CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: MARRY ME

"Next door." Chen Yiyang pointed towards the direction of the painting and calligraphy exhibition next door.

"Your eyes are truly sharp." Zhang Yuling watched as Chen Yiyang dismantled the fan and naturally guessed that Chen Yiyang had picked up this fan from a bargain at the nearby exhibition.

"Are you willing to sell this fan bone?" Zhang Yuling took the fan bone from Chen Yiyang’s hands and examined it carefully.

Indeed, it was confirmed to be Wu Huafan’s authentic work.

"How much do you plan to sell it for?" Chen Yiyang asked curiously.

The reason he brought the item here was clearly to attract Zhang Yuling’s attention.

After all, Zhang Yuling was a professional in paintings and calligraphy. Even if she wasn’t interested in the fan bone, she could help Chen Yiyang appraise its value.

"Hmm, let me think." Zhang Yuling was momentarily at a loss for words.

Mainly because pricing this fan bone was indeed tricky.

If it were a painting by Wu Huafan, anything below a few million would be considered too low.

But this was merely a fan bone by Wu Huafan. The painting on it was engraved.

The price of this fan bone wouldn’t be too high, but because of Wu Huafan’s name, it couldn’t be too low either.

According to market prices, it fluctuates between twenty thousand to one hundred fifty thousand.

The reason for the price fluctuation is primarily based on personal preference.

For those who don’t like it, a price of twenty thousand is quite reasonable.

But for those who do, selling it for over ten thousand is normal.

Zhang Yuling happened to be someone who liked this item.

Using the fan bone, crafted by the pair of master and apprentice Wu Huafan and Sheng Bingyun, as a gift for her uncle Zhang Jiuqian would be a perfect present.

Between Zhang Jiuqian and his mentor, there was also a deep bond, giving the fan bone unique value to him.

But naming a price over ten thousand herself felt like she was cutting herself short—it seemed unreasonable to do so.

Chen Yiyang quickly noticed Zhang Yuling’s dilemma.

On his way here, he had checked online for similar fan bone transactions.

Similarly, he discovered that the price for celebrity fan bones varied significantly.

Because these items are somewhat akin to modern IP merchandise.

For those uninterested, items like acrylic stands, posters, and badges are worth just a few dollars.

But for fans who love that IP, they might buy them without a second thought, even for hundreds.

Thus, he hadn’t planned to sell it to Zhang Yuling for cash.

"How about this?" Chen Yiyang proposed, "I’ve recently started a shop for trading second-hand collectibles. Why don’t you ask Zhang Jiuqian to write something for my shop?

Then, your studio could officially announce my shop as a designated collaboration partner. How about that?"

"Let me think about it." Chen Yiyang’s proposal intrigued Zhang Yuling.

This type of transaction allowed Zhang Yuling to escape the trap of naming her own price and cutting herself short. Plus, she truly liked this item.

On Chen Yiyang’s side, although he was losing around ten thousand in cash.

His shop was about to open, and in the second-hand collectibles trade, reputation is crucial.

Chen Yiyang’s new shop naturally lacked reputation. Previously, he considered partnering with the pawnshop, partly because he wanted to leverage the pawnshop’s reputation for his business.

But reputation borrowed from others can’t be borrowed forever. The best way to build one’s own reputation is through association with famous figures.

Zhang Jiuqian’s name is a brand in the world of painting and calligraphy collection. Simply spending ten thousand looking for a piece of his writing or a partnership designation wouldn’t be feasible.

"Pleasure doing business." Zhang Yuling eventually decided.

This was indeed a mutually beneficial deal, and she herself could make the decision on the related matters.

So she shook hands with Chen Yiyang, sealing the deal.

After the deal was done, both felt good. Chen Yiyang even helped Zhang Yuling arrange the venue as a favor.

However, in the afternoon, before Xu Xiaosheng returned, Chen Yiyang received a call and had to leave early.

"Let’s meet."

In a tea restaurant, a woman in a lady’s suit with short, ear-length hair shook hands with Chen Yiyang.

This was the new manager of the Pawnshop.

"I’m Yang Yu, 167 cm tall, weighing 94 lbs. My hobbies include running, traveling, and working."

"Are there really people in this world who love working?" Chen Yiyang instinctively joked, then continued.

"However, your detailed self-introduction feels a bit odd."

"Sorry about that. It’s my style." The woman was beautiful but wore striking makeup, giving off an aggressive and impactful aura, a bit like Hong Kong Island stars from the 80s and 90s.

Chen Yiyang was dealing with this type of woman for the first time.

"No need to apologize." Remembering her position, Chen Yiyang replied politely, "After all, we’re not here for a matchmaking session."

"Actually, I do have the intention of matchmaking." The woman said something that caught Chen Yiyang off guard as she took a sip of water.

"Are you kidding?"

"It’s no joke." Yang Yu stated seriously, "You previously asked for the pawnshop’s client demand list. While the pawnshop can provide this, you need to guarantee the pawnshop’s interests."

"This isn’t our first collaboration." Chen Yiyang proceeded with the usual negotiation process, "Previously, both parties were satisfied with the collaboration, including the pawnshop introducing me to the Silver City Pawnshop in Macau, which we were also very satisfied with.

Having a partner like me, if we deepen our cooperation, it will benefit both sides immensely. That should be clear."

"No, this involves a security issue." Yang Yu candidly stated.

"Clients are the pawnshop’s core, most valuable asset. To put it bluntly, for those important clients, pawnshops can’t do without them, rather than them without the pawnshops.

Once these key clients know someone else can meet their needs, they won’t hesitate to have another channel.

In this industry, we profit from information monopoly. Everyone serves the clients. From the clients’ perspective, the more channels they can access the better.

But from our perspective, the more competitors there are, the greater the operating pressure, and the easier it is to be abandoned by clients."

"Alright." Chen Yiyang was convinced by Yang Yu.

Chen Yiyang’s profit from picking bargains always starts at tenfold. Although the scale isn’t big now, the cost pressure is minimal.

Pawnshops, however, have significant cost pressure. The more competitors, the more transparent market prices become, and the fewer profits they can gain.

"However, since the pawnshop sent you, a new manager, to negotiate with me, it means there is room to discuss. What do you want, just say it." Chen Yiyang directly asked Yang Yu.

"Marry me." Yang Yu took another sip from the water cup.