Antique Market (Part Five)  

Come, have a smoke..." 

"Here, have an ice pop..." 

"How about a drink? I've kept it chilled in the fridge since this morning..." 

As they followed Director Gu into the antique market, Fang Yi and his companions were nearly taken aback. Anyone setting up a stall inside the market, regardless of what they were selling, rushed to greet Director Gu, with one vendor even running over to fan him with a hand-painted fan depicting the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai. 

"Yes, yes, you all carry on; I'll just take a casual look around..." 

The moment they stepped out of the air-conditioned room, Director Gu's white undershirt was nearly soaked through with sweat. Having walked less than twenty meters in the market, he waved to a few staff members seeking refuge in the shade. 

"Er Liu, take Boss Man and Xiao Fang to see where there are available spots..." 

As Director Gu wiped his brow with a towel, he continued, "I'm entrusting this task to you; find a good spot for Xiao Fang. I'll head back for now. You all can join Boss Man in the office for lunch..." 

"Rest assured, Director Gu; with Boss Man's connections, we'll surely find a prime location..." Er Liu cast a respectful glance at Fang Yi as he bid farewell to his superior. 

"Er Liu, could you clear that spot in front of my shop?" After Director Gu departed, Man Jun turned his gaze to Er Liu. There were two Liu's in the antique market management office; the older one was known as Da Liu, and the one before him was Er Liu. 

In terms of location, the spot in front of Man Jun's shop was undoubtedly the best in the market. However, it had always been occupied by someone else. Recently, a new vendor had taken over, and Man Jun hoped to seize the opportunity to claim the spot while the previous vendor was still inexperienced. 

"Hmm? Er Liu, surely Boss Man has enough pull for this?" 

Noticing Er Liu frown at his request, Man Jun felt a twinge of displeasure. He had frequently entertained these workers with meals and drinks, so he hadn't mentioned this minor issue to Director Gu, assuming it could be resolved through his connections. 

"Boss Man, how could you say that? Your influence here is undeniable..." Sensing Man Jun's irritation, Er Liu hesitated before explaining, "However, that person in front of your shop is a relative of Director Gu..." 

In this antique market, where everyone crossed paths frequently, Er Liu, as a temporary worker, generally wouldn't offend someone like Man Jun. However, he was aware that the vendor occupying Man Jun's spot was a cousin of Director Gu's wife, and he dared not ask him to move. 

"Oh, a relative of Director Gu? Then I suppose it's best to let it be..." Man Jun paused, then chuckled wryly and shook his head. He was relieved he hadn't confronted Director Gu earlier; otherwise, it would have been quite embarrassing. 

Er Liu glanced around the street and suggested, "Boss Man, how about I clear a spot to the left of your shop? It won't be in the sun in the afternoon, making it a more comfortable place to set up..." 

Stall locations in the antique market were quite significant. Typically, there were fewer visitors in the morning, leading many vendors to remain closed, which made shaded spots more coveted during lunch and the afternoon. Er Liu's offer to clear a spot was a generous concession to Man Jun. 

"That sounds good; that spot will work well..." Man Jun nodded in agreement, following Er Liu's gesture. "Let's go with that, Er Liu. Please keep an eye on my brothers in the future..." 

As he spoke, Man Jun discreetly slipped a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes into Er Liu's pocket. As the saying goes, "The King is easy to see, but the little ghosts are troublesome." Director Gu rarely visited the antique market, and most matters were handled by Er Liu and his colleagues. 

"Boss Man, aren't we all brothers here?" Er Liu offered a gracious smile, eagerly following Fang Yi and the others into Man Jun's shop. On such a hot day, who wouldn't prefer the comfort of air conditioning and a leisurely chat over tea? 

"Fang Yi, tidy up your things; let's set up the stall..." Man Jun instructed. "Er Liu, please inform them, then come join us for tea..." 

"I'll take care of it, Boss Man..." Er Liu replied, and once Fang Yi and the others gathered their items, he led them outside. 

The management office staff arranged for a stall to be cleared, and even the reluctant vendors outside made way. Fang Yi set up a stool to place the flat cabinet on, while San Pao began to arrange their items inside. 

"Xiao Fang, remember one thing while setting up here..." As he was leaving, Er Liu advised Fang Yi and the others, "Just focus on your business and avoid meddling in others' affairs..." 

"Meddling? What does that mean?" 

After Er Liu departed, the plump man shrugged, not thinking much of it. His focus was entirely on the stall before them. Though business was slow, it was still their own venture, freeing them from the constraints of working for someone else. 

"Excuse me, sir, what should I call you?" While Fang Yi and San Pao busied themselves at the stall, the plump man struck up a conversation with a nearby vendor, "We're Boss Man's younger brothers; we hope you'll look out for us in the future..." 

