Chapter 18: A Big Business Deal

"Bob, have many people been coming to the shop these days?" Bast stood with his hands behind his back, leaning against the counter of his own card repair shop, displaying the demeanor of a boss.

Bob took out the ledger and replied, "In the days leading up to the opening, we had quite a few visitors, and several people brought in their spiritual cards for repairs. However, there's been a slight decline in the past few days. Not many people have been coming to the shop, and there haven't been many cards to repair."

"No rush, no rush. We're a new shop, so this situation is normal," reassured Bast in a calming tone. "Both Sanet and I are experienced card repairers. The neighbors around here will surely trust our craftsmanship. Old Sam is gone, and Little Sam's card repair shop will close sooner or later."

"I passed by this morning and noticed that Little Sam's card repair shop has hired new card repairers. They've also hired deliverymen and cooks."

"Haha, that kid, Duke, has lost his mind. He stole my business and is hiring people left and right. His shop will close in just two or three months!"

However, a few more days passed.

Bast's expression grew increasingly grim as he looked at the card repair shop without a single customer. "Bob, you and your son should go check out Little Sam's card repair shop. Is there nobody there getting cards repaired either? How come there hasn't been a single soul there in these past few days?"

Bob didn't really want to go to Little Sam's card repair shop. He felt it would be awkward to go there again.

But he had no choice.

The father and son sneaked over to investigate and returned in shock. "Boss, something big has happened!"

"What happened?"

"Duke and his crew have gone all over the nearby streets and alleys, saying they're offering doorstep services. They've taken all the spiritual cards that people wanted to repair!"

Upon hearing this, Bast's face turned pale. "Doorstep services? They've taken all the cards? How, how can he do that?"

Bob wore a troubled expression as he explained, "I went to several houses and asked around. People said they could also hand their cards to our Bast's Card Repair Shop for repairs, but they still trust Little Sam's Card Repair Shop... You know, Boss, Old Sam opened this shop back in Snakehead Town. The neighbors have been used to Little Sam's Card Repair Shop for years."

Snakehead Town was established during the expansion wars. Before the expansion wars ended, it was a logistical center. It gradually evolved into a trading market, and it officially became Snakehead Town after being granted to the Black Serpent Family.

It could be said that even before many people moved to Snakehead Town, Little Sam's Card Repair Shop was already there. After so many years, it had become the go-to choice for many.

"Damn it!" Bast paced back and forth in front of the counter, agitated. "You go right now, take the apprentices with you. If Duke is going house to house, you go house to house too, and bring all the customers back to me!"

"But..."

"What's wrong, you're not willing?" Bast's face grew cold.

Bob quickly waved his hand. "No, no, it's just that I'm afraid of going there for nothing. Duke has already taken a round of cards."

"In that case, let's prepare for the next round of cards that are about to break, and if necessary, we can reduce the repair fee a bit." Bast paced back and forth in front of the counter. "You used to be at the counter of Little Sam's Card Repair Shop, so the neighbors are familiar with you. I'm a card repairer there, and I guarantee the quality of repairs. Why can't we compete for customers?"

"Well... about the counter..."

"I'll manage the counter. There won't be many customers coming in now anyway."

Bob had no choice but to take a few apprentices and start the street-sweeping operation in haste.

...

"Dutlan, take this illusion card to House 277 in Fine Rain Lane, Mr. Lief's residence. It's a repair invoice for 1 silver dragon and 16 copper dragons. Make sure Mr. Lief signs to confirm," said Sally, the clerk at Little Sam's Card Repair Shop, as she neatly packaged a card with a new wrapper.

Running over from his resting spot near the entrance, Dutlan, who was on a break, said enthusiastically, "Leave it to me!"

As soon as Dutlan set off, Sally handed over another card. "Steve, it's your turn. This storage card needs to be taken to House 297 on Second Vertical Street, the Beanpa Clothing Store. Just get an employee there to sign for the repair invoice."

"Got it, Sally," Steve promptly stood up.

Duke, who was studying discarded cards at workstation number four, looked up and observed the busy employees. He was satisfied with the pace of the shop's operations under the current circumstances.

For the past few days, he had been sweeping the streets with Dutlan and Steve. This had not only stabilized the customer base but also made him familiar to the neighbors.

After this round of street-sweeping, he smoothly transitioned the solid reputation Old Sam had built up over the years to himself. As long as he maintained the quality of card repairs and service, he would remain unbeatable in this position.

Reputation.

In this era without advertising, reputation held immense power for a shop.

"Old Sam's most valuable legacy to me isn't the shop itself, but its reputation. Bast can't see this, which is why he eagerly opened a new shop, trying to cut me off," Duke thought to himself.

He wasn't overly concerned about Bast's nervousness. Bast's connections and methods were limited, and he wasn't a real competitor in regular competition.

"However, thanks to Bast's meddling, I've ended up with less money in hand. While I've stabilized the customer base, the increased commissions and expenses have dropped my net profit to less than half a gold dragon."

"A 1-ring spiritual plant can cost dozens of gold dragons, and even 0-ring spiritual plants, the kind that can groom spiritual qi fields, cost several gold dragons..."

Spiritual plants were commodities with value but no market. They were mostly monopolized by major families. Only a small amount trickled into the market, making them exorbitantly priced.

"I'm currently practicing the 'Blank Slate Meditation Technique.' The rate at which I condense spiritual liquid is getting slower. I need to obtain a spiritual plant as soon as possible and set up a spiritual qi field in the courtyard."

While he was thinking this, a customer entered the shop. As soon as he walked in, he inquired, "Do you provide card purchasing services here?"

Sally smiled and replied, "Yes, we go to Chenjiao City for merchandise every week. If you need us to purchase cards for you, you can prepay a deposit, and we'll handle the purchasing for you."

"Are you the owner?"

"I'm not. Our boss is over there," Sally pointed to the repair area.

When Duke walked over, the customer couldn't help but frown. "You're the boss, you're too young."

"Being young doesn't mean I'm not capable. May I know your name, sir?" Duke remained composed. "We offer purchasing services at Little Sam's Card Repair Shop. If the quantity is substantial, we can sign a contract."

"Is that so?" The customer, Ronnie, thought for a moment. "I'm Ronnie."

"Mr. Ronnie, please have a seat. Let's talk."

Sally brought over tea, and Ronnie waited until she left.

Only then did he reveal the spiritual cards he needed to purchase. "I need ten arcane cards. Five of them are Icicle cards, three are Mage Hand cards, and two are Illusion cards... You'll need to buy these arcane cards from the Union Card Shop in Chenjiao City. The market value is 27 gold dragons in total. I can offer you half a gold dragon as remuneration."

Duke was both surprised and pleased in his heart. Ten arcane cards, worth 27 gold dragons, and a remuneration of half a gold dragon. This was indeed a big deal.

However, he managed to contain his emotions, revealing only a hint of surprise.

Ronnie scrutinized Duke's expression, a bit surprised by his calm demeanor. He added, "Furthermore, you can negotiate the price. Whatever discount you manage will count towards your remuneration."