hissed at him. "Shouldn't you at least negotiate with the prices? Do you even bring enough money with you?" 

She had only seen him pulling out a bag of gold and nothing more, yet this hairpin cost ten times more. 

Bai Shuyin wondered if the bargaining in this world worked like the one in hers. It worked wonders on earth. Six hundred grants could be melted into ten grants in mere seconds. Bai Shuyin decided to give it a try. 

"One thousand bronze."

"Seven thousand gold." 

"Five hundred bronze."

"One thousand gold, take it or leave it." 

"Ten bronze, you third-rate scammer," Bai Shuyin said imposingly. 

"Slander!" The owner spat out. His face turned red from the slanderous comment. The owner had hoped one of these kids were children of nobles that loved wasting money, in fact, none of them actually had any! Yet they dared to step into his shop!

Seeing these two kids were no longer his source of income, the owner's attitude changed drastically. He sneered at them, especially the little girl. How dare this little bitch accuse him of selling fake and cheap stuff. "Listen here, little girl, if you are looking for quick cash, the red light district is just 'round the corner."

Bai Shuyin's jaw dropped. Maybe she went too far by saying that, but never expected the owner to lash out like that. He even suggested a brothel. Taking a sharp stab to her ego, Bai Shuyin frowned and prepared to retaliate, but not before Wu Jiangfeng violently swung a fiery blade at the cabinet used to store the hairpin, sending it flying. 

Wu Jiangfeng was quite a tall young man at the age of 20. Even though their height didn't differ that much, the murderous aura he emitted made it seemed like he towered over the owner. 

He pointed the tip of the blade at the owner's nose. The heat from the flames was so intense that even Bai Shuyin who stood at the side felt it. 

The owner was obviously not used to conflict. He trembled and kept on shooting the look of 'help me' at Bai Shuyin, who, by the way, was trying not to get involved and tried to minimize her presence.  

The turns of events were going a bit too fast and Bai Shuyin couldn't follow. One moment she was getting an insult and the next second there was fire and a sword was drawn.