"My surname is Ma; just call me Old Ma..." 

The stall next to them sold bronze artifacts and porcelain vases, which didn't conflict with their offerings. Since they weren't competitors, Old Ma was happy to befriend the plump man, knowing that Man Jun held some influence on this street. 

Setting up a stall and conducting business was remarkably straightforward. Once the stall was arranged, Fang Yi and his companions found themselves with little to do. 

In the antique trade, shouting and haggling were unnecessary; it was akin to Jiang Taigong fishing—only those willing would take the bait. After pouring themselves a large cup of water from Man Jun's shop, Fang Yi and San Pao struck up a conversation with Old Ma. Among them, the plump man spoke the most, while Fang Yi and San Pao primarily listened. 

"Fang Yi, why don't you all join me for a meal?" After about half an hour, Man Jun locked up his shop and approached with a smile. "So, have you made any sales yet?" 

"Not yet; just a few inquiries..." Fang Yi replied, "Boss Man, we'll pass on lunch; we'll just grab a boxed meal to tide us over..." 

Fang Yi understood that while Man Jun was kind to them, it was essential to maintain a sense of propriety. After all, Man Jun's assistance was a favor, not an obligation. It was crucial to strike a balance to avoid giving the impression of taking advantage of his goodwill. 

"That's fine; in business, one must uphold a certain demeanor..." 

Man Jun nodded in agreement. He recalled his own struggles in the past, when boxed meals were scarce. Back then, he would steam rice and bring a few dishes from home to make do for the day, a far cry from the conditions Fang Yi and his companions enjoyed now. 

"Old Ma, I'll get you an extra meal; let's eat together..." 

There was a fast-food restaurant nearby the antique market, and the plump man purchased four meals for five yuan each. Upon returning to their stall, he handed one to Old Ma, who had been chatting amiably with them. In a market where vendors typically kept to themselves, it was rare to see someone buy a meal for another. 

"Ah, Huazi, thank you!" 

Old Ma was momentarily taken aback as he accepted the meal from the plump man. Despite their youth, these individuals were quite savvy. In the antique market, everyone usually minded their own business, so such gestures were uncommon. 

"No need for thanks, Old Ma; just teach us a thing or two in the future..." 

The plump man smiled sheepishly. They all understood that Man Jun had essentially ushered them into this trade, and their success would depend on their own efforts. Having someone nearby to guide them would help them avoid many pitfalls. 

Surprisingly, that five-yuan meal proved quite beneficial. After they finished eating, Old Ma began to share insights about the market, explaining the types of buyers and tourists, and how to distinguish between them. 

Not only did Old Ma share his knowledge, but he also demonstrated it. As various individuals passed by, he could accurately gauge whether they were buyers or mere browsers. Gradually, Fang Yi and his companions began to recognize the patterns, becoming more enthusiastic when introducing their items to those who appeared to be buyers. 

"Xiao Fang, the items you're selling are cultural relics, and they must be appreciated. Make sure you're not empty-handed; wear a few strands around your neck to showcase their appeal to customers. Moreover, the prices for new beads and those with patina differ significantly. If a customer takes a liking to what you're wearing, it's not unusual for the price to multiply several times. So, wear and handle them often; if someone is interested, sell them..." 

Old Ma was eager to teach these eager young men. Having spent several years in the antique market, he didn't trade in cultural relics, but he wore a few strands of beads himself, often handling them to develop a nice patina. 

"That makes sense..." Hearing Old Ma's advice, Fang Yi nodded. The strands of beads left by his master were at home, and he had grown accustomed to wearing such items; it felt odd not to have something on hand. 

"Plump man, Boss Man said that the King Kong beads need to be nurtured with sweat; since you sweat a lot, wear the King Kong beads..." 

Fang Yi draped two strands of small King Kong beads around the plump man's neck and handed a strand of star and moon beads to San Pao. Having practiced for many years, Fang Yi's hands didn't sweat much even in the heat, so he picked up a strand of small leaf rosewood beads to play with. 

The Chaotian Palace was not far from the Qinhuai River, one of the notable scenic spots in Jinling, ensuring a steady flow of visitors. By early afternoon, the crowd began to swell, and inquiries about prices increased, yet their first sale remained elusive. 

"Why do these people only ask questions and never buy?" Frustrated by the sweltering heat and lack of sales, the plump man slumped down, saying, "Fang Yi, San Pao, you two take over for a bit; I need to rest..." 

"Lazy! At the start, no one had as much enthusiasm as you..." Having grown up together, Fang Yi and San Pao were well aware of the plump man's nature, and they both turned to mock him. 

Before they could fully turn back, the plump man suddenly sprang up, pushing past them to stand at the stall, his face beaming as he said, "Excuse me, miss, what can I help you find? Would you like me to introduce some items?"