Yan Jiecheng's Leisurely Life in Siheyuan

Chapter 84 The Broker
After hearing the old man's advice, Yan Jiecheng considered his own skill level and had to give up the idea of ​​finding a bargain, so he went to the furniture store instead.

When Yan Jiecheng arrived at the furniture store, he was greatly disappointed.

Although Yan Jiecheng didn't know anything about precious woods or antiques, he could tell from the simple, sturdy, and durable furniture in front of him that it was a batch of products from a furniture factory and that they were all new.

Yan Jiecheng browsed around the furniture store and, looking disappointed, decided to go to another one.

Just as he stepped out of the furniture store, a middle-aged man approached Yan Jiecheng and whispered something to him.

"Sir, are you looking to buy furniture? Is it because you don't have anything you like in the store?"

Yan Jiecheng sized up the other person, noticing his cautious and apprehensive manner, and guessed that he was a broker, or scalper in later times. He then smiled and said...

"The furniture selection in this store is a bit limited, it's not quite there. Do you have any good recommendations?"

The other person cautiously looked around, and only after making sure no one was paying attention did they speak in a low voice.

"Of course we have good stuff, it's just not displayed outside. If you're interested, boss, how about we go over there and discuss it in detail?"

Yan Jiecheng nodded and followed the other person to a corner. Only then did the other person speak.

"Sir, what kind of furniture do you need? What are your requirements? What is your price range?"

Faced with such a middleman, how could Yan Jiecheng possibly reveal everything?

"Hehe, I just want to buy some tables, chairs, benches, wardrobes, and bookshelves. As for how many to buy and what price to ask for, that depends on the condition of the furniture."

Seeing Yan Jiecheng say this, the other party was not surprised and continued.

"Boss, the better furniture isn't cheap. If you're really interested, I can take you to the back warehouse to take a look. But regardless of whether it works out or not, there's a 'tea fee'..."

It's perfectly normal to pay a brokerage fee when asking for help, and Yan Jiecheng had no objection to it. However, he wasn't one to be taken advantage of, so he had to make it clear upfront.

"The tea fee is negotiable. Here's what we'll do: if you can take me into the furniture store's warehouse and find that the furniture I'm looking for isn't there, I'll give you two cents as a gift for a pack of cigarettes."

"If I find any furniture I like and we make a deal, I'll give you fifty cents a piece, how about that?"

The broker was somewhat dissatisfied with the price offered by Yan Jiecheng and immediately objected.

"Boss, this furniture store has a lot of good stuff in its warehouse. Ordinary people can't get in. This is not enough for me to bribe the treasury."

When the broker tried to bargain, Yan Jiecheng quickly waved his hand and said...

"Alright, I'm in a hurry, otherwise I wouldn't have paid such a high price. Don't be so ungrateful. Is it okay or not? If not, I'll go to another store."

"Boss, please don't say no."

Seeing Yan Jiecheng turn to leave, the other party quickly stepped forward to stop him and agreed.

With the broker's guidance, Yan Jiecheng quickly arrived at the backyard of the furniture store.

The broker skillfully knocked on the back gate, and it opened quickly.

The scene was just like a gang meeting in a later TV drama.

Yan Jiecheng did not see any furniture store employees. After entering the backyard, the broker led Yan Jiecheng to the warehouse.

"Sir, let me make this clear first: the furniture in this warehouse is all rare and has a fixed price. If you think it's suitable, then buy it. No haggling please."

Is he trying to take advantage of me? And he even refuses to haggle? Yan Jiecheng has never heard of such a rule before.

However, when Yan Jiecheng entered the warehouse, he was surprised to find that there was a lot of furniture inside, and the quality and style of the furniture were incomparable to those in other shops.

Yan Jiecheng turned his head and smiled at the broker beside him.

"Hey buddy, can you give me a tour? I have other things to do after this." Seeing this, the broker stepped forward and began to introduce the products to Yan Jiecheng.

"Sir, this set of tables and chairs is made of rosewood, and it's genuine small-leaf rosewood. In the past, it was used by royalty and nobility. There aren't many of this quality on the market. This is the only set available, two hundred yuan, no bargaining."

Yan Jiecheng nodded after listening, but didn't say anything, only gesturing for the other party to continue the introduction.

Seeing this, the broker pointed to the wardrobe on the side and said.

"Boss, look, this wardrobe set is also a complete set, made from a single piece of rosewood."

"I don't need to elaborate on the preciousness of huanghuali wood, but huanghuali wood that can be used to make this kind of wardrobe is even rarer."

"And look at the patterns on this wardrobe, the carvings are all by famous artists."

……

After the broker had taken Yan Jiecheng on a tour of the warehouse, Yan Jiecheng still didn't show any interest in any set of furniture.

This really worried the broker, who thought to himself, "Will all my hard work in introducing this place be for nothing?"

Just as the broker was feeling a little uneasy, Yan Jiecheng sighed and said.

"Your items are all quite nice, both in style and design, I'm very satisfied, but the price is a bit outrageous."

"If you can make the decision, you can give me a discount so I can buy more."

Upon hearing Yan Jiecheng's words, the broker immediately perked up.

As long as he's interested, that's enough. As long as he's interested, he can continue talking. As long as he can close one deal, then his efforts won't have been in vain.

So the broker immediately forced a smile and said...

"Boss, these pieces of furniture are all rare treasures. You've really put me in a difficult position."

Yan Jiecheng didn't have time to haggle with the broker.

He pointed to the set of rosewood table and chairs, huanghuali wardrobe, coffee table, and bookshelf that he had seen before.

“I have other things to do today. Could you help me talk to the furniture store about these pieces of furniture? I’ll pay five hundred yuan.”

"How much you earn depends on your own abilities, I won't interfere. Also, I'll pay the tea fee as we agreed before."

The broker did some calculations and figured he could negotiate down to 450 yuan if he went to negotiate himself.

That way I can earn fifty yuan, plus the tea money from both sides, which is more than I would earn in two months.

After considering it for a while, the broker was immediately tempted.

But even if you're tempted, you should still try to get it, because nobody dislikes having too much money.

The broker said with a conflicted expression.

"Sir, would you mind adding a little more? This price is really..."

Before the other party could finish speaking, Yan Jiecheng said impatiently.

"This price is my bottom line. If it works out, great. If not, forget it. I have other things to do, so don't bother me."

The broker, who had spent years mingling on the streets, had a keen eye. Upon noticing Yan Jiecheng's impatience, he immediately decided to back down while he was ahead.

"Okay, boss, please wait a moment. I'll go and discuss it with the manager of the furniture store. It won't take up too much of your time."

(End of this chapter)