Although They're Mentally ill, They're Extremely Easy to Comfort - Chapter 8

“Oh! Mr. Xiang, what brings you here?”

“Mr. Xiao, the two treasures I discussed with you earlier might have to be put on hold.”

Near lunchtime, Mr. Xiang, the owner of Qizhen Pavilion, suddenly paid a visit. Rubbing his hands, he stated his intention, seemingly having run into some trouble.

“I just got a batch of Fuding White Tea. Why don’t we have a cup of tea while we chat in detail? Everything is negotiable,” Xiao Mo greeted him warmly, making conversation with sophistication.

Inside the reception room, the two men sat down. Mr. Xiang appeared ill at ease, his hesitant expression noticed by Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo skillfully warmed the cups and brewed the tea, courteously placing a cup in front of his guest: “Here, have a taste of this white tea first…”

Not waiting for Xiao Mo to finish, Mr. Xiang went straight to the point: “Mr. Xiao, we’ve been working together for so many years, and our relationship is strong, so I won’t beat around the bush. Actually… another company also wants to acquire those two collectibles. They promised to only charge a 3% service fee. As a businessman, I naturally have to prioritize profit. Could you reconsider the service fee percentage?”

Xiao Mo paused in his tea drinking. The service fee percentage depended on the final auction price. Competition in the collectible industry was getting fiercer every year, and only charging 3% was undoubtedly cutthroat competition.

Xiao Mo still wore a welcoming smile, trying to find out the reason: “I understand competition, but only charging 3%—I’m afraid the other party is operating at a loss. Although our studio is small, you know our reputation and capability best. Charging only 5% is already a deeply discounted price, and our minimum guaranteed valuation is always accurate. Are you sure you can trust switching to another company suddenly? But business is a two-way street, and it’s your freedom to choose who you do business with. I’m just curious, which competitor is so confident? Would Mr. Xiang be willing to disclose?”

“Hiss… well…” Mr. Xiang hesitated, unable to speak further.

Xiao Mo didn’t rush him, refilled the guest’s teacup, and changed his approach: “The biggest event of the year, the Autumn Auction, is just a few months away. Everyone is actively preparing. Mr. Xiang needs to hurry up with the appraisal, evaluation, and issuing of certificates. If there are delays, you could miss the perfect timing. Su Yunjin and I have roughly studied those two treasures of yours, and they could be worth a shot.”

Hearing there was a profit to be made, Mr. Xiang’s face, full of fleshy folds, wrinkled up in a smile. He raised his cup, full of apologies: “Mr. Xiao, both of us are in business, and making more money is the essence of it. This time, I was unscrupulous. But rest assured, next time I encounter good collectibles, no matter how low others charge, I will choose your Xiaoyunxi.”

“Business apart, friendship remains. Mr. Xiang, you exaggerate. We’ll have plenty of opportunities for a win-win in the future.”

Xiao Mo was returning good for evil, which an old fox like Mr. Xiang couldn’t fail to see. However, he had promised the other party not to reveal specific information, so he changed the subject and started talking about recent events in Xuan City.

“Sigh, the economy is sluggish now. Has Mr. Xiao heard about the Hongcheng Group?”

“I don’t keep up with things outside the industry, but I know the Hongcheng Group is a pillar of Xuan City… Mr. Xiang, feel free to elaborate.”

“The Hongcheng Group declared bankruptcy some time ago and was acquired by a big boss from out of town. This boss has extremely strong backing—real estate, finance and securities, chain catering; they dabble in anything that makes money. It caused quite a stir, and they even established a collectible auction company. It’s getting late, I need to go back and prepare my documents. When we have time, let’s have a meal together, bringing along Ms. Su and Ms. Ling.”

Mr. Xiang stopped the conversation in time, fiddled with his prayer beads, and left the studio cheerfully.

Xiao Mo sipped his white tea, deep in thought. When did a new collectible auction company start up in Xuan City? Why was there absolutely no rumor about it?

Suddenly, a strange smell drifted in. Xiao Mo wondered if there was something wrong with the tea he was drinking, when suddenly a pair of hands landed on his shoulders.

“Did Mr. Xiang come to discuss cooperation?” Ling Xi half-crouched, her head popping out from behind Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo leaned toward her head, took a sniff, and immediately recoiled in disgust: “Did you fall into a toilet or eat feces? Why do you smell so foul?”

Ling Xi rubbed her hair. That familiar smell assailed her nostrils again. She simply plopped down onto the floor and bitterly complained: “First thing in the morning, someone ordered takeaway for me, and when I opened the package, it was a whole box of surströmming (fermented herring) canned fish. It stank up the whole building, and I was almost cursed to death by my neighbors and the property management.”

Mentioning this in the reception room, Ling Xi’s mind suddenly lit up. She got up and walked back and forth around the seat Qiao Bo’er had occupied.

Xiao Mo pinched his nose and retreated further, complaining: “Are you trying to stink up the entire studio too? Don’t walk around!”

“Believe it or not, I can make your life hell.” The threat from that crazy woman was still fresh in her memory. Ling Xi belatedly realized: first a forced kiss, then surströmming. This woman definitely knows how to play games!

Ling Xi instantly erupted in a small outburst: “Qiao! Bo! Er! You b*tch!”

…

Qiao Bo’er stood tall and straight; even sitting at her desk for a long time, her back remained perfectly erect.

“Achoo!”

Hearing her boss sneeze several times, Chu Xi approached with a hot coffee, concerned: “It’s hot outside, but the air conditioning is strong. Be careful not to catch a cold.”

Qiao Bo’er’s attention was entirely focused on the funding documents. Her eyes scanned the list and unexpectedly found Xuan Yi University among them. She suddenly became interested: “What is this list about?”

It must be said that a secretary like Chu Xi is hard to find. She is not only skilled in management but also observant, understanding how to read the room, and is truly resourceful. No matter when or what question is asked, she can always provide an accurate answer immediately: “The Hongcheng Group used to contribute significantly to the development of Xuan City, which included charitable funding. The government approached us, hoping Jiatian can continue its social impact.”

Qiao Bo’er had already set her sights on the Xuan Yi University funding project. She leisurely took a small sip from her coffee cup and showed no signs of being stingy: “Using charity to gain social attention—Jiatian’s business reputation and opportunities for government support can both be acquired. This is a good arrangement for getting a lot back for a little, benefiting multiple parties.”

Receiving her boss’s affirmation, Chu Xi followed up: “Do you have a preferred funding project?”

“I think the one for Xuan Yi University is quite good; the required funds are not extensive. It can provide us with a channel for talent acquisition and also expand our business scope.”

Chu Xi picked up the project proposal and read it carefully: “Allow me to review it first.”

Qiao Bo’er possessed keen commercial judgment, and as she said, it was indeed a multi-purpose plan. Although the group had to pay upfront, for the powerful Jiatian, it was an excellent opportunity to achieve much with little effort. Once a cooperative relationship was established, business dealings would undoubtedly follow.

Putting down the document, Chu Xi proposed a feasible suggestion: “We can make good use of the construction units under the group to renovate all the sports fields at Xuan Yi University. This will allow us to better control costs, ensure quality, and simultaneously fulfill the government’s requirements.”

“Maximizing the group’s advantage, a good suggestion. Let’s decide on that. Please arrange a meeting time for both parties, the sooner the better. I will personally handle this project.”

Qiao Bo’er’s instructions surprised Chu Xi. The group undertakes countless engineering projects; such a small charitable funding project didn’t necessitate the boss’s personal involvement.

Qiao Bo’er noticed Chu Xi’s doubt and added in a good mood: “The project itself doesn’t matter to me. I just thought of some more fun games to play.”

There it is again, there it is again. She knew this “salted fish” matter wouldn’t be over so easily. Chu Xi helplessly massaged her forehead: “Boss, are you really going to hold a grudge against that salted fish?”

Thinking of Ling Xi’s disheveled and helpless look, Qiao Bo’er could hardly contain her excitement. However, a chilling light shone in her deep eyes. She tapped her cheek with a slender finger and said sarcastically: “She gave me five finger marks with one slap. As a return favor, I naturally have to give her back in kind, or this resentment will be hard for me to dispel.”

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